2 50 763 https://slovakia.wordsofpassage.net/files/original/2cdaac0688357b8c1d5f4f9d35026a92.pdf ef5e9274705487f6301c7fef1bdeed56 PDF Text Text SLOVAKIA 47 AN HONOR IN SWVAK SEPARA'l1ISM By E. W ., an Amer i c an Stude n t of Centra l E u r opean Polit ics The above title should not cause surprise and if it causes talk, then its main purpose is accompl!shed. Slovak and Czech friends, permit an American who has learned your languages and history to throw a few comments into the .slowly-but-surely boiling pot now termed "separatism." Curiosity arouaed by friends of both nationalities has propelled me headlong into reference books, newspaper research, etc., from the time of SS. Cyril and Methodlus to the present to "look the ground over" of this old question wlth a new face dealing wlth independent statehood for both nations. The study of the past and observation of today's events boil down to the plain fact that neither nation fared too well down the centuries while being tied to another, even in the pre.sent-day tie of two people closely related to each other. Even in a family where two brothers go into a partnershlp it must be understood that to succeed neither must try to get a head of the other; either both must proceed together or both must remain at an even pace. Otherwise, one will soon "lord it" over the other. Now in tbe Slovak and Czech issue, very frankly, both have a list of grievances against the Czechoslovak republ!c, though it is most obvious that the Slovak list is much, much Jonger. And that, breeding dlscontent and an unhealthy atmo• sphere, Jong ago signaled the tíme for a termlnation of all relationshlps before lt comes to blows. In fact, that tíme did come and the Slovaks did get the opportunity for self-rule, but world affairs engulfed and finally rulned the little state and brought it to former surveillance. The loglcal conclusion now, when the fight for freedom is again essential, is to have each nation go its own way, live peacefully apart and stm be good frlends. Actually, ~wo relatives can always be better friends by going to two separate City Halls, churches, markets, etc. Furthe rmore, it is only inherent in every creature as in every nation to be independent, for only in that way can lts polltical, economlc and spiritual rlghts be freely exercised and protected. Two cooks in one kitchen never did too well except to mess it up, and even worse when one gets the honors and the other peels the potatoes. There is no progress in such a system for both, but only for one. Matter of fact, it amazes an outsider that two peoples of such greatly dlfferent temperaments ever did go into such a partnership. The only apparent reason seems to be that the Slovaks after centurles of oppression thought that the Czechs might give them a better deal. The irony was, however, that the Slovak never did get a fair deal, for the big-hearted, good, though a bit naive soul, was made a fool of at every occasion.. No Slovak who went to a federal office bulldlng after 1918 will ever forget when he asked for s omethlng and was told in sing-song fashion "nelze vyhovHi; mluvte po česky" ("Can't help you; speak in Ozech"). But that belongs to the list of grlevances, for whlch the good Czech people are not responslble, but only thelr regime whlch milked the good Slovak cow and insulted lt too. �SLOVAKIA Tbe Slovaks apparently feel confident enougb, as ľm aure all good Czecbs do, to try a little country of thelr own for a change. Tbey feel tbey can succeed at it. And tbey did !rom 1939-194-5. Slnce tbey are certain tbat tbey can run thelr own government, carry on sound economlcs lnternally and in outslde trade, not be afraid to be llttle in tbe midst of big odds, etc., then wby should the larger Bohemla have anytbing to fear in belng a country on lts own? However, and tbis from the record, Bohemia herself was never afrald for she was alwa.ys tbe leader, but only a certain group of ber degenerate, of!iceseeking, renegade "leaders" do not want Bohemia independent, for tben tbere would be less titles and more centralized work (wb at tbat breed never liked), and then there would be no Slovakla to rule and from wbicb to take •·ror free," because tben they would have to pay for everythlng in fair trade. Yes, the fear 1s not in good Czechs, but in some poor ex-leaders wbo would hate to lose Slovakia, the happy huntlng ground for food, labor, graft and taxes. The ill-begotten, Benes-betrayed republic. according to this renegade· group, should continue to exist, holding two un wllllng natlons iu bondage to a regime that dared call itself democratic and pro· gresslve. How democratic was that r egime when a Slovak had no word In it? How progressive was it when it curbed every desire for Slovak independence and wanted to pave the streets of Bratislava with Slovak heads should same attempt at freedom be made? The greatest !ie of the century was the claim that Czechoslovakla was democratlc. Apparently the word sounded good but they didn't know just what it meant. And. tbe fact that "equal" partner Slovakla was beld as a colony and exploited proves the fact. Tbose who fought and stlll flght against Slovak independence are the backward, underoocratic ones, and tbose who figbt for Slovak freedom are the truly democratlc and progresslve ones. Tbls small Czech imperlallstlc group has also coined tbe word "Czechoslovak." Since God never did create such a species of man, lt ls a barefaced insult to H im (but then tbey didn't believe In Hlm) and an insult to every Czecb to be called half a Czech and half a Slovak for tbe same reason. Tbe ,\·hole idea ls ridlculous blologicaUy and morally, as well. Of course, tbe title is a pure, underbanded political scbeme to attempt asslmilatlon of the Slovaks by the Czechs. Had this group any foresight, they would have understood that sucb attempts at assimilation do not work anywhere on earth except in America where dozens of nations make.s lt expedient and even beneficial to assume one name of identification. But In a republlc of only two natlons, and partlcularly in a !and where both natlons never did have too much freedom for centuries, the scheme smeUs of subordlnatlon of one nation to another or ellmlnation of both to create a new breed. Tbat only creates contempt and averslon. Con• sequently, that bright idea has helped to create a good bit of lll• teellng. Equality 1s misconstrued in such a case, because the true concept of equality lies not in adoptlng the name of another natlon but in retalnlng your own and belng irble to go just as far wlth' lt as your neighbor. In any case, however, tbe Slovaks stubbornly re• fused to be assimillated by the Czechs. �SLOVAKlA 49 Next, this same group goes further in the game of antagonizing, but not shamlng the Slovaks, by coining another word "aeparatist" and "aeparatiam" by whlch they thlnk they wlll abuse all freedomloving Slovaks and, perbaps, s quelcb tbelr movement for independence. Anotber rldlculous title wblcb ls so wrong morally, and whicb causes more aversion towards tbe old regime tban a desire to come back to tbe [old. And, to attempt to squelcb or ridicule any at• tempts for justified independence is morally wrong, for it !s a Godgiven rigbt to flght for freedom from evil, In fact, it !s a patriotlc duty to demand freedom. Tbe "Czechoslovak" group apparently fails to comprebend tbat tbe Slovaks wlll never be contented in a republic wltb anotber 11ation, regardless of wbo that migbt be, after they have tasted some freedom, and tbere will always be discontentment wltb wblch tbey will always have to contend, and wbicb will only be a wblp for tbeir own backs. Apparently, bes ides a lack of comprehenslon of the real situatlon, they also fall to admit this truth to themselves and follow through on the obvious and the apparent. The Slovaks have had enougb of subjugatlon, in any form; they do not wish to be a colony; they wísb to "fly alone and fly right." This separatist movement, then, wlll go on untfl klngdom come so long as Slovaks keep hoping and praying for freedom and inde• pendence. Tbe boil has long been rípe but always there were world affalrs and new terrors which forced domestlc problems l nto tbe background. First the Nazis and then the Commles. But after tbat the current discontentment wlll sweep away every trace of a republic of two nations . The Slovaks and Czechs abroad wlll work out thelr indivídua! states and elect thelr own governments, but some or the groundwork can and should be done here to pave a favorable impressíon and receptlon for the two little countries into the western world when the tlme comes for the debut. In the meantime, the group o( "Czechoslovak" agitators !s running hlgh fever to stem the tide of separatlsm and attempt to klll lt b efore Communism is cleaned out. And thelr cbief weapon apparently is bostlle propaganda, abuse and every trick to dlscredit Slovak leaders here and abroad and. particularly, In front of the United Nations and our own American government. To be a separatist is termed by them a crime, and some foollsh people believe them, as do some uninformed American offlclals who at present are too preoccupied with our own affairs to get the facts on the Slovaks. However, that will pass too, and then there will be time to study the matter of the small natlons. Communlsm is our first problem today and Interna] dlsputes must come second for a whlle. This apparently makes the " Czechoslovak" feel confident that lt wlll al• ways be second and that Washington is sold and fooled by tbeir propaganda for the renewal of the old republlc. But tbat !s only Cor tbe time being, definltely. However, wben there w!ll be time to thlnk of small nations and tbeír battles, there will then be time to flnd tbe Slovak truth and botb Czecb and Slovak aversion towards the renewal of a joint republic. How absolutel y ridiculous the "Czechoslovak" group will �60 SLOVA.K.IA look when the facts are analyzed and they flnd they have been abuslng and dlscredltlng an honorable t hing. lf separa t iam ia a crime, they will then be to ld, and rlght In Wa shington, w hat awfu l criminala our forefahera were when they struggied unde r t he Brit iah a nd went t o war a gainst them; what ug ly fanatics they w ere w hen they met and wrote up t he lis t of grievances against Great Britai n a nd finally the Declara t ion of lndepe ndence and the Constitution which formed t h is g reat and wonderful America. - Sepa ra tista of t he first class ! And it is the same wondertul America, founded by separatlsts, which has given a home to such as they and protects thelr wild propaganda under the articJe or freedom of speech even when they a buse those w ho als o fi ght for freedom tro m a regime wors e t han t he old Engl ish crown because it functioned in a more modern, civilized age. In a bus ing a Slovak desire for independence, they ope n ly tell the whole w orld that after all t hese yeara, Amerlca had no rig ht t o independence fro m Brita in. They aJso abuse the memory ot our honorable, brave and tarsighted coJonists, and even Washington who Jed them, for having Jaid the foundation for the greatest nation in the world. ConcJuslveJy, the Americans or 1776 were the greatest separatista on the face or the earth when they wrote the Declaration ot Independence. How blgoted can the "Czechoslovaks" be and just how blind can they be? What troubJe-maklng separatlsts were lhe French with all thelr revoJutlons, and the Irlsh, and the Israelis, and h osts of o thers who waged wars for years untll their voice in the w!lderness was heard. Now that they have won their independence, we praise them for the!r patience, bravery and do au we can to help them and welcome them lnto our world of free natlons. It is a plty, though, that all such separatlsts have to work so hard, pay such great prices for their freedom, when their partners could have granted them thelr liberty from the start, an_d instead of becoming an enemy could have been a benefactor and friend immediateJy. Look around, you who are separatists, Czechs and Slovaks, and see how separatlsm ls golng on today in every field for a better worJd, and how much glorious hlstory ha.s been made by separatista through the centuries, for it is they who turn the wheeJs of progress. It is the separatist from the standard scheme that is enterprlslng, progressive and democratlc in every field. And yet, accordlng to your own papers, the "CzechosJovaks" cJaim that the separatlsts are not democrat!c, progresslve, etc. The tact that t.hey are separatista proves othel'Wise, and the ones who retard their progress are the duJI conservatives, dictatorial and contradictory. Hence, separatista, your Jot ls a glorious and an honorabJe one. There is no shame in wantlng freedom, rather lt is a duty to flght for it, even when your own ldnd curb lt and attempt to dlscredlt you. That, as all things, wiJI pass, and at least by the Jaw ot averages, with your ettorts, the SJovaks musJ, be tree some day. The day ls at your flngertlps to name and reallze. Read your own hlstory and that ot thls land, and you wlll flnd lt full of freedom-lovlng people as yoursel!. There is no shame, then, in belng a separatist, and th!s applles to both Slovaks and Czechs. �SLOVAKIA 61 The Cz.e chs must free themselves of their own leaders who have betrayed them and led them lnto chaos; and they should prepare now to rlse with new leaders, true Czechs, who are lnterested In thelr own people and not with artillatlons wlth powers who would swallow them up. Let them also prove that they do not need Slovakla, that they can subsist wlthout ber, and that they can truly be slsters and exemplary natlons. Leave the renegades and weakllng.s behlnd, and forge ahead lnto new horlzons, not back to stale systems that wlll hurt all over agaln. Come up wlth new leaders, fresh leaders, pro• gresslve leaders who aren't afrald to live alone. A separatlst move• ment should be as strong among Czechs as among the Slovaks. Form two nations as friends, not one republic as enemies. And, to those that want the old republlc and are waltlng to re• sume office, and to those who trumpet this false ldeology on reams and reams of paper to keep such a degenerate idea allve, conslder how foolish you sound now when you think you abuse good people by calling them separatists and think you are plnnlng a crlme to thelr backs when actually you are flatterlng them and placlng them lnto a glorious classlflcation. Consider how even more foollsh you wlll feel when all your evll, dlrty work of dlscredlting wlll ltself be discredited and separatlsm will after all win out and produce some• t hlng decent and fine which the old republlc was not capable ot do· ing. And above all, you are not only politically but also morally wrong, as are all who curb movements for freedom. The separatlsts are the real democrats and progressives, for it !s they who want freedom and democracy and not you who want to bind two natlons lnto an outdated and hated republic. Yours !s only a cause of contradlction and stubborn hate to preserve something that 1s rotten trom the core. For every move to stamp out independent ideas you only acquire new enemies, and the more enemies the more stronger the separatlsts; and the more ot those, the sooner two independent countrles wlll be formed. Any decent Czech w!ll tllll you that the old republlc was a ml.stake and "just not right," and any decent Slovak, by God• insplred love of country, automatlca\ly wants independence for hls natlon. What percentage then do you rea\ly have In your camp? 5 per cent or even less? And a Gallup poli is not needed to reallze that, inherently, the Slovak wants hls own government and country! Any Slovak that wants the old Czechoslovak republlc !s a twisted and spoiled breed that, frankly, even the Czechs ot the old regime should not care to associate with and form a partnersh!p wlth. That rene• gade type, wlth shame must be admitted, count up to a fractlon ot one percent of all Slovaks, no more. It !s amazing and tantastic, that with this tiny group then, the old regime wants to form a republlc. How will they contend with the rest? Satan himself has walked about the earth sowing dissenslon and oppre.ssion. Those who curb freedom anrl abuse thoše who flgbt for it, must once reap Satan's trash. The floor o[ every ball is yours, separatists„ and the movement i~ yours to complete and the fruits of lndependence wlll be yours to enjoy. This 1s the exhortatlon of an A.m erlcan whose studles prove you ha.ve a cause - a just and holy cause. �52 SLOVAKIA WHAT THEY SAID ABOUT TISO "By executing Dr. Tiso, priest-presldent of wartlme Slovakia, the Czechoslov.ak governm ent of Dr. Beneš h as turned t he clock of civilizatlon back a few centuries in Czecho-Slovakia. T he mu rder of this gallant and upright Slovak leader and exemplary priest, w ho remained wlth b is people under the most trying condltions, by Dr. Edward Beneš, who resigned as president of his country and surrendered it 'in toto' to the Nazis, must s hock every Christian and every believer In the democratic way of life. Tbe infamous act of th e Beneš governm ent rightfully deserves the »evere.st condemnation of all righteous people." - Stephen Šuhaj čik, Councilman Second W ard, Cleveland, Ohio, April 1947. • • • "MURDER IN SLOVAKIA" ( From the speech of Hon. Alvin E . O' Konski of Wisconsin, in the House of Representati ves, Wednesday, Aprí l 23, 1947) . Mr. Speaker, the recent hanging by the Communists of Czech0slovakia of the brave and gallant Monsignor Joseph Tiso was murder in its most ghastl y and shameful form.••• But the hanging of Monsignor Tiso itself is not the greatest tragedy. The greatest tragedy is the silence by our American President and by our American State Department while this murder was going o n. Our Government gave the Czec hosl ovakian Government hundreds of million of dollars in the past two years. We are going to give them mi llions of dollars more. Vet, with this giving of millions of dollars to the Government of Czechoslovakia, our President and our State Department are not even men enough to stand up and protest against this murder by the Soviets. AII of this leads me to believe that the l eaders of our country in the White House and in our State Department no longer understand the meaning of the term " honor." Monsignor Tiso is dead. H e was murdered. Whi l e he was murd ered America was sil ent. The day is not very far distant when these American leaders will regret their silence. The day may come and may be too soon when these leaders who were so shamefully silent wi l l b e treated the same way that Monsignor Tiso and Bishop Ste• panic and General Mihailovitc h were treated. Then maybe there will be protests. But then it wi II be too late. Frankly, 1 do not think America coulá have saved the life of Monsignor Tiso. But I am ashamed that my country did not even have the decency and honor to file a protest just for the record. By some miracl e suc h a protest might have at least postponed the exec utio n. Here in Ame r i ca our o fficials grant our basest cr i minals a stay of execution. The least that our national leaders could have done i s f ile a p lea for the same consideration for a Christian lover of freedom M onsignor T i so whose only c rime was that he hated Communi sm just as he hated nazism. But Ameri ca remains silent and murder has free sway. � SLOVAKIA 47 AN HONOR IN SWVAK SEPARA'l1ISM By E. W ., an Amer i c an Stude n t of Centra l E u r opean Polit ics The above title should not cause surprise and if it causes talk, then its main purpose is accompl!shed. Slovak and Czech friends, permit an American who has learned your languages and history to throw a few comments into the .slowly-but-surely boiling pot now termed "separatism." Curiosity arouaed by friends of both nationalities has propelled me headlong into reference books, newspaper research, etc., from the time of SS. Cyril and Methodlus to the present to "look the ground over" of this old question wlth a new face dealing wlth independent statehood for both nations. The study of the past and observation of today's events boil down to the plain fact that neither nation fared too well down the centuries while being tied to another, even in the pre.sent-day tie of two people closely related to each other. Even in a family where two brothers go into a partnershlp it must be understood that to succeed neither must try to get a head of the other; either both must proceed together or both must remain at an even pace. Otherwise, one will soon "lord it" over the other. Now in tbe Slovak and Czech issue, very frankly, both have a list of grievances against the Czechoslovak republ!c, though it is most obvious that the Slovak list is much, much Jonger. And that, breeding dlscontent and an unhealthy atmo• sphere, Jong ago signaled the tíme for a termlnation of all relationshlps before lt comes to blows. In fact, that tíme did come and the Slovaks did get the opportunity for self-rule, but world affairs engulfed and finally rulned the little state and brought it to former surveillance. The loglcal conclusion now, when the fight for freedom is again essential, is to have each nation go its own way, live peacefully apart and stm be good frlends. Actually, ~wo relatives can always be better friends by going to two separate City Halls, churches, markets, etc. Furthe rmore, it is only inherent in every creature as in every nation to be independent, for only in that way can lts polltical, economlc and spiritual rlghts be freely exercised and protected. Two cooks in one kitchen never did too well except to mess it up, and even worse when one gets the honors and the other peels the potatoes. There is no progress in such a system for both, but only for one. Matter of fact, it amazes an outsider that two peoples of such greatly dlfferent temperaments ever did go into such a partnership. The only apparent reason seems to be that the Slovaks after centurles of oppression thought that the Czechs might give them a better deal. The irony was, however, that the Slovak never did get a fair deal, for the big-hearted, good, though a bit naive soul, was made a fool of at every occasion.. No Slovak who went to a federal office bulldlng after 1918 will ever forget when he asked for s omethlng and was told in sing-song fashion "nelze vyhovHi; mluvte po česky" ("Can't help you; speak in Ozech"). But that belongs to the list of grlevances, for whlch the good Czech people are not responslble, but only thelr regime whlch milked the good Slovak cow and insulted lt too. �SLOVAKIA Tbe Slovaks apparently feel confident enougb, as ľm aure all good Czecbs do, to try a little country of thelr own for a change. Tbey feel tbey can succeed at it. And tbey did !rom 1939-194-5. Slnce tbey are certain tbat tbey can run thelr own government, carry on sound economlcs lnternally and in outslde trade, not be afraid to be llttle in tbe midst of big odds, etc., then wby should the larger Bohemla have anytbing to fear in belng a country on lts own? However, and tbis from the record, Bohemia herself was never afrald for she was alwa.ys tbe leader, but only a certain group of ber degenerate, of!iceseeking, renegade "leaders" do not want Bohemia independent, for tben tbere would be less titles and more centralized work (wb at tbat breed never liked), and then there would be no Slovakla to rule and from wbicb to take •·ror free," because tben they would have to pay for everythlng in fair trade. Yes, the fear 1s not in good Czechs, but in some poor ex-leaders wbo would hate to lose Slovakia, the happy huntlng ground for food, labor, graft and taxes. The ill-begotten, Benes-betrayed republic. according to this renegade· group, should continue to exist, holding two un wllllng natlons iu bondage to a regime that dared call itself democratic and pro· gresslve. How democratic was that r egime when a Slovak had no word In it? How progressive was it when it curbed every desire for Slovak independence and wanted to pave the streets of Bratislava with Slovak heads should same attempt at freedom be made? The greatest !ie of the century was the claim that Czechoslovakla was democratlc. Apparently the word sounded good but they didn't know just what it meant. And. tbe fact that "equal" partner Slovakla was beld as a colony and exploited proves the fact. Tbose who fought and stlll flght against Slovak independence are the backward, underoocratic ones, and tbose who figbt for Slovak freedom are the truly democratlc and progresslve ones. Tbls small Czech imperlallstlc group has also coined tbe word "Czechoslovak." Since God never did create such a species of man, lt ls a barefaced insult to H im (but then tbey didn't believe In Hlm) and an insult to every Czecb to be called half a Czech and half a Slovak for tbe same reason. Tbe ,\·hole idea ls ridlculous blologicaUy and morally, as well. Of course, tbe title is a pure, underbanded political scbeme to attempt asslmilatlon of the Slovaks by the Czechs. Had this group any foresight, they would have understood that sucb attempts at assimilation do not work anywhere on earth except in America where dozens of nations make.s lt expedient and even beneficial to assume one name of identification. But In a republlc of only two natlons, and partlcularly in a !and where both natlons never did have too much freedom for centuries, the scheme smeUs of subordlnatlon of one nation to another or ellmlnation of both to create a new breed. Tbat only creates contempt and averslon. Con• sequently, that bright idea has helped to create a good bit of lll• teellng. Equality 1s misconstrued in such a case, because the true concept of equality lies not in adoptlng the name of another natlon but in retalnlng your own and belng irble to go just as far wlth' lt as your neighbor. In any case, however, tbe Slovaks stubbornly re• fused to be assimillated by the Czechs. �SLOVAKlA 49 Next, this same group goes further in the game of antagonizing, but not shamlng the Slovaks, by coining another word "aeparatist" and "aeparatiam" by whlch they thlnk they wlll abuse all freedomloving Slovaks and, perbaps, s quelcb tbelr movement for independence. Anotber rldlculous title wblcb ls so wrong morally, and whicb causes more aversion towards tbe old regime tban a desire to come back to tbe [old. And, to attempt to squelcb or ridicule any at• tempts for justified independence is morally wrong, for it !s a Godgiven rigbt to flght for freedom from evil, In fact, it !s a patriotlc duty to demand freedom. Tbe "Czechoslovak" group apparently fails to comprebend tbat tbe Slovaks wlll never be contented in a republic wltb anotber 11ation, regardless of wbo that migbt be, after they have tasted some freedom, and tbere will always be discontentment wltb wblch tbey will always have to contend, and wbicb will only be a wblp for tbeir own backs. Apparently, bes ides a lack of comprehenslon of the real situatlon, they also fall to admit this truth to themselves and follow through on the obvious and the apparent. The Slovaks have had enougb of subjugatlon, in any form; they do not wish to be a colony; they wísb to "fly alone and fly right." This separatist movement, then, wlll go on untfl klngdom come so long as Slovaks keep hoping and praying for freedom and inde• pendence. Tbe boil has long been rípe but always there were world affalrs and new terrors which forced domestlc problems l nto tbe background. First the Nazis and then the Commles. But after tbat the current discontentment wlll sweep away every trace of a republic of two nations . The Slovaks and Czechs abroad wlll work out thelr indivídua! states and elect thelr own governments, but some or the groundwork can and should be done here to pave a favorable impressíon and receptlon for the two little countries into the western world when the tlme comes for the debut. In the meantime, the group o( "Czechoslovak" agitators !s running hlgh fever to stem the tide of separatlsm and attempt to klll lt b efore Communism is cleaned out. And thelr cbief weapon apparently is bostlle propaganda, abuse and every trick to dlscredit Slovak leaders here and abroad and. particularly, In front of the United Nations and our own American government. To be a separatist is termed by them a crime, and some foollsh people believe them, as do some uninformed American offlclals who at present are too preoccupied with our own affairs to get the facts on the Slovaks. However, that will pass too, and then there will be time to study the matter of the small natlons. Communlsm is our first problem today and Interna] dlsputes must come second for a whlle. This apparently makes the " Czechoslovak" feel confident that lt wlll al• ways be second and that Washington is sold and fooled by tbeir propaganda for the renewal of the old republlc. But tbat !s only Cor tbe time being, definltely. However, wben there w!ll be time to thlnk of small nations and tbeír battles, there will then be time to flnd tbe Slovak truth and botb Czecb and Slovak aversion towards the renewal of a joint republic. How absolutel y ridiculous the "Czechoslovak" group will �60 SLOVA.K.IA look when the facts are analyzed and they flnd they have been abuslng and dlscredltlng an honorable t hing. lf separa t iam ia a crime, they will then be to ld, and rlght In Wa shington, w hat awfu l criminala our forefahera were when they struggied unde r t he Brit iah a nd went t o war a gainst them; what ug ly fanatics they w ere w hen they met and wrote up t he lis t of grievances against Great Britai n a nd finally the Declara t ion of lndepe ndence and the Constitution which formed t h is g reat and wonderful America. - Sepa ra tista of t he first class ! And it is the same wondertul America, founded by separatlsts, which has given a home to such as they and protects thelr wild propaganda under the articJe or freedom of speech even when they a buse those w ho als o fi ght for freedom tro m a regime wors e t han t he old Engl ish crown because it functioned in a more modern, civilized age. In a bus ing a Slovak desire for independence, they ope n ly tell the whole w orld that after all t hese yeara, Amerlca had no rig ht t o independence fro m Brita in. They aJso abuse the memory ot our honorable, brave and tarsighted coJonists, and even Washington who Jed them, for having Jaid the foundation for the greatest nation in the world. ConcJuslveJy, the Americans or 1776 were the greatest separatista on the face or the earth when they wrote the Declaration ot Independence. How blgoted can the "Czechoslovaks" be and just how blind can they be? What troubJe-maklng separatlsts were lhe French with all thelr revoJutlons, and the Irlsh, and the Israelis, and h osts of o thers who waged wars for years untll their voice in the w!lderness was heard. Now that they have won their independence, we praise them for the!r patience, bravery and do au we can to help them and welcome them lnto our world of free natlons. It is a plty, though, that all such separatlsts have to work so hard, pay such great prices for their freedom, when their partners could have granted them thelr liberty from the start, an_d instead of becoming an enemy could have been a benefactor and friend immediateJy. Look around, you who are separatists, Czechs and Slovaks, and see how separatlsm ls golng on today in every field for a better worJd, and how much glorious hlstory ha.s been made by separatista through the centuries, for it is they who turn the wheeJs of progress. It is the separatist from the standard scheme that is enterprlslng, progressive and democratlc in every field. And yet, accordlng to your own papers, the "CzechosJovaks" cJaim that the separatlsts are not democrat!c, progresslve, etc. The tact that t.hey are separatista proves othel'Wise, and the ones who retard their progress are the duJI conservatives, dictatorial and contradictory. Hence, separatista, your Jot ls a glorious and an honorabJe one. There is no shame in wantlng freedom, rather lt is a duty to flght for it, even when your own ldnd curb lt and attempt to dlscredlt you. That, as all things, wiJI pass, and at least by the Jaw ot averages, with your ettorts, the SJovaks musJ, be tree some day. The day ls at your flngertlps to name and reallze. Read your own hlstory and that ot thls land, and you wlll flnd lt full of freedom-lovlng people as yoursel!. There is no shame, then, in belng a separatist, and th!s applles to both Slovaks and Czechs. �SLOVAKIA 61 The Cz.e chs must free themselves of their own leaders who have betrayed them and led them lnto chaos; and they should prepare now to rlse with new leaders, true Czechs, who are lnterested In thelr own people and not with artillatlons wlth powers who would swallow them up. Let them also prove that they do not need Slovakla, that they can subsist wlthout ber, and that they can truly be slsters and exemplary natlons. Leave the renegades and weakllng.s behlnd, and forge ahead lnto new horlzons, not back to stale systems that wlll hurt all over agaln. Come up wlth new leaders, fresh leaders, pro• gresslve leaders who aren't afrald to live alone. A separatlst move• ment should be as strong among Czechs as among the Slovaks. Form two nations as friends, not one republic as enemies. And, to those that want the old republlc and are waltlng to re• sume office, and to those who trumpet this false ldeology on reams and reams of paper to keep such a degenerate idea allve, conslder how foolish you sound now when you think you abuse good people by calling them separatists and think you are plnnlng a crlme to thelr backs when actually you are flatterlng them and placlng them lnto a glorious classlflcation. Consider how even more foollsh you wlll feel when all your evll, dlrty work of dlscredlting wlll ltself be discredited and separatlsm will after all win out and produce some• t hlng decent and fine which the old republlc was not capable ot do· ing. And above all, you are not only politically but also morally wrong, as are all who curb movements for freedom. The separatlsts are the real democrats and progressives, for it !s they who want freedom and democracy and not you who want to bind two natlons lnto an outdated and hated republic. Yours !s only a cause of contradlction and stubborn hate to preserve something that 1s rotten trom the core. For every move to stamp out independent ideas you only acquire new enemies, and the more enemies the more stronger the separatlsts; and the more ot those, the sooner two independent countrles wlll be formed. Any decent Czech w!ll tllll you that the old republlc was a ml.stake and "just not right," and any decent Slovak, by God• insplred love of country, automatlca\ly wants independence for hls natlon. What percentage then do you rea\ly have In your camp? 5 per cent or even less? And a Gallup poli is not needed to reallze that, inherently, the Slovak wants hls own government and country! Any Slovak that wants the old Czechoslovak republlc !s a twisted and spoiled breed that, frankly, even the Czechs ot the old regime should not care to associate with and form a partnersh!p wlth. That rene• gade type, wlth shame must be admitted, count up to a fractlon ot one percent of all Slovaks, no more. It !s amazing and tantastic, that with this tiny group then, the old regime wants to form a republlc. How will they contend with the rest? Satan himself has walked about the earth sowing dissenslon and oppre.ssion. Those who curb freedom anrl abuse thoše who flgbt for it, must once reap Satan's trash. The floor o[ every ball is yours, separatists„ and the movement i~ yours to complete and the fruits of lndependence wlll be yours to enjoy. This 1s the exhortatlon of an A.m erlcan whose studles prove you ha.ve a cause - a just and holy cause. �52 SLOVAKIA WHAT THEY SAID ABOUT TISO "By executing Dr. Tiso, priest-presldent of wartlme Slovakia, the Czechoslov.ak governm ent of Dr. Beneš h as turned t he clock of civilizatlon back a few centuries in Czecho-Slovakia. T he mu rder of this gallant and upright Slovak leader and exemplary priest, w ho remained wlth b is people under the most trying condltions, by Dr. Edward Beneš, who resigned as president of his country and surrendered it 'in toto' to the Nazis, must s hock every Christian and every believer In the democratic way of life. Tbe infamous act of th e Beneš governm ent rightfully deserves the »evere.st condemnation of all righteous people." - Stephen Šuhaj čik, Councilman Second W ard, Cleveland, Ohio, April 1947. • • • "MURDER IN SLOVAKIA" ( From the speech of Hon. Alvin E . O' Konski of Wisconsin, in the House of Representati ves, Wednesday, Aprí l 23, 1947) . Mr. Speaker, the recent hanging by the Communists of Czech0slovakia of the brave and gallant Monsignor Joseph Tiso was murder in its most ghastl y and shameful form.••• But the hanging of Monsignor Tiso itself is not the greatest tragedy. The greatest tragedy is the silence by our American President and by our American State Department while this murder was going o n. Our Government gave the Czec hosl ovakian Government hundreds of million of dollars in the past two years. We are going to give them mi llions of dollars more. Vet, with this giving of millions of dollars to the Government of Czechoslovakia, our President and our State Department are not even men enough to stand up and protest against this murder by the Soviets. AII of this leads me to believe that the l eaders of our country in the White House and in our State Department no longer understand the meaning of the term " honor." Monsignor Tiso is dead. H e was murdered. Whi l e he was murd ered America was sil ent. The day is not very far distant when these American leaders will regret their silence. The day may come and may be too soon when these leaders who were so shamefully silent wi l l b e treated the same way that Monsignor Tiso and Bishop Ste• panic and General Mihailovitc h were treated. Then maybe there will be protests. But then it wi II be too late. Frankly, 1 do not think America coulá have saved the life of Monsignor Tiso. But I am ashamed that my country did not even have the decency and honor to file a protest just for the record. By some miracl e suc h a protest might have at least postponed the exec utio n. Here in Ame r i ca our o fficials grant our basest cr i minals a stay of execution. The least that our national leaders could have done i s f ile a p lea for the same consideration for a Christian lover of freedom M onsignor T i so whose only c rime was that he hated Communi sm just as he hated nazism. But Ameri ca remains silent and murder has free sway. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource 1952, Vol. 2 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available The Slovak League of America Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1952 Description An account of the resource <ul><li>Issue 1 (No. 3), March 1952.</li> <li>Issue 2 (No. 4), August 1952.</li> <li>Issue 3 (No. 5), December 1952.</li> </ul> Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document SLOVAKIA 47 AN HONOR IN SWVAK SEPARA'l1ISM By E. W ., an Amer i c an Stude n t of Centra l E u r opean Polit ics The above title should not cause surprise and if it causes talk, then its main purpose is accompl!shed. Slovak and Czech friends, permit an American who has learned your languages and history to throw a few comments into the .slowly-but-surely boiling pot now termed "separatism." Curiosity arouaed by friends of both nationalities has propelled me headlong into reference books, newspaper research, etc., from the time of SS. Cyril and Methodlus to the present to "look the ground over" of this old question wlth a new face dealing wlth independent statehood for both nations. The study of the past and observation of today's events boil down to the plain fact that neither nation fared too well down the centuries while being tied to another, even in the pre.sent-day tie of two people closely related to each other. Even in a family where two brothers go into a partnershlp it must be understood that to succeed neither must try to get a head of the other; either both must proceed together or both must remain at an even pace. Otherwise, one will soon "lord it" over the other. Now in tbe Slovak and Czech issue, very frankly, both have a list of grievances against the Czechoslovak republ!c, though it is most obvious that the Slovak list is much, much Jonger. And that, breeding dlscontent and an unhealthy atmo• sphere, Jong ago signaled the tíme for a termlnation of all relationshlps before lt comes to blows. In fact, that tíme did come and the Slovaks did get the opportunity for self-rule, but world affairs engulfed and finally rulned the little state and brought it to former surveillance. The loglcal conclusion now, when the fight for freedom is again essential, is to have each nation go its own way, live peacefully apart and stm be good frlends. Actually, ~wo relatives can always be better friends by going to two separate City Halls, churches, markets, etc. Furthe rmore, it is only inherent in every creature as in every nation to be independent, for only in that way can lts polltical, economlc and spiritual rlghts be freely exercised and protected. Two cooks in one kitchen never did too well except to mess it up, and even worse when one gets the honors and the other peels the potatoes. There is no progress in such a system for both, but only for one. Matter of fact, it amazes an outsider that two peoples of such greatly dlfferent temperaments ever did go into such a partnership. The only apparent reason seems to be that the Slovaks after centurles of oppression thought that the Czechs might give them a better deal. The irony was, however, that the Slovak never did get a fair deal, for the big-hearted, good, though a bit naive soul, was made a fool of at every occasion.. No Slovak who went to a federal office bulldlng after 1918 will ever forget when he asked for s omethlng and was told in sing-song fashion "nelze vyhovHi; mluvte po česky" ("Can't help you; speak in Ozech"). But that belongs to the list of grlevances, for whlch the good Czech people are not responslble, but only thelr regime whlch milked the good Slovak cow and insulted lt too. SLOVAKIA Tbe Slovaks apparently feel confident enougb, as ľm aure all good Czecbs do, to try a little country of thelr own for a change. Tbey feel tbey can succeed at it. And tbey did !rom 1939-194-5. Slnce tbey are certain tbat tbey can run thelr own government, carry on sound economlcs lnternally and in outslde trade, not be afraid to be llttle in tbe midst of big odds, etc., then wby should the larger Bohemla have anytbing to fear in belng a country on lts own? However, and tbis from the record, Bohemia herself was never afrald for she was alwa.ys tbe leader, but only a certain group of ber degenerate, of!iceseeking, renegade "leaders" do not want Bohemia independent, for tben tbere would be less titles and more centralized work (wb at tbat breed never liked), and then there would be no Slovakla to rule and from wbicb to take •·ror free," because tben they would have to pay for everythlng in fair trade. Yes, the fear 1s not in good Czechs, but in some poor ex-leaders wbo would hate to lose Slovakia, the happy huntlng ground for food, labor, graft and taxes. The ill-begotten, Benes-betrayed republic. according to this renegade· group, should continue to exist, holding two un wllllng natlons iu bondage to a regime that dared call itself democratic and pro· gresslve. How democratic was that r egime when a Slovak had no word In it? How progressive was it when it curbed every desire for Slovak independence and wanted to pave the streets of Bratislava with Slovak heads should same attempt at freedom be made? The greatest !ie of the century was the claim that Czechoslovakla was democratlc. Apparently the word sounded good but they didn't know just what it meant. And. tbe fact that "equal" partner Slovakla was beld as a colony and exploited proves the fact. Tbose who fought and stlll flght against Slovak independence are the backward, underoocratic ones, and tbose who figbt for Slovak freedom are the truly democratlc and progresslve ones. Tbls small Czech imperlallstlc group has also coined tbe word "Czechoslovak." Since God never did create such a species of man, lt ls a barefaced insult to H im (but then tbey didn't believe In Hlm) and an insult to every Czecb to be called half a Czech and half a Slovak for tbe same reason. Tbe ,\·hole idea ls ridlculous blologicaUy and morally, as well. Of course, tbe title is a pure, underbanded political scbeme to attempt asslmilatlon of the Slovaks by the Czechs. Had this group any foresight, they would have understood that sucb attempts at assimilation do not work anywhere on earth except in America where dozens of nations make.s lt expedient and even beneficial to assume one name of identification. But In a republlc of only two natlons, and partlcularly in a !and where both natlons never did have too much freedom for centuries, the scheme smeUs of subordlnatlon of one nation to another or ellmlnation of both to create a new breed. Tbat only creates contempt and averslon. Con• sequently, that bright idea has helped to create a good bit of lll• teellng. Equality 1s misconstrued in such a case, because the true concept of equality lies not in adoptlng the name of another natlon but in retalnlng your own and belng irble to go just as far wlth' lt as your neighbor. In any case, however, tbe Slovaks stubbornly re• fused to be assimillated by the Czechs. SLOVAKlA 49 Next, this same group goes further in the game of antagonizing, but not shamlng the Slovaks, by coining another word "aeparatist" and "aeparatiam" by whlch they thlnk they wlll abuse all freedomloving Slovaks and, perbaps, s quelcb tbelr movement for independence. Anotber rldlculous title wblcb ls so wrong morally, and whicb causes more aversion towards tbe old regime tban a desire to come back to tbe [old. And, to attempt to squelcb or ridicule any at• tempts for justified independence is morally wrong, for it !s a Godgiven rigbt to flght for freedom from evil, In fact, it !s a patriotlc duty to demand freedom. Tbe "Czechoslovak" group apparently fails to comprebend tbat tbe Slovaks wlll never be contented in a republic wltb anotber 11ation, regardless of wbo that migbt be, after they have tasted some freedom, and tbere will always be discontentment wltb wblch tbey will always have to contend, and wbicb will only be a wblp for tbeir own backs. Apparently, bes ides a lack of comprehenslon of the real situatlon, they also fall to admit this truth to themselves and follow through on the obvious and the apparent. The Slovaks have had enougb of subjugatlon, in any form; they do not wish to be a colony; they wísb to "fly alone and fly right." This separatist movement, then, wlll go on untfl klngdom come so long as Slovaks keep hoping and praying for freedom and inde• pendence. Tbe boil has long been rípe but always there were world affalrs and new terrors which forced domestlc problems l nto tbe background. First the Nazis and then the Commles. But after tbat the current discontentment wlll sweep away every trace of a republic of two nations . The Slovaks and Czechs abroad wlll work out thelr indivídua! states and elect thelr own governments, but some or the groundwork can and should be done here to pave a favorable impressíon and receptlon for the two little countries into the western world when the tlme comes for the debut. In the meantime, the group o( "Czechoslovak" agitators !s running hlgh fever to stem the tide of separatlsm and attempt to klll lt b efore Communism is cleaned out. And thelr cbief weapon apparently is bostlle propaganda, abuse and every trick to dlscredit Slovak leaders here and abroad and. particularly, In front of the United Nations and our own American government. To be a separatist is termed by them a crime, and some foollsh people believe them, as do some uninformed American offlclals who at present are too preoccupied with our own affairs to get the facts on the Slovaks. However, that will pass too, and then there will be time to study the matter of the small natlons. Communlsm is our first problem today and Interna] dlsputes must come second for a whlle. This apparently makes the " Czechoslovak" feel confident that lt wlll al• ways be second and that Washington is sold and fooled by tbeir propaganda for the renewal of the old republlc. But tbat !s only Cor tbe time being, definltely. However, wben there w!ll be time to thlnk of small nations and tbeír battles, there will then be time to flnd tbe Slovak truth and botb Czecb and Slovak aversion towards the renewal of a joint republic. How absolutel y ridiculous the "Czechoslovak" group will 60 SLOVA.K.IA look when the facts are analyzed and they flnd they have been abuslng and dlscredltlng an honorable t hing. lf separa t iam ia a crime, they will then be to ld, and rlght In Wa shington, w hat awfu l criminala our forefahera were when they struggied unde r t he Brit iah a nd went t o war a gainst them; what ug ly fanatics they w ere w hen they met and wrote up t he lis t of grievances against Great Britai n a nd finally the Declara t ion of lndepe ndence and the Constitution which formed t h is g reat and wonderful America. - Sepa ra tista of t he first class ! And it is the same wondertul America, founded by separatlsts, which has given a home to such as they and protects thelr wild propaganda under the articJe or freedom of speech even when they a buse those w ho als o fi ght for freedom tro m a regime wors e t han t he old Engl ish crown because it functioned in a more modern, civilized age. In a bus ing a Slovak desire for independence, they ope n ly tell the whole w orld that after all t hese yeara, Amerlca had no rig ht t o independence fro m Brita in. They aJso abuse the memory ot our honorable, brave and tarsighted coJonists, and even Washington who Jed them, for having Jaid the foundation for the greatest nation in the world. ConcJuslveJy, the Americans or 1776 were the greatest separatista on the face or the earth when they wrote the Declaration ot Independence. How blgoted can the "Czechoslovaks" be and just how blind can they be? What troubJe-maklng separatlsts were lhe French with all thelr revoJutlons, and the Irlsh, and the Israelis, and h osts of o thers who waged wars for years untll their voice in the w!lderness was heard. Now that they have won their independence, we praise them for the!r patience, bravery and do au we can to help them and welcome them lnto our world of free natlons. It is a plty, though, that all such separatlsts have to work so hard, pay such great prices for their freedom, when their partners could have granted them thelr liberty from the start, an_d instead of becoming an enemy could have been a benefactor and friend immediateJy. Look around, you who are separatists, Czechs and Slovaks, and see how separatlsm ls golng on today in every field for a better worJd, and how much glorious hlstory ha.s been made by separatista through the centuries, for it is they who turn the wheeJs of progress. It is the separatist from the standard scheme that is enterprlslng, progressive and democratlc in every field. And yet, accordlng to your own papers, the "CzechosJovaks" cJaim that the separatlsts are not democrat!c, progresslve, etc. The tact that t.hey are separatista proves othel'Wise, and the ones who retard their progress are the duJI conservatives, dictatorial and contradictory. Hence, separatista, your Jot ls a glorious and an honorabJe one. There is no shame in wantlng freedom, rather lt is a duty to flght for it, even when your own ldnd curb lt and attempt to dlscredlt you. That, as all things, wiJI pass, and at least by the Jaw ot averages, with your ettorts, the SJovaks musJ, be tree some day. The day ls at your flngertlps to name and reallze. Read your own hlstory and that ot thls land, and you wlll flnd lt full of freedom-lovlng people as yoursel!. There is no shame, then, in belng a separatist, and th!s applles to both Slovaks and Czechs. SLOVAKIA 61 The Cz.e chs must free themselves of their own leaders who have betrayed them and led them lnto chaos; and they should prepare now to rlse with new leaders, true Czechs, who are lnterested In thelr own people and not with artillatlons wlth powers who would swallow them up. Let them also prove that they do not need Slovakla, that they can subsist wlthout ber, and that they can truly be slsters and exemplary natlons. Leave the renegades and weakllng.s behlnd, and forge ahead lnto new horlzons, not back to stale systems that wlll hurt all over agaln. Come up wlth new leaders, fresh leaders, pro• gresslve leaders who aren't afrald to live alone. A separatlst move• ment should be as strong among Czechs as among the Slovaks. Form two nations as friends, not one republic as enemies. And, to those that want the old republlc and are waltlng to re• sume office, and to those who trumpet this false ldeology on reams and reams of paper to keep such a degenerate idea allve, conslder how foolish you sound now when you think you abuse good people by calling them separatists and think you are plnnlng a crlme to thelr backs when actually you are flatterlng them and placlng them lnto a glorious classlflcation. Consider how even more foollsh you wlll feel when all your evll, dlrty work of dlscredlting wlll ltself be discredited and separatlsm will after all win out and produce some• t hlng decent and fine which the old republlc was not capable ot do· ing. And above all, you are not only politically but also morally wrong, as are all who curb movements for freedom. The separatlsts are the real democrats and progressives, for it !s they who want freedom and democracy and not you who want to bind two natlons lnto an outdated and hated republic. Yours !s only a cause of contradlction and stubborn hate to preserve something that 1s rotten trom the core. For every move to stamp out independent ideas you only acquire new enemies, and the more enemies the more stronger the separatlsts; and the more ot those, the sooner two independent countrles wlll be formed. Any decent Czech w!ll tllll you that the old republlc was a ml.stake and "just not right," and any decent Slovak, by God• insplred love of country, automatlca\ly wants independence for hls natlon. What percentage then do you rea\ly have In your camp? 5 per cent or even less? And a Gallup poli is not needed to reallze that, inherently, the Slovak wants hls own government and country! Any Slovak that wants the old Czechoslovak republlc !s a twisted and spoiled breed that, frankly, even the Czechs ot the old regime should not care to associate with and form a partnersh!p wlth. That rene• gade type, wlth shame must be admitted, count up to a fractlon ot one percent of all Slovaks, no more. It !s amazing and tantastic, that with this tiny group then, the old regime wants to form a republlc. How will they contend with the rest? Satan himself has walked about the earth sowing dissenslon and oppre.ssion. Those who curb freedom anrl abuse thoše who flgbt for it, must once reap Satan's trash. The floor o[ every ball is yours, separatists„ and the movement i~ yours to complete and the fruits of lndependence wlll be yours to enjoy. This 1s the exhortatlon of an A.m erlcan whose studles prove you ha.ve a cause - a just and holy cause. 52 SLOVAKIA WHAT THEY SAID ABOUT TISO "By executing Dr. Tiso, priest-presldent of wartlme Slovakia, the Czechoslov.ak governm ent of Dr. Beneš h as turned t he clock of civilizatlon back a few centuries in Czecho-Slovakia. T he mu rder of this gallant and upright Slovak leader and exemplary priest, w ho remained wlth b is people under the most trying condltions, by Dr. Edward Beneš, who resigned as president of his country and surrendered it 'in toto' to the Nazis, must s hock every Christian and every believer In the democratic way of life. Tbe infamous act of th e Beneš governm ent rightfully deserves the »evere.st condemnation of all righteous people." - Stephen Šuhaj čik, Councilman Second W ard, Cleveland, Ohio, April 1947. • • • "MURDER IN SLOVAKIA" ( From the speech of Hon. Alvin E . O' Konski of Wisconsin, in the House of Representati ves, Wednesday, Aprí l 23, 1947) . Mr. Speaker, the recent hanging by the Communists of Czech0slovakia of the brave and gallant Monsignor Joseph Tiso was murder in its most ghastl y and shameful form.••• But the hanging of Monsignor Tiso itself is not the greatest tragedy. The greatest tragedy is the silence by our American President and by our American State Department while this murder was going o n. Our Government gave the Czec hosl ovakian Government hundreds of million of dollars in the past two years. We are going to give them mi llions of dollars more. Vet, with this giving of millions of dollars to the Government of Czechoslovakia, our President and our State Department are not even men enough to stand up and protest against this murder by the Soviets. AII of this leads me to believe that the l eaders of our country in the White House and in our State Department no longer understand the meaning of the term " honor." Monsignor Tiso is dead. H e was murdered. Whi l e he was murd ered America was sil ent. The day is not very far distant when these American leaders will regret their silence. The day may come and may be too soon when these leaders who were so shamefully silent wi l l b e treated the same way that Monsignor Tiso and Bishop Ste• panic and General Mihailovitc h were treated. Then maybe there will be protests. But then it wi II be too late. Frankly, 1 do not think America coulá have saved the life of Monsignor Tiso. But I am ashamed that my country did not even have the decency and honor to file a protest just for the record. By some miracl e suc h a protest might have at least postponed the exec utio n. Here in Ame r i ca our o fficials grant our basest cr i minals a stay of execution. The least that our national leaders could have done i s f ile a p lea for the same consideration for a Christian lover of freedom M onsignor T i so whose only c rime was that he hated Communi sm just as he hated nazism. But Ameri ca remains silent and murder has free sway.  Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource An Honor in Slovak Separatism Description An account of the resource By E. W., an American Student of Central European Politics Slovakia, Vol. 2, No. 1 (3), March 1952 pp. 47-52 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Anonymous Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource March 1952 LCNAF https://slovakia.wordsofpassage.net/files/original/27e8b60d7b9f2ba11d4fdce8935748e6.pdf b838bf0abdc32a21c4559929a382b47f PDF Text Text 40 SLOVAKIA AN INCREDIBLE CONSPffiACY In the last days of August 1944, Slovakia, a peaceful island in war-ravaged Europe, suddenly became a theatre of war. There occurred an armed rebellion against the Slovak Republic sponsored by Czech-leaning politicians, ambitious army officers and communists. On the pages of the world press the incident passed almost unnoticed ; if it appeared it was completely lost alongside such events as the gallant stand of the Poles in the Warsaw rising (Aug.-Sept.), the Allied landing on the south coast of France (Aug. 15) , the fall of Paris (Aug. 23) , the capitulation of Rumania (Aug. 23), the Finnish withdrawal from the war (Sept. 2) , the Soviet declaration of war on Bulgaria (Sept. 5), etc. while on a world scale the Slovak uprising was an insignificent development (e. g. there is no reference to it in the 'Chronology of the Second World War' published by the Royal Institute of International Affairs) , on the Slovak scale it was an undertaking of vast dimensions. It started spectacularly; in the first days it spread over more than a half of Slovak territory and by the time it was liquidated with the help of the German troops at the end of October 1944 it had cost Slovakia some 40,000 dead, immense material losses and irreparable losses in terms of human suffering. It failed largely because of its untimely start, confused leadership and lack of popular appeal. There are many puzzling features concerning this affair which to an outside observer must be without parallel in history: Here is a nation which takes up arms to fight against its own state, to sink its political individuality into a synthetic agglomerate state, to renounce its national birthright for a second-rate citizenship. However, beyond these absurd appearances lie more fundamental reasons which, .if not more logical, are at least more plausible. The emergence of independent Slovakia in March 1939 was an epoch-making event in the life of the Slovak nation. It was enthusiastically greated by Slovaks of all political shadess and there was definitely no active opposition either by the Communists or the pro-Czech elements. Unfortunately, but inevitably, the state was born with German assistance, it asked for and was promptly granted German pro- �SLOVAKIA 41 tection and was only six months old when World War II broke out. Yet in this short space of time (March-Sept. 1939) it secured recognition not only from its neighbours (Germany, Poland, Hungary) but also from the neutrals (Switzerland, Sweden, the Vatican) from and England, Italy and the Soviet Union. The war and Slovakia's inescapable geography put the state into the Axis camp. With the approaching defeat of Germany its existance was placed in jeopardy. Dr. Benes, the self-exiled president of pre-Munich Czechoslovakia, had no difficulty in convincing the western Allies and the Soviet Union that the Slovak problem was an internal problem of post-war Czechoslovakia which would be best solved by the restoration of the status quo ante 1938. Thi~ development led to a profound soul-searching among those politicians of pro-Czech orientation who in 1939 - expecting that the new state woulcl. outlast at lea;;\, their life span - renounced and denounced their previous centralist past. When in 1943 they belatedly discovered that their appraisal of the situation was wrong, they cast their r~morseful eyes towards Benes. But they were somehow afraid to approach him empty-handed and decided to undo their former betrayal of pro-Czech sentimen t by a new treason towards their own state. Dr. Benes then conceived the idea of a Slovak uprising in his name and for the restoration of the British advice - signed with the Soviet Union a state treaty of mutual assistance and post-war cooperation. Within a fortnight the Slovak liberal-agrarian politicians concluded an agreemen t with the Slovak Communist underground. In this fateful alliance - called the Christmas Agreement they vowed to take over the political, legislative, military and administrative power in Slovakia "at the first suitable opportunity" and to restore Czechoslovakia as a common state of the Slovaks and Czechs. For the Communists this step was a radical departure from their earlier political program. When in the spring of 1939 the Komintern approved an independ ent Communist Party of Slovakia, the party vehemently and persistently advocated a free and independ ent Soviet Slovakia. In a similar vein the Czech Communist leadership in Moscow in March 1940 informed the Czech Communist underground: "We are �42 SLOVAKIA fighting for complete sovereignty of the present Slovak state . . . The old conceptions concerning Slovakia are being abandoned. The Slovak state is a given basis in the struggle for the full freedom of the Slovaks." This attitude was changed in the summer of 1941. Then the Soviet Union recognized Benes as the president of Czechoslovakia and the Slovak Communists were ordered to twist their political line accordingly. With some reluctance they obeyed, since "their.; was not to reason why .... " The Communist and liberal-agrarian conspirators found helpful allies among the army generals and officers, some of whom were of Czech origin and most of whom were trained in the old Czech schools and in the robust czechoslovakism. It must also be said that the war against Russia was unpopular even while the Germans were winning. After the Stalingrad debacle its unpopularity among the people and soldiers only increased. In April 1944 Dr. Benes sent to Slovakia his special emissary Mjr. J. Kratky. The plans of the military uprising soon took a concrete form . It was decided to open the Carpathian passes to the advancing Red army. The key role in this operation was assigned to two Slovak divisions (about 25,000 men) in Eastern Slovakia under Gen. A. Malar. Other military personalities involved in the preparation of this plan were: the Minister of National Defense Gen. F. Catlos, the Chief of the General Staff Col. J. Golian, Col. Talsky and a host of colonels, majors, captains, etc. It was said about them that "they were opposed by the burden of their iron Crosses, Knight Crosses and other German medals, impressed by the performance of the Allied and Red armies and depressed by the grim outlook concerning their future employment." The plan was well designed but it took too much for granted. The Russians to whom the plan was submitted by two special envoys early in August did not like the idea of an uprising which was burgeois-conceived and sponsored and refused to commit themselves to any coordinated action. Instead, in July and August they dropped over Central Slovakia several groups of trained partisans. These found Slovakia a fertile soil for subversive activity. The Slovak government was afraid to publicize their presence by a bold, energetic and large scale action. The small army units and police patrols �SLOVAKIA 43 - geared by their officers for a general uprising - when sent to fight the partisans were ineffective and in many cases even joined them. Late in August there were some 3,000 partisans (according to the Communist count 8,000) roaming the mountainous terrain of Central Slovakia. Their terror was aimed primarily against the Germans. But since there were no German troops in Slovakia, they looted and terrorized the indigenous German population (Volksdeutsche). On Aug. 28 the partisans and the soldiers of the Turciansky Svaty Martin garrison stopped the international express and massacred the Gertnan military mission on its way from Budapest to Cracow. On Aug. 29 Gen. Catlos announced over the radio that the Slovak Government had called the German army to restore law and order. This call on German military assistance, triggered off by the provocations of the Soviet partisans, was later declared to be the beginning of "the glorious Slovak national uprising". On Aug. 30 Col. J. Golian indeed issued an order for a general rising, but it was obvious that the day was neither of his choosing nor to his liking. The untimely start caught the military leaders off-guard. One of them, Gen. Malar, spoke over the Slovak radio and denounced the action as suicidal and premature. As a result the two well-equipped divisions in the East did not join the uprising and were disarmed by the Germans early in September. Likewise the military garrisons in West Slovakia were willing to listen to Catlos or Malar but not to Golian and thus in this crucial moment they did not join in. (The following West Slovak garrisons refused to join in : Nitra, Bratislava, Sered', Trencin, Hlohovec, Novc Mesto n/ V. The men of the Trnava garrison and some of those of Piest'any obeyed Golia.n's call, but they did not fight as expected of them. Instead they rapidly retreated towards the centre of the uprising. The uprising spread only over those districts of Central Slovakia which were infested by the partisan infiltration. In the beginning the military leadership had at its disposal some 10,000 men under arms (16 batallions and 10 companies of infantry, 13 batteries of artillery) whose number was increased by military conscription to 60,000. (The number of partisans increased in the same time from 4,500 to 13,000 ) There was no lack of light arms and ammunition, but heavy �44 SLOVAKIA weapons and aircraft were in short supply. (Altogether 26 aircraft and 12 tanks. On Aug. 13, 38 aircraft flew from East Slovakia to the Russians and these were never returned.) But what the uprising lacked most was an able and united leadership. It was directed from at least three centers: London, Moscow and Banska Bystrica. In addition the soldiers did not see eye to eye with the partisans, who formed an army of their own. The partisans had their own Soviet commanders, received their orders and directives from Kiev and refused to coordinate their actions with those of the army unless it suited their own interest. They saw in the army a tool of the bourgeoisie and thus a class enemy - only a degree better than the political enemy, the Fascists. The partisans claimed for themselves all the equipment flown in or dropped over Slovakia by the Russians. Originally the Communists shared the political power with the Democrats (the liberal-agrarian group) on a fiftyfifty basis. But by clever manipulation and aggressive action on their part and inexperience on the part of their partners they soon made themselves the dominating factor in the whole venture. With this development Moscow ceased to look at the Slovak revolt as it did at the Warsaw rising and started to provide some help. In military terms it was only a token help, often misplaced and ineffective (they sent some 150 bazookas which were of no use against the German medium and heavy tanks; the Czechoslovak fighter regiment of 21 planes after its arrival from the Soviet union was mostly grounded for the lack of fuel, spares and ammunition which the Soviets failed to provide), but on the political side they flew in the top Czech Communists operators (Slansky and Sverma) who were to help their Slovak comrades to get rid of the liberal-agrarian Kerenskys. After the Red army failed to force its way into Slovakia through the Dukla pass the Soviets allowed the transfer of the decimated 2nd Czechoslovak paratroop brigade (2,000 men) from the Carpathian battlefield into Central Slovakia. But it was too little, too late and was to no avail. The uprising was liquidated in less than two months, on Oct. 27, with the Russian front 140 miles and 150 days away from Banska Bystrica. The German troops, invited to restore law and order, set about liquidating the rebellion in their efficient, methodi- �SLOVAKIA 45 cal and ruthless manner. The Reichsfiihrer-SS, H. Himmler, entrusted SS-Obergruppenftihrer G. Berger with the task. Berger started the operation with 2,800 men, 9 light field guns and with an arrogant optimism ("Ich hoffe, dass in 4 Tagen die Anglegenheit beendet ist" - he wrote to his chief). The insurgents put up some tough resistance, especially the French partisans at Strecno (Sept. 28-4) and the Slovak army units at Telgart (Sept. 5-7). The Germans were forced to involve more and more troops. At the end of September SSObergruppenfiihrer H. Hoffle (who replaced Berger) was in command of some 18,000 troops. Towards the end of October this number was finally increased to 32,000. In the pacification of Central Slovakia the following German army and SS units participated: Tatra Panzerdivision (178th), 14th SS-division ("Galizien"), 18th SS-division ("Horst Wessel"), 20th SS-division (regiment "Schill"), parts of the 19th the 108th divisions, the brigade "Dirlewanger", and some smaller units of the police and mountain troops. It is, however, important to note that these troops were not all used simultaneously and continuously and that, being undermanned, understaffed and underequipped, they were divisions in name only ("Schattendivisionen"). They moved in three directions - from west, east and south - towards the strategic center of the uprising - the triangle B. Bystrica - Zvolen Brezno n/ Hr. In spite of at least threefold numerical superiority and excellent defensive terrain the insurgents yielded one position after the other: some fell after hard fighting (Cremosne, Bat'ovany, B. Stiavnica), others were abandoned in panic. After the liquidation of the armed rebellion the army units were either captured or dispersed. The partisans, led by more experienced Soviet officers, managed to retreat into the mountains in more or less coherent groups, leaving behind their heavy weapons, transport vehicles and ammunition. Their subsequent hibernation in the deep and often inaccesible forests of Central Slovakia was largely of a defensive nature and till January 1945 it did not interfere with the German war effort to any appreciable extent. The complete collapse of the military uprising in the midst of favorable circumstances cannot but remind one of the words of F. Engels written about the Slovak uprising of 1848: Die Slowaken �46 SLOVAKIA die die Gebirgpasse innenhaben, wiirden bei ihren zum Parteigangerkriege vortrefflichen Gegenden gefahrliche Gegner sei, wenn sie veniger gleichgiiltig gestimmt waren. (Neue Rheinische Zeitung, No. 194, Jan. 13, 1849). The uprising was not the affair of the Slovak people. It was the concern of a small group of short-sighted politicians, mercenary officers and Communists. It lacked the spontaneity with which it was posthumously so generously credited. Apart from some sincere single-minded Communists most of its Slovak participants were either misled or forcibly conscribed into it. Cries like "Death to the German occupants!" sounded hollow, because the German occupation was the result and not the cause of the partisan activity. Catchphrases like "For free Czechoslovakia!" were uninspiring since even the simplest Slovak know that - as far as freedom was concerned no Czechoslovakia could ever be a substitute for Slovakia. The Slovak state of 1939-44 with all its drawbacks and limitations was still the richest form of freedom and independence within the memory of all Slovaks. To an ordinary Slovak the fruits of independence were real and tangible, the horrors of fascism hardly perceptible. Any attempts to make him rise against his own state in the name of antifascism were bound to fall flat. Nobody with sense pours out the baby with the bath water. Yet that was what the selfappointed leaders of the armed rebellion against the Slovak state actually did. Twenty years later one may ask: To what good? Definitely not to the benefit of their nation. And as for their own vain glory and mercenary rewards, these were all of very short duration. As for "dramatis personae" of a Greek tragedy, the men of 29th August one by one fell in disgrace or worse at the hands of those to whose voice they had listened when conspiring against their own state. In 1948 the Communists got rid of their liberal-agrarian partners (Lettrich, Josko, etc.) and in the subsequent Communist purges of 1949-54 everybody who was anybody in the uprising (Zingor, Husak, Smidke, Novomesky, etc.) was shot, imprisoned or degraded. Fr ancis Vnuk � 40 SLOVAKIA AN INCREDIBLE CONSPffiACY In the last days of August 1944, Slovakia, a peaceful island in war-ravaged Europe, suddenly became a theatre of war. There occurred an armed rebellion against the Slovak Republic sponsored by Czech-leaning politicians, ambitious army officers and communists. On the pages of the world press the incident passed almost unnoticed ; if it appeared it was completely lost alongside such events as the gallant stand of the Poles in the Warsaw rising (Aug.-Sept.), the Allied landing on the south coast of France (Aug. 15) , the fall of Paris (Aug. 23) , the capitulation of Rumania (Aug. 23), the Finnish withdrawal from the war (Sept. 2) , the Soviet declaration of war on Bulgaria (Sept. 5), etc. while on a world scale the Slovak uprising was an insignificent development (e. g. there is no reference to it in the 'Chronology of the Second World War' published by the Royal Institute of International Affairs) , on the Slovak scale it was an undertaking of vast dimensions. It started spectacularly; in the first days it spread over more than a half of Slovak territory and by the time it was liquidated with the help of the German troops at the end of October 1944 it had cost Slovakia some 40,000 dead, immense material losses and irreparable losses in terms of human suffering. It failed largely because of its untimely start, confused leadership and lack of popular appeal. There are many puzzling features concerning this affair which to an outside observer must be without parallel in history: Here is a nation which takes up arms to fight against its own state, to sink its political individuality into a synthetic agglomerate state, to renounce its national birthright for a second-rate citizenship. However, beyond these absurd appearances lie more fundamental reasons which, .if not more logical, are at least more plausible. The emergence of independent Slovakia in March 1939 was an epoch-making event in the life of the Slovak nation. It was enthusiastically greated by Slovaks of all political shadess and there was definitely no active opposition either by the Communists or the pro-Czech elements. Unfortunately, but inevitably, the state was born with German assistance, it asked for and was promptly granted German pro- �SLOVAKIA 41 tection and was only six months old when World War II broke out. Yet in this short space of time (March-Sept. 1939) it secured recognition not only from its neighbours (Germany, Poland, Hungary) but also from the neutrals (Switzerland, Sweden, the Vatican) from and England, Italy and the Soviet Union. The war and Slovakia's inescapable geography put the state into the Axis camp. With the approaching defeat of Germany its existance was placed in jeopardy. Dr. Benes, the self-exiled president of pre-Munich Czechoslovakia, had no difficulty in convincing the western Allies and the Soviet Union that the Slovak problem was an internal problem of post-war Czechoslovakia which would be best solved by the restoration of the status quo ante 1938. Thi~ development led to a profound soul-searching among those politicians of pro-Czech orientation who in 1939 - expecting that the new state woulcl. outlast at lea;;\, their life span - renounced and denounced their previous centralist past. When in 1943 they belatedly discovered that their appraisal of the situation was wrong, they cast their r~morseful eyes towards Benes. But they were somehow afraid to approach him empty-handed and decided to undo their former betrayal of pro-Czech sentimen t by a new treason towards their own state. Dr. Benes then conceived the idea of a Slovak uprising in his name and for the restoration of the British advice - signed with the Soviet Union a state treaty of mutual assistance and post-war cooperation. Within a fortnight the Slovak liberal-agrarian politicians concluded an agreemen t with the Slovak Communist underground. In this fateful alliance - called the Christmas Agreement they vowed to take over the political, legislative, military and administrative power in Slovakia "at the first suitable opportunity" and to restore Czechoslovakia as a common state of the Slovaks and Czechs. For the Communists this step was a radical departure from their earlier political program. When in the spring of 1939 the Komintern approved an independ ent Communist Party of Slovakia, the party vehemently and persistently advocated a free and independ ent Soviet Slovakia. In a similar vein the Czech Communist leadership in Moscow in March 1940 informed the Czech Communist underground: "We are �42 SLOVAKIA fighting for complete sovereignty of the present Slovak state . . . The old conceptions concerning Slovakia are being abandoned. The Slovak state is a given basis in the struggle for the full freedom of the Slovaks." This attitude was changed in the summer of 1941. Then the Soviet Union recognized Benes as the president of Czechoslovakia and the Slovak Communists were ordered to twist their political line accordingly. With some reluctance they obeyed, since "their.; was not to reason why .... " The Communist and liberal-agrarian conspirators found helpful allies among the army generals and officers, some of whom were of Czech origin and most of whom were trained in the old Czech schools and in the robust czechoslovakism. It must also be said that the war against Russia was unpopular even while the Germans were winning. After the Stalingrad debacle its unpopularity among the people and soldiers only increased. In April 1944 Dr. Benes sent to Slovakia his special emissary Mjr. J. Kratky. The plans of the military uprising soon took a concrete form . It was decided to open the Carpathian passes to the advancing Red army. The key role in this operation was assigned to two Slovak divisions (about 25,000 men) in Eastern Slovakia under Gen. A. Malar. Other military personalities involved in the preparation of this plan were: the Minister of National Defense Gen. F. Catlos, the Chief of the General Staff Col. J. Golian, Col. Talsky and a host of colonels, majors, captains, etc. It was said about them that "they were opposed by the burden of their iron Crosses, Knight Crosses and other German medals, impressed by the performance of the Allied and Red armies and depressed by the grim outlook concerning their future employment." The plan was well designed but it took too much for granted. The Russians to whom the plan was submitted by two special envoys early in August did not like the idea of an uprising which was burgeois-conceived and sponsored and refused to commit themselves to any coordinated action. Instead, in July and August they dropped over Central Slovakia several groups of trained partisans. These found Slovakia a fertile soil for subversive activity. The Slovak government was afraid to publicize their presence by a bold, energetic and large scale action. The small army units and police patrols �SLOVAKIA 43 - geared by their officers for a general uprising - when sent to fight the partisans were ineffective and in many cases even joined them. Late in August there were some 3,000 partisans (according to the Communist count 8,000) roaming the mountainous terrain of Central Slovakia. Their terror was aimed primarily against the Germans. But since there were no German troops in Slovakia, they looted and terrorized the indigenous German population (Volksdeutsche). On Aug. 28 the partisans and the soldiers of the Turciansky Svaty Martin garrison stopped the international express and massacred the Gertnan military mission on its way from Budapest to Cracow. On Aug. 29 Gen. Catlos announced over the radio that the Slovak Government had called the German army to restore law and order. This call on German military assistance, triggered off by the provocations of the Soviet partisans, was later declared to be the beginning of "the glorious Slovak national uprising". On Aug. 30 Col. J. Golian indeed issued an order for a general rising, but it was obvious that the day was neither of his choosing nor to his liking. The untimely start caught the military leaders off-guard. One of them, Gen. Malar, spoke over the Slovak radio and denounced the action as suicidal and premature. As a result the two well-equipped divisions in the East did not join the uprising and were disarmed by the Germans early in September. Likewise the military garrisons in West Slovakia were willing to listen to Catlos or Malar but not to Golian and thus in this crucial moment they did not join in. (The following West Slovak garrisons refused to join in : Nitra, Bratislava, Sered', Trencin, Hlohovec, Novc Mesto n/ V. The men of the Trnava garrison and some of those of Piest'any obeyed Golia.n's call, but they did not fight as expected of them. Instead they rapidly retreated towards the centre of the uprising. The uprising spread only over those districts of Central Slovakia which were infested by the partisan infiltration. In the beginning the military leadership had at its disposal some 10,000 men under arms (16 batallions and 10 companies of infantry, 13 batteries of artillery) whose number was increased by military conscription to 60,000. (The number of partisans increased in the same time from 4,500 to 13,000 ) There was no lack of light arms and ammunition, but heavy �44 SLOVAKIA weapons and aircraft were in short supply. (Altogether 26 aircraft and 12 tanks. On Aug. 13, 38 aircraft flew from East Slovakia to the Russians and these were never returned.) But what the uprising lacked most was an able and united leadership. It was directed from at least three centers: London, Moscow and Banska Bystrica. In addition the soldiers did not see eye to eye with the partisans, who formed an army of their own. The partisans had their own Soviet commanders, received their orders and directives from Kiev and refused to coordinate their actions with those of the army unless it suited their own interest. They saw in the army a tool of the bourgeoisie and thus a class enemy - only a degree better than the political enemy, the Fascists. The partisans claimed for themselves all the equipment flown in or dropped over Slovakia by the Russians. Originally the Communists shared the political power with the Democrats (the liberal-agrarian group) on a fiftyfifty basis. But by clever manipulation and aggressive action on their part and inexperience on the part of their partners they soon made themselves the dominating factor in the whole venture. With this development Moscow ceased to look at the Slovak revolt as it did at the Warsaw rising and started to provide some help. In military terms it was only a token help, often misplaced and ineffective (they sent some 150 bazookas which were of no use against the German medium and heavy tanks; the Czechoslovak fighter regiment of 21 planes after its arrival from the Soviet union was mostly grounded for the lack of fuel, spares and ammunition which the Soviets failed to provide), but on the political side they flew in the top Czech Communists operators (Slansky and Sverma) who were to help their Slovak comrades to get rid of the liberal-agrarian Kerenskys. After the Red army failed to force its way into Slovakia through the Dukla pass the Soviets allowed the transfer of the decimated 2nd Czechoslovak paratroop brigade (2,000 men) from the Carpathian battlefield into Central Slovakia. But it was too little, too late and was to no avail. The uprising was liquidated in less than two months, on Oct. 27, with the Russian front 140 miles and 150 days away from Banska Bystrica. The German troops, invited to restore law and order, set about liquidating the rebellion in their efficient, methodi- �SLOVAKIA 45 cal and ruthless manner. The Reichsfiihrer-SS, H. Himmler, entrusted SS-Obergruppenftihrer G. Berger with the task. Berger started the operation with 2,800 men, 9 light field guns and with an arrogant optimism ("Ich hoffe, dass in 4 Tagen die Anglegenheit beendet ist" - he wrote to his chief). The insurgents put up some tough resistance, especially the French partisans at Strecno (Sept. 28-4) and the Slovak army units at Telgart (Sept. 5-7). The Germans were forced to involve more and more troops. At the end of September SSObergruppenfiihrer H. Hoffle (who replaced Berger) was in command of some 18,000 troops. Towards the end of October this number was finally increased to 32,000. In the pacification of Central Slovakia the following German army and SS units participated: Tatra Panzerdivision (178th), 14th SS-division ("Galizien"), 18th SS-division ("Horst Wessel"), 20th SS-division (regiment "Schill"), parts of the 19th the 108th divisions, the brigade "Dirlewanger", and some smaller units of the police and mountain troops. It is, however, important to note that these troops were not all used simultaneously and continuously and that, being undermanned, understaffed and underequipped, they were divisions in name only ("Schattendivisionen"). They moved in three directions - from west, east and south - towards the strategic center of the uprising - the triangle B. Bystrica - Zvolen Brezno n/ Hr. In spite of at least threefold numerical superiority and excellent defensive terrain the insurgents yielded one position after the other: some fell after hard fighting (Cremosne, Bat'ovany, B. Stiavnica), others were abandoned in panic. After the liquidation of the armed rebellion the army units were either captured or dispersed. The partisans, led by more experienced Soviet officers, managed to retreat into the mountains in more or less coherent groups, leaving behind their heavy weapons, transport vehicles and ammunition. Their subsequent hibernation in the deep and often inaccesible forests of Central Slovakia was largely of a defensive nature and till January 1945 it did not interfere with the German war effort to any appreciable extent. The complete collapse of the military uprising in the midst of favorable circumstances cannot but remind one of the words of F. Engels written about the Slovak uprising of 1848: Die Slowaken �46 SLOVAKIA die die Gebirgpasse innenhaben, wiirden bei ihren zum Parteigangerkriege vortrefflichen Gegenden gefahrliche Gegner sei, wenn sie veniger gleichgiiltig gestimmt waren. (Neue Rheinische Zeitung, No. 194, Jan. 13, 1849). The uprising was not the affair of the Slovak people. It was the concern of a small group of short-sighted politicians, mercenary officers and Communists. It lacked the spontaneity with which it was posthumously so generously credited. Apart from some sincere single-minded Communists most of its Slovak participants were either misled or forcibly conscribed into it. Cries like "Death to the German occupants!" sounded hollow, because the German occupation was the result and not the cause of the partisan activity. Catchphrases like "For free Czechoslovakia!" were uninspiring since even the simplest Slovak know that - as far as freedom was concerned no Czechoslovakia could ever be a substitute for Slovakia. The Slovak state of 1939-44 with all its drawbacks and limitations was still the richest form of freedom and independence within the memory of all Slovaks. To an ordinary Slovak the fruits of independence were real and tangible, the horrors of fascism hardly perceptible. Any attempts to make him rise against his own state in the name of antifascism were bound to fall flat. Nobody with sense pours out the baby with the bath water. Yet that was what the selfappointed leaders of the armed rebellion against the Slovak state actually did. Twenty years later one may ask: To what good? Definitely not to the benefit of their nation. And as for their own vain glory and mercenary rewards, these were all of very short duration. As for "dramatis personae" of a Greek tragedy, the men of 29th August one by one fell in disgrace or worse at the hands of those to whose voice they had listened when conspiring against their own state. In 1948 the Communists got rid of their liberal-agrarian partners (Lettrich, Josko, etc.) and in the subsequent Communist purges of 1949-54 everybody who was anybody in the uprising (Zingor, Husak, Smidke, Novomesky, etc.) was shot, imprisoned or degraded. Fr ancis Vnuk � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource 1964, Vol. 14 Description An account of the resource Vol. 14 (No. 37), 1964. Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available The Slovak League of America Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1964 Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document 40 SLOVAKIA AN INCREDIBLE CONSPffiACY In the last days of August 1944, Slovakia, a peaceful island in war-ravaged Europe, suddenly became a theatre of war. There occurred an armed rebellion against the Slovak Republic sponsored by Czech-leaning politicians, ambitious army officers and communists. On the pages of the world press the incident passed almost unnoticed ; if it appeared it was completely lost alongside such events as the gallant stand of the Poles in the Warsaw rising (Aug.-Sept.), the Allied landing on the south coast of France (Aug. 15) , the fall of Paris (Aug. 23) , the capitulation of Rumania (Aug. 23), the Finnish withdrawal from the war (Sept. 2) , the Soviet declaration of war on Bulgaria (Sept. 5), etc. while on a world scale the Slovak uprising was an insignificent development (e. g. there is no reference to it in the 'Chronology of the Second World War' published by the Royal Institute of International Affairs) , on the Slovak scale it was an undertaking of vast dimensions. It started spectacularly; in the first days it spread over more than a half of Slovak territory and by the time it was liquidated with the help of the German troops at the end of October 1944 it had cost Slovakia some 40,000 dead, immense material losses and irreparable losses in terms of human suffering. It failed largely because of its untimely start, confused leadership and lack of popular appeal. There are many puzzling features concerning this affair which to an outside observer must be without parallel in history: Here is a nation which takes up arms to fight against its own state, to sink its political individuality into a synthetic agglomerate state, to renounce its national birthright for a second-rate citizenship. However, beyond these absurd appearances lie more fundamental reasons which, .if not more logical, are at least more plausible. The emergence of independent Slovakia in March 1939 was an epoch-making event in the life of the Slovak nation. It was enthusiastically greated by Slovaks of all political shadess and there was definitely no active opposition either by the Communists or the pro-Czech elements. Unfortunately, but inevitably, the state was born with German assistance, it asked for and was promptly granted German pro- SLOVAKIA 41 tection and was only six months old when World War II broke out. Yet in this short space of time (March-Sept. 1939) it secured recognition not only from its neighbours (Germany, Poland, Hungary) but also from the neutrals (Switzerland, Sweden, the Vatican) from and England, Italy and the Soviet Union. The war and Slovakia's inescapable geography put the state into the Axis camp. With the approaching defeat of Germany its existance was placed in jeopardy. Dr. Benes, the self-exiled president of pre-Munich Czechoslovakia, had no difficulty in convincing the western Allies and the Soviet Union that the Slovak problem was an internal problem of post-war Czechoslovakia which would be best solved by the restoration of the status quo ante 1938. Thi~ development led to a profound soul-searching among those politicians of pro-Czech orientation who in 1939 - expecting that the new state woulcl. outlast at lea;;\, their life span - renounced and denounced their previous centralist past. When in 1943 they belatedly discovered that their appraisal of the situation was wrong, they cast their r~morseful eyes towards Benes. But they were somehow afraid to approach him empty-handed and decided to undo their former betrayal of pro-Czech sentimen t by a new treason towards their own state. Dr. Benes then conceived the idea of a Slovak uprising in his name and for the restoration of the British advice - signed with the Soviet Union a state treaty of mutual assistance and post-war cooperation. Within a fortnight the Slovak liberal-agrarian politicians concluded an agreemen t with the Slovak Communist underground. In this fateful alliance - called the Christmas Agreement they vowed to take over the political, legislative, military and administrative power in Slovakia "at the first suitable opportunity" and to restore Czechoslovakia as a common state of the Slovaks and Czechs. For the Communists this step was a radical departure from their earlier political program. When in the spring of 1939 the Komintern approved an independ ent Communist Party of Slovakia, the party vehemently and persistently advocated a free and independ ent Soviet Slovakia. In a similar vein the Czech Communist leadership in Moscow in March 1940 informed the Czech Communist underground: "We are 42 SLOVAKIA fighting for complete sovereignty of the present Slovak state . . . The old conceptions concerning Slovakia are being abandoned. The Slovak state is a given basis in the struggle for the full freedom of the Slovaks." This attitude was changed in the summer of 1941. Then the Soviet Union recognized Benes as the president of Czechoslovakia and the Slovak Communists were ordered to twist their political line accordingly. With some reluctance they obeyed, since "their.; was not to reason why .... " The Communist and liberal-agrarian conspirators found helpful allies among the army generals and officers, some of whom were of Czech origin and most of whom were trained in the old Czech schools and in the robust czechoslovakism. It must also be said that the war against Russia was unpopular even while the Germans were winning. After the Stalingrad debacle its unpopularity among the people and soldiers only increased. In April 1944 Dr. Benes sent to Slovakia his special emissary Mjr. J. Kratky. The plans of the military uprising soon took a concrete form . It was decided to open the Carpathian passes to the advancing Red army. The key role in this operation was assigned to two Slovak divisions (about 25,000 men) in Eastern Slovakia under Gen. A. Malar. Other military personalities involved in the preparation of this plan were: the Minister of National Defense Gen. F. Catlos, the Chief of the General Staff Col. J. Golian, Col. Talsky and a host of colonels, majors, captains, etc. It was said about them that "they were opposed by the burden of their iron Crosses, Knight Crosses and other German medals, impressed by the performance of the Allied and Red armies and depressed by the grim outlook concerning their future employment." The plan was well designed but it took too much for granted. The Russians to whom the plan was submitted by two special envoys early in August did not like the idea of an uprising which was burgeois-conceived and sponsored and refused to commit themselves to any coordinated action. Instead, in July and August they dropped over Central Slovakia several groups of trained partisans. These found Slovakia a fertile soil for subversive activity. The Slovak government was afraid to publicize their presence by a bold, energetic and large scale action. The small army units and police patrols SLOVAKIA 43 - geared by their officers for a general uprising - when sent to fight the partisans were ineffective and in many cases even joined them. Late in August there were some 3,000 partisans (according to the Communist count 8,000) roaming the mountainous terrain of Central Slovakia. Their terror was aimed primarily against the Germans. But since there were no German troops in Slovakia, they looted and terrorized the indigenous German population (Volksdeutsche). On Aug. 28 the partisans and the soldiers of the Turciansky Svaty Martin garrison stopped the international express and massacred the Gertnan military mission on its way from Budapest to Cracow. On Aug. 29 Gen. Catlos announced over the radio that the Slovak Government had called the German army to restore law and order. This call on German military assistance, triggered off by the provocations of the Soviet partisans, was later declared to be the beginning of "the glorious Slovak national uprising". On Aug. 30 Col. J. Golian indeed issued an order for a general rising, but it was obvious that the day was neither of his choosing nor to his liking. The untimely start caught the military leaders off-guard. One of them, Gen. Malar, spoke over the Slovak radio and denounced the action as suicidal and premature. As a result the two well-equipped divisions in the East did not join the uprising and were disarmed by the Germans early in September. Likewise the military garrisons in West Slovakia were willing to listen to Catlos or Malar but not to Golian and thus in this crucial moment they did not join in. (The following West Slovak garrisons refused to join in : Nitra, Bratislava, Sered', Trencin, Hlohovec, Novc Mesto n/ V. The men of the Trnava garrison and some of those of Piest'any obeyed Golia.n's call, but they did not fight as expected of them. Instead they rapidly retreated towards the centre of the uprising. The uprising spread only over those districts of Central Slovakia which were infested by the partisan infiltration. In the beginning the military leadership had at its disposal some 10,000 men under arms (16 batallions and 10 companies of infantry, 13 batteries of artillery) whose number was increased by military conscription to 60,000. (The number of partisans increased in the same time from 4,500 to 13,000 ) There was no lack of light arms and ammunition, but heavy 44 SLOVAKIA weapons and aircraft were in short supply. (Altogether 26 aircraft and 12 tanks. On Aug. 13, 38 aircraft flew from East Slovakia to the Russians and these were never returned.) But what the uprising lacked most was an able and united leadership. It was directed from at least three centers: London, Moscow and Banska Bystrica. In addition the soldiers did not see eye to eye with the partisans, who formed an army of their own. The partisans had their own Soviet commanders, received their orders and directives from Kiev and refused to coordinate their actions with those of the army unless it suited their own interest. They saw in the army a tool of the bourgeoisie and thus a class enemy - only a degree better than the political enemy, the Fascists. The partisans claimed for themselves all the equipment flown in or dropped over Slovakia by the Russians. Originally the Communists shared the political power with the Democrats (the liberal-agrarian group) on a fiftyfifty basis. But by clever manipulation and aggressive action on their part and inexperience on the part of their partners they soon made themselves the dominating factor in the whole venture. With this development Moscow ceased to look at the Slovak revolt as it did at the Warsaw rising and started to provide some help. In military terms it was only a token help, often misplaced and ineffective (they sent some 150 bazookas which were of no use against the German medium and heavy tanks; the Czechoslovak fighter regiment of 21 planes after its arrival from the Soviet union was mostly grounded for the lack of fuel, spares and ammunition which the Soviets failed to provide), but on the political side they flew in the top Czech Communists operators (Slansky and Sverma) who were to help their Slovak comrades to get rid of the liberal-agrarian Kerenskys. After the Red army failed to force its way into Slovakia through the Dukla pass the Soviets allowed the transfer of the decimated 2nd Czechoslovak paratroop brigade (2,000 men) from the Carpathian battlefield into Central Slovakia. But it was too little, too late and was to no avail. The uprising was liquidated in less than two months, on Oct. 27, with the Russian front 140 miles and 150 days away from Banska Bystrica. The German troops, invited to restore law and order, set about liquidating the rebellion in their efficient, methodi- SLOVAKIA 45 cal and ruthless manner. The Reichsfiihrer-SS, H. Himmler, entrusted SS-Obergruppenftihrer G. Berger with the task. Berger started the operation with 2,800 men, 9 light field guns and with an arrogant optimism ("Ich hoffe, dass in 4 Tagen die Anglegenheit beendet ist" - he wrote to his chief). The insurgents put up some tough resistance, especially the French partisans at Strecno (Sept. 28-4) and the Slovak army units at Telgart (Sept. 5-7). The Germans were forced to involve more and more troops. At the end of September SSObergruppenfiihrer H. Hoffle (who replaced Berger) was in command of some 18,000 troops. Towards the end of October this number was finally increased to 32,000. In the pacification of Central Slovakia the following German army and SS units participated: Tatra Panzerdivision (178th), 14th SS-division ("Galizien"), 18th SS-division ("Horst Wessel"), 20th SS-division (regiment "Schill"), parts of the 19th the 108th divisions, the brigade "Dirlewanger", and some smaller units of the police and mountain troops. It is, however, important to note that these troops were not all used simultaneously and continuously and that, being undermanned, understaffed and underequipped, they were divisions in name only ("Schattendivisionen"). They moved in three directions - from west, east and south - towards the strategic center of the uprising - the triangle B. Bystrica - Zvolen Brezno n/ Hr. In spite of at least threefold numerical superiority and excellent defensive terrain the insurgents yielded one position after the other: some fell after hard fighting (Cremosne, Bat'ovany, B. Stiavnica), others were abandoned in panic. After the liquidation of the armed rebellion the army units were either captured or dispersed. The partisans, led by more experienced Soviet officers, managed to retreat into the mountains in more or less coherent groups, leaving behind their heavy weapons, transport vehicles and ammunition. Their subsequent hibernation in the deep and often inaccesible forests of Central Slovakia was largely of a defensive nature and till January 1945 it did not interfere with the German war effort to any appreciable extent. The complete collapse of the military uprising in the midst of favorable circumstances cannot but remind one of the words of F. Engels written about the Slovak uprising of 1848: Die Slowaken 46 SLOVAKIA die die Gebirgpasse innenhaben, wiirden bei ihren zum Parteigangerkriege vortrefflichen Gegenden gefahrliche Gegner sei, wenn sie veniger gleichgiiltig gestimmt waren. (Neue Rheinische Zeitung, No. 194, Jan. 13, 1849). The uprising was not the affair of the Slovak people. It was the concern of a small group of short-sighted politicians, mercenary officers and Communists. It lacked the spontaneity with which it was posthumously so generously credited. Apart from some sincere single-minded Communists most of its Slovak participants were either misled or forcibly conscribed into it. Cries like "Death to the German occupants!" sounded hollow, because the German occupation was the result and not the cause of the partisan activity. Catchphrases like "For free Czechoslovakia!" were uninspiring since even the simplest Slovak know that - as far as freedom was concerned no Czechoslovakia could ever be a substitute for Slovakia. The Slovak state of 1939-44 with all its drawbacks and limitations was still the richest form of freedom and independence within the memory of all Slovaks. To an ordinary Slovak the fruits of independence were real and tangible, the horrors of fascism hardly perceptible. Any attempts to make him rise against his own state in the name of antifascism were bound to fall flat. Nobody with sense pours out the baby with the bath water. Yet that was what the selfappointed leaders of the armed rebellion against the Slovak state actually did. Twenty years later one may ask: To what good? Definitely not to the benefit of their nation. And as for their own vain glory and mercenary rewards, these were all of very short duration. As for "dramatis personae" of a Greek tragedy, the men of 29th August one by one fell in disgrace or worse at the hands of those to whose voice they had listened when conspiring against their own state. In 1948 the Communists got rid of their liberal-agrarian partners (Lettrich, Josko, etc.) and in the subsequent Communist purges of 1949-54 everybody who was anybody in the uprising (Zingor, Husak, Smidke, Novomesky, etc.) was shot, imprisoned or degraded. Fr ancis Vnuk  Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource An Incredible Conspiracy Description An account of the resource Francis Vnuk Slovakia, Vol. 14 (No. 37), 1964 pp. 40-46 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Vnuk, František, 1926- Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1964 SNK https://slovakia.wordsofpassage.net/files/original/08d5dfb27099da59c654353436eae865.pdf f1cfa1368435b9771e0131c6c16f56a1 PDF Text Text SLOVAKIA 153 An Introduction to Slovak Costume We are guite familiar with the old French proverb, "The habit does not make the monk." This popular adage implies that a man's clothes can be misleading with regard to his personality. When individual cases are concerned, this maxim may be true but taken collectively, national costumes frequently run parallel with the history of a people. This fact can be observed quite readily in the study of Slovak peasant costume. Such research reveals the characteristics of a people deprived of their national freedom and who sought compensation under oppression by dauntlessly expressing their cultural force. When all other means of national self-expression was denied them, the Slovak People relied on the handicrafts of the peasant people to perpetuate the national thought of the race and in this category embroidery and needle work played an important part.I Artistic expression among the Slovaks was not limited to the art academies and cultural institutions. It was developed to a remarkable extent in the home. The pottery, wood-carving and ceramics found there bore the hallmark of distinction. Volumes could be written dealing with the artistic productions of the Slovak people but let it suffice to say that today a great deal of Slovak art is being exhibited in museums throughout Europe and being the work of an oppressed people, there is no indication of their true origin. A study of Slovak costume design can prove to be quite interesting due to its distinctive character, bright colors, variety and uniqueness. A love of color and a sensitivity to its use are part of the Slovak heritage. To the uninitiated, the costumes may appear as a conglomeration of colored fabrics, ribbons, floral patterns and lace but to those who are familiar with Slovak culture, all of these elements are but an outward expression of the inner soul of the people. Basically, in relation to costume design, the Slovaks can be classified into two distinct groups. The Slovaks �154 SLOVAKIA of the mountain districts and the Slovaks of the more prosperous South. It was among the Slovaks of the mountains that the earliest and most characteristic examples of Slovak peasant garb are found. They were patterned in simple straight lines and were decorated with geometrical designs while the natural white color of the material was retained. The Slovaks of the South were distinguished by their use of bright colors. During the course of time their styles were modified by foreign influences but remined effective owing to harmonious color blends. The difference in dress emphasizes the contrast between the fiery temperament of the southern Slovak and the soft, pensive and melancholy character of the mountaineer. The national dress of the peasant originated in the home and each member of the family cooperated in its execution. The women worked on the embroidery and lace during the long winter months when their fingers resumed their dexterity after a busy summer spent in the fields . It was a common sight to see several women of a village combining their talents to produce the bridal attire of a young girl. Every garment was a heirloom passed on to succeeding generations and each contributed its little quota of embellishment or modified whatever was unsuited for the occasion. In Slovak embroidery may be traced the whole technique of artistic needle-work design and one continually comes across articles of clothing, especially baby linens and churching-cloths, which, we are amazed to find , must have taken a life time to prepare.2 In its earliest form, the ordinary costume consisted of an undercloth of hemp, a wooly "halena" and a divided kilt. As time passed this original form was ornamented so that its simple character was shown to the best advantage and it attained its highest aesthetic value . Accompanying the gradual improvements in style and color was the tendency of each village to fashion a costume peculiar to itself. It has been noted by some historians that at one period in history there had been over thirty-five distinct national Slovak costumes. In Slovakia everyone became aware of an approaching holiday. Preparations began weeks in advance and the women vied with each other in exhibiting their holiday �SLOVAKIA Costume from town of Detva 155 �156 SLOVAKIA attire. The underskirts of the women were considered quite fashionable and they were proudly displayed. They were well gathered and often trimmed with lace or seasonal bands of color. To add a touch of variety, the front of the skirt was usually made of printed materials. Over the skirt a kind of dress was worn called a "kabat". The week-day dress was made of dark colors; in holiday outfits brighter colors predominated. The linen waist or bodice was unique. Its white puffed sleeves were trimmed with lace and embroidery from the shoulder to the elbow. The embroidery was so exquisite that the underside was almost as perfect as the upper. In some districts the women pleated their attire in sharp folds while the material was damp and left it to dry crisp in the sun. This fashion is now considered quite archaic and likened to the folds in the clothes of the ancient Greeks. During the penitential seasons of the Church, th~ women modified their costume by wearing subdued colors, drawing their sleeves tightly around the arms and trimmed underskirt in purple or somber colors. It has been remarked that the villagers were prompted by a strong sense of local solidarity and sought distinction in local costume. This distinction became apparent in the headdress worn by the women of each district. Women of the Chod district, for example, were recognized by the black kerchief which they wore tied at the neck with one embroidered and thrown proudly over the left shoulder. Others wore a white turbanlike headdress with complicated binding which is reminiscent of Renaissance fashions. Some others fancied lovely lace caps with scarfs tied loosely under the chin. On more festive occasions, floral wreaths were worn interwoven with gay colored ribbons which hung gracefully over the shoulders. The week day attire of the men was simple. They wore tight fitting trousers made from coarse white linen or wool with little or no decoration. A broad belt was worn around the waist to accommodate such masculine commodities as knives, shears, tobacco-pouch etc. Some of the men wore black felt hats a low crown and an up-turned brim from twelve to eighteen inches wide. The coats or jackets were principally sheep skin and thrown over the left shoulder, leaving the right arm free. �157 SLOVAKIA On Sundays and holidays, however, the men added a note of interest to the festive display. In certain districts their white linen shirtwaists were colorfully embroidered. The young men with their long white linen trousers, colorful fringed sashes and white blouses with long, loose embroidered sleeves, presented a handsome picture. Woolen wests trimmed with intricate geometrical designs were worn with pride. Occasionally loose-fitting white coat of a home-made wool fabric was worn. Frequently the "cakan" or walking stick with an axe-head was carried by the men and rem.i nds us that these are the descendants of a people who formerly guarded frontiers and mountain passes. This report offers a brief glimpse into the distinctive character of Slovak peasant costume. The style presented was of a general type and the reader must bear in mind various regional adaptations. The styles we have considered have been traditional and collected bit by bit during the course of time. How many of us have not gathered souvenirs during the course of our travels? On our return we find our baggage bursting with miscellaneous objects. It is much the same with regard to national costume. With the passing of time, nations not only surround themselves with but wear on their persons a collection of objects the significance of which we are unable to explain at present. It is our fervent prayer that a new dawn of freedom will soon break through the dismal night of oppression and that an oppressed but hopeful people will take the fragments of a broken culture and piece together for our benefit their artistic traditions. Agnes Bo can Danville, Pa. FOOTNO T ES Steph en J . Palickar, Slovakian Culture in t he Light of History ( Cambridge, Mass.: 1' he Hampshire Press, Inc., 1954), p. 202. 2) Scotus Viator, Racial Problems in Hungary (Archib ald Constable and Co., L.T.D., 1908 ) , p. 356. 1) THE SWVAK LEAGUE OF AMERICA through its Ladies Awdliary, the " VCIELKY" (Bees), sponsors Slovak cultttrai displays. concerts, lectures, art exhibits, folk festivals, social evenings, etc. Our aim is to have a "Hive" of our "Vc'!ielky" in every large Slovak community. � SLOVAKIA 153 An Introduction to Slovak Costume We are guite familiar with the old French proverb, "The habit does not make the monk." This popular adage implies that a man's clothes can be misleading with regard to his personality. When individual cases are concerned, this maxim may be true but taken collectively, national costumes frequently run parallel with the history of a people. This fact can be observed quite readily in the study of Slovak peasant costume. Such research reveals the characteristics of a people deprived of their national freedom and who sought compensation under oppression by dauntlessly expressing their cultural force. When all other means of national self-expression was denied them, the Slovak People relied on the handicrafts of the peasant people to perpetuate the national thought of the race and in this category embroidery and needle work played an important part.I Artistic expression among the Slovaks was not limited to the art academies and cultural institutions. It was developed to a remarkable extent in the home. The pottery, wood-carving and ceramics found there bore the hallmark of distinction. Volumes could be written dealing with the artistic productions of the Slovak people but let it suffice to say that today a great deal of Slovak art is being exhibited in museums throughout Europe and being the work of an oppressed people, there is no indication of their true origin. A study of Slovak costume design can prove to be quite interesting due to its distinctive character, bright colors, variety and uniqueness. A love of color and a sensitivity to its use are part of the Slovak heritage. To the uninitiated, the costumes may appear as a conglomeration of colored fabrics, ribbons, floral patterns and lace but to those who are familiar with Slovak culture, all of these elements are but an outward expression of the inner soul of the people. Basically, in relation to costume design, the Slovaks can be classified into two distinct groups. The Slovaks �154 SLOVAKIA of the mountain districts and the Slovaks of the more prosperous South. It was among the Slovaks of the mountains that the earliest and most characteristic examples of Slovak peasant garb are found. They were patterned in simple straight lines and were decorated with geometrical designs while the natural white color of the material was retained. The Slovaks of the South were distinguished by their use of bright colors. During the course of time their styles were modified by foreign influences but remined effective owing to harmonious color blends. The difference in dress emphasizes the contrast between the fiery temperament of the southern Slovak and the soft, pensive and melancholy character of the mountaineer. The national dress of the peasant originated in the home and each member of the family cooperated in its execution. The women worked on the embroidery and lace during the long winter months when their fingers resumed their dexterity after a busy summer spent in the fields . It was a common sight to see several women of a village combining their talents to produce the bridal attire of a young girl. Every garment was a heirloom passed on to succeeding generations and each contributed its little quota of embellishment or modified whatever was unsuited for the occasion. In Slovak embroidery may be traced the whole technique of artistic needle-work design and one continually comes across articles of clothing, especially baby linens and churching-cloths, which, we are amazed to find , must have taken a life time to prepare.2 In its earliest form, the ordinary costume consisted of an undercloth of hemp, a wooly "halena" and a divided kilt. As time passed this original form was ornamented so that its simple character was shown to the best advantage and it attained its highest aesthetic value . Accompanying the gradual improvements in style and color was the tendency of each village to fashion a costume peculiar to itself. It has been noted by some historians that at one period in history there had been over thirty-five distinct national Slovak costumes. In Slovakia everyone became aware of an approaching holiday. Preparations began weeks in advance and the women vied with each other in exhibiting their holiday �SLOVAKIA Costume from town of Detva 155 �156 SLOVAKIA attire. The underskirts of the women were considered quite fashionable and they were proudly displayed. They were well gathered and often trimmed with lace or seasonal bands of color. To add a touch of variety, the front of the skirt was usually made of printed materials. Over the skirt a kind of dress was worn called a "kabat". The week-day dress was made of dark colors; in holiday outfits brighter colors predominated. The linen waist or bodice was unique. Its white puffed sleeves were trimmed with lace and embroidery from the shoulder to the elbow. The embroidery was so exquisite that the underside was almost as perfect as the upper. In some districts the women pleated their attire in sharp folds while the material was damp and left it to dry crisp in the sun. This fashion is now considered quite archaic and likened to the folds in the clothes of the ancient Greeks. During the penitential seasons of the Church, th~ women modified their costume by wearing subdued colors, drawing their sleeves tightly around the arms and trimmed underskirt in purple or somber colors. It has been remarked that the villagers were prompted by a strong sense of local solidarity and sought distinction in local costume. This distinction became apparent in the headdress worn by the women of each district. Women of the Chod district, for example, were recognized by the black kerchief which they wore tied at the neck with one embroidered and thrown proudly over the left shoulder. Others wore a white turbanlike headdress with complicated binding which is reminiscent of Renaissance fashions. Some others fancied lovely lace caps with scarfs tied loosely under the chin. On more festive occasions, floral wreaths were worn interwoven with gay colored ribbons which hung gracefully over the shoulders. The week day attire of the men was simple. They wore tight fitting trousers made from coarse white linen or wool with little or no decoration. A broad belt was worn around the waist to accommodate such masculine commodities as knives, shears, tobacco-pouch etc. Some of the men wore black felt hats a low crown and an up-turned brim from twelve to eighteen inches wide. The coats or jackets were principally sheep skin and thrown over the left shoulder, leaving the right arm free. �157 SLOVAKIA On Sundays and holidays, however, the men added a note of interest to the festive display. In certain districts their white linen shirtwaists were colorfully embroidered. The young men with their long white linen trousers, colorful fringed sashes and white blouses with long, loose embroidered sleeves, presented a handsome picture. Woolen wests trimmed with intricate geometrical designs were worn with pride. Occasionally loose-fitting white coat of a home-made wool fabric was worn. Frequently the "cakan" or walking stick with an axe-head was carried by the men and rem.i nds us that these are the descendants of a people who formerly guarded frontiers and mountain passes. This report offers a brief glimpse into the distinctive character of Slovak peasant costume. The style presented was of a general type and the reader must bear in mind various regional adaptations. The styles we have considered have been traditional and collected bit by bit during the course of time. How many of us have not gathered souvenirs during the course of our travels? On our return we find our baggage bursting with miscellaneous objects. It is much the same with regard to national costume. With the passing of time, nations not only surround themselves with but wear on their persons a collection of objects the significance of which we are unable to explain at present. It is our fervent prayer that a new dawn of freedom will soon break through the dismal night of oppression and that an oppressed but hopeful people will take the fragments of a broken culture and piece together for our benefit their artistic traditions. Agnes Bo can Danville, Pa. FOOTNO T ES Steph en J . Palickar, Slovakian Culture in t he Light of History ( Cambridge, Mass.: 1' he Hampshire Press, Inc., 1954), p. 202. 2) Scotus Viator, Racial Problems in Hungary (Archib ald Constable and Co., L.T.D., 1908 ) , p. 356. 1) THE SWVAK LEAGUE OF AMERICA through its Ladies Awdliary, the " VCIELKY" (Bees), sponsors Slovak cultttrai displays. concerts, lectures, art exhibits, folk festivals, social evenings, etc. Our aim is to have a "Hive" of our "Vc'!ielky" in every large Slovak community. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource 1972, Vol. 22 Description An account of the resource Vol. 22 (No. 45), 1972. Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available The Slovak League of America Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1972 Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document SLOVAKIA 153 An Introduction to Slovak Costume We are guite familiar with the old French proverb, "The habit does not make the monk." This popular adage implies that a man's clothes can be misleading with regard to his personality. When individual cases are concerned, this maxim may be true but taken collectively, national costumes frequently run parallel with the history of a people. This fact can be observed quite readily in the study of Slovak peasant costume. Such research reveals the characteristics of a people deprived of their national freedom and who sought compensation under oppression by dauntlessly expressing their cultural force. When all other means of national self-expression was denied them, the Slovak People relied on the handicrafts of the peasant people to perpetuate the national thought of the race and in this category embroidery and needle work played an important part.I Artistic expression among the Slovaks was not limited to the art academies and cultural institutions. It was developed to a remarkable extent in the home. The pottery, wood-carving and ceramics found there bore the hallmark of distinction. Volumes could be written dealing with the artistic productions of the Slovak people but let it suffice to say that today a great deal of Slovak art is being exhibited in museums throughout Europe and being the work of an oppressed people, there is no indication of their true origin. A study of Slovak costume design can prove to be quite interesting due to its distinctive character, bright colors, variety and uniqueness. A love of color and a sensitivity to its use are part of the Slovak heritage. To the uninitiated, the costumes may appear as a conglomeration of colored fabrics, ribbons, floral patterns and lace but to those who are familiar with Slovak culture, all of these elements are but an outward expression of the inner soul of the people. Basically, in relation to costume design, the Slovaks can be classified into two distinct groups. The Slovaks 154 SLOVAKIA of the mountain districts and the Slovaks of the more prosperous South. It was among the Slovaks of the mountains that the earliest and most characteristic examples of Slovak peasant garb are found. They were patterned in simple straight lines and were decorated with geometrical designs while the natural white color of the material was retained. The Slovaks of the South were distinguished by their use of bright colors. During the course of time their styles were modified by foreign influences but remined effective owing to harmonious color blends. The difference in dress emphasizes the contrast between the fiery temperament of the southern Slovak and the soft, pensive and melancholy character of the mountaineer. The national dress of the peasant originated in the home and each member of the family cooperated in its execution. The women worked on the embroidery and lace during the long winter months when their fingers resumed their dexterity after a busy summer spent in the fields . It was a common sight to see several women of a village combining their talents to produce the bridal attire of a young girl. Every garment was a heirloom passed on to succeeding generations and each contributed its little quota of embellishment or modified whatever was unsuited for the occasion. In Slovak embroidery may be traced the whole technique of artistic needle-work design and one continually comes across articles of clothing, especially baby linens and churching-cloths, which, we are amazed to find , must have taken a life time to prepare.2 In its earliest form, the ordinary costume consisted of an undercloth of hemp, a wooly "halena" and a divided kilt. As time passed this original form was ornamented so that its simple character was shown to the best advantage and it attained its highest aesthetic value . Accompanying the gradual improvements in style and color was the tendency of each village to fashion a costume peculiar to itself. It has been noted by some historians that at one period in history there had been over thirty-five distinct national Slovak costumes. In Slovakia everyone became aware of an approaching holiday. Preparations began weeks in advance and the women vied with each other in exhibiting their holiday SLOVAKIA Costume from town of Detva 155 156 SLOVAKIA attire. The underskirts of the women were considered quite fashionable and they were proudly displayed. They were well gathered and often trimmed with lace or seasonal bands of color. To add a touch of variety, the front of the skirt was usually made of printed materials. Over the skirt a kind of dress was worn called a "kabat". The week-day dress was made of dark colors; in holiday outfits brighter colors predominated. The linen waist or bodice was unique. Its white puffed sleeves were trimmed with lace and embroidery from the shoulder to the elbow. The embroidery was so exquisite that the underside was almost as perfect as the upper. In some districts the women pleated their attire in sharp folds while the material was damp and left it to dry crisp in the sun. This fashion is now considered quite archaic and likened to the folds in the clothes of the ancient Greeks. During the penitential seasons of the Church, th~ women modified their costume by wearing subdued colors, drawing their sleeves tightly around the arms and trimmed underskirt in purple or somber colors. It has been remarked that the villagers were prompted by a strong sense of local solidarity and sought distinction in local costume. This distinction became apparent in the headdress worn by the women of each district. Women of the Chod district, for example, were recognized by the black kerchief which they wore tied at the neck with one embroidered and thrown proudly over the left shoulder. Others wore a white turbanlike headdress with complicated binding which is reminiscent of Renaissance fashions. Some others fancied lovely lace caps with scarfs tied loosely under the chin. On more festive occasions, floral wreaths were worn interwoven with gay colored ribbons which hung gracefully over the shoulders. The week day attire of the men was simple. They wore tight fitting trousers made from coarse white linen or wool with little or no decoration. A broad belt was worn around the waist to accommodate such masculine commodities as knives, shears, tobacco-pouch etc. Some of the men wore black felt hats a low crown and an up-turned brim from twelve to eighteen inches wide. The coats or jackets were principally sheep skin and thrown over the left shoulder, leaving the right arm free. 157 SLOVAKIA On Sundays and holidays, however, the men added a note of interest to the festive display. In certain districts their white linen shirtwaists were colorfully embroidered. The young men with their long white linen trousers, colorful fringed sashes and white blouses with long, loose embroidered sleeves, presented a handsome picture. Woolen wests trimmed with intricate geometrical designs were worn with pride. Occasionally loose-fitting white coat of a home-made wool fabric was worn. Frequently the "cakan" or walking stick with an axe-head was carried by the men and rem.i nds us that these are the descendants of a people who formerly guarded frontiers and mountain passes. This report offers a brief glimpse into the distinctive character of Slovak peasant costume. The style presented was of a general type and the reader must bear in mind various regional adaptations. The styles we have considered have been traditional and collected bit by bit during the course of time. How many of us have not gathered souvenirs during the course of our travels? On our return we find our baggage bursting with miscellaneous objects. It is much the same with regard to national costume. With the passing of time, nations not only surround themselves with but wear on their persons a collection of objects the significance of which we are unable to explain at present. It is our fervent prayer that a new dawn of freedom will soon break through the dismal night of oppression and that an oppressed but hopeful people will take the fragments of a broken culture and piece together for our benefit their artistic traditions. Agnes Bo can Danville, Pa. FOOTNO T ES Steph en J . Palickar, Slovakian Culture in t he Light of History ( Cambridge, Mass.: 1' he Hampshire Press, Inc., 1954), p. 202. 2) Scotus Viator, Racial Problems in Hungary (Archib ald Constable and Co., L.T.D., 1908 ) , p. 356. 1) THE SWVAK LEAGUE OF AMERICA through its Ladies Awdliary, the " VCIELKY" (Bees), sponsors Slovak cultttrai displays. concerts, lectures, art exhibits, folk festivals, social evenings, etc. Our aim is to have a "Hive" of our "Vc'!ielky" in every large Slovak community.  Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource An Introduction to Slovak Costume Description An account of the resource Agnes Bocaň Slovakia, Vol. 22 (No. 45), 1972 pp. 153-157 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Bocaň, Agnes Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1972 name https://slovakia.wordsofpassage.net/files/original/d023ccaeedb74cebe19168dfd1930829.pdf eb5a622a7a925213cb2adf3b3c0ef1cb PDF Text Text SLOVAKIA 37 AN UNWELCOME GUEST: MILAN HODZA IN AMERICAN DOCUMENTS BETWEEN 1941 AND 1944 V Roman Licko In December of 1938 Milan Hodza, a Slovak politician and the last prime minister of the pre-Munich Czechoslovak Republic, went into exile in France. There, along with Stefan Osusky, another Slovak statesman and diplomat, he became the leading figure of Slovak democratic exiles before 1 the outbreak of WW II. Towards the end of 1939 Rodia established the Slovak National Council, which, under his auspices, was reorganized in early 1940 into the Czecho-Slovak National Council. Both political bodies subscribed to the democratic ideals of pre-war Czechoslovakia, as well as to the belief in a continuation of Czechoslovak statehood.2 However, in stark 1 Before Hodfa' s arrival in Paris in November of 1939, Ambassador Stefan Osusky had been the leading figure of the Czechoslovak resistance movement operating from France. His greatest achievement was the signing of the Franco-Czechoslovak Agreement concerning the creation of a new Czechoslovak army in France by which the French government recognised de fa cto the continued existence of the Czechoslovak Republic. During this period Osusky and Hodza shared similar ideas about Slovakia' s future . They both unequivocally supported the re-establishment of Czechoslovakia. However, they strongly opposed the centralism of the inter-war Prague governments. Osusky favoured a federal constitutional arrangement between Czechs and Slovaks. Hodza spoke of a self-governing Slovakia within a restored ' CzechoSlovakia'. Osusky maintained close contact with Hodza, who was, at that time, in London. The two men even cooperated in the preparation of a memorandum of Slovak demands in the lead-up to the establishment of the Benes-led Czechoslovak National Committee in France. Interestingly enough, Osusky did not become a member of any of the resistance organizations established by Hodza after his arrival in Paris. For more on the Hodfa-Osusky co-operation during this period see Slavomir Michalek, "Hodza a Osusky, nazory a pozicie v rokoch 1939- 1941 ," in Milan Hodia-statnik a politik, ed. M. Peknik et. al. (Bratislava: Veda, 2002), 301- 18. 2 This paper uses the more widely accepted spellings ' Czechoslovakia' and 'Czechoslovak'. In reference to Hodza' s ideas, however, the spellings 'Czecho-Slovakia' and 'Czecho-Slovak' have been retained as these were the forms preferred by Hodfa himself. The Czechoslovak Constitution of 1920 adopted the unhyphenated spelling of the name. In November of 1938 the country officially returned to the hyphenated spelling 'Czecho-Slovakia' in recognition of the fact that Slovakia had been declared an autonomous region. The use of the one name or the other, by both Czechs and Slovaks throughout the war, had political connotations. Generally speaking, the Slovaks who favoured the re-establishment of Czechoslovakia after WW II but op- �38 SLOVAKIA opposetion to Edward Benes, the leading figure of the Czech democratic exiles, Hodza advocated a thoroughly decentralized model of a new Czecho-Slovak constitutional arrangement, with self-governing status for Slovakia. After the failure to find common ground on this issue with Benes, who consistently refused to allow any political representation of Slovak federalists in his exile government-to-be, Hodza moved to London. The German occupation of France in the summer of 1940 and the ensuing Battle of Britain in September of 1940 speeded up Britain' s recognition ofBenes's government-in-exile. Feeling powerless and marginalised, Hodza saw no purpose in participating in any government headed by Benes. By the autumn of 1941 he decided to leave Britain and in October of that year he arrived in the United States. There he pursued two political objectives: he intended to convince politically-minded Slovak Americans to support his programme of a self-governing Slovakia within a restored Czechoslovakia. Concurrently, he attempted to lobby the Roosevelt administration to throw its weight behind the creation of a federation of Central European states. This paper, which draws primarily on research in United States government archives, attempts to trace Hodza ' s political campaign among Slovak Americans from the point of view of the Roosevelt administration. At the same time, it follows Hodza ' s efforts to engage the American government in a dialogue concerning a comprehensive post-war peace settlement in Central Europe. With the help of secondary literature on the subject, the study assesses the success of these attempts, and how they were viewed by the chief foreign policy makers in the Roosevelt administration. 3 posed the pre-war unitary constitutional arrangement between the two nations preferred the hyphenated designation. 3 The first attempt to document the activities of Milan Hodfa in the USA was made by his close associate, Michal Mudry Sebik, in his book Milan Hodia v Amerike. (Chicago :Geringer Press, Inc., 1949). The author published a number of articles in the periodicals of Slovak democratic exiles in the USA after WW II, e.g. Michal Mudry, "Svedectvo historickej doby. Bullitovo a Hodzovo memorandum," Nase snahy, 6, no. 9 (May - June 1970). In 1965 Susan Mikula, an American of Slovak descent, wrote a dissertation on Hodza's activities in the USA. However, it was not until 1992, at a conference in Bratislava, that she presented her work in Slovakia: Susan Mikula, " Dr. Milan Hodfa vo svelte archivnych dokumentov z archivov v USA," in : Milan Hodia - statnik a politik, ed. M. Peknik et. al. (Bratislava: Veda, 2002), 345- 50. Czech historians have also dealt with Hodfa 's stay in the USA . For instance J. Kuklik and J. Nemecek, Hodia versus Benes. Milan Hodia a slovenska otazka v zahranicnim odboji za druhe svetove valky (Praha: Karolinum, 1999). The most comprehensive account yet of Hodfa's political activities in the USA. , including some views of the Roosevelt administration, was written by the late Slovak historian Pavol Luklic, "Politicka cinnost' Milana Hodzu v emigracii v USA a reakcie na jeho federalisticke plany, Historicky casopis 51 , no. 4 (2003), pp. 497- 515 . As Lukac himself observed, however, Kuklik' s and Nemecek's book only traced �SLOVAKIA 39 Apart from the Slovak League of America (hereafter SLA), which favoured independence for Slovakia, there was no other Slovak organization in the USA in 1941 that had a clear idea about Slovakia' s political future after the war. 4 The leaders of the opposition organization - the Slovak National Alliance (hereafter SNA) - stuck to the policy of a reinstated Czechoslovakia, but were unwelling to commit themselves to negotiating a more specific settlement on this issue. In line with the official policy of President Edvard Benes, they maintained that Slovakia's future should be resolved after the war by a democratic vote. Despite their uncommitted attitude, Slovakia's political future was as sensitive an issue among the individual leaders of the SNA as it was for the leadership of the SLA. As long as there was no political leader in the United States who was able to offer a political alternative to the League-promulgated Slovak independence, the issue was bound to remain unresolved. This situation changed after the arrival of Milan Hodfa in the United States in October of 1941. During the three years of his American stay, Hodfa devoted his energies to political campaigning and lobbying. Like Slovak-American leaders, he too wanted to influence the attitudes of the Roosevelt administration towards Slovakia. As a former Czechoslovak statesman, Hodfa had access to the United States Department of State. He was allowed to discuss the Slovak question with high-ranking government officials. Hodfa ' s political campaign in the USA aroused the interest of the American media, as well as that of federal authorities. Right up to his death in 1944, his activities were closely followed by the Office of Strategic Services (hereafter OSS) and its subordinate department, the Foreign Nationalities Branch (hereafter FNB). Hodfa's arrival in the United States generated interest, not only among Slovak Americans, but also in the American media. Almost immediately, a number of speculative pieces about Hodfa's political objectives appeared in Hodfa's political campaign in the USA on the basis of secondary archival materials left by Hodfa 's contemporaries, and not from the documents of the U.S. Department of State. The present study draws upon the following primary sources: 1. an independent investigation of the documents of the Department of State; 2. the hitherto unpublished documents of the Office of Strategic Services and its subordinate department - the Foreign Nationalities Branch (both housed in the National Archives in Washington), the archival documentation of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (released to the author under the Freedom oflnformation - Privacy Acts); and 3. the documents issued by the Advisory Committee on Post-War Foreign Policy collected and published by Polish historians JozefLaptos and Marius Misztal in 2002 . 4 For the activities of the Slovak League of America on behalf of Slovak independence during and after the war, see M. Mark Stolarik, "The Slovak League of America and the Canadian Slovak League in the Struggle for the Self-Determination of the Nation, 1907-1992," Slovakia 39, nos. 72-73 (2007), 19-34. �40 SLOVAKIA the press. One OSS report from 1942 read that the former Czechoslovak prime minister had come as a private citizen. 5 Hodza himself said that the main reason for his arrival was for reasons of health. In the USA he planned to undergo a series of medical treatments.6 This is well attested in the Hodfa family correspondence of the period. 7 On the other hand, the former Czechoslovak prime minister did hope to achieve in the United States some well-defined political goals. 8 In his first interview with The New York Tim es, Hodfa stated that he intended to "test out American opinion regarding Central Europe" and, at the same time, he wanted to "inform it of the trend of opinion there."9 Not all American media reported on Hodza's intentions impartially. On November 7, the Overseas News Agency issued a press release which assessed Hodfa 's pre-war political career in an unflattering light. According to this source, Hodfa's Agrarian Party was only a little less reactionary than the pro-fascist Hlinka Guard in Slovakia. The release went on to claim that Hodfa's arrival also shed a negative light on Slovak Americans. The authors of the release dubbed their political mindset as "isolationist and pro-fascist," referring to some of the Slovak fraternal press in America as evidence. 10 It is clear that the primary motivation of the author must have been to damage Hodfa's political reputation . According to 5 National Archives and Records Administration (hereafter NARA), Washington D. C., OSS, RG 226 E I 00, Box 3, p. 6 1. This information was acquired by the OSS from the New York Times interview with Hodza conducted by Frederick T. Birchall. 6 M. Mudry, Hodza's assoc iate in America, later wrote: "An American journalist who visited and interviewed Hodza claimed that in response to the question about his plans Hodfa took out a bottle of medication and said that what he wanted, first and foremost, was a recovery." Mudry, Milan Hodia v Amerike .. ., 20. 7 John Palka, Milan Hodfa's grandson, mentions two bouts of pneumonia that his grandfather suffered from shortly after his arrival. See John Palka, Maje S/ovensko, moja rodina (Bratislava: Kalli gram, 2010), 57. 8 Kuklik and Nemecek argue: " It cannot be ruled out that the former Prime Minister could have been driven by his effort to shore up support among his expatriates especially Slovak Americans, with whom he could attempt, with new energy, to stage a comeback in the Czechoslovak resistance movement abroad. So far his departure was seen, perhaps with some oversimplification, as his resignation to the attempts to advance his Slovak national programme in emigration, " Hodia versus Benes..., 142.The view that Hodfa sought the leading position in the resistance is also supported by Lukac, " Politicka cinnost' Milana Hodzu v emigracii ... ", 605 . 9 The New York Times, December 7, 1941 . 1 °Kuklik and Nemecek quote from Overseas News Agency release No. 400, July 11, 1941: " Hodfa's presence sheds light on the political tendencies of Slovak Americans. Apparently, the majority of Slovaks living in the United States are isolationist and pro-fascist and this has been reflected in the Slovak press here as well." The Czech authors say that Hodfa sued the ONA for libel, claiming $600,000 in damages, Hodia versus Benes.. ., 144. �SLOVAKIA 41 Hodza's close associate in the USA, Michal Mudry, unfounded attacks like these were frequent and their authors were mainly Slovak-American Communists, supported by Czechoslovak authorities in the USA. 11 The sources of the anti-Hodfa campaign remain obscure. We contend, however, that for President Benes and his government-in-exile, Hodfa's presence in the country posed a serious political problem. The main reason was that Hodfa was determined to call on Slovak Americans to actively participate in the discussions about the future of Slovakia. The Roosevelt administration's attitudes towards Hodfa's political activities were shaped gradually and drew upon several sources. One of them was Hodfa himself. Almost immediately after his arrival, the former Czechoslovak prime minister made contact with the Department of State, and during his stay visited it several times. It can be argued that Hodfa was the only Slovak who discussed the Slovak question with United States government officials during WW II. From its inception in the summer of 1942, the OSS kept an eye on Hodfa 's activities, and from December of that year his political campaign was scrutinized by the officers of the FNB. The OSS analysed Hodfa 's activities by scanning his articles in the Slovak-American media, as well as in the American press in general. In addition to that, Hodza attracted the close attention of the FBI, which since I 940 had been investigating the activities of the Slovak League and the Slovak National Alliance. All the sources at the U.S . government' s disposal indicated that Hodfa pursued very specific political objectives in the United States. Sometime around mid-1942, an OSS report noted that: "Dr. Hodza' s visits to the State Department, his public speeches, interviews granted by him, and his article in The Nation (May 16, 1942) have demonstrated his willingness to express his ideas, whatever may be the extent of his actual political activity. ,, 12 Hodfa' s approach to the Slovak question differed from all other political plans which had been discussed among Slovak Americans to date. The crucial difference was that in Hod:fa' s view, the Slovak question was not to be solved in isolation, but as part of the security, economic and strategic 11 "Various groups, more or less under the influence of leftist elements and the Czechoslovak Information Service, take pot shots at Hodfa and where possible, in connection with his person, they attack Slovak Americans as well. These groups are often made up of the active Czech and Slovak communists such as Hoffmeister, Weisskopf Benau [a social democrat - author's note) and others, at that time undoubtedly under the influence and in favour with Czechoslovak authorities in America." According to Mudry, the most malicious attack upon Hodfa was the pamphlet entitled " Persona non grata". It contained a scathing criticism of Hodfa 's efforts to create a federation , which, among other things, was to constitute a buffer against the Russian Bolsheviks. See Mudry, Milan Hodia v Ameriike .. . , 37. 12 NARA , Washington D. C., OSS , RG 226 E 100, Box 3, p. 47 . �42 SLOVAKIA issues concerning the whole of Central Europe. At that time, Hodza's ideas and political thought may have been known to the public as well as the OSS from his book Federation in Central Europe. 13 Hodza was convinced that federation was the only political arrangement capable of harnessing nationnal forces while preserving the freedom of nations and of individuals. Federation would enable Central Europe to become a viable system of production and consumption on the basis of which a New Europe could be built. The liberated and reinstated countries of Central Europe would conclude a treaty that would become the basic framework for a federal constitution. The treaty was supposed to be the result of spontaneous decisions made by Central European countries, which, bearing in mind their common goals, would identify common interests and mutual commitments. Powers concerning mutual affairs were to be delegated to federal bodies, and their exercise entrusted to a federal govemment. 14 It would be headed by a federal Chancellor, who would be nominated by the President of the federation . The legislative body would be made up of a federal Congress, which was to oversee the legislative process as well as the federal budget. The Federal Court was to be the highest judicial body, which would decide on matters raised by the federal government or by the governments of the constituent countries. The federalization of Central Europe was envisaged as the key to solving the Slovak question and Slovak-Czech relations. Hodza believed that the freedom and security of small nations could be guaranteed only through a supranational federation . If small states were to merge their sovereignties, thereby creating a stronger unit, it would clearly mean more to them than to be in permanent danger of losing their sovereignties. Slovakia, however, was not to enter the Central European federation as a separate state. According to Hodza, the political coexistence of Czechs and Slovaks was not only feasible, but also inevitable. For Czechs, Slovakia represented an important connection with Central Europe. Self-government would satisfy Slovakia to the extent that it would never be a source of weakness for the new republic, but the reverse - it would become the source of its stability and strength. However, Hodza warned, certain mistakes from the past should be avoided. "Stubborn centralism as well as mischievous separatism have to disappear," he argued. Hodza did not support Slovak independence and never sympathized with the representatives of the Slovak regime at home. In his book, he unequivocally dissociated himself from the "Slovakian Quisling regime" 13 Federation in Central Europe (London and New York: Jarrolds Publishers, 1942). Hodza proposed the creation of the following federal ministries: I . finance, 2. International trade, 3. foreign affairs, 4. defence, 5. postal services and communications, 6. and 7. air and naval transport, 8. federal legislation, 9. federal cooperation. Federation in Central Europe ... , 172 - 7. 14 �SLOVAKIA 43 and made it clear that its political representatives did not represent the will of the people. As far as the Czechoslovak government-in-exile in London was concerned, Hodza claimed he respected it and was willing to cooperate with it. In his opinion, though, the real leaders of the Slovaks existed not only in London, but also in the USA. He was convinced that in the settling of the Slovak question, Slovak Americans should take an active part. By emphasising the importance of Slovak Americans, Hodza underlined how much hope he pinned on them in deciding the political future of Slovakia after the war. 15 Shortly after his arrival in the United States, Hodza presented his vision to the American press. On December 7, 1941 The New York Times published an interview with him entitled "Hope Put in Union of Central Europe," which the former Czechoslovak statesman had granted to American journalist Frederick T. Birchall. The subheading of the article informed the American reader that federation was the goal of 110 million Central Europeans. 16 In the introduction, the author informed the reader that Hodza arrived in the USA unofficially, but with the approval of the Czechoslovak government in London. In fact, the second part of this statement was not true. President Benes could not prevent Hodza from leaving for the United States, but he was far from pleased with the prospect of his greatest political rival in exile campaigning among Slovak Americans. In the Birchall interview Hodza outlined some of the constitutional mechanisms of the proposed federation, and expressed his conviction that the prevailing political tendency in exile was "wholly in the direction of such a federation." As proof, Hodza pointed to the recent rapprochement of two old foes - Czechoslovakia and Poland. 17 These two countries, he believed, should form the nucleus of the future federation . It should then be joined by Romania, and subsequently also by a democratized Hungary, provided that the latter gave up its "imperialistic policy of coercing non-Magyar regions." According to 15 "Most of the Slovak leaders now stay in this country [United Kingdom] and in the USA ." Hodza, Federation in Central Europe . .. , 94. 16 The other two subheadings read: "For Common Government" and "He Explains Plan Will Not Deal in Half Measures, Such as the Old Little Entente," The New York Times, December 7, 1941 . 17 Hodza alluded here to the Czechoslovak-Polish negotiations of a possible confederation between the exiled governments of both countries in London. The outcome of these negotiations, which took place between 1940 and 1942, were two joint declarations - one in November 11 , 1940 and the other on January 23, 1942. The negotiations did not, however, lead to any specific action. In 1943 they ended for good as a result of the new pro-Soviet orientation of Czechoslovak foreign policy, as well as Moscow 's negative attitude towards such a confederation. For details see, Piotr S. Wandycz, Czechoslovak-Polish Confederation and the Great Powers, 1940 - 1943 (Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 1956). �44 SLOVAKIA Hodza, Yugoslavs and Bulgarians had already been working out their own idea of a federation . Hodza touched on the issue of the relations of Central Europe with Germany and Russia. He considered Russian Bolshevism as great a threat to Europe as German fascism. That was also the reason why the proposed federation should act as "a barrier between Nazi ideologists and Russian Bolsheviki." 18 Peasants, representing the conservative values of Central Europe, would, according to Hodza, be a stabilising force in the proposed federation . Their conservative influence would be of significant importance, since it would be necessary to "maintain a conservative democratic entity between the two subversive influences of Nazism and Bolshevism". Having talked to some lower-level officials of the U.S. Department of State, Hodfa met Assistant Secretary of State Adolf Berle on December 9, 1941. 19 On the same day Hodfa dined informally with DeWitt C. Poole, a high-ranking OSS officer and future head of the Foreign Nationalities Branch.20 During his meeting with the Assistant Secretary, Hodza presented Berle with a memorandum in which he outlined the development of Slovak affairs in Czechoslovakia and in subsequent exile between 1918 and 1939.21 In the memorandum, Hodfa pointed out that the Czechoslovak Cabinet in 1938, under his premiership, approved proposed legislation on decentralization - which, among other things, granted Slovakia its regional parliament. That was the last valid legal arrangement made before the Munich Pact, and it was recognized even by Jan Lichner, a minister of the exiled government. This view, Hodfa claimed, was subscribed to by the absolute majority of public opinion in Slovakia in late 1939. He admits that later on, in Paris, Czechoslovak leaders agreed that such constitutional issues as Slovakia's 18 Quoting Hodfa, the author goes on to say: "With a solid bloc of I 00, 000, 000 people separating them, a successful democracy operating next door would be a continuing object lesson of a better and more profitable way of life." The New York Times, December 9, 1941. 19 Prior to the meeting with Berle, Hodfa held talks with C. W. Cannon and H. Hoskins, as well as the head of the Coordination of Information, William J. Donovan. NARA, Washington D. C. , 860f.01 /429-3/4, Roll 30, 1910 - 1944. Memorandum of conversation between M. Hodfa and A. Berle (author H. Hoskins), December 9, 1941. 20 According to Kuklik and Nemecek, Hodza maintained that his first visit to the Department of State was a response to an invitation by C. W. Cannon, R. Atherton and A. Berle. The aim was to discuss the memorandum of Slovak-American separatist Gustav Kosik presented to the Department at an earlier date. 21 P. Lukac also suggested that Hodfa's visit to the State Department and his memorandum was a reaction to the memorandum of Gustav Kosik (Memorandum for His Excellency the Honourable Cordell Hull, Secretary of State of the United States of America). NARA signature 860f.01 /429- l/2, Roll 30. Lukac, Politic/ca cinnost' Milana Hodzu ... , 612. �SLOVAKIA 45 future should be decided by democratic majorities of Czechs and Slovaks after the war. Hodfa was willing to adhere to this agreement, provided that the exiled Czechoslovak National Council included representatives of Slovak federalists. In the posited post-war settlement, Hodfa emphasized the importance of a Czecho-Slovak restoration, but with a provision for Slovak self-government. He argued that Slovakia would not be able to maintain its sovereignty even as a separate member of the Central European federation. In the conclusion to the memorandum, Hodza condemned the Slovak puppet regime and hazarded a guess that its support among Slovaks did not exceed I 0%. As for Slovak Americans, he believed that the majority of them had never stopped supporting Czecho-Slovakia. The rest of them, in Hodza 's opinion, would soon change their political views. The official reaction to Hodfa' s memorandum of December 9, 1941 is not known, but it appears that he made a good impression during his first visit to the State Department. The report written for the Secretary of State Cordell Hull observed that, "Dr. Hodza gave the impression of an able patriot with qualities of sincerity and vision that might be with advantage put to constructive work in the post-war period in Central Europe." 22 In his later conversation with Poole, Hodfa himself assessed his meeting with Berle in a similar vein.23 It was intimated to Hodfa that, in the future, he might be received by Secretary Hull himself. Moreover, the State Department did not seem to have any objections to Hodfa's intention of lecturing at American universities and colleges. It was even suggested that Poole might be able to help by making the necessary arrangements.24 Hodfa expected that he would once again be in communication with the Department of State as early as January, 1942. His deteriorating health, however, forced him to stay in American sanatoria for several months, where he recuperated until April of 1942. 25 22 NARA, Washington D. C., 860f.01 /429-3/4, Roll 30, 1910 - 1944. Memorandum of conversation between M. Hodfa and A. Berle, H. Hoskins, December 9, 1941 , p. 3. 23 In his report Poole wrote: "He [Hodza] said that he had explained to Mr. Berle his views on the future political organization of Central Europe, and Mr. Berle seemed to be favourably impressed." D. C. Poole later checked Hodfa's impressions against those of H. Hoskins: "Following my talk with Dr. Hodza, I spoke on the telephone with Mr. Hoskins, and gathered from him that Dr .Hodza had given a substantially accurate account of his reception at the Department of State and Mr. Berle' s attitude. " NARA, Washington D. C., OSS, FNB Files, 1942 - 1945, INT-9CZ-4. 24 During the conversation at the Department of State, C. Cannon suggested that D. C. Poole "might be in the best position to bring this about." NARA, Washington D. C. , OSS, FNB Files, 1942 - 1945, INT-9CZ-4. 25 Lukac writes that Hodza recuperated from chronic bronchitis in a sanatorium at Lake Placid, New York and Hot Springs, Arkansas. Lukac, Politicka cinnost' Milana Hodiu .. ., 612 . �46 SLOVAKIA In Hodfa 's plans, 1942 should have marked a turning-point in his political campaign. After a modest recovery of his health, Hodfa launched his lecture tour among Slovak Americans and began publishing in American scholarly journals. On May 16 he outlined his federalization plans to the politically-minded American public in The Nation. The reactions of Czech and Slovak Americans to his article, A Central European Federation, were collected in two OSS reports from June. Both reports assessed the attitudes of American "Czechoslovaks" towards Hodza as predominantly negative. 26 The first one, dated June 1, 1942, pointed out that Czechoslovak Americans had missed the article because they did not regularly read The Nation. Still, the OSS observer admitted that Hodza's ideas were, in general, favourably received by many Central Europeans because they were in line with their own post-war plans.27 The other report from June 11 portrays Hodza's arrival in America, his political past and goals in the USA in a very negative light. In the introduction, the author alleged that Czechoslovak Americans received the article with considerable mistrust. Claiming that he had researched the Czechoslovak American press and talked to "a number of leading Czechoslovak Americans as well as Czechoslovak exiles," the OSS observer contended that the article was "not a bona fide piece of political thinking, but that it rather serves as a cloak for its author' s ambition to become the exclusive or most important spokesman for the Slovaks (American and otherwise), regardless of cost in terms of Czechoslovak unity here and abroad." 28 It may be argued that the negative tone of the report was influenced by its author's very selective approach to sources. For example, he claimed that he had read reactions in the "Czechoslovak press," but he did not give any specific titles. The only sources he acknowledged were J. Papanek, professor J. B. Kozak and D. Benau. 29Jan Papanek, head of the Czechoslovak Information Service in the USA and Benes's right-hand man, referred to Hodfa as an " unfortunate incident."30 He maintained that Hod26 Neither of the reports makes any distinction between American Slovaks and American Czechs. They refer to both groups collectively as "Czechoslovak Americans." 27 NARA, Washington D. C., OSS, FNB Files, 1942 - 1945, INT-9CZ-47, June I, 1942, p. I. 28 Ibid. The author of the report signed himself"Ivan Ivanovitch ." 29 At the time, Professor Kozak was lecturing at Oberlin College in Ohio. Prior to his arrival in the USA he was a member of the Czechoslovak State Council, a legislative-executive body ofBenes's government-in-exile in London. 30 J. Papanek' s negative attitude towards Hodza 's political views was widely known. Papanek disagreed with decentralisation to the extent advocated by Hodza. The head of the Czechoslovak Information Service in the USA expressed his attitude towards Hodza in one of his letters to Benes in January of 1942: "I do not agree with the policy of decentralization or self-government on the scale suggested by Lichner and Hodfa. I am convinced that this would lead to a new Zilina [agreement on Slova- �SLOVAKIA 47 fa's goal was to split the ranks of Slovak Americans, who had been, until his arrival, predominantly in full support of the Czechoslovak government headed by Bene~. Professor Kozak, a former member of the Czechoslovak government-in-exile, called Hodfa 's Central European Agrarian Bloc a reactionary body which collaborated with non-democrats. Benau, editor of the "Czechoslovak" New Yorksky dennik, added that Hodfa had a dubious financial past. Hodfa's entree into Slovak-American politics was facilitated by his long-time friend and associate Michal Mudry Sebik. With his assistance, Hodfa first approached the leaders of the Slovak National Alliance. On May 22, 1942, during the meeting of the SNA's Central Committee in Detroit, which discussed Hodfa 's lecture tour, the majority of the Committee expressed their support for Hodfa's political programme.31 At that time, Hodza formulated his position on the Slovak question as follows : 1. A Slovak Parliament and Slovak judiciary; 2. Slovak self-government, 3. Slovak as the only official language in Slovakia. With this political aim he launched a series of lectures at local branches of the SNA. However, the decision of the Central Committee was strongly challenged by the conservative wing of the SNA leadership. At the June meeting of the Executive Board, the president, secretary and treasurer of the organization announced their opposition to the decision taken by the Central Committee on May 22. According to these leaders, Hodfa's demands were a mere repetition of the Pittsburgh Agreement, which concerned the internal affairs of the Czechoslovak Republic. The leaders proclaimed that, as American citizens, they had no intention of meddling in the internal affairs of the Republic, because that was against the SNA programme as well as American law. In addition to that, the proclamation of the Executive Board pointed out that, it was thanks to the Czechoslovak government-in-exile that Slovaks were not considered enemies of the Allies. Discussions about Slovakia's political future were destroying the unity of the SNA and threatened the future of the Slovak people. In the final part of the proclamation, the three members of the Executive Board issued a warning: "Disputes over things which do not concern us as American citizens - among these disputes is the question of selfgovernment of the Slovak nation - harm our country, harm all of us, and kia's autonomy, signed Oct. 6, 1938) and all that followed." Slavomir Michalek, Jan Papanek za vojny Bene.fovi. Vyber z dokumentov 1939 - 1945 (Bratislava: VEDA, 1997), 97. 31 Fifteen members of the Central Committee were in favour of Hodza' s lectures, twelve were against. NARA, Washington D. C., OSS, FNB Files, 1942 - 1945, INT9CZ-82. Later M. Mudry observed: "The meeting of the SNA ' s Central Committee in Detroit was especially important in the history of Slovaks. It showed that the great majority of Slovak Americans, in favour of the Czechoslovak Republic, preferred the Czecho-Slovak constitutional arrangement as it was outlined by Dr. M. Hodza." Mudry, Milan Hodi a v Amerike ..., 32. �48 SLOVAKIA only help the enemy!" 32 The position proclaimed by the Executive Board on June 29 confused other SNA leaders, as well as its rank-and-file. At the same time, it spurred a new wave of discussion about the position of the organization on the Slovak question, which continued throughout 1942. Several days before his second visit to the Department of State, Hodza had an appointment with Poole and J. C. Wiley of the OSS. After the SNA meeting in Detroit, Hodfa expressed his views openly, and his criticism of his opponents was sharper, on occasion turning into personal attacks. He told the OSS officers that his goals were to mobilize Slovak Americans and win their support for a self-governing Slovakia within a restored Czechoslovak Republic. He reiterated that the Czechoslovak constitutional arrangement, agreed upon by the Czechoslovak cabinet in July of 1938, was legally valid and politically binding. During one conversation, the OSS officers noted, Hodfa "disclosed a determined opposition to what he called the centralism in the Czechoslovakian constitutional practice of Benes and his entourage." 33 He criticized Benes, who, during their London talks in 1939, had been deliberately evasive and noncommittal regarding discussion of Slovakia's constitutional status. In talks with American government officials, Hodfa maintained that the campaign against himself in the USA had been masterminded by Papanek. The head of the CIS was not, in Hodfa' s words, to any degree a political figure, but merely an agent and intriguer for Benes.34 Apart from the members of the SNA, Hodfa was also planning to address the Slovak American Catholics associated within the Slovak League of America. As Hodfa put it bluntly in his conversation with Poole, he intended to "destroy this organisation" by winning over its popular support, leaving its leaders without any following, which he believed was very weak. 35 Meeting the OSS officers provided Hodfa with an opportunity to get some feedback on how his political activities were viewed by the administration. On this, the position of the OSS and the government was clear and unequivocal. American authorities were anxious not to see American 32 The Proclamation of the SNA Executive Board was signed by its President, Jaroslav Pelikan, Secretary Jan W. Golosinec and Treasurer Vaclav Hovorka. NARA, Washington D. C., OSS, FNB Files, 1942 - 1945, INT-9CZ-82. 33 NARA, Washington D. C., 860f.01 444-1/2, Roll 30, 1910 - 1944, p. I. 34 NARA, Washington D. C., 860f.0I 444-1 /2, Roll 30, 1910 - 1944, p. 3. On this occasion Hodfa also expressed his firm belief in winning the forthcoming trial against the Overseas News Agency. He was convinced that the ONA had obtained its libellous information against him from Pap{mek, who was to be identified as the true culprit. NARA, Washington D. C. , 860f.0I 444-1 /2, Roll 30, 1910 - 1944, p. 3. 35 Hodfa told the OSS that the local branch of the Slovak Catholic Sokol in Passaic, NJ, came out in open support of his programme, as did the First Catholic Slovak Union in Wilkes-Barre, PA. NARA, Washington D. C., 860f.0I 444-1/2 Roll 30, 1910 - 1944, p. 6. �SLOVAKIA 49 citizens and alien residents fighting over European political issues on American soil. 36 The concerns of the American government about the unity of Slovak Americans were aired once again during Hodza's second visit to the Department of State on June 18, 1942.37 Hodza met H. Hoskins and C. Cannon. On the same day he spoke on the telephone to Assistant Secretary Berle. Hoskins and Cannon were interested in Hodfa's ongoing lecture tour among Slovak Americans. The former Czechoslovak premier did not hide his optimism and spoke extremely positively about his campaign.38 He was keen to ascertain how his activities were viewed by the Department of State. In response to his query, Assistant Secretary Berle told Hodfa that he thought that his "efforts had been in the right direction. "39 He made it clear, though, that the American government did not wish American unity to be disturbed by conflicts among Americans of foreign descent. Apparently, what the Assistant Secretary had in mind under "efforts in the right direction" were activities that would strengthen Czechoslovak unity in the USA. It was obvious that Slovakia's political future per se played a secondary role, if any, in the Department of State's post-war strategic planning. We can only wonder whether the Department of State had been informed about the results of the SNA' s Detroit meeting at the time of Hodza 's telephone conversation with Berle. It can be argued that, if it had been the case, the Assistant Secretary would not have so favorably assessed Hodza's activities. At any rate, Hodfa took Berle's statement as an expression of approval of his American campaign. He told this to Poole two days later while travelling with him on the train to New York. 40 During this conversation, Hodza reiterated that he was determined to get on with his lecture tour among Slovak Americans and to work on the project of the Central European Federa36 Hodza reacted to this open allusion to his political activities in the USA by assuring the OSS officers that in this respect there could be no objections to his campaign, since his primary aim was to unite, not to divide all Slovak Americans. NARA, Washington D. C., 860f.01 444-1/2, Roll 30, 1910 - 1944, p. 6. 37 NARA, Washington D. C., 860f.01/446-1 /2, Roll 30, 1910- 1944. 38 Lukac quotes from the Memorandum of conversation of June 18 : "Since then he has been in touch with various Slovak groups in this country and felt he had made progress in his efforts to convince them that Slovakia should work out its problem within the framework of the present republic, not as a small independent state". Lukac, Politicka cinnost' Milana Hodiu ... , 613. 39 Lukac points out that the original memorandum contains the following handwritten note beside the word "efforts": "This related only to his effort to reduce the controversies between Czechs and Slovaks and similar peacemaking attempts." Ibid., 614. 40 NARA, Washington D. C., 860f.0 1/446-1 /2, Roll 30, 1910 - 1944. Author of report D. C. Poole, June 20, 1942. Poole observed Hodfa's satisfaction with his visit to the Department of State. �50 SLOVAKIA tion.41 He suggested to Poole that American authorities could get in touch with some of his Hungarian and Yugoslav friends who were in favour of such a federation. 42 In return, the OSS officer promised to put him in touch with another academic institution, which would enable him to lecture at universities in his capacity as a former history professor. 43 While lecturing to Slovak Americans during the summer of 1942, Hodza found himself yet again the target of unwanted publicity. This time, Hodza ' s political opponents broadcast their views on New York-based radio station WMCA. Though the statements made by the radio commentator are not known, we do know that they drew an indignant response from Hodza. Following the broadcast by WMCA on July 28th, 1942, Hodza contacted Dr. Morris D. Forkosch, his New York-based lawyer, with a view to bringing legal action against the radio commentator. Hodza was adamant that Johannes Steele, the radio presenter in question, as well as his "sponsors," by which Hodza meant the people who supplied him with the slanderous information, should be sued for libel. This, however, was not to be. Four months later, Hodza abruptly asked his lawyer to drop the suit. In one of his telegrams to Forkosch in mid-October, Hodza wrote: "It is imperative that you immediately and explicitly advise the new sponsors of the radio commentator and others you approached that you acted upon mistaken instructions and to withdraw steps [sic.]."44 From Hodza's correspondence with Forkosch we learn that the defendants (Steele, the WMCA, the Terminal Shops) accepted some sort of "settlement," though it is not at all clear what this arrangement was. What remains baffling is what made Hodza change his mind. Money may have been part of it. Hodza had been dogged by financial problems since his arrival in the United States. On the other hand, Hodza 41 NARA, Washington D. C., 860f.01 /446-l /2, Roll 30, 1910 - 1944, p. 2. Hodfa referred specifically to a Hungarian, John Polonyi, and a Yugoslav, Bof olyub Jeftich. 3 During this conversation Hodfa expressed his interest in giving informal talks and participating in conferences as a historian of the 19th century. Poole had facilitated academic contacts for Hodza before. In the autumn of 1941 he introduced him to Dr. Duggan, Director of the International Institute of Education and later to Malcolm Davis, who was to assist in Hodfa 's cooperation with the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. 44 In his letter to Hodfa from October 28, 1942, Forkosch recounted all the telegraphic communications between him and Hodfa related to the libel suit. He did this, presumably, to clarify all possible misunderstandings as to what Hodfa really wanted and what his instructions to Forkosch were. Forkosch, however, did not provide any reasons for his client 's decision to drop the case. NARS, Washington D. C. , OSS, FNB Files, 1942 - 1945, INT-9CZ-129. Copy of M. D. Forkosch 's letter to Hodfa, October 28, 1942, p. I. 42 �SLOVAKIA 51 would hardly have initiated a costly new lawsuit if he had not been convinced that he stood a fair chance of having his name cleared and his political detractors exposed. 45 The FNB files remain silent as to who supplied the WMCA with the information or what motivation drove its commentator to attack Hodza over the airwaves. Michal Mudry Sebik had little doubt that public attacks against Hodza were masterminded by Jan Papanek, and condoned by Benes's Ambassador in Washington, Vladimir Hurban. This view has not been contested by any Hodza historians. So far, however, there has been no reliable evidence to prove that this was indeed the case. As far as the American government was concerned, it knew all about the perpetrators of the anti-Hodza smear campaign since June of 1943. The ideological split in the Slovak-American community, partially caused by Hodfa' s political campaign, was a source of growing concern to the American government. Amidst fears for the unity of Slovak Americans, the Department of State, in co-operation with several other government agencies, decided to take action. On September 14, 1942, the Office of War Information (OWI) organized in Pittsburgh a conference of Slovak newspaper editors and presidents of Slovak organizations.46 The intention of the OWI organizers was to unify Slovak-American organizations and persuade their leaders to sign a joint declaration expressing Slovak support for the U.S. government and, at the same time, condemning its enemies, including the Slovak Republic. At the actual conference two resolutions were passed. According to the OSS, on the previous day the members of the Resolution Committee had consulted the wording of both resolutions with Hodza, who had arrived earlier in Pittsburgh.47 The first resolution pledged allegiance to the government of the United States and its president. The second one outlined the principles concerning Slovakia's political future, in line with the Atlantic Charter. It stated, among other things, that Czechoslovakia should be "recreated on a basis of equal rights, equal privileges, equal opportunities and equal obligations."48 This passage, however, elicited strong objections 45 Hodza's libel suit against the Overseas News Agency had been dragging on and off since November of 1941. The case was finally closed in June of 1943. 46 The conference was held at the William Penn Hotel. NARA, Washington D. C., OSS, FNB Files, 1942 - 1945, INT-9CZ-139. OSS, V. P. Backora to Dr. Kelso, September 16, 1942. 47 NARS, Washington D. C., OSS, FNB Files, 1942 - 1945, INT-9CZ-139. In the lead-up to the conference, Hodza met with Vendelin Platek, president of the National Slovak Society (NSS), Emil Stankoviansky, editor of Slovensky h/asnik [Slovak Herald] , the organ of the Slovak Evangelical Union and J. Willo (NSS), chairman of the Resolution Committee. 48 NARA, Washington D. C., OSS, FNB Files, 1942 - 1945, INT-9CZ-143 . A photocopy of the September 14 resolution was published in Slovensky hlasnik on Octo- �52 SLOVAKIA from the "Czechoslovak" hardliners and followers of Benes under the leadership of Jaroslav Pelikan. The text of the second resolution had to be rephrased, and the controversial part concerning the relationship between the Czechs and Slovaks was eventually omitted. In this form, the resolutions did not please any of the participants. The outcome of the conference left both sides unhappy. The OWI had received a token expression of Slovak allegiance, but the disgruntled Slovak leaders, seeking more definite commitments regarding Slovakia' s future, remained dissatisfied.49 The efforts of the Department of State and the OSS to direct Hodza's activities in favour of Slovak-American unity continued after the unsuccessful conference in Pittsburgh. On September 17, 1942 Assistant Secretary Berle wrote a letter to the OSS in which he asked Poole to settle the ongoing arguments between Papanek and Hodza. In this letter he reiterated the stance of the U.S. government as it was set out in June of 1942. The priorities of the Department did not lie in the various merits and demerits of the argument about the Slovak question, but in the need for unity and peace among Slovak Americans, which would contribute to victory in the war. 50 The concerns of the U.S . government were further exacerbated about two months later when the leaders of Slovak organizations and Hodza 's followers called a new conference with the intention of rallying the Slovak Americans behind Hodza's political programme. A new umbrella organization was established - the Council of Slovak American Organizations and Newspapers (hereafter CASON). This organization later succeeded in encouraging cooperation with some of the Catholic fraternal organizations. Politically, it subscribed to the restoration of Czechoslovakia, but in contrast to Benes's government-in-exile, it demanded a more definite commitment on Slovakia's status after the war. 51 This development was highly undesirable from the standpoint of the U.S . administration, which had only recently confirmed its definitive recognition of Benes's government in Lon- her I, 1942. The resolution was signed by twenty-four Slovak leaders and newspa£er editors. 9 As the OSS observer put it: "The compromise resolution satisfies no one but it is at least a step forward . Hodza is still causing disunity among the American Slovaks." NARA, Washington D. C. , OSS, FNB Files, 1942 - 1945, INT-9CZ-139. 50 "The State Department is not at present interested in the merits of the controversy, but it has, of course, a very distinct interest in preserving that harmony and unity which best contributes towards winning the war." Quoted from the letter of A. Berle to D. C. Poole (NARA 860f. 00/993). See Lukac, Politicka cinnost' Milana Hodi u .. ., 617,note44. 51 The main figures behind the establishment of CASON were the President of the NSS, V. Platek, the President of the First Catholic Slovak Union, Michal Vargovich, and Jan Bradac, at that time the Honorary President of the SNA. �SLOVAKIA 53 don.52 Hodfa 's campaign among Slovak Americans was becoming an ever more pressing political problem for the U.S. administration. In its March report, the OSS recommended that the State Department step in: "It would be of great value and benefit all around, if our State Department would speak nicely to Mr .Hodja [sic.] and advise him to apply his talents towards unity and not disruption among the Slovak Americans." 53 Throughout 1943, apart from campaigning among Slovak Americans, Hodfa was occupied with, and increasingly alarmed by, the developments in Czechoslovak foreign policy under Benes's leadership. In May - June, the president of the Czechoslovak government-in-exile came on an official visit of the United States, where he was met by the highest officials in the country, including the Secretary of State. One of the primary objectives of the president's visit was to gain American approval for his planned journey to Moscow towards the end of the year. There, Benes was planning to sign a new Czechoslovak-Soviet treaty. This diplomatic initiative was the pinnacle of Benes's efforts to change the orientation of Czechoslovak foreign policy during WW II. From then on, the international security of the country was no longer to be guaranteed by military alliances with the Western Powers. Instead, it was to be safeguarded through close cooperation and coordination of its foreign policy with that of the Soviet Union. It remains unclear whether, in the summer of 1943, Secretary of State Cordell Hull and President Roosevelt voiced their approval of the proposed Czechoslovak-Soviet treaty. According to Benes's personal secretary, Edvard Taborsky, Berle said that the United States followed no specific plans in relation to Central Europe, nor did they have any intention of negotiating with Hodfa on this issue.54 It appears that the ill-defined position of the Roosevelt administration in 1943 confirmed Benes's conviction that the United States did not hold any objections to Czechoslovakia's new Soviet-oriented foreign policy. Hodza, by contrast, regarded the conclusion of the treaty in December 1943 as a very dangerous step on the road to creating a new Soviet sphere of influence. He also feared that, after the war, the Soviet Union would try to impose on Czechoslovakia a political system similar to its own. Moreover, Hodfa was deeply convinced that Slovaks had not a scintilla of sympa- 52 The definiti ve American recognition of the London-based Czechoslovak government-in-exile was granted on October 28, 1942. 53 NARA, Washington D. C., OSS, RG 226 E 142, Box 3. Re: Recent Slovak Affairs, Milan Hodia, Jozef Hu~ek, Fedor Salva, etc., April 3, 1942. 54 According to Taborsky, Berle felt the need to defend himself against allegations that he sympathized with Hodia. "Hodfa was your prime minister and now he is a refugee. We respect him as such, but we will make no political deals with him, I can say this categorically." See Lukac, Politicka cinnost' Milana Hodiu ... , 620. Document quoted: NARA, 860F. 00/1009. �54 SLOVAKIA thy for Russian Bolshevism. He objected vigorously to the treaty, and made his criticism heard. Benes's visit to the United States presented the head of the Foreign Nationalities Branch with a perfect opportunity to cut troublesome Hodza down to size. Hodza ' s long-standing legal feud with the Overseas News Agency (ONA) carried potential risks not only for the news agency itself, but for the whole of the Czechoslovak government-in-exile. Back in December of I 941 , Hodza had complained to the Office of the Coordination of Information that the ONA had been spreading word that he was a fascist collaborating with Otto von Habsburg and Tibor Eckhardt in a plot hatched by German generals to eliminate Hitler with a view to negotiating a separate peace.55 The same source branded the majority of Slovak Americans as isolationist and pro-fascist. Hodza was convinced that if the ONA was made to disclose its source, some of the top Czechoslovak authorities in the USA would be implicated. In June of 1943, the American court which was investigating the libel suit, required the ONA to answer a set of questions contained in a bill of particulars. One of them inquired about the source the ONA drew upon in its news release of November 7, 1941 . Shortly before the deadline by which the ONA was to comply, the case took an unexpected turn. On June 1st, Jacob Landau, the agency's managing director, paid a visit to Poole in his Washington office. He briefed the FNB boss about the case and discussed the questions in the bill of particulars. Later on, in his report of the meeting, Poole noted: "If ONA had to answer, Mr. Landau asserted, one of the sources to be named would be the Czechoslovak Ambassador [in the United States] ." Such a development was, from the perspective of the U.S. government, highly undesirable. Not only would it expose its wartime ally - the Czechoslovak government-in-exile - as the source of the anti-Hodza smear campaign, it would also fan the flames of the Benes-Hodza controversy among Slovak Americans. Although the head of the FNB felt he was not in a position to "interfere in an official way," he promised Landau that he would talk to Hodfa in order to make him "freely desi st" from the libel suit. Three days later in New York, Poole broached the subject of anti-Hodza propaganda in his conversation with Jan Papanek, the head of the Czechoslovak Information Service (hereafter CIS) in the United States. Without telling him what he knew from Landau, Poole received from the CIS head a resolute denial of any involvement on the part of the Czechoslovak government. Nevertheless, Papanek was very pleased with Poole 's intention to convince Hodza to desist from the case. On his part, the Czechoslovak propaganda boss promised he would do his utmost 55 NARA, Washington D. C., OSS, FNB Files, 1942 - 1945, TNT-9CZ-22, p. I. Memorandum of conversation between John. C. Wiley and Milan Hodia, December 4, I 94 I. �SLOVAKIA 55 to prevent further escalation of the Hodza-Benes controversy. He also mentioned to Poole that during his visit in the States, Benes held a long private conversation with Jan Palka, Hodfa's son-in-law. This information, whether imparted casually or by design, presented the head of the FNB with the bargaining leverage he so much needed in his dealings with Hodfa. Although Papanek did not tell Poole what Palka had discussed with Benes, it was not difficult to surmise. Hodfa's dire financial situation was an open secret in Czechoslovak circles, and the OSS knew about it. Until his death in 1944, Hodfa struggled to keep his political campaign in America financially afloat. In October of 1942, for example, he asked the Polish government-in-exile for $650. 56 In May of the following year, Hodfa asked Slovak-American leader Vendelin Platek to help him out financially. The only regular income Hod.fa had was a monthly salary of $250 received from the Czechoslovak government-in-exile for his absentee membership in the London-based State Council. The money was payable to the account of Hodfa 's wife, who, at that time, resided in Chicago. Being well-informed of Hodfa's financial woes, Poole decided to use this information in the name of national interest. On June 5th, he telephoned Hodza, who was convalescing in Clearwater, Florida. The subject of the conversation was the ONA libel suit. According to Poole's account, Hodfa was tired of the longstanding legal battle and "had really lost interest in the matter." 57 This was borne out by David Karr, who had been following the case at the Office of War Information He informed Poole in November of 1942 that Hodza had indeed tried to drop his lawsuit, but this had not happened because of some misunderstanding between him and his lawyers. 58 As the secret memorandum of the telephone conversation between the two men suggests, Poole pressured Hodza to discontinue his campaign among Slovak Americans. During the conversation he hinted that both he and President Benes had been well aware of his financial difficulties. Poole then played his trump 56 Dusan Seges, "Ohlas sudobej krajanskej tlace na politicke posobenie Milana Hodzu v USA v rokoch 1941 - 1944," in Milan Hodia politik a i urnalista, ed. M. Peknik (Bratislava: Veda, 2008), 185 . In his article, Seges writes that Hodza wanted to use the money to gain a dominant influence on the Slovak-American newspaper Slovensky Hlasnik. Seges maintains that in the end Hodza succeeded in getting some of the money. 57 NARA, Washington D. C., OSS, FNB Files, 1942 - 1945, INT-33CZ-20, p. 4. Memorandum of telephone conversation between D. C. Poole and Milan Hodza, June 10, 1943. 58 NARA, Washington D. C. , OSS, FNB Files, 1942 - 1945, INT-9CZ-129, November 18, 1942. In his report, D. C. Poole clarified: "He [David Karr] thought that there had been some misunderstanding, in consequence probably of Dr. Hodza's imperfect command of English. Specifically, Mr. Karr gained the impression that Dr. Hodza had instructed his attorneys 'to settle,' meaning come to a final friendly adjustment; but the attorneys interpreted this to refer to obtaining a 'settlement' ." �56 SLOVAKIA card. He reassured his interlocutor that he had "obtained satisfactory assurances from Dr. Benes that Dr. Hodza's personal situation would not be disturbed."59 To make himself absolutely clear, the head of the FNB pointed out to Hodfa that "It would seem unfortunate if by pressing the suit against the Overseas News Agency at this time he should bring on a change."60 Though elegantly phrased, to Hodfa 's ears Poole's talk must have sounded like nothing more than political blackmail. There is little doubt that Hodfa took his words at face value. In the following days he contacted his lawyer. In order to find out whether he had really done so, Poole telephoned Hodza again on June 10th. Hodfa confirmed that he had instructed his lawyer via telegraph to terminate the suit. Fear for the post-war scenario in Central Europe prompted Hodza to draw up a document - Europe at the Crossroads - which he sent to the State Department in March of 1944.6 1 This memorandum analyzed the political situation in Central Europe within the context of its states' relations with the Soviet Union. Hodfa pointed to the undemocratic character of the Soviet political system, and warned against its application in any form . He challenged Benes's arguments, according to which the new foreign policy realignment with the Soviet Union was unavoidable. Hodza argued that by signing the treaty, the Czechoslovak government-in-exile willingly entered into the Soviet sphere of influence and thus became an instrument of the Russian Drang nach dem Westen. He rejected the policy of creating a "special sphere," the necessity of which Benes justified by the failure of the Western Powers and the "betrayal of Czechoslovakia" in 1938. He contended that no sphere of influence was able to guarantee the sovereignty of small countries. The only guarantee of security, Hodza maintained, was a system of collective security similar to the one promulgated by the Ameri59 NARA , Washington D. C., OSS, FNB Files, 1942 - 1945, INT-33CZ-20, p. 4. Memorandum of telephone conversation between D. C. Poole and Milan Hodza, June 10, 1943 . 60 Tbid. 61 Some historians doubt whether or not the Department of State actually received the memorandum. Lukac, who did not have a copy of the document at his disposal, claimed that "Despite the fact that several authors claim the memorandum was sent to the Department, including the author of this article, there is no copy of Europe at the Crossroads in the State Department archives. We can only speculate what fate it met, whether it was sent at all or "got lost" in American archives. " Lukac, Politic/ca cinnost' Milana Hodiu .. . , 622. The author of this study (R. Licko) can confirm that a copy of this 22-page-long memorandum is kept in the National Archives in Washington, in the OSS Foreign Nationalities Branch section with signature INT-32A-75. Moreover, there is also firm evidence that the memorandum was read at the State Department. D. C. Poole, chief of the FNB, summarised its contents in his report of March 8, 1944. �SLOVAKIA 57 cans and the British in the form of the United Nations. The final victory was achievable only as a "collective victory," with collective war aims. He went on to write, with bitter regret, that the "official Czecho-Slovak policy obviously relinquished this imperative requirement of all alliances." 62 Hod.fa expressed his belief that "Czecho-Slovakia surely deserves a better fate than to become the victim of any personal rule or of any kind of soviet system."63 The memorandum also touches upon the position of the U.S. government, which chose not to reject the treaty. Hod.fa respected this view. However, the American position did not, in his opinion, change the simple fact that the treaty had contributed significantly to the creation of spheres of influence, whose catastrophic consequences would have to be dealt with after the war through a system of collective security. Part V of the memorandum was devoted to the Slovak question. According to Hodfa, the majority of Slovaks, with only a handful of opponents, demanded fair self-government for Slovakia. This demand was in stark contrast to the stubborn centralism of Benes and his political supporters in exile. Hodza's disapproval of the Soviet Union ' s influence, in relation to Slovakia's future, was based upon his conviction that the Soviet political system was incompatible with the political and cultural traditions of Slovaks. Hodza vehemently denied that Slovaks had ever sympathized with Communism. He also reminded the State Department that Slovaks had been fighting against Nazism on the Eastern as well as the Western fronts. Moreover, the majority of the Slovak soldiers who had defected from the Slovak army were, in Hod.fa ' s opinion, anti-Communists, with whom he had maintained radio contact. They desired, on the whole, a "Slovakia administered by Slovaks." Hodfa vigorously denied the allegations, current at the time, that Slovaks had not fought against Fascism. According to his information, as many as 75% of the Czecho-Slovak Army personnel in France between 1939 and 1940 were Slovaks.64 Europe at the Crossroads was Hod.fa' s last attempt to influence the U.S. administration. His memorandum was thoroughly analyzed by the OSS. The political analyst who studied it related its content to his superior DeWitt Poole.65 In the introduction of the report, its author noted: "It confirms my impression of him as a man of a high degree of peasant shrewdness." The OSS shared Hod.fa's concerns about the future of small Central European nations after the war: "The European peoples, more particularly, the East European nationnalities, will be potter's clay in the coming interplay of forces." The author fully sanctioned Hodza' s proposal to hold plebi62 NARA, Washington D. C., OSS, FNB Files, I 942 - 1945, TNT-32A-75 , p. 15. lbid., p. 19. 64 NARA, Washington D. C. , OSS, FNB Files, 1942 - 1945, TNT-32A-75. 65 Julian Towster to D. C. Poole, March 8, 1944. NARA, Washington D. C., OSS, FNB Files, 1942 - 1945, fNT-3 2A-75 . 63 �58 SLOVAKIA scites in Central Europe, ideally under the auspices of the United Nations. 66 Russia's willingness, or lack thereof, to respect the free will of Central Europeans was to be a clear indication of how far this country intended to go in improving its relations with the Western Allies in the post-war period. The OSS report did not pay any particular attention to the issue of Slovakia's future after the war. At the time when the State Department received the OSS report, Hodza had been undergoing medical treatment in a holiday resort in Florida. Despite several periods of improvement during his stay in the United States, Hodza never recovered from his illness. On June 27, 1944, after an operation in Clearwater, Hodza succumbed to his illness. 67 His death was an immense loss, primarily to the advocates of Slovak self-government. Moreover, there was a general opinion among Slovak-American leaders that, apart from Stefan Osusky, there was no other political leader at that time who would have been able to unite the politically fragmented Slovak Americans.68 Having been a prominent Central European politician and statesman throughout his life, Hodza's death elicited obituaries in a number of leading dailies around the world. 69 His life-long political contribution to politics was acknowledged by the Czechoslovak government, and even by his political enemies, including Edvard Benes. Belatedly, the U.S. government paid 66 "Hodza is perfectly right in emphasizing the plebiscite angle. Plebiscites may not always have been the best yardstick of true national sentiment, but the principle of unhindered expression of such sentiment and of consultation between the leading United Nations members in regard to securing such expression goes to the heart of the problem." 67 Hodfa suffered from cancer of the large intestine. According to the autopsy report, the immediate cause of death was a complication - internal obturation during the operation . Hodza never regained consciousness. See Lukac, "Posledne chvile Milana Hodzu," in Obcianska spolocnost', no. 8 (August, 2000), I 0. 68 The Slovak leaders, especially those associated in the CASON, suggested Stefan Osusky as Hodfa's possible successor, because they did not regard Hodfa' s aide, Mudry Sebik, as a "strong and effective" leader. FBI, Chicago File No. 100-15744, January 25 , 1945 . Report: Slovak National Alliance, p. 7. Another FBI report written by its director on July 1, 1944, advised the Department of State of Osusky' s intention to ask for permission to enter the United States. In addition to giving a brief account ofOsusky's political career, the report states that V. Platek, the leader of the National Slovak Society, wrote a letter to Osusky as early as in June of 1943 . In it, Platek asked Osusky to come to the United States and to assume the leadership of Slovak Americans together with Hodfa. NARA, Washington D. C., 860f.202 l l/71844 PSNL, Roll 31, 1940 - 1944. Memorandum of J. E. Hoover to A. Berle, Assistant Secretary of State. Subject: Milan Hodza and Stefan (Stephen) Osusky, July I, 1944. 69 The New York Times published Hodfa 's obituary on June 29, 1944. On July 4, 1944 the newspaper reported on Hodfa's funeral in Chicago. �SLOVAKIA 59 tribute to this outstanding Czechoslovak statesman. In 1951 , U.S. Secretary of State John Foster Dulles praised Hodfa's understanding of the mutual interdependence of sovereign and equal peoples, and acknowledged Hodfa's contribution to the cause of European unity.70 Given the scope of Hodfa's plans and activities in the United States during WW II, one has to ask oneself: what did the Roosevelt administration's foreign policymakers make of Hodfa's federalization plans, and what solution, if any, did they think desirable in the dispute about Slovakia's post-war future? What significance did Hodfa's plans play in American strategic planning in Central Europe? Were these in line with the existing American blueprint for the overall European peace settlement, or did they contradict it? To what extent were Hodfa's plans for a Central European federation examined, and what political will was there to intervene in the debate on the post-war status of Slovakia? American and European historians more or less share the same view that Central Europe, throughout WW II, was not an area of priority in the United States' strategic planning. United States foreign policy in Central Europe was the outcome of a variety of factors, domestic and international, and on the whole it could be characterized as unsystematic.71 Another characteristic of this policy was the fact that the United States' attitudes towards Eastern Europe went through several changes during WW IL To a large extent, these changes were the result of the personal influence of key political figures in the White House, as well as in the Department of State. It is commonly known that, at the beginning of the war, President Roosevelt was an advocate of the doctrine of the Four Policemen, according to which the four greatest powers - the United States, the United Kingdom, the Soviet Union and China - were expected to take over the responsibility for the post-war political organization of the territories subjected to their influence. In Central Europe, this would mean an unprecedented increase in Soviet influence, given that Germany was to be disarmed after the war and its influence eliminated for good. From the standpoint ofHodfa's political plans, this represented an undesirable return to spheres of influence against which he so persistently warned. 70 Lukac, Politicka cinnost' Milana Hodzu ... , 625 . The Norwegian historian Geir Lundestad summarizes the non-systematic nature of this policy as follows: "So tenuous was the coherence of the many diverse elements in these policies, fluctuating in response to political and economic forces within the US itself, to local events in Eastern Europe, and to the challenges inherent in Great Power rivalry, that I have chosen the term the American non-policy to describe the end result of the various influencing factors . American policy-makers were never quite able to make up their minds about the importance of Eastern Europe to the United States." Lundestad, American Non-Policy Towards Eastern Europe (Oslo : Universitets forlaget, 1978), 34. 71 �60 SLOVAKIA Quite a different view of the post-war world order was held by Secretary of State Cordell Hull. He advocated a vision of a globalized world, in which economic and political conflicts among sovereign countries were to be solved through a world organization.72 However, the idea of resurrecting a world organization on the principle of the interwar League of Nations was extremely unpopular in the United States. Warming up to such an idea took some time and was a gradual process.73 After the resignation of Sumner Welles from the position of Under Secretary of State in 1943, Cordell Hull finally succeeded in convincing the conservative-minded Department of State to accept the idea of a new United Nations. In relation to Central Europe, the new line in foreign policy resulted in the conviction that the reformed system of collective security would prevent the recreation of old spheres of influence. This was also the reason why the State Department was very reluctant to give its views on the various integration schemes of the Central European governments in exile. The growing influence of the Soviet Union in this area was a worrying development for the Roosevelt administration, but did not lead to a significant shift in the established policy of non-intervention.74 Surprisingly enough, despite the negative attitude towards European integration in general, the archival documents of the Department of State suggest that the U.S. foreign policy makers devoted con72 This track of American foreign policy in the 20th century is frequently referred to as "globalism," or, "universalism." See Michael Lind, "The Twilight of the U.N.," The New Republic, October 30, 1995, p. 28 . 73 The League of Nations, created in 1920, was part of the peace initiative of U.S. President Woodrow Wilson, generally known as the "Fourteen Points." In terms of conflict resolution and international security, the organization's philosophy was based upon the principle of collective security, which stood in opposition to the notion of the balance of power and advancement of national interests. The U.S. Congress, however, refused to ratify the League' s Covenant. Wilson ' s peace initiative is often criticized and branded as an example of American political idealism. From the point of view of international relations, Wilson's plan stemmed from "idealistic and liberal dissatisfaction with the international anarchy, balance of power and the concept of self-help which had hitherto characterized the state-system." Graham Evans and Jeffrey Newham, Penguin Dictionary of International Relations (London: Penguin books, 1998), p. 300. 74 In the introduction to his book The Myth of Liberation; East-Central Europe in U.S. Diplomacy and Politics Since 1941 , Bennett Kovrig described American idealism in relation to Central Europe in the words of A. J. P. Taylor: "democratic foreign policy must be idealistic, or at the very least it has to be justified in terms of great general principles ". Kovrig added, "Yet the reader will find few villains and even fewer heroes, for seldom in the history of America 's foreign relations have good intentions reaped such a bitter harvest". Kovrig, The Myth of Liberation; EastCentral Europe in U.S. Diplomacy and Politics since 194! (Baltimore: The Johns Hopkins University Press, 1973), x. �SLOVAKIA 61 siderable time to various integration schemes such as those proposed by Hodza. 75 The duties of investigating and assessing these plans, as well as drawing up recommendations which were to serve as guidelines in American post-war foreign policy, were entrusted to the Department of State Advisory Committee on Postwar Foreign Policy.76 Browsing through the minutes of the Advisory Committee between May 1942 and March 1944 gives one some idea of how much time and space the Department of State devoted to federalization plans for Central Europe and what attitudes towards them various committee members maintained. On May 9, the Committee's agenda included the so-called Danubian Federation 77 The discussions focused on two plans drawn up by politicians in exile. One of these plans was the proposal for a Czechoslovak-Polish union, put forward in the United States by the exiled Polish Prime Minister 75 Documentary sources from the American archives relating to the U.S. attitudes towards Central European integration were collected and annotated by the Polish authors J. Laptos and M. Misztal Marius, American Debates on Central European Unio n, 1942 - 1944. Documents of the American State Department (Brussels & New York: P.I.E.-P. Lang, 2002). 76 F. D. Roosevelt approved of the establishment of the Advisory Committee three weeks after the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 28, 1941 . It included academics as well as leading officers of the Department of State. The Committee reported directly to the State Secretary. At that time, the position of vice-chairman was held by Under Secretary Sumner Welles. Everyday activities were overseen by Leo Pasvolsky. The Advisory Committee had six subcommittees, the most important of which were those dedicated to political, economic and territorial issues. Other key figures on the Committee who specialised in Central Europe were Hamilton Fish Armstrong ( 1893 - 1973) and Adolf A. Berle. It was the latter who was often believed by Czech and Slovak emigres to have harboured sympathies for Hodza's plans. The Committee 's job was to draw up general guidelines for the United States in peace negotiations. The official activity of this Committee was ended in the summer of 1943, but many of its members continued their work on other committees until the end of the war. The Committee 's research team drew up hundreds of reports, situational analyses and recommendations, which became a blueprint for the discussions and proceedings of the Committee and its subcommittees. Regular minutes of the subcommittees' discussions were kept. The documentation produced by the Advisory Committee is deposited in the National Archives in the Notter File. See Ignac Romcis, "Wartime American Plans for a New Hungary. Documents from the U.S. Department of State, 1942 - 1944" Atlantic Studies on Society in Change, [online] , 1992, 30, no. 77 . [Quoted: 2008-06-05] . Available at: <http ://www.hungarianhistory.hu> 77 The term "Danubian Federation" was chosen by the Advisory Committee to refer to the integration efforts of the Central European countries in the Danubian region. The discussions of the Advisory Committee on the "Danubian Federation" included possible membership for Poland and Austria. �62 SLOVAKIA Wladyslaw Sikorski. 78 The other was the Danubian Federation, championed by exiled Hungarian politicians Tibor Eckhardt and Janos Pelenyi.79 Hodfa's federation plan was not included. It was referred to only marginally by a member of the Committee, Anne McCormick. 80 She mentioned Hodfa as an agrarian politician who had been involved in solving agrarian problems.81 The foreign policy analyst went on to inform the Committee, quite misleadingly, that Hod:fa 's plan limited itself to the Danubian region.82 This ignorance of the details of Hodza's plan is interesting, because by that time Hodfa had already spoken about his plans to The New York Times and, more importantly, must have made his views known at the State Department during his first visit. 83 Hodfa 's plan was almost completely 78 Laptos and Mizstal pointed out that Sikorski 's plan for federation was dealt with only briefly. According to the information available to the Committee, Sikorski's federation was to comprise Poland, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Romania and Yugoslavia. The plan envisaged the complete economic federation and eventual political federation of its constituent countries. According to the Advisory Committee, Polish influence in the thus-constituted federation was obvious, though the sheer scale of the supranational state ruled out complete Polish domination. Laptos and Mizstal, .American Debates on Central European Union .. ., 74. 79 Tibor Eckhardt was a Hungarian politician of the interwar period. In 1938 he represented Hungary at the League of Nations Assembly. In 1941 he was sent on a mission to the USA by Miklos Horthy in order to approach the Allies and the Hungarian democratic opposition. Eckhardt's federation was brought to the attention of the Committee by Under Secretary of State Welles. According to this plan, Central Europe was to be divided into three parts: a Polish-Baltic bloc, a Balkan bloc and a "Danubian" union,comprising Austria, Hungary, Bohemia, Slovakia and Transylvania, with the possibility of the later admission of Croatia. The unifying element of the federation was to be their common history as part of the Habsburg monarchy. NARCS Notter File, Department of State. Minutes P - I 0, Danubian Federation, May 9, 1942. Laptos and Mizstal, American Debates on Central European Union ... , 74. 80 Anne O ' Hare McCormick (1882 - 1954), a member of the Advisory Committee, was a foreign policy analyst for The New York Times. 81 The minutes of the meeting captured McCormick's information on Hodza and his plan as follows: " Mrs. McCormick said that mention might also be made of the Hodfa plan, which confines itself to the Danubian area. Mr. Hodfa, she pointed out, being a peasant, is chiefly concerned with the agricultural problem. His plan expresses the aspirations of the Green International." Laptos and Mizstal, American Debates on Central European Union ... , 75. 82 In Hodza's plan the core of the proposed federation was to be formed by CzechoSlovakia and Poland, who were to be joined by other countries in the south of Central Europe. 83 See Hope Put in Union of Central Europe, the OSS report on the interview with M. Hodza. NARA, Washington D. C., OSS, FNB Files, 1942 - 1945, INT-9CZ-1 , December 7, 1941 . �SLOVAKIA 63 ignored. It was mentioned in passing in connection with the association of agrarian parties known as the Green International. American foreign policy advisors again failed to include Hodza's plan when they discussed the so-called East European Union as one of the issues related to the Department of State's plans to create a world organization. 84 The members of the Division of Special Research discussed, among other things, the results of the negotiations between the exiled governments of Czechoslovakia and Poland on the creation of a joint union .85 In mid-June of 1942, the Department of State presented to the Advisory Committee the first draft of American recommendations which any supranational organization in Central Europe should comply with. One of the main differences, in comparison with Hodza's plan, was that the United States preferred a union to a federation. This preference reflected the Roosevelt administration's unwillingness to sanction political integration. What the Department of State recommended was a loose organization of free sovereign states, which would be able to advance their interests through joint, non-legislative institutions. Such an economic union was to comprise all states of Central and Eastern Europe, including countries as far apart as Estonia, Austria and Greece.86 The establishment of this union would have to take place under the auspices of the United Nations. The main rationale was that the establishment of such a union would solve the existing security problems and bring with it economic advantages as a result of regional cooperation. The territorial integrity of the union was to be safeguarded by the United Nations, and the security forces of the union were to act in concordance with the security system of the United Nations. After the war, the world organization was to facilitate the creation of the union by adjusting all outstanding border claims. What is most striking to the European reader about the attitudes of the American government are its views on the armed forces of member 84 The meeting of the Division of Special Research, which prepared reports for the Advisory Committee, took place on June 6, I 942. Department of State, Division of Special Research, Minutes P 14, June 6, I 942 . NARA, Notter File, Box 65 ., Laptos and Mizstal, American Debates on Central European Union .. ., 96 - 103. 85 For the history of the Czechoslovak-Polish negotiations on uniting, including the attitudes of the United States and the other great powers, see Wandycz, Czechoslovak-Polish Confederation and the Great Powers, 1940 - 1943. 86 " The regional organization should have the form not of a federation but of a union of independent and sovereign states, cooperating for limited objectives through common non-legislative institutions, loosely rather than tightly organized. Provisionally the union is considered as including all states of Central and Eastern Europe between Russia and Germany from and including Estonia in the North to Austria in the West and Greece in the South." Department of State, Division of Special Research, Minutes P Document 24, June 19, 1942. NARA, Notter File, box 55. Laptos and Mizstal, American Debates on Central European Union .. . , 110. �64 SLOVAKIA countries, as well as on the military of the union as a whole. Every constituent country would have to contribute a designated contingent of troops for the international armed forces (under the command of the UN), but no member state was to have its own armed forces . This recommendation testified to the distrust with which the American foreign policymakers looked upon the nations of Central Europe. The Advisory Committee's analysis of the factors which were thought to be conducive to, or had disintegrating effects upon, the creation of a Central European Union offers an interesting insight into the mindset of the American foreign policy advisors of that time. In the beginning the majority of the Committee members seemed to be in favour of one large Central European union from the Baltic to the Balkans.87 It was argued that a larger union was more advantageous to the United States, because it would be better able to eliminate the destructive forces of nationalism, mutual antagonisms and the land disputes of the Central European nations. 88 An analysis of the economic benefits failed to persuade American foreign policy advisors that economic prosperity was in itself motivationally adequate for unification . In the American view, the history of integration efforts in the interwar period showed that political interests in the area had often been given priority over economic ones. The unification of Czechs and Slovaks was pointed out as an example. According to L. Pasvolsky, Masaryk and Bene~ were willing to accept any economic disadvantages in order to achieve political and cultural unity after WW I. 89 It was nationalism, however, that elicited the greatest fears in the members of the Committee. The issue was frequently raised during the discussions, and the Department of State believed that nationalism was one of the five main obstacles to Central European integration.90 As the feasibility study for the Department of State from 87 This notion was supported most enthusiastically by S. Welles and H. F. Armstrong. 88 From the economic point of view, a larger union appeared to offer better prospects of strengthening the commercial position of member states in trade with the rest of Europe. As for the centrifugal forces of nationalism, the gravest concerns at the Department of State were aroused by Hungarian nationalism, with some criticism also levelled at the former Czechoslovakia. 89 "Mr. Bowman observed that in the case of the unification of the Czechs and the Slovaks the main emphasis had been on the achievement of political and cultural unity from the beginning. Economic considerations had played a decidedly minor £iart." Department of State, Advisory Committee, R Minutes 7, November 12, 1943 . Apart from nationalism, the list of five disintegrative forces comprised the absence of common roots, cultural di versity, external political influences and diversity in regional economic development. Department of State, P Document 204, The Feasibility of an East European Union, February 19, 1943. NARA , NARA, Notter File, �SLOVAKIA 65 February, 1943 observed, "Since the present war began, the animosity between several of the states, e.g., between Bulgaria and Greece, and between Hungary and Romania, has been greatly increased and the conflicts between ethnic groups within one state e.g., between Czechs and Slovaks, between Serbs and Croats, have become bitter."9 1 Where the State Department seemed to be in agreement with Hodfa was the belief that the peasantry could play a positive role in the process of Central European integration. In the inter-war period, peasant parties in Central Europe had engaged in mutual cooperation and shared a similar political agenda. 92 A member of the Committee, J. T. Shotwell, also sympathised with this opinion, but expressed reservations about the role of agrarian leaders, who, in his view, had nationalistic tendencies which might prove distractive. 93 The discussion about the cohesive and destructive forces of unification eventually prompted the members of the Committee to break the proposed union into two parts. With regard to the attitudes of the exiled governments, Berle pointed out that, surprisingly, none of these su£ported a large union, with the exception of the Czechoslovak government. 4 Strictly speaking, however, this was no longer the case. By that time, the Czechoslovak-Polish negotiations had reached a stalemate and the Czechoslovak Box 57. Laptos and Mizstal, American Debates on Central European Union ... , 187 - 88. 91 Department of State, P Document 204, The Feasibility of an East European Union, February 19, 1943 . NARA, Notter File, Box 57. Laptos and Mizstal, American Debates on Central European Union .. ., 188. 92 State Department, P Document 204, The Feasibility of an East European Union, Part III: Movements Tending Toward Unity, February 19, 1943. NARA, Notter File, Box 57. Laptos and Mizstal, American Debates on Central European Union .. ., 188. 93 According to Shotwell, the majority of Central European leaders were nationalists of the 19th century type. As an example he pointed to Count Apponyi, who owned land in Slovakia, a fact which had a great deal of influence on his political outlook. Department of State, Division of Special Research, Political Subcommittee, Minutes P I 7, June 27, 1942. Milan Hodza himself often mentioned the agrarian problems in Hungary. That was also why he laid down conditions on the membership of Hungary in a Central European Federation, stressing first the necessity of agrarian reform in that country. 94 Laptos and Mistal put Berle 's incorrect information down to the skilfulness of the Czechoslovak propaganda. "The question was asked whether Mr. Welles and Mr. Berle had talked with representatives of these countries on this matter. Mr. Berle said that no one of that group had the concept of a single union. Mr. Welles said he had never found one who had the conception of one union, most favoring three unions; some, two. Mr. Berle said that the Czechs were the only ones who had offered any support for a single union." Department of State, Division of Special Research, Political Subcommittee, Minutes P 17, June 27, 1942. NARA, Notter File, Box 55. Laptos and Mizstal, American Debates on Central European Union . .., 129 - 30. �66 SLOVAKIA government was getting increasingly cold feet about any union with its northern neighbour. At the end of June, the members of the Committee agreed that for the sake of further discussions about Central European integration they would consider two options- the so-called Northern East European Group and a Balkan Group. 95 Another key issue to which the Advisory Committee devoted its attention was the problem of how viable the proposed union would be and what attitudes the great powers would adopt in dealing with this supranational state. According to the above-mentioned feasibility study, the political will of the member states alone was insufficient for the union's long-term survival. American foreign policymakers understood perfectly well that in order for the union to survive, it had to secure the support of the victorious powers, including that of the United States. 96 The advantages from the American point of view seemed palpable enough: a solution to questions of security in relation to Germany and Russia, pacification of the space between the Baltic and the Aegean seas in an area inaccessible to the naval powers, and the protection of Eastern European countries against possible German expansion. The most important question, of course, was how such a union would be viewed by the geographically closest of the powers - the Soviet Union. In the October Memorandum on Russia and the East European Federation, drawn up by the Council on Foreign Relations, an expert on Soviet affairs informed the Committee that the reasons for Soviet opposition were far stronger than those which might induce the Soviet Union to support such a scheme. 97 The first and the most decisive reason for Soviet 95 The proposal to break up the union was put forward by Under Secretary of State Welles at the meeting of the Division of Special Research on June 27, 1942 . The main reason was the diverse character of the member states of the union, which might lead to its disintegration. On the issue of breaking up the union, the members of the Committee were by no means united. Welles was in principle in favour of a single union, but practical considerations compelled him to opt for two smaller ones. The key problem of the two-union solution was Austria and Hungary. Department of State, Division of Special Research, Political Subcommittee, Minutes P 17, June 27, 1942. NARA , Notter File, Box 55. Laptos and Mizstal, American Debates on Central European Union ... , 119 - 20. 96 See Part IV: Steps Necessary to make Union Effective: "In view of the fact that Eastern Europe has felt the impact of virtually none of those dynamic forces that would aid in creating a unity out of this di versity of peoples, the creation of a union and its maintenance for an indefinite period would have to be in large measure the work of the great victorious powers or of the international organization. " State Department, P Document 204, The Feasibility of an East European Union, Part IV: NARA, Notter File, Box 57. Laptos and Mizstal, American Debates on Central European Union ... , 19 1. 97 The author of the memorandum was Isaiah Bowman. The Counci l on Foreign Relations, Studies of American Interests in the War and the Peace, Territorial series, �SLOVAKIA 67 opposition was the assumption that the establishment of a union would prevent the Soviet Union from exercising its policy of divide et impera. Moscow was also worried that the political orientation of the Central European countries within the proposed union would lead to the weakening of the existing pro-Russian orientation in some of them. 98 There is little doubt that Czechoslovakia was one of those countries. Its president-in-exile Edward Benes had indicated that Czechoslovak foreign policy after the war would be oriented towards the east. The Soviet attitude towards integration in Central Europe was yet again referred to by American foreign policy advisors as "apparently hostile" in February of 1943. 99 The report made it clear that Moscow was in no mood to support federalization plans of a lesser scope, such as the proposed Czechoslovak-Polish or Greek-Yugoslav unions. The Department of State reached this conclusion on the basis of the information obtained directly from representatives of the Czechoslovak government-inexile. The negative attitude of Moscow was also identified as the main rea- October 26, 1942. NARA, Notter File, Box 61. Laptos and Mizstal, American Debates on Central European Union ... , 176. 98 The author continues: "The possibilities of supporting Czechoslovakia against Poland, Hungary against Rumania, Yugoslavia against Hungary and so forth, present an almost limitless field for maneuver by Russia to make its influence strong and even preponderant among the disunited states of East Central Europe." Other Soviet objections could be summarized as follows: 2. the united states of Central Europe would find it easier to advance their territorial claims against Russia, 3. the political system of the member countries would unify, but become very likely hostile to that of the Soviet Union, 4. the union 's armed forces would be stronger in defence, which would weaken Soviet military position, 5. the exports of such a federation would compete in world markets with Soviet exports; Soviet exports into the union would be disadvantaged, since Russia would have to deal with the union as a whole rather than trading with countries separately, 6. the union would curb the revived pan-Slav sentiment, because it would include non-Slav countries and the pro-Russian orientation of the Slav countries would thus be weakened. The Council on Foreign Relations, Studies of American Interests in the War and the Peace, Territorial series, October 26, 1942. NARA, Notter File, Box 61. Laptos and Mizstal, American Debates on Central European Union .. . , 177. 99 "On the basis of information at present available in the Political Section, the Soviet Government is apparently hostile to the idea of the creation of an all-embracing East European Union, unless, perhaps, such a Union were established under the preponderant influence of the Soviet Union. An examination of the Soviet press and periodicals has disclosed no discussions of such projects for an Eastern European Union as have been put forward from time to time in Britain and the United States." Department of State, Division of Special Research, Document P 206, February 18, 1943. NARA, Notter File, Box 57. LAPTOS, Laptos and Mizstal, American Debates on Central European Union ... , 196. �68 SLOVAKIA son why the Czechoslovak §ovemment broke off its negotiations with the Polish govemment-in-exile. 1 0 The work of the Advisory Committee for Postwar Foreign Policy officially ended in July of 1943, though some of its subcommittees continued their work on Central European integration plans until the spring of 1944. 101 The issue of Slovakia's post-war political status never came up. Neither was it discussed by any of the Committee's numerous subcommittees. The abandonment of American discussions of the Central European integration plans raises two questions: what were the reasons for this decision and what political future did the Roosevelt administration envisage for the Central European nations? The answer to the first question should be looked for in the analyses of U.S. foreign policy for this period. Drawing on the latest historical research, one finds, more or less, consensus on this issue. The dominant factor in American strategic planning was the growing military presence of the Soviet Union in Central Europe, which went hand in hand with its increasing political influence. It became clear, towards the end of 1943, that the Red Army would liberate a substantial part of Central Europe, a fact which would inevitably increase the role of the Soviet Union in the post-war political organization of the area. Regardless of their original plans, President Roosevelt and the Department of State had to constantly adjust to these developments. In 1943, under pressure of the events on the Eastern Front, Roosevelt was forced to review his erstwhi le concept of an "Anglo-American world police force" and extend it into the well-known "Four Policemen" theory. This had to take the Soviet Union into account as an equal partner in the political organization of territories within its own sphere of influence. From this point of view it 100 "Mr. Berle remarked that when the Polish-Czech confederation was agreed upon, both parties had believed that the Russians were not opposed to the idea. The worsening of relations between Russia and the Polish government-in-exile, however, has since resulted in a change in the Russian position. The Czechs have withdrawn from their discussions with the Poles, ostensibly because the Poles were unwilling to abandon their claim to the Teschen area, but in reality because of Russian opposition to the combination." Department of State, Advisory Committee, R Minutes 7, November 12, 1943. NARA, Notter File, Box 84. Laptos and Mizstal, American Debates on Central European Union ... , 217. 101 Secretary of State Cordell Hull ended the work of the Committee in a letter of July 12, 1943 . Mary E. Bradshaw, "Congress and Foreign Policy Since 1900," Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, 289 (September, 1953), 45 . The last minutes of the Political Subcommittee dealing with the Central European union were those of March 15- 17, 1944, NARA, Notter File, Box 84. The last meeting of the Economic Subcommittee took place on March 31 , 1944. Advisory Committee, Economic Subcommittee, R Minutes 16, March 31, 1944 NARA, Notter File, Box 84. Laptos and Mizstal, American Debates on Central European Unio n ... , 243 . �SLOVAKIA 69 can be understood why any American position on a Central European federation or union had to be approved by Moscow. The absence of a Soviet stance on the issue throughout 1942 kept the idea of integration alive among the exiled politicians of Central Europe, and occupied the minds of American foreign policy advisors on the Advisory Committee. Doubts about Moscow's priorities were finally ended in October of 1943, when the Soviet Minister of Foreign Affairs, Viacheslav Molotov, officially confirmed the negative position of the USSR. 102 The answer to the second question, namely what the Americans desired as the political future for Central Europe, is more complicated. First of all, it needs to be emphasized that the views of the Roosevelt administration on this issue were not unanimous. Significant differences of opinion existed in Washington, which divided even the chief foreign policy makers, President Roosevelt and Secretary of State Hull. American historians' interpretation of the U.S. foreign policy objectives in Central Europe during this period have gone through several developments since WW II. 103 The more recent research emphasizes the importance of Roosevelt's role in the process of foreign policymaking, and interprets his apparent lack of determination and unsystematic approach as misleading. According to this interpretation, Roosevelt, from the beginning of the war, pursued a clear goal in relation to Continental Europe: to reduce its international standing and marginalize it as the most effective way of preventing future conflicts in the area. Roosevelt intended to achieve this marginalization through fragmentation of the continent into small, relatively powerless, and wherever possible, ethnically homogenous states. These states should in no case possess any armed forces, and after disarmament they should be placed within the sphere of influ102 This information was imparted to the British Foreign Secretary Anthony Eden, who asked V. Molotov about the Soviet view on Central European integration efforts at the Moscow Conference of Foreign Ministers, October 19 - 29, 1943. Laptos and Mizstal, American Debates on Central European Union .. ., 63 . 103 The oldest interpretation of U.S. foreign policy towards Europe maintains that the Roosevelt administration favoured active involvement in the rebuilding of European democracies and in strengthening the position of European states. Roosevelt is criticised, however, because he was unable to see through Stalin's empty promises at Yalta. The second, "revisionist" theory contends that the post-war division of Europe was afait accompli long before Yalta, because the Red Anny would occupy the whole of Eastern Europe and the United States had to respect this fact. ." Elena Aga-Rossi, "Roosevelt's European Policy and the Origins of the Cold War: A Reevaluation," Telos. A Quarterly Journal of Critical Thought 26 (no. 2, 1996), 73 . Lundestad, who reviewed both of the above theories, characterized U.S. foreign policy towards Central Europe as a policy of "modified universalism in the area of non-essential interest for the USA." For the lack of internal coherence in this policy he chose to refer to it as a "non-policy." G. Lundestad, American Non-Policy Towards Eastern Europe .. . , 34. �70 SLOVAKIA ence of either Britain or the Soviet Union. 104 Such a vision of the future of Central European nations was incompatible with Hodza 's federalization. He feared the political influence of the Soviet Union and, therefore, called for concerted efforts to strengthen the position of Central Europe. As far as Slovakia's future was concerned, Roosevelt's policy of non-intervention, whether intentional or inadvertent, played more into the hands of Slovak separatists than those of the proponents of federative integration.' 05 Roosevelt's concept of new spheres of influence, however, stood in contrast to the universalistic vision of Secretary of State Hull, who was advocating global cooperation among nations on the basis of a renewed world organization. The key moment, which resulted in the adoption of the universalistic approach as the main guideline in U.S. foreign policy, is usually thought to be the resignation of Under Secretary of State Sumner Welles. 106 After Welles's resignation, Secretary of State Hull and his department advanced the concept of collective security within the framework of a restored world organization under a new name. ' 07 The new line in American foreign policy, however, did not make the Roosevelt administration take a more active role in suppressing the emerging Soviet sphere of influence. On the contrary, Roosevelt continued to count on Soviet assistance as a decisive political force in the post-war reorganization of Central Europe. What he and his foreign policy advisors got wrong was the belief that Stalin's Russia would sooner or later discard its system of central planning, return to the market economy and join the rest of the democratic world. 104 "As he [Roosevelt] told the British Foreign Minister in March 1943, 'armaments after the war in Europe should be concentrated in the hands of the policing powers Britain, the United States and Russia. The smaller powers might have rifles but nothing more dangerous than this' .. .These two great powers had to maintain order over other disarmed European countries, if necessary by force." Aga-Rossi, "Roosevelt's European Policy and the Origins of the Cold War", 72 . 105 "He [Roosevelt] also envisioned splitting up multiethnic countries such as Belgium, Czechoslovakia and Yugoslavia." Aga-Rossi, "Roosevelt's European Policy and the Origins of the Cold War," 70. On another occasion, when meeting representtatives of the Slovak League in 1940, Roosevelt remarked: "I believe that every nationality, no matter how small, has the inherent right to its nationhood." Ever since then, the Slovak League interpreted the president's statement as approval of the establishment of an independent Slovak state. NARA, Washington D. C., 860F.0l /446. Reverend C. Mlynarovich to C. Manion of the Office for Government Refcort, Indiana, May 11, 1942. 06 Sumner Welles, Roosevelt's closest ally in the Department of State, was a strong supporter of the president's concept of the "Four Policemen." Roosevelt did not trust Hull. In 1943 the president accepted Welles 's resignation in connection with his alleged homosexual activities. 107 In the field of international relations, Hull 's approach to foreign affairs is often associated with the principles of universalism, globalism and political idealism . �SLOVAKIA 71 Thus we have seen that, between 1941 and 1944, the American authorities closely followed the political activities of exiled Slovak politician Milan Hodfa. His political goal in the United States was twofold. First, he intended to influence Roosevelt's foreign policy makers in favour of the creation of a supranational federation of Central European states, which he saw as a political panacea for the area' s many unresolved problems. According to this plan, a restored Czechoslovakia was to be one of the founding members of such a federation . Slovakia was to be part of Czechoslovakia again, but with a new constitutional arrangement stipulating its equal political status with the Czech lands. Secondly, Hodza planned to lead a political campaign among Slovak Americans. In particular, he hoped to win the endorsement of the leaders of their organizations for his programme of a self-governing Slovakia. Various federal agencies' keen interest in Hodza, however, was not motivated by the desire of the U.S. government to support the creation of a central European federation . It rather stemmed from the fact that U.S. governmental agencies had deep misgivings about the effects of Hodfa's campaign among Slovak Americans. Thus, for the American government, Hodfa soon emerged as an unwelcome guest as the OSS began in mid-1942 supplying various U.S. departments with reports about the ideological split within the Slovak-American community. The fears frequently expressed in the OSS reports were motivated by the perceived possible consequences of Hodza ' s campaign on the home front as well as the on the American war effort in general. Foremost among these fears was that the Hodfa-inspired opposition to the Benes-led government-in-exile would not only undermine the standing of the Czechoslovak government-in-exile - one of the war-time allies of the United States - but would also have a deleterious effect on the morale of the hundreds of thousands of Slovak Americans employed in key American heavy industries. Hodza's political campaign among Slovak Americans targeted two deeply antagonistic camps. He attempted to win the support of the leaders of the Slovak National Alliance, who had originally supported Benes's government-in-exile. At the same time, he tried to negotiate with the leaders of the Slovak League of America, several of whom offered their organizations' support for his programme. However, Hodfa failed to eliminate the powerful influence of the hard-liners in these umbrella organizations. The Czechoslovak Information Service in the United States, a propaganda tool of the London-based Czechoslovak government-in-exile, severely criticized Hodfa's campaign among Slovak Americans, constantly challenging his right to discuss Slovakia' s future on American soil and running a smear campaign against him. The U.S. administration viewed Hodfa 's activities with growing alarm. The most worrying development from the American point of view was the ideological split in the Slovak National Alliance which devel- �72 SLOVAKIA oped as a result of Hodza ' s lecture tour. The OSS repeatedly called on the Department of State to intervene in order to mend the rift among the proCzechoslovak fraternal leaders. Hodza ' s attempts to influence the attitudes of the Roosevelt administration towards the future organization of Central Europe had little impact on American foreign policy. lndeed, his plan for a Central European federation was never discussed by the American foreign policy advisors. Nevertheless, the U.S. Department of State and its agencies devoted considerable time to weighing the pros and cons of Central European integration from the point of view of American interests. The Department of State tended to favour an economic union rather than a political federation. Moreover, it feared the destructive forces of Central European nationalisms, not excluding the Slovak and Czech ones. However, the major American objection to any form of Central European integration stemmed from the strong opposition to it from the United States' chief war ally in Eastern Europe - the Soviet Union. Stalin had no intention of supporting any integration plans in the area. He preferred a fragmented Central Europe made up of weak states, which would strengthen the negotiating position of the Soviet Union vis-a-vis these countries. Roosevelt ' s policy of deliberate non-intervention in Central Europe, coupled with the American belief in a new world organization, resulted after the war in a gradual Sovietization of Central Europe and the creation of a new sphere of influence. Given the pro-Soviet foreign policy orientation of the Czechoslovak government-in-exile from December of 1943 onwards, the Roosevelt administration refrained from publicly expressing any of its views on Slovakia's post-war future. � SLOVAKIA 37 AN UNWELCOME GUEST: MILAN HODZA IN AMERICAN DOCUMENTS BETWEEN 1941 AND 1944 V Roman Licko In December of 1938 Milan Hodza, a Slovak politician and the last prime minister of the pre-Munich Czechoslovak Republic, went into exile in France. There, along with Stefan Osusky, another Slovak statesman and diplomat, he became the leading figure of Slovak democratic exiles before 1 the outbreak of WW II. Towards the end of 1939 Rodia established the Slovak National Council, which, under his auspices, was reorganized in early 1940 into the Czecho-Slovak National Council. Both political bodies subscribed to the democratic ideals of pre-war Czechoslovakia, as well as to the belief in a continuation of Czechoslovak statehood.2 However, in stark 1 Before Hodfa' s arrival in Paris in November of 1939, Ambassador Stefan Osusky had been the leading figure of the Czechoslovak resistance movement operating from France. His greatest achievement was the signing of the Franco-Czechoslovak Agreement concerning the creation of a new Czechoslovak army in France by which the French government recognised de fa cto the continued existence of the Czechoslovak Republic. During this period Osusky and Hodza shared similar ideas about Slovakia' s future . They both unequivocally supported the re-establishment of Czechoslovakia. However, they strongly opposed the centralism of the inter-war Prague governments. Osusky favoured a federal constitutional arrangement between Czechs and Slovaks. Hodza spoke of a self-governing Slovakia within a restored ' CzechoSlovakia'. Osusky maintained close contact with Hodza, who was, at that time, in London. The two men even cooperated in the preparation of a memorandum of Slovak demands in the lead-up to the establishment of the Benes-led Czechoslovak National Committee in France. Interestingly enough, Osusky did not become a member of any of the resistance organizations established by Hodza after his arrival in Paris. For more on the Hodfa-Osusky co-operation during this period see Slavomir Michalek, "Hodza a Osusky, nazory a pozicie v rokoch 1939- 1941 ," in Milan Hodia-statnik a politik, ed. M. Peknik et. al. (Bratislava: Veda, 2002), 301- 18. 2 This paper uses the more widely accepted spellings ' Czechoslovakia' and 'Czechoslovak'. In reference to Hodza' s ideas, however, the spellings 'Czecho-Slovakia' and 'Czecho-Slovak' have been retained as these were the forms preferred by Hodfa himself. The Czechoslovak Constitution of 1920 adopted the unhyphenated spelling of the name. In November of 1938 the country officially returned to the hyphenated spelling 'Czecho-Slovakia' in recognition of the fact that Slovakia had been declared an autonomous region. The use of the one name or the other, by both Czechs and Slovaks throughout the war, had political connotations. Generally speaking, the Slovaks who favoured the re-establishment of Czechoslovakia after WW II but op- �38 SLOVAKIA opposetion to Edward Benes, the leading figure of the Czech democratic exiles, Hodza advocated a thoroughly decentralized model of a new Czecho-Slovak constitutional arrangement, with self-governing status for Slovakia. After the failure to find common ground on this issue with Benes, who consistently refused to allow any political representation of Slovak federalists in his exile government-to-be, Hodza moved to London. The German occupation of France in the summer of 1940 and the ensuing Battle of Britain in September of 1940 speeded up Britain' s recognition ofBenes's government-in-exile. Feeling powerless and marginalised, Hodza saw no purpose in participating in any government headed by Benes. By the autumn of 1941 he decided to leave Britain and in October of that year he arrived in the United States. There he pursued two political objectives: he intended to convince politically-minded Slovak Americans to support his programme of a self-governing Slovakia within a restored Czechoslovakia. Concurrently, he attempted to lobby the Roosevelt administration to throw its weight behind the creation of a federation of Central European states. This paper, which draws primarily on research in United States government archives, attempts to trace Hodza ' s political campaign among Slovak Americans from the point of view of the Roosevelt administration. At the same time, it follows Hodza ' s efforts to engage the American government in a dialogue concerning a comprehensive post-war peace settlement in Central Europe. With the help of secondary literature on the subject, the study assesses the success of these attempts, and how they were viewed by the chief foreign policy makers in the Roosevelt administration. 3 posed the pre-war unitary constitutional arrangement between the two nations preferred the hyphenated designation. 3 The first attempt to document the activities of Milan Hodfa in the USA was made by his close associate, Michal Mudry Sebik, in his book Milan Hodia v Amerike. (Chicago :Geringer Press, Inc., 1949). The author published a number of articles in the periodicals of Slovak democratic exiles in the USA after WW II, e.g. Michal Mudry, "Svedectvo historickej doby. Bullitovo a Hodzovo memorandum," Nase snahy, 6, no. 9 (May - June 1970). In 1965 Susan Mikula, an American of Slovak descent, wrote a dissertation on Hodza's activities in the USA. However, it was not until 1992, at a conference in Bratislava, that she presented her work in Slovakia: Susan Mikula, " Dr. Milan Hodfa vo svelte archivnych dokumentov z archivov v USA," in : Milan Hodia - statnik a politik, ed. M. Peknik et. al. (Bratislava: Veda, 2002), 345- 50. Czech historians have also dealt with Hodfa 's stay in the USA . For instance J. Kuklik and J. Nemecek, Hodia versus Benes. Milan Hodia a slovenska otazka v zahranicnim odboji za druhe svetove valky (Praha: Karolinum, 1999). The most comprehensive account yet of Hodfa's political activities in the USA. , including some views of the Roosevelt administration, was written by the late Slovak historian Pavol Luklic, "Politicka cinnost' Milana Hodzu v emigracii v USA a reakcie na jeho federalisticke plany, Historicky casopis 51 , no. 4 (2003), pp. 497- 515 . As Lukac himself observed, however, Kuklik' s and Nemecek's book only traced �SLOVAKIA 39 Apart from the Slovak League of America (hereafter SLA), which favoured independence for Slovakia, there was no other Slovak organization in the USA in 1941 that had a clear idea about Slovakia' s political future after the war. 4 The leaders of the opposition organization - the Slovak National Alliance (hereafter SNA) - stuck to the policy of a reinstated Czechoslovakia, but were unwelling to commit themselves to negotiating a more specific settlement on this issue. In line with the official policy of President Edvard Benes, they maintained that Slovakia's future should be resolved after the war by a democratic vote. Despite their uncommitted attitude, Slovakia's political future was as sensitive an issue among the individual leaders of the SNA as it was for the leadership of the SLA. As long as there was no political leader in the United States who was able to offer a political alternative to the League-promulgated Slovak independence, the issue was bound to remain unresolved. This situation changed after the arrival of Milan Hodfa in the United States in October of 1941. During the three years of his American stay, Hodfa devoted his energies to political campaigning and lobbying. Like Slovak-American leaders, he too wanted to influence the attitudes of the Roosevelt administration towards Slovakia. As a former Czechoslovak statesman, Hodfa had access to the United States Department of State. He was allowed to discuss the Slovak question with high-ranking government officials. Hodfa ' s political campaign in the USA aroused the interest of the American media, as well as that of federal authorities. Right up to his death in 1944, his activities were closely followed by the Office of Strategic Services (hereafter OSS) and its subordinate department, the Foreign Nationalities Branch (hereafter FNB). Hodfa's arrival in the United States generated interest, not only among Slovak Americans, but also in the American media. Almost immediately, a number of speculative pieces about Hodfa's political objectives appeared in Hodfa's political campaign in the USA on the basis of secondary archival materials left by Hodfa 's contemporaries, and not from the documents of the U.S. Department of State. The present study draws upon the following primary sources: 1. an independent investigation of the documents of the Department of State; 2. the hitherto unpublished documents of the Office of Strategic Services and its subordinate department - the Foreign Nationalities Branch (both housed in the National Archives in Washington), the archival documentation of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (released to the author under the Freedom oflnformation - Privacy Acts); and 3. the documents issued by the Advisory Committee on Post-War Foreign Policy collected and published by Polish historians JozefLaptos and Marius Misztal in 2002 . 4 For the activities of the Slovak League of America on behalf of Slovak independence during and after the war, see M. Mark Stolarik, "The Slovak League of America and the Canadian Slovak League in the Struggle for the Self-Determination of the Nation, 1907-1992," Slovakia 39, nos. 72-73 (2007), 19-34. �40 SLOVAKIA the press. One OSS report from 1942 read that the former Czechoslovak prime minister had come as a private citizen. 5 Hodza himself said that the main reason for his arrival was for reasons of health. In the USA he planned to undergo a series of medical treatments.6 This is well attested in the Hodfa family correspondence of the period. 7 On the other hand, the former Czechoslovak prime minister did hope to achieve in the United States some well-defined political goals. 8 In his first interview with The New York Tim es, Hodfa stated that he intended to "test out American opinion regarding Central Europe" and, at the same time, he wanted to "inform it of the trend of opinion there."9 Not all American media reported on Hodza's intentions impartially. On November 7, the Overseas News Agency issued a press release which assessed Hodfa 's pre-war political career in an unflattering light. According to this source, Hodfa's Agrarian Party was only a little less reactionary than the pro-fascist Hlinka Guard in Slovakia. The release went on to claim that Hodfa's arrival also shed a negative light on Slovak Americans. The authors of the release dubbed their political mindset as "isolationist and pro-fascist," referring to some of the Slovak fraternal press in America as evidence. 10 It is clear that the primary motivation of the author must have been to damage Hodfa's political reputation . According to 5 National Archives and Records Administration (hereafter NARA), Washington D. C., OSS, RG 226 E I 00, Box 3, p. 6 1. This information was acquired by the OSS from the New York Times interview with Hodza conducted by Frederick T. Birchall. 6 M. Mudry, Hodza's assoc iate in America, later wrote: "An American journalist who visited and interviewed Hodza claimed that in response to the question about his plans Hodfa took out a bottle of medication and said that what he wanted, first and foremost, was a recovery." Mudry, Milan Hodia v Amerike .. ., 20. 7 John Palka, Milan Hodfa's grandson, mentions two bouts of pneumonia that his grandfather suffered from shortly after his arrival. See John Palka, Maje S/ovensko, moja rodina (Bratislava: Kalli gram, 2010), 57. 8 Kuklik and Nemecek argue: " It cannot be ruled out that the former Prime Minister could have been driven by his effort to shore up support among his expatriates especially Slovak Americans, with whom he could attempt, with new energy, to stage a comeback in the Czechoslovak resistance movement abroad. So far his departure was seen, perhaps with some oversimplification, as his resignation to the attempts to advance his Slovak national programme in emigration, " Hodia versus Benes..., 142.The view that Hodfa sought the leading position in the resistance is also supported by Lukac, " Politicka cinnost' Milana Hodzu v emigracii ... ", 605 . 9 The New York Times, December 7, 1941 . 1 °Kuklik and Nemecek quote from Overseas News Agency release No. 400, July 11, 1941: " Hodfa's presence sheds light on the political tendencies of Slovak Americans. Apparently, the majority of Slovaks living in the United States are isolationist and pro-fascist and this has been reflected in the Slovak press here as well." The Czech authors say that Hodfa sued the ONA for libel, claiming $600,000 in damages, Hodia versus Benes.. ., 144. �SLOVAKIA 41 Hodza's close associate in the USA, Michal Mudry, unfounded attacks like these were frequent and their authors were mainly Slovak-American Communists, supported by Czechoslovak authorities in the USA. 11 The sources of the anti-Hodfa campaign remain obscure. We contend, however, that for President Benes and his government-in-exile, Hodfa's presence in the country posed a serious political problem. The main reason was that Hodfa was determined to call on Slovak Americans to actively participate in the discussions about the future of Slovakia. The Roosevelt administration's attitudes towards Hodfa's political activities were shaped gradually and drew upon several sources. One of them was Hodfa himself. Almost immediately after his arrival, the former Czechoslovak prime minister made contact with the Department of State, and during his stay visited it several times. It can be argued that Hodfa was the only Slovak who discussed the Slovak question with United States government officials during WW II. From its inception in the summer of 1942, the OSS kept an eye on Hodfa 's activities, and from December of that year his political campaign was scrutinized by the officers of the FNB. The OSS analysed Hodfa 's activities by scanning his articles in the Slovak-American media, as well as in the American press in general. In addition to that, Hodza attracted the close attention of the FBI, which since I 940 had been investigating the activities of the Slovak League and the Slovak National Alliance. All the sources at the U.S . government' s disposal indicated that Hodfa pursued very specific political objectives in the United States. Sometime around mid-1942, an OSS report noted that: "Dr. Hodza' s visits to the State Department, his public speeches, interviews granted by him, and his article in The Nation (May 16, 1942) have demonstrated his willingness to express his ideas, whatever may be the extent of his actual political activity. ,, 12 Hodfa' s approach to the Slovak question differed from all other political plans which had been discussed among Slovak Americans to date. The crucial difference was that in Hod:fa' s view, the Slovak question was not to be solved in isolation, but as part of the security, economic and strategic 11 "Various groups, more or less under the influence of leftist elements and the Czechoslovak Information Service, take pot shots at Hodfa and where possible, in connection with his person, they attack Slovak Americans as well. These groups are often made up of the active Czech and Slovak communists such as Hoffmeister, Weisskopf Benau [a social democrat - author's note) and others, at that time undoubtedly under the influence and in favour with Czechoslovak authorities in America." According to Mudry, the most malicious attack upon Hodfa was the pamphlet entitled " Persona non grata". It contained a scathing criticism of Hodfa 's efforts to create a federation , which, among other things, was to constitute a buffer against the Russian Bolsheviks. See Mudry, Milan Hodia v Ameriike .. . , 37. 12 NARA , Washington D. C., OSS , RG 226 E 100, Box 3, p. 47 . �42 SLOVAKIA issues concerning the whole of Central Europe. At that time, Hodza's ideas and political thought may have been known to the public as well as the OSS from his book Federation in Central Europe. 13 Hodza was convinced that federation was the only political arrangement capable of harnessing nationnal forces while preserving the freedom of nations and of individuals. Federation would enable Central Europe to become a viable system of production and consumption on the basis of which a New Europe could be built. The liberated and reinstated countries of Central Europe would conclude a treaty that would become the basic framework for a federal constitution. The treaty was supposed to be the result of spontaneous decisions made by Central European countries, which, bearing in mind their common goals, would identify common interests and mutual commitments. Powers concerning mutual affairs were to be delegated to federal bodies, and their exercise entrusted to a federal govemment. 14 It would be headed by a federal Chancellor, who would be nominated by the President of the federation . The legislative body would be made up of a federal Congress, which was to oversee the legislative process as well as the federal budget. The Federal Court was to be the highest judicial body, which would decide on matters raised by the federal government or by the governments of the constituent countries. The federalization of Central Europe was envisaged as the key to solving the Slovak question and Slovak-Czech relations. Hodza believed that the freedom and security of small nations could be guaranteed only through a supranational federation . If small states were to merge their sovereignties, thereby creating a stronger unit, it would clearly mean more to them than to be in permanent danger of losing their sovereignties. Slovakia, however, was not to enter the Central European federation as a separate state. According to Hodza, the political coexistence of Czechs and Slovaks was not only feasible, but also inevitable. For Czechs, Slovakia represented an important connection with Central Europe. Self-government would satisfy Slovakia to the extent that it would never be a source of weakness for the new republic, but the reverse - it would become the source of its stability and strength. However, Hodza warned, certain mistakes from the past should be avoided. "Stubborn centralism as well as mischievous separatism have to disappear," he argued. Hodza did not support Slovak independence and never sympathized with the representatives of the Slovak regime at home. In his book, he unequivocally dissociated himself from the "Slovakian Quisling regime" 13 Federation in Central Europe (London and New York: Jarrolds Publishers, 1942). Hodza proposed the creation of the following federal ministries: I . finance, 2. International trade, 3. foreign affairs, 4. defence, 5. postal services and communications, 6. and 7. air and naval transport, 8. federal legislation, 9. federal cooperation. Federation in Central Europe ... , 172 - 7. 14 �SLOVAKIA 43 and made it clear that its political representatives did not represent the will of the people. As far as the Czechoslovak government-in-exile in London was concerned, Hodza claimed he respected it and was willing to cooperate with it. In his opinion, though, the real leaders of the Slovaks existed not only in London, but also in the USA. He was convinced that in the settling of the Slovak question, Slovak Americans should take an active part. By emphasising the importance of Slovak Americans, Hodza underlined how much hope he pinned on them in deciding the political future of Slovakia after the war. 15 Shortly after his arrival in the United States, Hodza presented his vision to the American press. On December 7, 1941 The New York Times published an interview with him entitled "Hope Put in Union of Central Europe," which the former Czechoslovak statesman had granted to American journalist Frederick T. Birchall. The subheading of the article informed the American reader that federation was the goal of 110 million Central Europeans. 16 In the introduction, the author informed the reader that Hodza arrived in the USA unofficially, but with the approval of the Czechoslovak government in London. In fact, the second part of this statement was not true. President Benes could not prevent Hodza from leaving for the United States, but he was far from pleased with the prospect of his greatest political rival in exile campaigning among Slovak Americans. In the Birchall interview Hodza outlined some of the constitutional mechanisms of the proposed federation, and expressed his conviction that the prevailing political tendency in exile was "wholly in the direction of such a federation." As proof, Hodza pointed to the recent rapprochement of two old foes - Czechoslovakia and Poland. 17 These two countries, he believed, should form the nucleus of the future federation . It should then be joined by Romania, and subsequently also by a democratized Hungary, provided that the latter gave up its "imperialistic policy of coercing non-Magyar regions." According to 15 "Most of the Slovak leaders now stay in this country [United Kingdom] and in the USA ." Hodza, Federation in Central Europe . .. , 94. 16 The other two subheadings read: "For Common Government" and "He Explains Plan Will Not Deal in Half Measures, Such as the Old Little Entente," The New York Times, December 7, 1941 . 17 Hodza alluded here to the Czechoslovak-Polish negotiations of a possible confederation between the exiled governments of both countries in London. The outcome of these negotiations, which took place between 1940 and 1942, were two joint declarations - one in November 11 , 1940 and the other on January 23, 1942. The negotiations did not, however, lead to any specific action. In 1943 they ended for good as a result of the new pro-Soviet orientation of Czechoslovak foreign policy, as well as Moscow 's negative attitude towards such a confederation. For details see, Piotr S. Wandycz, Czechoslovak-Polish Confederation and the Great Powers, 1940 - 1943 (Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 1956). �44 SLOVAKIA Hodza, Yugoslavs and Bulgarians had already been working out their own idea of a federation . Hodza touched on the issue of the relations of Central Europe with Germany and Russia. He considered Russian Bolshevism as great a threat to Europe as German fascism. That was also the reason why the proposed federation should act as "a barrier between Nazi ideologists and Russian Bolsheviki." 18 Peasants, representing the conservative values of Central Europe, would, according to Hodza, be a stabilising force in the proposed federation . Their conservative influence would be of significant importance, since it would be necessary to "maintain a conservative democratic entity between the two subversive influences of Nazism and Bolshevism". Having talked to some lower-level officials of the U.S. Department of State, Hodfa met Assistant Secretary of State Adolf Berle on December 9, 1941. 19 On the same day Hodfa dined informally with DeWitt C. Poole, a high-ranking OSS officer and future head of the Foreign Nationalities Branch.20 During his meeting with the Assistant Secretary, Hodza presented Berle with a memorandum in which he outlined the development of Slovak affairs in Czechoslovakia and in subsequent exile between 1918 and 1939.21 In the memorandum, Hodfa pointed out that the Czechoslovak Cabinet in 1938, under his premiership, approved proposed legislation on decentralization - which, among other things, granted Slovakia its regional parliament. That was the last valid legal arrangement made before the Munich Pact, and it was recognized even by Jan Lichner, a minister of the exiled government. This view, Hodfa claimed, was subscribed to by the absolute majority of public opinion in Slovakia in late 1939. He admits that later on, in Paris, Czechoslovak leaders agreed that such constitutional issues as Slovakia's 18 Quoting Hodfa, the author goes on to say: "With a solid bloc of I 00, 000, 000 people separating them, a successful democracy operating next door would be a continuing object lesson of a better and more profitable way of life." The New York Times, December 9, 1941. 19 Prior to the meeting with Berle, Hodfa held talks with C. W. Cannon and H. Hoskins, as well as the head of the Coordination of Information, William J. Donovan. NARA, Washington D. C. , 860f.01 /429-3/4, Roll 30, 1910 - 1944. Memorandum of conversation between M. Hodfa and A. Berle (author H. Hoskins), December 9, 1941. 20 According to Kuklik and Nemecek, Hodza maintained that his first visit to the Department of State was a response to an invitation by C. W. Cannon, R. Atherton and A. Berle. The aim was to discuss the memorandum of Slovak-American separatist Gustav Kosik presented to the Department at an earlier date. 21 P. Lukac also suggested that Hodfa's visit to the State Department and his memorandum was a reaction to the memorandum of Gustav Kosik (Memorandum for His Excellency the Honourable Cordell Hull, Secretary of State of the United States of America). NARA signature 860f.01 /429- l/2, Roll 30. Lukac, Politic/ca cinnost' Milana Hodzu ... , 612. �SLOVAKIA 45 future should be decided by democratic majorities of Czechs and Slovaks after the war. Hodfa was willing to adhere to this agreement, provided that the exiled Czechoslovak National Council included representatives of Slovak federalists. In the posited post-war settlement, Hodfa emphasized the importance of a Czecho-Slovak restoration, but with a provision for Slovak self-government. He argued that Slovakia would not be able to maintain its sovereignty even as a separate member of the Central European federation. In the conclusion to the memorandum, Hodza condemned the Slovak puppet regime and hazarded a guess that its support among Slovaks did not exceed I 0%. As for Slovak Americans, he believed that the majority of them had never stopped supporting Czecho-Slovakia. The rest of them, in Hodza 's opinion, would soon change their political views. The official reaction to Hodfa' s memorandum of December 9, 1941 is not known, but it appears that he made a good impression during his first visit to the State Department. The report written for the Secretary of State Cordell Hull observed that, "Dr. Hodza gave the impression of an able patriot with qualities of sincerity and vision that might be with advantage put to constructive work in the post-war period in Central Europe." 22 In his later conversation with Poole, Hodfa himself assessed his meeting with Berle in a similar vein.23 It was intimated to Hodfa that, in the future, he might be received by Secretary Hull himself. Moreover, the State Department did not seem to have any objections to Hodfa's intention of lecturing at American universities and colleges. It was even suggested that Poole might be able to help by making the necessary arrangements.24 Hodfa expected that he would once again be in communication with the Department of State as early as January, 1942. His deteriorating health, however, forced him to stay in American sanatoria for several months, where he recuperated until April of 1942. 25 22 NARA, Washington D. C., 860f.01 /429-3/4, Roll 30, 1910 - 1944. Memorandum of conversation between M. Hodfa and A. Berle, H. Hoskins, December 9, 1941 , p. 3. 23 In his report Poole wrote: "He [Hodza] said that he had explained to Mr. Berle his views on the future political organization of Central Europe, and Mr. Berle seemed to be favourably impressed." D. C. Poole later checked Hodfa's impressions against those of H. Hoskins: "Following my talk with Dr. Hodza, I spoke on the telephone with Mr. Hoskins, and gathered from him that Dr .Hodza had given a substantially accurate account of his reception at the Department of State and Mr. Berle' s attitude. " NARA, Washington D. C., OSS, FNB Files, 1942 - 1945, INT-9CZ-4. 24 During the conversation at the Department of State, C. Cannon suggested that D. C. Poole "might be in the best position to bring this about." NARA, Washington D. C. , OSS, FNB Files, 1942 - 1945, INT-9CZ-4. 25 Lukac writes that Hodza recuperated from chronic bronchitis in a sanatorium at Lake Placid, New York and Hot Springs, Arkansas. Lukac, Politicka cinnost' Milana Hodiu .. ., 612 . �46 SLOVAKIA In Hodfa 's plans, 1942 should have marked a turning-point in his political campaign. After a modest recovery of his health, Hodfa launched his lecture tour among Slovak Americans and began publishing in American scholarly journals. On May 16 he outlined his federalization plans to the politically-minded American public in The Nation. The reactions of Czech and Slovak Americans to his article, A Central European Federation, were collected in two OSS reports from June. Both reports assessed the attitudes of American "Czechoslovaks" towards Hodza as predominantly negative. 26 The first one, dated June 1, 1942, pointed out that Czechoslovak Americans had missed the article because they did not regularly read The Nation. Still, the OSS observer admitted that Hodza's ideas were, in general, favourably received by many Central Europeans because they were in line with their own post-war plans.27 The other report from June 11 portrays Hodza's arrival in America, his political past and goals in the USA in a very negative light. In the introduction, the author alleged that Czechoslovak Americans received the article with considerable mistrust. Claiming that he had researched the Czechoslovak American press and talked to "a number of leading Czechoslovak Americans as well as Czechoslovak exiles," the OSS observer contended that the article was "not a bona fide piece of political thinking, but that it rather serves as a cloak for its author' s ambition to become the exclusive or most important spokesman for the Slovaks (American and otherwise), regardless of cost in terms of Czechoslovak unity here and abroad." 28 It may be argued that the negative tone of the report was influenced by its author's very selective approach to sources. For example, he claimed that he had read reactions in the "Czechoslovak press," but he did not give any specific titles. The only sources he acknowledged were J. Papanek, professor J. B. Kozak and D. Benau. 29Jan Papanek, head of the Czechoslovak Information Service in the USA and Benes's right-hand man, referred to Hodfa as an " unfortunate incident."30 He maintained that Hod26 Neither of the reports makes any distinction between American Slovaks and American Czechs. They refer to both groups collectively as "Czechoslovak Americans." 27 NARA, Washington D. C., OSS, FNB Files, 1942 - 1945, INT-9CZ-47, June I, 1942, p. I. 28 Ibid. The author of the report signed himself"Ivan Ivanovitch ." 29 At the time, Professor Kozak was lecturing at Oberlin College in Ohio. Prior to his arrival in the USA he was a member of the Czechoslovak State Council, a legislative-executive body ofBenes's government-in-exile in London. 30 J. Papanek' s negative attitude towards Hodza 's political views was widely known. Papanek disagreed with decentralisation to the extent advocated by Hodza. The head of the Czechoslovak Information Service in the USA expressed his attitude towards Hodza in one of his letters to Benes in January of 1942: "I do not agree with the policy of decentralization or self-government on the scale suggested by Lichner and Hodfa. I am convinced that this would lead to a new Zilina [agreement on Slova- �SLOVAKIA 47 fa's goal was to split the ranks of Slovak Americans, who had been, until his arrival, predominantly in full support of the Czechoslovak government headed by Bene~. Professor Kozak, a former member of the Czechoslovak government-in-exile, called Hodfa 's Central European Agrarian Bloc a reactionary body which collaborated with non-democrats. Benau, editor of the "Czechoslovak" New Yorksky dennik, added that Hodfa had a dubious financial past. Hodfa's entree into Slovak-American politics was facilitated by his long-time friend and associate Michal Mudry Sebik. With his assistance, Hodfa first approached the leaders of the Slovak National Alliance. On May 22, 1942, during the meeting of the SNA's Central Committee in Detroit, which discussed Hodfa 's lecture tour, the majority of the Committee expressed their support for Hodfa's political programme.31 At that time, Hodza formulated his position on the Slovak question as follows : 1. A Slovak Parliament and Slovak judiciary; 2. Slovak self-government, 3. Slovak as the only official language in Slovakia. With this political aim he launched a series of lectures at local branches of the SNA. However, the decision of the Central Committee was strongly challenged by the conservative wing of the SNA leadership. At the June meeting of the Executive Board, the president, secretary and treasurer of the organization announced their opposition to the decision taken by the Central Committee on May 22. According to these leaders, Hodfa's demands were a mere repetition of the Pittsburgh Agreement, which concerned the internal affairs of the Czechoslovak Republic. The leaders proclaimed that, as American citizens, they had no intention of meddling in the internal affairs of the Republic, because that was against the SNA programme as well as American law. In addition to that, the proclamation of the Executive Board pointed out that, it was thanks to the Czechoslovak government-in-exile that Slovaks were not considered enemies of the Allies. Discussions about Slovakia's political future were destroying the unity of the SNA and threatened the future of the Slovak people. In the final part of the proclamation, the three members of the Executive Board issued a warning: "Disputes over things which do not concern us as American citizens - among these disputes is the question of selfgovernment of the Slovak nation - harm our country, harm all of us, and kia's autonomy, signed Oct. 6, 1938) and all that followed." Slavomir Michalek, Jan Papanek za vojny Bene.fovi. Vyber z dokumentov 1939 - 1945 (Bratislava: VEDA, 1997), 97. 31 Fifteen members of the Central Committee were in favour of Hodza' s lectures, twelve were against. NARA, Washington D. C., OSS, FNB Files, 1942 - 1945, INT9CZ-82. Later M. Mudry observed: "The meeting of the SNA ' s Central Committee in Detroit was especially important in the history of Slovaks. It showed that the great majority of Slovak Americans, in favour of the Czechoslovak Republic, preferred the Czecho-Slovak constitutional arrangement as it was outlined by Dr. M. Hodza." Mudry, Milan Hodi a v Amerike ..., 32. �48 SLOVAKIA only help the enemy!" 32 The position proclaimed by the Executive Board on June 29 confused other SNA leaders, as well as its rank-and-file. At the same time, it spurred a new wave of discussion about the position of the organization on the Slovak question, which continued throughout 1942. Several days before his second visit to the Department of State, Hodza had an appointment with Poole and J. C. Wiley of the OSS. After the SNA meeting in Detroit, Hodfa expressed his views openly, and his criticism of his opponents was sharper, on occasion turning into personal attacks. He told the OSS officers that his goals were to mobilize Slovak Americans and win their support for a self-governing Slovakia within a restored Czechoslovak Republic. He reiterated that the Czechoslovak constitutional arrangement, agreed upon by the Czechoslovak cabinet in July of 1938, was legally valid and politically binding. During one conversation, the OSS officers noted, Hodfa "disclosed a determined opposition to what he called the centralism in the Czechoslovakian constitutional practice of Benes and his entourage." 33 He criticized Benes, who, during their London talks in 1939, had been deliberately evasive and noncommittal regarding discussion of Slovakia's constitutional status. In talks with American government officials, Hodfa maintained that the campaign against himself in the USA had been masterminded by Papanek. The head of the CIS was not, in Hodfa' s words, to any degree a political figure, but merely an agent and intriguer for Benes.34 Apart from the members of the SNA, Hodfa was also planning to address the Slovak American Catholics associated within the Slovak League of America. As Hodfa put it bluntly in his conversation with Poole, he intended to "destroy this organisation" by winning over its popular support, leaving its leaders without any following, which he believed was very weak. 35 Meeting the OSS officers provided Hodfa with an opportunity to get some feedback on how his political activities were viewed by the administration. On this, the position of the OSS and the government was clear and unequivocal. American authorities were anxious not to see American 32 The Proclamation of the SNA Executive Board was signed by its President, Jaroslav Pelikan, Secretary Jan W. Golosinec and Treasurer Vaclav Hovorka. NARA, Washington D. C., OSS, FNB Files, 1942 - 1945, INT-9CZ-82. 33 NARA, Washington D. C., 860f.01 444-1/2, Roll 30, 1910 - 1944, p. I. 34 NARA, Washington D. C., 860f.0I 444-1 /2, Roll 30, 1910 - 1944, p. 3. On this occasion Hodfa also expressed his firm belief in winning the forthcoming trial against the Overseas News Agency. He was convinced that the ONA had obtained its libellous information against him from Pap{mek, who was to be identified as the true culprit. NARA, Washington D. C. , 860f.0I 444-1 /2, Roll 30, 1910 - 1944, p. 3. 35 Hodfa told the OSS that the local branch of the Slovak Catholic Sokol in Passaic, NJ, came out in open support of his programme, as did the First Catholic Slovak Union in Wilkes-Barre, PA. NARA, Washington D. C., 860f.0I 444-1/2 Roll 30, 1910 - 1944, p. 6. �SLOVAKIA 49 citizens and alien residents fighting over European political issues on American soil. 36 The concerns of the American government about the unity of Slovak Americans were aired once again during Hodza's second visit to the Department of State on June 18, 1942.37 Hodza met H. Hoskins and C. Cannon. On the same day he spoke on the telephone to Assistant Secretary Berle. Hoskins and Cannon were interested in Hodfa's ongoing lecture tour among Slovak Americans. The former Czechoslovak premier did not hide his optimism and spoke extremely positively about his campaign.38 He was keen to ascertain how his activities were viewed by the Department of State. In response to his query, Assistant Secretary Berle told Hodfa that he thought that his "efforts had been in the right direction. "39 He made it clear, though, that the American government did not wish American unity to be disturbed by conflicts among Americans of foreign descent. Apparently, what the Assistant Secretary had in mind under "efforts in the right direction" were activities that would strengthen Czechoslovak unity in the USA. It was obvious that Slovakia's political future per se played a secondary role, if any, in the Department of State's post-war strategic planning. We can only wonder whether the Department of State had been informed about the results of the SNA' s Detroit meeting at the time of Hodza 's telephone conversation with Berle. It can be argued that, if it had been the case, the Assistant Secretary would not have so favorably assessed Hodza's activities. At any rate, Hodfa took Berle's statement as an expression of approval of his American campaign. He told this to Poole two days later while travelling with him on the train to New York. 40 During this conversation, Hodza reiterated that he was determined to get on with his lecture tour among Slovak Americans and to work on the project of the Central European Federa36 Hodza reacted to this open allusion to his political activities in the USA by assuring the OSS officers that in this respect there could be no objections to his campaign, since his primary aim was to unite, not to divide all Slovak Americans. NARA, Washington D. C., 860f.01 444-1/2, Roll 30, 1910 - 1944, p. 6. 37 NARA, Washington D. C., 860f.01/446-1 /2, Roll 30, 1910- 1944. 38 Lukac quotes from the Memorandum of conversation of June 18 : "Since then he has been in touch with various Slovak groups in this country and felt he had made progress in his efforts to convince them that Slovakia should work out its problem within the framework of the present republic, not as a small independent state". Lukac, Politicka cinnost' Milana Hodiu ... , 613. 39 Lukac points out that the original memorandum contains the following handwritten note beside the word "efforts": "This related only to his effort to reduce the controversies between Czechs and Slovaks and similar peacemaking attempts." Ibid., 614. 40 NARA, Washington D. C., 860f.0 1/446-1 /2, Roll 30, 1910 - 1944. Author of report D. C. Poole, June 20, 1942. Poole observed Hodfa's satisfaction with his visit to the Department of State. �50 SLOVAKIA tion.41 He suggested to Poole that American authorities could get in touch with some of his Hungarian and Yugoslav friends who were in favour of such a federation. 42 In return, the OSS officer promised to put him in touch with another academic institution, which would enable him to lecture at universities in his capacity as a former history professor. 43 While lecturing to Slovak Americans during the summer of 1942, Hodza found himself yet again the target of unwanted publicity. This time, Hodza ' s political opponents broadcast their views on New York-based radio station WMCA. Though the statements made by the radio commentator are not known, we do know that they drew an indignant response from Hodza. Following the broadcast by WMCA on July 28th, 1942, Hodza contacted Dr. Morris D. Forkosch, his New York-based lawyer, with a view to bringing legal action against the radio commentator. Hodza was adamant that Johannes Steele, the radio presenter in question, as well as his "sponsors," by which Hodza meant the people who supplied him with the slanderous information, should be sued for libel. This, however, was not to be. Four months later, Hodza abruptly asked his lawyer to drop the suit. In one of his telegrams to Forkosch in mid-October, Hodza wrote: "It is imperative that you immediately and explicitly advise the new sponsors of the radio commentator and others you approached that you acted upon mistaken instructions and to withdraw steps [sic.]."44 From Hodza's correspondence with Forkosch we learn that the defendants (Steele, the WMCA, the Terminal Shops) accepted some sort of "settlement," though it is not at all clear what this arrangement was. What remains baffling is what made Hodza change his mind. Money may have been part of it. Hodza had been dogged by financial problems since his arrival in the United States. On the other hand, Hodza 41 NARA, Washington D. C., 860f.01 /446-l /2, Roll 30, 1910 - 1944, p. 2. Hodfa referred specifically to a Hungarian, John Polonyi, and a Yugoslav, Bof olyub Jeftich. 3 During this conversation Hodfa expressed his interest in giving informal talks and participating in conferences as a historian of the 19th century. Poole had facilitated academic contacts for Hodza before. In the autumn of 1941 he introduced him to Dr. Duggan, Director of the International Institute of Education and later to Malcolm Davis, who was to assist in Hodfa 's cooperation with the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. 44 In his letter to Hodfa from October 28, 1942, Forkosch recounted all the telegraphic communications between him and Hodfa related to the libel suit. He did this, presumably, to clarify all possible misunderstandings as to what Hodfa really wanted and what his instructions to Forkosch were. Forkosch, however, did not provide any reasons for his client 's decision to drop the case. NARS, Washington D. C. , OSS, FNB Files, 1942 - 1945, INT-9CZ-129. Copy of M. D. Forkosch 's letter to Hodfa, October 28, 1942, p. I. 42 �SLOVAKIA 51 would hardly have initiated a costly new lawsuit if he had not been convinced that he stood a fair chance of having his name cleared and his political detractors exposed. 45 The FNB files remain silent as to who supplied the WMCA with the information or what motivation drove its commentator to attack Hodza over the airwaves. Michal Mudry Sebik had little doubt that public attacks against Hodza were masterminded by Jan Papanek, and condoned by Benes's Ambassador in Washington, Vladimir Hurban. This view has not been contested by any Hodza historians. So far, however, there has been no reliable evidence to prove that this was indeed the case. As far as the American government was concerned, it knew all about the perpetrators of the anti-Hodza smear campaign since June of 1943. The ideological split in the Slovak-American community, partially caused by Hodfa' s political campaign, was a source of growing concern to the American government. Amidst fears for the unity of Slovak Americans, the Department of State, in co-operation with several other government agencies, decided to take action. On September 14, 1942, the Office of War Information (OWI) organized in Pittsburgh a conference of Slovak newspaper editors and presidents of Slovak organizations.46 The intention of the OWI organizers was to unify Slovak-American organizations and persuade their leaders to sign a joint declaration expressing Slovak support for the U.S. government and, at the same time, condemning its enemies, including the Slovak Republic. At the actual conference two resolutions were passed. According to the OSS, on the previous day the members of the Resolution Committee had consulted the wording of both resolutions with Hodza, who had arrived earlier in Pittsburgh.47 The first resolution pledged allegiance to the government of the United States and its president. The second one outlined the principles concerning Slovakia's political future, in line with the Atlantic Charter. It stated, among other things, that Czechoslovakia should be "recreated on a basis of equal rights, equal privileges, equal opportunities and equal obligations."48 This passage, however, elicited strong objections 45 Hodza's libel suit against the Overseas News Agency had been dragging on and off since November of 1941. The case was finally closed in June of 1943. 46 The conference was held at the William Penn Hotel. NARA, Washington D. C., OSS, FNB Files, 1942 - 1945, INT-9CZ-139. OSS, V. P. Backora to Dr. Kelso, September 16, 1942. 47 NARS, Washington D. C., OSS, FNB Files, 1942 - 1945, INT-9CZ-139. In the lead-up to the conference, Hodza met with Vendelin Platek, president of the National Slovak Society (NSS), Emil Stankoviansky, editor of Slovensky h/asnik [Slovak Herald] , the organ of the Slovak Evangelical Union and J. Willo (NSS), chairman of the Resolution Committee. 48 NARA, Washington D. C., OSS, FNB Files, 1942 - 1945, INT-9CZ-143 . A photocopy of the September 14 resolution was published in Slovensky hlasnik on Octo- �52 SLOVAKIA from the "Czechoslovak" hardliners and followers of Benes under the leadership of Jaroslav Pelikan. The text of the second resolution had to be rephrased, and the controversial part concerning the relationship between the Czechs and Slovaks was eventually omitted. In this form, the resolutions did not please any of the participants. The outcome of the conference left both sides unhappy. The OWI had received a token expression of Slovak allegiance, but the disgruntled Slovak leaders, seeking more definite commitments regarding Slovakia' s future, remained dissatisfied.49 The efforts of the Department of State and the OSS to direct Hodza's activities in favour of Slovak-American unity continued after the unsuccessful conference in Pittsburgh. On September 17, 1942 Assistant Secretary Berle wrote a letter to the OSS in which he asked Poole to settle the ongoing arguments between Papanek and Hodza. In this letter he reiterated the stance of the U.S. government as it was set out in June of 1942. The priorities of the Department did not lie in the various merits and demerits of the argument about the Slovak question, but in the need for unity and peace among Slovak Americans, which would contribute to victory in the war. 50 The concerns of the U.S . government were further exacerbated about two months later when the leaders of Slovak organizations and Hodza 's followers called a new conference with the intention of rallying the Slovak Americans behind Hodza's political programme. A new umbrella organization was established - the Council of Slovak American Organizations and Newspapers (hereafter CASON). This organization later succeeded in encouraging cooperation with some of the Catholic fraternal organizations. Politically, it subscribed to the restoration of Czechoslovakia, but in contrast to Benes's government-in-exile, it demanded a more definite commitment on Slovakia's status after the war. 51 This development was highly undesirable from the standpoint of the U.S . administration, which had only recently confirmed its definitive recognition of Benes's government in Lon- her I, 1942. The resolution was signed by twenty-four Slovak leaders and newspa£er editors. 9 As the OSS observer put it: "The compromise resolution satisfies no one but it is at least a step forward . Hodza is still causing disunity among the American Slovaks." NARA, Washington D. C. , OSS, FNB Files, 1942 - 1945, INT-9CZ-139. 50 "The State Department is not at present interested in the merits of the controversy, but it has, of course, a very distinct interest in preserving that harmony and unity which best contributes towards winning the war." Quoted from the letter of A. Berle to D. C. Poole (NARA 860f. 00/993). See Lukac, Politicka cinnost' Milana Hodi u .. ., 617,note44. 51 The main figures behind the establishment of CASON were the President of the NSS, V. Platek, the President of the First Catholic Slovak Union, Michal Vargovich, and Jan Bradac, at that time the Honorary President of the SNA. �SLOVAKIA 53 don.52 Hodfa 's campaign among Slovak Americans was becoming an ever more pressing political problem for the U.S. administration. In its March report, the OSS recommended that the State Department step in: "It would be of great value and benefit all around, if our State Department would speak nicely to Mr .Hodja [sic.] and advise him to apply his talents towards unity and not disruption among the Slovak Americans." 53 Throughout 1943, apart from campaigning among Slovak Americans, Hodfa was occupied with, and increasingly alarmed by, the developments in Czechoslovak foreign policy under Benes's leadership. In May - June, the president of the Czechoslovak government-in-exile came on an official visit of the United States, where he was met by the highest officials in the country, including the Secretary of State. One of the primary objectives of the president's visit was to gain American approval for his planned journey to Moscow towards the end of the year. There, Benes was planning to sign a new Czechoslovak-Soviet treaty. This diplomatic initiative was the pinnacle of Benes's efforts to change the orientation of Czechoslovak foreign policy during WW II. From then on, the international security of the country was no longer to be guaranteed by military alliances with the Western Powers. Instead, it was to be safeguarded through close cooperation and coordination of its foreign policy with that of the Soviet Union. It remains unclear whether, in the summer of 1943, Secretary of State Cordell Hull and President Roosevelt voiced their approval of the proposed Czechoslovak-Soviet treaty. According to Benes's personal secretary, Edvard Taborsky, Berle said that the United States followed no specific plans in relation to Central Europe, nor did they have any intention of negotiating with Hodfa on this issue.54 It appears that the ill-defined position of the Roosevelt administration in 1943 confirmed Benes's conviction that the United States did not hold any objections to Czechoslovakia's new Soviet-oriented foreign policy. Hodza, by contrast, regarded the conclusion of the treaty in December 1943 as a very dangerous step on the road to creating a new Soviet sphere of influence. He also feared that, after the war, the Soviet Union would try to impose on Czechoslovakia a political system similar to its own. Moreover, Hodfa was deeply convinced that Slovaks had not a scintilla of sympa- 52 The definiti ve American recognition of the London-based Czechoslovak government-in-exile was granted on October 28, 1942. 53 NARA, Washington D. C., OSS, RG 226 E 142, Box 3. Re: Recent Slovak Affairs, Milan Hodia, Jozef Hu~ek, Fedor Salva, etc., April 3, 1942. 54 According to Taborsky, Berle felt the need to defend himself against allegations that he sympathized with Hodia. "Hodfa was your prime minister and now he is a refugee. We respect him as such, but we will make no political deals with him, I can say this categorically." See Lukac, Politicka cinnost' Milana Hodiu ... , 620. Document quoted: NARA, 860F. 00/1009. �54 SLOVAKIA thy for Russian Bolshevism. He objected vigorously to the treaty, and made his criticism heard. Benes's visit to the United States presented the head of the Foreign Nationalities Branch with a perfect opportunity to cut troublesome Hodza down to size. Hodza ' s long-standing legal feud with the Overseas News Agency (ONA) carried potential risks not only for the news agency itself, but for the whole of the Czechoslovak government-in-exile. Back in December of I 941 , Hodza had complained to the Office of the Coordination of Information that the ONA had been spreading word that he was a fascist collaborating with Otto von Habsburg and Tibor Eckhardt in a plot hatched by German generals to eliminate Hitler with a view to negotiating a separate peace.55 The same source branded the majority of Slovak Americans as isolationist and pro-fascist. Hodza was convinced that if the ONA was made to disclose its source, some of the top Czechoslovak authorities in the USA would be implicated. In June of 1943, the American court which was investigating the libel suit, required the ONA to answer a set of questions contained in a bill of particulars. One of them inquired about the source the ONA drew upon in its news release of November 7, 1941 . Shortly before the deadline by which the ONA was to comply, the case took an unexpected turn. On June 1st, Jacob Landau, the agency's managing director, paid a visit to Poole in his Washington office. He briefed the FNB boss about the case and discussed the questions in the bill of particulars. Later on, in his report of the meeting, Poole noted: "If ONA had to answer, Mr. Landau asserted, one of the sources to be named would be the Czechoslovak Ambassador [in the United States] ." Such a development was, from the perspective of the U.S. government, highly undesirable. Not only would it expose its wartime ally - the Czechoslovak government-in-exile - as the source of the anti-Hodza smear campaign, it would also fan the flames of the Benes-Hodza controversy among Slovak Americans. Although the head of the FNB felt he was not in a position to "interfere in an official way," he promised Landau that he would talk to Hodfa in order to make him "freely desi st" from the libel suit. Three days later in New York, Poole broached the subject of anti-Hodza propaganda in his conversation with Jan Papanek, the head of the Czechoslovak Information Service (hereafter CIS) in the United States. Without telling him what he knew from Landau, Poole received from the CIS head a resolute denial of any involvement on the part of the Czechoslovak government. Nevertheless, Papanek was very pleased with Poole 's intention to convince Hodza to desist from the case. On his part, the Czechoslovak propaganda boss promised he would do his utmost 55 NARA, Washington D. C., OSS, FNB Files, 1942 - 1945, TNT-9CZ-22, p. I. Memorandum of conversation between John. C. Wiley and Milan Hodia, December 4, I 94 I. �SLOVAKIA 55 to prevent further escalation of the Hodza-Benes controversy. He also mentioned to Poole that during his visit in the States, Benes held a long private conversation with Jan Palka, Hodfa's son-in-law. This information, whether imparted casually or by design, presented the head of the FNB with the bargaining leverage he so much needed in his dealings with Hodfa. Although Papanek did not tell Poole what Palka had discussed with Benes, it was not difficult to surmise. Hodfa's dire financial situation was an open secret in Czechoslovak circles, and the OSS knew about it. Until his death in 1944, Hodfa struggled to keep his political campaign in America financially afloat. In October of 1942, for example, he asked the Polish government-in-exile for $650. 56 In May of the following year, Hodfa asked Slovak-American leader Vendelin Platek to help him out financially. The only regular income Hod.fa had was a monthly salary of $250 received from the Czechoslovak government-in-exile for his absentee membership in the London-based State Council. The money was payable to the account of Hodfa 's wife, who, at that time, resided in Chicago. Being well-informed of Hodfa's financial woes, Poole decided to use this information in the name of national interest. On June 5th, he telephoned Hodza, who was convalescing in Clearwater, Florida. The subject of the conversation was the ONA libel suit. According to Poole's account, Hodfa was tired of the longstanding legal battle and "had really lost interest in the matter." 57 This was borne out by David Karr, who had been following the case at the Office of War Information He informed Poole in November of 1942 that Hodza had indeed tried to drop his lawsuit, but this had not happened because of some misunderstanding between him and his lawyers. 58 As the secret memorandum of the telephone conversation between the two men suggests, Poole pressured Hodza to discontinue his campaign among Slovak Americans. During the conversation he hinted that both he and President Benes had been well aware of his financial difficulties. Poole then played his trump 56 Dusan Seges, "Ohlas sudobej krajanskej tlace na politicke posobenie Milana Hodzu v USA v rokoch 1941 - 1944," in Milan Hodia politik a i urnalista, ed. M. Peknik (Bratislava: Veda, 2008), 185 . In his article, Seges writes that Hodza wanted to use the money to gain a dominant influence on the Slovak-American newspaper Slovensky Hlasnik. Seges maintains that in the end Hodza succeeded in getting some of the money. 57 NARA, Washington D. C., OSS, FNB Files, 1942 - 1945, INT-33CZ-20, p. 4. Memorandum of telephone conversation between D. C. Poole and Milan Hodza, June 10, 1943. 58 NARA, Washington D. C. , OSS, FNB Files, 1942 - 1945, INT-9CZ-129, November 18, 1942. In his report, D. C. Poole clarified: "He [David Karr] thought that there had been some misunderstanding, in consequence probably of Dr. Hodza's imperfect command of English. Specifically, Mr. Karr gained the impression that Dr. Hodza had instructed his attorneys 'to settle,' meaning come to a final friendly adjustment; but the attorneys interpreted this to refer to obtaining a 'settlement' ." �56 SLOVAKIA card. He reassured his interlocutor that he had "obtained satisfactory assurances from Dr. Benes that Dr. Hodza's personal situation would not be disturbed."59 To make himself absolutely clear, the head of the FNB pointed out to Hodfa that "It would seem unfortunate if by pressing the suit against the Overseas News Agency at this time he should bring on a change."60 Though elegantly phrased, to Hodfa 's ears Poole's talk must have sounded like nothing more than political blackmail. There is little doubt that Hodfa took his words at face value. In the following days he contacted his lawyer. In order to find out whether he had really done so, Poole telephoned Hodza again on June 10th. Hodfa confirmed that he had instructed his lawyer via telegraph to terminate the suit. Fear for the post-war scenario in Central Europe prompted Hodza to draw up a document - Europe at the Crossroads - which he sent to the State Department in March of 1944.6 1 This memorandum analyzed the political situation in Central Europe within the context of its states' relations with the Soviet Union. Hodfa pointed to the undemocratic character of the Soviet political system, and warned against its application in any form . He challenged Benes's arguments, according to which the new foreign policy realignment with the Soviet Union was unavoidable. Hodza argued that by signing the treaty, the Czechoslovak government-in-exile willingly entered into the Soviet sphere of influence and thus became an instrument of the Russian Drang nach dem Westen. He rejected the policy of creating a "special sphere," the necessity of which Benes justified by the failure of the Western Powers and the "betrayal of Czechoslovakia" in 1938. He contended that no sphere of influence was able to guarantee the sovereignty of small countries. The only guarantee of security, Hodza maintained, was a system of collective security similar to the one promulgated by the Ameri59 NARA , Washington D. C., OSS, FNB Files, 1942 - 1945, INT-33CZ-20, p. 4. Memorandum of telephone conversation between D. C. Poole and Milan Hodza, June 10, 1943 . 60 Tbid. 61 Some historians doubt whether or not the Department of State actually received the memorandum. Lukac, who did not have a copy of the document at his disposal, claimed that "Despite the fact that several authors claim the memorandum was sent to the Department, including the author of this article, there is no copy of Europe at the Crossroads in the State Department archives. We can only speculate what fate it met, whether it was sent at all or "got lost" in American archives. " Lukac, Politic/ca cinnost' Milana Hodiu .. . , 622. The author of this study (R. Licko) can confirm that a copy of this 22-page-long memorandum is kept in the National Archives in Washington, in the OSS Foreign Nationalities Branch section with signature INT-32A-75. Moreover, there is also firm evidence that the memorandum was read at the State Department. D. C. Poole, chief of the FNB, summarised its contents in his report of March 8, 1944. �SLOVAKIA 57 cans and the British in the form of the United Nations. The final victory was achievable only as a "collective victory," with collective war aims. He went on to write, with bitter regret, that the "official Czecho-Slovak policy obviously relinquished this imperative requirement of all alliances." 62 Hod.fa expressed his belief that "Czecho-Slovakia surely deserves a better fate than to become the victim of any personal rule or of any kind of soviet system."63 The memorandum also touches upon the position of the U.S. government, which chose not to reject the treaty. Hod.fa respected this view. However, the American position did not, in his opinion, change the simple fact that the treaty had contributed significantly to the creation of spheres of influence, whose catastrophic consequences would have to be dealt with after the war through a system of collective security. Part V of the memorandum was devoted to the Slovak question. According to Hodfa, the majority of Slovaks, with only a handful of opponents, demanded fair self-government for Slovakia. This demand was in stark contrast to the stubborn centralism of Benes and his political supporters in exile. Hodza's disapproval of the Soviet Union ' s influence, in relation to Slovakia's future, was based upon his conviction that the Soviet political system was incompatible with the political and cultural traditions of Slovaks. Hodza vehemently denied that Slovaks had ever sympathized with Communism. He also reminded the State Department that Slovaks had been fighting against Nazism on the Eastern as well as the Western fronts. Moreover, the majority of the Slovak soldiers who had defected from the Slovak army were, in Hod.fa ' s opinion, anti-Communists, with whom he had maintained radio contact. They desired, on the whole, a "Slovakia administered by Slovaks." Hodfa vigorously denied the allegations, current at the time, that Slovaks had not fought against Fascism. According to his information, as many as 75% of the Czecho-Slovak Army personnel in France between 1939 and 1940 were Slovaks.64 Europe at the Crossroads was Hod.fa' s last attempt to influence the U.S. administration. His memorandum was thoroughly analyzed by the OSS. The political analyst who studied it related its content to his superior DeWitt Poole.65 In the introduction of the report, its author noted: "It confirms my impression of him as a man of a high degree of peasant shrewdness." The OSS shared Hod.fa's concerns about the future of small Central European nations after the war: "The European peoples, more particularly, the East European nationnalities, will be potter's clay in the coming interplay of forces." The author fully sanctioned Hodza' s proposal to hold plebi62 NARA, Washington D. C., OSS, FNB Files, I 942 - 1945, TNT-32A-75 , p. 15. lbid., p. 19. 64 NARA, Washington D. C. , OSS, FNB Files, 1942 - 1945, TNT-32A-75. 65 Julian Towster to D. C. Poole, March 8, 1944. NARA, Washington D. C., OSS, FNB Files, 1942 - 1945, fNT-3 2A-75 . 63 �58 SLOVAKIA scites in Central Europe, ideally under the auspices of the United Nations. 66 Russia's willingness, or lack thereof, to respect the free will of Central Europeans was to be a clear indication of how far this country intended to go in improving its relations with the Western Allies in the post-war period. The OSS report did not pay any particular attention to the issue of Slovakia's future after the war. At the time when the State Department received the OSS report, Hodza had been undergoing medical treatment in a holiday resort in Florida. Despite several periods of improvement during his stay in the United States, Hodza never recovered from his illness. On June 27, 1944, after an operation in Clearwater, Hodza succumbed to his illness. 67 His death was an immense loss, primarily to the advocates of Slovak self-government. Moreover, there was a general opinion among Slovak-American leaders that, apart from Stefan Osusky, there was no other political leader at that time who would have been able to unite the politically fragmented Slovak Americans.68 Having been a prominent Central European politician and statesman throughout his life, Hodza's death elicited obituaries in a number of leading dailies around the world. 69 His life-long political contribution to politics was acknowledged by the Czechoslovak government, and even by his political enemies, including Edvard Benes. Belatedly, the U.S. government paid 66 "Hodza is perfectly right in emphasizing the plebiscite angle. Plebiscites may not always have been the best yardstick of true national sentiment, but the principle of unhindered expression of such sentiment and of consultation between the leading United Nations members in regard to securing such expression goes to the heart of the problem." 67 Hodfa suffered from cancer of the large intestine. According to the autopsy report, the immediate cause of death was a complication - internal obturation during the operation . Hodza never regained consciousness. See Lukac, "Posledne chvile Milana Hodzu," in Obcianska spolocnost', no. 8 (August, 2000), I 0. 68 The Slovak leaders, especially those associated in the CASON, suggested Stefan Osusky as Hodfa's possible successor, because they did not regard Hodfa' s aide, Mudry Sebik, as a "strong and effective" leader. FBI, Chicago File No. 100-15744, January 25 , 1945 . Report: Slovak National Alliance, p. 7. Another FBI report written by its director on July 1, 1944, advised the Department of State of Osusky' s intention to ask for permission to enter the United States. In addition to giving a brief account ofOsusky's political career, the report states that V. Platek, the leader of the National Slovak Society, wrote a letter to Osusky as early as in June of 1943 . In it, Platek asked Osusky to come to the United States and to assume the leadership of Slovak Americans together with Hodfa. NARA, Washington D. C., 860f.202 l l/71844 PSNL, Roll 31, 1940 - 1944. Memorandum of J. E. Hoover to A. Berle, Assistant Secretary of State. Subject: Milan Hodza and Stefan (Stephen) Osusky, July I, 1944. 69 The New York Times published Hodfa 's obituary on June 29, 1944. On July 4, 1944 the newspaper reported on Hodfa's funeral in Chicago. �SLOVAKIA 59 tribute to this outstanding Czechoslovak statesman. In 1951 , U.S. Secretary of State John Foster Dulles praised Hodfa's understanding of the mutual interdependence of sovereign and equal peoples, and acknowledged Hodfa's contribution to the cause of European unity.70 Given the scope of Hodfa's plans and activities in the United States during WW II, one has to ask oneself: what did the Roosevelt administration's foreign policymakers make of Hodfa's federalization plans, and what solution, if any, did they think desirable in the dispute about Slovakia's post-war future? What significance did Hodfa's plans play in American strategic planning in Central Europe? Were these in line with the existing American blueprint for the overall European peace settlement, or did they contradict it? To what extent were Hodfa's plans for a Central European federation examined, and what political will was there to intervene in the debate on the post-war status of Slovakia? American and European historians more or less share the same view that Central Europe, throughout WW II, was not an area of priority in the United States' strategic planning. United States foreign policy in Central Europe was the outcome of a variety of factors, domestic and international, and on the whole it could be characterized as unsystematic.71 Another characteristic of this policy was the fact that the United States' attitudes towards Eastern Europe went through several changes during WW IL To a large extent, these changes were the result of the personal influence of key political figures in the White House, as well as in the Department of State. It is commonly known that, at the beginning of the war, President Roosevelt was an advocate of the doctrine of the Four Policemen, according to which the four greatest powers - the United States, the United Kingdom, the Soviet Union and China - were expected to take over the responsibility for the post-war political organization of the territories subjected to their influence. In Central Europe, this would mean an unprecedented increase in Soviet influence, given that Germany was to be disarmed after the war and its influence eliminated for good. From the standpoint ofHodfa's political plans, this represented an undesirable return to spheres of influence against which he so persistently warned. 70 Lukac, Politicka cinnost' Milana Hodzu ... , 625 . The Norwegian historian Geir Lundestad summarizes the non-systematic nature of this policy as follows: "So tenuous was the coherence of the many diverse elements in these policies, fluctuating in response to political and economic forces within the US itself, to local events in Eastern Europe, and to the challenges inherent in Great Power rivalry, that I have chosen the term the American non-policy to describe the end result of the various influencing factors . American policy-makers were never quite able to make up their minds about the importance of Eastern Europe to the United States." Lundestad, American Non-Policy Towards Eastern Europe (Oslo : Universitets forlaget, 1978), 34. 71 �60 SLOVAKIA Quite a different view of the post-war world order was held by Secretary of State Cordell Hull. He advocated a vision of a globalized world, in which economic and political conflicts among sovereign countries were to be solved through a world organization.72 However, the idea of resurrecting a world organization on the principle of the interwar League of Nations was extremely unpopular in the United States. Warming up to such an idea took some time and was a gradual process.73 After the resignation of Sumner Welles from the position of Under Secretary of State in 1943, Cordell Hull finally succeeded in convincing the conservative-minded Department of State to accept the idea of a new United Nations. In relation to Central Europe, the new line in foreign policy resulted in the conviction that the reformed system of collective security would prevent the recreation of old spheres of influence. This was also the reason why the State Department was very reluctant to give its views on the various integration schemes of the Central European governments in exile. The growing influence of the Soviet Union in this area was a worrying development for the Roosevelt administration, but did not lead to a significant shift in the established policy of non-intervention.74 Surprisingly enough, despite the negative attitude towards European integration in general, the archival documents of the Department of State suggest that the U.S. foreign policy makers devoted con72 This track of American foreign policy in the 20th century is frequently referred to as "globalism," or, "universalism." See Michael Lind, "The Twilight of the U.N.," The New Republic, October 30, 1995, p. 28 . 73 The League of Nations, created in 1920, was part of the peace initiative of U.S. President Woodrow Wilson, generally known as the "Fourteen Points." In terms of conflict resolution and international security, the organization's philosophy was based upon the principle of collective security, which stood in opposition to the notion of the balance of power and advancement of national interests. The U.S. Congress, however, refused to ratify the League' s Covenant. Wilson ' s peace initiative is often criticized and branded as an example of American political idealism. From the point of view of international relations, Wilson's plan stemmed from "idealistic and liberal dissatisfaction with the international anarchy, balance of power and the concept of self-help which had hitherto characterized the state-system." Graham Evans and Jeffrey Newham, Penguin Dictionary of International Relations (London: Penguin books, 1998), p. 300. 74 In the introduction to his book The Myth of Liberation; East-Central Europe in U.S. Diplomacy and Politics Since 1941 , Bennett Kovrig described American idealism in relation to Central Europe in the words of A. J. P. Taylor: "democratic foreign policy must be idealistic, or at the very least it has to be justified in terms of great general principles ". Kovrig added, "Yet the reader will find few villains and even fewer heroes, for seldom in the history of America 's foreign relations have good intentions reaped such a bitter harvest". Kovrig, The Myth of Liberation; EastCentral Europe in U.S. Diplomacy and Politics since 194! (Baltimore: The Johns Hopkins University Press, 1973), x. �SLOVAKIA 61 siderable time to various integration schemes such as those proposed by Hodza. 75 The duties of investigating and assessing these plans, as well as drawing up recommendations which were to serve as guidelines in American post-war foreign policy, were entrusted to the Department of State Advisory Committee on Postwar Foreign Policy.76 Browsing through the minutes of the Advisory Committee between May 1942 and March 1944 gives one some idea of how much time and space the Department of State devoted to federalization plans for Central Europe and what attitudes towards them various committee members maintained. On May 9, the Committee's agenda included the so-called Danubian Federation 77 The discussions focused on two plans drawn up by politicians in exile. One of these plans was the proposal for a Czechoslovak-Polish union, put forward in the United States by the exiled Polish Prime Minister 75 Documentary sources from the American archives relating to the U.S. attitudes towards Central European integration were collected and annotated by the Polish authors J. Laptos and M. Misztal Marius, American Debates on Central European Unio n, 1942 - 1944. Documents of the American State Department (Brussels & New York: P.I.E.-P. Lang, 2002). 76 F. D. Roosevelt approved of the establishment of the Advisory Committee three weeks after the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 28, 1941 . It included academics as well as leading officers of the Department of State. The Committee reported directly to the State Secretary. At that time, the position of vice-chairman was held by Under Secretary Sumner Welles. Everyday activities were overseen by Leo Pasvolsky. The Advisory Committee had six subcommittees, the most important of which were those dedicated to political, economic and territorial issues. Other key figures on the Committee who specialised in Central Europe were Hamilton Fish Armstrong ( 1893 - 1973) and Adolf A. Berle. It was the latter who was often believed by Czech and Slovak emigres to have harboured sympathies for Hodza's plans. The Committee 's job was to draw up general guidelines for the United States in peace negotiations. The official activity of this Committee was ended in the summer of 1943, but many of its members continued their work on other committees until the end of the war. The Committee 's research team drew up hundreds of reports, situational analyses and recommendations, which became a blueprint for the discussions and proceedings of the Committee and its subcommittees. Regular minutes of the subcommittees' discussions were kept. The documentation produced by the Advisory Committee is deposited in the National Archives in the Notter File. See Ignac Romcis, "Wartime American Plans for a New Hungary. Documents from the U.S. Department of State, 1942 - 1944" Atlantic Studies on Society in Change, [online] , 1992, 30, no. 77 . [Quoted: 2008-06-05] . Available at: <http ://www.hungarianhistory.hu> 77 The term "Danubian Federation" was chosen by the Advisory Committee to refer to the integration efforts of the Central European countries in the Danubian region. The discussions of the Advisory Committee on the "Danubian Federation" included possible membership for Poland and Austria. �62 SLOVAKIA Wladyslaw Sikorski. 78 The other was the Danubian Federation, championed by exiled Hungarian politicians Tibor Eckhardt and Janos Pelenyi.79 Hodfa's federation plan was not included. It was referred to only marginally by a member of the Committee, Anne McCormick. 80 She mentioned Hodfa as an agrarian politician who had been involved in solving agrarian problems.81 The foreign policy analyst went on to inform the Committee, quite misleadingly, that Hod:fa 's plan limited itself to the Danubian region.82 This ignorance of the details of Hodza's plan is interesting, because by that time Hodfa had already spoken about his plans to The New York Times and, more importantly, must have made his views known at the State Department during his first visit. 83 Hodfa 's plan was almost completely 78 Laptos and Mizstal pointed out that Sikorski 's plan for federation was dealt with only briefly. According to the information available to the Committee, Sikorski's federation was to comprise Poland, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Romania and Yugoslavia. The plan envisaged the complete economic federation and eventual political federation of its constituent countries. According to the Advisory Committee, Polish influence in the thus-constituted federation was obvious, though the sheer scale of the supranational state ruled out complete Polish domination. Laptos and Mizstal, .American Debates on Central European Union .. ., 74. 79 Tibor Eckhardt was a Hungarian politician of the interwar period. In 1938 he represented Hungary at the League of Nations Assembly. In 1941 he was sent on a mission to the USA by Miklos Horthy in order to approach the Allies and the Hungarian democratic opposition. Eckhardt's federation was brought to the attention of the Committee by Under Secretary of State Welles. According to this plan, Central Europe was to be divided into three parts: a Polish-Baltic bloc, a Balkan bloc and a "Danubian" union,comprising Austria, Hungary, Bohemia, Slovakia and Transylvania, with the possibility of the later admission of Croatia. The unifying element of the federation was to be their common history as part of the Habsburg monarchy. NARCS Notter File, Department of State. Minutes P - I 0, Danubian Federation, May 9, 1942. Laptos and Mizstal, American Debates on Central European Union ... , 74. 80 Anne O ' Hare McCormick (1882 - 1954), a member of the Advisory Committee, was a foreign policy analyst for The New York Times. 81 The minutes of the meeting captured McCormick's information on Hodza and his plan as follows: " Mrs. McCormick said that mention might also be made of the Hodfa plan, which confines itself to the Danubian area. Mr. Hodfa, she pointed out, being a peasant, is chiefly concerned with the agricultural problem. His plan expresses the aspirations of the Green International." Laptos and Mizstal, American Debates on Central European Union ... , 75. 82 In Hodza's plan the core of the proposed federation was to be formed by CzechoSlovakia and Poland, who were to be joined by other countries in the south of Central Europe. 83 See Hope Put in Union of Central Europe, the OSS report on the interview with M. Hodza. NARA, Washington D. C., OSS, FNB Files, 1942 - 1945, INT-9CZ-1 , December 7, 1941 . �SLOVAKIA 63 ignored. It was mentioned in passing in connection with the association of agrarian parties known as the Green International. American foreign policy advisors again failed to include Hodza's plan when they discussed the so-called East European Union as one of the issues related to the Department of State's plans to create a world organization. 84 The members of the Division of Special Research discussed, among other things, the results of the negotiations between the exiled governments of Czechoslovakia and Poland on the creation of a joint union .85 In mid-June of 1942, the Department of State presented to the Advisory Committee the first draft of American recommendations which any supranational organization in Central Europe should comply with. One of the main differences, in comparison with Hodza's plan, was that the United States preferred a union to a federation. This preference reflected the Roosevelt administration's unwillingness to sanction political integration. What the Department of State recommended was a loose organization of free sovereign states, which would be able to advance their interests through joint, non-legislative institutions. Such an economic union was to comprise all states of Central and Eastern Europe, including countries as far apart as Estonia, Austria and Greece.86 The establishment of this union would have to take place under the auspices of the United Nations. The main rationale was that the establishment of such a union would solve the existing security problems and bring with it economic advantages as a result of regional cooperation. The territorial integrity of the union was to be safeguarded by the United Nations, and the security forces of the union were to act in concordance with the security system of the United Nations. After the war, the world organization was to facilitate the creation of the union by adjusting all outstanding border claims. What is most striking to the European reader about the attitudes of the American government are its views on the armed forces of member 84 The meeting of the Division of Special Research, which prepared reports for the Advisory Committee, took place on June 6, I 942. Department of State, Division of Special Research, Minutes P 14, June 6, I 942 . NARA, Notter File, Box 65 ., Laptos and Mizstal, American Debates on Central European Union .. ., 96 - 103. 85 For the history of the Czechoslovak-Polish negotiations on uniting, including the attitudes of the United States and the other great powers, see Wandycz, Czechoslovak-Polish Confederation and the Great Powers, 1940 - 1943. 86 " The regional organization should have the form not of a federation but of a union of independent and sovereign states, cooperating for limited objectives through common non-legislative institutions, loosely rather than tightly organized. Provisionally the union is considered as including all states of Central and Eastern Europe between Russia and Germany from and including Estonia in the North to Austria in the West and Greece in the South." Department of State, Division of Special Research, Minutes P Document 24, June 19, 1942. NARA, Notter File, box 55. Laptos and Mizstal, American Debates on Central European Union .. . , 110. �64 SLOVAKIA countries, as well as on the military of the union as a whole. Every constituent country would have to contribute a designated contingent of troops for the international armed forces (under the command of the UN), but no member state was to have its own armed forces . This recommendation testified to the distrust with which the American foreign policymakers looked upon the nations of Central Europe. The Advisory Committee's analysis of the factors which were thought to be conducive to, or had disintegrating effects upon, the creation of a Central European Union offers an interesting insight into the mindset of the American foreign policy advisors of that time. In the beginning the majority of the Committee members seemed to be in favour of one large Central European union from the Baltic to the Balkans.87 It was argued that a larger union was more advantageous to the United States, because it would be better able to eliminate the destructive forces of nationalism, mutual antagonisms and the land disputes of the Central European nations. 88 An analysis of the economic benefits failed to persuade American foreign policy advisors that economic prosperity was in itself motivationally adequate for unification . In the American view, the history of integration efforts in the interwar period showed that political interests in the area had often been given priority over economic ones. The unification of Czechs and Slovaks was pointed out as an example. According to L. Pasvolsky, Masaryk and Bene~ were willing to accept any economic disadvantages in order to achieve political and cultural unity after WW I. 89 It was nationalism, however, that elicited the greatest fears in the members of the Committee. The issue was frequently raised during the discussions, and the Department of State believed that nationalism was one of the five main obstacles to Central European integration.90 As the feasibility study for the Department of State from 87 This notion was supported most enthusiastically by S. Welles and H. F. Armstrong. 88 From the economic point of view, a larger union appeared to offer better prospects of strengthening the commercial position of member states in trade with the rest of Europe. As for the centrifugal forces of nationalism, the gravest concerns at the Department of State were aroused by Hungarian nationalism, with some criticism also levelled at the former Czechoslovakia. 89 "Mr. Bowman observed that in the case of the unification of the Czechs and the Slovaks the main emphasis had been on the achievement of political and cultural unity from the beginning. Economic considerations had played a decidedly minor £iart." Department of State, Advisory Committee, R Minutes 7, November 12, 1943 . Apart from nationalism, the list of five disintegrative forces comprised the absence of common roots, cultural di versity, external political influences and diversity in regional economic development. Department of State, P Document 204, The Feasibility of an East European Union, February 19, 1943. NARA , NARA, Notter File, �SLOVAKIA 65 February, 1943 observed, "Since the present war began, the animosity between several of the states, e.g., between Bulgaria and Greece, and between Hungary and Romania, has been greatly increased and the conflicts between ethnic groups within one state e.g., between Czechs and Slovaks, between Serbs and Croats, have become bitter."9 1 Where the State Department seemed to be in agreement with Hodfa was the belief that the peasantry could play a positive role in the process of Central European integration. In the inter-war period, peasant parties in Central Europe had engaged in mutual cooperation and shared a similar political agenda. 92 A member of the Committee, J. T. Shotwell, also sympathised with this opinion, but expressed reservations about the role of agrarian leaders, who, in his view, had nationalistic tendencies which might prove distractive. 93 The discussion about the cohesive and destructive forces of unification eventually prompted the members of the Committee to break the proposed union into two parts. With regard to the attitudes of the exiled governments, Berle pointed out that, surprisingly, none of these su£ported a large union, with the exception of the Czechoslovak government. 4 Strictly speaking, however, this was no longer the case. By that time, the Czechoslovak-Polish negotiations had reached a stalemate and the Czechoslovak Box 57. Laptos and Mizstal, American Debates on Central European Union ... , 187 - 88. 91 Department of State, P Document 204, The Feasibility of an East European Union, February 19, 1943 . NARA, Notter File, Box 57. Laptos and Mizstal, American Debates on Central European Union .. ., 188. 92 State Department, P Document 204, The Feasibility of an East European Union, Part III: Movements Tending Toward Unity, February 19, 1943. NARA, Notter File, Box 57. Laptos and Mizstal, American Debates on Central European Union .. ., 188. 93 According to Shotwell, the majority of Central European leaders were nationalists of the 19th century type. As an example he pointed to Count Apponyi, who owned land in Slovakia, a fact which had a great deal of influence on his political outlook. Department of State, Division of Special Research, Political Subcommittee, Minutes P I 7, June 27, 1942. Milan Hodza himself often mentioned the agrarian problems in Hungary. That was also why he laid down conditions on the membership of Hungary in a Central European Federation, stressing first the necessity of agrarian reform in that country. 94 Laptos and Mistal put Berle 's incorrect information down to the skilfulness of the Czechoslovak propaganda. "The question was asked whether Mr. Welles and Mr. Berle had talked with representatives of these countries on this matter. Mr. Berle said that no one of that group had the concept of a single union. Mr. Welles said he had never found one who had the conception of one union, most favoring three unions; some, two. Mr. Berle said that the Czechs were the only ones who had offered any support for a single union." Department of State, Division of Special Research, Political Subcommittee, Minutes P 17, June 27, 1942. NARA, Notter File, Box 55. Laptos and Mizstal, American Debates on Central European Union . .., 129 - 30. �66 SLOVAKIA government was getting increasingly cold feet about any union with its northern neighbour. At the end of June, the members of the Committee agreed that for the sake of further discussions about Central European integration they would consider two options- the so-called Northern East European Group and a Balkan Group. 95 Another key issue to which the Advisory Committee devoted its attention was the problem of how viable the proposed union would be and what attitudes the great powers would adopt in dealing with this supranational state. According to the above-mentioned feasibility study, the political will of the member states alone was insufficient for the union's long-term survival. American foreign policymakers understood perfectly well that in order for the union to survive, it had to secure the support of the victorious powers, including that of the United States. 96 The advantages from the American point of view seemed palpable enough: a solution to questions of security in relation to Germany and Russia, pacification of the space between the Baltic and the Aegean seas in an area inaccessible to the naval powers, and the protection of Eastern European countries against possible German expansion. The most important question, of course, was how such a union would be viewed by the geographically closest of the powers - the Soviet Union. In the October Memorandum on Russia and the East European Federation, drawn up by the Council on Foreign Relations, an expert on Soviet affairs informed the Committee that the reasons for Soviet opposition were far stronger than those which might induce the Soviet Union to support such a scheme. 97 The first and the most decisive reason for Soviet 95 The proposal to break up the union was put forward by Under Secretary of State Welles at the meeting of the Division of Special Research on June 27, 1942 . The main reason was the diverse character of the member states of the union, which might lead to its disintegration. On the issue of breaking up the union, the members of the Committee were by no means united. Welles was in principle in favour of a single union, but practical considerations compelled him to opt for two smaller ones. The key problem of the two-union solution was Austria and Hungary. Department of State, Division of Special Research, Political Subcommittee, Minutes P 17, June 27, 1942. NARA , Notter File, Box 55. Laptos and Mizstal, American Debates on Central European Union ... , 119 - 20. 96 See Part IV: Steps Necessary to make Union Effective: "In view of the fact that Eastern Europe has felt the impact of virtually none of those dynamic forces that would aid in creating a unity out of this di versity of peoples, the creation of a union and its maintenance for an indefinite period would have to be in large measure the work of the great victorious powers or of the international organization. " State Department, P Document 204, The Feasibility of an East European Union, Part IV: NARA, Notter File, Box 57. Laptos and Mizstal, American Debates on Central European Union ... , 19 1. 97 The author of the memorandum was Isaiah Bowman. The Counci l on Foreign Relations, Studies of American Interests in the War and the Peace, Territorial series, �SLOVAKIA 67 opposition was the assumption that the establishment of a union would prevent the Soviet Union from exercising its policy of divide et impera. Moscow was also worried that the political orientation of the Central European countries within the proposed union would lead to the weakening of the existing pro-Russian orientation in some of them. 98 There is little doubt that Czechoslovakia was one of those countries. Its president-in-exile Edward Benes had indicated that Czechoslovak foreign policy after the war would be oriented towards the east. The Soviet attitude towards integration in Central Europe was yet again referred to by American foreign policy advisors as "apparently hostile" in February of 1943. 99 The report made it clear that Moscow was in no mood to support federalization plans of a lesser scope, such as the proposed Czechoslovak-Polish or Greek-Yugoslav unions. The Department of State reached this conclusion on the basis of the information obtained directly from representatives of the Czechoslovak government-inexile. The negative attitude of Moscow was also identified as the main rea- October 26, 1942. NARA, Notter File, Box 61. Laptos and Mizstal, American Debates on Central European Union ... , 176. 98 The author continues: "The possibilities of supporting Czechoslovakia against Poland, Hungary against Rumania, Yugoslavia against Hungary and so forth, present an almost limitless field for maneuver by Russia to make its influence strong and even preponderant among the disunited states of East Central Europe." Other Soviet objections could be summarized as follows: 2. the united states of Central Europe would find it easier to advance their territorial claims against Russia, 3. the political system of the member countries would unify, but become very likely hostile to that of the Soviet Union, 4. the union 's armed forces would be stronger in defence, which would weaken Soviet military position, 5. the exports of such a federation would compete in world markets with Soviet exports; Soviet exports into the union would be disadvantaged, since Russia would have to deal with the union as a whole rather than trading with countries separately, 6. the union would curb the revived pan-Slav sentiment, because it would include non-Slav countries and the pro-Russian orientation of the Slav countries would thus be weakened. The Council on Foreign Relations, Studies of American Interests in the War and the Peace, Territorial series, October 26, 1942. NARA, Notter File, Box 61. Laptos and Mizstal, American Debates on Central European Union .. . , 177. 99 "On the basis of information at present available in the Political Section, the Soviet Government is apparently hostile to the idea of the creation of an all-embracing East European Union, unless, perhaps, such a Union were established under the preponderant influence of the Soviet Union. An examination of the Soviet press and periodicals has disclosed no discussions of such projects for an Eastern European Union as have been put forward from time to time in Britain and the United States." Department of State, Division of Special Research, Document P 206, February 18, 1943. NARA, Notter File, Box 57. LAPTOS, Laptos and Mizstal, American Debates on Central European Union ... , 196. �68 SLOVAKIA son why the Czechoslovak §ovemment broke off its negotiations with the Polish govemment-in-exile. 1 0 The work of the Advisory Committee for Postwar Foreign Policy officially ended in July of 1943, though some of its subcommittees continued their work on Central European integration plans until the spring of 1944. 101 The issue of Slovakia's post-war political status never came up. Neither was it discussed by any of the Committee's numerous subcommittees. The abandonment of American discussions of the Central European integration plans raises two questions: what were the reasons for this decision and what political future did the Roosevelt administration envisage for the Central European nations? The answer to the first question should be looked for in the analyses of U.S. foreign policy for this period. Drawing on the latest historical research, one finds, more or less, consensus on this issue. The dominant factor in American strategic planning was the growing military presence of the Soviet Union in Central Europe, which went hand in hand with its increasing political influence. It became clear, towards the end of 1943, that the Red Army would liberate a substantial part of Central Europe, a fact which would inevitably increase the role of the Soviet Union in the post-war political organization of the area. Regardless of their original plans, President Roosevelt and the Department of State had to constantly adjust to these developments. In 1943, under pressure of the events on the Eastern Front, Roosevelt was forced to review his erstwhi le concept of an "Anglo-American world police force" and extend it into the well-known "Four Policemen" theory. This had to take the Soviet Union into account as an equal partner in the political organization of territories within its own sphere of influence. From this point of view it 100 "Mr. Berle remarked that when the Polish-Czech confederation was agreed upon, both parties had believed that the Russians were not opposed to the idea. The worsening of relations between Russia and the Polish government-in-exile, however, has since resulted in a change in the Russian position. The Czechs have withdrawn from their discussions with the Poles, ostensibly because the Poles were unwilling to abandon their claim to the Teschen area, but in reality because of Russian opposition to the combination." Department of State, Advisory Committee, R Minutes 7, November 12, 1943. NARA, Notter File, Box 84. Laptos and Mizstal, American Debates on Central European Union ... , 217. 101 Secretary of State Cordell Hull ended the work of the Committee in a letter of July 12, 1943 . Mary E. Bradshaw, "Congress and Foreign Policy Since 1900," Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, 289 (September, 1953), 45 . The last minutes of the Political Subcommittee dealing with the Central European union were those of March 15- 17, 1944, NARA, Notter File, Box 84. The last meeting of the Economic Subcommittee took place on March 31 , 1944. Advisory Committee, Economic Subcommittee, R Minutes 16, March 31, 1944 NARA, Notter File, Box 84. Laptos and Mizstal, American Debates on Central European Unio n ... , 243 . �SLOVAKIA 69 can be understood why any American position on a Central European federation or union had to be approved by Moscow. The absence of a Soviet stance on the issue throughout 1942 kept the idea of integration alive among the exiled politicians of Central Europe, and occupied the minds of American foreign policy advisors on the Advisory Committee. Doubts about Moscow's priorities were finally ended in October of 1943, when the Soviet Minister of Foreign Affairs, Viacheslav Molotov, officially confirmed the negative position of the USSR. 102 The answer to the second question, namely what the Americans desired as the political future for Central Europe, is more complicated. First of all, it needs to be emphasized that the views of the Roosevelt administration on this issue were not unanimous. Significant differences of opinion existed in Washington, which divided even the chief foreign policy makers, President Roosevelt and Secretary of State Hull. American historians' interpretation of the U.S. foreign policy objectives in Central Europe during this period have gone through several developments since WW II. 103 The more recent research emphasizes the importance of Roosevelt's role in the process of foreign policymaking, and interprets his apparent lack of determination and unsystematic approach as misleading. According to this interpretation, Roosevelt, from the beginning of the war, pursued a clear goal in relation to Continental Europe: to reduce its international standing and marginalize it as the most effective way of preventing future conflicts in the area. Roosevelt intended to achieve this marginalization through fragmentation of the continent into small, relatively powerless, and wherever possible, ethnically homogenous states. These states should in no case possess any armed forces, and after disarmament they should be placed within the sphere of influ102 This information was imparted to the British Foreign Secretary Anthony Eden, who asked V. Molotov about the Soviet view on Central European integration efforts at the Moscow Conference of Foreign Ministers, October 19 - 29, 1943. Laptos and Mizstal, American Debates on Central European Union .. ., 63 . 103 The oldest interpretation of U.S. foreign policy towards Europe maintains that the Roosevelt administration favoured active involvement in the rebuilding of European democracies and in strengthening the position of European states. Roosevelt is criticised, however, because he was unable to see through Stalin's empty promises at Yalta. The second, "revisionist" theory contends that the post-war division of Europe was afait accompli long before Yalta, because the Red Anny would occupy the whole of Eastern Europe and the United States had to respect this fact. ." Elena Aga-Rossi, "Roosevelt's European Policy and the Origins of the Cold War: A Reevaluation," Telos. A Quarterly Journal of Critical Thought 26 (no. 2, 1996), 73 . Lundestad, who reviewed both of the above theories, characterized U.S. foreign policy towards Central Europe as a policy of "modified universalism in the area of non-essential interest for the USA." For the lack of internal coherence in this policy he chose to refer to it as a "non-policy." G. Lundestad, American Non-Policy Towards Eastern Europe .. . , 34. �70 SLOVAKIA ence of either Britain or the Soviet Union. 104 Such a vision of the future of Central European nations was incompatible with Hodza 's federalization. He feared the political influence of the Soviet Union and, therefore, called for concerted efforts to strengthen the position of Central Europe. As far as Slovakia's future was concerned, Roosevelt's policy of non-intervention, whether intentional or inadvertent, played more into the hands of Slovak separatists than those of the proponents of federative integration.' 05 Roosevelt's concept of new spheres of influence, however, stood in contrast to the universalistic vision of Secretary of State Hull, who was advocating global cooperation among nations on the basis of a renewed world organization. The key moment, which resulted in the adoption of the universalistic approach as the main guideline in U.S. foreign policy, is usually thought to be the resignation of Under Secretary of State Sumner Welles. 106 After Welles's resignation, Secretary of State Hull and his department advanced the concept of collective security within the framework of a restored world organization under a new name. ' 07 The new line in American foreign policy, however, did not make the Roosevelt administration take a more active role in suppressing the emerging Soviet sphere of influence. On the contrary, Roosevelt continued to count on Soviet assistance as a decisive political force in the post-war reorganization of Central Europe. What he and his foreign policy advisors got wrong was the belief that Stalin's Russia would sooner or later discard its system of central planning, return to the market economy and join the rest of the democratic world. 104 "As he [Roosevelt] told the British Foreign Minister in March 1943, 'armaments after the war in Europe should be concentrated in the hands of the policing powers Britain, the United States and Russia. The smaller powers might have rifles but nothing more dangerous than this' .. .These two great powers had to maintain order over other disarmed European countries, if necessary by force." Aga-Rossi, "Roosevelt's European Policy and the Origins of the Cold War", 72 . 105 "He [Roosevelt] also envisioned splitting up multiethnic countries such as Belgium, Czechoslovakia and Yugoslavia." Aga-Rossi, "Roosevelt's European Policy and the Origins of the Cold War," 70. On another occasion, when meeting representtatives of the Slovak League in 1940, Roosevelt remarked: "I believe that every nationality, no matter how small, has the inherent right to its nationhood." Ever since then, the Slovak League interpreted the president's statement as approval of the establishment of an independent Slovak state. NARA, Washington D. C., 860F.0l /446. Reverend C. Mlynarovich to C. Manion of the Office for Government Refcort, Indiana, May 11, 1942. 06 Sumner Welles, Roosevelt's closest ally in the Department of State, was a strong supporter of the president's concept of the "Four Policemen." Roosevelt did not trust Hull. In 1943 the president accepted Welles 's resignation in connection with his alleged homosexual activities. 107 In the field of international relations, Hull 's approach to foreign affairs is often associated with the principles of universalism, globalism and political idealism . �SLOVAKIA 71 Thus we have seen that, between 1941 and 1944, the American authorities closely followed the political activities of exiled Slovak politician Milan Hodfa. His political goal in the United States was twofold. First, he intended to influence Roosevelt's foreign policy makers in favour of the creation of a supranational federation of Central European states, which he saw as a political panacea for the area' s many unresolved problems. According to this plan, a restored Czechoslovakia was to be one of the founding members of such a federation . Slovakia was to be part of Czechoslovakia again, but with a new constitutional arrangement stipulating its equal political status with the Czech lands. Secondly, Hodza planned to lead a political campaign among Slovak Americans. In particular, he hoped to win the endorsement of the leaders of their organizations for his programme of a self-governing Slovakia. Various federal agencies' keen interest in Hodza, however, was not motivated by the desire of the U.S. government to support the creation of a central European federation . It rather stemmed from the fact that U.S. governmental agencies had deep misgivings about the effects of Hodfa's campaign among Slovak Americans. Thus, for the American government, Hodfa soon emerged as an unwelcome guest as the OSS began in mid-1942 supplying various U.S. departments with reports about the ideological split within the Slovak-American community. The fears frequently expressed in the OSS reports were motivated by the perceived possible consequences of Hodza ' s campaign on the home front as well as the on the American war effort in general. Foremost among these fears was that the Hodfa-inspired opposition to the Benes-led government-in-exile would not only undermine the standing of the Czechoslovak government-in-exile - one of the war-time allies of the United States - but would also have a deleterious effect on the morale of the hundreds of thousands of Slovak Americans employed in key American heavy industries. Hodza's political campaign among Slovak Americans targeted two deeply antagonistic camps. He attempted to win the support of the leaders of the Slovak National Alliance, who had originally supported Benes's government-in-exile. At the same time, he tried to negotiate with the leaders of the Slovak League of America, several of whom offered their organizations' support for his programme. However, Hodfa failed to eliminate the powerful influence of the hard-liners in these umbrella organizations. The Czechoslovak Information Service in the United States, a propaganda tool of the London-based Czechoslovak government-in-exile, severely criticized Hodfa's campaign among Slovak Americans, constantly challenging his right to discuss Slovakia' s future on American soil and running a smear campaign against him. The U.S. administration viewed Hodfa 's activities with growing alarm. The most worrying development from the American point of view was the ideological split in the Slovak National Alliance which devel- �72 SLOVAKIA oped as a result of Hodza ' s lecture tour. The OSS repeatedly called on the Department of State to intervene in order to mend the rift among the proCzechoslovak fraternal leaders. Hodza ' s attempts to influence the attitudes of the Roosevelt administration towards the future organization of Central Europe had little impact on American foreign policy. lndeed, his plan for a Central European federation was never discussed by the American foreign policy advisors. Nevertheless, the U.S. Department of State and its agencies devoted considerable time to weighing the pros and cons of Central European integration from the point of view of American interests. The Department of State tended to favour an economic union rather than a political federation. Moreover, it feared the destructive forces of Central European nationalisms, not excluding the Slovak and Czech ones. However, the major American objection to any form of Central European integration stemmed from the strong opposition to it from the United States' chief war ally in Eastern Europe - the Soviet Union. Stalin had no intention of supporting any integration plans in the area. He preferred a fragmented Central Europe made up of weak states, which would strengthen the negotiating position of the Soviet Union vis-a-vis these countries. Roosevelt ' s policy of deliberate non-intervention in Central Europe, coupled with the American belief in a new world organization, resulted after the war in a gradual Sovietization of Central Europe and the creation of a new sphere of influence. Given the pro-Soviet foreign policy orientation of the Czechoslovak government-in-exile from December of 1943 onwards, the Roosevelt administration refrained from publicly expressing any of its views on Slovakia's post-war future. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource 2013, Vol. 41 Description An account of the resource Vol. 41 (No. 76-77), 2013. Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available The Slovak League of America Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2013 Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document SLOVAKIA 37 AN UNWELCOME GUEST: MILAN HODZA IN AMERICAN DOCUMENTS BETWEEN 1941 AND 1944 V Roman Licko In December of 1938 Milan Hodza, a Slovak politician and the last prime minister of the pre-Munich Czechoslovak Republic, went into exile in France. There, along with Stefan Osusky, another Slovak statesman and diplomat, he became the leading figure of Slovak democratic exiles before 1 the outbreak of WW II. Towards the end of 1939 Rodia established the Slovak National Council, which, under his auspices, was reorganized in early 1940 into the Czecho-Slovak National Council. Both political bodies subscribed to the democratic ideals of pre-war Czechoslovakia, as well as to the belief in a continuation of Czechoslovak statehood.2 However, in stark 1 Before Hodfa' s arrival in Paris in November of 1939, Ambassador Stefan Osusky had been the leading figure of the Czechoslovak resistance movement operating from France. His greatest achievement was the signing of the Franco-Czechoslovak Agreement concerning the creation of a new Czechoslovak army in France by which the French government recognised de fa cto the continued existence of the Czechoslovak Republic. During this period Osusky and Hodza shared similar ideas about Slovakia' s future . They both unequivocally supported the re-establishment of Czechoslovakia. However, they strongly opposed the centralism of the inter-war Prague governments. Osusky favoured a federal constitutional arrangement between Czechs and Slovaks. Hodza spoke of a self-governing Slovakia within a restored ' CzechoSlovakia'. Osusky maintained close contact with Hodza, who was, at that time, in London. The two men even cooperated in the preparation of a memorandum of Slovak demands in the lead-up to the establishment of the Benes-led Czechoslovak National Committee in France. Interestingly enough, Osusky did not become a member of any of the resistance organizations established by Hodza after his arrival in Paris. For more on the Hodfa-Osusky co-operation during this period see Slavomir Michalek, "Hodza a Osusky, nazory a pozicie v rokoch 1939- 1941 ," in Milan Hodia-statnik a politik, ed. M. Peknik et. al. (Bratislava: Veda, 2002), 301- 18. 2 This paper uses the more widely accepted spellings ' Czechoslovakia' and 'Czechoslovak'. In reference to Hodza' s ideas, however, the spellings 'Czecho-Slovakia' and 'Czecho-Slovak' have been retained as these were the forms preferred by Hodfa himself. The Czechoslovak Constitution of 1920 adopted the unhyphenated spelling of the name. In November of 1938 the country officially returned to the hyphenated spelling 'Czecho-Slovakia' in recognition of the fact that Slovakia had been declared an autonomous region. The use of the one name or the other, by both Czechs and Slovaks throughout the war, had political connotations. Generally speaking, the Slovaks who favoured the re-establishment of Czechoslovakia after WW II but op- 38 SLOVAKIA opposetion to Edward Benes, the leading figure of the Czech democratic exiles, Hodza advocated a thoroughly decentralized model of a new Czecho-Slovak constitutional arrangement, with self-governing status for Slovakia. After the failure to find common ground on this issue with Benes, who consistently refused to allow any political representation of Slovak federalists in his exile government-to-be, Hodza moved to London. The German occupation of France in the summer of 1940 and the ensuing Battle of Britain in September of 1940 speeded up Britain' s recognition ofBenes's government-in-exile. Feeling powerless and marginalised, Hodza saw no purpose in participating in any government headed by Benes. By the autumn of 1941 he decided to leave Britain and in October of that year he arrived in the United States. There he pursued two political objectives: he intended to convince politically-minded Slovak Americans to support his programme of a self-governing Slovakia within a restored Czechoslovakia. Concurrently, he attempted to lobby the Roosevelt administration to throw its weight behind the creation of a federation of Central European states. This paper, which draws primarily on research in United States government archives, attempts to trace Hodza ' s political campaign among Slovak Americans from the point of view of the Roosevelt administration. At the same time, it follows Hodza ' s efforts to engage the American government in a dialogue concerning a comprehensive post-war peace settlement in Central Europe. With the help of secondary literature on the subject, the study assesses the success of these attempts, and how they were viewed by the chief foreign policy makers in the Roosevelt administration. 3 posed the pre-war unitary constitutional arrangement between the two nations preferred the hyphenated designation. 3 The first attempt to document the activities of Milan Hodfa in the USA was made by his close associate, Michal Mudry Sebik, in his book Milan Hodia v Amerike. (Chicago :Geringer Press, Inc., 1949). The author published a number of articles in the periodicals of Slovak democratic exiles in the USA after WW II, e.g. Michal Mudry, "Svedectvo historickej doby. Bullitovo a Hodzovo memorandum," Nase snahy, 6, no. 9 (May - June 1970). In 1965 Susan Mikula, an American of Slovak descent, wrote a dissertation on Hodza's activities in the USA. However, it was not until 1992, at a conference in Bratislava, that she presented her work in Slovakia: Susan Mikula, " Dr. Milan Hodfa vo svelte archivnych dokumentov z archivov v USA," in : Milan Hodia - statnik a politik, ed. M. Peknik et. al. (Bratislava: Veda, 2002), 345- 50. Czech historians have also dealt with Hodfa 's stay in the USA . For instance J. Kuklik and J. Nemecek, Hodia versus Benes. Milan Hodia a slovenska otazka v zahranicnim odboji za druhe svetove valky (Praha: Karolinum, 1999). The most comprehensive account yet of Hodfa's political activities in the USA. , including some views of the Roosevelt administration, was written by the late Slovak historian Pavol Luklic, "Politicka cinnost' Milana Hodzu v emigracii v USA a reakcie na jeho federalisticke plany, Historicky casopis 51 , no. 4 (2003), pp. 497- 515 . As Lukac himself observed, however, Kuklik' s and Nemecek's book only traced SLOVAKIA 39 Apart from the Slovak League of America (hereafter SLA), which favoured independence for Slovakia, there was no other Slovak organization in the USA in 1941 that had a clear idea about Slovakia' s political future after the war. 4 The leaders of the opposition organization - the Slovak National Alliance (hereafter SNA) - stuck to the policy of a reinstated Czechoslovakia, but were unwelling to commit themselves to negotiating a more specific settlement on this issue. In line with the official policy of President Edvard Benes, they maintained that Slovakia's future should be resolved after the war by a democratic vote. Despite their uncommitted attitude, Slovakia's political future was as sensitive an issue among the individual leaders of the SNA as it was for the leadership of the SLA. As long as there was no political leader in the United States who was able to offer a political alternative to the League-promulgated Slovak independence, the issue was bound to remain unresolved. This situation changed after the arrival of Milan Hodfa in the United States in October of 1941. During the three years of his American stay, Hodfa devoted his energies to political campaigning and lobbying. Like Slovak-American leaders, he too wanted to influence the attitudes of the Roosevelt administration towards Slovakia. As a former Czechoslovak statesman, Hodfa had access to the United States Department of State. He was allowed to discuss the Slovak question with high-ranking government officials. Hodfa ' s political campaign in the USA aroused the interest of the American media, as well as that of federal authorities. Right up to his death in 1944, his activities were closely followed by the Office of Strategic Services (hereafter OSS) and its subordinate department, the Foreign Nationalities Branch (hereafter FNB). Hodfa's arrival in the United States generated interest, not only among Slovak Americans, but also in the American media. Almost immediately, a number of speculative pieces about Hodfa's political objectives appeared in Hodfa's political campaign in the USA on the basis of secondary archival materials left by Hodfa 's contemporaries, and not from the documents of the U.S. Department of State. The present study draws upon the following primary sources: 1. an independent investigation of the documents of the Department of State; 2. the hitherto unpublished documents of the Office of Strategic Services and its subordinate department - the Foreign Nationalities Branch (both housed in the National Archives in Washington), the archival documentation of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (released to the author under the Freedom oflnformation - Privacy Acts); and 3. the documents issued by the Advisory Committee on Post-War Foreign Policy collected and published by Polish historians JozefLaptos and Marius Misztal in 2002 . 4 For the activities of the Slovak League of America on behalf of Slovak independence during and after the war, see M. Mark Stolarik, "The Slovak League of America and the Canadian Slovak League in the Struggle for the Self-Determination of the Nation, 1907-1992," Slovakia 39, nos. 72-73 (2007), 19-34. 40 SLOVAKIA the press. One OSS report from 1942 read that the former Czechoslovak prime minister had come as a private citizen. 5 Hodza himself said that the main reason for his arrival was for reasons of health. In the USA he planned to undergo a series of medical treatments.6 This is well attested in the Hodfa family correspondence of the period. 7 On the other hand, the former Czechoslovak prime minister did hope to achieve in the United States some well-defined political goals. 8 In his first interview with The New York Tim es, Hodfa stated that he intended to "test out American opinion regarding Central Europe" and, at the same time, he wanted to "inform it of the trend of opinion there."9 Not all American media reported on Hodza's intentions impartially. On November 7, the Overseas News Agency issued a press release which assessed Hodfa 's pre-war political career in an unflattering light. According to this source, Hodfa's Agrarian Party was only a little less reactionary than the pro-fascist Hlinka Guard in Slovakia. The release went on to claim that Hodfa's arrival also shed a negative light on Slovak Americans. The authors of the release dubbed their political mindset as "isolationist and pro-fascist," referring to some of the Slovak fraternal press in America as evidence. 10 It is clear that the primary motivation of the author must have been to damage Hodfa's political reputation . According to 5 National Archives and Records Administration (hereafter NARA), Washington D. C., OSS, RG 226 E I 00, Box 3, p. 6 1. This information was acquired by the OSS from the New York Times interview with Hodza conducted by Frederick T. Birchall. 6 M. Mudry, Hodza's assoc iate in America, later wrote: "An American journalist who visited and interviewed Hodza claimed that in response to the question about his plans Hodfa took out a bottle of medication and said that what he wanted, first and foremost, was a recovery." Mudry, Milan Hodia v Amerike .. ., 20. 7 John Palka, Milan Hodfa's grandson, mentions two bouts of pneumonia that his grandfather suffered from shortly after his arrival. See John Palka, Maje S/ovensko, moja rodina (Bratislava: Kalli gram, 2010), 57. 8 Kuklik and Nemecek argue: " It cannot be ruled out that the former Prime Minister could have been driven by his effort to shore up support among his expatriates especially Slovak Americans, with whom he could attempt, with new energy, to stage a comeback in the Czechoslovak resistance movement abroad. So far his departure was seen, perhaps with some oversimplification, as his resignation to the attempts to advance his Slovak national programme in emigration, " Hodia versus Benes..., 142.The view that Hodfa sought the leading position in the resistance is also supported by Lukac, " Politicka cinnost' Milana Hodzu v emigracii ... ", 605 . 9 The New York Times, December 7, 1941 . 1 °Kuklik and Nemecek quote from Overseas News Agency release No. 400, July 11, 1941: " Hodfa's presence sheds light on the political tendencies of Slovak Americans. Apparently, the majority of Slovaks living in the United States are isolationist and pro-fascist and this has been reflected in the Slovak press here as well." The Czech authors say that Hodfa sued the ONA for libel, claiming $600,000 in damages, Hodia versus Benes.. ., 144. SLOVAKIA 41 Hodza's close associate in the USA, Michal Mudry, unfounded attacks like these were frequent and their authors were mainly Slovak-American Communists, supported by Czechoslovak authorities in the USA. 11 The sources of the anti-Hodfa campaign remain obscure. We contend, however, that for President Benes and his government-in-exile, Hodfa's presence in the country posed a serious political problem. The main reason was that Hodfa was determined to call on Slovak Americans to actively participate in the discussions about the future of Slovakia. The Roosevelt administration's attitudes towards Hodfa's political activities were shaped gradually and drew upon several sources. One of them was Hodfa himself. Almost immediately after his arrival, the former Czechoslovak prime minister made contact with the Department of State, and during his stay visited it several times. It can be argued that Hodfa was the only Slovak who discussed the Slovak question with United States government officials during WW II. From its inception in the summer of 1942, the OSS kept an eye on Hodfa 's activities, and from December of that year his political campaign was scrutinized by the officers of the FNB. The OSS analysed Hodfa 's activities by scanning his articles in the Slovak-American media, as well as in the American press in general. In addition to that, Hodza attracted the close attention of the FBI, which since I 940 had been investigating the activities of the Slovak League and the Slovak National Alliance. All the sources at the U.S . government' s disposal indicated that Hodfa pursued very specific political objectives in the United States. Sometime around mid-1942, an OSS report noted that: "Dr. Hodza' s visits to the State Department, his public speeches, interviews granted by him, and his article in The Nation (May 16, 1942) have demonstrated his willingness to express his ideas, whatever may be the extent of his actual political activity. ,, 12 Hodfa' s approach to the Slovak question differed from all other political plans which had been discussed among Slovak Americans to date. The crucial difference was that in Hod:fa' s view, the Slovak question was not to be solved in isolation, but as part of the security, economic and strategic 11 "Various groups, more or less under the influence of leftist elements and the Czechoslovak Information Service, take pot shots at Hodfa and where possible, in connection with his person, they attack Slovak Americans as well. These groups are often made up of the active Czech and Slovak communists such as Hoffmeister, Weisskopf Benau [a social democrat - author's note) and others, at that time undoubtedly under the influence and in favour with Czechoslovak authorities in America." According to Mudry, the most malicious attack upon Hodfa was the pamphlet entitled " Persona non grata". It contained a scathing criticism of Hodfa 's efforts to create a federation , which, among other things, was to constitute a buffer against the Russian Bolsheviks. See Mudry, Milan Hodia v Ameriike .. . , 37. 12 NARA , Washington D. C., OSS , RG 226 E 100, Box 3, p. 47 . 42 SLOVAKIA issues concerning the whole of Central Europe. At that time, Hodza's ideas and political thought may have been known to the public as well as the OSS from his book Federation in Central Europe. 13 Hodza was convinced that federation was the only political arrangement capable of harnessing nationnal forces while preserving the freedom of nations and of individuals. Federation would enable Central Europe to become a viable system of production and consumption on the basis of which a New Europe could be built. The liberated and reinstated countries of Central Europe would conclude a treaty that would become the basic framework for a federal constitution. The treaty was supposed to be the result of spontaneous decisions made by Central European countries, which, bearing in mind their common goals, would identify common interests and mutual commitments. Powers concerning mutual affairs were to be delegated to federal bodies, and their exercise entrusted to a federal govemment. 14 It would be headed by a federal Chancellor, who would be nominated by the President of the federation . The legislative body would be made up of a federal Congress, which was to oversee the legislative process as well as the federal budget. The Federal Court was to be the highest judicial body, which would decide on matters raised by the federal government or by the governments of the constituent countries. The federalization of Central Europe was envisaged as the key to solving the Slovak question and Slovak-Czech relations. Hodza believed that the freedom and security of small nations could be guaranteed only through a supranational federation . If small states were to merge their sovereignties, thereby creating a stronger unit, it would clearly mean more to them than to be in permanent danger of losing their sovereignties. Slovakia, however, was not to enter the Central European federation as a separate state. According to Hodza, the political coexistence of Czechs and Slovaks was not only feasible, but also inevitable. For Czechs, Slovakia represented an important connection with Central Europe. Self-government would satisfy Slovakia to the extent that it would never be a source of weakness for the new republic, but the reverse - it would become the source of its stability and strength. However, Hodza warned, certain mistakes from the past should be avoided. "Stubborn centralism as well as mischievous separatism have to disappear," he argued. Hodza did not support Slovak independence and never sympathized with the representatives of the Slovak regime at home. In his book, he unequivocally dissociated himself from the "Slovakian Quisling regime" 13 Federation in Central Europe (London and New York: Jarrolds Publishers, 1942). Hodza proposed the creation of the following federal ministries: I . finance, 2. International trade, 3. foreign affairs, 4. defence, 5. postal services and communications, 6. and 7. air and naval transport, 8. federal legislation, 9. federal cooperation. Federation in Central Europe ... , 172 - 7. 14 SLOVAKIA 43 and made it clear that its political representatives did not represent the will of the people. As far as the Czechoslovak government-in-exile in London was concerned, Hodza claimed he respected it and was willing to cooperate with it. In his opinion, though, the real leaders of the Slovaks existed not only in London, but also in the USA. He was convinced that in the settling of the Slovak question, Slovak Americans should take an active part. By emphasising the importance of Slovak Americans, Hodza underlined how much hope he pinned on them in deciding the political future of Slovakia after the war. 15 Shortly after his arrival in the United States, Hodza presented his vision to the American press. On December 7, 1941 The New York Times published an interview with him entitled "Hope Put in Union of Central Europe," which the former Czechoslovak statesman had granted to American journalist Frederick T. Birchall. The subheading of the article informed the American reader that federation was the goal of 110 million Central Europeans. 16 In the introduction, the author informed the reader that Hodza arrived in the USA unofficially, but with the approval of the Czechoslovak government in London. In fact, the second part of this statement was not true. President Benes could not prevent Hodza from leaving for the United States, but he was far from pleased with the prospect of his greatest political rival in exile campaigning among Slovak Americans. In the Birchall interview Hodza outlined some of the constitutional mechanisms of the proposed federation, and expressed his conviction that the prevailing political tendency in exile was "wholly in the direction of such a federation." As proof, Hodza pointed to the recent rapprochement of two old foes - Czechoslovakia and Poland. 17 These two countries, he believed, should form the nucleus of the future federation . It should then be joined by Romania, and subsequently also by a democratized Hungary, provided that the latter gave up its "imperialistic policy of coercing non-Magyar regions." According to 15 "Most of the Slovak leaders now stay in this country [United Kingdom] and in the USA ." Hodza, Federation in Central Europe . .. , 94. 16 The other two subheadings read: "For Common Government" and "He Explains Plan Will Not Deal in Half Measures, Such as the Old Little Entente," The New York Times, December 7, 1941 . 17 Hodza alluded here to the Czechoslovak-Polish negotiations of a possible confederation between the exiled governments of both countries in London. The outcome of these negotiations, which took place between 1940 and 1942, were two joint declarations - one in November 11 , 1940 and the other on January 23, 1942. The negotiations did not, however, lead to any specific action. In 1943 they ended for good as a result of the new pro-Soviet orientation of Czechoslovak foreign policy, as well as Moscow 's negative attitude towards such a confederation. For details see, Piotr S. Wandycz, Czechoslovak-Polish Confederation and the Great Powers, 1940 - 1943 (Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 1956). 44 SLOVAKIA Hodza, Yugoslavs and Bulgarians had already been working out their own idea of a federation . Hodza touched on the issue of the relations of Central Europe with Germany and Russia. He considered Russian Bolshevism as great a threat to Europe as German fascism. That was also the reason why the proposed federation should act as "a barrier between Nazi ideologists and Russian Bolsheviki." 18 Peasants, representing the conservative values of Central Europe, would, according to Hodza, be a stabilising force in the proposed federation . Their conservative influence would be of significant importance, since it would be necessary to "maintain a conservative democratic entity between the two subversive influences of Nazism and Bolshevism". Having talked to some lower-level officials of the U.S. Department of State, Hodfa met Assistant Secretary of State Adolf Berle on December 9, 1941. 19 On the same day Hodfa dined informally with DeWitt C. Poole, a high-ranking OSS officer and future head of the Foreign Nationalities Branch.20 During his meeting with the Assistant Secretary, Hodza presented Berle with a memorandum in which he outlined the development of Slovak affairs in Czechoslovakia and in subsequent exile between 1918 and 1939.21 In the memorandum, Hodfa pointed out that the Czechoslovak Cabinet in 1938, under his premiership, approved proposed legislation on decentralization - which, among other things, granted Slovakia its regional parliament. That was the last valid legal arrangement made before the Munich Pact, and it was recognized even by Jan Lichner, a minister of the exiled government. This view, Hodfa claimed, was subscribed to by the absolute majority of public opinion in Slovakia in late 1939. He admits that later on, in Paris, Czechoslovak leaders agreed that such constitutional issues as Slovakia's 18 Quoting Hodfa, the author goes on to say: "With a solid bloc of I 00, 000, 000 people separating them, a successful democracy operating next door would be a continuing object lesson of a better and more profitable way of life." The New York Times, December 9, 1941. 19 Prior to the meeting with Berle, Hodfa held talks with C. W. Cannon and H. Hoskins, as well as the head of the Coordination of Information, William J. Donovan. NARA, Washington D. C. , 860f.01 /429-3/4, Roll 30, 1910 - 1944. Memorandum of conversation between M. Hodfa and A. Berle (author H. Hoskins), December 9, 1941. 20 According to Kuklik and Nemecek, Hodza maintained that his first visit to the Department of State was a response to an invitation by C. W. Cannon, R. Atherton and A. Berle. The aim was to discuss the memorandum of Slovak-American separatist Gustav Kosik presented to the Department at an earlier date. 21 P. Lukac also suggested that Hodfa's visit to the State Department and his memorandum was a reaction to the memorandum of Gustav Kosik (Memorandum for His Excellency the Honourable Cordell Hull, Secretary of State of the United States of America). NARA signature 860f.01 /429- l/2, Roll 30. Lukac, Politic/ca cinnost' Milana Hodzu ... , 612. SLOVAKIA 45 future should be decided by democratic majorities of Czechs and Slovaks after the war. Hodfa was willing to adhere to this agreement, provided that the exiled Czechoslovak National Council included representatives of Slovak federalists. In the posited post-war settlement, Hodfa emphasized the importance of a Czecho-Slovak restoration, but with a provision for Slovak self-government. He argued that Slovakia would not be able to maintain its sovereignty even as a separate member of the Central European federation. In the conclusion to the memorandum, Hodza condemned the Slovak puppet regime and hazarded a guess that its support among Slovaks did not exceed I 0%. As for Slovak Americans, he believed that the majority of them had never stopped supporting Czecho-Slovakia. The rest of them, in Hodza 's opinion, would soon change their political views. The official reaction to Hodfa' s memorandum of December 9, 1941 is not known, but it appears that he made a good impression during his first visit to the State Department. The report written for the Secretary of State Cordell Hull observed that, "Dr. Hodza gave the impression of an able patriot with qualities of sincerity and vision that might be with advantage put to constructive work in the post-war period in Central Europe." 22 In his later conversation with Poole, Hodfa himself assessed his meeting with Berle in a similar vein.23 It was intimated to Hodfa that, in the future, he might be received by Secretary Hull himself. Moreover, the State Department did not seem to have any objections to Hodfa's intention of lecturing at American universities and colleges. It was even suggested that Poole might be able to help by making the necessary arrangements.24 Hodfa expected that he would once again be in communication with the Department of State as early as January, 1942. His deteriorating health, however, forced him to stay in American sanatoria for several months, where he recuperated until April of 1942. 25 22 NARA, Washington D. C., 860f.01 /429-3/4, Roll 30, 1910 - 1944. Memorandum of conversation between M. Hodfa and A. Berle, H. Hoskins, December 9, 1941 , p. 3. 23 In his report Poole wrote: "He [Hodza] said that he had explained to Mr. Berle his views on the future political organization of Central Europe, and Mr. Berle seemed to be favourably impressed." D. C. Poole later checked Hodfa's impressions against those of H. Hoskins: "Following my talk with Dr. Hodza, I spoke on the telephone with Mr. Hoskins, and gathered from him that Dr .Hodza had given a substantially accurate account of his reception at the Department of State and Mr. Berle' s attitude. " NARA, Washington D. C., OSS, FNB Files, 1942 - 1945, INT-9CZ-4. 24 During the conversation at the Department of State, C. Cannon suggested that D. C. Poole "might be in the best position to bring this about." NARA, Washington D. C. , OSS, FNB Files, 1942 - 1945, INT-9CZ-4. 25 Lukac writes that Hodza recuperated from chronic bronchitis in a sanatorium at Lake Placid, New York and Hot Springs, Arkansas. Lukac, Politicka cinnost' Milana Hodiu .. ., 612 . 46 SLOVAKIA In Hodfa 's plans, 1942 should have marked a turning-point in his political campaign. After a modest recovery of his health, Hodfa launched his lecture tour among Slovak Americans and began publishing in American scholarly journals. On May 16 he outlined his federalization plans to the politically-minded American public in The Nation. The reactions of Czech and Slovak Americans to his article, A Central European Federation, were collected in two OSS reports from June. Both reports assessed the attitudes of American "Czechoslovaks" towards Hodza as predominantly negative. 26 The first one, dated June 1, 1942, pointed out that Czechoslovak Americans had missed the article because they did not regularly read The Nation. Still, the OSS observer admitted that Hodza's ideas were, in general, favourably received by many Central Europeans because they were in line with their own post-war plans.27 The other report from June 11 portrays Hodza's arrival in America, his political past and goals in the USA in a very negative light. In the introduction, the author alleged that Czechoslovak Americans received the article with considerable mistrust. Claiming that he had researched the Czechoslovak American press and talked to "a number of leading Czechoslovak Americans as well as Czechoslovak exiles," the OSS observer contended that the article was "not a bona fide piece of political thinking, but that it rather serves as a cloak for its author' s ambition to become the exclusive or most important spokesman for the Slovaks (American and otherwise), regardless of cost in terms of Czechoslovak unity here and abroad." 28 It may be argued that the negative tone of the report was influenced by its author's very selective approach to sources. For example, he claimed that he had read reactions in the "Czechoslovak press," but he did not give any specific titles. The only sources he acknowledged were J. Papanek, professor J. B. Kozak and D. Benau. 29Jan Papanek, head of the Czechoslovak Information Service in the USA and Benes's right-hand man, referred to Hodfa as an " unfortunate incident."30 He maintained that Hod26 Neither of the reports makes any distinction between American Slovaks and American Czechs. They refer to both groups collectively as "Czechoslovak Americans." 27 NARA, Washington D. C., OSS, FNB Files, 1942 - 1945, INT-9CZ-47, June I, 1942, p. I. 28 Ibid. The author of the report signed himself"Ivan Ivanovitch ." 29 At the time, Professor Kozak was lecturing at Oberlin College in Ohio. Prior to his arrival in the USA he was a member of the Czechoslovak State Council, a legislative-executive body ofBenes's government-in-exile in London. 30 J. Papanek' s negative attitude towards Hodza 's political views was widely known. Papanek disagreed with decentralisation to the extent advocated by Hodza. The head of the Czechoslovak Information Service in the USA expressed his attitude towards Hodza in one of his letters to Benes in January of 1942: "I do not agree with the policy of decentralization or self-government on the scale suggested by Lichner and Hodfa. I am convinced that this would lead to a new Zilina [agreement on Slova- SLOVAKIA 47 fa's goal was to split the ranks of Slovak Americans, who had been, until his arrival, predominantly in full support of the Czechoslovak government headed by Bene~. Professor Kozak, a former member of the Czechoslovak government-in-exile, called Hodfa 's Central European Agrarian Bloc a reactionary body which collaborated with non-democrats. Benau, editor of the "Czechoslovak" New Yorksky dennik, added that Hodfa had a dubious financial past. Hodfa's entree into Slovak-American politics was facilitated by his long-time friend and associate Michal Mudry Sebik. With his assistance, Hodfa first approached the leaders of the Slovak National Alliance. On May 22, 1942, during the meeting of the SNA's Central Committee in Detroit, which discussed Hodfa 's lecture tour, the majority of the Committee expressed their support for Hodfa's political programme.31 At that time, Hodza formulated his position on the Slovak question as follows : 1. A Slovak Parliament and Slovak judiciary; 2. Slovak self-government, 3. Slovak as the only official language in Slovakia. With this political aim he launched a series of lectures at local branches of the SNA. However, the decision of the Central Committee was strongly challenged by the conservative wing of the SNA leadership. At the June meeting of the Executive Board, the president, secretary and treasurer of the organization announced their opposition to the decision taken by the Central Committee on May 22. According to these leaders, Hodfa's demands were a mere repetition of the Pittsburgh Agreement, which concerned the internal affairs of the Czechoslovak Republic. The leaders proclaimed that, as American citizens, they had no intention of meddling in the internal affairs of the Republic, because that was against the SNA programme as well as American law. In addition to that, the proclamation of the Executive Board pointed out that, it was thanks to the Czechoslovak government-in-exile that Slovaks were not considered enemies of the Allies. Discussions about Slovakia's political future were destroying the unity of the SNA and threatened the future of the Slovak people. In the final part of the proclamation, the three members of the Executive Board issued a warning: "Disputes over things which do not concern us as American citizens - among these disputes is the question of selfgovernment of the Slovak nation - harm our country, harm all of us, and kia's autonomy, signed Oct. 6, 1938) and all that followed." Slavomir Michalek, Jan Papanek za vojny Bene.fovi. Vyber z dokumentov 1939 - 1945 (Bratislava: VEDA, 1997), 97. 31 Fifteen members of the Central Committee were in favour of Hodza' s lectures, twelve were against. NARA, Washington D. C., OSS, FNB Files, 1942 - 1945, INT9CZ-82. Later M. Mudry observed: "The meeting of the SNA ' s Central Committee in Detroit was especially important in the history of Slovaks. It showed that the great majority of Slovak Americans, in favour of the Czechoslovak Republic, preferred the Czecho-Slovak constitutional arrangement as it was outlined by Dr. M. Hodza." Mudry, Milan Hodi a v Amerike ..., 32. 48 SLOVAKIA only help the enemy!" 32 The position proclaimed by the Executive Board on June 29 confused other SNA leaders, as well as its rank-and-file. At the same time, it spurred a new wave of discussion about the position of the organization on the Slovak question, which continued throughout 1942. Several days before his second visit to the Department of State, Hodza had an appointment with Poole and J. C. Wiley of the OSS. After the SNA meeting in Detroit, Hodfa expressed his views openly, and his criticism of his opponents was sharper, on occasion turning into personal attacks. He told the OSS officers that his goals were to mobilize Slovak Americans and win their support for a self-governing Slovakia within a restored Czechoslovak Republic. He reiterated that the Czechoslovak constitutional arrangement, agreed upon by the Czechoslovak cabinet in July of 1938, was legally valid and politically binding. During one conversation, the OSS officers noted, Hodfa "disclosed a determined opposition to what he called the centralism in the Czechoslovakian constitutional practice of Benes and his entourage." 33 He criticized Benes, who, during their London talks in 1939, had been deliberately evasive and noncommittal regarding discussion of Slovakia's constitutional status. In talks with American government officials, Hodfa maintained that the campaign against himself in the USA had been masterminded by Papanek. The head of the CIS was not, in Hodfa' s words, to any degree a political figure, but merely an agent and intriguer for Benes.34 Apart from the members of the SNA, Hodfa was also planning to address the Slovak American Catholics associated within the Slovak League of America. As Hodfa put it bluntly in his conversation with Poole, he intended to "destroy this organisation" by winning over its popular support, leaving its leaders without any following, which he believed was very weak. 35 Meeting the OSS officers provided Hodfa with an opportunity to get some feedback on how his political activities were viewed by the administration. On this, the position of the OSS and the government was clear and unequivocal. American authorities were anxious not to see American 32 The Proclamation of the SNA Executive Board was signed by its President, Jaroslav Pelikan, Secretary Jan W. Golosinec and Treasurer Vaclav Hovorka. NARA, Washington D. C., OSS, FNB Files, 1942 - 1945, INT-9CZ-82. 33 NARA, Washington D. C., 860f.01 444-1/2, Roll 30, 1910 - 1944, p. I. 34 NARA, Washington D. C., 860f.0I 444-1 /2, Roll 30, 1910 - 1944, p. 3. On this occasion Hodfa also expressed his firm belief in winning the forthcoming trial against the Overseas News Agency. He was convinced that the ONA had obtained its libellous information against him from Pap{mek, who was to be identified as the true culprit. NARA, Washington D. C. , 860f.0I 444-1 /2, Roll 30, 1910 - 1944, p. 3. 35 Hodfa told the OSS that the local branch of the Slovak Catholic Sokol in Passaic, NJ, came out in open support of his programme, as did the First Catholic Slovak Union in Wilkes-Barre, PA. NARA, Washington D. C., 860f.0I 444-1/2 Roll 30, 1910 - 1944, p. 6. SLOVAKIA 49 citizens and alien residents fighting over European political issues on American soil. 36 The concerns of the American government about the unity of Slovak Americans were aired once again during Hodza's second visit to the Department of State on June 18, 1942.37 Hodza met H. Hoskins and C. Cannon. On the same day he spoke on the telephone to Assistant Secretary Berle. Hoskins and Cannon were interested in Hodfa's ongoing lecture tour among Slovak Americans. The former Czechoslovak premier did not hide his optimism and spoke extremely positively about his campaign.38 He was keen to ascertain how his activities were viewed by the Department of State. In response to his query, Assistant Secretary Berle told Hodfa that he thought that his "efforts had been in the right direction. "39 He made it clear, though, that the American government did not wish American unity to be disturbed by conflicts among Americans of foreign descent. Apparently, what the Assistant Secretary had in mind under "efforts in the right direction" were activities that would strengthen Czechoslovak unity in the USA. It was obvious that Slovakia's political future per se played a secondary role, if any, in the Department of State's post-war strategic planning. We can only wonder whether the Department of State had been informed about the results of the SNA' s Detroit meeting at the time of Hodza 's telephone conversation with Berle. It can be argued that, if it had been the case, the Assistant Secretary would not have so favorably assessed Hodza's activities. At any rate, Hodfa took Berle's statement as an expression of approval of his American campaign. He told this to Poole two days later while travelling with him on the train to New York. 40 During this conversation, Hodza reiterated that he was determined to get on with his lecture tour among Slovak Americans and to work on the project of the Central European Federa36 Hodza reacted to this open allusion to his political activities in the USA by assuring the OSS officers that in this respect there could be no objections to his campaign, since his primary aim was to unite, not to divide all Slovak Americans. NARA, Washington D. C., 860f.01 444-1/2, Roll 30, 1910 - 1944, p. 6. 37 NARA, Washington D. C., 860f.01/446-1 /2, Roll 30, 1910- 1944. 38 Lukac quotes from the Memorandum of conversation of June 18 : "Since then he has been in touch with various Slovak groups in this country and felt he had made progress in his efforts to convince them that Slovakia should work out its problem within the framework of the present republic, not as a small independent state". Lukac, Politicka cinnost' Milana Hodiu ... , 613. 39 Lukac points out that the original memorandum contains the following handwritten note beside the word "efforts": "This related only to his effort to reduce the controversies between Czechs and Slovaks and similar peacemaking attempts." Ibid., 614. 40 NARA, Washington D. C., 860f.0 1/446-1 /2, Roll 30, 1910 - 1944. Author of report D. C. Poole, June 20, 1942. Poole observed Hodfa's satisfaction with his visit to the Department of State. 50 SLOVAKIA tion.41 He suggested to Poole that American authorities could get in touch with some of his Hungarian and Yugoslav friends who were in favour of such a federation. 42 In return, the OSS officer promised to put him in touch with another academic institution, which would enable him to lecture at universities in his capacity as a former history professor. 43 While lecturing to Slovak Americans during the summer of 1942, Hodza found himself yet again the target of unwanted publicity. This time, Hodza ' s political opponents broadcast their views on New York-based radio station WMCA. Though the statements made by the radio commentator are not known, we do know that they drew an indignant response from Hodza. Following the broadcast by WMCA on July 28th, 1942, Hodza contacted Dr. Morris D. Forkosch, his New York-based lawyer, with a view to bringing legal action against the radio commentator. Hodza was adamant that Johannes Steele, the radio presenter in question, as well as his "sponsors," by which Hodza meant the people who supplied him with the slanderous information, should be sued for libel. This, however, was not to be. Four months later, Hodza abruptly asked his lawyer to drop the suit. In one of his telegrams to Forkosch in mid-October, Hodza wrote: "It is imperative that you immediately and explicitly advise the new sponsors of the radio commentator and others you approached that you acted upon mistaken instructions and to withdraw steps [sic.]."44 From Hodza's correspondence with Forkosch we learn that the defendants (Steele, the WMCA, the Terminal Shops) accepted some sort of "settlement," though it is not at all clear what this arrangement was. What remains baffling is what made Hodza change his mind. Money may have been part of it. Hodza had been dogged by financial problems since his arrival in the United States. On the other hand, Hodza 41 NARA, Washington D. C., 860f.01 /446-l /2, Roll 30, 1910 - 1944, p. 2. Hodfa referred specifically to a Hungarian, John Polonyi, and a Yugoslav, Bof olyub Jeftich. 3 During this conversation Hodfa expressed his interest in giving informal talks and participating in conferences as a historian of the 19th century. Poole had facilitated academic contacts for Hodza before. In the autumn of 1941 he introduced him to Dr. Duggan, Director of the International Institute of Education and later to Malcolm Davis, who was to assist in Hodfa 's cooperation with the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. 44 In his letter to Hodfa from October 28, 1942, Forkosch recounted all the telegraphic communications between him and Hodfa related to the libel suit. He did this, presumably, to clarify all possible misunderstandings as to what Hodfa really wanted and what his instructions to Forkosch were. Forkosch, however, did not provide any reasons for his client 's decision to drop the case. NARS, Washington D. C. , OSS, FNB Files, 1942 - 1945, INT-9CZ-129. Copy of M. D. Forkosch 's letter to Hodfa, October 28, 1942, p. I. 42 SLOVAKIA 51 would hardly have initiated a costly new lawsuit if he had not been convinced that he stood a fair chance of having his name cleared and his political detractors exposed. 45 The FNB files remain silent as to who supplied the WMCA with the information or what motivation drove its commentator to attack Hodza over the airwaves. Michal Mudry Sebik had little doubt that public attacks against Hodza were masterminded by Jan Papanek, and condoned by Benes's Ambassador in Washington, Vladimir Hurban. This view has not been contested by any Hodza historians. So far, however, there has been no reliable evidence to prove that this was indeed the case. As far as the American government was concerned, it knew all about the perpetrators of the anti-Hodza smear campaign since June of 1943. The ideological split in the Slovak-American community, partially caused by Hodfa' s political campaign, was a source of growing concern to the American government. Amidst fears for the unity of Slovak Americans, the Department of State, in co-operation with several other government agencies, decided to take action. On September 14, 1942, the Office of War Information (OWI) organized in Pittsburgh a conference of Slovak newspaper editors and presidents of Slovak organizations.46 The intention of the OWI organizers was to unify Slovak-American organizations and persuade their leaders to sign a joint declaration expressing Slovak support for the U.S. government and, at the same time, condemning its enemies, including the Slovak Republic. At the actual conference two resolutions were passed. According to the OSS, on the previous day the members of the Resolution Committee had consulted the wording of both resolutions with Hodza, who had arrived earlier in Pittsburgh.47 The first resolution pledged allegiance to the government of the United States and its president. The second one outlined the principles concerning Slovakia's political future, in line with the Atlantic Charter. It stated, among other things, that Czechoslovakia should be "recreated on a basis of equal rights, equal privileges, equal opportunities and equal obligations."48 This passage, however, elicited strong objections 45 Hodza's libel suit against the Overseas News Agency had been dragging on and off since November of 1941. The case was finally closed in June of 1943. 46 The conference was held at the William Penn Hotel. NARA, Washington D. C., OSS, FNB Files, 1942 - 1945, INT-9CZ-139. OSS, V. P. Backora to Dr. Kelso, September 16, 1942. 47 NARS, Washington D. C., OSS, FNB Files, 1942 - 1945, INT-9CZ-139. In the lead-up to the conference, Hodza met with Vendelin Platek, president of the National Slovak Society (NSS), Emil Stankoviansky, editor of Slovensky h/asnik [Slovak Herald] , the organ of the Slovak Evangelical Union and J. Willo (NSS), chairman of the Resolution Committee. 48 NARA, Washington D. C., OSS, FNB Files, 1942 - 1945, INT-9CZ-143 . A photocopy of the September 14 resolution was published in Slovensky hlasnik on Octo- 52 SLOVAKIA from the "Czechoslovak" hardliners and followers of Benes under the leadership of Jaroslav Pelikan. The text of the second resolution had to be rephrased, and the controversial part concerning the relationship between the Czechs and Slovaks was eventually omitted. In this form, the resolutions did not please any of the participants. The outcome of the conference left both sides unhappy. The OWI had received a token expression of Slovak allegiance, but the disgruntled Slovak leaders, seeking more definite commitments regarding Slovakia' s future, remained dissatisfied.49 The efforts of the Department of State and the OSS to direct Hodza's activities in favour of Slovak-American unity continued after the unsuccessful conference in Pittsburgh. On September 17, 1942 Assistant Secretary Berle wrote a letter to the OSS in which he asked Poole to settle the ongoing arguments between Papanek and Hodza. In this letter he reiterated the stance of the U.S. government as it was set out in June of 1942. The priorities of the Department did not lie in the various merits and demerits of the argument about the Slovak question, but in the need for unity and peace among Slovak Americans, which would contribute to victory in the war. 50 The concerns of the U.S . government were further exacerbated about two months later when the leaders of Slovak organizations and Hodza 's followers called a new conference with the intention of rallying the Slovak Americans behind Hodza's political programme. A new umbrella organization was established - the Council of Slovak American Organizations and Newspapers (hereafter CASON). This organization later succeeded in encouraging cooperation with some of the Catholic fraternal organizations. Politically, it subscribed to the restoration of Czechoslovakia, but in contrast to Benes's government-in-exile, it demanded a more definite commitment on Slovakia's status after the war. 51 This development was highly undesirable from the standpoint of the U.S . administration, which had only recently confirmed its definitive recognition of Benes's government in Lon- her I, 1942. The resolution was signed by twenty-four Slovak leaders and newspa£er editors. 9 As the OSS observer put it: "The compromise resolution satisfies no one but it is at least a step forward . Hodza is still causing disunity among the American Slovaks." NARA, Washington D. C. , OSS, FNB Files, 1942 - 1945, INT-9CZ-139. 50 "The State Department is not at present interested in the merits of the controversy, but it has, of course, a very distinct interest in preserving that harmony and unity which best contributes towards winning the war." Quoted from the letter of A. Berle to D. C. Poole (NARA 860f. 00/993). See Lukac, Politicka cinnost' Milana Hodi u .. ., 617,note44. 51 The main figures behind the establishment of CASON were the President of the NSS, V. Platek, the President of the First Catholic Slovak Union, Michal Vargovich, and Jan Bradac, at that time the Honorary President of the SNA. SLOVAKIA 53 don.52 Hodfa 's campaign among Slovak Americans was becoming an ever more pressing political problem for the U.S. administration. In its March report, the OSS recommended that the State Department step in: "It would be of great value and benefit all around, if our State Department would speak nicely to Mr .Hodja [sic.] and advise him to apply his talents towards unity and not disruption among the Slovak Americans." 53 Throughout 1943, apart from campaigning among Slovak Americans, Hodfa was occupied with, and increasingly alarmed by, the developments in Czechoslovak foreign policy under Benes's leadership. In May - June, the president of the Czechoslovak government-in-exile came on an official visit of the United States, where he was met by the highest officials in the country, including the Secretary of State. One of the primary objectives of the president's visit was to gain American approval for his planned journey to Moscow towards the end of the year. There, Benes was planning to sign a new Czechoslovak-Soviet treaty. This diplomatic initiative was the pinnacle of Benes's efforts to change the orientation of Czechoslovak foreign policy during WW II. From then on, the international security of the country was no longer to be guaranteed by military alliances with the Western Powers. Instead, it was to be safeguarded through close cooperation and coordination of its foreign policy with that of the Soviet Union. It remains unclear whether, in the summer of 1943, Secretary of State Cordell Hull and President Roosevelt voiced their approval of the proposed Czechoslovak-Soviet treaty. According to Benes's personal secretary, Edvard Taborsky, Berle said that the United States followed no specific plans in relation to Central Europe, nor did they have any intention of negotiating with Hodfa on this issue.54 It appears that the ill-defined position of the Roosevelt administration in 1943 confirmed Benes's conviction that the United States did not hold any objections to Czechoslovakia's new Soviet-oriented foreign policy. Hodza, by contrast, regarded the conclusion of the treaty in December 1943 as a very dangerous step on the road to creating a new Soviet sphere of influence. He also feared that, after the war, the Soviet Union would try to impose on Czechoslovakia a political system similar to its own. Moreover, Hodfa was deeply convinced that Slovaks had not a scintilla of sympa- 52 The definiti ve American recognition of the London-based Czechoslovak government-in-exile was granted on October 28, 1942. 53 NARA, Washington D. C., OSS, RG 226 E 142, Box 3. Re: Recent Slovak Affairs, Milan Hodia, Jozef Hu~ek, Fedor Salva, etc., April 3, 1942. 54 According to Taborsky, Berle felt the need to defend himself against allegations that he sympathized with Hodia. "Hodfa was your prime minister and now he is a refugee. We respect him as such, but we will make no political deals with him, I can say this categorically." See Lukac, Politicka cinnost' Milana Hodiu ... , 620. Document quoted: NARA, 860F. 00/1009. 54 SLOVAKIA thy for Russian Bolshevism. He objected vigorously to the treaty, and made his criticism heard. Benes's visit to the United States presented the head of the Foreign Nationalities Branch with a perfect opportunity to cut troublesome Hodza down to size. Hodza ' s long-standing legal feud with the Overseas News Agency (ONA) carried potential risks not only for the news agency itself, but for the whole of the Czechoslovak government-in-exile. Back in December of I 941 , Hodza had complained to the Office of the Coordination of Information that the ONA had been spreading word that he was a fascist collaborating with Otto von Habsburg and Tibor Eckhardt in a plot hatched by German generals to eliminate Hitler with a view to negotiating a separate peace.55 The same source branded the majority of Slovak Americans as isolationist and pro-fascist. Hodza was convinced that if the ONA was made to disclose its source, some of the top Czechoslovak authorities in the USA would be implicated. In June of 1943, the American court which was investigating the libel suit, required the ONA to answer a set of questions contained in a bill of particulars. One of them inquired about the source the ONA drew upon in its news release of November 7, 1941 . Shortly before the deadline by which the ONA was to comply, the case took an unexpected turn. On June 1st, Jacob Landau, the agency's managing director, paid a visit to Poole in his Washington office. He briefed the FNB boss about the case and discussed the questions in the bill of particulars. Later on, in his report of the meeting, Poole noted: "If ONA had to answer, Mr. Landau asserted, one of the sources to be named would be the Czechoslovak Ambassador [in the United States] ." Such a development was, from the perspective of the U.S. government, highly undesirable. Not only would it expose its wartime ally - the Czechoslovak government-in-exile - as the source of the anti-Hodza smear campaign, it would also fan the flames of the Benes-Hodza controversy among Slovak Americans. Although the head of the FNB felt he was not in a position to "interfere in an official way," he promised Landau that he would talk to Hodfa in order to make him "freely desi st" from the libel suit. Three days later in New York, Poole broached the subject of anti-Hodza propaganda in his conversation with Jan Papanek, the head of the Czechoslovak Information Service (hereafter CIS) in the United States. Without telling him what he knew from Landau, Poole received from the CIS head a resolute denial of any involvement on the part of the Czechoslovak government. Nevertheless, Papanek was very pleased with Poole 's intention to convince Hodza to desist from the case. On his part, the Czechoslovak propaganda boss promised he would do his utmost 55 NARA, Washington D. C., OSS, FNB Files, 1942 - 1945, TNT-9CZ-22, p. I. Memorandum of conversation between John. C. Wiley and Milan Hodia, December 4, I 94 I. SLOVAKIA 55 to prevent further escalation of the Hodza-Benes controversy. He also mentioned to Poole that during his visit in the States, Benes held a long private conversation with Jan Palka, Hodfa's son-in-law. This information, whether imparted casually or by design, presented the head of the FNB with the bargaining leverage he so much needed in his dealings with Hodfa. Although Papanek did not tell Poole what Palka had discussed with Benes, it was not difficult to surmise. Hodfa's dire financial situation was an open secret in Czechoslovak circles, and the OSS knew about it. Until his death in 1944, Hodfa struggled to keep his political campaign in America financially afloat. In October of 1942, for example, he asked the Polish government-in-exile for $650. 56 In May of the following year, Hodfa asked Slovak-American leader Vendelin Platek to help him out financially. The only regular income Hod.fa had was a monthly salary of $250 received from the Czechoslovak government-in-exile for his absentee membership in the London-based State Council. The money was payable to the account of Hodfa 's wife, who, at that time, resided in Chicago. Being well-informed of Hodfa's financial woes, Poole decided to use this information in the name of national interest. On June 5th, he telephoned Hodza, who was convalescing in Clearwater, Florida. The subject of the conversation was the ONA libel suit. According to Poole's account, Hodfa was tired of the longstanding legal battle and "had really lost interest in the matter." 57 This was borne out by David Karr, who had been following the case at the Office of War Information He informed Poole in November of 1942 that Hodza had indeed tried to drop his lawsuit, but this had not happened because of some misunderstanding between him and his lawyers. 58 As the secret memorandum of the telephone conversation between the two men suggests, Poole pressured Hodza to discontinue his campaign among Slovak Americans. During the conversation he hinted that both he and President Benes had been well aware of his financial difficulties. Poole then played his trump 56 Dusan Seges, "Ohlas sudobej krajanskej tlace na politicke posobenie Milana Hodzu v USA v rokoch 1941 - 1944," in Milan Hodia politik a i urnalista, ed. M. Peknik (Bratislava: Veda, 2008), 185 . In his article, Seges writes that Hodza wanted to use the money to gain a dominant influence on the Slovak-American newspaper Slovensky Hlasnik. Seges maintains that in the end Hodza succeeded in getting some of the money. 57 NARA, Washington D. C., OSS, FNB Files, 1942 - 1945, INT-33CZ-20, p. 4. Memorandum of telephone conversation between D. C. Poole and Milan Hodza, June 10, 1943. 58 NARA, Washington D. C. , OSS, FNB Files, 1942 - 1945, INT-9CZ-129, November 18, 1942. In his report, D. C. Poole clarified: "He [David Karr] thought that there had been some misunderstanding, in consequence probably of Dr. Hodza's imperfect command of English. Specifically, Mr. Karr gained the impression that Dr. Hodza had instructed his attorneys 'to settle,' meaning come to a final friendly adjustment; but the attorneys interpreted this to refer to obtaining a 'settlement' ." 56 SLOVAKIA card. He reassured his interlocutor that he had "obtained satisfactory assurances from Dr. Benes that Dr. Hodza's personal situation would not be disturbed."59 To make himself absolutely clear, the head of the FNB pointed out to Hodfa that "It would seem unfortunate if by pressing the suit against the Overseas News Agency at this time he should bring on a change."60 Though elegantly phrased, to Hodfa 's ears Poole's talk must have sounded like nothing more than political blackmail. There is little doubt that Hodfa took his words at face value. In the following days he contacted his lawyer. In order to find out whether he had really done so, Poole telephoned Hodza again on June 10th. Hodfa confirmed that he had instructed his lawyer via telegraph to terminate the suit. Fear for the post-war scenario in Central Europe prompted Hodza to draw up a document - Europe at the Crossroads - which he sent to the State Department in March of 1944.6 1 This memorandum analyzed the political situation in Central Europe within the context of its states' relations with the Soviet Union. Hodfa pointed to the undemocratic character of the Soviet political system, and warned against its application in any form . He challenged Benes's arguments, according to which the new foreign policy realignment with the Soviet Union was unavoidable. Hodza argued that by signing the treaty, the Czechoslovak government-in-exile willingly entered into the Soviet sphere of influence and thus became an instrument of the Russian Drang nach dem Westen. He rejected the policy of creating a "special sphere," the necessity of which Benes justified by the failure of the Western Powers and the "betrayal of Czechoslovakia" in 1938. He contended that no sphere of influence was able to guarantee the sovereignty of small countries. The only guarantee of security, Hodza maintained, was a system of collective security similar to the one promulgated by the Ameri59 NARA , Washington D. C., OSS, FNB Files, 1942 - 1945, INT-33CZ-20, p. 4. Memorandum of telephone conversation between D. C. Poole and Milan Hodza, June 10, 1943 . 60 Tbid. 61 Some historians doubt whether or not the Department of State actually received the memorandum. Lukac, who did not have a copy of the document at his disposal, claimed that "Despite the fact that several authors claim the memorandum was sent to the Department, including the author of this article, there is no copy of Europe at the Crossroads in the State Department archives. We can only speculate what fate it met, whether it was sent at all or "got lost" in American archives. " Lukac, Politic/ca cinnost' Milana Hodiu .. . , 622. The author of this study (R. Licko) can confirm that a copy of this 22-page-long memorandum is kept in the National Archives in Washington, in the OSS Foreign Nationalities Branch section with signature INT-32A-75. Moreover, there is also firm evidence that the memorandum was read at the State Department. D. C. Poole, chief of the FNB, summarised its contents in his report of March 8, 1944. SLOVAKIA 57 cans and the British in the form of the United Nations. The final victory was achievable only as a "collective victory," with collective war aims. He went on to write, with bitter regret, that the "official Czecho-Slovak policy obviously relinquished this imperative requirement of all alliances." 62 Hod.fa expressed his belief that "Czecho-Slovakia surely deserves a better fate than to become the victim of any personal rule or of any kind of soviet system."63 The memorandum also touches upon the position of the U.S. government, which chose not to reject the treaty. Hod.fa respected this view. However, the American position did not, in his opinion, change the simple fact that the treaty had contributed significantly to the creation of spheres of influence, whose catastrophic consequences would have to be dealt with after the war through a system of collective security. Part V of the memorandum was devoted to the Slovak question. According to Hodfa, the majority of Slovaks, with only a handful of opponents, demanded fair self-government for Slovakia. This demand was in stark contrast to the stubborn centralism of Benes and his political supporters in exile. Hodza's disapproval of the Soviet Union ' s influence, in relation to Slovakia's future, was based upon his conviction that the Soviet political system was incompatible with the political and cultural traditions of Slovaks. Hodza vehemently denied that Slovaks had ever sympathized with Communism. He also reminded the State Department that Slovaks had been fighting against Nazism on the Eastern as well as the Western fronts. Moreover, the majority of the Slovak soldiers who had defected from the Slovak army were, in Hod.fa ' s opinion, anti-Communists, with whom he had maintained radio contact. They desired, on the whole, a "Slovakia administered by Slovaks." Hodfa vigorously denied the allegations, current at the time, that Slovaks had not fought against Fascism. According to his information, as many as 75% of the Czecho-Slovak Army personnel in France between 1939 and 1940 were Slovaks.64 Europe at the Crossroads was Hod.fa' s last attempt to influence the U.S. administration. His memorandum was thoroughly analyzed by the OSS. The political analyst who studied it related its content to his superior DeWitt Poole.65 In the introduction of the report, its author noted: "It confirms my impression of him as a man of a high degree of peasant shrewdness." The OSS shared Hod.fa's concerns about the future of small Central European nations after the war: "The European peoples, more particularly, the East European nationnalities, will be potter's clay in the coming interplay of forces." The author fully sanctioned Hodza' s proposal to hold plebi62 NARA, Washington D. C., OSS, FNB Files, I 942 - 1945, TNT-32A-75 , p. 15. lbid., p. 19. 64 NARA, Washington D. C. , OSS, FNB Files, 1942 - 1945, TNT-32A-75. 65 Julian Towster to D. C. Poole, March 8, 1944. NARA, Washington D. C., OSS, FNB Files, 1942 - 1945, fNT-3 2A-75 . 63 58 SLOVAKIA scites in Central Europe, ideally under the auspices of the United Nations. 66 Russia's willingness, or lack thereof, to respect the free will of Central Europeans was to be a clear indication of how far this country intended to go in improving its relations with the Western Allies in the post-war period. The OSS report did not pay any particular attention to the issue of Slovakia's future after the war. At the time when the State Department received the OSS report, Hodza had been undergoing medical treatment in a holiday resort in Florida. Despite several periods of improvement during his stay in the United States, Hodza never recovered from his illness. On June 27, 1944, after an operation in Clearwater, Hodza succumbed to his illness. 67 His death was an immense loss, primarily to the advocates of Slovak self-government. Moreover, there was a general opinion among Slovak-American leaders that, apart from Stefan Osusky, there was no other political leader at that time who would have been able to unite the politically fragmented Slovak Americans.68 Having been a prominent Central European politician and statesman throughout his life, Hodza's death elicited obituaries in a number of leading dailies around the world. 69 His life-long political contribution to politics was acknowledged by the Czechoslovak government, and even by his political enemies, including Edvard Benes. Belatedly, the U.S. government paid 66 "Hodza is perfectly right in emphasizing the plebiscite angle. Plebiscites may not always have been the best yardstick of true national sentiment, but the principle of unhindered expression of such sentiment and of consultation between the leading United Nations members in regard to securing such expression goes to the heart of the problem." 67 Hodfa suffered from cancer of the large intestine. According to the autopsy report, the immediate cause of death was a complication - internal obturation during the operation . Hodza never regained consciousness. See Lukac, "Posledne chvile Milana Hodzu," in Obcianska spolocnost', no. 8 (August, 2000), I 0. 68 The Slovak leaders, especially those associated in the CASON, suggested Stefan Osusky as Hodfa's possible successor, because they did not regard Hodfa' s aide, Mudry Sebik, as a "strong and effective" leader. FBI, Chicago File No. 100-15744, January 25 , 1945 . Report: Slovak National Alliance, p. 7. Another FBI report written by its director on July 1, 1944, advised the Department of State of Osusky' s intention to ask for permission to enter the United States. In addition to giving a brief account ofOsusky's political career, the report states that V. Platek, the leader of the National Slovak Society, wrote a letter to Osusky as early as in June of 1943 . In it, Platek asked Osusky to come to the United States and to assume the leadership of Slovak Americans together with Hodfa. NARA, Washington D. C., 860f.202 l l/71844 PSNL, Roll 31, 1940 - 1944. Memorandum of J. E. Hoover to A. Berle, Assistant Secretary of State. Subject: Milan Hodza and Stefan (Stephen) Osusky, July I, 1944. 69 The New York Times published Hodfa 's obituary on June 29, 1944. On July 4, 1944 the newspaper reported on Hodfa's funeral in Chicago. SLOVAKIA 59 tribute to this outstanding Czechoslovak statesman. In 1951 , U.S. Secretary of State John Foster Dulles praised Hodfa's understanding of the mutual interdependence of sovereign and equal peoples, and acknowledged Hodfa's contribution to the cause of European unity.70 Given the scope of Hodfa's plans and activities in the United States during WW II, one has to ask oneself: what did the Roosevelt administration's foreign policymakers make of Hodfa's federalization plans, and what solution, if any, did they think desirable in the dispute about Slovakia's post-war future? What significance did Hodfa's plans play in American strategic planning in Central Europe? Were these in line with the existing American blueprint for the overall European peace settlement, or did they contradict it? To what extent were Hodfa's plans for a Central European federation examined, and what political will was there to intervene in the debate on the post-war status of Slovakia? American and European historians more or less share the same view that Central Europe, throughout WW II, was not an area of priority in the United States' strategic planning. United States foreign policy in Central Europe was the outcome of a variety of factors, domestic and international, and on the whole it could be characterized as unsystematic.71 Another characteristic of this policy was the fact that the United States' attitudes towards Eastern Europe went through several changes during WW IL To a large extent, these changes were the result of the personal influence of key political figures in the White House, as well as in the Department of State. It is commonly known that, at the beginning of the war, President Roosevelt was an advocate of the doctrine of the Four Policemen, according to which the four greatest powers - the United States, the United Kingdom, the Soviet Union and China - were expected to take over the responsibility for the post-war political organization of the territories subjected to their influence. In Central Europe, this would mean an unprecedented increase in Soviet influence, given that Germany was to be disarmed after the war and its influence eliminated for good. From the standpoint ofHodfa's political plans, this represented an undesirable return to spheres of influence against which he so persistently warned. 70 Lukac, Politicka cinnost' Milana Hodzu ... , 625 . The Norwegian historian Geir Lundestad summarizes the non-systematic nature of this policy as follows: "So tenuous was the coherence of the many diverse elements in these policies, fluctuating in response to political and economic forces within the US itself, to local events in Eastern Europe, and to the challenges inherent in Great Power rivalry, that I have chosen the term the American non-policy to describe the end result of the various influencing factors . American policy-makers were never quite able to make up their minds about the importance of Eastern Europe to the United States." Lundestad, American Non-Policy Towards Eastern Europe (Oslo : Universitets forlaget, 1978), 34. 71 60 SLOVAKIA Quite a different view of the post-war world order was held by Secretary of State Cordell Hull. He advocated a vision of a globalized world, in which economic and political conflicts among sovereign countries were to be solved through a world organization.72 However, the idea of resurrecting a world organization on the principle of the interwar League of Nations was extremely unpopular in the United States. Warming up to such an idea took some time and was a gradual process.73 After the resignation of Sumner Welles from the position of Under Secretary of State in 1943, Cordell Hull finally succeeded in convincing the conservative-minded Department of State to accept the idea of a new United Nations. In relation to Central Europe, the new line in foreign policy resulted in the conviction that the reformed system of collective security would prevent the recreation of old spheres of influence. This was also the reason why the State Department was very reluctant to give its views on the various integration schemes of the Central European governments in exile. The growing influence of the Soviet Union in this area was a worrying development for the Roosevelt administration, but did not lead to a significant shift in the established policy of non-intervention.74 Surprisingly enough, despite the negative attitude towards European integration in general, the archival documents of the Department of State suggest that the U.S. foreign policy makers devoted con72 This track of American foreign policy in the 20th century is frequently referred to as "globalism," or, "universalism." See Michael Lind, "The Twilight of the U.N.," The New Republic, October 30, 1995, p. 28 . 73 The League of Nations, created in 1920, was part of the peace initiative of U.S. President Woodrow Wilson, generally known as the "Fourteen Points." In terms of conflict resolution and international security, the organization's philosophy was based upon the principle of collective security, which stood in opposition to the notion of the balance of power and advancement of national interests. The U.S. Congress, however, refused to ratify the League' s Covenant. Wilson ' s peace initiative is often criticized and branded as an example of American political idealism. From the point of view of international relations, Wilson's plan stemmed from "idealistic and liberal dissatisfaction with the international anarchy, balance of power and the concept of self-help which had hitherto characterized the state-system." Graham Evans and Jeffrey Newham, Penguin Dictionary of International Relations (London: Penguin books, 1998), p. 300. 74 In the introduction to his book The Myth of Liberation; East-Central Europe in U.S. Diplomacy and Politics Since 1941 , Bennett Kovrig described American idealism in relation to Central Europe in the words of A. J. P. Taylor: "democratic foreign policy must be idealistic, or at the very least it has to be justified in terms of great general principles ". Kovrig added, "Yet the reader will find few villains and even fewer heroes, for seldom in the history of America 's foreign relations have good intentions reaped such a bitter harvest". Kovrig, The Myth of Liberation; EastCentral Europe in U.S. Diplomacy and Politics since 194! (Baltimore: The Johns Hopkins University Press, 1973), x. SLOVAKIA 61 siderable time to various integration schemes such as those proposed by Hodza. 75 The duties of investigating and assessing these plans, as well as drawing up recommendations which were to serve as guidelines in American post-war foreign policy, were entrusted to the Department of State Advisory Committee on Postwar Foreign Policy.76 Browsing through the minutes of the Advisory Committee between May 1942 and March 1944 gives one some idea of how much time and space the Department of State devoted to federalization plans for Central Europe and what attitudes towards them various committee members maintained. On May 9, the Committee's agenda included the so-called Danubian Federation 77 The discussions focused on two plans drawn up by politicians in exile. One of these plans was the proposal for a Czechoslovak-Polish union, put forward in the United States by the exiled Polish Prime Minister 75 Documentary sources from the American archives relating to the U.S. attitudes towards Central European integration were collected and annotated by the Polish authors J. Laptos and M. Misztal Marius, American Debates on Central European Unio n, 1942 - 1944. Documents of the American State Department (Brussels & New York: P.I.E.-P. Lang, 2002). 76 F. D. Roosevelt approved of the establishment of the Advisory Committee three weeks after the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 28, 1941 . It included academics as well as leading officers of the Department of State. The Committee reported directly to the State Secretary. At that time, the position of vice-chairman was held by Under Secretary Sumner Welles. Everyday activities were overseen by Leo Pasvolsky. The Advisory Committee had six subcommittees, the most important of which were those dedicated to political, economic and territorial issues. Other key figures on the Committee who specialised in Central Europe were Hamilton Fish Armstrong ( 1893 - 1973) and Adolf A. Berle. It was the latter who was often believed by Czech and Slovak emigres to have harboured sympathies for Hodza's plans. The Committee 's job was to draw up general guidelines for the United States in peace negotiations. The official activity of this Committee was ended in the summer of 1943, but many of its members continued their work on other committees until the end of the war. The Committee 's research team drew up hundreds of reports, situational analyses and recommendations, which became a blueprint for the discussions and proceedings of the Committee and its subcommittees. Regular minutes of the subcommittees' discussions were kept. The documentation produced by the Advisory Committee is deposited in the National Archives in the Notter File. See Ignac Romcis, "Wartime American Plans for a New Hungary. Documents from the U.S. Department of State, 1942 - 1944" Atlantic Studies on Society in Change, [online] , 1992, 30, no. 77 . [Quoted: 2008-06-05] . Available at: <http ://www.hungarianhistory.hu> 77 The term "Danubian Federation" was chosen by the Advisory Committee to refer to the integration efforts of the Central European countries in the Danubian region. The discussions of the Advisory Committee on the "Danubian Federation" included possible membership for Poland and Austria. 62 SLOVAKIA Wladyslaw Sikorski. 78 The other was the Danubian Federation, championed by exiled Hungarian politicians Tibor Eckhardt and Janos Pelenyi.79 Hodfa's federation plan was not included. It was referred to only marginally by a member of the Committee, Anne McCormick. 80 She mentioned Hodfa as an agrarian politician who had been involved in solving agrarian problems.81 The foreign policy analyst went on to inform the Committee, quite misleadingly, that Hod:fa 's plan limited itself to the Danubian region.82 This ignorance of the details of Hodza's plan is interesting, because by that time Hodfa had already spoken about his plans to The New York Times and, more importantly, must have made his views known at the State Department during his first visit. 83 Hodfa 's plan was almost completely 78 Laptos and Mizstal pointed out that Sikorski 's plan for federation was dealt with only briefly. According to the information available to the Committee, Sikorski's federation was to comprise Poland, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Romania and Yugoslavia. The plan envisaged the complete economic federation and eventual political federation of its constituent countries. According to the Advisory Committee, Polish influence in the thus-constituted federation was obvious, though the sheer scale of the supranational state ruled out complete Polish domination. Laptos and Mizstal, .American Debates on Central European Union .. ., 74. 79 Tibor Eckhardt was a Hungarian politician of the interwar period. In 1938 he represented Hungary at the League of Nations Assembly. In 1941 he was sent on a mission to the USA by Miklos Horthy in order to approach the Allies and the Hungarian democratic opposition. Eckhardt's federation was brought to the attention of the Committee by Under Secretary of State Welles. According to this plan, Central Europe was to be divided into three parts: a Polish-Baltic bloc, a Balkan bloc and a "Danubian" union,comprising Austria, Hungary, Bohemia, Slovakia and Transylvania, with the possibility of the later admission of Croatia. The unifying element of the federation was to be their common history as part of the Habsburg monarchy. NARCS Notter File, Department of State. Minutes P - I 0, Danubian Federation, May 9, 1942. Laptos and Mizstal, American Debates on Central European Union ... , 74. 80 Anne O ' Hare McCormick (1882 - 1954), a member of the Advisory Committee, was a foreign policy analyst for The New York Times. 81 The minutes of the meeting captured McCormick's information on Hodza and his plan as follows: " Mrs. McCormick said that mention might also be made of the Hodfa plan, which confines itself to the Danubian area. Mr. Hodfa, she pointed out, being a peasant, is chiefly concerned with the agricultural problem. His plan expresses the aspirations of the Green International." Laptos and Mizstal, American Debates on Central European Union ... , 75. 82 In Hodza's plan the core of the proposed federation was to be formed by CzechoSlovakia and Poland, who were to be joined by other countries in the south of Central Europe. 83 See Hope Put in Union of Central Europe, the OSS report on the interview with M. Hodza. NARA, Washington D. C., OSS, FNB Files, 1942 - 1945, INT-9CZ-1 , December 7, 1941 . SLOVAKIA 63 ignored. It was mentioned in passing in connection with the association of agrarian parties known as the Green International. American foreign policy advisors again failed to include Hodza's plan when they discussed the so-called East European Union as one of the issues related to the Department of State's plans to create a world organization. 84 The members of the Division of Special Research discussed, among other things, the results of the negotiations between the exiled governments of Czechoslovakia and Poland on the creation of a joint union .85 In mid-June of 1942, the Department of State presented to the Advisory Committee the first draft of American recommendations which any supranational organization in Central Europe should comply with. One of the main differences, in comparison with Hodza's plan, was that the United States preferred a union to a federation. This preference reflected the Roosevelt administration's unwillingness to sanction political integration. What the Department of State recommended was a loose organization of free sovereign states, which would be able to advance their interests through joint, non-legislative institutions. Such an economic union was to comprise all states of Central and Eastern Europe, including countries as far apart as Estonia, Austria and Greece.86 The establishment of this union would have to take place under the auspices of the United Nations. The main rationale was that the establishment of such a union would solve the existing security problems and bring with it economic advantages as a result of regional cooperation. The territorial integrity of the union was to be safeguarded by the United Nations, and the security forces of the union were to act in concordance with the security system of the United Nations. After the war, the world organization was to facilitate the creation of the union by adjusting all outstanding border claims. What is most striking to the European reader about the attitudes of the American government are its views on the armed forces of member 84 The meeting of the Division of Special Research, which prepared reports for the Advisory Committee, took place on June 6, I 942. Department of State, Division of Special Research, Minutes P 14, June 6, I 942 . NARA, Notter File, Box 65 ., Laptos and Mizstal, American Debates on Central European Union .. ., 96 - 103. 85 For the history of the Czechoslovak-Polish negotiations on uniting, including the attitudes of the United States and the other great powers, see Wandycz, Czechoslovak-Polish Confederation and the Great Powers, 1940 - 1943. 86 " The regional organization should have the form not of a federation but of a union of independent and sovereign states, cooperating for limited objectives through common non-legislative institutions, loosely rather than tightly organized. Provisionally the union is considered as including all states of Central and Eastern Europe between Russia and Germany from and including Estonia in the North to Austria in the West and Greece in the South." Department of State, Division of Special Research, Minutes P Document 24, June 19, 1942. NARA, Notter File, box 55. Laptos and Mizstal, American Debates on Central European Union .. . , 110. 64 SLOVAKIA countries, as well as on the military of the union as a whole. Every constituent country would have to contribute a designated contingent of troops for the international armed forces (under the command of the UN), but no member state was to have its own armed forces . This recommendation testified to the distrust with which the American foreign policymakers looked upon the nations of Central Europe. The Advisory Committee's analysis of the factors which were thought to be conducive to, or had disintegrating effects upon, the creation of a Central European Union offers an interesting insight into the mindset of the American foreign policy advisors of that time. In the beginning the majority of the Committee members seemed to be in favour of one large Central European union from the Baltic to the Balkans.87 It was argued that a larger union was more advantageous to the United States, because it would be better able to eliminate the destructive forces of nationalism, mutual antagonisms and the land disputes of the Central European nations. 88 An analysis of the economic benefits failed to persuade American foreign policy advisors that economic prosperity was in itself motivationally adequate for unification . In the American view, the history of integration efforts in the interwar period showed that political interests in the area had often been given priority over economic ones. The unification of Czechs and Slovaks was pointed out as an example. According to L. Pasvolsky, Masaryk and Bene~ were willing to accept any economic disadvantages in order to achieve political and cultural unity after WW I. 89 It was nationalism, however, that elicited the greatest fears in the members of the Committee. The issue was frequently raised during the discussions, and the Department of State believed that nationalism was one of the five main obstacles to Central European integration.90 As the feasibility study for the Department of State from 87 This notion was supported most enthusiastically by S. Welles and H. F. Armstrong. 88 From the economic point of view, a larger union appeared to offer better prospects of strengthening the commercial position of member states in trade with the rest of Europe. As for the centrifugal forces of nationalism, the gravest concerns at the Department of State were aroused by Hungarian nationalism, with some criticism also levelled at the former Czechoslovakia. 89 "Mr. Bowman observed that in the case of the unification of the Czechs and the Slovaks the main emphasis had been on the achievement of political and cultural unity from the beginning. Economic considerations had played a decidedly minor £iart." Department of State, Advisory Committee, R Minutes 7, November 12, 1943 . Apart from nationalism, the list of five disintegrative forces comprised the absence of common roots, cultural di versity, external political influences and diversity in regional economic development. Department of State, P Document 204, The Feasibility of an East European Union, February 19, 1943. NARA , NARA, Notter File, SLOVAKIA 65 February, 1943 observed, "Since the present war began, the animosity between several of the states, e.g., between Bulgaria and Greece, and between Hungary and Romania, has been greatly increased and the conflicts between ethnic groups within one state e.g., between Czechs and Slovaks, between Serbs and Croats, have become bitter."9 1 Where the State Department seemed to be in agreement with Hodfa was the belief that the peasantry could play a positive role in the process of Central European integration. In the inter-war period, peasant parties in Central Europe had engaged in mutual cooperation and shared a similar political agenda. 92 A member of the Committee, J. T. Shotwell, also sympathised with this opinion, but expressed reservations about the role of agrarian leaders, who, in his view, had nationalistic tendencies which might prove distractive. 93 The discussion about the cohesive and destructive forces of unification eventually prompted the members of the Committee to break the proposed union into two parts. With regard to the attitudes of the exiled governments, Berle pointed out that, surprisingly, none of these su£ported a large union, with the exception of the Czechoslovak government. 4 Strictly speaking, however, this was no longer the case. By that time, the Czechoslovak-Polish negotiations had reached a stalemate and the Czechoslovak Box 57. Laptos and Mizstal, American Debates on Central European Union ... , 187 - 88. 91 Department of State, P Document 204, The Feasibility of an East European Union, February 19, 1943 . NARA, Notter File, Box 57. Laptos and Mizstal, American Debates on Central European Union .. ., 188. 92 State Department, P Document 204, The Feasibility of an East European Union, Part III: Movements Tending Toward Unity, February 19, 1943. NARA, Notter File, Box 57. Laptos and Mizstal, American Debates on Central European Union .. ., 188. 93 According to Shotwell, the majority of Central European leaders were nationalists of the 19th century type. As an example he pointed to Count Apponyi, who owned land in Slovakia, a fact which had a great deal of influence on his political outlook. Department of State, Division of Special Research, Political Subcommittee, Minutes P I 7, June 27, 1942. Milan Hodza himself often mentioned the agrarian problems in Hungary. That was also why he laid down conditions on the membership of Hungary in a Central European Federation, stressing first the necessity of agrarian reform in that country. 94 Laptos and Mistal put Berle 's incorrect information down to the skilfulness of the Czechoslovak propaganda. "The question was asked whether Mr. Welles and Mr. Berle had talked with representatives of these countries on this matter. Mr. Berle said that no one of that group had the concept of a single union. Mr. Welles said he had never found one who had the conception of one union, most favoring three unions; some, two. Mr. Berle said that the Czechs were the only ones who had offered any support for a single union." Department of State, Division of Special Research, Political Subcommittee, Minutes P 17, June 27, 1942. NARA, Notter File, Box 55. Laptos and Mizstal, American Debates on Central European Union . .., 129 - 30. 66 SLOVAKIA government was getting increasingly cold feet about any union with its northern neighbour. At the end of June, the members of the Committee agreed that for the sake of further discussions about Central European integration they would consider two options- the so-called Northern East European Group and a Balkan Group. 95 Another key issue to which the Advisory Committee devoted its attention was the problem of how viable the proposed union would be and what attitudes the great powers would adopt in dealing with this supranational state. According to the above-mentioned feasibility study, the political will of the member states alone was insufficient for the union's long-term survival. American foreign policymakers understood perfectly well that in order for the union to survive, it had to secure the support of the victorious powers, including that of the United States. 96 The advantages from the American point of view seemed palpable enough: a solution to questions of security in relation to Germany and Russia, pacification of the space between the Baltic and the Aegean seas in an area inaccessible to the naval powers, and the protection of Eastern European countries against possible German expansion. The most important question, of course, was how such a union would be viewed by the geographically closest of the powers - the Soviet Union. In the October Memorandum on Russia and the East European Federation, drawn up by the Council on Foreign Relations, an expert on Soviet affairs informed the Committee that the reasons for Soviet opposition were far stronger than those which might induce the Soviet Union to support such a scheme. 97 The first and the most decisive reason for Soviet 95 The proposal to break up the union was put forward by Under Secretary of State Welles at the meeting of the Division of Special Research on June 27, 1942 . The main reason was the diverse character of the member states of the union, which might lead to its disintegration. On the issue of breaking up the union, the members of the Committee were by no means united. Welles was in principle in favour of a single union, but practical considerations compelled him to opt for two smaller ones. The key problem of the two-union solution was Austria and Hungary. Department of State, Division of Special Research, Political Subcommittee, Minutes P 17, June 27, 1942. NARA , Notter File, Box 55. Laptos and Mizstal, American Debates on Central European Union ... , 119 - 20. 96 See Part IV: Steps Necessary to make Union Effective: "In view of the fact that Eastern Europe has felt the impact of virtually none of those dynamic forces that would aid in creating a unity out of this di versity of peoples, the creation of a union and its maintenance for an indefinite period would have to be in large measure the work of the great victorious powers or of the international organization. " State Department, P Document 204, The Feasibility of an East European Union, Part IV: NARA, Notter File, Box 57. Laptos and Mizstal, American Debates on Central European Union ... , 19 1. 97 The author of the memorandum was Isaiah Bowman. The Counci l on Foreign Relations, Studies of American Interests in the War and the Peace, Territorial series, SLOVAKIA 67 opposition was the assumption that the establishment of a union would prevent the Soviet Union from exercising its policy of divide et impera. Moscow was also worried that the political orientation of the Central European countries within the proposed union would lead to the weakening of the existing pro-Russian orientation in some of them. 98 There is little doubt that Czechoslovakia was one of those countries. Its president-in-exile Edward Benes had indicated that Czechoslovak foreign policy after the war would be oriented towards the east. The Soviet attitude towards integration in Central Europe was yet again referred to by American foreign policy advisors as "apparently hostile" in February of 1943. 99 The report made it clear that Moscow was in no mood to support federalization plans of a lesser scope, such as the proposed Czechoslovak-Polish or Greek-Yugoslav unions. The Department of State reached this conclusion on the basis of the information obtained directly from representatives of the Czechoslovak government-inexile. The negative attitude of Moscow was also identified as the main rea- October 26, 1942. NARA, Notter File, Box 61. Laptos and Mizstal, American Debates on Central European Union ... , 176. 98 The author continues: "The possibilities of supporting Czechoslovakia against Poland, Hungary against Rumania, Yugoslavia against Hungary and so forth, present an almost limitless field for maneuver by Russia to make its influence strong and even preponderant among the disunited states of East Central Europe." Other Soviet objections could be summarized as follows: 2. the united states of Central Europe would find it easier to advance their territorial claims against Russia, 3. the political system of the member countries would unify, but become very likely hostile to that of the Soviet Union, 4. the union 's armed forces would be stronger in defence, which would weaken Soviet military position, 5. the exports of such a federation would compete in world markets with Soviet exports; Soviet exports into the union would be disadvantaged, since Russia would have to deal with the union as a whole rather than trading with countries separately, 6. the union would curb the revived pan-Slav sentiment, because it would include non-Slav countries and the pro-Russian orientation of the Slav countries would thus be weakened. The Council on Foreign Relations, Studies of American Interests in the War and the Peace, Territorial series, October 26, 1942. NARA, Notter File, Box 61. Laptos and Mizstal, American Debates on Central European Union .. . , 177. 99 "On the basis of information at present available in the Political Section, the Soviet Government is apparently hostile to the idea of the creation of an all-embracing East European Union, unless, perhaps, such a Union were established under the preponderant influence of the Soviet Union. An examination of the Soviet press and periodicals has disclosed no discussions of such projects for an Eastern European Union as have been put forward from time to time in Britain and the United States." Department of State, Division of Special Research, Document P 206, February 18, 1943. NARA, Notter File, Box 57. LAPTOS, Laptos and Mizstal, American Debates on Central European Union ... , 196. 68 SLOVAKIA son why the Czechoslovak §ovemment broke off its negotiations with the Polish govemment-in-exile. 1 0 The work of the Advisory Committee for Postwar Foreign Policy officially ended in July of 1943, though some of its subcommittees continued their work on Central European integration plans until the spring of 1944. 101 The issue of Slovakia's post-war political status never came up. Neither was it discussed by any of the Committee's numerous subcommittees. The abandonment of American discussions of the Central European integration plans raises two questions: what were the reasons for this decision and what political future did the Roosevelt administration envisage for the Central European nations? The answer to the first question should be looked for in the analyses of U.S. foreign policy for this period. Drawing on the latest historical research, one finds, more or less, consensus on this issue. The dominant factor in American strategic planning was the growing military presence of the Soviet Union in Central Europe, which went hand in hand with its increasing political influence. It became clear, towards the end of 1943, that the Red Army would liberate a substantial part of Central Europe, a fact which would inevitably increase the role of the Soviet Union in the post-war political organization of the area. Regardless of their original plans, President Roosevelt and the Department of State had to constantly adjust to these developments. In 1943, under pressure of the events on the Eastern Front, Roosevelt was forced to review his erstwhi le concept of an "Anglo-American world police force" and extend it into the well-known "Four Policemen" theory. This had to take the Soviet Union into account as an equal partner in the political organization of territories within its own sphere of influence. From this point of view it 100 "Mr. Berle remarked that when the Polish-Czech confederation was agreed upon, both parties had believed that the Russians were not opposed to the idea. The worsening of relations between Russia and the Polish government-in-exile, however, has since resulted in a change in the Russian position. The Czechs have withdrawn from their discussions with the Poles, ostensibly because the Poles were unwilling to abandon their claim to the Teschen area, but in reality because of Russian opposition to the combination." Department of State, Advisory Committee, R Minutes 7, November 12, 1943. NARA, Notter File, Box 84. Laptos and Mizstal, American Debates on Central European Union ... , 217. 101 Secretary of State Cordell Hull ended the work of the Committee in a letter of July 12, 1943 . Mary E. Bradshaw, "Congress and Foreign Policy Since 1900," Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, 289 (September, 1953), 45 . The last minutes of the Political Subcommittee dealing with the Central European union were those of March 15- 17, 1944, NARA, Notter File, Box 84. The last meeting of the Economic Subcommittee took place on March 31 , 1944. Advisory Committee, Economic Subcommittee, R Minutes 16, March 31, 1944 NARA, Notter File, Box 84. Laptos and Mizstal, American Debates on Central European Unio n ... , 243 . SLOVAKIA 69 can be understood why any American position on a Central European federation or union had to be approved by Moscow. The absence of a Soviet stance on the issue throughout 1942 kept the idea of integration alive among the exiled politicians of Central Europe, and occupied the minds of American foreign policy advisors on the Advisory Committee. Doubts about Moscow's priorities were finally ended in October of 1943, when the Soviet Minister of Foreign Affairs, Viacheslav Molotov, officially confirmed the negative position of the USSR. 102 The answer to the second question, namely what the Americans desired as the political future for Central Europe, is more complicated. First of all, it needs to be emphasized that the views of the Roosevelt administration on this issue were not unanimous. Significant differences of opinion existed in Washington, which divided even the chief foreign policy makers, President Roosevelt and Secretary of State Hull. American historians' interpretation of the U.S. foreign policy objectives in Central Europe during this period have gone through several developments since WW II. 103 The more recent research emphasizes the importance of Roosevelt's role in the process of foreign policymaking, and interprets his apparent lack of determination and unsystematic approach as misleading. According to this interpretation, Roosevelt, from the beginning of the war, pursued a clear goal in relation to Continental Europe: to reduce its international standing and marginalize it as the most effective way of preventing future conflicts in the area. Roosevelt intended to achieve this marginalization through fragmentation of the continent into small, relatively powerless, and wherever possible, ethnically homogenous states. These states should in no case possess any armed forces, and after disarmament they should be placed within the sphere of influ102 This information was imparted to the British Foreign Secretary Anthony Eden, who asked V. Molotov about the Soviet view on Central European integration efforts at the Moscow Conference of Foreign Ministers, October 19 - 29, 1943. Laptos and Mizstal, American Debates on Central European Union .. ., 63 . 103 The oldest interpretation of U.S. foreign policy towards Europe maintains that the Roosevelt administration favoured active involvement in the rebuilding of European democracies and in strengthening the position of European states. Roosevelt is criticised, however, because he was unable to see through Stalin's empty promises at Yalta. The second, "revisionist" theory contends that the post-war division of Europe was afait accompli long before Yalta, because the Red Anny would occupy the whole of Eastern Europe and the United States had to respect this fact. ." Elena Aga-Rossi, "Roosevelt's European Policy and the Origins of the Cold War: A Reevaluation," Telos. A Quarterly Journal of Critical Thought 26 (no. 2, 1996), 73 . Lundestad, who reviewed both of the above theories, characterized U.S. foreign policy towards Central Europe as a policy of "modified universalism in the area of non-essential interest for the USA." For the lack of internal coherence in this policy he chose to refer to it as a "non-policy." G. Lundestad, American Non-Policy Towards Eastern Europe .. . , 34. 70 SLOVAKIA ence of either Britain or the Soviet Union. 104 Such a vision of the future of Central European nations was incompatible with Hodza 's federalization. He feared the political influence of the Soviet Union and, therefore, called for concerted efforts to strengthen the position of Central Europe. As far as Slovakia's future was concerned, Roosevelt's policy of non-intervention, whether intentional or inadvertent, played more into the hands of Slovak separatists than those of the proponents of federative integration.' 05 Roosevelt's concept of new spheres of influence, however, stood in contrast to the universalistic vision of Secretary of State Hull, who was advocating global cooperation among nations on the basis of a renewed world organization. The key moment, which resulted in the adoption of the universalistic approach as the main guideline in U.S. foreign policy, is usually thought to be the resignation of Under Secretary of State Sumner Welles. 106 After Welles's resignation, Secretary of State Hull and his department advanced the concept of collective security within the framework of a restored world organization under a new name. ' 07 The new line in American foreign policy, however, did not make the Roosevelt administration take a more active role in suppressing the emerging Soviet sphere of influence. On the contrary, Roosevelt continued to count on Soviet assistance as a decisive political force in the post-war reorganization of Central Europe. What he and his foreign policy advisors got wrong was the belief that Stalin's Russia would sooner or later discard its system of central planning, return to the market economy and join the rest of the democratic world. 104 "As he [Roosevelt] told the British Foreign Minister in March 1943, 'armaments after the war in Europe should be concentrated in the hands of the policing powers Britain, the United States and Russia. The smaller powers might have rifles but nothing more dangerous than this' .. .These two great powers had to maintain order over other disarmed European countries, if necessary by force." Aga-Rossi, "Roosevelt's European Policy and the Origins of the Cold War", 72 . 105 "He [Roosevelt] also envisioned splitting up multiethnic countries such as Belgium, Czechoslovakia and Yugoslavia." Aga-Rossi, "Roosevelt's European Policy and the Origins of the Cold War," 70. On another occasion, when meeting representtatives of the Slovak League in 1940, Roosevelt remarked: "I believe that every nationality, no matter how small, has the inherent right to its nationhood." Ever since then, the Slovak League interpreted the president's statement as approval of the establishment of an independent Slovak state. NARA, Washington D. C., 860F.0l /446. Reverend C. Mlynarovich to C. Manion of the Office for Government Refcort, Indiana, May 11, 1942. 06 Sumner Welles, Roosevelt's closest ally in the Department of State, was a strong supporter of the president's concept of the "Four Policemen." Roosevelt did not trust Hull. In 1943 the president accepted Welles 's resignation in connection with his alleged homosexual activities. 107 In the field of international relations, Hull 's approach to foreign affairs is often associated with the principles of universalism, globalism and political idealism . SLOVAKIA 71 Thus we have seen that, between 1941 and 1944, the American authorities closely followed the political activities of exiled Slovak politician Milan Hodfa. His political goal in the United States was twofold. First, he intended to influence Roosevelt's foreign policy makers in favour of the creation of a supranational federation of Central European states, which he saw as a political panacea for the area' s many unresolved problems. According to this plan, a restored Czechoslovakia was to be one of the founding members of such a federation . Slovakia was to be part of Czechoslovakia again, but with a new constitutional arrangement stipulating its equal political status with the Czech lands. Secondly, Hodza planned to lead a political campaign among Slovak Americans. In particular, he hoped to win the endorsement of the leaders of their organizations for his programme of a self-governing Slovakia. Various federal agencies' keen interest in Hodza, however, was not motivated by the desire of the U.S. government to support the creation of a central European federation . It rather stemmed from the fact that U.S. governmental agencies had deep misgivings about the effects of Hodfa's campaign among Slovak Americans. Thus, for the American government, Hodfa soon emerged as an unwelcome guest as the OSS began in mid-1942 supplying various U.S. departments with reports about the ideological split within the Slovak-American community. The fears frequently expressed in the OSS reports were motivated by the perceived possible consequences of Hodza ' s campaign on the home front as well as the on the American war effort in general. Foremost among these fears was that the Hodfa-inspired opposition to the Benes-led government-in-exile would not only undermine the standing of the Czechoslovak government-in-exile - one of the war-time allies of the United States - but would also have a deleterious effect on the morale of the hundreds of thousands of Slovak Americans employed in key American heavy industries. Hodza's political campaign among Slovak Americans targeted two deeply antagonistic camps. He attempted to win the support of the leaders of the Slovak National Alliance, who had originally supported Benes's government-in-exile. At the same time, he tried to negotiate with the leaders of the Slovak League of America, several of whom offered their organizations' support for his programme. However, Hodfa failed to eliminate the powerful influence of the hard-liners in these umbrella organizations. The Czechoslovak Information Service in the United States, a propaganda tool of the London-based Czechoslovak government-in-exile, severely criticized Hodfa's campaign among Slovak Americans, constantly challenging his right to discuss Slovakia' s future on American soil and running a smear campaign against him. The U.S. administration viewed Hodfa 's activities with growing alarm. The most worrying development from the American point of view was the ideological split in the Slovak National Alliance which devel- 72 SLOVAKIA oped as a result of Hodza ' s lecture tour. The OSS repeatedly called on the Department of State to intervene in order to mend the rift among the proCzechoslovak fraternal leaders. Hodza ' s attempts to influence the attitudes of the Roosevelt administration towards the future organization of Central Europe had little impact on American foreign policy. lndeed, his plan for a Central European federation was never discussed by the American foreign policy advisors. Nevertheless, the U.S. Department of State and its agencies devoted considerable time to weighing the pros and cons of Central European integration from the point of view of American interests. The Department of State tended to favour an economic union rather than a political federation. Moreover, it feared the destructive forces of Central European nationalisms, not excluding the Slovak and Czech ones. However, the major American objection to any form of Central European integration stemmed from the strong opposition to it from the United States' chief war ally in Eastern Europe - the Soviet Union. Stalin had no intention of supporting any integration plans in the area. He preferred a fragmented Central Europe made up of weak states, which would strengthen the negotiating position of the Soviet Union vis-a-vis these countries. Roosevelt ' s policy of deliberate non-intervention in Central Europe, coupled with the American belief in a new world organization, resulted after the war in a gradual Sovietization of Central Europe and the creation of a new sphere of influence. Given the pro-Soviet foreign policy orientation of the Czechoslovak government-in-exile from December of 1943 onwards, the Roosevelt administration refrained from publicly expressing any of its views on Slovakia's post-war future.  Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource An Unwelcome Guest: Milan Hodža in American Documents Between 1941 and 1944 Description An account of the resource Roman Ličko Slovakia, Vol. 41 (No. 76-77), 2013 pp. 37-72 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Ličko, Roman Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2013 name https://slovakia.wordsofpassage.net/files/original/f8066c33951e2700b471ba9f96d5ab49.pdf afd0299df80e4d64bee7c61dd5fb7c03 PDF Text Text SLOVAKIA 19 ANALYZING THE ANALYSTS: IS THE SOVIET UNION DOOMED? PHILIP A. HROBAK According to a number of Western "expert" analysts, correspondents, and "top" diplomats, there are many signs pointing to the "fact" that the Soviet Union is doomed. They say that many things have happened in the various satellite countries, even in the Soviet Union itself, which definitely are unmistakable signs of the failure of the Communists to convert their subjects to the doctrines of Marx and Engels and "to sell their ideas to their own youth." To the "experts" this means the eventual doom for the Communist empire," the collapse of the political system of Communism in the "foreseeable future." Such is the apparent conclusion of analyst Howard Randleman of the International News Service, whose series of articles, published early in January, 1957, I have taken the liberty to scrutinize. Is the Soviet Union really doomed? The vast majority of the nations of the free world undoubtedly wish that it were; and the sooner the Communist political system collapses, the better - but, unfortunately, wishing alone will not make it so. As long as Western political leaders, "expert" analysts and commentators, "top" diplomats and "distinguished" diplomatic correspondents follow the path which the Communists want anti-Communists to follow - the path of "peaceful coexistence," the support of "nationalist" or Titoist Communism which is supposed to be "different" than the Soviet "international" brand of Communism, while the Communists of all countries under the leadership of the men in the Kremlin are busy conquering the world - America and the rest of the free world are in mortal danger. Under the prevailing conditions, it is not the Soviet Union and the Communist political system that is doomed, but the democratic west and all free democratic political systems. Of course, the West still has time to meet the danger with �20 SLOVAKIA effective countermeasures, but it's later than most of us think. Substituting wishful thinking and arbitrary theorizing, and completely ignoring the Communist "guide to action" which is necessary for the understanding of Communist policies, techniques and tactics, did not and will not contribute to the downfall of Communism. Neither will irresponsible vagaries of Western Titoists, who glorify and idolize Tito, Gomulka, and Kadar - the old stalwarts of international Communism, but now the proponents of "naas champions of democracy. To tional" Communism promote "national" Communism (Titoism), that is, a policy of helping a Communist regin1e, for the sake of a Communist conquest of the world, makes sense. To promote it for the sake of freedom, does not. Events behind the Iron Curtain - as noted by the EVENING NEWS (Harrisburg, Pa.), January 7, 1957, in its introduction to the first of a series of six articles by Howard Randleman, " distinguished diplomatic and foreign correspondent" - have indeed moved with swift and startling speed in recent months. However, whether the analysis or interpretation of these events by the "Chief European Correspondent of the International News Service" is reasonably correct is, in my mind, highly questionable, the views of the "West's top diplomats" and the "daily headlines" on the future of the Soviet Empire to the contrary notwithstanding. After reading the articles carefully several times, I had been left with the impression that the Soviet Union really was in serious trouble and might be expected to fold up within the next five years even without any armed intervention by the West. Undoubtedly other readers of the paper had been similarly impressed. But thoroughly informed persons on the Soviet Union and Communist techniques and tactics know that this is only wishful thinking. The analysis tendered by Mr. Randleman has, I am afraid, only added to the heaps of misinformation so generously propagated even by so-called "Western experts" on Communism and the Soviet Union. The men in the Kremlin thrive on confusion and cha<!>s; they promote ,it assiduously, (. �SLOVAKIA 21 though they prefer that the West does the promoting for them, wittingly or unwittingly, for the edification of satellites and potential satellites. Strangely enough, the West thus far has done a remarkable job in that respect, and Mr. Handleman's effort, in my opinion not the least of the contributions, was appreciated by the Kremlin goons. According to Randleman: "The handwriting is on the wall for the Communist Empire. Western diplomatic authorities see it. They say the men in the Kremlin must see it." Was this a warranted or unwarranted assumption? Even if it were warranted, can any "expert" or "Western diplomatic authority" tell us with certitude that the hand½Titing on the wall is seen and interpreted by the men in he Kremlin in he same light as it is by any Western experts or diplomats? Of course not! The job of busting up the empire of Lenin and Stalin, we are told, will not be easy and may take time, but "Western experts" - whoever they are - "believe the Communist Empire will break up without a major war. They also believe, according to Randleman, that if the West can hold fast for another four or five years, "the Soviet rulers in the end will offer an acceptable formula for security in Europe and the world." But, Mr. Randleman hedged, "it is also recognized that, although the present signs point to the dissolution of the power of the Soviet Empire, the trend could be reversed." And, when it comes to the Soviet Union, there are always "too many unpredictables," according to one highly placed diplomat, "but certainly from everything we know now, the most likely trend over the next few years is one in which the Kremlin leaders will be pushed towards a realistic negotiation by their own peoples." History, however, tells us in no uncertain terms that any such "trend" not only could be, but always had been reversed in the past. It also tells us that, whenever the Kremlin leaders were "pushed" towards a realistic negotiation by their own peoples, the negotiation never actually benefitted the West and the peoples concerned, but only the Soviet Union and Communist regimes. "Weste@A~516~aUB'RM'f Randleman, "bank heavily MILLERSVILLE STATE COLLEGE �22 SLOVAKIA on the common sense of the Russian leaders." One of the "best informed, who has served in the Soviet Union," said the Kremlin leaders might make war if things get worse, "but the best safeguard against war, perhaps, is that leaders in the Kremlin are pretty level headed: they do not want to commit suicide." So, if it does come to the worst, the Kremlin leaders, we are supposed to believe, will yield "what they must" to satellite pressure and, in the end, instead of busting out with atomic war, "it seems more likely they will make a realistic and acceptable offer to the West for a workable security system." It is obvious that what Randleman referred to as the "best informed" diplomat does not necessarily mean that a diplomat so qualified is in fact too well informed on the Soviet or Communist business. It certainly is most unfortunate for the West that its diplomats bank so heavily on the "common sense" of the men in the Kremlin and consider them "pretty level headed," because Soviet leaders are not just ordinary men with "common sense." They are madmen. Hence, if it is in the Soviet interest, they will commit suicide, because they know that the slightest indication to refuse to make the supreme sacrifice at any time means a betrayal of that interest, and the penalty for betrayal is death. Communism always has and always will continue to devour its own children. The Kremlin leaders cannot ever be honestly interested in any "workable security system" with the West, because they are dedicated to the destruction of western civilization and all systems of government opposed to the Soviet system. What did the West really gain by what recently transpired in Poland and Hungary? Let's be honest and face it: nothing but the scorn and curses of the terribly disappointed wretches - the "heroic fighters for freedom" as the West called them - who certainly expected a lot more than pious platitudes, sympathy, and resolutions of protest from the Western democracies which, they swear before God and all men, are in fact responsible for their brutal enslavement by the Soviet Union and its stooges. On the other hand, what did Communism and/ or the Soviet Union actually lose by what happened in those hap- �SLOVAKIA 23 less, brutally tyrannized countries? Let us be equally honest and openly admit that the Soviet Union lost nothing. And judging by past history, the Reds even stand to gain more power and prestige ! Having assumed that the Soviet Empire is collapsing, Haqdleman continued to babble, saying that "the Soviet rulers have embarked on a monumental and desperate operation to salvage what they can of the power of their empire." But the odds "among Western diplomats" are that the operation will fail because the Kremlin moved too late. In the light of reality, however, it is rather naive, if not downright silly, to assume that the Soviet Empire is collapsing and then to declare that the Soviet rulers, therefore, have embarked on a "monumental and desperate" operation to salvage the power, which they still held firmly in their hands, but which the West hopefully wished was actually threatened. Once he was captivated by his assumption, the Chief European Correspondent of the INS looked for support of his thesis to the view taken by Secretary of State Dulles at the recent NATO conference: satellite unrest carries with it the danger of a general war, but it is still to be welcomed greatly as foreshadowing the collapse of the Soviet Empire or a fundamental change in its character; and the "desperation in the Kremlin is reflected in the various means it has used to salvage power." Now, what were some of those various means? He told us that in Hungary "there were tanks and guns, and concession . .. Chou En-Lai of Red China was invited to Moscow for talks. . . . Radio Budapest broadcast Christmas hymns and carols for the first time in eight years .... In Poland there were concessions ... : On Christmas Eve radio Warsaw broadcast a message by Stefan Cardinal Wyszynski." Concessions? If that's what the above might be called, yes, but only temporary. After devoting one installment to the "various means" the Kremlin used to "salvage" its power in the satellites, Randleman then told us in the next: "The Kremlin leadership appears secure, however, within the Soviet Union and in the other satellites for the time �24 SLOVAKIA being." Quite a let-down, indeed! But there is more; the situation may not be such as reported: "The best diplomatic brains in Paris and other West European capitals decry what they call a tendency to sensationalize reports of unrest within the Soviet Union." On the other hand, however, "there have been enough reports to convince the experts that satellite people no longer are sheep who accept whatever they are told." What the 'experts" mean by "whatever they are told," is anybody's guess. We know, however, that if satellite people do not keep in line with the regime that is totally subservient to the Kremlin, they may be slaughtered, as they were in Hungary. But then, if there is a tendency to "sensationalize" reports of unrest within the Soviet Union, what was there to prevent readers of Handleman's "analysis" from suspecting that possibly even the Hungarian reports were sensationalized? And what was the net result in Hungary and Poland? Were not those satellite peoples, in the end, "sheep" who had to accept whatever they were told by the Kremlin and its agents? Youth revolts in Poland and Hungary, and other satellites, also forecast the doom of the Soviet Empire, according to Randleman, who based his conclusion on the views of Western "experts and diplomats." Even students of Moscow and Leningrad "suddenly" have begun to question and "to criticize the results of Communist rule - if not yet the very tenets of Communism." Accepting this behavior of the students as a "failure of the Communists to sell their ideas to their own youth," Western diplomats figure, according to Randleman, that this "alone means the eventual doom for the Communist Empire." Randleman himself, however, had stated in a previous chapter that "there has been no confirmed report of basic criticism of the system of Soviet rule." And we know that it will take more than criticism to knock Communism out. But does it? Youth generally is highly emotional, impatient, and fickle; it is easily swayed from one ideology to another, taking little account of principles. We read of student demonstrations in Slovakia, Ukrainia, Poland, Bohemia and Hungary against oppressions of Red regimes; �SLOVAKIA 25 in some places these demonstrations resulted in violence. The net result usually was frustration: their own people would not support their "revolts" - and the West was unwilling to intervene, because that might have meant war. Youth wants war in the satellites, but the oldsters do not and Western democracies do not, either. After a couple of setbacks, satellite youth tends to accept its fate with resignation, like the oldsters do. Of course, that is unfortunate, because in the end it means a stronger and more powerful Soviet Union. Now, in Moscow itself, did the students really question the infallibility of the Red Party, as Randleman told us? Did they really criticize "the results" of Communist rule, or possibly just some of its methods and techniques? What percentage of the students of Moscow and Leningrad dared to question "the results" of Communist rule? I believe it is safe to say that no one knows not even the "experts." Furthermore, is it not possible that some of the students, who did the questioning and criticizing, were trained agents of the men in the Kremlin? Unless Western "experts and diplomats," ordinary and "distinguished" reporters, take these and similar questions into account in their reports and statements, I believe we have reason to suspect that they are not objective, but more or less superficial and tendencious. In the last of the series of articles by Randleman in the EVENING NEWS, we read that "the American dream of a Russia strong, healthy and friendly goes way back." That may be so, but does that necessarily apply to our dream of the Soviet Union? Or does Russia and the Soviet Union mean one and the same thing to Western "expert" diplomats and correspondents? George Kennan, former ambassador to the Soviet Union and "one of the two or three best American experts on the Soviet Union," according to Randleman, "forecast bluntly in 1951 that the satellites would win their independence." Of course, he did not forecast exactly from whom or what, or how and when that would happen, but, behold what the same Mr. Kennan said on May 3, 1956: "What we must recognize today, in the case of the sa- �26 SLOVAKIA tellites, is that evil like good, produces its own vested interests. Where regimes of this nature have been in power for more than a decade, there can be no question of putting Humpty Dumpty (i.e., a relative condition of freedom) together again and restoring the status quo ante ... there is a finality, for better or worse, about what has now occurred in Eastern Europe. . . . Whether we like it or not, the gradual evolution of these Communist regimes to a position of greater independence and greater responsiveness to domestic opinion is the best we can hope for as the next phase of development in that area." However, according to the SATURDAY EVENING POST of November 24, 1956, Mr. Kennan, "our No. 1 expert on the Soviet Union," knew right along that satellite rebellions were going to take place, and actually predicted, in 1945 that they would. Then he predicted still further uprisings because "the same fundamental forces are at work throughout the whole area." What these "fundamental forces" were, however, Mr. Kennan did not spell out. On May 3, 1956, according to Mr. Kennan, there was a "finality" about Red regimes, but some seven months later he knew that there was no "finality" about those regimes at all. That, of course, brings us to the question: Did Mr. Kennan, "our No. 1 expert on the Soviet Union," have the vaguest idea of what he was talking about on May 3, 1956? We remember Mr. Kennan as the promoter of the "containment" policy of our State Department. When the Soviet "de-Stalinization" campaign erupted last winter, the same Mr. Kennan wrote many articles and spoke many speeches to explain "the meaning of the change." The central idea in all of these manifestations of Kennan is the same: "The Russians have changed" since the death and renunciation of Stalin. That, of course, was exactly what the men of the Kremlin wanted the West to believe! Then came the Hungarian massacre! It is obvious that Randleman attempted to demonstrate, with the help of "the best diplomatic brains in Paris and other West European capitals": 1. that the "normal logic" of Communist leaders is precisely the same as that of a representative Western mind (his own and the "ex- �SLOVAKIA 27 perts' " he relies upon) ; and, 2. that within the next "three, four or five years," with the United States making a strenuous effort to stop Communism in its tracks by appealing to "common sense," the men in the Kremlin, Russians or whatever they are, will come around to the point of "offering a realistic and acceptable formula by which the two worlds of the cold war era can live together in peace and later in friendship." This is muddled thinking and tragic nonsense. The thesis is built on false premises. Many of our policymakers and writers, rather than being guided by a correct picture of what is going on in Communist minds, have tended to interpret these minds in our own image. They know that all decent people would like to have the cold war ended and a lasting peace established. But they know, too, that peace can come about only by "understanding." The chief function of our policies, therefore, should be to overcome "misunderstanding" between America and the Soviet Union, with the U. S. appealing to "common purposes"! This reasoning derives from the assumption that the Soviet system is basically a national political system devoted to the pursuits of reasonable social goals. But a closer, better look at that system reveals that it is no different basically than the Nazi system. Because the Nazi features were widely accepted as evidence of irrationality, we called the followers of Hitler "crazy, dangerous madmen." What then are the followers of Marx, Lenin, Stalin and Co.? It is well to remember that, by virtue of their belief in Marxist dogma, Communists live in a mental world that is essentially hostile to the mental world of the West. From the very beginning, Marxism-Leninism has conceived the relation between itself and the rest of the world as one of destruction. The program of the Reds never changes: they are dedicated to our destruction; they will destroy us, if we do not destroy them first. In Soviet foreign relations there is no intellectual or emotional basis for reasonableness, as non-Soviet countries understand it. "Reasonable Communism" is a contradiction in terms. The Communist mind, as the record shows, has so defined its world that it shares neither truth nor logic nor moral- �28 SLOVAKIA ity with the rest of mankind. It is, therefore, senseless to talk about establishing peace with the Communists. Temporary truce, yes, if it suits the Soviet Union and the ultimate aim of Comunism, but not peace. Peace, in the sense of international order based on a minimum of common values, is not possible with an adversary who rejects the very right of other societies to exist. Furthermore, Communists tend to develop the psychological tendency to engage in self-contradictory actions. It is not easy for most Westerners, even many Western "experts and diplomats," to grasp that Communists manage to be for and against something at the same time. Handleman's articles, though he did not bring the thought out, have many evidences of this. The Communists were for the Russian people, so they executed more than fifteen million Russians from 1917 to 1938; they were for the Ukrainians, so they starved over 20 million of them to death in one year when there was no war; they claimed they were for a strong, democratic, independent Poland and then proceeded to knock the tar out of them, butchering over 10,000 Polish Army officers in the Katyn Forest for good measure; Moscow supported the parties allied with the Reds in the French Popular Front and simultaneously sought to split and weaken them from within; the Kremlin worked for Hitler's destruction at Geneva and in the capitals of Western Europe, but it also conducted negotiations with Berlin aiming at increasing Nazi strength; Tito, a most valuable product of the Kremlin, fought the Germans in Yugoslavia and also used their help to fight his civil war; Slovak Reds were for an independent Slovak Republic, but at the same time they collaborated with the Czech Reds and Benes Czechs to restore CzechoSlovakia; Stalin helped Benes and his Czech Nazis back into power in the "new" Czecho-Slovakia, while his stooge Gottwald was under orders to speed up the complete takeover the power by the Reds; the Kremlin is for peace and order in the world, but at the same time is fomenting throuble just about everywhere. And Stalin recommended democratic tactics as the surest way to achieve Communist aims. Communist dialectics! �SLOVAKIA 29 Handleman's articles gave the impression that the recent disturbances in Poland and Hungary had weakened the Soviet Empire ("Prophecy of Doom Heard by the Kremlin, Observer Believes" - "Red Rulers Face Desepration Drive to Save Empire"). But is it not a fact that the entire history of Communism is practically an uninterrupted sequence of bloody convulsions? And yet we know that the Communist world is stronger today than it ever was. What is more, the record shows that factional feuds within the Communist Empire do not help the West and the enslaved peoples, but ultimately only strengthen Communism. The anti-Communists of Europe apparently have learned one lesson from history: no totalitarian regime, once it was established, has ever broken down because of internal disruptions; a totalitarian regime collapses only when external powers intervene. In the face of the recent Hungarian slaughter, the "democratic" West now should be definitely convinced that even the most fantastic courage of a suppressed people cannot overthrow a determined totalitarian regime which always has the backing of the Kremlin. Of course, rebellions and convulsions within the Communist-dominated countries are exceptional opportunities for the West to thrust into the Red orbit, but, if the opportunity is wasted by a West enchanted by or petrified with pacifism, the inescapable result of such historic frustration is a further triumph of Communism. In November 1917, one regiment could have stopped the Bolsheviks, led by non-Russians, in their tracks. A year later, perhaps a division of Allied troops would have knocked them out, but a small army would have been needed in 1920. The Red Empire was always mortally vulnerable to a determined attack by organized external forces, but as the years rolled by the required effort increased both in size and also in risk. Today the men of the Kremlin are convinced that the West does not want war - that it prefers to fight with words. Randleman reported: "the chief of these problems, staggering problems for the United States, will be to prevent a third world war from erupting." In the last of his �30 SLOVAKIA series of six articles (Jan. 12, 1957), he added: "the threat of a major war being triggered in this way (by the satellites) ... was the reason Dulles had to make the painful announcement during the December meeting of NATO foreign ministers that the U. S. would not be able to intervene to help any satellite revolt with arms." That is what the poor wretches in the satellite countries did not want to hear, but that is precisely what the men of the Kremlin did want to hear: the Reds are now determined more than ever to intervene anywhere at any time in the interest of the Soviet Union, the homeland of all Communists, with impunity. The Kremlin can always take care of revolts in the satellite countries and at the same time start trouble for the West elsewhere - and its stooges in the satellites know that. The men in the Kremlin and all Reds agree with Dulles on one point he made at the NATO meeting in December: Soviet rulers shall never give up their dream of world conquest voluntarily! Freedom and Communism are irreconcilable. Coexistence is the complete denial of this fundamental fact of the present international situation. The Communist policy of "peaceful coexistence" is aimed at the moral, political, and military disarmament of the West. At present it is the main Communist vehicle to destroy the will of the free world to live and fight. Ever since the first Communist seizure of power, the Communists have amply demonstrated that they meant business and used power with utter contempt for human lives, moral scruples, and democratic principles. Since the free world has 'coexisted" with Communism for some 39 years (one generation) , Communism has grown from 200 to over 800 million people and now rules one-third of the globe. Another generation of such "coexistence" and ... ? The situation becomes all the more tragic and alarming when we recall that ten European countries were harnessed with Communist regimes by the Western democracies to appease the high-priests of Communism, the men of the Kremlin. What America and the rest of the free world really �SLOVAKIA 31 need right now is a large, stiff dose of "Knowlandism" for the brain to clear our thinking so that we might resolve: NO MORAL AND/ OR MATERIAL AID FOR THE SOVIET UNION AND ITS SATELLITES! • • • A BELATED REPORT By CHARLES MURIN, Ph.D., LL.D. It seems to be inevitable during a war, when the stakes are high, that people reduce their thinking to two categories only: my side is identified with the good and moral purely and simply, the enemy, or the other side. is the embodiment pure of the principle of evil which is the root of all disorder in the world. It is understandable that this psychological attitude belongs to war, because one has to know what he is offering his life for. However, if this psychological factor seems to belong to the conditions required for the winning of a war, the same attitude is a disturbing factor when it enters among the considerations how to win the peace. This is exactly what we experienced after World War II in regard to the organization of post-war Europe. Besides this, Slovak refugees, among many others, have experienced in their own personal destinies the drawbacks in the application of the above-mentioned psychological attitude to the period immediately following the war. It took about two years until an about face had been brought about, and the writer of these lines had the peculiar opportunity of being personally involved in both stages of mind; the one that is supposed to win the war, and the one which aims at winning the peace. It goes without saying that the latter was infinitely more in accordance with common sense and reason and with what can be called the moral principles in politics. The psychological attitude of seeing only black and white becomes a real disaster when it is adopted by responsible statesmen and politicians. As a direct consequence, this attitude inevitably involves political and moral contradictions that do not fail to give, with on unerring � SLOVAKIA 19 ANALYZING THE ANALYSTS: IS THE SOVIET UNION DOOMED? PHILIP A. HROBAK According to a number of Western "expert" analysts, correspondents, and "top" diplomats, there are many signs pointing to the "fact" that the Soviet Union is doomed. They say that many things have happened in the various satellite countries, even in the Soviet Union itself, which definitely are unmistakable signs of the failure of the Communists to convert their subjects to the doctrines of Marx and Engels and "to sell their ideas to their own youth." To the "experts" this means the eventual doom for the Communist empire," the collapse of the political system of Communism in the "foreseeable future." Such is the apparent conclusion of analyst Howard Randleman of the International News Service, whose series of articles, published early in January, 1957, I have taken the liberty to scrutinize. Is the Soviet Union really doomed? The vast majority of the nations of the free world undoubtedly wish that it were; and the sooner the Communist political system collapses, the better - but, unfortunately, wishing alone will not make it so. As long as Western political leaders, "expert" analysts and commentators, "top" diplomats and "distinguished" diplomatic correspondents follow the path which the Communists want anti-Communists to follow - the path of "peaceful coexistence," the support of "nationalist" or Titoist Communism which is supposed to be "different" than the Soviet "international" brand of Communism, while the Communists of all countries under the leadership of the men in the Kremlin are busy conquering the world - America and the rest of the free world are in mortal danger. Under the prevailing conditions, it is not the Soviet Union and the Communist political system that is doomed, but the democratic west and all free democratic political systems. Of course, the West still has time to meet the danger with �20 SLOVAKIA effective countermeasures, but it's later than most of us think. Substituting wishful thinking and arbitrary theorizing, and completely ignoring the Communist "guide to action" which is necessary for the understanding of Communist policies, techniques and tactics, did not and will not contribute to the downfall of Communism. Neither will irresponsible vagaries of Western Titoists, who glorify and idolize Tito, Gomulka, and Kadar - the old stalwarts of international Communism, but now the proponents of "naas champions of democracy. To tional" Communism promote "national" Communism (Titoism), that is, a policy of helping a Communist regin1e, for the sake of a Communist conquest of the world, makes sense. To promote it for the sake of freedom, does not. Events behind the Iron Curtain - as noted by the EVENING NEWS (Harrisburg, Pa.), January 7, 1957, in its introduction to the first of a series of six articles by Howard Randleman, " distinguished diplomatic and foreign correspondent" - have indeed moved with swift and startling speed in recent months. However, whether the analysis or interpretation of these events by the "Chief European Correspondent of the International News Service" is reasonably correct is, in my mind, highly questionable, the views of the "West's top diplomats" and the "daily headlines" on the future of the Soviet Empire to the contrary notwithstanding. After reading the articles carefully several times, I had been left with the impression that the Soviet Union really was in serious trouble and might be expected to fold up within the next five years even without any armed intervention by the West. Undoubtedly other readers of the paper had been similarly impressed. But thoroughly informed persons on the Soviet Union and Communist techniques and tactics know that this is only wishful thinking. The analysis tendered by Mr. Randleman has, I am afraid, only added to the heaps of misinformation so generously propagated even by so-called "Western experts" on Communism and the Soviet Union. The men in the Kremlin thrive on confusion and cha<!>s; they promote ,it assiduously, (. �SLOVAKIA 21 though they prefer that the West does the promoting for them, wittingly or unwittingly, for the edification of satellites and potential satellites. Strangely enough, the West thus far has done a remarkable job in that respect, and Mr. Handleman's effort, in my opinion not the least of the contributions, was appreciated by the Kremlin goons. According to Randleman: "The handwriting is on the wall for the Communist Empire. Western diplomatic authorities see it. They say the men in the Kremlin must see it." Was this a warranted or unwarranted assumption? Even if it were warranted, can any "expert" or "Western diplomatic authority" tell us with certitude that the hand½Titing on the wall is seen and interpreted by the men in he Kremlin in he same light as it is by any Western experts or diplomats? Of course not! The job of busting up the empire of Lenin and Stalin, we are told, will not be easy and may take time, but "Western experts" - whoever they are - "believe the Communist Empire will break up without a major war. They also believe, according to Randleman, that if the West can hold fast for another four or five years, "the Soviet rulers in the end will offer an acceptable formula for security in Europe and the world." But, Mr. Randleman hedged, "it is also recognized that, although the present signs point to the dissolution of the power of the Soviet Empire, the trend could be reversed." And, when it comes to the Soviet Union, there are always "too many unpredictables," according to one highly placed diplomat, "but certainly from everything we know now, the most likely trend over the next few years is one in which the Kremlin leaders will be pushed towards a realistic negotiation by their own peoples." History, however, tells us in no uncertain terms that any such "trend" not only could be, but always had been reversed in the past. It also tells us that, whenever the Kremlin leaders were "pushed" towards a realistic negotiation by their own peoples, the negotiation never actually benefitted the West and the peoples concerned, but only the Soviet Union and Communist regimes. "Weste@A~516~aUB'RM'f Randleman, "bank heavily MILLERSVILLE STATE COLLEGE �22 SLOVAKIA on the common sense of the Russian leaders." One of the "best informed, who has served in the Soviet Union," said the Kremlin leaders might make war if things get worse, "but the best safeguard against war, perhaps, is that leaders in the Kremlin are pretty level headed: they do not want to commit suicide." So, if it does come to the worst, the Kremlin leaders, we are supposed to believe, will yield "what they must" to satellite pressure and, in the end, instead of busting out with atomic war, "it seems more likely they will make a realistic and acceptable offer to the West for a workable security system." It is obvious that what Randleman referred to as the "best informed" diplomat does not necessarily mean that a diplomat so qualified is in fact too well informed on the Soviet or Communist business. It certainly is most unfortunate for the West that its diplomats bank so heavily on the "common sense" of the men in the Kremlin and consider them "pretty level headed," because Soviet leaders are not just ordinary men with "common sense." They are madmen. Hence, if it is in the Soviet interest, they will commit suicide, because they know that the slightest indication to refuse to make the supreme sacrifice at any time means a betrayal of that interest, and the penalty for betrayal is death. Communism always has and always will continue to devour its own children. The Kremlin leaders cannot ever be honestly interested in any "workable security system" with the West, because they are dedicated to the destruction of western civilization and all systems of government opposed to the Soviet system. What did the West really gain by what recently transpired in Poland and Hungary? Let's be honest and face it: nothing but the scorn and curses of the terribly disappointed wretches - the "heroic fighters for freedom" as the West called them - who certainly expected a lot more than pious platitudes, sympathy, and resolutions of protest from the Western democracies which, they swear before God and all men, are in fact responsible for their brutal enslavement by the Soviet Union and its stooges. On the other hand, what did Communism and/ or the Soviet Union actually lose by what happened in those hap- �SLOVAKIA 23 less, brutally tyrannized countries? Let us be equally honest and openly admit that the Soviet Union lost nothing. And judging by past history, the Reds even stand to gain more power and prestige ! Having assumed that the Soviet Empire is collapsing, Haqdleman continued to babble, saying that "the Soviet rulers have embarked on a monumental and desperate operation to salvage what they can of the power of their empire." But the odds "among Western diplomats" are that the operation will fail because the Kremlin moved too late. In the light of reality, however, it is rather naive, if not downright silly, to assume that the Soviet Empire is collapsing and then to declare that the Soviet rulers, therefore, have embarked on a "monumental and desperate" operation to salvage the power, which they still held firmly in their hands, but which the West hopefully wished was actually threatened. Once he was captivated by his assumption, the Chief European Correspondent of the INS looked for support of his thesis to the view taken by Secretary of State Dulles at the recent NATO conference: satellite unrest carries with it the danger of a general war, but it is still to be welcomed greatly as foreshadowing the collapse of the Soviet Empire or a fundamental change in its character; and the "desperation in the Kremlin is reflected in the various means it has used to salvage power." Now, what were some of those various means? He told us that in Hungary "there were tanks and guns, and concession . .. Chou En-Lai of Red China was invited to Moscow for talks. . . . Radio Budapest broadcast Christmas hymns and carols for the first time in eight years .... In Poland there were concessions ... : On Christmas Eve radio Warsaw broadcast a message by Stefan Cardinal Wyszynski." Concessions? If that's what the above might be called, yes, but only temporary. After devoting one installment to the "various means" the Kremlin used to "salvage" its power in the satellites, Randleman then told us in the next: "The Kremlin leadership appears secure, however, within the Soviet Union and in the other satellites for the time �24 SLOVAKIA being." Quite a let-down, indeed! But there is more; the situation may not be such as reported: "The best diplomatic brains in Paris and other West European capitals decry what they call a tendency to sensationalize reports of unrest within the Soviet Union." On the other hand, however, "there have been enough reports to convince the experts that satellite people no longer are sheep who accept whatever they are told." What the 'experts" mean by "whatever they are told," is anybody's guess. We know, however, that if satellite people do not keep in line with the regime that is totally subservient to the Kremlin, they may be slaughtered, as they were in Hungary. But then, if there is a tendency to "sensationalize" reports of unrest within the Soviet Union, what was there to prevent readers of Handleman's "analysis" from suspecting that possibly even the Hungarian reports were sensationalized? And what was the net result in Hungary and Poland? Were not those satellite peoples, in the end, "sheep" who had to accept whatever they were told by the Kremlin and its agents? Youth revolts in Poland and Hungary, and other satellites, also forecast the doom of the Soviet Empire, according to Randleman, who based his conclusion on the views of Western "experts and diplomats." Even students of Moscow and Leningrad "suddenly" have begun to question and "to criticize the results of Communist rule - if not yet the very tenets of Communism." Accepting this behavior of the students as a "failure of the Communists to sell their ideas to their own youth," Western diplomats figure, according to Randleman, that this "alone means the eventual doom for the Communist Empire." Randleman himself, however, had stated in a previous chapter that "there has been no confirmed report of basic criticism of the system of Soviet rule." And we know that it will take more than criticism to knock Communism out. But does it? Youth generally is highly emotional, impatient, and fickle; it is easily swayed from one ideology to another, taking little account of principles. We read of student demonstrations in Slovakia, Ukrainia, Poland, Bohemia and Hungary against oppressions of Red regimes; �SLOVAKIA 25 in some places these demonstrations resulted in violence. The net result usually was frustration: their own people would not support their "revolts" - and the West was unwilling to intervene, because that might have meant war. Youth wants war in the satellites, but the oldsters do not and Western democracies do not, either. After a couple of setbacks, satellite youth tends to accept its fate with resignation, like the oldsters do. Of course, that is unfortunate, because in the end it means a stronger and more powerful Soviet Union. Now, in Moscow itself, did the students really question the infallibility of the Red Party, as Randleman told us? Did they really criticize "the results" of Communist rule, or possibly just some of its methods and techniques? What percentage of the students of Moscow and Leningrad dared to question "the results" of Communist rule? I believe it is safe to say that no one knows not even the "experts." Furthermore, is it not possible that some of the students, who did the questioning and criticizing, were trained agents of the men in the Kremlin? Unless Western "experts and diplomats," ordinary and "distinguished" reporters, take these and similar questions into account in their reports and statements, I believe we have reason to suspect that they are not objective, but more or less superficial and tendencious. In the last of the series of articles by Randleman in the EVENING NEWS, we read that "the American dream of a Russia strong, healthy and friendly goes way back." That may be so, but does that necessarily apply to our dream of the Soviet Union? Or does Russia and the Soviet Union mean one and the same thing to Western "expert" diplomats and correspondents? George Kennan, former ambassador to the Soviet Union and "one of the two or three best American experts on the Soviet Union," according to Randleman, "forecast bluntly in 1951 that the satellites would win their independence." Of course, he did not forecast exactly from whom or what, or how and when that would happen, but, behold what the same Mr. Kennan said on May 3, 1956: "What we must recognize today, in the case of the sa- �26 SLOVAKIA tellites, is that evil like good, produces its own vested interests. Where regimes of this nature have been in power for more than a decade, there can be no question of putting Humpty Dumpty (i.e., a relative condition of freedom) together again and restoring the status quo ante ... there is a finality, for better or worse, about what has now occurred in Eastern Europe. . . . Whether we like it or not, the gradual evolution of these Communist regimes to a position of greater independence and greater responsiveness to domestic opinion is the best we can hope for as the next phase of development in that area." However, according to the SATURDAY EVENING POST of November 24, 1956, Mr. Kennan, "our No. 1 expert on the Soviet Union," knew right along that satellite rebellions were going to take place, and actually predicted, in 1945 that they would. Then he predicted still further uprisings because "the same fundamental forces are at work throughout the whole area." What these "fundamental forces" were, however, Mr. Kennan did not spell out. On May 3, 1956, according to Mr. Kennan, there was a "finality" about Red regimes, but some seven months later he knew that there was no "finality" about those regimes at all. That, of course, brings us to the question: Did Mr. Kennan, "our No. 1 expert on the Soviet Union," have the vaguest idea of what he was talking about on May 3, 1956? We remember Mr. Kennan as the promoter of the "containment" policy of our State Department. When the Soviet "de-Stalinization" campaign erupted last winter, the same Mr. Kennan wrote many articles and spoke many speeches to explain "the meaning of the change." The central idea in all of these manifestations of Kennan is the same: "The Russians have changed" since the death and renunciation of Stalin. That, of course, was exactly what the men of the Kremlin wanted the West to believe! Then came the Hungarian massacre! It is obvious that Randleman attempted to demonstrate, with the help of "the best diplomatic brains in Paris and other West European capitals": 1. that the "normal logic" of Communist leaders is precisely the same as that of a representative Western mind (his own and the "ex- �SLOVAKIA 27 perts' " he relies upon) ; and, 2. that within the next "three, four or five years," with the United States making a strenuous effort to stop Communism in its tracks by appealing to "common sense," the men in the Kremlin, Russians or whatever they are, will come around to the point of "offering a realistic and acceptable formula by which the two worlds of the cold war era can live together in peace and later in friendship." This is muddled thinking and tragic nonsense. The thesis is built on false premises. Many of our policymakers and writers, rather than being guided by a correct picture of what is going on in Communist minds, have tended to interpret these minds in our own image. They know that all decent people would like to have the cold war ended and a lasting peace established. But they know, too, that peace can come about only by "understanding." The chief function of our policies, therefore, should be to overcome "misunderstanding" between America and the Soviet Union, with the U. S. appealing to "common purposes"! This reasoning derives from the assumption that the Soviet system is basically a national political system devoted to the pursuits of reasonable social goals. But a closer, better look at that system reveals that it is no different basically than the Nazi system. Because the Nazi features were widely accepted as evidence of irrationality, we called the followers of Hitler "crazy, dangerous madmen." What then are the followers of Marx, Lenin, Stalin and Co.? It is well to remember that, by virtue of their belief in Marxist dogma, Communists live in a mental world that is essentially hostile to the mental world of the West. From the very beginning, Marxism-Leninism has conceived the relation between itself and the rest of the world as one of destruction. The program of the Reds never changes: they are dedicated to our destruction; they will destroy us, if we do not destroy them first. In Soviet foreign relations there is no intellectual or emotional basis for reasonableness, as non-Soviet countries understand it. "Reasonable Communism" is a contradiction in terms. The Communist mind, as the record shows, has so defined its world that it shares neither truth nor logic nor moral- �28 SLOVAKIA ity with the rest of mankind. It is, therefore, senseless to talk about establishing peace with the Communists. Temporary truce, yes, if it suits the Soviet Union and the ultimate aim of Comunism, but not peace. Peace, in the sense of international order based on a minimum of common values, is not possible with an adversary who rejects the very right of other societies to exist. Furthermore, Communists tend to develop the psychological tendency to engage in self-contradictory actions. It is not easy for most Westerners, even many Western "experts and diplomats," to grasp that Communists manage to be for and against something at the same time. Handleman's articles, though he did not bring the thought out, have many evidences of this. The Communists were for the Russian people, so they executed more than fifteen million Russians from 1917 to 1938; they were for the Ukrainians, so they starved over 20 million of them to death in one year when there was no war; they claimed they were for a strong, democratic, independent Poland and then proceeded to knock the tar out of them, butchering over 10,000 Polish Army officers in the Katyn Forest for good measure; Moscow supported the parties allied with the Reds in the French Popular Front and simultaneously sought to split and weaken them from within; the Kremlin worked for Hitler's destruction at Geneva and in the capitals of Western Europe, but it also conducted negotiations with Berlin aiming at increasing Nazi strength; Tito, a most valuable product of the Kremlin, fought the Germans in Yugoslavia and also used their help to fight his civil war; Slovak Reds were for an independent Slovak Republic, but at the same time they collaborated with the Czech Reds and Benes Czechs to restore CzechoSlovakia; Stalin helped Benes and his Czech Nazis back into power in the "new" Czecho-Slovakia, while his stooge Gottwald was under orders to speed up the complete takeover the power by the Reds; the Kremlin is for peace and order in the world, but at the same time is fomenting throuble just about everywhere. And Stalin recommended democratic tactics as the surest way to achieve Communist aims. Communist dialectics! �SLOVAKIA 29 Handleman's articles gave the impression that the recent disturbances in Poland and Hungary had weakened the Soviet Empire ("Prophecy of Doom Heard by the Kremlin, Observer Believes" - "Red Rulers Face Desepration Drive to Save Empire"). But is it not a fact that the entire history of Communism is practically an uninterrupted sequence of bloody convulsions? And yet we know that the Communist world is stronger today than it ever was. What is more, the record shows that factional feuds within the Communist Empire do not help the West and the enslaved peoples, but ultimately only strengthen Communism. The anti-Communists of Europe apparently have learned one lesson from history: no totalitarian regime, once it was established, has ever broken down because of internal disruptions; a totalitarian regime collapses only when external powers intervene. In the face of the recent Hungarian slaughter, the "democratic" West now should be definitely convinced that even the most fantastic courage of a suppressed people cannot overthrow a determined totalitarian regime which always has the backing of the Kremlin. Of course, rebellions and convulsions within the Communist-dominated countries are exceptional opportunities for the West to thrust into the Red orbit, but, if the opportunity is wasted by a West enchanted by or petrified with pacifism, the inescapable result of such historic frustration is a further triumph of Communism. In November 1917, one regiment could have stopped the Bolsheviks, led by non-Russians, in their tracks. A year later, perhaps a division of Allied troops would have knocked them out, but a small army would have been needed in 1920. The Red Empire was always mortally vulnerable to a determined attack by organized external forces, but as the years rolled by the required effort increased both in size and also in risk. Today the men of the Kremlin are convinced that the West does not want war - that it prefers to fight with words. Randleman reported: "the chief of these problems, staggering problems for the United States, will be to prevent a third world war from erupting." In the last of his �30 SLOVAKIA series of six articles (Jan. 12, 1957), he added: "the threat of a major war being triggered in this way (by the satellites) ... was the reason Dulles had to make the painful announcement during the December meeting of NATO foreign ministers that the U. S. would not be able to intervene to help any satellite revolt with arms." That is what the poor wretches in the satellite countries did not want to hear, but that is precisely what the men of the Kremlin did want to hear: the Reds are now determined more than ever to intervene anywhere at any time in the interest of the Soviet Union, the homeland of all Communists, with impunity. The Kremlin can always take care of revolts in the satellite countries and at the same time start trouble for the West elsewhere - and its stooges in the satellites know that. The men in the Kremlin and all Reds agree with Dulles on one point he made at the NATO meeting in December: Soviet rulers shall never give up their dream of world conquest voluntarily! Freedom and Communism are irreconcilable. Coexistence is the complete denial of this fundamental fact of the present international situation. The Communist policy of "peaceful coexistence" is aimed at the moral, political, and military disarmament of the West. At present it is the main Communist vehicle to destroy the will of the free world to live and fight. Ever since the first Communist seizure of power, the Communists have amply demonstrated that they meant business and used power with utter contempt for human lives, moral scruples, and democratic principles. Since the free world has 'coexisted" with Communism for some 39 years (one generation) , Communism has grown from 200 to over 800 million people and now rules one-third of the globe. Another generation of such "coexistence" and ... ? The situation becomes all the more tragic and alarming when we recall that ten European countries were harnessed with Communist regimes by the Western democracies to appease the high-priests of Communism, the men of the Kremlin. What America and the rest of the free world really �SLOVAKIA 31 need right now is a large, stiff dose of "Knowlandism" for the brain to clear our thinking so that we might resolve: NO MORAL AND/ OR MATERIAL AID FOR THE SOVIET UNION AND ITS SATELLITES! • • • A BELATED REPORT By CHARLES MURIN, Ph.D., LL.D. It seems to be inevitable during a war, when the stakes are high, that people reduce their thinking to two categories only: my side is identified with the good and moral purely and simply, the enemy, or the other side. is the embodiment pure of the principle of evil which is the root of all disorder in the world. It is understandable that this psychological attitude belongs to war, because one has to know what he is offering his life for. However, if this psychological factor seems to belong to the conditions required for the winning of a war, the same attitude is a disturbing factor when it enters among the considerations how to win the peace. This is exactly what we experienced after World War II in regard to the organization of post-war Europe. Besides this, Slovak refugees, among many others, have experienced in their own personal destinies the drawbacks in the application of the above-mentioned psychological attitude to the period immediately following the war. It took about two years until an about face had been brought about, and the writer of these lines had the peculiar opportunity of being personally involved in both stages of mind; the one that is supposed to win the war, and the one which aims at winning the peace. It goes without saying that the latter was infinitely more in accordance with common sense and reason and with what can be called the moral principles in politics. The psychological attitude of seeing only black and white becomes a real disaster when it is adopted by responsible statesmen and politicians. As a direct consequence, this attitude inevitably involves political and moral contradictions that do not fail to give, with on unerring � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource 1957, Vol. 7 Description An account of the resource <ul><li>Issue 1 (No. 22), March 1957.</li> <li>Issue 2 (No. 23), June 1957.</li> <li>Issue 3-4 (No. 24-25), September-December 1957.</li> </ul> Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available The Slovak League of America Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1957 Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document SLOVAKIA 19 ANALYZING THE ANALYSTS: IS THE SOVIET UNION DOOMED? PHILIP A. HROBAK According to a number of Western "expert" analysts, correspondents, and "top" diplomats, there are many signs pointing to the "fact" that the Soviet Union is doomed. They say that many things have happened in the various satellite countries, even in the Soviet Union itself, which definitely are unmistakable signs of the failure of the Communists to convert their subjects to the doctrines of Marx and Engels and "to sell their ideas to their own youth." To the "experts" this means the eventual doom for the Communist empire," the collapse of the political system of Communism in the "foreseeable future." Such is the apparent conclusion of analyst Howard Randleman of the International News Service, whose series of articles, published early in January, 1957, I have taken the liberty to scrutinize. Is the Soviet Union really doomed? The vast majority of the nations of the free world undoubtedly wish that it were; and the sooner the Communist political system collapses, the better - but, unfortunately, wishing alone will not make it so. As long as Western political leaders, "expert" analysts and commentators, "top" diplomats and "distinguished" diplomatic correspondents follow the path which the Communists want anti-Communists to follow - the path of "peaceful coexistence," the support of "nationalist" or Titoist Communism which is supposed to be "different" than the Soviet "international" brand of Communism, while the Communists of all countries under the leadership of the men in the Kremlin are busy conquering the world - America and the rest of the free world are in mortal danger. Under the prevailing conditions, it is not the Soviet Union and the Communist political system that is doomed, but the democratic west and all free democratic political systems. Of course, the West still has time to meet the danger with 20 SLOVAKIA effective countermeasures, but it's later than most of us think. Substituting wishful thinking and arbitrary theorizing, and completely ignoring the Communist "guide to action" which is necessary for the understanding of Communist policies, techniques and tactics, did not and will not contribute to the downfall of Communism. Neither will irresponsible vagaries of Western Titoists, who glorify and idolize Tito, Gomulka, and Kadar - the old stalwarts of international Communism, but now the proponents of "naas champions of democracy. To tional" Communism promote "national" Communism (Titoism), that is, a policy of helping a Communist regin1e, for the sake of a Communist conquest of the world, makes sense. To promote it for the sake of freedom, does not. Events behind the Iron Curtain - as noted by the EVENING NEWS (Harrisburg, Pa.), January 7, 1957, in its introduction to the first of a series of six articles by Howard Randleman, " distinguished diplomatic and foreign correspondent" - have indeed moved with swift and startling speed in recent months. However, whether the analysis or interpretation of these events by the "Chief European Correspondent of the International News Service" is reasonably correct is, in my mind, highly questionable, the views of the "West's top diplomats" and the "daily headlines" on the future of the Soviet Empire to the contrary notwithstanding. After reading the articles carefully several times, I had been left with the impression that the Soviet Union really was in serious trouble and might be expected to fold up within the next five years even without any armed intervention by the West. Undoubtedly other readers of the paper had been similarly impressed. But thoroughly informed persons on the Soviet Union and Communist techniques and tactics know that this is only wishful thinking. The analysis tendered by Mr. Randleman has, I am afraid, only added to the heaps of misinformation so generously propagated even by so-called "Western experts" on Communism and the Soviet Union. The men in the Kremlin thrive on confusion and cha<!>s; they promote ,it assiduously, (. SLOVAKIA 21 though they prefer that the West does the promoting for them, wittingly or unwittingly, for the edification of satellites and potential satellites. Strangely enough, the West thus far has done a remarkable job in that respect, and Mr. Handleman's effort, in my opinion not the least of the contributions, was appreciated by the Kremlin goons. According to Randleman: "The handwriting is on the wall for the Communist Empire. Western diplomatic authorities see it. They say the men in the Kremlin must see it." Was this a warranted or unwarranted assumption? Even if it were warranted, can any "expert" or "Western diplomatic authority" tell us with certitude that the hand½Titing on the wall is seen and interpreted by the men in he Kremlin in he same light as it is by any Western experts or diplomats? Of course not! The job of busting up the empire of Lenin and Stalin, we are told, will not be easy and may take time, but "Western experts" - whoever they are - "believe the Communist Empire will break up without a major war. They also believe, according to Randleman, that if the West can hold fast for another four or five years, "the Soviet rulers in the end will offer an acceptable formula for security in Europe and the world." But, Mr. Randleman hedged, "it is also recognized that, although the present signs point to the dissolution of the power of the Soviet Empire, the trend could be reversed." And, when it comes to the Soviet Union, there are always "too many unpredictables," according to one highly placed diplomat, "but certainly from everything we know now, the most likely trend over the next few years is one in which the Kremlin leaders will be pushed towards a realistic negotiation by their own peoples." History, however, tells us in no uncertain terms that any such "trend" not only could be, but always had been reversed in the past. It also tells us that, whenever the Kremlin leaders were "pushed" towards a realistic negotiation by their own peoples, the negotiation never actually benefitted the West and the peoples concerned, but only the Soviet Union and Communist regimes. "Weste@A~516~aUB'RM'f Randleman, "bank heavily MILLERSVILLE STATE COLLEGE 22 SLOVAKIA on the common sense of the Russian leaders." One of the "best informed, who has served in the Soviet Union," said the Kremlin leaders might make war if things get worse, "but the best safeguard against war, perhaps, is that leaders in the Kremlin are pretty level headed: they do not want to commit suicide." So, if it does come to the worst, the Kremlin leaders, we are supposed to believe, will yield "what they must" to satellite pressure and, in the end, instead of busting out with atomic war, "it seems more likely they will make a realistic and acceptable offer to the West for a workable security system." It is obvious that what Randleman referred to as the "best informed" diplomat does not necessarily mean that a diplomat so qualified is in fact too well informed on the Soviet or Communist business. It certainly is most unfortunate for the West that its diplomats bank so heavily on the "common sense" of the men in the Kremlin and consider them "pretty level headed," because Soviet leaders are not just ordinary men with "common sense." They are madmen. Hence, if it is in the Soviet interest, they will commit suicide, because they know that the slightest indication to refuse to make the supreme sacrifice at any time means a betrayal of that interest, and the penalty for betrayal is death. Communism always has and always will continue to devour its own children. The Kremlin leaders cannot ever be honestly interested in any "workable security system" with the West, because they are dedicated to the destruction of western civilization and all systems of government opposed to the Soviet system. What did the West really gain by what recently transpired in Poland and Hungary? Let's be honest and face it: nothing but the scorn and curses of the terribly disappointed wretches - the "heroic fighters for freedom" as the West called them - who certainly expected a lot more than pious platitudes, sympathy, and resolutions of protest from the Western democracies which, they swear before God and all men, are in fact responsible for their brutal enslavement by the Soviet Union and its stooges. On the other hand, what did Communism and/ or the Soviet Union actually lose by what happened in those hap- SLOVAKIA 23 less, brutally tyrannized countries? Let us be equally honest and openly admit that the Soviet Union lost nothing. And judging by past history, the Reds even stand to gain more power and prestige ! Having assumed that the Soviet Empire is collapsing, Haqdleman continued to babble, saying that "the Soviet rulers have embarked on a monumental and desperate operation to salvage what they can of the power of their empire." But the odds "among Western diplomats" are that the operation will fail because the Kremlin moved too late. In the light of reality, however, it is rather naive, if not downright silly, to assume that the Soviet Empire is collapsing and then to declare that the Soviet rulers, therefore, have embarked on a "monumental and desperate" operation to salvage the power, which they still held firmly in their hands, but which the West hopefully wished was actually threatened. Once he was captivated by his assumption, the Chief European Correspondent of the INS looked for support of his thesis to the view taken by Secretary of State Dulles at the recent NATO conference: satellite unrest carries with it the danger of a general war, but it is still to be welcomed greatly as foreshadowing the collapse of the Soviet Empire or a fundamental change in its character; and the "desperation in the Kremlin is reflected in the various means it has used to salvage power." Now, what were some of those various means? He told us that in Hungary "there were tanks and guns, and concession . .. Chou En-Lai of Red China was invited to Moscow for talks. . . . Radio Budapest broadcast Christmas hymns and carols for the first time in eight years .... In Poland there were concessions ... : On Christmas Eve radio Warsaw broadcast a message by Stefan Cardinal Wyszynski." Concessions? If that's what the above might be called, yes, but only temporary. After devoting one installment to the "various means" the Kremlin used to "salvage" its power in the satellites, Randleman then told us in the next: "The Kremlin leadership appears secure, however, within the Soviet Union and in the other satellites for the time 24 SLOVAKIA being." Quite a let-down, indeed! But there is more; the situation may not be such as reported: "The best diplomatic brains in Paris and other West European capitals decry what they call a tendency to sensationalize reports of unrest within the Soviet Union." On the other hand, however, "there have been enough reports to convince the experts that satellite people no longer are sheep who accept whatever they are told." What the 'experts" mean by "whatever they are told," is anybody's guess. We know, however, that if satellite people do not keep in line with the regime that is totally subservient to the Kremlin, they may be slaughtered, as they were in Hungary. But then, if there is a tendency to "sensationalize" reports of unrest within the Soviet Union, what was there to prevent readers of Handleman's "analysis" from suspecting that possibly even the Hungarian reports were sensationalized? And what was the net result in Hungary and Poland? Were not those satellite peoples, in the end, "sheep" who had to accept whatever they were told by the Kremlin and its agents? Youth revolts in Poland and Hungary, and other satellites, also forecast the doom of the Soviet Empire, according to Randleman, who based his conclusion on the views of Western "experts and diplomats." Even students of Moscow and Leningrad "suddenly" have begun to question and "to criticize the results of Communist rule - if not yet the very tenets of Communism." Accepting this behavior of the students as a "failure of the Communists to sell their ideas to their own youth," Western diplomats figure, according to Randleman, that this "alone means the eventual doom for the Communist Empire." Randleman himself, however, had stated in a previous chapter that "there has been no confirmed report of basic criticism of the system of Soviet rule." And we know that it will take more than criticism to knock Communism out. But does it? Youth generally is highly emotional, impatient, and fickle; it is easily swayed from one ideology to another, taking little account of principles. We read of student demonstrations in Slovakia, Ukrainia, Poland, Bohemia and Hungary against oppressions of Red regimes; SLOVAKIA 25 in some places these demonstrations resulted in violence. The net result usually was frustration: their own people would not support their "revolts" - and the West was unwilling to intervene, because that might have meant war. Youth wants war in the satellites, but the oldsters do not and Western democracies do not, either. After a couple of setbacks, satellite youth tends to accept its fate with resignation, like the oldsters do. Of course, that is unfortunate, because in the end it means a stronger and more powerful Soviet Union. Now, in Moscow itself, did the students really question the infallibility of the Red Party, as Randleman told us? Did they really criticize "the results" of Communist rule, or possibly just some of its methods and techniques? What percentage of the students of Moscow and Leningrad dared to question "the results" of Communist rule? I believe it is safe to say that no one knows not even the "experts." Furthermore, is it not possible that some of the students, who did the questioning and criticizing, were trained agents of the men in the Kremlin? Unless Western "experts and diplomats," ordinary and "distinguished" reporters, take these and similar questions into account in their reports and statements, I believe we have reason to suspect that they are not objective, but more or less superficial and tendencious. In the last of the series of articles by Randleman in the EVENING NEWS, we read that "the American dream of a Russia strong, healthy and friendly goes way back." That may be so, but does that necessarily apply to our dream of the Soviet Union? Or does Russia and the Soviet Union mean one and the same thing to Western "expert" diplomats and correspondents? George Kennan, former ambassador to the Soviet Union and "one of the two or three best American experts on the Soviet Union," according to Randleman, "forecast bluntly in 1951 that the satellites would win their independence." Of course, he did not forecast exactly from whom or what, or how and when that would happen, but, behold what the same Mr. Kennan said on May 3, 1956: "What we must recognize today, in the case of the sa- 26 SLOVAKIA tellites, is that evil like good, produces its own vested interests. Where regimes of this nature have been in power for more than a decade, there can be no question of putting Humpty Dumpty (i.e., a relative condition of freedom) together again and restoring the status quo ante ... there is a finality, for better or worse, about what has now occurred in Eastern Europe. . . . Whether we like it or not, the gradual evolution of these Communist regimes to a position of greater independence and greater responsiveness to domestic opinion is the best we can hope for as the next phase of development in that area." However, according to the SATURDAY EVENING POST of November 24, 1956, Mr. Kennan, "our No. 1 expert on the Soviet Union," knew right along that satellite rebellions were going to take place, and actually predicted, in 1945 that they would. Then he predicted still further uprisings because "the same fundamental forces are at work throughout the whole area." What these "fundamental forces" were, however, Mr. Kennan did not spell out. On May 3, 1956, according to Mr. Kennan, there was a "finality" about Red regimes, but some seven months later he knew that there was no "finality" about those regimes at all. That, of course, brings us to the question: Did Mr. Kennan, "our No. 1 expert on the Soviet Union," have the vaguest idea of what he was talking about on May 3, 1956? We remember Mr. Kennan as the promoter of the "containment" policy of our State Department. When the Soviet "de-Stalinization" campaign erupted last winter, the same Mr. Kennan wrote many articles and spoke many speeches to explain "the meaning of the change." The central idea in all of these manifestations of Kennan is the same: "The Russians have changed" since the death and renunciation of Stalin. That, of course, was exactly what the men of the Kremlin wanted the West to believe! Then came the Hungarian massacre! It is obvious that Randleman attempted to demonstrate, with the help of "the best diplomatic brains in Paris and other West European capitals": 1. that the "normal logic" of Communist leaders is precisely the same as that of a representative Western mind (his own and the "ex- SLOVAKIA 27 perts' " he relies upon) ; and, 2. that within the next "three, four or five years," with the United States making a strenuous effort to stop Communism in its tracks by appealing to "common sense," the men in the Kremlin, Russians or whatever they are, will come around to the point of "offering a realistic and acceptable formula by which the two worlds of the cold war era can live together in peace and later in friendship." This is muddled thinking and tragic nonsense. The thesis is built on false premises. Many of our policymakers and writers, rather than being guided by a correct picture of what is going on in Communist minds, have tended to interpret these minds in our own image. They know that all decent people would like to have the cold war ended and a lasting peace established. But they know, too, that peace can come about only by "understanding." The chief function of our policies, therefore, should be to overcome "misunderstanding" between America and the Soviet Union, with the U. S. appealing to "common purposes"! This reasoning derives from the assumption that the Soviet system is basically a national political system devoted to the pursuits of reasonable social goals. But a closer, better look at that system reveals that it is no different basically than the Nazi system. Because the Nazi features were widely accepted as evidence of irrationality, we called the followers of Hitler "crazy, dangerous madmen." What then are the followers of Marx, Lenin, Stalin and Co.? It is well to remember that, by virtue of their belief in Marxist dogma, Communists live in a mental world that is essentially hostile to the mental world of the West. From the very beginning, Marxism-Leninism has conceived the relation between itself and the rest of the world as one of destruction. The program of the Reds never changes: they are dedicated to our destruction; they will destroy us, if we do not destroy them first. In Soviet foreign relations there is no intellectual or emotional basis for reasonableness, as non-Soviet countries understand it. "Reasonable Communism" is a contradiction in terms. The Communist mind, as the record shows, has so defined its world that it shares neither truth nor logic nor moral- 28 SLOVAKIA ity with the rest of mankind. It is, therefore, senseless to talk about establishing peace with the Communists. Temporary truce, yes, if it suits the Soviet Union and the ultimate aim of Comunism, but not peace. Peace, in the sense of international order based on a minimum of common values, is not possible with an adversary who rejects the very right of other societies to exist. Furthermore, Communists tend to develop the psychological tendency to engage in self-contradictory actions. It is not easy for most Westerners, even many Western "experts and diplomats," to grasp that Communists manage to be for and against something at the same time. Handleman's articles, though he did not bring the thought out, have many evidences of this. The Communists were for the Russian people, so they executed more than fifteen million Russians from 1917 to 1938; they were for the Ukrainians, so they starved over 20 million of them to death in one year when there was no war; they claimed they were for a strong, democratic, independent Poland and then proceeded to knock the tar out of them, butchering over 10,000 Polish Army officers in the Katyn Forest for good measure; Moscow supported the parties allied with the Reds in the French Popular Front and simultaneously sought to split and weaken them from within; the Kremlin worked for Hitler's destruction at Geneva and in the capitals of Western Europe, but it also conducted negotiations with Berlin aiming at increasing Nazi strength; Tito, a most valuable product of the Kremlin, fought the Germans in Yugoslavia and also used their help to fight his civil war; Slovak Reds were for an independent Slovak Republic, but at the same time they collaborated with the Czech Reds and Benes Czechs to restore CzechoSlovakia; Stalin helped Benes and his Czech Nazis back into power in the "new" Czecho-Slovakia, while his stooge Gottwald was under orders to speed up the complete takeover the power by the Reds; the Kremlin is for peace and order in the world, but at the same time is fomenting throuble just about everywhere. And Stalin recommended democratic tactics as the surest way to achieve Communist aims. Communist dialectics! SLOVAKIA 29 Handleman's articles gave the impression that the recent disturbances in Poland and Hungary had weakened the Soviet Empire ("Prophecy of Doom Heard by the Kremlin, Observer Believes" - "Red Rulers Face Desepration Drive to Save Empire"). But is it not a fact that the entire history of Communism is practically an uninterrupted sequence of bloody convulsions? And yet we know that the Communist world is stronger today than it ever was. What is more, the record shows that factional feuds within the Communist Empire do not help the West and the enslaved peoples, but ultimately only strengthen Communism. The anti-Communists of Europe apparently have learned one lesson from history: no totalitarian regime, once it was established, has ever broken down because of internal disruptions; a totalitarian regime collapses only when external powers intervene. In the face of the recent Hungarian slaughter, the "democratic" West now should be definitely convinced that even the most fantastic courage of a suppressed people cannot overthrow a determined totalitarian regime which always has the backing of the Kremlin. Of course, rebellions and convulsions within the Communist-dominated countries are exceptional opportunities for the West to thrust into the Red orbit, but, if the opportunity is wasted by a West enchanted by or petrified with pacifism, the inescapable result of such historic frustration is a further triumph of Communism. In November 1917, one regiment could have stopped the Bolsheviks, led by non-Russians, in their tracks. A year later, perhaps a division of Allied troops would have knocked them out, but a small army would have been needed in 1920. The Red Empire was always mortally vulnerable to a determined attack by organized external forces, but as the years rolled by the required effort increased both in size and also in risk. Today the men of the Kremlin are convinced that the West does not want war - that it prefers to fight with words. Randleman reported: "the chief of these problems, staggering problems for the United States, will be to prevent a third world war from erupting." In the last of his 30 SLOVAKIA series of six articles (Jan. 12, 1957), he added: "the threat of a major war being triggered in this way (by the satellites) ... was the reason Dulles had to make the painful announcement during the December meeting of NATO foreign ministers that the U. S. would not be able to intervene to help any satellite revolt with arms." That is what the poor wretches in the satellite countries did not want to hear, but that is precisely what the men of the Kremlin did want to hear: the Reds are now determined more than ever to intervene anywhere at any time in the interest of the Soviet Union, the homeland of all Communists, with impunity. The Kremlin can always take care of revolts in the satellite countries and at the same time start trouble for the West elsewhere - and its stooges in the satellites know that. The men in the Kremlin and all Reds agree with Dulles on one point he made at the NATO meeting in December: Soviet rulers shall never give up their dream of world conquest voluntarily! Freedom and Communism are irreconcilable. Coexistence is the complete denial of this fundamental fact of the present international situation. The Communist policy of "peaceful coexistence" is aimed at the moral, political, and military disarmament of the West. At present it is the main Communist vehicle to destroy the will of the free world to live and fight. Ever since the first Communist seizure of power, the Communists have amply demonstrated that they meant business and used power with utter contempt for human lives, moral scruples, and democratic principles. Since the free world has 'coexisted" with Communism for some 39 years (one generation) , Communism has grown from 200 to over 800 million people and now rules one-third of the globe. Another generation of such "coexistence" and ... ? The situation becomes all the more tragic and alarming when we recall that ten European countries were harnessed with Communist regimes by the Western democracies to appease the high-priests of Communism, the men of the Kremlin. What America and the rest of the free world really SLOVAKIA 31 need right now is a large, stiff dose of "Knowlandism" for the brain to clear our thinking so that we might resolve: NO MORAL AND/ OR MATERIAL AID FOR THE SOVIET UNION AND ITS SATELLITES! • • • A BELATED REPORT By CHARLES MURIN, Ph.D., LL.D. It seems to be inevitable during a war, when the stakes are high, that people reduce their thinking to two categories only: my side is identified with the good and moral purely and simply, the enemy, or the other side. is the embodiment pure of the principle of evil which is the root of all disorder in the world. It is understandable that this psychological attitude belongs to war, because one has to know what he is offering his life for. However, if this psychological factor seems to belong to the conditions required for the winning of a war, the same attitude is a disturbing factor when it enters among the considerations how to win the peace. This is exactly what we experienced after World War II in regard to the organization of post-war Europe. Besides this, Slovak refugees, among many others, have experienced in their own personal destinies the drawbacks in the application of the above-mentioned psychological attitude to the period immediately following the war. It took about two years until an about face had been brought about, and the writer of these lines had the peculiar opportunity of being personally involved in both stages of mind; the one that is supposed to win the war, and the one which aims at winning the peace. It goes without saying that the latter was infinitely more in accordance with common sense and reason and with what can be called the moral principles in politics. The psychological attitude of seeing only black and white becomes a real disaster when it is adopted by responsible statesmen and politicians. As a direct consequence, this attitude inevitably involves political and moral contradictions that do not fail to give, with on unerring  Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Analyzing the Analysts: Is the Soviet Union Doomed? Description An account of the resource Philip A. Hrobak Slovakia, Vol. 7, No. 2 (23), June 1957 pp. 19-31 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Hrobak, Philip Anthony, 1904-1964 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource June 1957 LCNAF https://slovakia.wordsofpassage.net/files/original/69822d17319c605cbb8f0c1e6926b300.pdf 676f42f0048a797f1a5304b71c3525b7 PDF Text Text SLOVAKIA 161 ANDREJ HLINKA By Maryagnes Krajsa "Hlinka was not satisfied with having his people faithful to their reli{ : n alone. He wanted his people to be independent economically; and for this reason, while planning missions for them , he began also to plan for their day-to-day material well-being." - Karol Sidor In the long historic process that determined the political destiny of Slovakia, Andrej Hlinka assumed a decisive r ole in directing the course of his country's development. The great Slovak patriot and political leader was fully conscious of his responsibility to the Slovak people. Hlinka devoted his life to one cause-that of the Christian faithful and the Slovak's fight for political equality. His intense love for the Slovak people had demanded the greatest personal sacrifices from him in a public life of almost fifty years. It was rewarded with as great a love on the part of the Slovak people as a whole. Slovak equality, Slovak autonomy-the long cherished hope of the Slovak people for national self-rule-he never lived to realize . Andrej Hlinka based his program and belief not on securing the favor of any incumbent political party, but on the solid foundation of a free , prosperous Slovak population. He realized that the fight for Slovak liberation would be a long and arduous struggle and that nothing short of an independent and self-sufficient Slovak population could bring it to a triumphant conclusion. The Slovaks have grown strong by hard work and struggle; and have acquired self-confidence and self-reliance, courage and endurance in the process .. . and, above all, they have an invincible faith in God. Such a man was Andrej Hlinka. Andrej Hlinka was born in 1864 of Slovak peasant stock in the village of c ernova. In the village public school, he showed superior talent, and upon the recommendation of the schoolmaster, his parents provided him with the opportunity for a higher education. His choice of the vocation of priest was made early. In the seminary his work was outstanding, as the records show. In the same records, however, appears the ominous, �162 SLOVAKIA notation, "Inclined to Slavism", -a charge bearing the most serious consequences for any Slovak student in the thoroughly Magyarized Hungary of 1887. A further notation emphasizing his "exceptional talent, modesty, and piety", probably accounts for his being permitted to go on. During these trying years in Slovakia, when it was necessary for Slovak theological students to fight for instruction in the Slovak language, which they would need in the pulpit and in public life, only his mother's affection and her great sacrifices and equally great expectations restrained Hlinka from action of any kind that might have incurred immediate dismissal. While he was still in the seminary, ,his father died. Soon after came the death of his mother, almost on the eve of his ordination, in 1889, a blow that seemed cruel and unjust to him, for the reason that his mother had looked forward to the day of his ordination as one that would be the happiest day of her life. Now that he was ordained, he was alone in the world, beginning the life of a priest with his love for his mother and father. A priest dedicated to his Church and Nation. Not only was Hlinka a faithful priest who performed his spiritual duties conscientiously, but he was a teacher, physician, and leader of his Slovak people. As a young priest, Hlinka lived close to his people so that he knew their conditions and studied the various influences that affected their lives. He always kept in mind that his main objective in life as a priest of God was to save immortal souls. He could not ignore the temporal affairs of his people though, because these are too often closely united with the spiritual needs of mankind. The Slovak nation was not only neglected but actually subjected to humiliation and tyranny. The arrogance of the non-Slovak higher classes went so far as to make disparaging references to that "lowly" Slovak and "that poor excuse for a man". This insult to his nation infuriated Hlinka. He felt its sting all the more because it was unChristian and inhuman. Upright in his concept of the dignity of his Slovak nation, Hlinka wanted to share that gift with all his fellow countrymen. This ideal was in accord with God's plan, with the teaching of the Church and with �SLOVAKIA 163 the universal belief of mankind, namely, that "all men are born and created equal". The Slovaks did not deserve to be belittled in view of their rich contributions in all fields of endeavor despite the handicaps for social and economic misery and cultural neglect. The more insolent the attacks became from the Magyars, the greater was Hlinka's courage and determination to fight for the Slovak cause. Truth, Justice, Human Rights, and Religion were the ideals that inspired Hlinka to carry on the struggle in behalf of the Slovak nation. He was convinced that truth and justice must triumph ultimately against the evil forces of untruth and injustice. The important aspect was though that truth and justice were on his side. Hlinka was appointed to his own parish in 1895 and it was then that he became interested in the popular political movement in Slovakia represented by the People's Party. Two years later he became editor of the Eudove Noviny and began vigorously opposing the Magyarization of the Slovaks. His power within the party continued to grow and by 1905, he became pastor of the large parish at Ruzomherok-the city that was to remain the center for most of his activity until the day of his death at the age of seventyfour . Father Hlinka and Francis Skycak formed their own Slovak People's Party on December 5, 1905. This party after World War I, became known as Hlinka's Slovak People's Party, the name it retained until 1945 when it was dissolved by the Prague Government. In 1906, two Slovak deputies were elected to the Diet. Under the leadership of Hlinka and others, the Slovaks increased their representation to seven. All of these men believed in the same truths as Hlinka, namely: linguistic and cultural autonomy for the Slovaks. Their campaign motto was, "For Our Slovak Language". The Magyars blamed Hlinka for the success of the· campaign because of the persuasiveness of his written and . spoken messages to the Slovaks. The Magyars applied pressure on Hlinka's ecclesiastical superiors that he might be suspended from his pastoral duties on charges of si- �164 SLOVAKIA mony. His bishop, Alexander Parvy of Spis, bowed to Magyar pressure. Hlinka, along with fifteen other Slovaks, was arrested on charges for "action against the Magyar nationality. " The t rial was held in Ruzomberok. It was indeed a trumped-up farce. Hlinka's young counsel was warned by the court not to let his defense make him an accomplice to Hlinka's guilt. Hlinka continued to stand his ground. He was found guilty and sentenced to two years in prison. When leaving the courtroom, he added that upon his return he would continue to struggle for Slovak liberty. For this he was sentenced to an additional eighteen months imprisonment . For years Hlinka had wished to build a church in his native Cernova. After years of toil and deprivation- for Cernova was a poor community-the church was completed. The people wanted Hlinka to bless the church. On October 27, 1907, when the Cernovans saw the Magyar magistrate and priest coming, they blocked the way, seized the horses and shouted again for a postponement of the dedication. The Magyar magistrate ordered the gendarmes to open fire on the people of Cernova, and 15 were shot. This was known as the "Cernova Massacre. " This massacre focused the world's attention upon the Magyar tyranny more than any other single event. The events at Cernova also sparked the interest of impartial European scholars who soon thereafter became champions of the Slovak cause. Hlinka was lecturing in Bohemia when the tragedy occured at his birthplace. He spoke in numerous other cities for the cause of his people. His audiences hailed him as the great champion and martyr for Slovak freedom. On November 30, 1907, Hlinka began serving his sentence in Szeged. He once again declared his innocence of any wrong actions . His belief was molding firmer that the liberation of the Slovaks was inevitable. "Truth has never suffered in vain, so even Slovak truth shall not suffer," were his words to the Slovak people as the Magyar jail closed behind him. In May, 1908, he was sentenced to another eighteen months in jail for his newspaper articles. Even while in jail Hlinka continued to work. He translated the Holy Writ into Slovak. Rome found Hlinka in- �SLOVAKIA 165 nocent and on February 23, 1910, justification came to Hlinka. In the winter of 1910 Hlinka returned to his parish in Ruzomberok. By re-emphasizing his belief in Slovak freedom, Hlinka declared war on Magyar Chauvinism by demanding that the Slovaks be permitted to have the language taught in all the schools of the city. Most of Slovakia followed in suit. Slovak national life had continued to feel the pressure of Magyarization. In the election of 1910, only three Slovak deputies were elected. Slovaks continued to be divided into two different groups, one which favored complete Slovak autonomy and ultimate independence as a sovereign nation, and the other advocating a federated republic of Slovak and Czech peoples. The assasination of Arch-Duke Ferdinand on the streets of Sarajevo, plunged the world into the first war of the 20th century. This catastrophe also began tolling the watch for Austro-Magyar domination of Central Europe. On May 24, 1918, Hlinka took the lead for the creation of a new state, comprising Bohemia, Moravia, Slovakia, and Silesia. He drew up a program which stood for the creation of Czecho-Slovakia. "Let us welcome every Czech who is willing to help us," he preached. The followers of s tur, Radlinsky and Vajansky up to 1918 expressed themselves moderately in form, but convincingly in substance. When it came to the breaking of bread in 1918, however, Andrej Hlinka, leader of his party, proclaimed at Turciansky Svaty Martin, "The 1,000 year-old marriage with the Magyars was a failure. We must part." The policy of forcible Magyarization of the Slovaks was undoubtedly the greatest reason for Slovak immigration into America. The Slovaks in America were always mindful of the injustices that had driven them out of the land of their birth, their fatherland. The people were stirred up when they heard the news of the continuous persecution in Slovakia. The Hungarian government still wanted the immigrated Slovaks to feel the pressures of Magyarization but the Slovaks in America could no longer be controlled by forces across the ocean. They continued to make known in America and throughout the rest of the �166 SLOVAKIA world the persecution and injustice that the Slovaks were suffering. The Slovaks were suffering on account of the Magyars and the Czechs, at the hands of the Austrians. The Czechs and Slovaks lived apart. When the Czechs and Slovaks immigrated to this country, they continued to live and to develop here as two separate nations. The Czechs and Slovaks are the two closest Slovanic brothers, but each retained its own separate and definite identity. One of the most stirring incidents that finally completely awakened the Slovaks in America was the massacre in cernova. The founding of the Slovak League of America was the result of the persecution of Andrej Hlinka. The aim of this organization was: "That the Slovak nation may take its place among the other nations as an equal among equals." The Slovaks in America became unified. Meetings were called and the final conclusion was that they had to come to the rescue of their brethren in Slovakia. The Slovaks in America had prepared a Memorandum for all the parliaments of the United States. The Memorandum mainly stated that: "The Slovaks in Hungary should obtain their natural privileges of life, freedom and pursuit of happiness, which they have been deprived of by the dynasty; that the Slovaks be given an opportunity to develop their national spirit, their abilities, and the natural resources of their native land; that the Slovaks be guaranteed the realization of their national ideals and efforts, w hich have been mercilessly trodden by the tyrannical Hungarian Government." The more progressive portion of the Slovak nation was found here in America, and this portion had a full privilege, moral and financial, to speak in behalf of the entire nation. The Cleveland Agreement in 1915 was a fore-runner of the Pittsburgh Pact. The Czech National Alliance officially invited the Slovak League of America to a meeting-the purpose of which was to be: "That we could unite for combined political work." The Czechs soon after already tried to squeeze the Slovaks out. To a proclamation issued in Paris, was signed: "The Foreign Czech Committee" and not a Czecho-Slovak Committee. The difficulties of the co- �SLOVAKIA 167 operation with the Czechs became quite plain to the Slovaks. The Slovaks wanted to be with the Czechs and not under the Czechs. In 1918, the Slovaks' efforts seemed to be leading to success. Their goal-the liberation of Slovakia, and the founding of the Czecho-Slovak state. Small, but significant jncidents kept unfolding in which the Czechs proved to be not fully sincere with the Slovaks. The Slovaks tried to overlook all these though. Even write-ups in the Czech newspapers, such as the arrival of T. G. Masaryk only mentioned facts pertaining to the Czechs. The JEDNOTA-the official weekly of the First Catholic Slovak Union, the largest and one of the oldest Slovak fraternal organizations in America-acted quickly. The paper criticized Masaryk about never mentioning Slovakia-he completely ignored the Slovak participation in the struggle. The JEDNOT A printed, as it has continued to down through the years, the truth and that was, the Slovaks were gradually becoming subordinate to the Czechs. Masaryk arrived in Pittsburgh on May 30, 1918, where he was received most graciously by our Slovaks. Everything seemed to be ironed out. Masaryk ended his speech by saying, "Everyone shall have his personal liberty guaranteed." That same night Masaryk had a conference with representatives of the Slovaks in the Moose Temple on Pennsylvania Avenue. Many matters were presented which Masaryk answered to the satisfaction of all present. On May 31 , 1918, the representatives of the American Slovaks and Czechs met again. The report states that: "Professor Masaryk performed an act which shall always have historical significance in the history of the Czechs and Slovaks." This act consisted of a new agreement between the Czechs and Slovaks. Professor Masaryk wrote the new agreement himself, and it established the relations between the two nations. According to this agreement: The representatives of the Slovak and Czech organizations in the United States- the Slovak League, the Czech National Alliance , and the Union of Czech Catholics-have deliberated, in the presence of the Chairman of the Czecho-Slovak National Council, Professor Masaryk, on the Czecho-Slovak question and on our previous program manifestations, and have resolved as follows: �168 SLOVAKIA We fa vor a political program whose purpose it shall be to unite the Czechs and Slovaks into an autonomous state comprising the Czech lands and Slovakia. Slovakia shall have her own administration, her own assembly, and her own courts. The Slovak language shall be the official language in the schools, in public offices, and in the public life in general. The Czecho-Slovak State shall be a republic ; its constitution shall be democratic. The cooperation of the Czechs and the Slovaks in the United States shall be intensified and r egulated by mutual consent, according to need and changing situations. Detailed provisions relating to the organization of the CzechoSlovak State shall be left to the liberated Czechs and Slovaks and their legal representatives. All matters seemed to be settled now--even the JEDNOT A was satisfied. As we shall see, however, the Pact was not kept. Yes, on May 31, 1918, the Pittsburgh Pact was drawn up and signed by Czech and Slovak representatives-as well as by T. G. Masaryk, the future President of the Czecho-Slovak Republic. According to this document, Slo• vakia was guaranteed its autonomy, with its own assembly, administration, and department of justice. Andrej Hlinka and the Slovak People's Party incorporated the Pittsburgh Pact in their national party platform. When the Czecho-Slovak State was established, the Slovaks, including Hlinka, had no clear conception of what the new state would be like. It was agreed upon that the new state would be run in the spirit of equality of both nations . The Slovaks would run their country, while the Czechs would be masters of their own household ; if the Slovaks needed help, the Czechs would help, but the quantity and quality of such help would be decided by the Slovaks, not the Czechs. The Czechs agreed with this in principle. Things didn't go according to the Pact though. The narrow political attitude of the Prague government toward the Slovaks as early as 1919 aroused Hlinka and many of the Slovak leaders. The progress of political events from within supported a fanatical centralizing of power at Prague in control largely of certain Czech leaders, which openly transgressed the rights guaranteed by the Pact. When Hlinka arrived in Prague he was welcomed not as the greatest friend of the Czechs, but as the worst enemy �SLOVAKIA 169 of the new state. The Czech section of the government was against him. The attack on Hlinka was continued for the three years that he was serving his term in office. This was a struggle which in the end meant the collapse of Czechoslovakia, the end of Slovak-Czech collaboration for any sort of common political state. On January 23, 1919, the Prague parliament was the scene of the wildest attacks against Hlinka. Hlinka practically stood alone in the defense of the interests of his Slovak people in 1919. He still had a great following in Slovakia. Hlinka became in Slovakia the very symbol of resistance to Prague's domination. Promises had been made to the Slovaks before they decided to join the Czechs to form a joint political state and those promises should have been kept. The Czech "progressives" even had an editorial in the LIDOVE NOV/NY (People's News) that read: "It will take only a few years and things will be the same in Slovakia as they are in the Czech lands." On January 30, 1919, Hlinka returned to Prague and read the records of the parliamentary sessions to learn what was said about him in his absence. In October, 1919, Hlinka left secretly for Paris, determined that the Slovaks would be heard at the Peace Conference which was then in session. Knowing that he would probably not be permitted a Czecho-Slovak passport to go to Paris, Hlinka turned to the Polish authorities for help, and then by way of Poland, Romania, Yugoslavia, Italy, and Switzerland he reached Paris. He asked for the Slovaks the rights of administering their affairs in Slovakia, stating that the Slovaks were not to be regarded as Czechs. He said, "The Slovaks are neither Czechs nor Czechoslovaks, but Slovaks who intend to remain Slovaks." He was ordered to leave at the instigation of the Czech delegates. When he returned to Slovakia, on October 12, 1919, he was seized at night and carted out of Slovakia on the charge of passport irregularity and later on for treason to the Republic. A local revolt broke out as a result of this. He was imprisoned for a period of six months awaiting trial. Meanwhile, on February 29, 1920, the final wording of the Constitution was discussed in the Prague Parliament. �170 SLOVAKIA The Slovak representativ es put a motion before the Constitutional Committee which stated that the vote for such a constitution would not prevent them from persevering in their struggle for autonomy and a legislature for Slovakia. The fundamental act of the Czecho-Slova k State was thereafter voted on February 29, 1920 not by a Constituent Assembly freely elected by the people, but by a revolutionary one. A constitution vote took place and voted on a united "Czechoslova k" nation; this deprived the Slovak nation more of its political and judical individuality and assured the Czechs of the exclusive direction of the State. Thus, the Slovak nation was once again deprived of its right which had been clearly guaranteed by international treaties. On April 18, 1920, Hlinka was elected to the CzechoSlovak Parliament. The authorities were compelled to release him. Hlinka fought now with all his energy and zeal. As the leader of the Autonomists, he fought the Centralists as hard as he had fought the Magyars. The official spelling of the name "Czecho-Slov akia," as found in the treaties at the time of the creation of the new Republic, was now changed to "Czechoslova kia." Instead of fusing the Czechs and Slovaks into a solid Czech whole, this change in the name of the State succeeded in accentuating the differences between them and in rekindling the fight of the Slovaks against denationaliza tion. Hlinka spent the best part of his life in this vital crusade for his beloved people. As an orator and debater, Hlinka was unequalled. As the political controversy grew stronger, so did his fight for the principles of his program. From 1925 on, Hlinka's Slovak People's Party was the most powerful single political party in Slovakia. In order to raise funds to carry on this fight, Hlinka turned to America in 1926 and appealed to the Slovaks here for aid. The welcome to Hlinka and the response to his appeal was more than generous. To write about Hlinka's triumphal tour of the United States is a chapter that deserves a separate presentation. In 1932, the Slovak People's Party and the non-Catholic Slovak National Party, under the leadership of Rev. Martin Razus joined forces and issued a joint declaration: "The �SLOVAKIA 171 individuality of the Slovak nation, which we shall not renounce even at the cost of the Republic, demands the recognition of sovereign rights and therefore a responsive form of political life. The only form, regarded as such by the Slovaks, is the immediate result of Slovak political tradition and agreements concluded during the action of liberation between the Czechs and Slovaks ... " Hlinka, by 1933, had become the most important national figure in Slovakia. That same year the ancient historical city of Nitra observed the eleventh centenary of the founding of the first Christian Church in Slovakia. More than 100,000 patriotic Slovaks gathered there to help celebrate the occasion. It turned out to be a major demonstration for Slovak autonomy. On June 5, 1938, over 100,00 national-minded Slovaks turned out in Bratislava-the capital of Slovakia-to manifest their fidelity to Hlinka's political program for autonomy. This date also commemorated the twentieth anniversary of the signing of the Pittsburgh Pact. The observance was attended by enthusiastic representatives from the whole nation and was visited by a special delegation that brought the original document of that historic agreement direct from America. This memorable occasion was a distinct proof that the Slovak nation had grown to national maturity in its struggle for autonomy. This was to be Hlinka's last public appearance and address to any type of formal assembly. Msgr. Andrej Hlinka saw his goal in sight. Slovakia was on the threshold of self-government. In the years of 1938 and 1939, when the international situation weakened the foundation of the Czecho-Slovak republic, the Slovak nation got the opportunity to take hold of the helm of its own state government. The Slovaks declared independence and were given back their just national freedom just shortly after Hlinka died. The Rt. Rev. Msgr. Andrej Hlinka, the Father of the Slovak Nation, met his everlasting peace on August 16, 1938. His funeral on August 21, 1938 was a national event of respect the likes of which was never seen in the shadow of the Tatra Mountains. Four bishops, over 1,000 prelates and priests, and over 120,000 Slovaks came to pay respect to their "father." �172 SLOVAKIA On October 6, 1938, shortly after Hlinka's death, Slovakia declared its right to self-government. The Slovak Parliament declared its country's independence and established the Slovak State on March 14, 1939. Although Hlinka did not live to see the successful outcome of his life-long struggle, he had prepared the waythe way of truth which did not succumb to all else in the end. Will truth again prevail? As of today, the Slovak nation has never renounced its independence and has never recognized the existence of the " Czechoslovak" nation. There is no such nation! There is a Czech nation and a Slovak nation; and so likewise, there is no "Czechoslovak" language, but there is a Czech language and a Slovak language. The cultural oppression of the Slovak people has an economic background for the benefit of the Czech people. The religious, political, economic and social well-being of the Slovaks is in grave danger. We are now living in the same atmosphere as did Andrej Hlinka. Hlinka, the Father of-the Fighter for-and the Light of the Slovak Nation has gone from this world in bodily appearance. Does his spirit live on? Yes!-in the souls and hearts of "true" Slovaks in America, in the rest of the free world, and those who are suffering in Slovakia. BIBLIOGRAPHY Culen, Constantine. "Andrej Hlinka and Prague", Slovakia. Middletown, Pa.: The Slovak League of America, 1958. Glaser, Kurt. Czecho-Slovakia, A Critical History, Caldwell, Idaho: The Caxton Printers, 1961. Kirschbaum, Joseph. "The Politics of Hlinka's Party in the Slovak Republic". Slovakia. Middletown, Pa. : The Slovak League of America, 1951. Mikus, Joseph A. Slovakia, A Political History, 1918-1950. Milwaukee: The Marquette University Press, 1963. Oddo, Gilbert L.O. Slovakia And Its People. New York: Robert Speller and Sons, 1960. Pauco, Jozef. 75 rokov Prvej Katolickej Slovenskej Jednoty ( 75 Year History of the First Catholic Slovak Union) . Middletown, Pa.: The Jednota Press, 1965. Sidor, Karl. "The Slovak Republic-Fruit of Hlinka's Struggle", Slovakia. Middletown, Pa.: The Slovak League of America, 1951. Yurchak, Peter P. The Slovaks, Their History And Traditi ons. Whiting, Ind., 1946. � SLOVAKIA 161 ANDREJ HLINKA By Maryagnes Krajsa "Hlinka was not satisfied with having his people faithful to their reli{ : n alone. He wanted his people to be independent economically; and for this reason, while planning missions for them , he began also to plan for their day-to-day material well-being." - Karol Sidor In the long historic process that determined the political destiny of Slovakia, Andrej Hlinka assumed a decisive r ole in directing the course of his country's development. The great Slovak patriot and political leader was fully conscious of his responsibility to the Slovak people. Hlinka devoted his life to one cause-that of the Christian faithful and the Slovak's fight for political equality. His intense love for the Slovak people had demanded the greatest personal sacrifices from him in a public life of almost fifty years. It was rewarded with as great a love on the part of the Slovak people as a whole. Slovak equality, Slovak autonomy-the long cherished hope of the Slovak people for national self-rule-he never lived to realize . Andrej Hlinka based his program and belief not on securing the favor of any incumbent political party, but on the solid foundation of a free , prosperous Slovak population. He realized that the fight for Slovak liberation would be a long and arduous struggle and that nothing short of an independent and self-sufficient Slovak population could bring it to a triumphant conclusion. The Slovaks have grown strong by hard work and struggle; and have acquired self-confidence and self-reliance, courage and endurance in the process .. . and, above all, they have an invincible faith in God. Such a man was Andrej Hlinka. Andrej Hlinka was born in 1864 of Slovak peasant stock in the village of c ernova. In the village public school, he showed superior talent, and upon the recommendation of the schoolmaster, his parents provided him with the opportunity for a higher education. His choice of the vocation of priest was made early. In the seminary his work was outstanding, as the records show. In the same records, however, appears the ominous, �162 SLOVAKIA notation, "Inclined to Slavism", -a charge bearing the most serious consequences for any Slovak student in the thoroughly Magyarized Hungary of 1887. A further notation emphasizing his "exceptional talent, modesty, and piety", probably accounts for his being permitted to go on. During these trying years in Slovakia, when it was necessary for Slovak theological students to fight for instruction in the Slovak language, which they would need in the pulpit and in public life, only his mother's affection and her great sacrifices and equally great expectations restrained Hlinka from action of any kind that might have incurred immediate dismissal. While he was still in the seminary, ,his father died. Soon after came the death of his mother, almost on the eve of his ordination, in 1889, a blow that seemed cruel and unjust to him, for the reason that his mother had looked forward to the day of his ordination as one that would be the happiest day of her life. Now that he was ordained, he was alone in the world, beginning the life of a priest with his love for his mother and father. A priest dedicated to his Church and Nation. Not only was Hlinka a faithful priest who performed his spiritual duties conscientiously, but he was a teacher, physician, and leader of his Slovak people. As a young priest, Hlinka lived close to his people so that he knew their conditions and studied the various influences that affected their lives. He always kept in mind that his main objective in life as a priest of God was to save immortal souls. He could not ignore the temporal affairs of his people though, because these are too often closely united with the spiritual needs of mankind. The Slovak nation was not only neglected but actually subjected to humiliation and tyranny. The arrogance of the non-Slovak higher classes went so far as to make disparaging references to that "lowly" Slovak and "that poor excuse for a man". This insult to his nation infuriated Hlinka. He felt its sting all the more because it was unChristian and inhuman. Upright in his concept of the dignity of his Slovak nation, Hlinka wanted to share that gift with all his fellow countrymen. This ideal was in accord with God's plan, with the teaching of the Church and with �SLOVAKIA 163 the universal belief of mankind, namely, that "all men are born and created equal". The Slovaks did not deserve to be belittled in view of their rich contributions in all fields of endeavor despite the handicaps for social and economic misery and cultural neglect. The more insolent the attacks became from the Magyars, the greater was Hlinka's courage and determination to fight for the Slovak cause. Truth, Justice, Human Rights, and Religion were the ideals that inspired Hlinka to carry on the struggle in behalf of the Slovak nation. He was convinced that truth and justice must triumph ultimately against the evil forces of untruth and injustice. The important aspect was though that truth and justice were on his side. Hlinka was appointed to his own parish in 1895 and it was then that he became interested in the popular political movement in Slovakia represented by the People's Party. Two years later he became editor of the Eudove Noviny and began vigorously opposing the Magyarization of the Slovaks. His power within the party continued to grow and by 1905, he became pastor of the large parish at Ruzomherok-the city that was to remain the center for most of his activity until the day of his death at the age of seventyfour . Father Hlinka and Francis Skycak formed their own Slovak People's Party on December 5, 1905. This party after World War I, became known as Hlinka's Slovak People's Party, the name it retained until 1945 when it was dissolved by the Prague Government. In 1906, two Slovak deputies were elected to the Diet. Under the leadership of Hlinka and others, the Slovaks increased their representation to seven. All of these men believed in the same truths as Hlinka, namely: linguistic and cultural autonomy for the Slovaks. Their campaign motto was, "For Our Slovak Language". The Magyars blamed Hlinka for the success of the· campaign because of the persuasiveness of his written and . spoken messages to the Slovaks. The Magyars applied pressure on Hlinka's ecclesiastical superiors that he might be suspended from his pastoral duties on charges of si- �164 SLOVAKIA mony. His bishop, Alexander Parvy of Spis, bowed to Magyar pressure. Hlinka, along with fifteen other Slovaks, was arrested on charges for "action against the Magyar nationality. " The t rial was held in Ruzomberok. It was indeed a trumped-up farce. Hlinka's young counsel was warned by the court not to let his defense make him an accomplice to Hlinka's guilt. Hlinka continued to stand his ground. He was found guilty and sentenced to two years in prison. When leaving the courtroom, he added that upon his return he would continue to struggle for Slovak liberty. For this he was sentenced to an additional eighteen months imprisonment . For years Hlinka had wished to build a church in his native Cernova. After years of toil and deprivation- for Cernova was a poor community-the church was completed. The people wanted Hlinka to bless the church. On October 27, 1907, when the Cernovans saw the Magyar magistrate and priest coming, they blocked the way, seized the horses and shouted again for a postponement of the dedication. The Magyar magistrate ordered the gendarmes to open fire on the people of Cernova, and 15 were shot. This was known as the "Cernova Massacre. " This massacre focused the world's attention upon the Magyar tyranny more than any other single event. The events at Cernova also sparked the interest of impartial European scholars who soon thereafter became champions of the Slovak cause. Hlinka was lecturing in Bohemia when the tragedy occured at his birthplace. He spoke in numerous other cities for the cause of his people. His audiences hailed him as the great champion and martyr for Slovak freedom. On November 30, 1907, Hlinka began serving his sentence in Szeged. He once again declared his innocence of any wrong actions . His belief was molding firmer that the liberation of the Slovaks was inevitable. "Truth has never suffered in vain, so even Slovak truth shall not suffer," were his words to the Slovak people as the Magyar jail closed behind him. In May, 1908, he was sentenced to another eighteen months in jail for his newspaper articles. Even while in jail Hlinka continued to work. He translated the Holy Writ into Slovak. Rome found Hlinka in- �SLOVAKIA 165 nocent and on February 23, 1910, justification came to Hlinka. In the winter of 1910 Hlinka returned to his parish in Ruzomberok. By re-emphasizing his belief in Slovak freedom, Hlinka declared war on Magyar Chauvinism by demanding that the Slovaks be permitted to have the language taught in all the schools of the city. Most of Slovakia followed in suit. Slovak national life had continued to feel the pressure of Magyarization. In the election of 1910, only three Slovak deputies were elected. Slovaks continued to be divided into two different groups, one which favored complete Slovak autonomy and ultimate independence as a sovereign nation, and the other advocating a federated republic of Slovak and Czech peoples. The assasination of Arch-Duke Ferdinand on the streets of Sarajevo, plunged the world into the first war of the 20th century. This catastrophe also began tolling the watch for Austro-Magyar domination of Central Europe. On May 24, 1918, Hlinka took the lead for the creation of a new state, comprising Bohemia, Moravia, Slovakia, and Silesia. He drew up a program which stood for the creation of Czecho-Slovakia. "Let us welcome every Czech who is willing to help us," he preached. The followers of s tur, Radlinsky and Vajansky up to 1918 expressed themselves moderately in form, but convincingly in substance. When it came to the breaking of bread in 1918, however, Andrej Hlinka, leader of his party, proclaimed at Turciansky Svaty Martin, "The 1,000 year-old marriage with the Magyars was a failure. We must part." The policy of forcible Magyarization of the Slovaks was undoubtedly the greatest reason for Slovak immigration into America. The Slovaks in America were always mindful of the injustices that had driven them out of the land of their birth, their fatherland. The people were stirred up when they heard the news of the continuous persecution in Slovakia. The Hungarian government still wanted the immigrated Slovaks to feel the pressures of Magyarization but the Slovaks in America could no longer be controlled by forces across the ocean. They continued to make known in America and throughout the rest of the �166 SLOVAKIA world the persecution and injustice that the Slovaks were suffering. The Slovaks were suffering on account of the Magyars and the Czechs, at the hands of the Austrians. The Czechs and Slovaks lived apart. When the Czechs and Slovaks immigrated to this country, they continued to live and to develop here as two separate nations. The Czechs and Slovaks are the two closest Slovanic brothers, but each retained its own separate and definite identity. One of the most stirring incidents that finally completely awakened the Slovaks in America was the massacre in cernova. The founding of the Slovak League of America was the result of the persecution of Andrej Hlinka. The aim of this organization was: "That the Slovak nation may take its place among the other nations as an equal among equals." The Slovaks in America became unified. Meetings were called and the final conclusion was that they had to come to the rescue of their brethren in Slovakia. The Slovaks in America had prepared a Memorandum for all the parliaments of the United States. The Memorandum mainly stated that: "The Slovaks in Hungary should obtain their natural privileges of life, freedom and pursuit of happiness, which they have been deprived of by the dynasty; that the Slovaks be given an opportunity to develop their national spirit, their abilities, and the natural resources of their native land; that the Slovaks be guaranteed the realization of their national ideals and efforts, w hich have been mercilessly trodden by the tyrannical Hungarian Government." The more progressive portion of the Slovak nation was found here in America, and this portion had a full privilege, moral and financial, to speak in behalf of the entire nation. The Cleveland Agreement in 1915 was a fore-runner of the Pittsburgh Pact. The Czech National Alliance officially invited the Slovak League of America to a meeting-the purpose of which was to be: "That we could unite for combined political work." The Czechs soon after already tried to squeeze the Slovaks out. To a proclamation issued in Paris, was signed: "The Foreign Czech Committee" and not a Czecho-Slovak Committee. The difficulties of the co- �SLOVAKIA 167 operation with the Czechs became quite plain to the Slovaks. The Slovaks wanted to be with the Czechs and not under the Czechs. In 1918, the Slovaks' efforts seemed to be leading to success. Their goal-the liberation of Slovakia, and the founding of the Czecho-Slovak state. Small, but significant jncidents kept unfolding in which the Czechs proved to be not fully sincere with the Slovaks. The Slovaks tried to overlook all these though. Even write-ups in the Czech newspapers, such as the arrival of T. G. Masaryk only mentioned facts pertaining to the Czechs. The JEDNOTA-the official weekly of the First Catholic Slovak Union, the largest and one of the oldest Slovak fraternal organizations in America-acted quickly. The paper criticized Masaryk about never mentioning Slovakia-he completely ignored the Slovak participation in the struggle. The JEDNOT A printed, as it has continued to down through the years, the truth and that was, the Slovaks were gradually becoming subordinate to the Czechs. Masaryk arrived in Pittsburgh on May 30, 1918, where he was received most graciously by our Slovaks. Everything seemed to be ironed out. Masaryk ended his speech by saying, "Everyone shall have his personal liberty guaranteed." That same night Masaryk had a conference with representatives of the Slovaks in the Moose Temple on Pennsylvania Avenue. Many matters were presented which Masaryk answered to the satisfaction of all present. On May 31 , 1918, the representatives of the American Slovaks and Czechs met again. The report states that: "Professor Masaryk performed an act which shall always have historical significance in the history of the Czechs and Slovaks." This act consisted of a new agreement between the Czechs and Slovaks. Professor Masaryk wrote the new agreement himself, and it established the relations between the two nations. According to this agreement: The representatives of the Slovak and Czech organizations in the United States- the Slovak League, the Czech National Alliance , and the Union of Czech Catholics-have deliberated, in the presence of the Chairman of the Czecho-Slovak National Council, Professor Masaryk, on the Czecho-Slovak question and on our previous program manifestations, and have resolved as follows: �168 SLOVAKIA We fa vor a political program whose purpose it shall be to unite the Czechs and Slovaks into an autonomous state comprising the Czech lands and Slovakia. Slovakia shall have her own administration, her own assembly, and her own courts. The Slovak language shall be the official language in the schools, in public offices, and in the public life in general. The Czecho-Slovak State shall be a republic ; its constitution shall be democratic. The cooperation of the Czechs and the Slovaks in the United States shall be intensified and r egulated by mutual consent, according to need and changing situations. Detailed provisions relating to the organization of the CzechoSlovak State shall be left to the liberated Czechs and Slovaks and their legal representatives. All matters seemed to be settled now--even the JEDNOT A was satisfied. As we shall see, however, the Pact was not kept. Yes, on May 31, 1918, the Pittsburgh Pact was drawn up and signed by Czech and Slovak representatives-as well as by T. G. Masaryk, the future President of the Czecho-Slovak Republic. According to this document, Slo• vakia was guaranteed its autonomy, with its own assembly, administration, and department of justice. Andrej Hlinka and the Slovak People's Party incorporated the Pittsburgh Pact in their national party platform. When the Czecho-Slovak State was established, the Slovaks, including Hlinka, had no clear conception of what the new state would be like. It was agreed upon that the new state would be run in the spirit of equality of both nations . The Slovaks would run their country, while the Czechs would be masters of their own household ; if the Slovaks needed help, the Czechs would help, but the quantity and quality of such help would be decided by the Slovaks, not the Czechs. The Czechs agreed with this in principle. Things didn't go according to the Pact though. The narrow political attitude of the Prague government toward the Slovaks as early as 1919 aroused Hlinka and many of the Slovak leaders. The progress of political events from within supported a fanatical centralizing of power at Prague in control largely of certain Czech leaders, which openly transgressed the rights guaranteed by the Pact. When Hlinka arrived in Prague he was welcomed not as the greatest friend of the Czechs, but as the worst enemy �SLOVAKIA 169 of the new state. The Czech section of the government was against him. The attack on Hlinka was continued for the three years that he was serving his term in office. This was a struggle which in the end meant the collapse of Czechoslovakia, the end of Slovak-Czech collaboration for any sort of common political state. On January 23, 1919, the Prague parliament was the scene of the wildest attacks against Hlinka. Hlinka practically stood alone in the defense of the interests of his Slovak people in 1919. He still had a great following in Slovakia. Hlinka became in Slovakia the very symbol of resistance to Prague's domination. Promises had been made to the Slovaks before they decided to join the Czechs to form a joint political state and those promises should have been kept. The Czech "progressives" even had an editorial in the LIDOVE NOV/NY (People's News) that read: "It will take only a few years and things will be the same in Slovakia as they are in the Czech lands." On January 30, 1919, Hlinka returned to Prague and read the records of the parliamentary sessions to learn what was said about him in his absence. In October, 1919, Hlinka left secretly for Paris, determined that the Slovaks would be heard at the Peace Conference which was then in session. Knowing that he would probably not be permitted a Czecho-Slovak passport to go to Paris, Hlinka turned to the Polish authorities for help, and then by way of Poland, Romania, Yugoslavia, Italy, and Switzerland he reached Paris. He asked for the Slovaks the rights of administering their affairs in Slovakia, stating that the Slovaks were not to be regarded as Czechs. He said, "The Slovaks are neither Czechs nor Czechoslovaks, but Slovaks who intend to remain Slovaks." He was ordered to leave at the instigation of the Czech delegates. When he returned to Slovakia, on October 12, 1919, he was seized at night and carted out of Slovakia on the charge of passport irregularity and later on for treason to the Republic. A local revolt broke out as a result of this. He was imprisoned for a period of six months awaiting trial. Meanwhile, on February 29, 1920, the final wording of the Constitution was discussed in the Prague Parliament. �170 SLOVAKIA The Slovak representativ es put a motion before the Constitutional Committee which stated that the vote for such a constitution would not prevent them from persevering in their struggle for autonomy and a legislature for Slovakia. The fundamental act of the Czecho-Slova k State was thereafter voted on February 29, 1920 not by a Constituent Assembly freely elected by the people, but by a revolutionary one. A constitution vote took place and voted on a united "Czechoslova k" nation; this deprived the Slovak nation more of its political and judical individuality and assured the Czechs of the exclusive direction of the State. Thus, the Slovak nation was once again deprived of its right which had been clearly guaranteed by international treaties. On April 18, 1920, Hlinka was elected to the CzechoSlovak Parliament. The authorities were compelled to release him. Hlinka fought now with all his energy and zeal. As the leader of the Autonomists, he fought the Centralists as hard as he had fought the Magyars. The official spelling of the name "Czecho-Slov akia," as found in the treaties at the time of the creation of the new Republic, was now changed to "Czechoslova kia." Instead of fusing the Czechs and Slovaks into a solid Czech whole, this change in the name of the State succeeded in accentuating the differences between them and in rekindling the fight of the Slovaks against denationaliza tion. Hlinka spent the best part of his life in this vital crusade for his beloved people. As an orator and debater, Hlinka was unequalled. As the political controversy grew stronger, so did his fight for the principles of his program. From 1925 on, Hlinka's Slovak People's Party was the most powerful single political party in Slovakia. In order to raise funds to carry on this fight, Hlinka turned to America in 1926 and appealed to the Slovaks here for aid. The welcome to Hlinka and the response to his appeal was more than generous. To write about Hlinka's triumphal tour of the United States is a chapter that deserves a separate presentation. In 1932, the Slovak People's Party and the non-Catholic Slovak National Party, under the leadership of Rev. Martin Razus joined forces and issued a joint declaration: "The �SLOVAKIA 171 individuality of the Slovak nation, which we shall not renounce even at the cost of the Republic, demands the recognition of sovereign rights and therefore a responsive form of political life. The only form, regarded as such by the Slovaks, is the immediate result of Slovak political tradition and agreements concluded during the action of liberation between the Czechs and Slovaks ... " Hlinka, by 1933, had become the most important national figure in Slovakia. That same year the ancient historical city of Nitra observed the eleventh centenary of the founding of the first Christian Church in Slovakia. More than 100,000 patriotic Slovaks gathered there to help celebrate the occasion. It turned out to be a major demonstration for Slovak autonomy. On June 5, 1938, over 100,00 national-minded Slovaks turned out in Bratislava-the capital of Slovakia-to manifest their fidelity to Hlinka's political program for autonomy. This date also commemorated the twentieth anniversary of the signing of the Pittsburgh Pact. The observance was attended by enthusiastic representatives from the whole nation and was visited by a special delegation that brought the original document of that historic agreement direct from America. This memorable occasion was a distinct proof that the Slovak nation had grown to national maturity in its struggle for autonomy. This was to be Hlinka's last public appearance and address to any type of formal assembly. Msgr. Andrej Hlinka saw his goal in sight. Slovakia was on the threshold of self-government. In the years of 1938 and 1939, when the international situation weakened the foundation of the Czecho-Slovak republic, the Slovak nation got the opportunity to take hold of the helm of its own state government. The Slovaks declared independence and were given back their just national freedom just shortly after Hlinka died. The Rt. Rev. Msgr. Andrej Hlinka, the Father of the Slovak Nation, met his everlasting peace on August 16, 1938. His funeral on August 21, 1938 was a national event of respect the likes of which was never seen in the shadow of the Tatra Mountains. Four bishops, over 1,000 prelates and priests, and over 120,000 Slovaks came to pay respect to their "father." �172 SLOVAKIA On October 6, 1938, shortly after Hlinka's death, Slovakia declared its right to self-government. The Slovak Parliament declared its country's independence and established the Slovak State on March 14, 1939. Although Hlinka did not live to see the successful outcome of his life-long struggle, he had prepared the waythe way of truth which did not succumb to all else in the end. Will truth again prevail? As of today, the Slovak nation has never renounced its independence and has never recognized the existence of the " Czechoslovak" nation. There is no such nation! There is a Czech nation and a Slovak nation; and so likewise, there is no "Czechoslovak" language, but there is a Czech language and a Slovak language. The cultural oppression of the Slovak people has an economic background for the benefit of the Czech people. The religious, political, economic and social well-being of the Slovaks is in grave danger. We are now living in the same atmosphere as did Andrej Hlinka. Hlinka, the Father of-the Fighter for-and the Light of the Slovak Nation has gone from this world in bodily appearance. Does his spirit live on? Yes!-in the souls and hearts of "true" Slovaks in America, in the rest of the free world, and those who are suffering in Slovakia. BIBLIOGRAPHY Culen, Constantine. "Andrej Hlinka and Prague", Slovakia. Middletown, Pa.: The Slovak League of America, 1958. Glaser, Kurt. Czecho-Slovakia, A Critical History, Caldwell, Idaho: The Caxton Printers, 1961. Kirschbaum, Joseph. "The Politics of Hlinka's Party in the Slovak Republic". Slovakia. Middletown, Pa. : The Slovak League of America, 1951. Mikus, Joseph A. Slovakia, A Political History, 1918-1950. Milwaukee: The Marquette University Press, 1963. Oddo, Gilbert L.O. Slovakia And Its People. New York: Robert Speller and Sons, 1960. Pauco, Jozef. 75 rokov Prvej Katolickej Slovenskej Jednoty ( 75 Year History of the First Catholic Slovak Union) . Middletown, Pa.: The Jednota Press, 1965. Sidor, Karl. "The Slovak Republic-Fruit of Hlinka's Struggle", Slovakia. Middletown, Pa.: The Slovak League of America, 1951. Yurchak, Peter P. The Slovaks, Their History And Traditi ons. Whiting, Ind., 1946. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource 1967, Vol. 17 Description An account of the resource Special Issue: Sixty Years of the Slovak League of America Vol. 17 (No. 40), 1967. Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available The Slovak League of America Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1967 Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document SLOVAKIA 161 ANDREJ HLINKA By Maryagnes Krajsa "Hlinka was not satisfied with having his people faithful to their reli{ : n alone. He wanted his people to be independent economically; and for this reason, while planning missions for them , he began also to plan for their day-to-day material well-being." - Karol Sidor In the long historic process that determined the political destiny of Slovakia, Andrej Hlinka assumed a decisive r ole in directing the course of his country's development. The great Slovak patriot and political leader was fully conscious of his responsibility to the Slovak people. Hlinka devoted his life to one cause-that of the Christian faithful and the Slovak's fight for political equality. His intense love for the Slovak people had demanded the greatest personal sacrifices from him in a public life of almost fifty years. It was rewarded with as great a love on the part of the Slovak people as a whole. Slovak equality, Slovak autonomy-the long cherished hope of the Slovak people for national self-rule-he never lived to realize . Andrej Hlinka based his program and belief not on securing the favor of any incumbent political party, but on the solid foundation of a free , prosperous Slovak population. He realized that the fight for Slovak liberation would be a long and arduous struggle and that nothing short of an independent and self-sufficient Slovak population could bring it to a triumphant conclusion. The Slovaks have grown strong by hard work and struggle; and have acquired self-confidence and self-reliance, courage and endurance in the process .. . and, above all, they have an invincible faith in God. Such a man was Andrej Hlinka. Andrej Hlinka was born in 1864 of Slovak peasant stock in the village of c ernova. In the village public school, he showed superior talent, and upon the recommendation of the schoolmaster, his parents provided him with the opportunity for a higher education. His choice of the vocation of priest was made early. In the seminary his work was outstanding, as the records show. In the same records, however, appears the ominous, 162 SLOVAKIA notation, "Inclined to Slavism", -a charge bearing the most serious consequences for any Slovak student in the thoroughly Magyarized Hungary of 1887. A further notation emphasizing his "exceptional talent, modesty, and piety", probably accounts for his being permitted to go on. During these trying years in Slovakia, when it was necessary for Slovak theological students to fight for instruction in the Slovak language, which they would need in the pulpit and in public life, only his mother's affection and her great sacrifices and equally great expectations restrained Hlinka from action of any kind that might have incurred immediate dismissal. While he was still in the seminary, ,his father died. Soon after came the death of his mother, almost on the eve of his ordination, in 1889, a blow that seemed cruel and unjust to him, for the reason that his mother had looked forward to the day of his ordination as one that would be the happiest day of her life. Now that he was ordained, he was alone in the world, beginning the life of a priest with his love for his mother and father. A priest dedicated to his Church and Nation. Not only was Hlinka a faithful priest who performed his spiritual duties conscientiously, but he was a teacher, physician, and leader of his Slovak people. As a young priest, Hlinka lived close to his people so that he knew their conditions and studied the various influences that affected their lives. He always kept in mind that his main objective in life as a priest of God was to save immortal souls. He could not ignore the temporal affairs of his people though, because these are too often closely united with the spiritual needs of mankind. The Slovak nation was not only neglected but actually subjected to humiliation and tyranny. The arrogance of the non-Slovak higher classes went so far as to make disparaging references to that "lowly" Slovak and "that poor excuse for a man". This insult to his nation infuriated Hlinka. He felt its sting all the more because it was unChristian and inhuman. Upright in his concept of the dignity of his Slovak nation, Hlinka wanted to share that gift with all his fellow countrymen. This ideal was in accord with God's plan, with the teaching of the Church and with SLOVAKIA 163 the universal belief of mankind, namely, that "all men are born and created equal". The Slovaks did not deserve to be belittled in view of their rich contributions in all fields of endeavor despite the handicaps for social and economic misery and cultural neglect. The more insolent the attacks became from the Magyars, the greater was Hlinka's courage and determination to fight for the Slovak cause. Truth, Justice, Human Rights, and Religion were the ideals that inspired Hlinka to carry on the struggle in behalf of the Slovak nation. He was convinced that truth and justice must triumph ultimately against the evil forces of untruth and injustice. The important aspect was though that truth and justice were on his side. Hlinka was appointed to his own parish in 1895 and it was then that he became interested in the popular political movement in Slovakia represented by the People's Party. Two years later he became editor of the Eudove Noviny and began vigorously opposing the Magyarization of the Slovaks. His power within the party continued to grow and by 1905, he became pastor of the large parish at Ruzomherok-the city that was to remain the center for most of his activity until the day of his death at the age of seventyfour . Father Hlinka and Francis Skycak formed their own Slovak People's Party on December 5, 1905. This party after World War I, became known as Hlinka's Slovak People's Party, the name it retained until 1945 when it was dissolved by the Prague Government. In 1906, two Slovak deputies were elected to the Diet. Under the leadership of Hlinka and others, the Slovaks increased their representation to seven. All of these men believed in the same truths as Hlinka, namely: linguistic and cultural autonomy for the Slovaks. Their campaign motto was, "For Our Slovak Language". The Magyars blamed Hlinka for the success of the· campaign because of the persuasiveness of his written and . spoken messages to the Slovaks. The Magyars applied pressure on Hlinka's ecclesiastical superiors that he might be suspended from his pastoral duties on charges of si- 164 SLOVAKIA mony. His bishop, Alexander Parvy of Spis, bowed to Magyar pressure. Hlinka, along with fifteen other Slovaks, was arrested on charges for "action against the Magyar nationality. " The t rial was held in Ruzomberok. It was indeed a trumped-up farce. Hlinka's young counsel was warned by the court not to let his defense make him an accomplice to Hlinka's guilt. Hlinka continued to stand his ground. He was found guilty and sentenced to two years in prison. When leaving the courtroom, he added that upon his return he would continue to struggle for Slovak liberty. For this he was sentenced to an additional eighteen months imprisonment . For years Hlinka had wished to build a church in his native Cernova. After years of toil and deprivation- for Cernova was a poor community-the church was completed. The people wanted Hlinka to bless the church. On October 27, 1907, when the Cernovans saw the Magyar magistrate and priest coming, they blocked the way, seized the horses and shouted again for a postponement of the dedication. The Magyar magistrate ordered the gendarmes to open fire on the people of Cernova, and 15 were shot. This was known as the "Cernova Massacre. " This massacre focused the world's attention upon the Magyar tyranny more than any other single event. The events at Cernova also sparked the interest of impartial European scholars who soon thereafter became champions of the Slovak cause. Hlinka was lecturing in Bohemia when the tragedy occured at his birthplace. He spoke in numerous other cities for the cause of his people. His audiences hailed him as the great champion and martyr for Slovak freedom. On November 30, 1907, Hlinka began serving his sentence in Szeged. He once again declared his innocence of any wrong actions . His belief was molding firmer that the liberation of the Slovaks was inevitable. "Truth has never suffered in vain, so even Slovak truth shall not suffer," were his words to the Slovak people as the Magyar jail closed behind him. In May, 1908, he was sentenced to another eighteen months in jail for his newspaper articles. Even while in jail Hlinka continued to work. He translated the Holy Writ into Slovak. Rome found Hlinka in- SLOVAKIA 165 nocent and on February 23, 1910, justification came to Hlinka. In the winter of 1910 Hlinka returned to his parish in Ruzomberok. By re-emphasizing his belief in Slovak freedom, Hlinka declared war on Magyar Chauvinism by demanding that the Slovaks be permitted to have the language taught in all the schools of the city. Most of Slovakia followed in suit. Slovak national life had continued to feel the pressure of Magyarization. In the election of 1910, only three Slovak deputies were elected. Slovaks continued to be divided into two different groups, one which favored complete Slovak autonomy and ultimate independence as a sovereign nation, and the other advocating a federated republic of Slovak and Czech peoples. The assasination of Arch-Duke Ferdinand on the streets of Sarajevo, plunged the world into the first war of the 20th century. This catastrophe also began tolling the watch for Austro-Magyar domination of Central Europe. On May 24, 1918, Hlinka took the lead for the creation of a new state, comprising Bohemia, Moravia, Slovakia, and Silesia. He drew up a program which stood for the creation of Czecho-Slovakia. "Let us welcome every Czech who is willing to help us," he preached. The followers of s tur, Radlinsky and Vajansky up to 1918 expressed themselves moderately in form, but convincingly in substance. When it came to the breaking of bread in 1918, however, Andrej Hlinka, leader of his party, proclaimed at Turciansky Svaty Martin, "The 1,000 year-old marriage with the Magyars was a failure. We must part." The policy of forcible Magyarization of the Slovaks was undoubtedly the greatest reason for Slovak immigration into America. The Slovaks in America were always mindful of the injustices that had driven them out of the land of their birth, their fatherland. The people were stirred up when they heard the news of the continuous persecution in Slovakia. The Hungarian government still wanted the immigrated Slovaks to feel the pressures of Magyarization but the Slovaks in America could no longer be controlled by forces across the ocean. They continued to make known in America and throughout the rest of the 166 SLOVAKIA world the persecution and injustice that the Slovaks were suffering. The Slovaks were suffering on account of the Magyars and the Czechs, at the hands of the Austrians. The Czechs and Slovaks lived apart. When the Czechs and Slovaks immigrated to this country, they continued to live and to develop here as two separate nations. The Czechs and Slovaks are the two closest Slovanic brothers, but each retained its own separate and definite identity. One of the most stirring incidents that finally completely awakened the Slovaks in America was the massacre in cernova. The founding of the Slovak League of America was the result of the persecution of Andrej Hlinka. The aim of this organization was: "That the Slovak nation may take its place among the other nations as an equal among equals." The Slovaks in America became unified. Meetings were called and the final conclusion was that they had to come to the rescue of their brethren in Slovakia. The Slovaks in America had prepared a Memorandum for all the parliaments of the United States. The Memorandum mainly stated that: "The Slovaks in Hungary should obtain their natural privileges of life, freedom and pursuit of happiness, which they have been deprived of by the dynasty; that the Slovaks be given an opportunity to develop their national spirit, their abilities, and the natural resources of their native land; that the Slovaks be guaranteed the realization of their national ideals and efforts, w hich have been mercilessly trodden by the tyrannical Hungarian Government." The more progressive portion of the Slovak nation was found here in America, and this portion had a full privilege, moral and financial, to speak in behalf of the entire nation. The Cleveland Agreement in 1915 was a fore-runner of the Pittsburgh Pact. The Czech National Alliance officially invited the Slovak League of America to a meeting-the purpose of which was to be: "That we could unite for combined political work." The Czechs soon after already tried to squeeze the Slovaks out. To a proclamation issued in Paris, was signed: "The Foreign Czech Committee" and not a Czecho-Slovak Committee. The difficulties of the co- SLOVAKIA 167 operation with the Czechs became quite plain to the Slovaks. The Slovaks wanted to be with the Czechs and not under the Czechs. In 1918, the Slovaks' efforts seemed to be leading to success. Their goal-the liberation of Slovakia, and the founding of the Czecho-Slovak state. Small, but significant jncidents kept unfolding in which the Czechs proved to be not fully sincere with the Slovaks. The Slovaks tried to overlook all these though. Even write-ups in the Czech newspapers, such as the arrival of T. G. Masaryk only mentioned facts pertaining to the Czechs. The JEDNOTA-the official weekly of the First Catholic Slovak Union, the largest and one of the oldest Slovak fraternal organizations in America-acted quickly. The paper criticized Masaryk about never mentioning Slovakia-he completely ignored the Slovak participation in the struggle. The JEDNOT A printed, as it has continued to down through the years, the truth and that was, the Slovaks were gradually becoming subordinate to the Czechs. Masaryk arrived in Pittsburgh on May 30, 1918, where he was received most graciously by our Slovaks. Everything seemed to be ironed out. Masaryk ended his speech by saying, "Everyone shall have his personal liberty guaranteed." That same night Masaryk had a conference with representatives of the Slovaks in the Moose Temple on Pennsylvania Avenue. Many matters were presented which Masaryk answered to the satisfaction of all present. On May 31 , 1918, the representatives of the American Slovaks and Czechs met again. The report states that: "Professor Masaryk performed an act which shall always have historical significance in the history of the Czechs and Slovaks." This act consisted of a new agreement between the Czechs and Slovaks. Professor Masaryk wrote the new agreement himself, and it established the relations between the two nations. According to this agreement: The representatives of the Slovak and Czech organizations in the United States- the Slovak League, the Czech National Alliance , and the Union of Czech Catholics-have deliberated, in the presence of the Chairman of the Czecho-Slovak National Council, Professor Masaryk, on the Czecho-Slovak question and on our previous program manifestations, and have resolved as follows: 168 SLOVAKIA We fa vor a political program whose purpose it shall be to unite the Czechs and Slovaks into an autonomous state comprising the Czech lands and Slovakia. Slovakia shall have her own administration, her own assembly, and her own courts. The Slovak language shall be the official language in the schools, in public offices, and in the public life in general. The Czecho-Slovak State shall be a republic ; its constitution shall be democratic. The cooperation of the Czechs and the Slovaks in the United States shall be intensified and r egulated by mutual consent, according to need and changing situations. Detailed provisions relating to the organization of the CzechoSlovak State shall be left to the liberated Czechs and Slovaks and their legal representatives. All matters seemed to be settled now--even the JEDNOT A was satisfied. As we shall see, however, the Pact was not kept. Yes, on May 31, 1918, the Pittsburgh Pact was drawn up and signed by Czech and Slovak representatives-as well as by T. G. Masaryk, the future President of the Czecho-Slovak Republic. According to this document, Slo• vakia was guaranteed its autonomy, with its own assembly, administration, and department of justice. Andrej Hlinka and the Slovak People's Party incorporated the Pittsburgh Pact in their national party platform. When the Czecho-Slovak State was established, the Slovaks, including Hlinka, had no clear conception of what the new state would be like. It was agreed upon that the new state would be run in the spirit of equality of both nations . The Slovaks would run their country, while the Czechs would be masters of their own household ; if the Slovaks needed help, the Czechs would help, but the quantity and quality of such help would be decided by the Slovaks, not the Czechs. The Czechs agreed with this in principle. Things didn't go according to the Pact though. The narrow political attitude of the Prague government toward the Slovaks as early as 1919 aroused Hlinka and many of the Slovak leaders. The progress of political events from within supported a fanatical centralizing of power at Prague in control largely of certain Czech leaders, which openly transgressed the rights guaranteed by the Pact. When Hlinka arrived in Prague he was welcomed not as the greatest friend of the Czechs, but as the worst enemy SLOVAKIA 169 of the new state. The Czech section of the government was against him. The attack on Hlinka was continued for the three years that he was serving his term in office. This was a struggle which in the end meant the collapse of Czechoslovakia, the end of Slovak-Czech collaboration for any sort of common political state. On January 23, 1919, the Prague parliament was the scene of the wildest attacks against Hlinka. Hlinka practically stood alone in the defense of the interests of his Slovak people in 1919. He still had a great following in Slovakia. Hlinka became in Slovakia the very symbol of resistance to Prague's domination. Promises had been made to the Slovaks before they decided to join the Czechs to form a joint political state and those promises should have been kept. The Czech "progressives" even had an editorial in the LIDOVE NOV/NY (People's News) that read: "It will take only a few years and things will be the same in Slovakia as they are in the Czech lands." On January 30, 1919, Hlinka returned to Prague and read the records of the parliamentary sessions to learn what was said about him in his absence. In October, 1919, Hlinka left secretly for Paris, determined that the Slovaks would be heard at the Peace Conference which was then in session. Knowing that he would probably not be permitted a Czecho-Slovak passport to go to Paris, Hlinka turned to the Polish authorities for help, and then by way of Poland, Romania, Yugoslavia, Italy, and Switzerland he reached Paris. He asked for the Slovaks the rights of administering their affairs in Slovakia, stating that the Slovaks were not to be regarded as Czechs. He said, "The Slovaks are neither Czechs nor Czechoslovaks, but Slovaks who intend to remain Slovaks." He was ordered to leave at the instigation of the Czech delegates. When he returned to Slovakia, on October 12, 1919, he was seized at night and carted out of Slovakia on the charge of passport irregularity and later on for treason to the Republic. A local revolt broke out as a result of this. He was imprisoned for a period of six months awaiting trial. Meanwhile, on February 29, 1920, the final wording of the Constitution was discussed in the Prague Parliament. 170 SLOVAKIA The Slovak representativ es put a motion before the Constitutional Committee which stated that the vote for such a constitution would not prevent them from persevering in their struggle for autonomy and a legislature for Slovakia. The fundamental act of the Czecho-Slova k State was thereafter voted on February 29, 1920 not by a Constituent Assembly freely elected by the people, but by a revolutionary one. A constitution vote took place and voted on a united "Czechoslova k" nation; this deprived the Slovak nation more of its political and judical individuality and assured the Czechs of the exclusive direction of the State. Thus, the Slovak nation was once again deprived of its right which had been clearly guaranteed by international treaties. On April 18, 1920, Hlinka was elected to the CzechoSlovak Parliament. The authorities were compelled to release him. Hlinka fought now with all his energy and zeal. As the leader of the Autonomists, he fought the Centralists as hard as he had fought the Magyars. The official spelling of the name "Czecho-Slov akia," as found in the treaties at the time of the creation of the new Republic, was now changed to "Czechoslova kia." Instead of fusing the Czechs and Slovaks into a solid Czech whole, this change in the name of the State succeeded in accentuating the differences between them and in rekindling the fight of the Slovaks against denationaliza tion. Hlinka spent the best part of his life in this vital crusade for his beloved people. As an orator and debater, Hlinka was unequalled. As the political controversy grew stronger, so did his fight for the principles of his program. From 1925 on, Hlinka's Slovak People's Party was the most powerful single political party in Slovakia. In order to raise funds to carry on this fight, Hlinka turned to America in 1926 and appealed to the Slovaks here for aid. The welcome to Hlinka and the response to his appeal was more than generous. To write about Hlinka's triumphal tour of the United States is a chapter that deserves a separate presentation. In 1932, the Slovak People's Party and the non-Catholic Slovak National Party, under the leadership of Rev. Martin Razus joined forces and issued a joint declaration: "The SLOVAKIA 171 individuality of the Slovak nation, which we shall not renounce even at the cost of the Republic, demands the recognition of sovereign rights and therefore a responsive form of political life. The only form, regarded as such by the Slovaks, is the immediate result of Slovak political tradition and agreements concluded during the action of liberation between the Czechs and Slovaks ... " Hlinka, by 1933, had become the most important national figure in Slovakia. That same year the ancient historical city of Nitra observed the eleventh centenary of the founding of the first Christian Church in Slovakia. More than 100,000 patriotic Slovaks gathered there to help celebrate the occasion. It turned out to be a major demonstration for Slovak autonomy. On June 5, 1938, over 100,00 national-minded Slovaks turned out in Bratislava-the capital of Slovakia-to manifest their fidelity to Hlinka's political program for autonomy. This date also commemorated the twentieth anniversary of the signing of the Pittsburgh Pact. The observance was attended by enthusiastic representatives from the whole nation and was visited by a special delegation that brought the original document of that historic agreement direct from America. This memorable occasion was a distinct proof that the Slovak nation had grown to national maturity in its struggle for autonomy. This was to be Hlinka's last public appearance and address to any type of formal assembly. Msgr. Andrej Hlinka saw his goal in sight. Slovakia was on the threshold of self-government. In the years of 1938 and 1939, when the international situation weakened the foundation of the Czecho-Slovak republic, the Slovak nation got the opportunity to take hold of the helm of its own state government. The Slovaks declared independence and were given back their just national freedom just shortly after Hlinka died. The Rt. Rev. Msgr. Andrej Hlinka, the Father of the Slovak Nation, met his everlasting peace on August 16, 1938. His funeral on August 21, 1938 was a national event of respect the likes of which was never seen in the shadow of the Tatra Mountains. Four bishops, over 1,000 prelates and priests, and over 120,000 Slovaks came to pay respect to their "father." 172 SLOVAKIA On October 6, 1938, shortly after Hlinka's death, Slovakia declared its right to self-government. The Slovak Parliament declared its country's independence and established the Slovak State on March 14, 1939. Although Hlinka did not live to see the successful outcome of his life-long struggle, he had prepared the waythe way of truth which did not succumb to all else in the end. Will truth again prevail? As of today, the Slovak nation has never renounced its independence and has never recognized the existence of the " Czechoslovak" nation. There is no such nation! There is a Czech nation and a Slovak nation; and so likewise, there is no "Czechoslovak" language, but there is a Czech language and a Slovak language. The cultural oppression of the Slovak people has an economic background for the benefit of the Czech people. The religious, political, economic and social well-being of the Slovaks is in grave danger. We are now living in the same atmosphere as did Andrej Hlinka. Hlinka, the Father of-the Fighter for-and the Light of the Slovak Nation has gone from this world in bodily appearance. Does his spirit live on? Yes!-in the souls and hearts of "true" Slovaks in America, in the rest of the free world, and those who are suffering in Slovakia. BIBLIOGRAPHY Culen, Constantine. "Andrej Hlinka and Prague", Slovakia. Middletown, Pa.: The Slovak League of America, 1958. Glaser, Kurt. Czecho-Slovakia, A Critical History, Caldwell, Idaho: The Caxton Printers, 1961. Kirschbaum, Joseph. "The Politics of Hlinka's Party in the Slovak Republic". Slovakia. Middletown, Pa. : The Slovak League of America, 1951. Mikus, Joseph A. Slovakia, A Political History, 1918-1950. Milwaukee: The Marquette University Press, 1963. Oddo, Gilbert L.O. Slovakia And Its People. New York: Robert Speller and Sons, 1960. Pauco, Jozef. 75 rokov Prvej Katolickej Slovenskej Jednoty ( 75 Year History of the First Catholic Slovak Union) . Middletown, Pa.: The Jednota Press, 1965. Sidor, Karl. "The Slovak Republic-Fruit of Hlinka's Struggle", Slovakia. Middletown, Pa.: The Slovak League of America, 1951. Yurchak, Peter P. The Slovaks, Their History And Traditi ons. Whiting, Ind., 1946.  Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Andrej Hlinka Description An account of the resource Maryagnes Krajsa Slovakia, Vol. 17 (No. 40), 1967 pp. 161-172 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Krajsa, Maryagnes A. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1967 LCNAF https://slovakia.wordsofpassage.net/files/original/9413ffa2fd93e550347188753b7d33a3.pdf 7fdf70c9433ba45bf2de2217e32752cd PDF Text Text 32 SLOVAKIA ANDREJ HLINKA'S JOURNEY TO THE USA IN 1926 Stefan Kucik Andrej Hlinka belongs among those in Slovak history whose achievements await a complex analysis and evaluation. He and his activities were ignored or misinterpreted by most Marxist historians during the communist era. On the other hand, he was also very controversial. The aim of this article is to analyze the circumstances and the course of his journey to the USA in 1926. Although the official reason for Hlinka's journey was to participate in the 28 th International Eucharistic Congress in Chicago, he made use of his visit to lecture to American Slovaks and to raise funds for the cause of Slovak autonomy in the Czechoslovak Republic. After some disagreements between the Slovak League of America and Jozef Husek, the lecture tour was held under the auspices of the Slovak League of America with the support of the Slovak clergy, organizations, newspapers and other societies. Even if his lecture tour to the USA proved financially disappointing to Hlinka, he did win the sympathy of American Slovaks to his person, and to the autonomist movement in Slovakia. On June 20- 24, 1926 the 28 th International Eucharistic Congress took place in Chicago, Illinois. As the first such Congress on the soil of the United States of America, 1 it presented the Reverend Andrej Hlinka of Rufomberok an opportunity to visit American Slovaks for the first time. Although American Slovaks had already invited Hlinka visit them in 1924, Czechoslovak authorities had refused to grant him a passport because he had been prosecuted for having illegally travelled to the Paris Peace Conference in 1919. In 1926 he was again prosecuted and, despite having been cleared by the County Court in Bratislava, in March of that year, he was sentenced by the Supreme Court to eight days in jail for his article on T. G. Masaryk' s favortism of the Jews published in the daily Slovak on April 5, 1924. 1 The second time such a congress met in th e USA was in 1976 tional Euchari stic Congress in Philade lphia, Pennsy lvani a, the 4 1st Interna- �SLOVAKIA 33 After explaining that he wished to travel to the Eucharistic Congress, Jan Cerny' s administration finally granted him a passport. 2 Andrej Hlinka was repeatedly invited to America by the Committee of Friends of Slovak Freedom led by Jozef Husek.3 On April 21 , 1926 the weekly Jednota published a letter from Hlinka to Husek dated April 3, 1926. In this letter Hlinka announced that he would arrive accompanied by his secretary Andrej Genit and the Parliamentary Deputy Jozef Buday on June 3-4, 1926. He asked Husek to prepare a schedule for his lectures. He wrote that his passport was valid for half a year, which he wished to spend in the USA, provided that political issues would not force his return home. 4 While Hlinka was granted a passport to travel to the Eucharistic Congress on April 30, 1926, the Ministry with Full Powers for the Administration of Slovakia in Bratislava informed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Prague about the details of Hlinka's planned journey. According to the Ministry in Bratislava, the goal of Hlinka's journey was to spread autonomist propaganda on behalf of the Hlinka's Slovak People's Party (hereinafter HSPP) and to raise funds for the Party. He also allegedly planned to draft a resolution of Slovak complaints and pleas and to submit it to the Czechoslovak government and to the League ofNations.5 Hlinka outlined the programme of his journey in the daily Slovak on May 23 , 1926. Among other things he stated that, as early as in 1894 he was asked by American Slovaks to "choke the hydra" of brotherly quarrels among them, but thus far he had not been enable to do so. Now he was going to America to enlighten the Slovaks and to help the Republic and the nation. He was going where the Cleveland and Pittsburgh Agreements were signed. He wanted to see with 2 Karol Sidor, Andrej Hli nka (I 864 - I 926) (Brati slava, 1934), p. 544 . Ibid. , p. 543. 4 Archiv Ministerstva zahran icnich veci Ceske republiky [Archi ves of the Mini stry of Foreign Affa irs of the Czech Republi c] (here inafter AMZV CR), fund (here inafter f. ) Ill. sekce MZV 19 I 8 - 1939 [3 rd section Mini stry of Foreign Affairs 19 I 8 193 8] (hereinafter III), in ventory number (hereinafter i. no.) 22 , fo lder (here inafter fold .) 651 . The report o f the Consul ate of the Czechoslovak Republic (hereinafter CSR) in Pittsburgh, to the Mini stry of Foreign Affa irs (hereinafter MFA ) of the CSR in Prague from April 22, 1926 ; Jednota, April 2 1, 1926, p. 4. 5 AMZV CR, f. Ill , i. no. 22, fo ld. 651. Letter of the Minister of the CSR with Full Powers fo r the Admini stration of Slovakia in Brati slava to the MFA in Prague, April 30, 1926 . 3 �34 SLOVAKIA his own eyes and hear with his own ears if it was a sin to demand autonomy for Slovakia within the Czechoslovak Republic and the Czechoslovak Constitution. 6 At the time of the Hlinka's trip to the USA, reports of the Czechoslovak Consulate in Pittsburgh characterized the situation in the Slovak autonomist camp in America as quite tense. Besides personal problems, anxiety arose from frustration arising from the Czechoslovak government' s failure to uphold the Pittsburgh Agreement. Meanwhile, State Insurance Commissioners were exerting pressure on fraternal societies to increase their monthly dues, which greatly upset their members. 7 The reports of the Czechoslovak Consulate in Pittsburgh also described an alleged rivalry between Ivan Bielek, the President of the Slovak League of America and Jozef Rusek. Apparently, Rusek feared losing his editorship of the weekly Jednota at the upcoming 22 nd convention of the First Catholic Slovak Union in Scranton, Pennsylvania on September 20 - 25 , 1926. His rival was Jan C. Sciranka, editor of Slovak v Amerike. The owner of the Slovak v Amerike was Bielek's brother-in-law Christopher L. Orbach.8 However, according to the report of the Pittsburgh Consulate, the tension between Bielek and Rusek soon dissipated. On April 14, 1926 Bielek published an article entitled Segedin-Mirov in Slo vak v Amerike, in which he denounced the imprisonment of Hlinka in the Czech Mirov prison for having offended President Masaryk. According to the Consulate, Bielek did so because he needed Husek's support at the upcoming convention of the National Slovak Society and the congress of the Slovak League of America. 9 Soon, however, arguments within the Slovak-American autonomist camp broke out again, thanks to Jozef Rusek. In a letter of April 3, 1926, Hlinka asked Rusek to prepare his lecture schedule. Rusek began to register applications for Hlinka's lectures and he wished to carry out this tour under the aegis of the Committe of Friends of Slovak Freedom. Some newspapers and organizations protested: the banker Michal Bosak in his weekly Obrana, a number of priests who 6 Slovak, May 23, 1926, pp. 1-2. AMZ V CR, f. III , i. no. 22, fo ld. 650. Report of the Consul ate of the CSR in Pittsburgh, to the MFA in Prague, April 15, 1926. 8 ibid. 9 i bid. 7 �SLOVAKIA 35 supported the programme of the Magyarone priest Frantisek Jehlicska for the return of Slovakia to Hungary, and Bielek and Orbach in 10 Slovak v Amerike. In addition, the Committe had already been out of existence for three years. It was originally founded to purge the "Czechoslovaks" from the Slovak League of America, and then it merged with it. Despite this fact, Husek kept the title of president of this non-existent organization, announced the arrival of Hlinka to Slovak priests and newspapers and launched the campaign on his own. II Although Jozef Husek, through his contact with Slovak priests in America started to organize Hlinka's lecture tour, the Slovak League of America, led by president Bielek, also started to organize the lectures. It established an organizing committee, composed almost entirely of priests. Husek refused to become a member of this committee and the Slovak v Amerike started to complain about Husek's actions. 12 As a result, a group of Slovak priests ended up organizing Hlinka's lecture tour and the Slovak League of America, even though it compiled the schedule of the lectures, did not control the • 13 pnests. On May 26-27 the 16 th congress of the Slovak League of America was held in Detroit. The congress "with great joy received the news, that the noble leader of the Slovak nation, Msgr. Hlinka, President of the People's Party, would visit American Slovaks." It expressed confidence in him and promised that it would "with all its strength help his noble efforts and during his stay he would be a guest of the Slovak League of America." 14 Hlinka and his colleague Jozef Buday, together with Hynek Dostal , editor of the Czech-American newspaper Hlas, which supported autonomy for the Slovaks, 15 were named honorary members of the Slovak League of America. 10 AMZV CR, f. Ill , i. no. 22 , fo ld . 65 1. Situat ion report in Pittsburgh, to the MF A in Prague, October 5, 1926. 11 AMZV CR, f. Ill , i. no. 22 , fold. 65 1. Situation report in Pittsburgh, to the MF A in Prague, June 11 , 1926. 12 A MZV CR, f. Ill , i. no. 22, fo ld . 65 1. Situation report in Pittsburgh, to the MFA in Prag ue, October 5, I 926. 13 Ibid. 14 A MZV CR, f. 111 , i. no. 22 , fo ld . 65 1. Situation report in Pittsburgh, to the MFA in Prague, June 11 , 1926. 15 Ibid. of the Consul ate of the CS R of the Consulate of the CSR of the Consul ate of the CSR of the Co nsulate of the CSR �36 SLOVAKIA At the congress of the Slovak League, the previous officers were re-elected under the leadership of Ivan Bielek. Husek criticized this outcome. 16 He reported that the League had no funds , he accused the officers of incompetence, and warned that the League would perish if nothing was done to build up its treasury. 17 However, all these arguments between Husek and Bielek were simply personal. In fact, the Slovak League under the leadership of Ivan Bielek (1920- 1934) championed the Pittsburgh Agreement and openly supported the Slovak autonomist movement in the Czechoslovak Republic . The "Czechoslovaks" in America also prepared for the arrival of Andrej Hlinka. For instance, the Reverend Jozef Murgas of WilkesBarre, Pennsylvania, promised Milan Getting, the Czechoslovak consul in Pittsburgh, that at the next meeting of priests of eastern Pennsylvania, he would ask them if their real interest was in politics or in religion and he promised to inform Getting of their answer. 18 Hlinka's arrival was announced by the daily Slovak (Bratislava) on June 4, 1926: "On June 3 our editorial staff received this telegram from Halifax : We have arrived safely. - Hlinka." 19 From the Canadian port of Halifax, Hlinka' s ship continued on to New York City, where it docked on June 5, 1926. 20 About 300 American Slovaks welcomed Hlinka at the dock. Once he had disembarked, Hlinka briefly outlined the goal of his journey. He stressed that he had come to work for both the Slovak nation and for his homeland, the Czechoslovak Republic. He emphasized concord, unity, the settling of petty arguments and forgivness, because "the nation needs us all and it needs us united." 21 In a 26-car procession the delegation proceeded to the Church of St. John Nepomucene on 66 th street, where the Reverend Stefan J. Krasul'a had been the pastor since 1916. An official reception was held in the Parish Hall, where the representatives of American Slovaks delivered their speeches.22 Here Andrej Hlinka spoke his 16 Ibid. Jednota, Jun e 2, 1926, p. 4. 18 A MZ V CR, f. III, i. no. 22, fo ld. 65 1. Missive of the Consul ate of the CSR in Pittsburgh, to the MFA , April 15, I 926. "Czechos lovaks" were Slovaks who supp,orted th e unitary policies of the Czechoslovak government in Prague. 9 Slovak, June 5, 1926, p. I. 20 Slovak, June 23, 1926, p. 5. 21 Jednota, June 9, 1926, p. I. 22 Slovak, June 23, 1926, p. 5. 17 �SLOVAKIA 37 memorable words: "If there were no America, Slovakia would still be under the Magyar yoke. To its credit the Slovaks finally got rid of the thousand-year subjugation." 23 The Slovak League of America officially welcomed Hlinka in the evening at a session of its local branch. 24 On this occassion the Slovak League also issued an official communique which was published by the daily Slowik in Bratislava. 25 A banquet was held the next day under the aegis of the Slovak League of America with the support of the Slovak clergy, organizations, newspapers and other societies. The banquet marked the completion of the programme of welcome with speeches by representatives of various Slovak organizations. Hlinka and Buday were presented with special diplomas, certifying that the Slovak League of America had granted them honorary memberships. 26 After the official welcome in New York, Jozef Rusek left the organizing of Hlinka's lecture tour to the Slovak League of America. 27 It began in Chicago after the end of the Eucharistic Congress on June 27, 1926. 28 According to the official announcement of the president of the Slovak League of America, published in the daily Slovak on July 14, 1926, Hlinka requested that lectures be presented on working days, because at the time of the announcement, there were already 136 requests for lectures. 29 Since the content of Hlinka's lecture in Chicago was generally the same as at other places in the USA, I will summarize it based upon the report of the Czechoslovak Consulate in Chicago. The lecture was held in the Ashland Boulevard Auditorium which had a capacity of 4,000. The Czechoslovak Consulate in Chicago stated that two thirds of the hall was filled, 30 which, in comparison with the 23 Jednota, June 9, 1926, p. I. Slovak, June 23 , 1926, p. 5. 25 Slovak, June 16, 1926, p. I. 26 Slovak, June 23 , 1926, p. 5. 27 PAUCO, Jozef. 75 rokov Prvej Katolickej Slovenskej Jednoty 1890 - 1965 (Cleveland: First Catholic Slovak Union, 1965), p. 210. 28 AMZV CR, f. lll, i. no. 22, fold. 651. Report of the Consulate of the CSR in Chicago on the political activities of the People 's Party leaders in the Chicago region. Supplement to a letter of the Embassy of the CSR in Washington, DC, July 30, 1926. 29 Slovak, July 14, 1926, p. 3. 30 The daily Slovak gave the number of 5,000 - 5,500 and stated that the hall was overcrowded. Cf. Slovak, July 16, I 926, p. 3. 24 �38 SLOVAKIA number of Slovaks living in Chicago, the majority of whom were Catholics, was not that great. Information on the lectures was also disseminated by priests from their pulpits. Tickets were sold in the churches and by the Slovak Catholic Federation. This was designed to prevent unauthorized persons from attending. The $1,000 rent for the hall was paid by the Slovak Catholic Federation. The profits were given to Andrej Hlinka. Tickets were sold for 50 and 75 cents, $1.00 and $2.00, depending upon the seating.31 As the report of the Consulate states, the beginning of the lecture was scheduled for 2:00 p.m. However, Hlinka and his entourage arrived at 2:45 p.m. The audience welcomed him with a standing ovation. The session was openned by Jan Mayer, the president of the Slovak Catholic Federation, who introduced the guests. After him Gregor K. Vaniscak, the pastor of the Slovak Parish of St. Michael the Archangel in Chicago, spoke highly of the great Andrej Hlinka's work for the Slovak nation. He compared Hlinka with the three "most important people in world history" - George Washington, Abraham Lincoln and Cardinal Richelieu. After that Andrej Hlinka delivered his speech. The audience greeted him with applause and some shouted: "Viva, hooray! " Somebody from the audience, allegedly a Slovak Communist, tried to disrupt the lecture and shouted "Shame on him!" for which he was ejected by the police. Some tried to distribute the communist daily Rovnost' /'udu, for which they were also ejected and held overnight at the police station. According to the report of the Chicago consulate, Andrej Hlinka first read the list of donors who contributed to the fund Narod sebe [The Nation for Itself] and to the HSPP's election fund . He asked the donors to keep their trust in him, because he had received all the money and had spent every penny for the right purpose. As evidence he cited the establishment of Slovak Catholic enterprises such as the Lev printery, the daily Slovak, and, most importantly, the half million votes that the HSPP had gained in the last parliamentary elections, which made it the most powerful political party in Slovakia. He asked American Slovaks to continue to remember the HSPP and its struggle for recognition of the Pittsburgh Agreement and the autono31 A MZV CR, f. Ill , i. no. 22 , fo ld . 65 1. Report of the Consu late of th e CS R in Chi cago on the political acti vities of th e Peopl e's Party leaders in th e Chi cago region. Supplement to a letter of th e Embassy of the CS R in Was hin gton, DC, Jul y 30, 1926. �SLOVAKIA 39 my of Slovakia. Hlinka stated that he and the HSPP did not want anything more than that Slovaks be masters in Slovakia and Czechs in Bohemia and that Woodrow Wilson's "Fourteen Points" concerning the self-determination of nations be also applied to the Slovaks and the Pittsburgh Agreement. He declared that he was not against the Czechoslovak Republic and he was ready to "both live and die" for it, because October 28 was also the result of his nation-building efforts . He had struggled in Slovakia against the Magyars, who imprisoned him, first in Rufomberok, and then in Segedin. He added that Slovakia had long awaited October 28, 1918 as the day of liberation from the Magyar yoke. However, Hlinka continued, Slovak sons did not fight in the Czechoslovak Legions to move from one yoke to another. Instead of freedom , Slovaks were now offered "Czechization." Jozef M. Hurban, when he with others led the revolt against the Magyars in 1848, already spoke of the Slovak nation and not a "branch of the Czech nation." Similarly, when the Matica slovenska was founded in 1863, the Slovak leaders set its aim as the defence of the Slovak language as a national language and not a "Czech dialect." To spread the Czech language in Slovakia it was not necessary to establish the Matica slovenska. Therefore, if Hlinka now demands autonomy for Slovakia and wants the Pittsburgh Agreement to be respected and incorporated into the Constitution of the Czechoslovak Republic, he does not want anything new. The Memorandum of Stefan Marko Daxner from as early as in the 1860's requested from the Hungarian government a so-called "Slovak Region" that completely agrees with his present request for autonomy. However, according to Hlinka, the Czech language rules in Slovak courts, offices and schools. Catholic schools were taken from the Slovaks in spite of the fact that the Catholics form the majority in Slovakia and they have to pay taxes to maintain the school system. For these taxes Slovak Catholic children are being indoctrinated with atheism and are taught by teachers such as a certain Bilek, who was a servant in Bohemia, but in Slovakia was made a high school professor! Moreover, Hlinka continued, Slovak intellectuals cannot find work at home. Slovak workers have to look for freedom in America. Despite the fact that Slovaks constitute 15% of the total number of inhabitants in Czechoslovakia, they are virtually absent from the �40 SLOVAKIA state administration . In high schools Slovaks have no principal. From among 786 high school professors, only 175 are Slovaks. An even greater disproportion exists in the railways--from among 13,000 employees, only 412 are Slovaks. There are enough qualified intellectuals in Slovakia, but the Prague government ignores them. Therefore, the demand for autonomy is not just political posturing, but is a cultural and economic need and is crucial to the existence of the Slovak nation. Furthermore, Hlinka stated that he wanted the Slovak and Czech nations to come together and jointly work on maintaining and developing their common state, but by observing equality in the national, cultural and economic spheres. He is not creating discord for the sake of discord. He supports the Czechoslovak Republic, which he proved when the communist attack on Slovakia occurred. Then the Czechoslovak governent had an opportunity to negotiate with him and establish order; the same was true after the last parliamentary elections, in which the HSPP gained the largest number of votes in Slovakia. However, the HSPP was not even noticed by the Czechoslovak government, it was not called by the government and it was even not considered to be necessary to negotiate with it.32 As the consulate report stated, Andrej Hlinka spoke for more than an hour. The tone of his voice was gentle and polite, hence very impressive. The audience often expressed its approval with applause, especially when he defended himself against accusations of treason and Magyaronism. On this occassion he stated that his life was an open book, from which every unbiased person could read, that he had always been selflessly fighting for the rights of the Slovak people. Before World War I, when he defended the rights of the Slovaks, the Magyars accused him of being a "Pan-Slav" and after the war, when he defended the same rights, the secularists and gullible Czechs accused him of being a Magyarone. In this context he asked the audience if it was possible that he would lead the Slovak people back to Magyar slavery, in which it had suffered for more than a thousand years? If anybody with common sense could accuse him of being an instrument of the Magyars, who, because of his fight for the rights of the Slovak nation, had escorted him from one prison to another? Hlinka concluded with an appeal to American 32 Ibid. �SLOVAKIA 41 Slovaks to support him and the HSPP in this fight for autonomy and the recognition of the Pittsburgh Agreement. 33 After Hlinka Jozef Buday delivered his speech. According to the consular report, he was "thoughtless and rudely incited against the atheistic Czechs." He complemented the factual parts of the speech, in which Hlinka mentioned the Czech injustice against the Slovaks. 34 The consular report further stated that F. Wilson, a representative of the district council, spoke after Buday. After him came Andrej Gerat, who criticized the methods of education in Slovakia. After Gerat the Rev. G. K. Vaniscak read this resolution: 1. We support the Czecho-Slovak Republic. 2. We demand that the Pittsburgh Agreement to be incorporated into its Constitution. 3. We demand for Slovaks Slovak Christian schools . 4. We demand that in Slovakia the Slovaks be given priority m government offices, post offices, the railways, etc. 5. We demand that the Slovak language be exclusively used as the official language in all schools, offices, etc. After Vaniscak read the resolution, he asked the audience to possibly supplement it. Allegedly, some Communist suggested that all county and episcopal manors be confiscated and parceled out to the poor. After a short silence, the audience started to rise up and wanted to throw him out. Andrej Hlinka called for calm and said that the question had been politely put, so it would be politely answered. He answered that he agreed that all the manors be parceled out to the people who tilled them. Though the government is doing so, it is doing it along political lines. Concerning the episcopal manors, these belong to the Church, ergo to the people. From them schools, monasteries, publications, magazines and everything that the Church needs are maintained. Why should these manors be confiscated and parceled out when they are owned by all the people? 35 The Communist, as the daily Slo vak noted, said: "Thank you for the explanation, now 33 34 35 Ibid. Ibid. Ibid. �42 SLOVAKIA I know everything. I am content. " 36 The resolution was approved in the original wording. 37 Before the session ended, Andrej Hlinka talked to his countrymen from Orava about the annexation of parts of Spis and Orava by Poland. In the name of the HSPP he promised that he would negotiate to have these regions returned to Slovakia. 38 The session concluded with the national hymn ,,Lightening over the Tatras." 39 There followed a banquet, at which Frantiska C. Jakabcinova, the president of the First Catholic Slovak Ladies Union, gave Hlinka and Buday a gold membership medal and a gift of $1,000.40 On July 3, 1926, Andrej Hlinka had one more lecture in Chicago, the content of which was much the same as the first one. Among other places at which Hlinka and Buday lectured were Kenosha, Wisconsin, on July 3, Milwaukee, on July 14, Streator, Illinois, on July 5, Mount Olive, Illinois, on July 8, East St. Louis, on July 10, St. Louis, Missouri, on July 11 , and in Whiting, Indiana, on July 14, 1926. Then Hlinka's lectures continued in the Cleveland region. The content of these lectures was everywhere almost the same. 41 According to the consular report, the impact of Hlinka' s lectures upon the Slovak people in America was great. Workers debated them in factories and there were also quarrels and even battles (in Hege42 wich, Illinois, and Chicago Heights). Andrej Hlinka's message was summed up by Milan Getting, the Czechoslovak consul in Pittsburgh, as follows: 1. A. Hlinka declined an interview with the editorial staff of the Czech Narodne listy before his departure to America; 36 Slovak, July 16, 1926, p. 3. 37 A MZV CR, f. III , i. no. 22, fo ld . 651. Report of the Co nsul ate of the CS R in Chica- go on the political activ ities of th e Peo ple's Party leaders in the Chi cago region . Suppl ement to a letter of th e Embassy of the CSR in Washin gton, DC, Jul y 30, 1926. 38 Ibid. 39 Ibid. 40 Slovak, Jul y 16, 1926, p. 3. 41 A MZV CR, f. III, i. no. 22 , fold. 651. Report of the Consul ate of the CS R in Chicago on the political activities of the People 's Party leaders in the Chi cago region . Supplement to a letter of the Embassy of the CS R in Washington , DC, Jul y 30, 1926. 42 Ibid. �SLOVAKIA 43 2. He does not fear the separation of church and state and he foretold the extinction of the Slovak Lutherans if it happened; 3. The next president of Czechoslovakia will accept the Pittsburgh Agreement; 4. Hlinka severely criticized Edvard Benes and Vavro Srobar; 5. Hlinka stressed several times that he had nothing to do with Frantisek Jehlicska, but he lectured at places, where the lectures were organized by Jehlicska's followers; 6. The lectures resulted in an anti-Czech mood; 7. Collecting money was many times carried out in such a way as if it were the only purpose of the lectures; 8. Andrej Gerat put most of the resolutions to a vote for further use in Slovakia.43 Hlinka, according to his own words, visited more than one hundred parishes, took part in eighty sessions and had more than two hundred lectures. "In the whole of America only four Catholic priests did not attend our lectures that were held in their town or neighborhood." 44 Part of Andrej Hlinka's journey to the USA was for the purpose of fund-raising . The Slovak League of America created a motto for the collection: Fund for the Victory of the Slovak Nation. In this context it printed envelopes with the following text: I believe in the sovereignty of the Slovak nation. I believe in the united Czecho-Slovak Republic. I believe my own contrymen-leaders. I believe in the gradual administration of Slovakia. I believe that a Slovak should have priority in Slovakia. I believe that a Czech is Czech and a Slovak is Slovak. I believe that, by enacting the Pittsburgh Agreement, conditions between Czechs and Slovaks will improve, hence we willingly support the Fund for the Victory of the Slovak Nation. 45 43 A MZV CR, f. Ill , i. no. 22 , fold. 65 1. Situation report of the Consu late of the CS R in Pittsburgh, to the MFA in Prague, October 5, 1926. 44 Andrej Hlinka v Amerike [Andrej Hlinka in America]. In Jednota : Katolic/..y kalendar na obycajny rok 192 7. Middletown, PA: First Catholi c Slovak Union, 1927, p. 38. 45 A MZV CR, f. Ill , i. no. 22, fold. 65 1. Situation report of the Consulate of the CS R in Pittsburgh, to the MFA in Prague, October 5, 1926 . �44 SLOVAKIA At the same time the Slovak League of America published the leaflet Svoji svojim [One for oneself] , in which it invited people to become its members. 46 However, the Slovak League did not have much influence over the financial part of Hlinka' s lectures. These were organized by priests in a committee established by the League. Allegedly, the envelopes were not distributed everywhere and it might happen that a local priest took the collected money, withdrew a certain amount to cover the costs of organizing the lecture, and turned the balance over to Hlinka in the form of a personal check. 47 About the collections it can be said that, there were fs laces where the fund-raising drive could not be properly organized, 8 but, on the other hand, there were places where a sizeable amount of money was raised. Milan Getting estimated the total raised was $10,000. However, he added that his estimate should be treated with some reserve. For instance, at the convention of the First Catholic Slovak Union in Scranton, Pennsylvania, in September of 1926, Jozef Husek allegedly proposed to give Hlinka $5 ,000, but the delegates objected that the head office gave, without their consent, $1 ,000 to each Slovak bishop. They agreed on the same amount for Andrej Hlinka.49 At that time, the assets of the organization totaled $5,095 ,583 .37.50 The Slovak League of America, according to the Czechoslovak Consulate in Pittsburgh, could not contribute to Hlinka, because its treasury was too small. 5 1 The final result of the fund-raising drive was most pertinently expressed by Hlinka in his letter to the Reverend Jan Postenyi after his return from the USA: "As you know, I have returned with fame , pennants and rings-but not many dollars. Business is business and I 46 AMZ V CR, f. III , i. no. 22, fo ld. 65 1. The leaflet Svoji svojim. AMZV CR, f. lll, i. no. 22, fo ld . 651 . Situati on report of the Consul ate of the CS R in Pittsburgh, to the MF A in Prague, October 5, 1926. 48 For instance, the lecture in Pittsburgh, that was held on Sund ay August 8, 1926, because according to Pennsylvania law, one co uld not collect an entrance fee. Cf. Ibid 49 AMZ V CR, f. lll, i. no. 22 , fo ld. 651 . Situati on report of the Consul ate of th e CS R in Pittsburgh, to the MFA in Prague, October 5, 1926. 50 PAUCO, Jozef. 75 rokov Prvej Katolickej Slovenskej Jednoty 1890 - / 965 (Cleveland : First Catholic Slovak Uni on, I 965), p. 2 I 2. 51 AMZ V CR, f. III, i. no. 22, fo ld . 651 . Situation report of th e Consul ate of the CS R in Pittsburgh, to the MFA in Prague, October 5, I 926. 47 �SLOVAKIA 45 am not very good at it. I am a great idealist and our masters, the bishops, skimmed off the cream." 52 According to the report of the Czechoslovak Consulate in Pittsburgh, Andrej Hlinka ended his lecture tour by annoying his sympathizers in America. Allegedly, Gerat did not stick to the official schedule, which resulted in Hlinka presenting his lectures without reference to the local organizing committee. However, the main cause of the annoyance of American Slovaks was the fact that Hlinka refused to lecture at the parish of the nationalist Stefan Panik in Torrington, Connecticut, but instead agreed to lecture at Andrej Komara's parish in Bridgeport, Connecticut. 53 As Milan Getting noted, Komara had been denounced by neighboring Slovak priests as a Magyarone. Therefore, by accepting his invitation, Hlinka disappointed many of his followers .54 Allegedly, after the lecture at Komara's parish on October 3, 1926, Hlinka and Gerat55 began to show a certain nervousness. This, according to the Czechoslovak Consulate in Pittsburgh, arose from the fact that Hlinka had failed to settle the arguments in the SlovakAmerican Catholic camp. It could also have been a result of their disappointment in the fund-raising drive. Another reason could have been the development of the political situation back home. In addition, Hlinka could see that the audience at his lectures was declining. He may also have been frustrated by articles published in the Czechoslovak daily Newyorsky dennik, which attacked him during his whole stay in the USA. 56 52 Archiv Spolku sv. Vojtecha v Tmave [Archives of the Society of St. Adalbert in Tmava] , fascic le (hereinafter fasc.) 156. Letter of A. Hlinka to J. Postenyi, November 3, 1926. 53 According to the Newyorsky dennik, Komara promised Hlinka $2,000, which, according to Getting, Hlinka did not deny. Cf. AMZV CR, f. Ill, i. no. 22, fold. 651. Situation report of the Consulate of the CSR in Pittsburgh, to the MFA of th e CSR in Prague from October 15 , 1926. Not following the schedule of the lectures was also reported in Jednota, October 6, 1926, p. 2. 54 AMZV CR, f. III , i. no. 22, fold. 651. Situation report of the Consulate of the CSR in Pittsburgh, to the MF A of the CSR in Prague from October 15, 1926. 55 Meanwhile, Buday returned to Slovakia. He left America on July 24, 1926. Cf. Slovak, August 6, 1926, p. 1. 56 AMZV CR, f. 111, i. no. 22, fold. 651. Situation report of the Consulate of the CSR in Pittsburgh, to the MFA of the CSR in Prague from October 15, 1926. �46 SLOVAKIA The last of Hlinka's lectures in the USA was in New York City on October 11 , 1926. 57 He left the USA on October 13 , 1926 and returned to Slovakia on October 22, 1926. 58 Even if the conclusion of his lecture tour to the USA looked disappointing, it did not radically affect the attitudes of American Slovaks to his person, nor the autonomist movement in Slovakia. It is apparent, therefore, that on the occasion of the 28 th International Eucharistic Congress in Chicago, Illinois, Andrej Hlinka, made use of his trip to lecture and to raise funds in favour of autonomy within the Czechoslovak Republic. According to the report of the Czechoslovak consulate in Pittsburgh, the situation in the Slovak autonomist camp in America at that time was quite tense. The reasons for the tension were personal problems, frustration arising from the Czechoslovak government's failure to uphold the Pittsburgh Agreement and the pressure of State Insurance Commissioners on fraternal societies to increase their monthly dues. After initial disagreements, Hlinka's lecture tour was organized by a committee composed almost entirely of priests. Hlinka visited more than one hundred Slovak parishes, took part in eighty discussions and presented more than two hundred lectures. However, the fund-raising drive did not bring the expected results. In addition, according to the report of the Czechoslovak Consulate in Pittsburgh, Andrej Hlinka ended his lecture tour by annoying his sympathizers in America by not having respected the schedule of the local organizational committee. The main cause of the annoyance, however, was the fact that Hlinka refused to lecture at nationalist Stefan Panik's parish in Torrington, Connecticut, but rather at the parish of the alleged Magyarone Andrej Komara in Bridgeport. Even if in the end his lecture tour to the USA disappointed many Slovak nationalists, Hlinka did not lose the sympathy of American Slovaks, nor support for the autonomist movement in Slovakia. 57 58 Ibid. Slo vak, October 23 , 1926, p. 3. � 32 SLOVAKIA ANDREJ HLINKA'S JOURNEY TO THE USA IN 1926 Stefan Kucik Andrej Hlinka belongs among those in Slovak history whose achievements await a complex analysis and evaluation. He and his activities were ignored or misinterpreted by most Marxist historians during the communist era. On the other hand, he was also very controversial. The aim of this article is to analyze the circumstances and the course of his journey to the USA in 1926. Although the official reason for Hlinka's journey was to participate in the 28 th International Eucharistic Congress in Chicago, he made use of his visit to lecture to American Slovaks and to raise funds for the cause of Slovak autonomy in the Czechoslovak Republic. After some disagreements between the Slovak League of America and Jozef Husek, the lecture tour was held under the auspices of the Slovak League of America with the support of the Slovak clergy, organizations, newspapers and other societies. Even if his lecture tour to the USA proved financially disappointing to Hlinka, he did win the sympathy of American Slovaks to his person, and to the autonomist movement in Slovakia. On June 20- 24, 1926 the 28 th International Eucharistic Congress took place in Chicago, Illinois. As the first such Congress on the soil of the United States of America, 1 it presented the Reverend Andrej Hlinka of Rufomberok an opportunity to visit American Slovaks for the first time. Although American Slovaks had already invited Hlinka visit them in 1924, Czechoslovak authorities had refused to grant him a passport because he had been prosecuted for having illegally travelled to the Paris Peace Conference in 1919. In 1926 he was again prosecuted and, despite having been cleared by the County Court in Bratislava, in March of that year, he was sentenced by the Supreme Court to eight days in jail for his article on T. G. Masaryk' s favortism of the Jews published in the daily Slovak on April 5, 1924. 1 The second time such a congress met in th e USA was in 1976 tional Euchari stic Congress in Philade lphia, Pennsy lvani a, the 4 1st Interna- �SLOVAKIA 33 After explaining that he wished to travel to the Eucharistic Congress, Jan Cerny' s administration finally granted him a passport. 2 Andrej Hlinka was repeatedly invited to America by the Committee of Friends of Slovak Freedom led by Jozef Husek.3 On April 21 , 1926 the weekly Jednota published a letter from Hlinka to Husek dated April 3, 1926. In this letter Hlinka announced that he would arrive accompanied by his secretary Andrej Genit and the Parliamentary Deputy Jozef Buday on June 3-4, 1926. He asked Husek to prepare a schedule for his lectures. He wrote that his passport was valid for half a year, which he wished to spend in the USA, provided that political issues would not force his return home. 4 While Hlinka was granted a passport to travel to the Eucharistic Congress on April 30, 1926, the Ministry with Full Powers for the Administration of Slovakia in Bratislava informed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Prague about the details of Hlinka's planned journey. According to the Ministry in Bratislava, the goal of Hlinka's journey was to spread autonomist propaganda on behalf of the Hlinka's Slovak People's Party (hereinafter HSPP) and to raise funds for the Party. He also allegedly planned to draft a resolution of Slovak complaints and pleas and to submit it to the Czechoslovak government and to the League ofNations.5 Hlinka outlined the programme of his journey in the daily Slovak on May 23 , 1926. Among other things he stated that, as early as in 1894 he was asked by American Slovaks to "choke the hydra" of brotherly quarrels among them, but thus far he had not been enable to do so. Now he was going to America to enlighten the Slovaks and to help the Republic and the nation. He was going where the Cleveland and Pittsburgh Agreements were signed. He wanted to see with 2 Karol Sidor, Andrej Hli nka (I 864 - I 926) (Brati slava, 1934), p. 544 . Ibid. , p. 543. 4 Archiv Ministerstva zahran icnich veci Ceske republiky [Archi ves of the Mini stry of Foreign Affa irs of the Czech Republi c] (here inafter AMZV CR), fund (here inafter f. ) Ill. sekce MZV 19 I 8 - 1939 [3 rd section Mini stry of Foreign Affairs 19 I 8 193 8] (hereinafter III), in ventory number (hereinafter i. no.) 22 , fo lder (here inafter fold .) 651 . The report o f the Consul ate of the Czechoslovak Republic (hereinafter CSR) in Pittsburgh, to the Mini stry of Foreign Affa irs (hereinafter MFA ) of the CSR in Prague from April 22, 1926 ; Jednota, April 2 1, 1926, p. 4. 5 AMZV CR, f. Ill , i. no. 22, fo ld. 651. Letter of the Minister of the CSR with Full Powers fo r the Admini stration of Slovakia in Brati slava to the MFA in Prague, April 30, 1926 . 3 �34 SLOVAKIA his own eyes and hear with his own ears if it was a sin to demand autonomy for Slovakia within the Czechoslovak Republic and the Czechoslovak Constitution. 6 At the time of the Hlinka's trip to the USA, reports of the Czechoslovak Consulate in Pittsburgh characterized the situation in the Slovak autonomist camp in America as quite tense. Besides personal problems, anxiety arose from frustration arising from the Czechoslovak government' s failure to uphold the Pittsburgh Agreement. Meanwhile, State Insurance Commissioners were exerting pressure on fraternal societies to increase their monthly dues, which greatly upset their members. 7 The reports of the Czechoslovak Consulate in Pittsburgh also described an alleged rivalry between Ivan Bielek, the President of the Slovak League of America and Jozef Rusek. Apparently, Rusek feared losing his editorship of the weekly Jednota at the upcoming 22 nd convention of the First Catholic Slovak Union in Scranton, Pennsylvania on September 20 - 25 , 1926. His rival was Jan C. Sciranka, editor of Slovak v Amerike. The owner of the Slovak v Amerike was Bielek's brother-in-law Christopher L. Orbach.8 However, according to the report of the Pittsburgh Consulate, the tension between Bielek and Rusek soon dissipated. On April 14, 1926 Bielek published an article entitled Segedin-Mirov in Slo vak v Amerike, in which he denounced the imprisonment of Hlinka in the Czech Mirov prison for having offended President Masaryk. According to the Consulate, Bielek did so because he needed Husek's support at the upcoming convention of the National Slovak Society and the congress of the Slovak League of America. 9 Soon, however, arguments within the Slovak-American autonomist camp broke out again, thanks to Jozef Rusek. In a letter of April 3, 1926, Hlinka asked Rusek to prepare his lecture schedule. Rusek began to register applications for Hlinka's lectures and he wished to carry out this tour under the aegis of the Committe of Friends of Slovak Freedom. Some newspapers and organizations protested: the banker Michal Bosak in his weekly Obrana, a number of priests who 6 Slovak, May 23, 1926, pp. 1-2. AMZ V CR, f. III , i. no. 22, fo ld. 650. Report of the Consul ate of the CSR in Pittsburgh, to the MFA in Prague, April 15, 1926. 8 ibid. 9 i bid. 7 �SLOVAKIA 35 supported the programme of the Magyarone priest Frantisek Jehlicska for the return of Slovakia to Hungary, and Bielek and Orbach in 10 Slovak v Amerike. In addition, the Committe had already been out of existence for three years. It was originally founded to purge the "Czechoslovaks" from the Slovak League of America, and then it merged with it. Despite this fact, Husek kept the title of president of this non-existent organization, announced the arrival of Hlinka to Slovak priests and newspapers and launched the campaign on his own. II Although Jozef Husek, through his contact with Slovak priests in America started to organize Hlinka's lecture tour, the Slovak League of America, led by president Bielek, also started to organize the lectures. It established an organizing committee, composed almost entirely of priests. Husek refused to become a member of this committee and the Slovak v Amerike started to complain about Husek's actions. 12 As a result, a group of Slovak priests ended up organizing Hlinka's lecture tour and the Slovak League of America, even though it compiled the schedule of the lectures, did not control the • 13 pnests. On May 26-27 the 16 th congress of the Slovak League of America was held in Detroit. The congress "with great joy received the news, that the noble leader of the Slovak nation, Msgr. Hlinka, President of the People's Party, would visit American Slovaks." It expressed confidence in him and promised that it would "with all its strength help his noble efforts and during his stay he would be a guest of the Slovak League of America." 14 Hlinka and his colleague Jozef Buday, together with Hynek Dostal , editor of the Czech-American newspaper Hlas, which supported autonomy for the Slovaks, 15 were named honorary members of the Slovak League of America. 10 AMZV CR, f. Ill , i. no. 22 , fo ld . 65 1. Situat ion report in Pittsburgh, to the MF A in Prague, October 5, 1926. 11 AMZV CR, f. Ill , i. no. 22 , fold. 65 1. Situation report in Pittsburgh, to the MF A in Prague, June 11 , 1926. 12 A MZV CR, f. Ill , i. no. 22, fo ld . 65 1. Situation report in Pittsburgh, to the MFA in Prag ue, October 5, I 926. 13 Ibid. 14 A MZV CR, f. 111 , i. no. 22 , fo ld . 65 1. Situation report in Pittsburgh, to the MFA in Prague, June 11 , 1926. 15 Ibid. of the Consul ate of the CS R of the Consulate of the CSR of the Consul ate of the CSR of the Co nsulate of the CSR �36 SLOVAKIA At the congress of the Slovak League, the previous officers were re-elected under the leadership of Ivan Bielek. Husek criticized this outcome. 16 He reported that the League had no funds , he accused the officers of incompetence, and warned that the League would perish if nothing was done to build up its treasury. 17 However, all these arguments between Husek and Bielek were simply personal. In fact, the Slovak League under the leadership of Ivan Bielek (1920- 1934) championed the Pittsburgh Agreement and openly supported the Slovak autonomist movement in the Czechoslovak Republic . The "Czechoslovaks" in America also prepared for the arrival of Andrej Hlinka. For instance, the Reverend Jozef Murgas of WilkesBarre, Pennsylvania, promised Milan Getting, the Czechoslovak consul in Pittsburgh, that at the next meeting of priests of eastern Pennsylvania, he would ask them if their real interest was in politics or in religion and he promised to inform Getting of their answer. 18 Hlinka's arrival was announced by the daily Slovak (Bratislava) on June 4, 1926: "On June 3 our editorial staff received this telegram from Halifax : We have arrived safely. - Hlinka." 19 From the Canadian port of Halifax, Hlinka' s ship continued on to New York City, where it docked on June 5, 1926. 20 About 300 American Slovaks welcomed Hlinka at the dock. Once he had disembarked, Hlinka briefly outlined the goal of his journey. He stressed that he had come to work for both the Slovak nation and for his homeland, the Czechoslovak Republic. He emphasized concord, unity, the settling of petty arguments and forgivness, because "the nation needs us all and it needs us united." 21 In a 26-car procession the delegation proceeded to the Church of St. John Nepomucene on 66 th street, where the Reverend Stefan J. Krasul'a had been the pastor since 1916. An official reception was held in the Parish Hall, where the representatives of American Slovaks delivered their speeches.22 Here Andrej Hlinka spoke his 16 Ibid. Jednota, Jun e 2, 1926, p. 4. 18 A MZ V CR, f. III, i. no. 22, fo ld. 65 1. Missive of the Consul ate of the CSR in Pittsburgh, to the MFA , April 15, I 926. "Czechos lovaks" were Slovaks who supp,orted th e unitary policies of the Czechoslovak government in Prague. 9 Slovak, June 5, 1926, p. I. 20 Slovak, June 23, 1926, p. 5. 21 Jednota, June 9, 1926, p. I. 22 Slovak, June 23, 1926, p. 5. 17 �SLOVAKIA 37 memorable words: "If there were no America, Slovakia would still be under the Magyar yoke. To its credit the Slovaks finally got rid of the thousand-year subjugation." 23 The Slovak League of America officially welcomed Hlinka in the evening at a session of its local branch. 24 On this occassion the Slovak League also issued an official communique which was published by the daily Slowik in Bratislava. 25 A banquet was held the next day under the aegis of the Slovak League of America with the support of the Slovak clergy, organizations, newspapers and other societies. The banquet marked the completion of the programme of welcome with speeches by representatives of various Slovak organizations. Hlinka and Buday were presented with special diplomas, certifying that the Slovak League of America had granted them honorary memberships. 26 After the official welcome in New York, Jozef Rusek left the organizing of Hlinka's lecture tour to the Slovak League of America. 27 It began in Chicago after the end of the Eucharistic Congress on June 27, 1926. 28 According to the official announcement of the president of the Slovak League of America, published in the daily Slovak on July 14, 1926, Hlinka requested that lectures be presented on working days, because at the time of the announcement, there were already 136 requests for lectures. 29 Since the content of Hlinka's lecture in Chicago was generally the same as at other places in the USA, I will summarize it based upon the report of the Czechoslovak Consulate in Chicago. The lecture was held in the Ashland Boulevard Auditorium which had a capacity of 4,000. The Czechoslovak Consulate in Chicago stated that two thirds of the hall was filled, 30 which, in comparison with the 23 Jednota, June 9, 1926, p. I. Slovak, June 23 , 1926, p. 5. 25 Slovak, June 16, 1926, p. I. 26 Slovak, June 23 , 1926, p. 5. 27 PAUCO, Jozef. 75 rokov Prvej Katolickej Slovenskej Jednoty 1890 - 1965 (Cleveland: First Catholic Slovak Union, 1965), p. 210. 28 AMZV CR, f. lll, i. no. 22, fold. 651. Report of the Consulate of the CSR in Chicago on the political activities of the People 's Party leaders in the Chicago region. Supplement to a letter of the Embassy of the CSR in Washington, DC, July 30, 1926. 29 Slovak, July 14, 1926, p. 3. 30 The daily Slovak gave the number of 5,000 - 5,500 and stated that the hall was overcrowded. Cf. Slovak, July 16, I 926, p. 3. 24 �38 SLOVAKIA number of Slovaks living in Chicago, the majority of whom were Catholics, was not that great. Information on the lectures was also disseminated by priests from their pulpits. Tickets were sold in the churches and by the Slovak Catholic Federation. This was designed to prevent unauthorized persons from attending. The $1,000 rent for the hall was paid by the Slovak Catholic Federation. The profits were given to Andrej Hlinka. Tickets were sold for 50 and 75 cents, $1.00 and $2.00, depending upon the seating.31 As the report of the Consulate states, the beginning of the lecture was scheduled for 2:00 p.m. However, Hlinka and his entourage arrived at 2:45 p.m. The audience welcomed him with a standing ovation. The session was openned by Jan Mayer, the president of the Slovak Catholic Federation, who introduced the guests. After him Gregor K. Vaniscak, the pastor of the Slovak Parish of St. Michael the Archangel in Chicago, spoke highly of the great Andrej Hlinka's work for the Slovak nation. He compared Hlinka with the three "most important people in world history" - George Washington, Abraham Lincoln and Cardinal Richelieu. After that Andrej Hlinka delivered his speech. The audience greeted him with applause and some shouted: "Viva, hooray! " Somebody from the audience, allegedly a Slovak Communist, tried to disrupt the lecture and shouted "Shame on him!" for which he was ejected by the police. Some tried to distribute the communist daily Rovnost' /'udu, for which they were also ejected and held overnight at the police station. According to the report of the Chicago consulate, Andrej Hlinka first read the list of donors who contributed to the fund Narod sebe [The Nation for Itself] and to the HSPP's election fund . He asked the donors to keep their trust in him, because he had received all the money and had spent every penny for the right purpose. As evidence he cited the establishment of Slovak Catholic enterprises such as the Lev printery, the daily Slovak, and, most importantly, the half million votes that the HSPP had gained in the last parliamentary elections, which made it the most powerful political party in Slovakia. He asked American Slovaks to continue to remember the HSPP and its struggle for recognition of the Pittsburgh Agreement and the autono31 A MZV CR, f. Ill , i. no. 22 , fo ld . 65 1. Report of the Consu late of th e CS R in Chi cago on the political acti vities of th e Peopl e's Party leaders in th e Chi cago region. Supplement to a letter of th e Embassy of the CS R in Was hin gton, DC, Jul y 30, 1926. �SLOVAKIA 39 my of Slovakia. Hlinka stated that he and the HSPP did not want anything more than that Slovaks be masters in Slovakia and Czechs in Bohemia and that Woodrow Wilson's "Fourteen Points" concerning the self-determination of nations be also applied to the Slovaks and the Pittsburgh Agreement. He declared that he was not against the Czechoslovak Republic and he was ready to "both live and die" for it, because October 28 was also the result of his nation-building efforts . He had struggled in Slovakia against the Magyars, who imprisoned him, first in Rufomberok, and then in Segedin. He added that Slovakia had long awaited October 28, 1918 as the day of liberation from the Magyar yoke. However, Hlinka continued, Slovak sons did not fight in the Czechoslovak Legions to move from one yoke to another. Instead of freedom , Slovaks were now offered "Czechization." Jozef M. Hurban, when he with others led the revolt against the Magyars in 1848, already spoke of the Slovak nation and not a "branch of the Czech nation." Similarly, when the Matica slovenska was founded in 1863, the Slovak leaders set its aim as the defence of the Slovak language as a national language and not a "Czech dialect." To spread the Czech language in Slovakia it was not necessary to establish the Matica slovenska. Therefore, if Hlinka now demands autonomy for Slovakia and wants the Pittsburgh Agreement to be respected and incorporated into the Constitution of the Czechoslovak Republic, he does not want anything new. The Memorandum of Stefan Marko Daxner from as early as in the 1860's requested from the Hungarian government a so-called "Slovak Region" that completely agrees with his present request for autonomy. However, according to Hlinka, the Czech language rules in Slovak courts, offices and schools. Catholic schools were taken from the Slovaks in spite of the fact that the Catholics form the majority in Slovakia and they have to pay taxes to maintain the school system. For these taxes Slovak Catholic children are being indoctrinated with atheism and are taught by teachers such as a certain Bilek, who was a servant in Bohemia, but in Slovakia was made a high school professor! Moreover, Hlinka continued, Slovak intellectuals cannot find work at home. Slovak workers have to look for freedom in America. Despite the fact that Slovaks constitute 15% of the total number of inhabitants in Czechoslovakia, they are virtually absent from the �40 SLOVAKIA state administration . In high schools Slovaks have no principal. From among 786 high school professors, only 175 are Slovaks. An even greater disproportion exists in the railways--from among 13,000 employees, only 412 are Slovaks. There are enough qualified intellectuals in Slovakia, but the Prague government ignores them. Therefore, the demand for autonomy is not just political posturing, but is a cultural and economic need and is crucial to the existence of the Slovak nation. Furthermore, Hlinka stated that he wanted the Slovak and Czech nations to come together and jointly work on maintaining and developing their common state, but by observing equality in the national, cultural and economic spheres. He is not creating discord for the sake of discord. He supports the Czechoslovak Republic, which he proved when the communist attack on Slovakia occurred. Then the Czechoslovak governent had an opportunity to negotiate with him and establish order; the same was true after the last parliamentary elections, in which the HSPP gained the largest number of votes in Slovakia. However, the HSPP was not even noticed by the Czechoslovak government, it was not called by the government and it was even not considered to be necessary to negotiate with it.32 As the consulate report stated, Andrej Hlinka spoke for more than an hour. The tone of his voice was gentle and polite, hence very impressive. The audience often expressed its approval with applause, especially when he defended himself against accusations of treason and Magyaronism. On this occassion he stated that his life was an open book, from which every unbiased person could read, that he had always been selflessly fighting for the rights of the Slovak people. Before World War I, when he defended the rights of the Slovaks, the Magyars accused him of being a "Pan-Slav" and after the war, when he defended the same rights, the secularists and gullible Czechs accused him of being a Magyarone. In this context he asked the audience if it was possible that he would lead the Slovak people back to Magyar slavery, in which it had suffered for more than a thousand years? If anybody with common sense could accuse him of being an instrument of the Magyars, who, because of his fight for the rights of the Slovak nation, had escorted him from one prison to another? Hlinka concluded with an appeal to American 32 Ibid. �SLOVAKIA 41 Slovaks to support him and the HSPP in this fight for autonomy and the recognition of the Pittsburgh Agreement. 33 After Hlinka Jozef Buday delivered his speech. According to the consular report, he was "thoughtless and rudely incited against the atheistic Czechs." He complemented the factual parts of the speech, in which Hlinka mentioned the Czech injustice against the Slovaks. 34 The consular report further stated that F. Wilson, a representative of the district council, spoke after Buday. After him came Andrej Gerat, who criticized the methods of education in Slovakia. After Gerat the Rev. G. K. Vaniscak read this resolution: 1. We support the Czecho-Slovak Republic. 2. We demand that the Pittsburgh Agreement to be incorporated into its Constitution. 3. We demand for Slovaks Slovak Christian schools . 4. We demand that in Slovakia the Slovaks be given priority m government offices, post offices, the railways, etc. 5. We demand that the Slovak language be exclusively used as the official language in all schools, offices, etc. After Vaniscak read the resolution, he asked the audience to possibly supplement it. Allegedly, some Communist suggested that all county and episcopal manors be confiscated and parceled out to the poor. After a short silence, the audience started to rise up and wanted to throw him out. Andrej Hlinka called for calm and said that the question had been politely put, so it would be politely answered. He answered that he agreed that all the manors be parceled out to the people who tilled them. Though the government is doing so, it is doing it along political lines. Concerning the episcopal manors, these belong to the Church, ergo to the people. From them schools, monasteries, publications, magazines and everything that the Church needs are maintained. Why should these manors be confiscated and parceled out when they are owned by all the people? 35 The Communist, as the daily Slo vak noted, said: "Thank you for the explanation, now 33 34 35 Ibid. Ibid. Ibid. �42 SLOVAKIA I know everything. I am content. " 36 The resolution was approved in the original wording. 37 Before the session ended, Andrej Hlinka talked to his countrymen from Orava about the annexation of parts of Spis and Orava by Poland. In the name of the HSPP he promised that he would negotiate to have these regions returned to Slovakia. 38 The session concluded with the national hymn ,,Lightening over the Tatras." 39 There followed a banquet, at which Frantiska C. Jakabcinova, the president of the First Catholic Slovak Ladies Union, gave Hlinka and Buday a gold membership medal and a gift of $1,000.40 On July 3, 1926, Andrej Hlinka had one more lecture in Chicago, the content of which was much the same as the first one. Among other places at which Hlinka and Buday lectured were Kenosha, Wisconsin, on July 3, Milwaukee, on July 14, Streator, Illinois, on July 5, Mount Olive, Illinois, on July 8, East St. Louis, on July 10, St. Louis, Missouri, on July 11 , and in Whiting, Indiana, on July 14, 1926. Then Hlinka's lectures continued in the Cleveland region. The content of these lectures was everywhere almost the same. 41 According to the consular report, the impact of Hlinka' s lectures upon the Slovak people in America was great. Workers debated them in factories and there were also quarrels and even battles (in Hege42 wich, Illinois, and Chicago Heights). Andrej Hlinka's message was summed up by Milan Getting, the Czechoslovak consul in Pittsburgh, as follows: 1. A. Hlinka declined an interview with the editorial staff of the Czech Narodne listy before his departure to America; 36 Slovak, July 16, 1926, p. 3. 37 A MZV CR, f. III , i. no. 22, fo ld . 651. Report of the Co nsul ate of the CS R in Chica- go on the political activ ities of th e Peo ple's Party leaders in the Chi cago region . Suppl ement to a letter of th e Embassy of the CSR in Washin gton, DC, Jul y 30, 1926. 38 Ibid. 39 Ibid. 40 Slovak, Jul y 16, 1926, p. 3. 41 A MZV CR, f. III, i. no. 22 , fold. 651. Report of the Consul ate of the CS R in Chicago on the political activities of the People 's Party leaders in the Chi cago region . Supplement to a letter of the Embassy of the CS R in Washington , DC, Jul y 30, 1926. 42 Ibid. �SLOVAKIA 43 2. He does not fear the separation of church and state and he foretold the extinction of the Slovak Lutherans if it happened; 3. The next president of Czechoslovakia will accept the Pittsburgh Agreement; 4. Hlinka severely criticized Edvard Benes and Vavro Srobar; 5. Hlinka stressed several times that he had nothing to do with Frantisek Jehlicska, but he lectured at places, where the lectures were organized by Jehlicska's followers; 6. The lectures resulted in an anti-Czech mood; 7. Collecting money was many times carried out in such a way as if it were the only purpose of the lectures; 8. Andrej Gerat put most of the resolutions to a vote for further use in Slovakia.43 Hlinka, according to his own words, visited more than one hundred parishes, took part in eighty sessions and had more than two hundred lectures. "In the whole of America only four Catholic priests did not attend our lectures that were held in their town or neighborhood." 44 Part of Andrej Hlinka's journey to the USA was for the purpose of fund-raising . The Slovak League of America created a motto for the collection: Fund for the Victory of the Slovak Nation. In this context it printed envelopes with the following text: I believe in the sovereignty of the Slovak nation. I believe in the united Czecho-Slovak Republic. I believe my own contrymen-leaders. I believe in the gradual administration of Slovakia. I believe that a Slovak should have priority in Slovakia. I believe that a Czech is Czech and a Slovak is Slovak. I believe that, by enacting the Pittsburgh Agreement, conditions between Czechs and Slovaks will improve, hence we willingly support the Fund for the Victory of the Slovak Nation. 45 43 A MZV CR, f. Ill , i. no. 22 , fold. 65 1. Situation report of the Consu late of the CS R in Pittsburgh, to the MFA in Prague, October 5, 1926. 44 Andrej Hlinka v Amerike [Andrej Hlinka in America]. In Jednota : Katolic/..y kalendar na obycajny rok 192 7. Middletown, PA: First Catholi c Slovak Union, 1927, p. 38. 45 A MZV CR, f. Ill , i. no. 22, fold. 65 1. Situation report of the Consulate of the CS R in Pittsburgh, to the MFA in Prague, October 5, 1926 . �44 SLOVAKIA At the same time the Slovak League of America published the leaflet Svoji svojim [One for oneself] , in which it invited people to become its members. 46 However, the Slovak League did not have much influence over the financial part of Hlinka' s lectures. These were organized by priests in a committee established by the League. Allegedly, the envelopes were not distributed everywhere and it might happen that a local priest took the collected money, withdrew a certain amount to cover the costs of organizing the lecture, and turned the balance over to Hlinka in the form of a personal check. 47 About the collections it can be said that, there were fs laces where the fund-raising drive could not be properly organized, 8 but, on the other hand, there were places where a sizeable amount of money was raised. Milan Getting estimated the total raised was $10,000. However, he added that his estimate should be treated with some reserve. For instance, at the convention of the First Catholic Slovak Union in Scranton, Pennsylvania, in September of 1926, Jozef Husek allegedly proposed to give Hlinka $5 ,000, but the delegates objected that the head office gave, without their consent, $1 ,000 to each Slovak bishop. They agreed on the same amount for Andrej Hlinka.49 At that time, the assets of the organization totaled $5,095 ,583 .37.50 The Slovak League of America, according to the Czechoslovak Consulate in Pittsburgh, could not contribute to Hlinka, because its treasury was too small. 5 1 The final result of the fund-raising drive was most pertinently expressed by Hlinka in his letter to the Reverend Jan Postenyi after his return from the USA: "As you know, I have returned with fame , pennants and rings-but not many dollars. Business is business and I 46 AMZ V CR, f. III , i. no. 22, fo ld. 65 1. The leaflet Svoji svojim. AMZV CR, f. lll, i. no. 22, fo ld . 651 . Situati on report of the Consul ate of the CS R in Pittsburgh, to the MF A in Prague, October 5, 1926. 48 For instance, the lecture in Pittsburgh, that was held on Sund ay August 8, 1926, because according to Pennsylvania law, one co uld not collect an entrance fee. Cf. Ibid 49 AMZ V CR, f. lll, i. no. 22 , fo ld. 651 . Situati on report of the Consul ate of th e CS R in Pittsburgh, to the MFA in Prague, October 5, 1926. 50 PAUCO, Jozef. 75 rokov Prvej Katolickej Slovenskej Jednoty 1890 - / 965 (Cleveland : First Catholic Slovak Uni on, I 965), p. 2 I 2. 51 AMZ V CR, f. III, i. no. 22, fo ld . 651 . Situation report of th e Consul ate of the CS R in Pittsburgh, to the MFA in Prague, October 5, I 926. 47 �SLOVAKIA 45 am not very good at it. I am a great idealist and our masters, the bishops, skimmed off the cream." 52 According to the report of the Czechoslovak Consulate in Pittsburgh, Andrej Hlinka ended his lecture tour by annoying his sympathizers in America. Allegedly, Gerat did not stick to the official schedule, which resulted in Hlinka presenting his lectures without reference to the local organizing committee. However, the main cause of the annoyance of American Slovaks was the fact that Hlinka refused to lecture at the parish of the nationalist Stefan Panik in Torrington, Connecticut, but instead agreed to lecture at Andrej Komara's parish in Bridgeport, Connecticut. 53 As Milan Getting noted, Komara had been denounced by neighboring Slovak priests as a Magyarone. Therefore, by accepting his invitation, Hlinka disappointed many of his followers .54 Allegedly, after the lecture at Komara's parish on October 3, 1926, Hlinka and Gerat55 began to show a certain nervousness. This, according to the Czechoslovak Consulate in Pittsburgh, arose from the fact that Hlinka had failed to settle the arguments in the SlovakAmerican Catholic camp. It could also have been a result of their disappointment in the fund-raising drive. Another reason could have been the development of the political situation back home. In addition, Hlinka could see that the audience at his lectures was declining. He may also have been frustrated by articles published in the Czechoslovak daily Newyorsky dennik, which attacked him during his whole stay in the USA. 56 52 Archiv Spolku sv. Vojtecha v Tmave [Archives of the Society of St. Adalbert in Tmava] , fascic le (hereinafter fasc.) 156. Letter of A. Hlinka to J. Postenyi, November 3, 1926. 53 According to the Newyorsky dennik, Komara promised Hlinka $2,000, which, according to Getting, Hlinka did not deny. Cf. AMZV CR, f. Ill, i. no. 22, fold. 651. Situation report of the Consulate of the CSR in Pittsburgh, to the MFA of th e CSR in Prague from October 15 , 1926. Not following the schedule of the lectures was also reported in Jednota, October 6, 1926, p. 2. 54 AMZV CR, f. III , i. no. 22, fold. 651. Situation report of the Consulate of the CSR in Pittsburgh, to the MF A of the CSR in Prague from October 15, 1926. 55 Meanwhile, Buday returned to Slovakia. He left America on July 24, 1926. Cf. Slovak, August 6, 1926, p. 1. 56 AMZV CR, f. 111, i. no. 22, fold. 651. Situation report of the Consulate of the CSR in Pittsburgh, to the MFA of the CSR in Prague from October 15, 1926. �46 SLOVAKIA The last of Hlinka's lectures in the USA was in New York City on October 11 , 1926. 57 He left the USA on October 13 , 1926 and returned to Slovakia on October 22, 1926. 58 Even if the conclusion of his lecture tour to the USA looked disappointing, it did not radically affect the attitudes of American Slovaks to his person, nor the autonomist movement in Slovakia. It is apparent, therefore, that on the occasion of the 28 th International Eucharistic Congress in Chicago, Illinois, Andrej Hlinka, made use of his trip to lecture and to raise funds in favour of autonomy within the Czechoslovak Republic. According to the report of the Czechoslovak consulate in Pittsburgh, the situation in the Slovak autonomist camp in America at that time was quite tense. The reasons for the tension were personal problems, frustration arising from the Czechoslovak government's failure to uphold the Pittsburgh Agreement and the pressure of State Insurance Commissioners on fraternal societies to increase their monthly dues. After initial disagreements, Hlinka's lecture tour was organized by a committee composed almost entirely of priests. Hlinka visited more than one hundred Slovak parishes, took part in eighty discussions and presented more than two hundred lectures. However, the fund-raising drive did not bring the expected results. In addition, according to the report of the Czechoslovak Consulate in Pittsburgh, Andrej Hlinka ended his lecture tour by annoying his sympathizers in America by not having respected the schedule of the local organizational committee. The main cause of the annoyance, however, was the fact that Hlinka refused to lecture at nationalist Stefan Panik's parish in Torrington, Connecticut, but rather at the parish of the alleged Magyarone Andrej Komara in Bridgeport. Even if in the end his lecture tour to the USA disappointed many Slovak nationalists, Hlinka did not lose the sympathy of American Slovaks, nor support for the autonomist movement in Slovakia. 57 58 Ibid. Slo vak, October 23 , 1926, p. 3. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource 2010, Vol. 40 Description An account of the resource Vol. 40 (No. 74-75), 2010. Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available The Slovak League of America Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2010 Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document 32 SLOVAKIA ANDREJ HLINKA'S JOURNEY TO THE USA IN 1926 Stefan Kucik Andrej Hlinka belongs among those in Slovak history whose achievements await a complex analysis and evaluation. He and his activities were ignored or misinterpreted by most Marxist historians during the communist era. On the other hand, he was also very controversial. The aim of this article is to analyze the circumstances and the course of his journey to the USA in 1926. Although the official reason for Hlinka's journey was to participate in the 28 th International Eucharistic Congress in Chicago, he made use of his visit to lecture to American Slovaks and to raise funds for the cause of Slovak autonomy in the Czechoslovak Republic. After some disagreements between the Slovak League of America and Jozef Husek, the lecture tour was held under the auspices of the Slovak League of America with the support of the Slovak clergy, organizations, newspapers and other societies. Even if his lecture tour to the USA proved financially disappointing to Hlinka, he did win the sympathy of American Slovaks to his person, and to the autonomist movement in Slovakia. On June 20- 24, 1926 the 28 th International Eucharistic Congress took place in Chicago, Illinois. As the first such Congress on the soil of the United States of America, 1 it presented the Reverend Andrej Hlinka of Rufomberok an opportunity to visit American Slovaks for the first time. Although American Slovaks had already invited Hlinka visit them in 1924, Czechoslovak authorities had refused to grant him a passport because he had been prosecuted for having illegally travelled to the Paris Peace Conference in 1919. In 1926 he was again prosecuted and, despite having been cleared by the County Court in Bratislava, in March of that year, he was sentenced by the Supreme Court to eight days in jail for his article on T. G. Masaryk' s favortism of the Jews published in the daily Slovak on April 5, 1924. 1 The second time such a congress met in th e USA was in 1976 tional Euchari stic Congress in Philade lphia, Pennsy lvani a, the 4 1st Interna- SLOVAKIA 33 After explaining that he wished to travel to the Eucharistic Congress, Jan Cerny' s administration finally granted him a passport. 2 Andrej Hlinka was repeatedly invited to America by the Committee of Friends of Slovak Freedom led by Jozef Husek.3 On April 21 , 1926 the weekly Jednota published a letter from Hlinka to Husek dated April 3, 1926. In this letter Hlinka announced that he would arrive accompanied by his secretary Andrej Genit and the Parliamentary Deputy Jozef Buday on June 3-4, 1926. He asked Husek to prepare a schedule for his lectures. He wrote that his passport was valid for half a year, which he wished to spend in the USA, provided that political issues would not force his return home. 4 While Hlinka was granted a passport to travel to the Eucharistic Congress on April 30, 1926, the Ministry with Full Powers for the Administration of Slovakia in Bratislava informed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Prague about the details of Hlinka's planned journey. According to the Ministry in Bratislava, the goal of Hlinka's journey was to spread autonomist propaganda on behalf of the Hlinka's Slovak People's Party (hereinafter HSPP) and to raise funds for the Party. He also allegedly planned to draft a resolution of Slovak complaints and pleas and to submit it to the Czechoslovak government and to the League ofNations.5 Hlinka outlined the programme of his journey in the daily Slovak on May 23 , 1926. Among other things he stated that, as early as in 1894 he was asked by American Slovaks to "choke the hydra" of brotherly quarrels among them, but thus far he had not been enable to do so. Now he was going to America to enlighten the Slovaks and to help the Republic and the nation. He was going where the Cleveland and Pittsburgh Agreements were signed. He wanted to see with 2 Karol Sidor, Andrej Hli nka (I 864 - I 926) (Brati slava, 1934), p. 544 . Ibid. , p. 543. 4 Archiv Ministerstva zahran icnich veci Ceske republiky [Archi ves of the Mini stry of Foreign Affa irs of the Czech Republi c] (here inafter AMZV CR), fund (here inafter f. ) Ill. sekce MZV 19 I 8 - 1939 [3 rd section Mini stry of Foreign Affairs 19 I 8 193 8] (hereinafter III), in ventory number (hereinafter i. no.) 22 , fo lder (here inafter fold .) 651 . The report o f the Consul ate of the Czechoslovak Republic (hereinafter CSR) in Pittsburgh, to the Mini stry of Foreign Affa irs (hereinafter MFA ) of the CSR in Prague from April 22, 1926 ; Jednota, April 2 1, 1926, p. 4. 5 AMZV CR, f. Ill , i. no. 22, fo ld. 651. Letter of the Minister of the CSR with Full Powers fo r the Admini stration of Slovakia in Brati slava to the MFA in Prague, April 30, 1926 . 3 34 SLOVAKIA his own eyes and hear with his own ears if it was a sin to demand autonomy for Slovakia within the Czechoslovak Republic and the Czechoslovak Constitution. 6 At the time of the Hlinka's trip to the USA, reports of the Czechoslovak Consulate in Pittsburgh characterized the situation in the Slovak autonomist camp in America as quite tense. Besides personal problems, anxiety arose from frustration arising from the Czechoslovak government' s failure to uphold the Pittsburgh Agreement. Meanwhile, State Insurance Commissioners were exerting pressure on fraternal societies to increase their monthly dues, which greatly upset their members. 7 The reports of the Czechoslovak Consulate in Pittsburgh also described an alleged rivalry between Ivan Bielek, the President of the Slovak League of America and Jozef Rusek. Apparently, Rusek feared losing his editorship of the weekly Jednota at the upcoming 22 nd convention of the First Catholic Slovak Union in Scranton, Pennsylvania on September 20 - 25 , 1926. His rival was Jan C. Sciranka, editor of Slovak v Amerike. The owner of the Slovak v Amerike was Bielek's brother-in-law Christopher L. Orbach.8 However, according to the report of the Pittsburgh Consulate, the tension between Bielek and Rusek soon dissipated. On April 14, 1926 Bielek published an article entitled Segedin-Mirov in Slo vak v Amerike, in which he denounced the imprisonment of Hlinka in the Czech Mirov prison for having offended President Masaryk. According to the Consulate, Bielek did so because he needed Husek's support at the upcoming convention of the National Slovak Society and the congress of the Slovak League of America. 9 Soon, however, arguments within the Slovak-American autonomist camp broke out again, thanks to Jozef Rusek. In a letter of April 3, 1926, Hlinka asked Rusek to prepare his lecture schedule. Rusek began to register applications for Hlinka's lectures and he wished to carry out this tour under the aegis of the Committe of Friends of Slovak Freedom. Some newspapers and organizations protested: the banker Michal Bosak in his weekly Obrana, a number of priests who 6 Slovak, May 23, 1926, pp. 1-2. AMZ V CR, f. III , i. no. 22, fo ld. 650. Report of the Consul ate of the CSR in Pittsburgh, to the MFA in Prague, April 15, 1926. 8 ibid. 9 i bid. 7 SLOVAKIA 35 supported the programme of the Magyarone priest Frantisek Jehlicska for the return of Slovakia to Hungary, and Bielek and Orbach in 10 Slovak v Amerike. In addition, the Committe had already been out of existence for three years. It was originally founded to purge the "Czechoslovaks" from the Slovak League of America, and then it merged with it. Despite this fact, Husek kept the title of president of this non-existent organization, announced the arrival of Hlinka to Slovak priests and newspapers and launched the campaign on his own. II Although Jozef Husek, through his contact with Slovak priests in America started to organize Hlinka's lecture tour, the Slovak League of America, led by president Bielek, also started to organize the lectures. It established an organizing committee, composed almost entirely of priests. Husek refused to become a member of this committee and the Slovak v Amerike started to complain about Husek's actions. 12 As a result, a group of Slovak priests ended up organizing Hlinka's lecture tour and the Slovak League of America, even though it compiled the schedule of the lectures, did not control the • 13 pnests. On May 26-27 the 16 th congress of the Slovak League of America was held in Detroit. The congress "with great joy received the news, that the noble leader of the Slovak nation, Msgr. Hlinka, President of the People's Party, would visit American Slovaks." It expressed confidence in him and promised that it would "with all its strength help his noble efforts and during his stay he would be a guest of the Slovak League of America." 14 Hlinka and his colleague Jozef Buday, together with Hynek Dostal , editor of the Czech-American newspaper Hlas, which supported autonomy for the Slovaks, 15 were named honorary members of the Slovak League of America. 10 AMZV CR, f. Ill , i. no. 22 , fo ld . 65 1. Situat ion report in Pittsburgh, to the MF A in Prague, October 5, 1926. 11 AMZV CR, f. Ill , i. no. 22 , fold. 65 1. Situation report in Pittsburgh, to the MF A in Prague, June 11 , 1926. 12 A MZV CR, f. Ill , i. no. 22, fo ld . 65 1. Situation report in Pittsburgh, to the MFA in Prag ue, October 5, I 926. 13 Ibid. 14 A MZV CR, f. 111 , i. no. 22 , fo ld . 65 1. Situation report in Pittsburgh, to the MFA in Prague, June 11 , 1926. 15 Ibid. of the Consul ate of the CS R of the Consulate of the CSR of the Consul ate of the CSR of the Co nsulate of the CSR 36 SLOVAKIA At the congress of the Slovak League, the previous officers were re-elected under the leadership of Ivan Bielek. Husek criticized this outcome. 16 He reported that the League had no funds , he accused the officers of incompetence, and warned that the League would perish if nothing was done to build up its treasury. 17 However, all these arguments between Husek and Bielek were simply personal. In fact, the Slovak League under the leadership of Ivan Bielek (1920- 1934) championed the Pittsburgh Agreement and openly supported the Slovak autonomist movement in the Czechoslovak Republic . The "Czechoslovaks" in America also prepared for the arrival of Andrej Hlinka. For instance, the Reverend Jozef Murgas of WilkesBarre, Pennsylvania, promised Milan Getting, the Czechoslovak consul in Pittsburgh, that at the next meeting of priests of eastern Pennsylvania, he would ask them if their real interest was in politics or in religion and he promised to inform Getting of their answer. 18 Hlinka's arrival was announced by the daily Slovak (Bratislava) on June 4, 1926: "On June 3 our editorial staff received this telegram from Halifax : We have arrived safely. - Hlinka." 19 From the Canadian port of Halifax, Hlinka' s ship continued on to New York City, where it docked on June 5, 1926. 20 About 300 American Slovaks welcomed Hlinka at the dock. Once he had disembarked, Hlinka briefly outlined the goal of his journey. He stressed that he had come to work for both the Slovak nation and for his homeland, the Czechoslovak Republic. He emphasized concord, unity, the settling of petty arguments and forgivness, because "the nation needs us all and it needs us united." 21 In a 26-car procession the delegation proceeded to the Church of St. John Nepomucene on 66 th street, where the Reverend Stefan J. Krasul'a had been the pastor since 1916. An official reception was held in the Parish Hall, where the representatives of American Slovaks delivered their speeches.22 Here Andrej Hlinka spoke his 16 Ibid. Jednota, Jun e 2, 1926, p. 4. 18 A MZ V CR, f. III, i. no. 22, fo ld. 65 1. Missive of the Consul ate of the CSR in Pittsburgh, to the MFA , April 15, I 926. "Czechos lovaks" were Slovaks who supp,orted th e unitary policies of the Czechoslovak government in Prague. 9 Slovak, June 5, 1926, p. I. 20 Slovak, June 23, 1926, p. 5. 21 Jednota, June 9, 1926, p. I. 22 Slovak, June 23, 1926, p. 5. 17 SLOVAKIA 37 memorable words: "If there were no America, Slovakia would still be under the Magyar yoke. To its credit the Slovaks finally got rid of the thousand-year subjugation." 23 The Slovak League of America officially welcomed Hlinka in the evening at a session of its local branch. 24 On this occassion the Slovak League also issued an official communique which was published by the daily Slowik in Bratislava. 25 A banquet was held the next day under the aegis of the Slovak League of America with the support of the Slovak clergy, organizations, newspapers and other societies. The banquet marked the completion of the programme of welcome with speeches by representatives of various Slovak organizations. Hlinka and Buday were presented with special diplomas, certifying that the Slovak League of America had granted them honorary memberships. 26 After the official welcome in New York, Jozef Rusek left the organizing of Hlinka's lecture tour to the Slovak League of America. 27 It began in Chicago after the end of the Eucharistic Congress on June 27, 1926. 28 According to the official announcement of the president of the Slovak League of America, published in the daily Slovak on July 14, 1926, Hlinka requested that lectures be presented on working days, because at the time of the announcement, there were already 136 requests for lectures. 29 Since the content of Hlinka's lecture in Chicago was generally the same as at other places in the USA, I will summarize it based upon the report of the Czechoslovak Consulate in Chicago. The lecture was held in the Ashland Boulevard Auditorium which had a capacity of 4,000. The Czechoslovak Consulate in Chicago stated that two thirds of the hall was filled, 30 which, in comparison with the 23 Jednota, June 9, 1926, p. I. Slovak, June 23 , 1926, p. 5. 25 Slovak, June 16, 1926, p. I. 26 Slovak, June 23 , 1926, p. 5. 27 PAUCO, Jozef. 75 rokov Prvej Katolickej Slovenskej Jednoty 1890 - 1965 (Cleveland: First Catholic Slovak Union, 1965), p. 210. 28 AMZV CR, f. lll, i. no. 22, fold. 651. Report of the Consulate of the CSR in Chicago on the political activities of the People 's Party leaders in the Chicago region. Supplement to a letter of the Embassy of the CSR in Washington, DC, July 30, 1926. 29 Slovak, July 14, 1926, p. 3. 30 The daily Slovak gave the number of 5,000 - 5,500 and stated that the hall was overcrowded. Cf. Slovak, July 16, I 926, p. 3. 24 38 SLOVAKIA number of Slovaks living in Chicago, the majority of whom were Catholics, was not that great. Information on the lectures was also disseminated by priests from their pulpits. Tickets were sold in the churches and by the Slovak Catholic Federation. This was designed to prevent unauthorized persons from attending. The $1,000 rent for the hall was paid by the Slovak Catholic Federation. The profits were given to Andrej Hlinka. Tickets were sold for 50 and 75 cents, $1.00 and $2.00, depending upon the seating.31 As the report of the Consulate states, the beginning of the lecture was scheduled for 2:00 p.m. However, Hlinka and his entourage arrived at 2:45 p.m. The audience welcomed him with a standing ovation. The session was openned by Jan Mayer, the president of the Slovak Catholic Federation, who introduced the guests. After him Gregor K. Vaniscak, the pastor of the Slovak Parish of St. Michael the Archangel in Chicago, spoke highly of the great Andrej Hlinka's work for the Slovak nation. He compared Hlinka with the three "most important people in world history" - George Washington, Abraham Lincoln and Cardinal Richelieu. After that Andrej Hlinka delivered his speech. The audience greeted him with applause and some shouted: "Viva, hooray! " Somebody from the audience, allegedly a Slovak Communist, tried to disrupt the lecture and shouted "Shame on him!" for which he was ejected by the police. Some tried to distribute the communist daily Rovnost' /'udu, for which they were also ejected and held overnight at the police station. According to the report of the Chicago consulate, Andrej Hlinka first read the list of donors who contributed to the fund Narod sebe [The Nation for Itself] and to the HSPP's election fund . He asked the donors to keep their trust in him, because he had received all the money and had spent every penny for the right purpose. As evidence he cited the establishment of Slovak Catholic enterprises such as the Lev printery, the daily Slovak, and, most importantly, the half million votes that the HSPP had gained in the last parliamentary elections, which made it the most powerful political party in Slovakia. He asked American Slovaks to continue to remember the HSPP and its struggle for recognition of the Pittsburgh Agreement and the autono31 A MZV CR, f. Ill , i. no. 22 , fo ld . 65 1. Report of the Consu late of th e CS R in Chi cago on the political acti vities of th e Peopl e's Party leaders in th e Chi cago region. Supplement to a letter of th e Embassy of the CS R in Was hin gton, DC, Jul y 30, 1926. SLOVAKIA 39 my of Slovakia. Hlinka stated that he and the HSPP did not want anything more than that Slovaks be masters in Slovakia and Czechs in Bohemia and that Woodrow Wilson's "Fourteen Points" concerning the self-determination of nations be also applied to the Slovaks and the Pittsburgh Agreement. He declared that he was not against the Czechoslovak Republic and he was ready to "both live and die" for it, because October 28 was also the result of his nation-building efforts . He had struggled in Slovakia against the Magyars, who imprisoned him, first in Rufomberok, and then in Segedin. He added that Slovakia had long awaited October 28, 1918 as the day of liberation from the Magyar yoke. However, Hlinka continued, Slovak sons did not fight in the Czechoslovak Legions to move from one yoke to another. Instead of freedom , Slovaks were now offered "Czechization." Jozef M. Hurban, when he with others led the revolt against the Magyars in 1848, already spoke of the Slovak nation and not a "branch of the Czech nation." Similarly, when the Matica slovenska was founded in 1863, the Slovak leaders set its aim as the defence of the Slovak language as a national language and not a "Czech dialect." To spread the Czech language in Slovakia it was not necessary to establish the Matica slovenska. Therefore, if Hlinka now demands autonomy for Slovakia and wants the Pittsburgh Agreement to be respected and incorporated into the Constitution of the Czechoslovak Republic, he does not want anything new. The Memorandum of Stefan Marko Daxner from as early as in the 1860's requested from the Hungarian government a so-called "Slovak Region" that completely agrees with his present request for autonomy. However, according to Hlinka, the Czech language rules in Slovak courts, offices and schools. Catholic schools were taken from the Slovaks in spite of the fact that the Catholics form the majority in Slovakia and they have to pay taxes to maintain the school system. For these taxes Slovak Catholic children are being indoctrinated with atheism and are taught by teachers such as a certain Bilek, who was a servant in Bohemia, but in Slovakia was made a high school professor! Moreover, Hlinka continued, Slovak intellectuals cannot find work at home. Slovak workers have to look for freedom in America. Despite the fact that Slovaks constitute 15% of the total number of inhabitants in Czechoslovakia, they are virtually absent from the 40 SLOVAKIA state administration . In high schools Slovaks have no principal. From among 786 high school professors, only 175 are Slovaks. An even greater disproportion exists in the railways--from among 13,000 employees, only 412 are Slovaks. There are enough qualified intellectuals in Slovakia, but the Prague government ignores them. Therefore, the demand for autonomy is not just political posturing, but is a cultural and economic need and is crucial to the existence of the Slovak nation. Furthermore, Hlinka stated that he wanted the Slovak and Czech nations to come together and jointly work on maintaining and developing their common state, but by observing equality in the national, cultural and economic spheres. He is not creating discord for the sake of discord. He supports the Czechoslovak Republic, which he proved when the communist attack on Slovakia occurred. Then the Czechoslovak governent had an opportunity to negotiate with him and establish order; the same was true after the last parliamentary elections, in which the HSPP gained the largest number of votes in Slovakia. However, the HSPP was not even noticed by the Czechoslovak government, it was not called by the government and it was even not considered to be necessary to negotiate with it.32 As the consulate report stated, Andrej Hlinka spoke for more than an hour. The tone of his voice was gentle and polite, hence very impressive. The audience often expressed its approval with applause, especially when he defended himself against accusations of treason and Magyaronism. On this occassion he stated that his life was an open book, from which every unbiased person could read, that he had always been selflessly fighting for the rights of the Slovak people. Before World War I, when he defended the rights of the Slovaks, the Magyars accused him of being a "Pan-Slav" and after the war, when he defended the same rights, the secularists and gullible Czechs accused him of being a Magyarone. In this context he asked the audience if it was possible that he would lead the Slovak people back to Magyar slavery, in which it had suffered for more than a thousand years? If anybody with common sense could accuse him of being an instrument of the Magyars, who, because of his fight for the rights of the Slovak nation, had escorted him from one prison to another? Hlinka concluded with an appeal to American 32 Ibid. SLOVAKIA 41 Slovaks to support him and the HSPP in this fight for autonomy and the recognition of the Pittsburgh Agreement. 33 After Hlinka Jozef Buday delivered his speech. According to the consular report, he was "thoughtless and rudely incited against the atheistic Czechs." He complemented the factual parts of the speech, in which Hlinka mentioned the Czech injustice against the Slovaks. 34 The consular report further stated that F. Wilson, a representative of the district council, spoke after Buday. After him came Andrej Gerat, who criticized the methods of education in Slovakia. After Gerat the Rev. G. K. Vaniscak read this resolution: 1. We support the Czecho-Slovak Republic. 2. We demand that the Pittsburgh Agreement to be incorporated into its Constitution. 3. We demand for Slovaks Slovak Christian schools . 4. We demand that in Slovakia the Slovaks be given priority m government offices, post offices, the railways, etc. 5. We demand that the Slovak language be exclusively used as the official language in all schools, offices, etc. After Vaniscak read the resolution, he asked the audience to possibly supplement it. Allegedly, some Communist suggested that all county and episcopal manors be confiscated and parceled out to the poor. After a short silence, the audience started to rise up and wanted to throw him out. Andrej Hlinka called for calm and said that the question had been politely put, so it would be politely answered. He answered that he agreed that all the manors be parceled out to the people who tilled them. Though the government is doing so, it is doing it along political lines. Concerning the episcopal manors, these belong to the Church, ergo to the people. From them schools, monasteries, publications, magazines and everything that the Church needs are maintained. Why should these manors be confiscated and parceled out when they are owned by all the people? 35 The Communist, as the daily Slo vak noted, said: "Thank you for the explanation, now 33 34 35 Ibid. Ibid. Ibid. 42 SLOVAKIA I know everything. I am content. " 36 The resolution was approved in the original wording. 37 Before the session ended, Andrej Hlinka talked to his countrymen from Orava about the annexation of parts of Spis and Orava by Poland. In the name of the HSPP he promised that he would negotiate to have these regions returned to Slovakia. 38 The session concluded with the national hymn ,,Lightening over the Tatras." 39 There followed a banquet, at which Frantiska C. Jakabcinova, the president of the First Catholic Slovak Ladies Union, gave Hlinka and Buday a gold membership medal and a gift of $1,000.40 On July 3, 1926, Andrej Hlinka had one more lecture in Chicago, the content of which was much the same as the first one. Among other places at which Hlinka and Buday lectured were Kenosha, Wisconsin, on July 3, Milwaukee, on July 14, Streator, Illinois, on July 5, Mount Olive, Illinois, on July 8, East St. Louis, on July 10, St. Louis, Missouri, on July 11 , and in Whiting, Indiana, on July 14, 1926. Then Hlinka's lectures continued in the Cleveland region. The content of these lectures was everywhere almost the same. 41 According to the consular report, the impact of Hlinka' s lectures upon the Slovak people in America was great. Workers debated them in factories and there were also quarrels and even battles (in Hege42 wich, Illinois, and Chicago Heights). Andrej Hlinka's message was summed up by Milan Getting, the Czechoslovak consul in Pittsburgh, as follows: 1. A. Hlinka declined an interview with the editorial staff of the Czech Narodne listy before his departure to America; 36 Slovak, July 16, 1926, p. 3. 37 A MZV CR, f. III , i. no. 22, fo ld . 651. Report of the Co nsul ate of the CS R in Chica- go on the political activ ities of th e Peo ple's Party leaders in the Chi cago region . Suppl ement to a letter of th e Embassy of the CSR in Washin gton, DC, Jul y 30, 1926. 38 Ibid. 39 Ibid. 40 Slovak, Jul y 16, 1926, p. 3. 41 A MZV CR, f. III, i. no. 22 , fold. 651. Report of the Consul ate of the CS R in Chicago on the political activities of the People 's Party leaders in the Chi cago region . Supplement to a letter of the Embassy of the CS R in Washington , DC, Jul y 30, 1926. 42 Ibid. SLOVAKIA 43 2. He does not fear the separation of church and state and he foretold the extinction of the Slovak Lutherans if it happened; 3. The next president of Czechoslovakia will accept the Pittsburgh Agreement; 4. Hlinka severely criticized Edvard Benes and Vavro Srobar; 5. Hlinka stressed several times that he had nothing to do with Frantisek Jehlicska, but he lectured at places, where the lectures were organized by Jehlicska's followers; 6. The lectures resulted in an anti-Czech mood; 7. Collecting money was many times carried out in such a way as if it were the only purpose of the lectures; 8. Andrej Gerat put most of the resolutions to a vote for further use in Slovakia.43 Hlinka, according to his own words, visited more than one hundred parishes, took part in eighty sessions and had more than two hundred lectures. "In the whole of America only four Catholic priests did not attend our lectures that were held in their town or neighborhood." 44 Part of Andrej Hlinka's journey to the USA was for the purpose of fund-raising . The Slovak League of America created a motto for the collection: Fund for the Victory of the Slovak Nation. In this context it printed envelopes with the following text: I believe in the sovereignty of the Slovak nation. I believe in the united Czecho-Slovak Republic. I believe my own contrymen-leaders. I believe in the gradual administration of Slovakia. I believe that a Slovak should have priority in Slovakia. I believe that a Czech is Czech and a Slovak is Slovak. I believe that, by enacting the Pittsburgh Agreement, conditions between Czechs and Slovaks will improve, hence we willingly support the Fund for the Victory of the Slovak Nation. 45 43 A MZV CR, f. Ill , i. no. 22 , fold. 65 1. Situation report of the Consu late of the CS R in Pittsburgh, to the MFA in Prague, October 5, 1926. 44 Andrej Hlinka v Amerike [Andrej Hlinka in America]. In Jednota : Katolic/..y kalendar na obycajny rok 192 7. Middletown, PA: First Catholi c Slovak Union, 1927, p. 38. 45 A MZV CR, f. Ill , i. no. 22, fold. 65 1. Situation report of the Consulate of the CS R in Pittsburgh, to the MFA in Prague, October 5, 1926 . 44 SLOVAKIA At the same time the Slovak League of America published the leaflet Svoji svojim [One for oneself] , in which it invited people to become its members. 46 However, the Slovak League did not have much influence over the financial part of Hlinka' s lectures. These were organized by priests in a committee established by the League. Allegedly, the envelopes were not distributed everywhere and it might happen that a local priest took the collected money, withdrew a certain amount to cover the costs of organizing the lecture, and turned the balance over to Hlinka in the form of a personal check. 47 About the collections it can be said that, there were fs laces where the fund-raising drive could not be properly organized, 8 but, on the other hand, there were places where a sizeable amount of money was raised. Milan Getting estimated the total raised was $10,000. However, he added that his estimate should be treated with some reserve. For instance, at the convention of the First Catholic Slovak Union in Scranton, Pennsylvania, in September of 1926, Jozef Husek allegedly proposed to give Hlinka $5 ,000, but the delegates objected that the head office gave, without their consent, $1 ,000 to each Slovak bishop. They agreed on the same amount for Andrej Hlinka.49 At that time, the assets of the organization totaled $5,095 ,583 .37.50 The Slovak League of America, according to the Czechoslovak Consulate in Pittsburgh, could not contribute to Hlinka, because its treasury was too small. 5 1 The final result of the fund-raising drive was most pertinently expressed by Hlinka in his letter to the Reverend Jan Postenyi after his return from the USA: "As you know, I have returned with fame , pennants and rings-but not many dollars. Business is business and I 46 AMZ V CR, f. III , i. no. 22, fo ld. 65 1. The leaflet Svoji svojim. AMZV CR, f. lll, i. no. 22, fo ld . 651 . Situati on report of the Consul ate of the CS R in Pittsburgh, to the MF A in Prague, October 5, 1926. 48 For instance, the lecture in Pittsburgh, that was held on Sund ay August 8, 1926, because according to Pennsylvania law, one co uld not collect an entrance fee. Cf. Ibid 49 AMZ V CR, f. lll, i. no. 22 , fo ld. 651 . Situati on report of the Consul ate of th e CS R in Pittsburgh, to the MFA in Prague, October 5, 1926. 50 PAUCO, Jozef. 75 rokov Prvej Katolickej Slovenskej Jednoty 1890 - / 965 (Cleveland : First Catholic Slovak Uni on, I 965), p. 2 I 2. 51 AMZ V CR, f. III, i. no. 22, fo ld . 651 . Situation report of th e Consul ate of the CS R in Pittsburgh, to the MFA in Prague, October 5, I 926. 47 SLOVAKIA 45 am not very good at it. I am a great idealist and our masters, the bishops, skimmed off the cream." 52 According to the report of the Czechoslovak Consulate in Pittsburgh, Andrej Hlinka ended his lecture tour by annoying his sympathizers in America. Allegedly, Gerat did not stick to the official schedule, which resulted in Hlinka presenting his lectures without reference to the local organizing committee. However, the main cause of the annoyance of American Slovaks was the fact that Hlinka refused to lecture at the parish of the nationalist Stefan Panik in Torrington, Connecticut, but instead agreed to lecture at Andrej Komara's parish in Bridgeport, Connecticut. 53 As Milan Getting noted, Komara had been denounced by neighboring Slovak priests as a Magyarone. Therefore, by accepting his invitation, Hlinka disappointed many of his followers .54 Allegedly, after the lecture at Komara's parish on October 3, 1926, Hlinka and Gerat55 began to show a certain nervousness. This, according to the Czechoslovak Consulate in Pittsburgh, arose from the fact that Hlinka had failed to settle the arguments in the SlovakAmerican Catholic camp. It could also have been a result of their disappointment in the fund-raising drive. Another reason could have been the development of the political situation back home. In addition, Hlinka could see that the audience at his lectures was declining. He may also have been frustrated by articles published in the Czechoslovak daily Newyorsky dennik, which attacked him during his whole stay in the USA. 56 52 Archiv Spolku sv. Vojtecha v Tmave [Archives of the Society of St. Adalbert in Tmava] , fascic le (hereinafter fasc.) 156. Letter of A. Hlinka to J. Postenyi, November 3, 1926. 53 According to the Newyorsky dennik, Komara promised Hlinka $2,000, which, according to Getting, Hlinka did not deny. Cf. AMZV CR, f. Ill, i. no. 22, fold. 651. Situation report of the Consulate of the CSR in Pittsburgh, to the MFA of th e CSR in Prague from October 15 , 1926. Not following the schedule of the lectures was also reported in Jednota, October 6, 1926, p. 2. 54 AMZV CR, f. III , i. no. 22, fold. 651. Situation report of the Consulate of the CSR in Pittsburgh, to the MF A of the CSR in Prague from October 15, 1926. 55 Meanwhile, Buday returned to Slovakia. He left America on July 24, 1926. Cf. Slovak, August 6, 1926, p. 1. 56 AMZV CR, f. 111, i. no. 22, fold. 651. Situation report of the Consulate of the CSR in Pittsburgh, to the MFA of the CSR in Prague from October 15, 1926. 46 SLOVAKIA The last of Hlinka's lectures in the USA was in New York City on October 11 , 1926. 57 He left the USA on October 13 , 1926 and returned to Slovakia on October 22, 1926. 58 Even if the conclusion of his lecture tour to the USA looked disappointing, it did not radically affect the attitudes of American Slovaks to his person, nor the autonomist movement in Slovakia. It is apparent, therefore, that on the occasion of the 28 th International Eucharistic Congress in Chicago, Illinois, Andrej Hlinka, made use of his trip to lecture and to raise funds in favour of autonomy within the Czechoslovak Republic. According to the report of the Czechoslovak consulate in Pittsburgh, the situation in the Slovak autonomist camp in America at that time was quite tense. The reasons for the tension were personal problems, frustration arising from the Czechoslovak government's failure to uphold the Pittsburgh Agreement and the pressure of State Insurance Commissioners on fraternal societies to increase their monthly dues. After initial disagreements, Hlinka's lecture tour was organized by a committee composed almost entirely of priests. Hlinka visited more than one hundred Slovak parishes, took part in eighty discussions and presented more than two hundred lectures. However, the fund-raising drive did not bring the expected results. In addition, according to the report of the Czechoslovak Consulate in Pittsburgh, Andrej Hlinka ended his lecture tour by annoying his sympathizers in America by not having respected the schedule of the local organizational committee. The main cause of the annoyance, however, was the fact that Hlinka refused to lecture at nationalist Stefan Panik's parish in Torrington, Connecticut, but rather at the parish of the alleged Magyarone Andrej Komara in Bridgeport. Even if in the end his lecture tour to the USA disappointed many Slovak nationalists, Hlinka did not lose the sympathy of American Slovaks, nor support for the autonomist movement in Slovakia. 57 58 Ibid. Slo vak, October 23 , 1926, p. 3.  Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Andrej Hlinka's Journey to the USA in 1926 Description An account of the resource Štefan Kucík Slovakia, Vol. 40 (No. 74-75), 2010 pp. 32-46 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Kucík, Štefan, 1979- Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2010 LCNAF https://slovakia.wordsofpassage.net/files/original/98ef07010f1a1cd98244cc4998b659fe.pdf af405f39714999cc5424511c38773a93 PDF Text Text SLOVAKIA 57 - - - - - - -- -- ANDREW HLINKA AND PRAGUE By CONSTANTINE tULEN After the Czecho-Slovak Republic was born, two significant Slovak personalities became "problems" for the governing group in Prague, the men handpicked by T. G. Masaryk and Eduard Benes to run the infant state. The first was General Milan R. Stefanik. When the first World War was just about over, and T. G. Masaryk, at that time in Japan, had named the first Czecho-Slovak Government, Stefanik was named War Minister, while the department of Foreign Affairs was entrusted to Dr. Edward Benes. Stefanik expressed no desire for the office given him by Masaryk; he did not expect to be appointed War Minister, but Minister of Foreign Affairs of the new state, since he had opened the door for Masaryk to diplomatic circles which were most responsible for the creation of Czecho-Slovakia. Benes was a political unknown at that time, a politician without any practical political experience. As a result there was a conflict between Benes and Stefanik. The latter, however, was far away from Prague and not very close to Masaryk, while Benes, regarded as Masaryk's intimate and understudy, was right in Prague. Among the very first orders issued by Benes in Prague to his subordinates and lieutenants was the order to inform Slovak factors "in a proper manner" about Stefanik. In the secret documents of Benes's archive there were several accounts about reporting on Stefanik in such a "proper manner." From the tone of the accounts, it is evident that the information given Slovak factors in regard to Stefanik was anything but favorable to him even before he decided to return home. The documents frequently mentioned the "Stefanik problem." And those who regarded Stefanik as the most important problem of the new republic gave out with a sigh of relief when Stefanik's plane was shot up and crashed, killing its occupants, as it neared Bratislava on that fateful day of May 4, 1919. The same men went to Bradlo, made a few nice speeches, and had a gigantic mound built over the dead Stefanik, "one of the �58 SLOVAKIA founders of the Czecho-Slovak Republic." But even this the Benes Czechs would prefer to forget today. Thereafter, the "Stefanik problem" ceased to be a problem! The second Slovak personality that entered the life of the Czecho-Slovak Republic as a "problem" was Andrew Hlinka. In a way, Hlinka was given the same treatment as Stefanik. Before he had come to Prague, the same people in the service of Benes made it their business to inform the Czechs about the "Andrew Hlinka problem." In the life of Andrew Hlinka, between the end of October, 1918, and the end of January, 1919, there is a colossal abyss. In 1918, Hlinka was the only one in Slovakia who spoke out clearly and forcefully for secession from the Magyars and for union with the Czechs to form a common political state on the basis of "equals with equals." At the meeting in Martin, in May 1918, he prevented the flight of Slovak leaders from politics, shouting down Dula who wanted to resign the chairmanship of the group. At that time Hlinka said: "Let us not circumvent the issue, but let us say outright that we are for a Czech-Slovak orientation!" In 1918, at two secret meetings and one public meeting, when uncertainty and fear dominated all present, Andrew Hlinka stood up fearlessly and proclaimed: "Our marriage with the Magyars was not successful, we must part." But he went further and said what should be done: "Let us unite with the Czechs in one state." Official Prague had the opportunity to make Hlinka the greatest friend of the Czechs. All it had to do was tell the truth about Hlinka, what Hlinka had done to gain the Slovaks for the new republic. If it had done that, Hlinka would have been greeted in Prague with demonstrations which would have undoubtedly surpassed those in his honor in 1907 after the Cernova massacre. But official Prague had willed it otherwise. Masaryk and Benes and their political servants - were well aware of the fact that Hlinka was a Catholic priest, the leader of the Slovak Catholic People's Party, and a great Slovak patriot and champion of freedom and independence of the Slovak people. A small group of Slovak politicians, handpicked by Masa- �SLOVAKIA 59 ryk and Benes to serve in Prague, saw to it that the "proper" information about Hlinka was propagated. Official Prague could then quote and spread it. It was obvious that the Masaryk-Benes political clique did not want Andrew Hlinka for a friend, so they did what they could to embarrass him and present him in a false light to the people of Czecho-Slovakia to ruin him politically and otherwise. When the Czecho-Slovak State was established, the Slovaks, including Hlinka, had no clear conception of what the new state would be like. That the new state would be run in the spirit of equality of both nations - on that, it seems, all were agreed. The Slovaks would run their country, while the Czechs would be masters of their own household; if the Slovaks needed help, the Czechs would help, but the quantity and quality of such help would be decided by the Slovaks, not the Czechs. The Czechs agreed with this in principle. After Czecho-Slovakia became a reality, some of the men who were afraid to open their mouths before October, 1918, suddenly acquired sufficient courage to run to Prague and tell what they had done for the creation of the state in order to secure political offices for themselves. Hlinka was not one of them. And thereby Hlinka became "dangerous" to the Prague clique of Masaryk and Benes. When Hlinka arrived in Prague as the last of the Slovak deputies, no one told him: "Hlinka, you behaved valiantly, thank you!" No, the Prague politicians, influenced by Masaryk and Benes, could not do that. When Hlinka arrived in Prague he was welcomed not as the greatest friend of the Czechs, but as the worst enemy of the new State. Long debates in parliament revolved around the personality of Andrew Hlinka. Appraising this behavior of the Benes Czechs years later, we can say that it was the first Czech defeat. The history of the advent of Hlinka to Prague and the history of the beginnings of the struggle, which is not finished to date, is very interesting. Andrew Hlinka did not run to Prague as soon as Czecho-Slovakia became a reality, because he realized that Slovakia needed to be consolidated first. Hlinka did not yearn for a ministerial or cabinet position as some Slovak �60 SLOVAKIA politicians did, making it appear as if this were the last station of happiness, or the main prize in the lottery of their life's career. Hlinka came to Prague on January 10, 1919. Hlinka had not been in Prague for a long time - the last time when he lectured in Prague, the city of Prague welcomed him as it had never welcomed any Slovak before or since. It was a welcome fit for a king. But all that seemed to be forgotten now. The majority of Slovak deputies, selected and named by Srobar and approved by Masaryk and Benes, had already taken the oath at previous sessions. The 15th session began with the announcement by chairman Tomasek that Andrew Hlinka, a member of the National Assembly, had presented himself and was ready to take the oath of office. Anton Stefanek read the form of the oath and Hlinka replied: "I do so promise!" At that instant the parliament r esponded with applause. This was the first and, at the same time, the last spontaneous applause that Hlinka received in the Prague parliament from the Czechs and the Czech Slovaks ("Czechoslovaks") . After taking the oath, Hlinka immediately returned home. In less than two weeks, while he was absent, Hlinka became the target of the most vicious and malicious attacks from members of the same parliament. It is strange, when we think of it now, that the attacks wer e initiated by the otherwise keen Czech Social Democrat, Mr. Rudolph Bechyne, who said on January 21, 1919: "I have here the organ of the Czecho-Slovak People's Party, the CZECH. In it is a report of a non-political meeting of Czecho-Slovak Catholics. I read here that the delegate from Slovakia, Andrew Hlinka, spoke at that meeting and this is what he said about the Czechs: ' They are ousting us from our churches!' Allow me to mark this by its right name : it is not dignified for a Catholic priest to lie." "Excellent," exclaimed the parliament, wildly applauding Bechyne. Bechyne: "Hlinka further stated that a hundred Czech teachers are going to Slovakia and what such a teacher knows, that we know." �SLOVAKIA 61 Cuprik: "We got to know that from Moravia!" Bechyiie: "Gentlemen, in such a manner, according to Hlinka's opinion, will be welcomed in Slovakia the Czech teachers, who are going there with real idealism, the kind of idealism we recommend to many of those for whom Hlinka speaks! Furthermore, it says that they are taking religion away from 90 percent of the Catholics. But where is the proof for this? Who is taking religion away from whom? Gentlemen, if anyone took religion away from the people in this war, then it was the army chaplains, about whose activities all soldiers, the faithful and unfaithful believers, are properly informed." As Bechyne continued to speak, he mentioned also that the separation of Church from State is just about ready and closed with this warning : "It is my wish that our public should not be prepared for this act in the manner that it was brought to us in royal Prague by Andrew Blinka, about whose head the aureola is very false." Blinka did have the martyr's aureola: a three-year prison term. And this was something that no other Slovak had. Bechyne's attack was the beginning of a bitter struggle - a struggle which in the end meant the collapse of Czecho-Slovakia, the end of Slovak-Czech collaboration for any sort of common political state. The signal for the attack on Hlinka was given. Even members of the Slovak Club of the Prague parliament caught on quickly; they sensed it would be to their advantage to attack Hlinka in Prague. To ingratiate themselves to the "progressive" Masaryk-Benes Czechs, they willingly and gladly did what they wanted them to do: smear Hlinka. They readily forgot that there were a thousand and one problems in Slovakia. These did not interest them primarily; the big problem was Hlinka. On January 23, 1919, the Prague parliament was the scene of the wildest conversations. The first attack against Blinka was made by Deputy Devecka, who said: "Mr. Hlinka was and is a puzzle for the Slovaks!" The "progressive" Czechs liked that remark, rewarding Devecka's "wisdom" with wild applause, as if he had �62 SLOVAKIA just set another column for the foundations of the newlyborn republic. What Illinka happened to be in 1919, and what the Slovaks thought of him, is not difficult to ascertain at all, but who was Devecka, who was the first Slovak in the Prague parliament to draw a sword against Hlinka? Public sources, literary handbooks, and encyclopediae have nothing to give about Devecka. But it is said by those who are informed that Devecka was a Lutheran preacher, one of the pre-war collaborators of the periodical "Prudy." In short, from time to time, Devecka contributed several lines to a periodical which had some 238 subscribers just before the war began. This was the man, then, who spoke in the name of the Slovak Club of Deputies, of which Hlinka, too, was a member, saying that he and the Club do not identify themselves with Illinka ! Of course, this pleased the Masaryk-Benes politicians exceedingly. Srobar, in his book "Oslobodene Slovensko" (Liberated Slovakia), recalls that there was much distrust of Slovak leaders in Prague for their separatistic stand. Devecka lost no time in assuring Prague that they were good and reliable Slovaks, with the exception of Hlinka, who was, in his estimation, no good. Devecka's speech was complemented by the "Slovensky dennik" (Slovak Daily) with this remark: "Hlinka fears that he will lose power; he does not want Czech enlightenment to shine into the dark corners of the pulpits and that is why he is instigating against progressive teachers.'' The Czechs use the term "devecka" for a maid. In politics that is exactly what Devecka was: an obedient .servant-maid of the Czech socialistic clique, which was determined to neutralize the political activity of Slovak Catholic leaders. During one of his last speeches, on March 5, 1937, Devecka again rehashed the question why Slovak Lutherans had to be employed to help the Czechs in the .administration of government in Slovakia. After nineteen years of Czecho-Slovakia, qualified Slovaks of the Catholic faith still found it difficult to find government employment, because, according to Devecka, it would not be pro- �SLOVAKIA 6'3 per now to replace the non-Catholics in Slovakia after they had performed so faithfully for Czecho-Slovakia. Devecka did not speak the truth. No one in Slovakia said that Slovak Lutherans should be thrown out of offices, but the majority of Slovaks were agreed that Slovak Catholics, too, should be placed in government jobs. Furthermore, few people said throw ALL the Czechs out of Slovakia, but many did speak out against sending more Czechs into Slovakia after the Slovaks did have qualified sons and daughters to fill the various positions which required education and training. Devecka, however, was in the service of the Czech regime in Prague and had to do its bidding for his own sake. Hlinka practically stood alone in the defense of the interests of his Slovak people in 1919. Outside of Juriga, no others were experienced politicians. He was not defended by his own people so much as by Czech Catholics under the leadership of Msgr. Sramek. They backed Hlinka not so much out of love for him, but rather for the practical political considerations which could be exacted with the aid of Hlinka's support. Sramek in fact could more easily and effectively defend Hlinka's clean shield than his own. Later on, of course, we know that Sramek turned against Hlinka and his party, but in 1919 he was Hlinka's "lone defender" so to speak. After Devecka's senseless attack against the absent Hlinka on January 23, 1919, Sramek asked for the floor to reply to Devecka's smear-statements. He had just begun to speak, addressing the members of parliament "most esteemed gentlemen," when a voice boomed out: "And what about ladies?" Sramek answered cooly: "I'm sorry, but I see none here." Thereupon Deputy Zemina (Zeminova) jumped up and shouted: "I am an enemy; I am no lady!" She was right and so was Sramek: Madame Zemina was no lady! Sramek then spoke how necessary it was to cultivate and preserve national unity, particularly at this time (1919) when the borders of the State were not yet defined. Even to this day it is difficult to explain why Sra.mek's words evoked such a storm of protest and opposition. He had attacked no one and had spoken clearly and without malice �64 SLOVAKIA on what he thought was one of the major problems of the new State. In those days, however, it made little difference what Hlinka or Sramek said about anything: all they had to do was ask for the floor and the Czech "progressives" would start barking. I quote from the record for the edification of our readers so they might get an idea of what the "progressive" Deputies in the Prague Parliament were like in the first years of the Republic. Bufival: That means that you must quit inciting against us in the churches! Aust: But it will happen one time that we shall reply to you in the churches. The lights in the heavens are already extinguished! When Sramek asked for a sense of justice and questioned whether the representation in parliament justly represented the people who sent their deputies, Deputy Aust barked: That is FATA MORGANA! Kubicek: Only according to the merits one has gained in the nation. Here every party is represented according to merits which it gained in the nation. "Gentlemen," asked Sramek, "do you really want me to cause a riot in this parliament?" Thereupon the entire parliament resounded with bitter invectives and outcries. When the clamor died down, various members asked and were given the privilege of the floor: Zemina: Well, go ahead and riot! Stransky: Just don't jingle your spurs! Johanis: You're capable of it, Mr. Professor. You used to send people drunk with alcohol against us. Zemina: In Vienna you had no courage. Bufival: In Vienna you made the politics of sneaks. Zemina: Hlinka is inciting against the teachers. Oufik: (one of Sramek's men): Hlinka incites no one; he is a martyr. If Hlinka did not exist, you would have no Slovakia! Markovic: Hlinka did not make Slovakia; he betrayed her. This man is one day a priest and something else the next. I am a Slovak! (Applause). "Allow me," Sramek tried again, "since the day be- �SLOVAKIA 65 fore yesterday the absent Hlinka was attacked in .such a manner ... " - but a booming voice bellowed: This is ingratitude! And then ... Zemina: He attacked Czech teachers. Cufik: Without Hlinka there would have been no Slovakia. To Hlinka belongs the credit that the Slovaks joined the Czechs. He was jailed for two years for the .Slovak cause. Thereupon shouts of ridicule broke out, and a voice ,c ried out: Tell us more, what else did Hlinka do? Markovic: If there were no Masaryk, there would be no Slovaks. Sramek: Permit me, esteemed gentlemen, to state that I felt embarrassed when a member of the presidium of the Czecho-Slovak Social Democratic Party, in such a crude manner, if I must say it, attacked the honor of an absent member of this parliament without ascertaining beforehand exactly what this man had said not in parliament, but at a meeting. Voices: But we read about it in the "Czech." "Esteemed gentlemen, coutinued Sramek, I recall for you what you already know very well, that we are here concerned with every word, every qualifying word, when such a great reproach is made against Andrew Hlinka with falsehoods." Jaros: He does not deserve anything else when he spits at Czech teachers! Zemina: He used to kiss the hand of a Magyar bishop! Sramek: Allow me to state further that there is no proof for what has been said here against Hlinka and no one of us knows exactly what Hlinka said. Jaros: Then he should have retracted it in the newspapers. Sramek: But he is in Slovakia and does not know what is going on here. Stransky: Wen, even one Slovak deputy condemned him. Cufik: From what party? Voice: He, too, was a clerical. Sramek at that time, however, stood his ground, de- �66 SLOVAKIA fending Hlinka against all "progressive" Czechs who wanted to discredit him. Hlinka had a great following in Slovakia, Sramek told the parliament, and by ridiculing and smearing him Hlinka's opponents were not rendering a noble service to the Slovaks and the Czechs and certainly not to the newly-born Czecho-Slovak Republic. When Deputy Bechyne claimed that he heard Hlinka speak against Masaryk in Prostejov and in Brno, Sramek asked him when that happened. When Bechyne replied that it happened b8fore the war, Deputy Sedlacek asked Bechyne what he himself happened to be before the war and what he had said about certain people and matters at that time. Bechyne, of course, would rather not talk about that! Sramek admired Hlinka for standing up for the rights of his people and for his fight in the defense of the individuality of the Slovak people. Promises had been made the Slovaks before they decided to join the Czechs to form a joint political State and those) promises should be kept. And Hlinka had the right to demand that they be kept. Hlinka was and is, Sramek said, for the Czecho-Slovak Republic, but he also is the Slovak nation's symbol of freedom and independence; he should be heard and everything should be done to make the Slovaks feel at home in the new Republic. But Sramek was yelled down by the Czech "progressive" anti-clericals who were egged on by Masaryk's "away from Rome - Rome must be put on trial and condemned !" The Czech press of that time enthusiastically indulged in attacks against Andrew Hlinka. The "Lidove noviny" (People's News) said in an editorial that the regeneration of Slovakia is possible only on the foundation of modern Czech currents. "It will take only a few years and things will be the same in Slovakia as they are in the. Czech lands',' concluded the editorial (Feb. 27, 1919). Stenographic reports of the minutes of the Prague parliament from the beginning of 1919 make particularly interesting reading. They describe some very lively scenes, during which a speaker had to wait quite some time before he could resume speaking. Every mention of Hlinka's name, it seems, caused disturbances, insulting outcries, and �SLOVAKIA 67 bitter attacks. With the exception of the temperamental Bechyne, none of the foremost Czech politicians of the old Vienna school indulged in frivolous, senseless, and unsparing attacks against Hlinka. It is interesting that Markovic was of the opm10n that without Masaryk there would have been no Slovak nation, because it was Masaryk himself who had said that the Slovak nation is the invention of Magyar propaganda and that there was no Slovak nation! Imagine if you will, how much poorer the world would be without T. G. Masaryk: it would have to do without the Slovak nation and without "Czechoslovak" democracy! Masaryk represented the smallest Czech political party, but the world, including the Slovaks and Czechs who knew better, was supposed to believe that "Masaryk's teaching became the national Credo of Czecho-Slovakia." Masaryk, the great "progressive," was put in the saddle by the Allies and his disciples lost no time in building altars in his honor to replace those of the "outmoded, reactionary" saints. Two months after that "glorious October Day" (Oct. 28, 1918) - after Hlinka had come out resolutely against the Magyars and for joining the Czechs - the "progressive" Czechs of Masaryk and Benes proclaimed Hlinka a Magyarone, a coward who had surrendered to the Magyars. Scotus Viator replied at that time: "Hlinka never did submit to the Magyars. He lies who would make a Magyarone of him and makes himself stupid." Hlinka and his people wanted to serve the best interests of their new Republic; they proved this over and over again. But the Masaryk-Benes Czechs, and the Czech Slovaks ("Czechoslovaks") in their service, welcomed Hlinka in Prague as an enemy of the Czecho-Slovak Republic. The consequences of this folly were far-reachring. On January 30, 1919, Hlinka returned to Prague and read the records of the parliamentary sessions to learn what was said about him in his absence. When Hlinka did rise in his own defense, it is interesting to note that the Czech voices, so loud and disturbing when Sramek spoke, were now silent. Since the accusations and allegations made �68 SLOVAKIA against him were of a very serious nature, Hlinka openly demanded an investigation of each and every charge and all accusers. But the Czechs clammed up on that occasion. Markovic, descendant of one of Hlinka's very good friends, stood alone against Hlinka. Hlinka stressed the fact that no one can honestly accuse him of hating the Czechs or of working against the welfare and security of the Czecho-Slovak Republic. He and his followers recognize and respect the right of the Czech people to certain inalienable rights, but by the same token, the Slovaks expect the Czechs and their leaders to recognize and respect the right of the Slovak people to the same inalienable rights. After what had happened in the Prague Parliament, Hlinka quit visiting the Slovak Club of which he was a member, but he did visit the Deputy's Club of Sramek's Czech People's Party. Hlinka later said: "That I appreciate good Czechs is proven by the fact that in Prague I do not visit the Slovak Club, but the Club of the Czech Peoples' Party." • • • WHO SAID IT? "We are deeply convinced that this alliance (with the USSR) is to the benefit of Czechoslovakia and the Soviet Union and that it also is a contribution to international understanding. Whosoever among us does not want to acknowledge this supra-partisan and national character of the Czechoslovak-Soviet alliance, he is undermining this alliance and working against his very own aims." - (Dr. Peter Zenkl, chairman "Council of Free Czechoslovakia," Karlove Vary, July 20, 1947, according to CAS, 7-25-47) . • • • "In Ozech .p olitics, in Ozei:::h national life, it is urgent that we cOlffie to am understanding with the Communist Party . . . the Comnmnist party shahl remain the greatest force in oiur political scheme even after the elections are over, and socialism shall remain the foundation o.f our national life . . . . Coming to tern1s with the Communists is the golden theme of our political philo,so,p hy." - (Ferdinand Perouit:Jka, a Benei:\ Ctzech, DNESEIK, 2-.9-48). � SLOVAKIA 57 - - - - - - -- -- ANDREW HLINKA AND PRAGUE By CONSTANTINE tULEN After the Czecho-Slovak Republic was born, two significant Slovak personalities became "problems" for the governing group in Prague, the men handpicked by T. G. Masaryk and Eduard Benes to run the infant state. The first was General Milan R. Stefanik. When the first World War was just about over, and T. G. Masaryk, at that time in Japan, had named the first Czecho-Slovak Government, Stefanik was named War Minister, while the department of Foreign Affairs was entrusted to Dr. Edward Benes. Stefanik expressed no desire for the office given him by Masaryk; he did not expect to be appointed War Minister, but Minister of Foreign Affairs of the new state, since he had opened the door for Masaryk to diplomatic circles which were most responsible for the creation of Czecho-Slovakia. Benes was a political unknown at that time, a politician without any practical political experience. As a result there was a conflict between Benes and Stefanik. The latter, however, was far away from Prague and not very close to Masaryk, while Benes, regarded as Masaryk's intimate and understudy, was right in Prague. Among the very first orders issued by Benes in Prague to his subordinates and lieutenants was the order to inform Slovak factors "in a proper manner" about Stefanik. In the secret documents of Benes's archive there were several accounts about reporting on Stefanik in such a "proper manner." From the tone of the accounts, it is evident that the information given Slovak factors in regard to Stefanik was anything but favorable to him even before he decided to return home. The documents frequently mentioned the "Stefanik problem." And those who regarded Stefanik as the most important problem of the new republic gave out with a sigh of relief when Stefanik's plane was shot up and crashed, killing its occupants, as it neared Bratislava on that fateful day of May 4, 1919. The same men went to Bradlo, made a few nice speeches, and had a gigantic mound built over the dead Stefanik, "one of the �58 SLOVAKIA founders of the Czecho-Slovak Republic." But even this the Benes Czechs would prefer to forget today. Thereafter, the "Stefanik problem" ceased to be a problem! The second Slovak personality that entered the life of the Czecho-Slovak Republic as a "problem" was Andrew Hlinka. In a way, Hlinka was given the same treatment as Stefanik. Before he had come to Prague, the same people in the service of Benes made it their business to inform the Czechs about the "Andrew Hlinka problem." In the life of Andrew Hlinka, between the end of October, 1918, and the end of January, 1919, there is a colossal abyss. In 1918, Hlinka was the only one in Slovakia who spoke out clearly and forcefully for secession from the Magyars and for union with the Czechs to form a common political state on the basis of "equals with equals." At the meeting in Martin, in May 1918, he prevented the flight of Slovak leaders from politics, shouting down Dula who wanted to resign the chairmanship of the group. At that time Hlinka said: "Let us not circumvent the issue, but let us say outright that we are for a Czech-Slovak orientation!" In 1918, at two secret meetings and one public meeting, when uncertainty and fear dominated all present, Andrew Hlinka stood up fearlessly and proclaimed: "Our marriage with the Magyars was not successful, we must part." But he went further and said what should be done: "Let us unite with the Czechs in one state." Official Prague had the opportunity to make Hlinka the greatest friend of the Czechs. All it had to do was tell the truth about Hlinka, what Hlinka had done to gain the Slovaks for the new republic. If it had done that, Hlinka would have been greeted in Prague with demonstrations which would have undoubtedly surpassed those in his honor in 1907 after the Cernova massacre. But official Prague had willed it otherwise. Masaryk and Benes and their political servants - were well aware of the fact that Hlinka was a Catholic priest, the leader of the Slovak Catholic People's Party, and a great Slovak patriot and champion of freedom and independence of the Slovak people. A small group of Slovak politicians, handpicked by Masa- �SLOVAKIA 59 ryk and Benes to serve in Prague, saw to it that the "proper" information about Hlinka was propagated. Official Prague could then quote and spread it. It was obvious that the Masaryk-Benes political clique did not want Andrew Hlinka for a friend, so they did what they could to embarrass him and present him in a false light to the people of Czecho-Slovakia to ruin him politically and otherwise. When the Czecho-Slovak State was established, the Slovaks, including Hlinka, had no clear conception of what the new state would be like. That the new state would be run in the spirit of equality of both nations - on that, it seems, all were agreed. The Slovaks would run their country, while the Czechs would be masters of their own household; if the Slovaks needed help, the Czechs would help, but the quantity and quality of such help would be decided by the Slovaks, not the Czechs. The Czechs agreed with this in principle. After Czecho-Slovakia became a reality, some of the men who were afraid to open their mouths before October, 1918, suddenly acquired sufficient courage to run to Prague and tell what they had done for the creation of the state in order to secure political offices for themselves. Hlinka was not one of them. And thereby Hlinka became "dangerous" to the Prague clique of Masaryk and Benes. When Hlinka arrived in Prague as the last of the Slovak deputies, no one told him: "Hlinka, you behaved valiantly, thank you!" No, the Prague politicians, influenced by Masaryk and Benes, could not do that. When Hlinka arrived in Prague he was welcomed not as the greatest friend of the Czechs, but as the worst enemy of the new State. Long debates in parliament revolved around the personality of Andrew Hlinka. Appraising this behavior of the Benes Czechs years later, we can say that it was the first Czech defeat. The history of the advent of Hlinka to Prague and the history of the beginnings of the struggle, which is not finished to date, is very interesting. Andrew Hlinka did not run to Prague as soon as Czecho-Slovakia became a reality, because he realized that Slovakia needed to be consolidated first. Hlinka did not yearn for a ministerial or cabinet position as some Slovak �60 SLOVAKIA politicians did, making it appear as if this were the last station of happiness, or the main prize in the lottery of their life's career. Hlinka came to Prague on January 10, 1919. Hlinka had not been in Prague for a long time - the last time when he lectured in Prague, the city of Prague welcomed him as it had never welcomed any Slovak before or since. It was a welcome fit for a king. But all that seemed to be forgotten now. The majority of Slovak deputies, selected and named by Srobar and approved by Masaryk and Benes, had already taken the oath at previous sessions. The 15th session began with the announcement by chairman Tomasek that Andrew Hlinka, a member of the National Assembly, had presented himself and was ready to take the oath of office. Anton Stefanek read the form of the oath and Hlinka replied: "I do so promise!" At that instant the parliament r esponded with applause. This was the first and, at the same time, the last spontaneous applause that Hlinka received in the Prague parliament from the Czechs and the Czech Slovaks ("Czechoslovaks") . After taking the oath, Hlinka immediately returned home. In less than two weeks, while he was absent, Hlinka became the target of the most vicious and malicious attacks from members of the same parliament. It is strange, when we think of it now, that the attacks wer e initiated by the otherwise keen Czech Social Democrat, Mr. Rudolph Bechyne, who said on January 21, 1919: "I have here the organ of the Czecho-Slovak People's Party, the CZECH. In it is a report of a non-political meeting of Czecho-Slovak Catholics. I read here that the delegate from Slovakia, Andrew Hlinka, spoke at that meeting and this is what he said about the Czechs: ' They are ousting us from our churches!' Allow me to mark this by its right name : it is not dignified for a Catholic priest to lie." "Excellent," exclaimed the parliament, wildly applauding Bechyne. Bechyne: "Hlinka further stated that a hundred Czech teachers are going to Slovakia and what such a teacher knows, that we know." �SLOVAKIA 61 Cuprik: "We got to know that from Moravia!" Bechyiie: "Gentlemen, in such a manner, according to Hlinka's opinion, will be welcomed in Slovakia the Czech teachers, who are going there with real idealism, the kind of idealism we recommend to many of those for whom Hlinka speaks! Furthermore, it says that they are taking religion away from 90 percent of the Catholics. But where is the proof for this? Who is taking religion away from whom? Gentlemen, if anyone took religion away from the people in this war, then it was the army chaplains, about whose activities all soldiers, the faithful and unfaithful believers, are properly informed." As Bechyne continued to speak, he mentioned also that the separation of Church from State is just about ready and closed with this warning : "It is my wish that our public should not be prepared for this act in the manner that it was brought to us in royal Prague by Andrew Blinka, about whose head the aureola is very false." Blinka did have the martyr's aureola: a three-year prison term. And this was something that no other Slovak had. Bechyne's attack was the beginning of a bitter struggle - a struggle which in the end meant the collapse of Czecho-Slovakia, the end of Slovak-Czech collaboration for any sort of common political state. The signal for the attack on Hlinka was given. Even members of the Slovak Club of the Prague parliament caught on quickly; they sensed it would be to their advantage to attack Hlinka in Prague. To ingratiate themselves to the "progressive" Masaryk-Benes Czechs, they willingly and gladly did what they wanted them to do: smear Hlinka. They readily forgot that there were a thousand and one problems in Slovakia. These did not interest them primarily; the big problem was Hlinka. On January 23, 1919, the Prague parliament was the scene of the wildest conversations. The first attack against Blinka was made by Deputy Devecka, who said: "Mr. Hlinka was and is a puzzle for the Slovaks!" The "progressive" Czechs liked that remark, rewarding Devecka's "wisdom" with wild applause, as if he had �62 SLOVAKIA just set another column for the foundations of the newlyborn republic. What Illinka happened to be in 1919, and what the Slovaks thought of him, is not difficult to ascertain at all, but who was Devecka, who was the first Slovak in the Prague parliament to draw a sword against Hlinka? Public sources, literary handbooks, and encyclopediae have nothing to give about Devecka. But it is said by those who are informed that Devecka was a Lutheran preacher, one of the pre-war collaborators of the periodical "Prudy." In short, from time to time, Devecka contributed several lines to a periodical which had some 238 subscribers just before the war began. This was the man, then, who spoke in the name of the Slovak Club of Deputies, of which Hlinka, too, was a member, saying that he and the Club do not identify themselves with Illinka ! Of course, this pleased the Masaryk-Benes politicians exceedingly. Srobar, in his book "Oslobodene Slovensko" (Liberated Slovakia), recalls that there was much distrust of Slovak leaders in Prague for their separatistic stand. Devecka lost no time in assuring Prague that they were good and reliable Slovaks, with the exception of Hlinka, who was, in his estimation, no good. Devecka's speech was complemented by the "Slovensky dennik" (Slovak Daily) with this remark: "Hlinka fears that he will lose power; he does not want Czech enlightenment to shine into the dark corners of the pulpits and that is why he is instigating against progressive teachers.'' The Czechs use the term "devecka" for a maid. In politics that is exactly what Devecka was: an obedient .servant-maid of the Czech socialistic clique, which was determined to neutralize the political activity of Slovak Catholic leaders. During one of his last speeches, on March 5, 1937, Devecka again rehashed the question why Slovak Lutherans had to be employed to help the Czechs in the .administration of government in Slovakia. After nineteen years of Czecho-Slovakia, qualified Slovaks of the Catholic faith still found it difficult to find government employment, because, according to Devecka, it would not be pro- �SLOVAKIA 6'3 per now to replace the non-Catholics in Slovakia after they had performed so faithfully for Czecho-Slovakia. Devecka did not speak the truth. No one in Slovakia said that Slovak Lutherans should be thrown out of offices, but the majority of Slovaks were agreed that Slovak Catholics, too, should be placed in government jobs. Furthermore, few people said throw ALL the Czechs out of Slovakia, but many did speak out against sending more Czechs into Slovakia after the Slovaks did have qualified sons and daughters to fill the various positions which required education and training. Devecka, however, was in the service of the Czech regime in Prague and had to do its bidding for his own sake. Hlinka practically stood alone in the defense of the interests of his Slovak people in 1919. Outside of Juriga, no others were experienced politicians. He was not defended by his own people so much as by Czech Catholics under the leadership of Msgr. Sramek. They backed Hlinka not so much out of love for him, but rather for the practical political considerations which could be exacted with the aid of Hlinka's support. Sramek in fact could more easily and effectively defend Hlinka's clean shield than his own. Later on, of course, we know that Sramek turned against Hlinka and his party, but in 1919 he was Hlinka's "lone defender" so to speak. After Devecka's senseless attack against the absent Hlinka on January 23, 1919, Sramek asked for the floor to reply to Devecka's smear-statements. He had just begun to speak, addressing the members of parliament "most esteemed gentlemen," when a voice boomed out: "And what about ladies?" Sramek answered cooly: "I'm sorry, but I see none here." Thereupon Deputy Zemina (Zeminova) jumped up and shouted: "I am an enemy; I am no lady!" She was right and so was Sramek: Madame Zemina was no lady! Sramek then spoke how necessary it was to cultivate and preserve national unity, particularly at this time (1919) when the borders of the State were not yet defined. Even to this day it is difficult to explain why Sra.mek's words evoked such a storm of protest and opposition. He had attacked no one and had spoken clearly and without malice �64 SLOVAKIA on what he thought was one of the major problems of the new State. In those days, however, it made little difference what Hlinka or Sramek said about anything: all they had to do was ask for the floor and the Czech "progressives" would start barking. I quote from the record for the edification of our readers so they might get an idea of what the "progressive" Deputies in the Prague Parliament were like in the first years of the Republic. Bufival: That means that you must quit inciting against us in the churches! Aust: But it will happen one time that we shall reply to you in the churches. The lights in the heavens are already extinguished! When Sramek asked for a sense of justice and questioned whether the representation in parliament justly represented the people who sent their deputies, Deputy Aust barked: That is FATA MORGANA! Kubicek: Only according to the merits one has gained in the nation. Here every party is represented according to merits which it gained in the nation. "Gentlemen," asked Sramek, "do you really want me to cause a riot in this parliament?" Thereupon the entire parliament resounded with bitter invectives and outcries. When the clamor died down, various members asked and were given the privilege of the floor: Zemina: Well, go ahead and riot! Stransky: Just don't jingle your spurs! Johanis: You're capable of it, Mr. Professor. You used to send people drunk with alcohol against us. Zemina: In Vienna you had no courage. Bufival: In Vienna you made the politics of sneaks. Zemina: Hlinka is inciting against the teachers. Oufik: (one of Sramek's men): Hlinka incites no one; he is a martyr. If Hlinka did not exist, you would have no Slovakia! Markovic: Hlinka did not make Slovakia; he betrayed her. This man is one day a priest and something else the next. I am a Slovak! (Applause). "Allow me," Sramek tried again, "since the day be- �SLOVAKIA 65 fore yesterday the absent Hlinka was attacked in .such a manner ... " - but a booming voice bellowed: This is ingratitude! And then ... Zemina: He attacked Czech teachers. Cufik: Without Hlinka there would have been no Slovakia. To Hlinka belongs the credit that the Slovaks joined the Czechs. He was jailed for two years for the .Slovak cause. Thereupon shouts of ridicule broke out, and a voice ,c ried out: Tell us more, what else did Hlinka do? Markovic: If there were no Masaryk, there would be no Slovaks. Sramek: Permit me, esteemed gentlemen, to state that I felt embarrassed when a member of the presidium of the Czecho-Slovak Social Democratic Party, in such a crude manner, if I must say it, attacked the honor of an absent member of this parliament without ascertaining beforehand exactly what this man had said not in parliament, but at a meeting. Voices: But we read about it in the "Czech." "Esteemed gentlemen, coutinued Sramek, I recall for you what you already know very well, that we are here concerned with every word, every qualifying word, when such a great reproach is made against Andrew Hlinka with falsehoods." Jaros: He does not deserve anything else when he spits at Czech teachers! Zemina: He used to kiss the hand of a Magyar bishop! Sramek: Allow me to state further that there is no proof for what has been said here against Hlinka and no one of us knows exactly what Hlinka said. Jaros: Then he should have retracted it in the newspapers. Sramek: But he is in Slovakia and does not know what is going on here. Stransky: Wen, even one Slovak deputy condemned him. Cufik: From what party? Voice: He, too, was a clerical. Sramek at that time, however, stood his ground, de- �66 SLOVAKIA fending Hlinka against all "progressive" Czechs who wanted to discredit him. Hlinka had a great following in Slovakia, Sramek told the parliament, and by ridiculing and smearing him Hlinka's opponents were not rendering a noble service to the Slovaks and the Czechs and certainly not to the newly-born Czecho-Slovak Republic. When Deputy Bechyne claimed that he heard Hlinka speak against Masaryk in Prostejov and in Brno, Sramek asked him when that happened. When Bechyne replied that it happened b8fore the war, Deputy Sedlacek asked Bechyne what he himself happened to be before the war and what he had said about certain people and matters at that time. Bechyne, of course, would rather not talk about that! Sramek admired Hlinka for standing up for the rights of his people and for his fight in the defense of the individuality of the Slovak people. Promises had been made the Slovaks before they decided to join the Czechs to form a joint political State and those) promises should be kept. And Hlinka had the right to demand that they be kept. Hlinka was and is, Sramek said, for the Czecho-Slovak Republic, but he also is the Slovak nation's symbol of freedom and independence; he should be heard and everything should be done to make the Slovaks feel at home in the new Republic. But Sramek was yelled down by the Czech "progressive" anti-clericals who were egged on by Masaryk's "away from Rome - Rome must be put on trial and condemned !" The Czech press of that time enthusiastically indulged in attacks against Andrew Hlinka. The "Lidove noviny" (People's News) said in an editorial that the regeneration of Slovakia is possible only on the foundation of modern Czech currents. "It will take only a few years and things will be the same in Slovakia as they are in the. Czech lands',' concluded the editorial (Feb. 27, 1919). Stenographic reports of the minutes of the Prague parliament from the beginning of 1919 make particularly interesting reading. They describe some very lively scenes, during which a speaker had to wait quite some time before he could resume speaking. Every mention of Hlinka's name, it seems, caused disturbances, insulting outcries, and �SLOVAKIA 67 bitter attacks. With the exception of the temperamental Bechyne, none of the foremost Czech politicians of the old Vienna school indulged in frivolous, senseless, and unsparing attacks against Hlinka. It is interesting that Markovic was of the opm10n that without Masaryk there would have been no Slovak nation, because it was Masaryk himself who had said that the Slovak nation is the invention of Magyar propaganda and that there was no Slovak nation! Imagine if you will, how much poorer the world would be without T. G. Masaryk: it would have to do without the Slovak nation and without "Czechoslovak" democracy! Masaryk represented the smallest Czech political party, but the world, including the Slovaks and Czechs who knew better, was supposed to believe that "Masaryk's teaching became the national Credo of Czecho-Slovakia." Masaryk, the great "progressive," was put in the saddle by the Allies and his disciples lost no time in building altars in his honor to replace those of the "outmoded, reactionary" saints. Two months after that "glorious October Day" (Oct. 28, 1918) - after Hlinka had come out resolutely against the Magyars and for joining the Czechs - the "progressive" Czechs of Masaryk and Benes proclaimed Hlinka a Magyarone, a coward who had surrendered to the Magyars. Scotus Viator replied at that time: "Hlinka never did submit to the Magyars. He lies who would make a Magyarone of him and makes himself stupid." Hlinka and his people wanted to serve the best interests of their new Republic; they proved this over and over again. But the Masaryk-Benes Czechs, and the Czech Slovaks ("Czechoslovaks") in their service, welcomed Hlinka in Prague as an enemy of the Czecho-Slovak Republic. The consequences of this folly were far-reachring. On January 30, 1919, Hlinka returned to Prague and read the records of the parliamentary sessions to learn what was said about him in his absence. When Hlinka did rise in his own defense, it is interesting to note that the Czech voices, so loud and disturbing when Sramek spoke, were now silent. Since the accusations and allegations made �68 SLOVAKIA against him were of a very serious nature, Hlinka openly demanded an investigation of each and every charge and all accusers. But the Czechs clammed up on that occasion. Markovic, descendant of one of Hlinka's very good friends, stood alone against Hlinka. Hlinka stressed the fact that no one can honestly accuse him of hating the Czechs or of working against the welfare and security of the Czecho-Slovak Republic. He and his followers recognize and respect the right of the Czech people to certain inalienable rights, but by the same token, the Slovaks expect the Czechs and their leaders to recognize and respect the right of the Slovak people to the same inalienable rights. After what had happened in the Prague Parliament, Hlinka quit visiting the Slovak Club of which he was a member, but he did visit the Deputy's Club of Sramek's Czech People's Party. Hlinka later said: "That I appreciate good Czechs is proven by the fact that in Prague I do not visit the Slovak Club, but the Club of the Czech Peoples' Party." • • • WHO SAID IT? "We are deeply convinced that this alliance (with the USSR) is to the benefit of Czechoslovakia and the Soviet Union and that it also is a contribution to international understanding. Whosoever among us does not want to acknowledge this supra-partisan and national character of the Czechoslovak-Soviet alliance, he is undermining this alliance and working against his very own aims." - (Dr. Peter Zenkl, chairman "Council of Free Czechoslovakia," Karlove Vary, July 20, 1947, according to CAS, 7-25-47) . • • • "In Ozech .p olitics, in Ozei:::h national life, it is urgent that we cOlffie to am understanding with the Communist Party . . . the Comnmnist party shahl remain the greatest force in oiur political scheme even after the elections are over, and socialism shall remain the foundation o.f our national life . . . . Coming to tern1s with the Communists is the golden theme of our political philo,so,p hy." - (Ferdinand Perouit:Jka, a Benei:\ Ctzech, DNESEIK, 2-.9-48). � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource 1958, Vol. 8 Description An account of the resource <ul><li>Issue 1 (No. 26), March 1958.</li> <li>Issue 2 (No. 27), June 1958.</li> <li>Issue 3 (No. 28), December 1958.</li> </ul> Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available The Slovak League of America Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1958 Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document SLOVAKIA 57 - - - - - - -- -- ANDREW HLINKA AND PRAGUE By CONSTANTINE tULEN After the Czecho-Slovak Republic was born, two significant Slovak personalities became "problems" for the governing group in Prague, the men handpicked by T. G. Masaryk and Eduard Benes to run the infant state. The first was General Milan R. Stefanik. When the first World War was just about over, and T. G. Masaryk, at that time in Japan, had named the first Czecho-Slovak Government, Stefanik was named War Minister, while the department of Foreign Affairs was entrusted to Dr. Edward Benes. Stefanik expressed no desire for the office given him by Masaryk; he did not expect to be appointed War Minister, but Minister of Foreign Affairs of the new state, since he had opened the door for Masaryk to diplomatic circles which were most responsible for the creation of Czecho-Slovakia. Benes was a political unknown at that time, a politician without any practical political experience. As a result there was a conflict between Benes and Stefanik. The latter, however, was far away from Prague and not very close to Masaryk, while Benes, regarded as Masaryk's intimate and understudy, was right in Prague. Among the very first orders issued by Benes in Prague to his subordinates and lieutenants was the order to inform Slovak factors "in a proper manner" about Stefanik. In the secret documents of Benes's archive there were several accounts about reporting on Stefanik in such a "proper manner." From the tone of the accounts, it is evident that the information given Slovak factors in regard to Stefanik was anything but favorable to him even before he decided to return home. The documents frequently mentioned the "Stefanik problem." And those who regarded Stefanik as the most important problem of the new republic gave out with a sigh of relief when Stefanik's plane was shot up and crashed, killing its occupants, as it neared Bratislava on that fateful day of May 4, 1919. The same men went to Bradlo, made a few nice speeches, and had a gigantic mound built over the dead Stefanik, "one of the 58 SLOVAKIA founders of the Czecho-Slovak Republic." But even this the Benes Czechs would prefer to forget today. Thereafter, the "Stefanik problem" ceased to be a problem! The second Slovak personality that entered the life of the Czecho-Slovak Republic as a "problem" was Andrew Hlinka. In a way, Hlinka was given the same treatment as Stefanik. Before he had come to Prague, the same people in the service of Benes made it their business to inform the Czechs about the "Andrew Hlinka problem." In the life of Andrew Hlinka, between the end of October, 1918, and the end of January, 1919, there is a colossal abyss. In 1918, Hlinka was the only one in Slovakia who spoke out clearly and forcefully for secession from the Magyars and for union with the Czechs to form a common political state on the basis of "equals with equals." At the meeting in Martin, in May 1918, he prevented the flight of Slovak leaders from politics, shouting down Dula who wanted to resign the chairmanship of the group. At that time Hlinka said: "Let us not circumvent the issue, but let us say outright that we are for a Czech-Slovak orientation!" In 1918, at two secret meetings and one public meeting, when uncertainty and fear dominated all present, Andrew Hlinka stood up fearlessly and proclaimed: "Our marriage with the Magyars was not successful, we must part." But he went further and said what should be done: "Let us unite with the Czechs in one state." Official Prague had the opportunity to make Hlinka the greatest friend of the Czechs. All it had to do was tell the truth about Hlinka, what Hlinka had done to gain the Slovaks for the new republic. If it had done that, Hlinka would have been greeted in Prague with demonstrations which would have undoubtedly surpassed those in his honor in 1907 after the Cernova massacre. But official Prague had willed it otherwise. Masaryk and Benes and their political servants - were well aware of the fact that Hlinka was a Catholic priest, the leader of the Slovak Catholic People's Party, and a great Slovak patriot and champion of freedom and independence of the Slovak people. A small group of Slovak politicians, handpicked by Masa- SLOVAKIA 59 ryk and Benes to serve in Prague, saw to it that the "proper" information about Hlinka was propagated. Official Prague could then quote and spread it. It was obvious that the Masaryk-Benes political clique did not want Andrew Hlinka for a friend, so they did what they could to embarrass him and present him in a false light to the people of Czecho-Slovakia to ruin him politically and otherwise. When the Czecho-Slovak State was established, the Slovaks, including Hlinka, had no clear conception of what the new state would be like. That the new state would be run in the spirit of equality of both nations - on that, it seems, all were agreed. The Slovaks would run their country, while the Czechs would be masters of their own household; if the Slovaks needed help, the Czechs would help, but the quantity and quality of such help would be decided by the Slovaks, not the Czechs. The Czechs agreed with this in principle. After Czecho-Slovakia became a reality, some of the men who were afraid to open their mouths before October, 1918, suddenly acquired sufficient courage to run to Prague and tell what they had done for the creation of the state in order to secure political offices for themselves. Hlinka was not one of them. And thereby Hlinka became "dangerous" to the Prague clique of Masaryk and Benes. When Hlinka arrived in Prague as the last of the Slovak deputies, no one told him: "Hlinka, you behaved valiantly, thank you!" No, the Prague politicians, influenced by Masaryk and Benes, could not do that. When Hlinka arrived in Prague he was welcomed not as the greatest friend of the Czechs, but as the worst enemy of the new State. Long debates in parliament revolved around the personality of Andrew Hlinka. Appraising this behavior of the Benes Czechs years later, we can say that it was the first Czech defeat. The history of the advent of Hlinka to Prague and the history of the beginnings of the struggle, which is not finished to date, is very interesting. Andrew Hlinka did not run to Prague as soon as Czecho-Slovakia became a reality, because he realized that Slovakia needed to be consolidated first. Hlinka did not yearn for a ministerial or cabinet position as some Slovak 60 SLOVAKIA politicians did, making it appear as if this were the last station of happiness, or the main prize in the lottery of their life's career. Hlinka came to Prague on January 10, 1919. Hlinka had not been in Prague for a long time - the last time when he lectured in Prague, the city of Prague welcomed him as it had never welcomed any Slovak before or since. It was a welcome fit for a king. But all that seemed to be forgotten now. The majority of Slovak deputies, selected and named by Srobar and approved by Masaryk and Benes, had already taken the oath at previous sessions. The 15th session began with the announcement by chairman Tomasek that Andrew Hlinka, a member of the National Assembly, had presented himself and was ready to take the oath of office. Anton Stefanek read the form of the oath and Hlinka replied: "I do so promise!" At that instant the parliament r esponded with applause. This was the first and, at the same time, the last spontaneous applause that Hlinka received in the Prague parliament from the Czechs and the Czech Slovaks ("Czechoslovaks") . After taking the oath, Hlinka immediately returned home. In less than two weeks, while he was absent, Hlinka became the target of the most vicious and malicious attacks from members of the same parliament. It is strange, when we think of it now, that the attacks wer e initiated by the otherwise keen Czech Social Democrat, Mr. Rudolph Bechyne, who said on January 21, 1919: "I have here the organ of the Czecho-Slovak People's Party, the CZECH. In it is a report of a non-political meeting of Czecho-Slovak Catholics. I read here that the delegate from Slovakia, Andrew Hlinka, spoke at that meeting and this is what he said about the Czechs: ' They are ousting us from our churches!' Allow me to mark this by its right name : it is not dignified for a Catholic priest to lie." "Excellent," exclaimed the parliament, wildly applauding Bechyne. Bechyne: "Hlinka further stated that a hundred Czech teachers are going to Slovakia and what such a teacher knows, that we know." SLOVAKIA 61 Cuprik: "We got to know that from Moravia!" Bechyiie: "Gentlemen, in such a manner, according to Hlinka's opinion, will be welcomed in Slovakia the Czech teachers, who are going there with real idealism, the kind of idealism we recommend to many of those for whom Hlinka speaks! Furthermore, it says that they are taking religion away from 90 percent of the Catholics. But where is the proof for this? Who is taking religion away from whom? Gentlemen, if anyone took religion away from the people in this war, then it was the army chaplains, about whose activities all soldiers, the faithful and unfaithful believers, are properly informed." As Bechyne continued to speak, he mentioned also that the separation of Church from State is just about ready and closed with this warning : "It is my wish that our public should not be prepared for this act in the manner that it was brought to us in royal Prague by Andrew Blinka, about whose head the aureola is very false." Blinka did have the martyr's aureola: a three-year prison term. And this was something that no other Slovak had. Bechyne's attack was the beginning of a bitter struggle - a struggle which in the end meant the collapse of Czecho-Slovakia, the end of Slovak-Czech collaboration for any sort of common political state. The signal for the attack on Hlinka was given. Even members of the Slovak Club of the Prague parliament caught on quickly; they sensed it would be to their advantage to attack Hlinka in Prague. To ingratiate themselves to the "progressive" Masaryk-Benes Czechs, they willingly and gladly did what they wanted them to do: smear Hlinka. They readily forgot that there were a thousand and one problems in Slovakia. These did not interest them primarily; the big problem was Hlinka. On January 23, 1919, the Prague parliament was the scene of the wildest conversations. The first attack against Blinka was made by Deputy Devecka, who said: "Mr. Hlinka was and is a puzzle for the Slovaks!" The "progressive" Czechs liked that remark, rewarding Devecka's "wisdom" with wild applause, as if he had 62 SLOVAKIA just set another column for the foundations of the newlyborn republic. What Illinka happened to be in 1919, and what the Slovaks thought of him, is not difficult to ascertain at all, but who was Devecka, who was the first Slovak in the Prague parliament to draw a sword against Hlinka? Public sources, literary handbooks, and encyclopediae have nothing to give about Devecka. But it is said by those who are informed that Devecka was a Lutheran preacher, one of the pre-war collaborators of the periodical "Prudy." In short, from time to time, Devecka contributed several lines to a periodical which had some 238 subscribers just before the war began. This was the man, then, who spoke in the name of the Slovak Club of Deputies, of which Hlinka, too, was a member, saying that he and the Club do not identify themselves with Illinka ! Of course, this pleased the Masaryk-Benes politicians exceedingly. Srobar, in his book "Oslobodene Slovensko" (Liberated Slovakia), recalls that there was much distrust of Slovak leaders in Prague for their separatistic stand. Devecka lost no time in assuring Prague that they were good and reliable Slovaks, with the exception of Hlinka, who was, in his estimation, no good. Devecka's speech was complemented by the "Slovensky dennik" (Slovak Daily) with this remark: "Hlinka fears that he will lose power; he does not want Czech enlightenment to shine into the dark corners of the pulpits and that is why he is instigating against progressive teachers.'' The Czechs use the term "devecka" for a maid. In politics that is exactly what Devecka was: an obedient .servant-maid of the Czech socialistic clique, which was determined to neutralize the political activity of Slovak Catholic leaders. During one of his last speeches, on March 5, 1937, Devecka again rehashed the question why Slovak Lutherans had to be employed to help the Czechs in the .administration of government in Slovakia. After nineteen years of Czecho-Slovakia, qualified Slovaks of the Catholic faith still found it difficult to find government employment, because, according to Devecka, it would not be pro- SLOVAKIA 6'3 per now to replace the non-Catholics in Slovakia after they had performed so faithfully for Czecho-Slovakia. Devecka did not speak the truth. No one in Slovakia said that Slovak Lutherans should be thrown out of offices, but the majority of Slovaks were agreed that Slovak Catholics, too, should be placed in government jobs. Furthermore, few people said throw ALL the Czechs out of Slovakia, but many did speak out against sending more Czechs into Slovakia after the Slovaks did have qualified sons and daughters to fill the various positions which required education and training. Devecka, however, was in the service of the Czech regime in Prague and had to do its bidding for his own sake. Hlinka practically stood alone in the defense of the interests of his Slovak people in 1919. Outside of Juriga, no others were experienced politicians. He was not defended by his own people so much as by Czech Catholics under the leadership of Msgr. Sramek. They backed Hlinka not so much out of love for him, but rather for the practical political considerations which could be exacted with the aid of Hlinka's support. Sramek in fact could more easily and effectively defend Hlinka's clean shield than his own. Later on, of course, we know that Sramek turned against Hlinka and his party, but in 1919 he was Hlinka's "lone defender" so to speak. After Devecka's senseless attack against the absent Hlinka on January 23, 1919, Sramek asked for the floor to reply to Devecka's smear-statements. He had just begun to speak, addressing the members of parliament "most esteemed gentlemen," when a voice boomed out: "And what about ladies?" Sramek answered cooly: "I'm sorry, but I see none here." Thereupon Deputy Zemina (Zeminova) jumped up and shouted: "I am an enemy; I am no lady!" She was right and so was Sramek: Madame Zemina was no lady! Sramek then spoke how necessary it was to cultivate and preserve national unity, particularly at this time (1919) when the borders of the State were not yet defined. Even to this day it is difficult to explain why Sra.mek's words evoked such a storm of protest and opposition. He had attacked no one and had spoken clearly and without malice 64 SLOVAKIA on what he thought was one of the major problems of the new State. In those days, however, it made little difference what Hlinka or Sramek said about anything: all they had to do was ask for the floor and the Czech "progressives" would start barking. I quote from the record for the edification of our readers so they might get an idea of what the "progressive" Deputies in the Prague Parliament were like in the first years of the Republic. Bufival: That means that you must quit inciting against us in the churches! Aust: But it will happen one time that we shall reply to you in the churches. The lights in the heavens are already extinguished! When Sramek asked for a sense of justice and questioned whether the representation in parliament justly represented the people who sent their deputies, Deputy Aust barked: That is FATA MORGANA! Kubicek: Only according to the merits one has gained in the nation. Here every party is represented according to merits which it gained in the nation. "Gentlemen," asked Sramek, "do you really want me to cause a riot in this parliament?" Thereupon the entire parliament resounded with bitter invectives and outcries. When the clamor died down, various members asked and were given the privilege of the floor: Zemina: Well, go ahead and riot! Stransky: Just don't jingle your spurs! Johanis: You're capable of it, Mr. Professor. You used to send people drunk with alcohol against us. Zemina: In Vienna you had no courage. Bufival: In Vienna you made the politics of sneaks. Zemina: Hlinka is inciting against the teachers. Oufik: (one of Sramek's men): Hlinka incites no one; he is a martyr. If Hlinka did not exist, you would have no Slovakia! Markovic: Hlinka did not make Slovakia; he betrayed her. This man is one day a priest and something else the next. I am a Slovak! (Applause). "Allow me," Sramek tried again, "since the day be- SLOVAKIA 65 fore yesterday the absent Hlinka was attacked in .such a manner ... " - but a booming voice bellowed: This is ingratitude! And then ... Zemina: He attacked Czech teachers. Cufik: Without Hlinka there would have been no Slovakia. To Hlinka belongs the credit that the Slovaks joined the Czechs. He was jailed for two years for the .Slovak cause. Thereupon shouts of ridicule broke out, and a voice ,c ried out: Tell us more, what else did Hlinka do? Markovic: If there were no Masaryk, there would be no Slovaks. Sramek: Permit me, esteemed gentlemen, to state that I felt embarrassed when a member of the presidium of the Czecho-Slovak Social Democratic Party, in such a crude manner, if I must say it, attacked the honor of an absent member of this parliament without ascertaining beforehand exactly what this man had said not in parliament, but at a meeting. Voices: But we read about it in the "Czech." "Esteemed gentlemen, coutinued Sramek, I recall for you what you already know very well, that we are here concerned with every word, every qualifying word, when such a great reproach is made against Andrew Hlinka with falsehoods." Jaros: He does not deserve anything else when he spits at Czech teachers! Zemina: He used to kiss the hand of a Magyar bishop! Sramek: Allow me to state further that there is no proof for what has been said here against Hlinka and no one of us knows exactly what Hlinka said. Jaros: Then he should have retracted it in the newspapers. Sramek: But he is in Slovakia and does not know what is going on here. Stransky: Wen, even one Slovak deputy condemned him. Cufik: From what party? Voice: He, too, was a clerical. Sramek at that time, however, stood his ground, de- 66 SLOVAKIA fending Hlinka against all "progressive" Czechs who wanted to discredit him. Hlinka had a great following in Slovakia, Sramek told the parliament, and by ridiculing and smearing him Hlinka's opponents were not rendering a noble service to the Slovaks and the Czechs and certainly not to the newly-born Czecho-Slovak Republic. When Deputy Bechyne claimed that he heard Hlinka speak against Masaryk in Prostejov and in Brno, Sramek asked him when that happened. When Bechyne replied that it happened b8fore the war, Deputy Sedlacek asked Bechyne what he himself happened to be before the war and what he had said about certain people and matters at that time. Bechyne, of course, would rather not talk about that! Sramek admired Hlinka for standing up for the rights of his people and for his fight in the defense of the individuality of the Slovak people. Promises had been made the Slovaks before they decided to join the Czechs to form a joint political State and those) promises should be kept. And Hlinka had the right to demand that they be kept. Hlinka was and is, Sramek said, for the Czecho-Slovak Republic, but he also is the Slovak nation's symbol of freedom and independence; he should be heard and everything should be done to make the Slovaks feel at home in the new Republic. But Sramek was yelled down by the Czech "progressive" anti-clericals who were egged on by Masaryk's "away from Rome - Rome must be put on trial and condemned !" The Czech press of that time enthusiastically indulged in attacks against Andrew Hlinka. The "Lidove noviny" (People's News) said in an editorial that the regeneration of Slovakia is possible only on the foundation of modern Czech currents. "It will take only a few years and things will be the same in Slovakia as they are in the. Czech lands',' concluded the editorial (Feb. 27, 1919). Stenographic reports of the minutes of the Prague parliament from the beginning of 1919 make particularly interesting reading. They describe some very lively scenes, during which a speaker had to wait quite some time before he could resume speaking. Every mention of Hlinka's name, it seems, caused disturbances, insulting outcries, and SLOVAKIA 67 bitter attacks. With the exception of the temperamental Bechyne, none of the foremost Czech politicians of the old Vienna school indulged in frivolous, senseless, and unsparing attacks against Hlinka. It is interesting that Markovic was of the opm10n that without Masaryk there would have been no Slovak nation, because it was Masaryk himself who had said that the Slovak nation is the invention of Magyar propaganda and that there was no Slovak nation! Imagine if you will, how much poorer the world would be without T. G. Masaryk: it would have to do without the Slovak nation and without "Czechoslovak" democracy! Masaryk represented the smallest Czech political party, but the world, including the Slovaks and Czechs who knew better, was supposed to believe that "Masaryk's teaching became the national Credo of Czecho-Slovakia." Masaryk, the great "progressive," was put in the saddle by the Allies and his disciples lost no time in building altars in his honor to replace those of the "outmoded, reactionary" saints. Two months after that "glorious October Day" (Oct. 28, 1918) - after Hlinka had come out resolutely against the Magyars and for joining the Czechs - the "progressive" Czechs of Masaryk and Benes proclaimed Hlinka a Magyarone, a coward who had surrendered to the Magyars. Scotus Viator replied at that time: "Hlinka never did submit to the Magyars. He lies who would make a Magyarone of him and makes himself stupid." Hlinka and his people wanted to serve the best interests of their new Republic; they proved this over and over again. But the Masaryk-Benes Czechs, and the Czech Slovaks ("Czechoslovaks") in their service, welcomed Hlinka in Prague as an enemy of the Czecho-Slovak Republic. The consequences of this folly were far-reachring. On January 30, 1919, Hlinka returned to Prague and read the records of the parliamentary sessions to learn what was said about him in his absence. When Hlinka did rise in his own defense, it is interesting to note that the Czech voices, so loud and disturbing when Sramek spoke, were now silent. Since the accusations and allegations made 68 SLOVAKIA against him were of a very serious nature, Hlinka openly demanded an investigation of each and every charge and all accusers. But the Czechs clammed up on that occasion. Markovic, descendant of one of Hlinka's very good friends, stood alone against Hlinka. Hlinka stressed the fact that no one can honestly accuse him of hating the Czechs or of working against the welfare and security of the Czecho-Slovak Republic. He and his followers recognize and respect the right of the Czech people to certain inalienable rights, but by the same token, the Slovaks expect the Czechs and their leaders to recognize and respect the right of the Slovak people to the same inalienable rights. After what had happened in the Prague Parliament, Hlinka quit visiting the Slovak Club of which he was a member, but he did visit the Deputy's Club of Sramek's Czech People's Party. Hlinka later said: "That I appreciate good Czechs is proven by the fact that in Prague I do not visit the Slovak Club, but the Club of the Czech Peoples' Party." • • • WHO SAID IT? "We are deeply convinced that this alliance (with the USSR) is to the benefit of Czechoslovakia and the Soviet Union and that it also is a contribution to international understanding. Whosoever among us does not want to acknowledge this supra-partisan and national character of the Czechoslovak-Soviet alliance, he is undermining this alliance and working against his very own aims." - (Dr. Peter Zenkl, chairman "Council of Free Czechoslovakia," Karlove Vary, July 20, 1947, according to CAS, 7-25-47) . • • • "In Ozech .p olitics, in Ozei:::h national life, it is urgent that we cOlffie to am understanding with the Communist Party . . . the Comnmnist party shahl remain the greatest force in oiur political scheme even after the elections are over, and socialism shall remain the foundation o.f our national life . . . . Coming to tern1s with the Communists is the golden theme of our political philo,so,p hy." - (Ferdinand Perouit:Jka, a Benei:\ Ctzech, DNESEIK, 2-.9-48).  Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Andrew Hlinka and Prague Description An account of the resource Constantine Čulen Slovakia, Vol. 8, No. 3 (28), December 1958 pp. 57-68 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Čulen, Konštantín, 1904-1964 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource December 1958 SNK https://slovakia.wordsofpassage.net/files/original/2e00c1a5a00320878474ec6eeb1cf4c2.pdf fd3d26399edffe1e6a7635c4c34b45b6 PDF Text Text SLOVAKI.A ANNIVERSARY OF A MURDER · April 18, 1953, marks the sixth anniversary of the blackest deed in the history of Czecho-Slovakia - the µiµ,rder of Dr. Joseph Tiso, champion of Slovak freedom, exemplary priest of God, and first president of the independent Slovak Republic. This day will be solemnly commemorated by Slovaks everywhere, at home and abroad, as long as they live. For them Tiso will always be a hero and a martyr; he was the most beloved man in Slovakia, because he ruled his country wisely under the most trying circumstances and saved his nation from destruction. During the summer of 1946, Dr. Edward Benes told the Slovak Council of Commissioners that Dr. Joseph Tiso would be put to death, but the majority of Slovaks still believed that Benes would change his mind and spare Tiso's life. When the "peo·p le's" court pronounced sentence on Dr. Tiso and ordered him to be hanged, Dr. Edward Benes had the opportunity to improve the deteriorated relationship between the Czechs and the Slovaks, As president, he could have granted clemency after Tiso filed his plea for mercy, but Benes preferred to reject it. Benes refused clemency to and ordered the execution of the man who was in a large measure responsible for his election to the presidency in 1935 ! _When Dr. Benes gave in to the demand of the CzechoSlovak stooges of the Kremlin who demanded Tiso's head, he drove the last nail into the coffin of Czecho-Slovakia and killed the last hope of ever bringing the Czechs and the Slovaks together again under one political roof. True, the Slovaks are under that roof today, but not because they willed it; they were forced under it. And nothing but force and terror will keep them under it. The Slovaks proclaimed the independence of their country through their duly elected representatives in the Slovak Parliament on March 14, 1939. The same parliament elected Dr. Joseph Tiso president of the independent Slovak Republic in October of that same year. From then un- �ILOVAKIA 29 til the wanton and violent destruction of the Slovak Re- pulic in 1945, when the Slovak Government and Dr. Joseph Tiso were forced to flee Bratislava, there was not a single official execution in Slovakia bearing Dr. Tiso's signature. And .during the war the people of Slovakia fared . better than even most neutral countries. The Slovaks still firmly believe that no matter what the circumstances under which the independent Slovak Republic was born, it should have never been destroyed. It could have served Christianity and the western democracies effectively after 1945. Dr. Joseph Tiso, who had refused to have Slovakia join the Soviet system as an "independent" state during the war, died on the gallows in the courtyard of the Bratislava prison when dawn broke on April 18, 1947. His greatest crime was his great love for his people and the Christian-democratic way of life. He believed that his nation, just as all nations large and small, had the God-given, inherent right to freedom and independence. Tiso was an implacable enemy of Godless, materialistic Communism. In the tradition of his people he fought the dread plague. of Communism in and out of season. Even as he was being led to the gallows, Dr. Tiso prayed and begged his people to continue their fight against the system which would pervert and enslave mankind. Father Joseph Tiso, who had not signed a single order of execution and had saved thousands of Christians and Jews from death at the hands of Hitler's madmen, was himself shamefully put to death on the gallows by the man who resigned and betrayed the highest trust of his people and cowardly fled his country during its darkest hour - - Dr. Edward Benes. But the Communistdominated Prague Government of Dr. Edward Benes was not satisfied with the murder of Tiso- It even denied him his last request: to be buried in a plot in his own parish cemetery in Banovce. The lifeless body of Tiso was buried secretly; later, it is said, it was disintered and cremated, the ashes being ~attered to the winds, or, as , some say, cast into the waters of the Vltava which long ago •claimed the life of St. John Nepomucene. �30 SLOVAKIA The Prague government tried to erase the memory of Tiso from the hearts and minds of the Slovak people by all means at its disposal. It was and still is a crime to utter Tiso's name publicly, or mention it in the CzechoSlovak press or broadcasts. Bu~ the more Prague tries to suppress the memory of Tiso, the more it becomes endeared and steeled in the hearts of Slovaks everywhere. They know that Tiso died for his faith and for his people. Father Tiso still lives in his countrymen, who today are more determined than ever that Communism shall be crushed and that they shall once again have their own independent Slovak Republic. They believe that, because Father Tiso believed it. And they believe, too, that the murderers of their beloved martyr and hero shall not escape the just punishment of God. When a Slovak meets a Slovak at home or in exile, he says: "Remember Tiso - carry on!" • • • WHO SAID IT? "TO THE EDITOR OF THE NEW YORK TIMES : - Your comment of November 18 (1947) on 'the dark curtain descending on Prague' seems to me to be overrated. that the Communist power in Czechoslovakia is 'entrenched in the internal administration' Is an ii· Jusion. It is untru e that the Army is In the Communist hand s. The fact that a Communist is Secretary of the Interior doesn't mean at all that Communists control the internal machinery of the State. . . . Your comment on the new leadership of the Socialist (Marxist) party appears to be influenced by yom fear of the Russi an interference in the Internal affairs of Czechoslovakia. Everi your correspondent at Prague had to state, however {THE TIMES, Oct. 19 ), that 'the Czechs and Slovaks are made of different stuff from that of some of the ir neighboring countries.' The replacement of a pro-Soviet president of the party by a new man, which was carried out by a free voting of the members, is new evidence of the independent spirit of the 70. year-old Socialist party in Bohemia, whiob is friendly to the Russians but which always has beeu opposed to the overrule of the competitive Communist party." Vlastimal Kybal, THE NEW YORK TIMES. 11-27-47. • • • "Our people at home are united. All the Czechs are . .. as is the overwhelming majority of the Slovaks. . . . They have tabled all internal issues; t;hey are interested only in the liberation of the nation and the state and the reunification of the Czech lands with Slovakia." - Dr. Edward Benes, Nov. 12, 194-2 (BENE$ AND SLOVAKIA by Dr. Stephen Osusky, 19'43). � SLOVAKI.A ANNIVERSARY OF A MURDER · April 18, 1953, marks the sixth anniversary of the blackest deed in the history of Czecho-Slovakia - the µiµ,rder of Dr. Joseph Tiso, champion of Slovak freedom, exemplary priest of God, and first president of the independent Slovak Republic. This day will be solemnly commemorated by Slovaks everywhere, at home and abroad, as long as they live. For them Tiso will always be a hero and a martyr; he was the most beloved man in Slovakia, because he ruled his country wisely under the most trying circumstances and saved his nation from destruction. During the summer of 1946, Dr. Edward Benes told the Slovak Council of Commissioners that Dr. Joseph Tiso would be put to death, but the majority of Slovaks still believed that Benes would change his mind and spare Tiso's life. When the "peo·p le's" court pronounced sentence on Dr. Tiso and ordered him to be hanged, Dr. Edward Benes had the opportunity to improve the deteriorated relationship between the Czechs and the Slovaks, As president, he could have granted clemency after Tiso filed his plea for mercy, but Benes preferred to reject it. Benes refused clemency to and ordered the execution of the man who was in a large measure responsible for his election to the presidency in 1935 ! _When Dr. Benes gave in to the demand of the CzechoSlovak stooges of the Kremlin who demanded Tiso's head, he drove the last nail into the coffin of Czecho-Slovakia and killed the last hope of ever bringing the Czechs and the Slovaks together again under one political roof. True, the Slovaks are under that roof today, but not because they willed it; they were forced under it. And nothing but force and terror will keep them under it. The Slovaks proclaimed the independence of their country through their duly elected representatives in the Slovak Parliament on March 14, 1939. The same parliament elected Dr. Joseph Tiso president of the independent Slovak Republic in October of that same year. From then un- �ILOVAKIA 29 til the wanton and violent destruction of the Slovak Re- pulic in 1945, when the Slovak Government and Dr. Joseph Tiso were forced to flee Bratislava, there was not a single official execution in Slovakia bearing Dr. Tiso's signature. And .during the war the people of Slovakia fared . better than even most neutral countries. The Slovaks still firmly believe that no matter what the circumstances under which the independent Slovak Republic was born, it should have never been destroyed. It could have served Christianity and the western democracies effectively after 1945. Dr. Joseph Tiso, who had refused to have Slovakia join the Soviet system as an "independent" state during the war, died on the gallows in the courtyard of the Bratislava prison when dawn broke on April 18, 1947. His greatest crime was his great love for his people and the Christian-democratic way of life. He believed that his nation, just as all nations large and small, had the God-given, inherent right to freedom and independence. Tiso was an implacable enemy of Godless, materialistic Communism. In the tradition of his people he fought the dread plague. of Communism in and out of season. Even as he was being led to the gallows, Dr. Tiso prayed and begged his people to continue their fight against the system which would pervert and enslave mankind. Father Joseph Tiso, who had not signed a single order of execution and had saved thousands of Christians and Jews from death at the hands of Hitler's madmen, was himself shamefully put to death on the gallows by the man who resigned and betrayed the highest trust of his people and cowardly fled his country during its darkest hour - - Dr. Edward Benes. But the Communistdominated Prague Government of Dr. Edward Benes was not satisfied with the murder of Tiso- It even denied him his last request: to be buried in a plot in his own parish cemetery in Banovce. The lifeless body of Tiso was buried secretly; later, it is said, it was disintered and cremated, the ashes being ~attered to the winds, or, as , some say, cast into the waters of the Vltava which long ago •claimed the life of St. John Nepomucene. �30 SLOVAKIA The Prague government tried to erase the memory of Tiso from the hearts and minds of the Slovak people by all means at its disposal. It was and still is a crime to utter Tiso's name publicly, or mention it in the CzechoSlovak press or broadcasts. Bu~ the more Prague tries to suppress the memory of Tiso, the more it becomes endeared and steeled in the hearts of Slovaks everywhere. They know that Tiso died for his faith and for his people. Father Tiso still lives in his countrymen, who today are more determined than ever that Communism shall be crushed and that they shall once again have their own independent Slovak Republic. They believe that, because Father Tiso believed it. And they believe, too, that the murderers of their beloved martyr and hero shall not escape the just punishment of God. When a Slovak meets a Slovak at home or in exile, he says: "Remember Tiso - carry on!" • • • WHO SAID IT? "TO THE EDITOR OF THE NEW YORK TIMES : - Your comment of November 18 (1947) on 'the dark curtain descending on Prague' seems to me to be overrated. that the Communist power in Czechoslovakia is 'entrenched in the internal administration' Is an ii· Jusion. It is untru e that the Army is In the Communist hand s. The fact that a Communist is Secretary of the Interior doesn't mean at all that Communists control the internal machinery of the State. . . . Your comment on the new leadership of the Socialist (Marxist) party appears to be influenced by yom fear of the Russi an interference in the Internal affairs of Czechoslovakia. Everi your correspondent at Prague had to state, however {THE TIMES, Oct. 19 ), that 'the Czechs and Slovaks are made of different stuff from that of some of the ir neighboring countries.' The replacement of a pro-Soviet president of the party by a new man, which was carried out by a free voting of the members, is new evidence of the independent spirit of the 70. year-old Socialist party in Bohemia, whiob is friendly to the Russians but which always has beeu opposed to the overrule of the competitive Communist party." Vlastimal Kybal, THE NEW YORK TIMES. 11-27-47. • • • "Our people at home are united. All the Czechs are . .. as is the overwhelming majority of the Slovaks. . . . They have tabled all internal issues; t;hey are interested only in the liberation of the nation and the state and the reunification of the Czech lands with Slovakia." - Dr. Edward Benes, Nov. 12, 194-2 (BENE$ AND SLOVAKIA by Dr. Stephen Osusky, 19'43). � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource 1953, Vol. 3 Description An account of the resource <ul><li>Issue 1 (No. 6), April 1953.</li> <li>Issue 2 (No. 7), July 1953.</li> <li>Issue 3 (No. 8), September 1953.</li> <li>Issue 4 (No. 9), December 1953.</li> </ul> Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available The Slovak League of America Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1953 Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document SLOVAKI.A ANNIVERSARY OF A MURDER · April 18, 1953, marks the sixth anniversary of the blackest deed in the history of Czecho-Slovakia - the µiµ,rder of Dr. Joseph Tiso, champion of Slovak freedom, exemplary priest of God, and first president of the independent Slovak Republic. This day will be solemnly commemorated by Slovaks everywhere, at home and abroad, as long as they live. For them Tiso will always be a hero and a martyr; he was the most beloved man in Slovakia, because he ruled his country wisely under the most trying circumstances and saved his nation from destruction. During the summer of 1946, Dr. Edward Benes told the Slovak Council of Commissioners that Dr. Joseph Tiso would be put to death, but the majority of Slovaks still believed that Benes would change his mind and spare Tiso's life. When the "peo·p le's" court pronounced sentence on Dr. Tiso and ordered him to be hanged, Dr. Edward Benes had the opportunity to improve the deteriorated relationship between the Czechs and the Slovaks, As president, he could have granted clemency after Tiso filed his plea for mercy, but Benes preferred to reject it. Benes refused clemency to and ordered the execution of the man who was in a large measure responsible for his election to the presidency in 1935 ! _When Dr. Benes gave in to the demand of the CzechoSlovak stooges of the Kremlin who demanded Tiso's head, he drove the last nail into the coffin of Czecho-Slovakia and killed the last hope of ever bringing the Czechs and the Slovaks together again under one political roof. True, the Slovaks are under that roof today, but not because they willed it; they were forced under it. And nothing but force and terror will keep them under it. The Slovaks proclaimed the independence of their country through their duly elected representatives in the Slovak Parliament on March 14, 1939. The same parliament elected Dr. Joseph Tiso president of the independent Slovak Republic in October of that same year. From then un- ILOVAKIA 29 til the wanton and violent destruction of the Slovak Re- pulic in 1945, when the Slovak Government and Dr. Joseph Tiso were forced to flee Bratislava, there was not a single official execution in Slovakia bearing Dr. Tiso's signature. And .during the war the people of Slovakia fared . better than even most neutral countries. The Slovaks still firmly believe that no matter what the circumstances under which the independent Slovak Republic was born, it should have never been destroyed. It could have served Christianity and the western democracies effectively after 1945. Dr. Joseph Tiso, who had refused to have Slovakia join the Soviet system as an "independent" state during the war, died on the gallows in the courtyard of the Bratislava prison when dawn broke on April 18, 1947. His greatest crime was his great love for his people and the Christian-democratic way of life. He believed that his nation, just as all nations large and small, had the God-given, inherent right to freedom and independence. Tiso was an implacable enemy of Godless, materialistic Communism. In the tradition of his people he fought the dread plague. of Communism in and out of season. Even as he was being led to the gallows, Dr. Tiso prayed and begged his people to continue their fight against the system which would pervert and enslave mankind. Father Joseph Tiso, who had not signed a single order of execution and had saved thousands of Christians and Jews from death at the hands of Hitler's madmen, was himself shamefully put to death on the gallows by the man who resigned and betrayed the highest trust of his people and cowardly fled his country during its darkest hour - - Dr. Edward Benes. But the Communistdominated Prague Government of Dr. Edward Benes was not satisfied with the murder of Tiso- It even denied him his last request: to be buried in a plot in his own parish cemetery in Banovce. The lifeless body of Tiso was buried secretly; later, it is said, it was disintered and cremated, the ashes being ~attered to the winds, or, as , some say, cast into the waters of the Vltava which long ago •claimed the life of St. John Nepomucene. 30 SLOVAKIA The Prague government tried to erase the memory of Tiso from the hearts and minds of the Slovak people by all means at its disposal. It was and still is a crime to utter Tiso's name publicly, or mention it in the CzechoSlovak press or broadcasts. Bu~ the more Prague tries to suppress the memory of Tiso, the more it becomes endeared and steeled in the hearts of Slovaks everywhere. They know that Tiso died for his faith and for his people. Father Tiso still lives in his countrymen, who today are more determined than ever that Communism shall be crushed and that they shall once again have their own independent Slovak Republic. They believe that, because Father Tiso believed it. And they believe, too, that the murderers of their beloved martyr and hero shall not escape the just punishment of God. When a Slovak meets a Slovak at home or in exile, he says: "Remember Tiso - carry on!" • • • WHO SAID IT? "TO THE EDITOR OF THE NEW YORK TIMES : - Your comment of November 18 (1947) on 'the dark curtain descending on Prague' seems to me to be overrated. that the Communist power in Czechoslovakia is 'entrenched in the internal administration' Is an ii· Jusion. It is untru e that the Army is In the Communist hand s. The fact that a Communist is Secretary of the Interior doesn't mean at all that Communists control the internal machinery of the State. . . . Your comment on the new leadership of the Socialist (Marxist) party appears to be influenced by yom fear of the Russi an interference in the Internal affairs of Czechoslovakia. Everi your correspondent at Prague had to state, however {THE TIMES, Oct. 19 ), that 'the Czechs and Slovaks are made of different stuff from that of some of the ir neighboring countries.' The replacement of a pro-Soviet president of the party by a new man, which was carried out by a free voting of the members, is new evidence of the independent spirit of the 70. year-old Socialist party in Bohemia, whiob is friendly to the Russians but which always has beeu opposed to the overrule of the competitive Communist party." Vlastimal Kybal, THE NEW YORK TIMES. 11-27-47. • • • "Our people at home are united. All the Czechs are . .. as is the overwhelming majority of the Slovaks. . . . They have tabled all internal issues; t;hey are interested only in the liberation of the nation and the state and the reunification of the Czech lands with Slovakia." - Dr. Edward Benes, Nov. 12, 194-2 (BENE$ AND SLOVAKIA by Dr. Stephen Osusky, 19'43).  Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Anniversary of a Murder Description An account of the resource Slovakia, Vol. 3, No. 1 (6), April 1953 pp. 28-30 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource April 1953 https://slovakia.wordsofpassage.net/files/original/b5cbfdd20f357ed8329aae999cb2576f.pdf a243bef75596fc23bed53bced6ba65b0 PDF Text Text 18 SLOVAKIA THE EVOLUTION OF SLOVAK LITERATURE ANTON BERNOLAK'S INFLUENCE By Eleonor Podkrivacky There still are some people who believe erroneously that the Slo1vaJk languruge was not written prior to the ninetee.n th century. The fact that Hiving languages undergo change should be kept in mind by those who ipoint to differences in the literary language of the Slovalk ,people of today and in the languaige used a century or more a:go. Also the history of a people should not be overlooked in the study of their language. Among the Slav nations, most of which had varied external inf,l uences causing linguistic mutationis, we find that the literary langua,ge of eruch, closely resettnibling that in co.nterruporary use, had its fomnal beginnings in the late se.venteenth, in the eighteenth or nineteenth centuries. For example, in the seventeenth century the Lusatians though a very small nation numerically they have two main had literary langua:ges: Lower and Upper Lusatian grammars and selection of dialects for literary use in both their languages; during the eighteenth century after the reforuns of Peter the Great, Lomonosov was responsilble for the standardi.ization of Russian; and f.rom the sbcteenth century throUJgh the nineteenth the ":p opular" Bulgarian ,w as used in writings until 1869, when Drinov estaJblished the eastern dialect as the literary language. Before examining the ,p eriod when the Slovak language underwent literary formalization, it is necessary to explore its baJClk,ground briefly. After the death of St. Methodius, who with St. Cyril prapagated and strengthened Christianity among the Slovaks, German prelates who came to Slovalkia in the tenth century substituted the Latin languruge for the Slo.vanic in the liturgy. IDventually Latin was used in pulblitc life, iboth literary and diplomatic. Latin was· the official language used in documents in central Europe for several centuries. R. G. A. de Bray in Guide to the Slavonic Languages states �SLOVAKIA 19 that in the period from the eleventh to the fifteenth centuries the Slovruk language was used with the Latin in some documents. ·P erhaps the oldest written Slov3ik work is that of V a.claw of Bzenec, Glossovane spevy cirkevne, a collection of religious songs which he wrote in 1385 in the dialect of Halie. Another of the most ancient written records is also a religious song, "Jezu Kriste scedry Kneze," which J. Ka.c:ka in Dejiny literatiiry slovenskej dates ba,cik to the fourteenth or p.ossd.lbJy the thirteenth century. And Fr. Hr1lSOVsky in Slovenske Dejiny tells of the use of the Slovak language made in the records of the guilds during the sixteenth century. This sanne histo.r ian relates that many Slorvak ex:pTessions and phrases are to be found in doouments written in Slovakia in the ~ech language whi'ch in the fifteenth century (Hussite Movement) was used in official documents in addition to La-tin and Germ an. German was in use because of the large Genman population in certain Slo1Vaik cities. Ge11mans were g1rven special prirvileges by the king who ill!Vited them to settle in sections of the CO'lliiltry which afforded sources of wealth either because of natural resources (mines and mm.ts, etc.) or because cxf their locations as trade centers. It must be kept in mind that for several centuries, by that time, the SlovaJks had been ruled by foreign kings. S. Krcmery in St.opafdesiat rokov slovenskej literatury Sipea(ks cxf the three cultures in SloJVa;kia ,w hich intermingled: the Latin in political, academic and religious life; the German in business and commercia'1 life; and the 1Slovaik in the home. Early in the fi!fteenth century two events were resiponsible for the official use of Cze:ch in some sections of Slovakia. In the first place there were the extensi,ve raids and occwpation by the Czech Hussites in western Slo,vaikia. Secondly, Jan Jisikra, the renowned Ozech CathoLk warrio:r, quartered his army, which was made up of many Czech Hussites and some Germans, in central and eastern SlovaJkia, when he was entreated by Elizrubeth, the queen~mother of Ladislav Posthumous, then a child, DU'ke of Austria, King oif Bohe(mia, and Htmgary, to ,prevent Vladislav of Poland �20 SLOVAlGA from usuripi.ng her son's throne. Jisikra maintained his hold on that section of Sllovakia for many years, even after the death of King Ladislav in 14'57. The Turkish Wars in the sixteenth century left their mark also. There are legends, folk songs and poems in the Slovak language dating frOIIll that unhappy period which give accounts of the i.nlvasions of the Turks and the a;bduction of many .SlovaJks. In addition to the hU1man li,ves lost orthe ,g reat nUlmlber of the population carried away into caiptivity, the devastation which the Turks brought upon the country is an irrepara,ble loss because much historical and literary material perished in the ipilla:ging. Although there were so many unfavoraJble outside elements, as far as the ,l anguage is concerned, the Slovak language did not fade aiwa,y. On the contrary, by the seventeenth century a national consciousness of their heritage and culture .b egan to manifest itse1f among the Slov8Jks. Catholic priests were the initial spark of the flame which was spread eventually throughout the country. An import.ant center for this a;cti.Jvity was in western Sloivrukia where the Uniiversity of Trnruva - whose press printed in 1655, among its, first .boOlks, a Latin-Slovaik hymnal - played a leading roJ.e in turning out men who reali~ed that their native tongue was as important as other languages. The needs of the ordinary man had to be c onstdered both in spiritual and temporal matters. Students who knew •:Gatin particiipated in plays in that language. However, the perfovmances ,w ere often presented for audiences of non...academilc people from neighboring towns, and there are evidences that plays were penfomned fo Slovak early in the seventeenth century. At the lb eginnmg oif the eighteenth century with the Counter-Refonmat ion came a definite concentration on writing in the vernacular instead of in Czech in, which language the Slova,k Protestants continued writing their books. With the religious writings 1partioularly of the Jesuits, although there are manuscripts and 1ptfulished wor1krs in Slovak by other religious orders, the prot!ess orf grrummatical consciousness of the Slovak langua:ge began. The number �SLOVAKIA 21 and quality of writings by the Jesuits prompted J. Ka&a, in his book mentioned earlier, to state that the Slovak language ()If that period could be called Jesuit Slovak. By the second half of the eighteenth century the Slovak nationalistic revival was accentuated by greater political oppression. Among the controversial issues of the reform.s of Marie Therese and Joseph I was the measuTe by whi~h Latin was to be replaced by another officia:l language in the empire. Laws were passed which established Genman as the official language in non~Genman lands of the empire. Tihe Hungarians, who at first wished to keep Latin, reacted to this law by Later insisting that Hungarian, and no other language, be taught in all the schools oif Hungarian and non-Htmgarian suibjects in their domain. The Slovaks also rea.cted. In literature, b.oth Latin and Sloivruk, writers refered back to the glorious past of the Slovaks, before the Hungarians settled in that part olf Eurorpe, when Christianity was introduced and when they had a powerfw king and oojoyed ,p olitical inderpendence in the ninth century. It was left for Anton Bernonak, through his philological and linguistic studies, to become the outstanding initiator of a literary SloivaJk language. Bernolruk's ancestI1Y was distinguished. His family coat of a.nrns dated ba'Cik to 1681 when Leopold I added to their family name the title Slanicky, derived from the town Slanica, in Orruva County, where Anton was born OctOlber 4, 1762. His elementary education was completed in his natiive northeastern part of Sloiva;kia, at Namestovo, from where he went south to central Slovrukia to situdy in the classical high school (gyimn1aJZi,um) in RU!Zombero'k. His talents were recognired by the ar,c.bibishop of OstrihOIIIl (Estergom in Hlungary), ,w hose protege he became at the a.ge of 16, and he was sent to study ,i n the seminary in Bratislava in western SlovaJkia in 1778. After two years there he transferred to the seminary· in Trnava from where, after two more years of .study which .he realized with high honors, he went to Vienna to study theology. Among the reforuns of Joseph II were those which affected the Church. Aocording to his reforms the theological course was also offered in the gen- �22 SLOVAKIA eral seminary which the ®mpernr established in the castle at BratislaJVa. The course was of a five:-year duration. Hence, when Bernoilak returned to Bratislawa in the autumn of 1784, he had three more years of theology to complete. While studymg for the .p riesthood he became very interested in Slruvic la.ngua,ges, especially in the ,s tudy of his own tongue. By his twen:ty...fifth year he had written in Latin and pulblished two wonks which are conSidered the basis of literary Slovak. In the introduction to his Dissertatio philologico-critica de literis Slavonun which was carnipleted May 21, 1787, Bernolak states that he was advised by circumspect men to write these works in order to establish rules for .w riting the Slo.vruk Jamguaige. In this dissertation he e)C!)ressed the basic ,p rinciples o:f Slovak literary langua,ge. To mruke prarctical -t he prin:ciples o:f literary Slovak which he en'llll!ciated in the Dissert.atio, he stated orthogI_"aphic rules by which literary men would be guided in Linguae Slavonicae per regnmn Hungariae usit.at.ae compendiosa sumul et facilis orthographia. This second important wonk which he ipulblished also in 1787 was annexed to his famous Dissert.atio. J. Vlcek in Dejiny literatury slovenskej states that BernolaJk was well acquainted with the wol"k done in the field o:f linguis-tics by predecessors such as iMatej Bel and Pavel Dolelfal, both from the, first half of the 18th century, and with the tendencies oif the popular Slovruk 1'anguage to be found in the pUlblications from Trnaiva. Bernolalk's work was not revolutionary, rb ut rather evolutionary, in that contrary to his agreement with Bel that the best literar,y Slovak is that equidistant from the Czechs, Poles, and Hungarians, namely central Slovruk - he practiically followed the Catholic writers before him who wrote in the western dialect. The significance of these works at that period in history cannot be underestimated. The newly--estaiblislhed seminary in BratiSilava castle lasted only six years, until the death of Joseph I, but it housed annually a,pproxirmately five hundred seminarians from all parts of Slwakia. The interest aroused in the seminarians by these linguistitc ·s tu- �SLOVAKIA dies was soon oibserved even in neighboring ,countries. And their efforts were encouraiged surprisingly enough by men of their nationality ,w ho, did not agree with their endeavors. While he was a oUTate in Ceklis he had published in 1790, in Bratislaiva, a gra,rrumar written in Latin of the Slova:k language entitled Grammatica slavica. (Sources vary in their spelling of the complete title of this work: J. Ka.cka Hsts it is Grammatica slavica ad systema scholarum rationalium in dicionibus caesareo-regiis introductum acoomo-data; Rev. J. Porulbsky varies from this only in "diictionibus" ; and J. Vlcek writes . . . scholarum nationalium in di· tionibus" . . . "). Bernola:k based his ,g rammar on phonetics. He selected the western dialect - there are three main dialects in Slcwalkia: western, central, and eastern - as the most surited for literary writing. He eliminated diphthongs and soft "r's" (f). He SUJbstituted "6" for "u", and "i" for "j" and "y". 'Dhe softening of the consonants "d, 1, n, t" was aocomplished according to his rules by ,s oftening the consonant "d', l'. n, f" and writing "d'e," etc., instead oif following the consonant with a soft vowel. In 1791 he was ruppointed secretary to the Archlbishop in Trnaiva. Undouibtedly he had begun earlier and continued in this city and elsewhere .until his death in Nove Zrumky, where he was ,pastor imd swpervisor of schools, January 15, 1813, compiling a dictionary Slowar slowenski in five languages: Slovaik, Ozedh, Latin, German, Magyar. This sixvolume masterwonk consisting of some 5,300 pages was not pulblished, however, until 1825-27, in Budin, with the financial baoking of the Canon of Ostrihom, Jruraj Pallkovic (not to he confused with his contemporary, the Lutheran Jifi PalJkovic), who colmlpleted Bernolak's dictionary with the sixth volume. During his appointment in Trnava, Bernola;k founded in 1792, the literary and cultural society "Slowenske ucene Towarisstwo" (:Slovalk Learned Sodety) whose aim it was to further the advancement of education and culture of the SlO!Vak · pepple by means of Sl01Vak literature. The majority of the memberE of this group, numbering close to five hun- �SLOVAKIA dred, were Catholic priests who promised to write Slovak bOOlks and support the prOI_Pagation -of Slovak literature. Branches of this society were esta:blished throughout Slovakia. Sources do not all list the, same towns where literary centexs, were fornned. S. Kromery names only three towns where branches were formed: Nitra, Rovne, and Banska Bystrica. To .tJhes,e centers are a:dded Sotl'na Bairn near Presov by J. Vlcek, J. Kaicka and J. Poru'bslky,. and the two last named authorities mention Trencin as well. The historian Fr. HrusovSky enumerate·s Nitra, Rovne, Banska Bystrica, ,Solirvar, Roziiav,a and Kosice in SlovaJlda. He goes on to state that the society was represented also in other lands. In Austria them wa:s a branch in Vienna, and in Hungary there was a gro,UJp in Ja;ger. Thus the writers of the Bernolak s:chool decided to meet the- literary needs of those not lirving in their homeland . .A!Illong tlhe society's most outstanding l,i tera:ry men, in addition to its founder, were Juraj Pal1kovic, who translated the Bi!ble into the SlOiVaJk language; the Archlbishop of Ostriho:m, Alexande,r Cardinal RUJdnay, who, besides writing many semnons a:nd translating Cicero assisted the society financially ; Juraj Fandli, also a priest, who even in his botanica..l and agricultural wonks urged the Slovak people to a greater aippreciation of theiir mother tongue; another priest, the first famous SlovaJk ,p oet, Jan Holly ; the first Slovak literary historian, Rev. Michael Resetka; and Martin Haimuija:k who, in 1834, co--founded another organization in Budapest, the "Spolek miloviiikov reci a literatury slovenskej" (Organi'.zation of the Lovers of the Slovak Language and Literature) to ex:pand the work commenced by Bernola;k'"S society. Varied were the types of ,books published ,b y the Bernolalk school of writecrs. Their pulblications consisted orf theses on practical agriculture; religious, poetilc and pedagogic works; and histori'cal, literary and linguistic studies. · ·Truly, Anton Bernolak and his group are men worthy of admiration for the great love for their language and the efforts they put forth for its sake. �SLOVAKIA BIBLIOGRAPHY BOOKS : \J Botto·, Julius, Slovaci, Vyvin ich narodneho povedomia, Turciansky sv. Martin; Vydanie knihkuipooko-Nwkladatel'skeho Spolku, 1906. \J DeBray, R. G. A. Guide to the Slavonic Lan~ges. London: J. -M. Dent and Sons Ltd., 1951. (New York: E. P. Dutton and Co., Inc.) Hruso:vsky, Fr. Slovenske Dejiny. Turcianslky sv. Mar\J tin, Matica SlovellSlka., 1940 (Fifth Edition). Kaolrn, Jozef. Dejiny literatury slovenskej. Ruzomlberok: Leva, 1921. Krcmery, Stefan. Stopafdesiat rokov slovenskej literatury. Sva.zok Prvy. Turcia.nsky sv. Martin: Matica Slovenska., 1943. Pietro, Amlbro. Napor-Odpor, Ako postupovala mad'a.risacia v Uhorsku. Turcia.nsiky sv. Martin: Nakladom vilastnym, 1905. Ponibsky, Rev. Jan. K Stemu Vyrociu Literarnej Slovenciny 1844-1944. Scranton, Pa.: Obrana Press, Inc., 1944. Vlcek, Jaroslav. Dejiny literatiiry slovenskej. Turciansky sv. Martin: Matica Slovenska, ( obnovienie vydanie z roku 1890) 1923. PERIODICALS : Banik, Ant. Aug. "Rok zo zivota Juraja Fa.ndliho" Slovenske Pohfady, Vol. LXVI, 9 (1950), pp. 507-51. Jarouseik, Rudolf. "Anton Bernola.k Ako Ucenec a Narodny BuditeY." Slov. Uc. Reprinted in Slovenska Obrana, August 3, 1937. Kovac ml., Edo. "Anton Bernola.k," Slovak v Amerike, May 9, 1933. Skuiltety, Jozef. "Pa:miat.ka Antona BernolaJka" Slovak, date unknown. � 18 SLOVAKIA THE EVOLUTION OF SLOVAK LITERATURE ANTON BERNOLAK'S INFLUENCE By Eleonor Podkrivacky There still are some people who believe erroneously that the Slo1vaJk languruge was not written prior to the ninetee.n th century. The fact that Hiving languages undergo change should be kept in mind by those who ipoint to differences in the literary language of the Slovalk ,people of today and in the languaige used a century or more a:go. Also the history of a people should not be overlooked in the study of their language. Among the Slav nations, most of which had varied external inf,l uences causing linguistic mutationis, we find that the literary langua,ge of eruch, closely resettnibling that in co.nterruporary use, had its fomnal beginnings in the late se.venteenth, in the eighteenth or nineteenth centuries. For example, in the seventeenth century the Lusatians though a very small nation numerically they have two main had literary langua:ges: Lower and Upper Lusatian grammars and selection of dialects for literary use in both their languages; during the eighteenth century after the reforuns of Peter the Great, Lomonosov was responsilble for the standardi.ization of Russian; and f.rom the sbcteenth century throUJgh the nineteenth the ":p opular" Bulgarian ,w as used in writings until 1869, when Drinov estaJblished the eastern dialect as the literary language. Before examining the ,p eriod when the Slovak language underwent literary formalization, it is necessary to explore its baJClk,ground briefly. After the death of St. Methodius, who with St. Cyril prapagated and strengthened Christianity among the Slovaks, German prelates who came to Slovalkia in the tenth century substituted the Latin languruge for the Slo.vanic in the liturgy. IDventually Latin was used in pulblitc life, iboth literary and diplomatic. Latin was· the official language used in documents in central Europe for several centuries. R. G. A. de Bray in Guide to the Slavonic Languages states �SLOVAKIA 19 that in the period from the eleventh to the fifteenth centuries the Slovruk language was used with the Latin in some documents. ·P erhaps the oldest written Slov3ik work is that of V a.claw of Bzenec, Glossovane spevy cirkevne, a collection of religious songs which he wrote in 1385 in the dialect of Halie. Another of the most ancient written records is also a religious song, "Jezu Kriste scedry Kneze," which J. Ka.c:ka in Dejiny literatiiry slovenskej dates ba,cik to the fourteenth or p.ossd.lbJy the thirteenth century. And Fr. Hr1lSOVsky in Slovenske Dejiny tells of the use of the Slovak language made in the records of the guilds during the sixteenth century. This sanne histo.r ian relates that many Slorvak ex:pTessions and phrases are to be found in doouments written in Slovakia in the ~ech language whi'ch in the fifteenth century (Hussite Movement) was used in official documents in addition to La-tin and Germ an. German was in use because of the large Genman population in certain Slo1Vaik cities. Ge11mans were g1rven special prirvileges by the king who ill!Vited them to settle in sections of the CO'lliiltry which afforded sources of wealth either because of natural resources (mines and mm.ts, etc.) or because cxf their locations as trade centers. It must be kept in mind that for several centuries, by that time, the SlovaJks had been ruled by foreign kings. S. Krcmery in St.opafdesiat rokov slovenskej literatury Sipea(ks cxf the three cultures in SloJVa;kia ,w hich intermingled: the Latin in political, academic and religious life; the German in business and commercia'1 life; and the 1Slovaik in the home. Early in the fi!fteenth century two events were resiponsible for the official use of Cze:ch in some sections of Slovakia. In the first place there were the extensi,ve raids and occwpation by the Czech Hussites in western Slo,vaikia. Secondly, Jan Jisikra, the renowned Ozech CathoLk warrio:r, quartered his army, which was made up of many Czech Hussites and some Germans, in central and eastern SlovaJkia, when he was entreated by Elizrubeth, the queen~mother of Ladislav Posthumous, then a child, DU'ke of Austria, King oif Bohe(mia, and Htmgary, to ,prevent Vladislav of Poland �20 SLOVAlGA from usuripi.ng her son's throne. Jisikra maintained his hold on that section of Sllovakia for many years, even after the death of King Ladislav in 14'57. The Turkish Wars in the sixteenth century left their mark also. There are legends, folk songs and poems in the Slovak language dating frOIIll that unhappy period which give accounts of the i.nlvasions of the Turks and the a;bduction of many .SlovaJks. In addition to the hU1man li,ves lost orthe ,g reat nUlmlber of the population carried away into caiptivity, the devastation which the Turks brought upon the country is an irrepara,ble loss because much historical and literary material perished in the ipilla:ging. Although there were so many unfavoraJble outside elements, as far as the ,l anguage is concerned, the Slovak language did not fade aiwa,y. On the contrary, by the seventeenth century a national consciousness of their heritage and culture .b egan to manifest itse1f among the Slov8Jks. Catholic priests were the initial spark of the flame which was spread eventually throughout the country. An import.ant center for this a;cti.Jvity was in western Sloivrukia where the Uniiversity of Trnruva - whose press printed in 1655, among its, first .boOlks, a Latin-Slovaik hymnal - played a leading roJ.e in turning out men who reali~ed that their native tongue was as important as other languages. The needs of the ordinary man had to be c onstdered both in spiritual and temporal matters. Students who knew •:Gatin particiipated in plays in that language. However, the perfovmances ,w ere often presented for audiences of non...academilc people from neighboring towns, and there are evidences that plays were penfomned fo Slovak early in the seventeenth century. At the lb eginnmg oif the eighteenth century with the Counter-Refonmat ion came a definite concentration on writing in the vernacular instead of in Czech in, which language the Slova,k Protestants continued writing their books. With the religious writings 1partioularly of the Jesuits, although there are manuscripts and 1ptfulished wor1krs in Slovak by other religious orders, the prot!ess orf grrummatical consciousness of the Slovak langua:ge began. The number �SLOVAKIA 21 and quality of writings by the Jesuits prompted J. Ka&a, in his book mentioned earlier, to state that the Slovak language ()If that period could be called Jesuit Slovak. By the second half of the eighteenth century the Slovak nationalistic revival was accentuated by greater political oppression. Among the controversial issues of the reform.s of Marie Therese and Joseph I was the measuTe by whi~h Latin was to be replaced by another officia:l language in the empire. Laws were passed which established Genman as the official language in non~Genman lands of the empire. Tihe Hungarians, who at first wished to keep Latin, reacted to this law by Later insisting that Hungarian, and no other language, be taught in all the schools oif Hungarian and non-Htmgarian suibjects in their domain. The Slovaks also rea.cted. In literature, b.oth Latin and Sloivruk, writers refered back to the glorious past of the Slovaks, before the Hungarians settled in that part olf Eurorpe, when Christianity was introduced and when they had a powerfw king and oojoyed ,p olitical inderpendence in the ninth century. It was left for Anton Bernonak, through his philological and linguistic studies, to become the outstanding initiator of a literary SloivaJk language. Bernolruk's ancestI1Y was distinguished. His family coat of a.nrns dated ba'Cik to 1681 when Leopold I added to their family name the title Slanicky, derived from the town Slanica, in Orruva County, where Anton was born OctOlber 4, 1762. His elementary education was completed in his natiive northeastern part of Sloiva;kia, at Namestovo, from where he went south to central Slovrukia to situdy in the classical high school (gyimn1aJZi,um) in RU!Zombero'k. His talents were recognired by the ar,c.bibishop of OstrihOIIIl (Estergom in Hlungary), ,w hose protege he became at the a.ge of 16, and he was sent to study ,i n the seminary in Bratislava in western SlovaJkia in 1778. After two years there he transferred to the seminary· in Trnava from where, after two more years of .study which .he realized with high honors, he went to Vienna to study theology. Among the reforuns of Joseph II were those which affected the Church. Aocording to his reforms the theological course was also offered in the gen- �22 SLOVAKIA eral seminary which the ®mpernr established in the castle at BratislaJVa. The course was of a five:-year duration. Hence, when Bernoilak returned to Bratislawa in the autumn of 1784, he had three more years of theology to complete. While studymg for the .p riesthood he became very interested in Slruvic la.ngua,ges, especially in the ,s tudy of his own tongue. By his twen:ty...fifth year he had written in Latin and pulblished two wonks which are conSidered the basis of literary Slovak. In the introduction to his Dissertatio philologico-critica de literis Slavonun which was carnipleted May 21, 1787, Bernolak states that he was advised by circumspect men to write these works in order to establish rules for .w riting the Slo.vruk Jamguaige. In this dissertation he e)C!)ressed the basic ,p rinciples o:f Slovak literary langua,ge. To mruke prarctical -t he prin:ciples o:f literary Slovak which he en'llll!ciated in the Dissert.atio, he stated orthogI_"aphic rules by which literary men would be guided in Linguae Slavonicae per regnmn Hungariae usit.at.ae compendiosa sumul et facilis orthographia. This second important wonk which he ipulblished also in 1787 was annexed to his famous Dissert.atio. J. Vlcek in Dejiny literatury slovenskej states that BernolaJk was well acquainted with the wol"k done in the field o:f linguis-tics by predecessors such as iMatej Bel and Pavel Dolelfal, both from the, first half of the 18th century, and with the tendencies oif the popular Slovruk 1'anguage to be found in the pUlblications from Trnaiva. Bernolalk's work was not revolutionary, rb ut rather evolutionary, in that contrary to his agreement with Bel that the best literar,y Slovak is that equidistant from the Czechs, Poles, and Hungarians, namely central Slovruk - he practiically followed the Catholic writers before him who wrote in the western dialect. The significance of these works at that period in history cannot be underestimated. The newly--estaiblislhed seminary in BratiSilava castle lasted only six years, until the death of Joseph I, but it housed annually a,pproxirmately five hundred seminarians from all parts of Slwakia. The interest aroused in the seminarians by these linguistitc ·s tu- �SLOVAKIA dies was soon oibserved even in neighboring ,countries. And their efforts were encouraiged surprisingly enough by men of their nationality ,w ho, did not agree with their endeavors. While he was a oUTate in Ceklis he had published in 1790, in Bratislaiva, a gra,rrumar written in Latin of the Slova:k language entitled Grammatica slavica. (Sources vary in their spelling of the complete title of this work: J. Ka.cka Hsts it is Grammatica slavica ad systema scholarum rationalium in dicionibus caesareo-regiis introductum acoomo-data; Rev. J. Porulbsky varies from this only in "diictionibus" ; and J. Vlcek writes . . . scholarum nationalium in di· tionibus" . . . "). Bernola:k based his ,g rammar on phonetics. He selected the western dialect - there are three main dialects in Slcwalkia: western, central, and eastern - as the most surited for literary writing. He eliminated diphthongs and soft "r's" (f). He SUJbstituted "6" for "u", and "i" for "j" and "y". 'Dhe softening of the consonants "d, 1, n, t" was aocomplished according to his rules by ,s oftening the consonant "d', l'. n, f" and writing "d'e," etc., instead oif following the consonant with a soft vowel. In 1791 he was ruppointed secretary to the Archlbishop in Trnaiva. Undouibtedly he had begun earlier and continued in this city and elsewhere .until his death in Nove Zrumky, where he was ,pastor imd swpervisor of schools, January 15, 1813, compiling a dictionary Slowar slowenski in five languages: Slovaik, Ozedh, Latin, German, Magyar. This sixvolume masterwonk consisting of some 5,300 pages was not pulblished, however, until 1825-27, in Budin, with the financial baoking of the Canon of Ostrihom, Jruraj Pallkovic (not to he confused with his contemporary, the Lutheran Jifi PalJkovic), who colmlpleted Bernolak's dictionary with the sixth volume. During his appointment in Trnava, Bernola;k founded in 1792, the literary and cultural society "Slowenske ucene Towarisstwo" (:Slovalk Learned Sodety) whose aim it was to further the advancement of education and culture of the SlO!Vak · pepple by means of Sl01Vak literature. The majority of the memberE of this group, numbering close to five hun- �SLOVAKIA dred, were Catholic priests who promised to write Slovak bOOlks and support the prOI_Pagation -of Slovak literature. Branches of this society were esta:blished throughout Slovakia. Sources do not all list the, same towns where literary centexs, were fornned. S. Kromery names only three towns where branches were formed: Nitra, Rovne, and Banska Bystrica. To .tJhes,e centers are a:dded Sotl'na Bairn near Presov by J. Vlcek, J. Kaicka and J. Poru'bslky,. and the two last named authorities mention Trencin as well. The historian Fr. HrusovSky enumerate·s Nitra, Rovne, Banska Bystrica, ,Solirvar, Roziiav,a and Kosice in SlovaJlda. He goes on to state that the society was represented also in other lands. In Austria them wa:s a branch in Vienna, and in Hungary there was a gro,UJp in Ja;ger. Thus the writers of the Bernolak s:chool decided to meet the- literary needs of those not lirving in their homeland . .A!Illong tlhe society's most outstanding l,i tera:ry men, in addition to its founder, were Juraj Pal1kovic, who translated the Bi!ble into the SlOiVaJk language; the Archlbishop of Ostriho:m, Alexande,r Cardinal RUJdnay, who, besides writing many semnons a:nd translating Cicero assisted the society financially ; Juraj Fandli, also a priest, who even in his botanica..l and agricultural wonks urged the Slovak people to a greater aippreciation of theiir mother tongue; another priest, the first famous SlovaJk ,p oet, Jan Holly ; the first Slovak literary historian, Rev. Michael Resetka; and Martin Haimuija:k who, in 1834, co--founded another organization in Budapest, the "Spolek miloviiikov reci a literatury slovenskej" (Organi'.zation of the Lovers of the Slovak Language and Literature) to ex:pand the work commenced by Bernola;k'"S society. Varied were the types of ,books published ,b y the Bernolalk school of writecrs. Their pulblications consisted orf theses on practical agriculture; religious, poetilc and pedagogic works; and histori'cal, literary and linguistic studies. · ·Truly, Anton Bernolak and his group are men worthy of admiration for the great love for their language and the efforts they put forth for its sake. �SLOVAKIA BIBLIOGRAPHY BOOKS : \J Botto·, Julius, Slovaci, Vyvin ich narodneho povedomia, Turciansky sv. Martin; Vydanie knihkuipooko-Nwkladatel'skeho Spolku, 1906. \J DeBray, R. G. A. Guide to the Slavonic Lan~ges. London: J. -M. Dent and Sons Ltd., 1951. (New York: E. P. Dutton and Co., Inc.) Hruso:vsky, Fr. Slovenske Dejiny. Turcianslky sv. Mar\J tin, Matica SlovellSlka., 1940 (Fifth Edition). Kaolrn, Jozef. Dejiny literatury slovenskej. Ruzomlberok: Leva, 1921. Krcmery, Stefan. Stopafdesiat rokov slovenskej literatury. Sva.zok Prvy. Turcia.nsky sv. Martin: Matica Slovenska., 1943. Pietro, Amlbro. Napor-Odpor, Ako postupovala mad'a.risacia v Uhorsku. Turcia.nsiky sv. Martin: Nakladom vilastnym, 1905. Ponibsky, Rev. Jan. K Stemu Vyrociu Literarnej Slovenciny 1844-1944. Scranton, Pa.: Obrana Press, Inc., 1944. Vlcek, Jaroslav. Dejiny literatiiry slovenskej. Turciansky sv. Martin: Matica Slovenska, ( obnovienie vydanie z roku 1890) 1923. PERIODICALS : Banik, Ant. Aug. "Rok zo zivota Juraja Fa.ndliho" Slovenske Pohfady, Vol. LXVI, 9 (1950), pp. 507-51. Jarouseik, Rudolf. "Anton Bernola.k Ako Ucenec a Narodny BuditeY." Slov. Uc. Reprinted in Slovenska Obrana, August 3, 1937. Kovac ml., Edo. "Anton Bernola.k," Slovak v Amerike, May 9, 1933. Skuiltety, Jozef. "Pa:miat.ka Antona BernolaJka" Slovak, date unknown. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource 1953, Vol. 3 Description An account of the resource <ul><li>Issue 1 (No. 6), April 1953.</li> <li>Issue 2 (No. 7), July 1953.</li> <li>Issue 3 (No. 8), September 1953.</li> <li>Issue 4 (No. 9), December 1953.</li> </ul> Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available The Slovak League of America Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1953 Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document 18 SLOVAKIA THE EVOLUTION OF SLOVAK LITERATURE ANTON BERNOLAK'S INFLUENCE By Eleonor Podkrivacky There still are some people who believe erroneously that the Slo1vaJk languruge was not written prior to the ninetee.n th century. The fact that Hiving languages undergo change should be kept in mind by those who ipoint to differences in the literary language of the Slovalk ,people of today and in the languaige used a century or more a:go. Also the history of a people should not be overlooked in the study of their language. Among the Slav nations, most of which had varied external inf,l uences causing linguistic mutationis, we find that the literary langua,ge of eruch, closely resettnibling that in co.nterruporary use, had its fomnal beginnings in the late se.venteenth, in the eighteenth or nineteenth centuries. For example, in the seventeenth century the Lusatians though a very small nation numerically they have two main had literary langua:ges: Lower and Upper Lusatian grammars and selection of dialects for literary use in both their languages; during the eighteenth century after the reforuns of Peter the Great, Lomonosov was responsilble for the standardi.ization of Russian; and f.rom the sbcteenth century throUJgh the nineteenth the ":p opular" Bulgarian ,w as used in writings until 1869, when Drinov estaJblished the eastern dialect as the literary language. Before examining the ,p eriod when the Slovak language underwent literary formalization, it is necessary to explore its baJClk,ground briefly. After the death of St. Methodius, who with St. Cyril prapagated and strengthened Christianity among the Slovaks, German prelates who came to Slovalkia in the tenth century substituted the Latin languruge for the Slo.vanic in the liturgy. IDventually Latin was used in pulblitc life, iboth literary and diplomatic. Latin was· the official language used in documents in central Europe for several centuries. R. G. A. de Bray in Guide to the Slavonic Languages states SLOVAKIA 19 that in the period from the eleventh to the fifteenth centuries the Slovruk language was used with the Latin in some documents. ·P erhaps the oldest written Slov3ik work is that of V a.claw of Bzenec, Glossovane spevy cirkevne, a collection of religious songs which he wrote in 1385 in the dialect of Halie. Another of the most ancient written records is also a religious song, "Jezu Kriste scedry Kneze," which J. Ka.c:ka in Dejiny literatiiry slovenskej dates ba,cik to the fourteenth or p.ossd.lbJy the thirteenth century. And Fr. Hr1lSOVsky in Slovenske Dejiny tells of the use of the Slovak language made in the records of the guilds during the sixteenth century. This sanne histo.r ian relates that many Slorvak ex:pTessions and phrases are to be found in doouments written in Slovakia in the ~ech language whi'ch in the fifteenth century (Hussite Movement) was used in official documents in addition to La-tin and Germ an. German was in use because of the large Genman population in certain Slo1Vaik cities. Ge11mans were g1rven special prirvileges by the king who ill!Vited them to settle in sections of the CO'lliiltry which afforded sources of wealth either because of natural resources (mines and mm.ts, etc.) or because cxf their locations as trade centers. It must be kept in mind that for several centuries, by that time, the SlovaJks had been ruled by foreign kings. S. Krcmery in St.opafdesiat rokov slovenskej literatury Sipea(ks cxf the three cultures in SloJVa;kia ,w hich intermingled: the Latin in political, academic and religious life; the German in business and commercia'1 life; and the 1Slovaik in the home. Early in the fi!fteenth century two events were resiponsible for the official use of Cze:ch in some sections of Slovakia. In the first place there were the extensi,ve raids and occwpation by the Czech Hussites in western Slo,vaikia. Secondly, Jan Jisikra, the renowned Ozech CathoLk warrio:r, quartered his army, which was made up of many Czech Hussites and some Germans, in central and eastern SlovaJkia, when he was entreated by Elizrubeth, the queen~mother of Ladislav Posthumous, then a child, DU'ke of Austria, King oif Bohe(mia, and Htmgary, to ,prevent Vladislav of Poland 20 SLOVAlGA from usuripi.ng her son's throne. Jisikra maintained his hold on that section of Sllovakia for many years, even after the death of King Ladislav in 14'57. The Turkish Wars in the sixteenth century left their mark also. There are legends, folk songs and poems in the Slovak language dating frOIIll that unhappy period which give accounts of the i.nlvasions of the Turks and the a;bduction of many .SlovaJks. In addition to the hU1man li,ves lost orthe ,g reat nUlmlber of the population carried away into caiptivity, the devastation which the Turks brought upon the country is an irrepara,ble loss because much historical and literary material perished in the ipilla:ging. Although there were so many unfavoraJble outside elements, as far as the ,l anguage is concerned, the Slovak language did not fade aiwa,y. On the contrary, by the seventeenth century a national consciousness of their heritage and culture .b egan to manifest itse1f among the Slov8Jks. Catholic priests were the initial spark of the flame which was spread eventually throughout the country. An import.ant center for this a;cti.Jvity was in western Sloivrukia where the Uniiversity of Trnruva - whose press printed in 1655, among its, first .boOlks, a Latin-Slovaik hymnal - played a leading roJ.e in turning out men who reali~ed that their native tongue was as important as other languages. The needs of the ordinary man had to be c onstdered both in spiritual and temporal matters. Students who knew •:Gatin particiipated in plays in that language. However, the perfovmances ,w ere often presented for audiences of non...academilc people from neighboring towns, and there are evidences that plays were penfomned fo Slovak early in the seventeenth century. At the lb eginnmg oif the eighteenth century with the Counter-Refonmat ion came a definite concentration on writing in the vernacular instead of in Czech in, which language the Slova,k Protestants continued writing their books. With the religious writings 1partioularly of the Jesuits, although there are manuscripts and 1ptfulished wor1krs in Slovak by other religious orders, the prot!ess orf grrummatical consciousness of the Slovak langua:ge began. The number SLOVAKIA 21 and quality of writings by the Jesuits prompted J. Ka&a, in his book mentioned earlier, to state that the Slovak language ()If that period could be called Jesuit Slovak. By the second half of the eighteenth century the Slovak nationalistic revival was accentuated by greater political oppression. Among the controversial issues of the reform.s of Marie Therese and Joseph I was the measuTe by whi~h Latin was to be replaced by another officia:l language in the empire. Laws were passed which established Genman as the official language in non~Genman lands of the empire. Tihe Hungarians, who at first wished to keep Latin, reacted to this law by Later insisting that Hungarian, and no other language, be taught in all the schools oif Hungarian and non-Htmgarian suibjects in their domain. The Slovaks also rea.cted. In literature, b.oth Latin and Sloivruk, writers refered back to the glorious past of the Slovaks, before the Hungarians settled in that part olf Eurorpe, when Christianity was introduced and when they had a powerfw king and oojoyed ,p olitical inderpendence in the ninth century. It was left for Anton Bernonak, through his philological and linguistic studies, to become the outstanding initiator of a literary SloivaJk language. Bernolruk's ancestI1Y was distinguished. His family coat of a.nrns dated ba'Cik to 1681 when Leopold I added to their family name the title Slanicky, derived from the town Slanica, in Orruva County, where Anton was born OctOlber 4, 1762. His elementary education was completed in his natiive northeastern part of Sloiva;kia, at Namestovo, from where he went south to central Slovrukia to situdy in the classical high school (gyimn1aJZi,um) in RU!Zombero'k. His talents were recognired by the ar,c.bibishop of OstrihOIIIl (Estergom in Hlungary), ,w hose protege he became at the a.ge of 16, and he was sent to study ,i n the seminary in Bratislava in western SlovaJkia in 1778. After two years there he transferred to the seminary· in Trnava from where, after two more years of .study which .he realized with high honors, he went to Vienna to study theology. Among the reforuns of Joseph II were those which affected the Church. Aocording to his reforms the theological course was also offered in the gen- 22 SLOVAKIA eral seminary which the ®mpernr established in the castle at BratislaJVa. The course was of a five:-year duration. Hence, when Bernoilak returned to Bratislawa in the autumn of 1784, he had three more years of theology to complete. While studymg for the .p riesthood he became very interested in Slruvic la.ngua,ges, especially in the ,s tudy of his own tongue. By his twen:ty...fifth year he had written in Latin and pulblished two wonks which are conSidered the basis of literary Slovak. In the introduction to his Dissertatio philologico-critica de literis Slavonun which was carnipleted May 21, 1787, Bernolak states that he was advised by circumspect men to write these works in order to establish rules for .w riting the Slo.vruk Jamguaige. In this dissertation he e)C!)ressed the basic ,p rinciples o:f Slovak literary langua,ge. To mruke prarctical -t he prin:ciples o:f literary Slovak which he en'llll!ciated in the Dissert.atio, he stated orthogI_"aphic rules by which literary men would be guided in Linguae Slavonicae per regnmn Hungariae usit.at.ae compendiosa sumul et facilis orthographia. This second important wonk which he ipulblished also in 1787 was annexed to his famous Dissert.atio. J. Vlcek in Dejiny literatury slovenskej states that BernolaJk was well acquainted with the wol"k done in the field o:f linguis-tics by predecessors such as iMatej Bel and Pavel Dolelfal, both from the, first half of the 18th century, and with the tendencies oif the popular Slovruk 1'anguage to be found in the pUlblications from Trnaiva. Bernolalk's work was not revolutionary, rb ut rather evolutionary, in that contrary to his agreement with Bel that the best literar,y Slovak is that equidistant from the Czechs, Poles, and Hungarians, namely central Slovruk - he practiically followed the Catholic writers before him who wrote in the western dialect. The significance of these works at that period in history cannot be underestimated. The newly--estaiblislhed seminary in BratiSilava castle lasted only six years, until the death of Joseph I, but it housed annually a,pproxirmately five hundred seminarians from all parts of Slwakia. The interest aroused in the seminarians by these linguistitc ·s tu- SLOVAKIA dies was soon oibserved even in neighboring ,countries. And their efforts were encouraiged surprisingly enough by men of their nationality ,w ho, did not agree with their endeavors. While he was a oUTate in Ceklis he had published in 1790, in Bratislaiva, a gra,rrumar written in Latin of the Slova:k language entitled Grammatica slavica. (Sources vary in their spelling of the complete title of this work: J. Ka.cka Hsts it is Grammatica slavica ad systema scholarum rationalium in dicionibus caesareo-regiis introductum acoomo-data; Rev. J. Porulbsky varies from this only in "diictionibus" ; and J. Vlcek writes . . . scholarum nationalium in di· tionibus" . . . "). Bernola:k based his ,g rammar on phonetics. He selected the western dialect - there are three main dialects in Slcwalkia: western, central, and eastern - as the most surited for literary writing. He eliminated diphthongs and soft "r's" (f). He SUJbstituted "6" for "u", and "i" for "j" and "y". 'Dhe softening of the consonants "d, 1, n, t" was aocomplished according to his rules by ,s oftening the consonant "d', l'. n, f" and writing "d'e," etc., instead oif following the consonant with a soft vowel. In 1791 he was ruppointed secretary to the Archlbishop in Trnaiva. Undouibtedly he had begun earlier and continued in this city and elsewhere .until his death in Nove Zrumky, where he was ,pastor imd swpervisor of schools, January 15, 1813, compiling a dictionary Slowar slowenski in five languages: Slovaik, Ozedh, Latin, German, Magyar. This sixvolume masterwonk consisting of some 5,300 pages was not pulblished, however, until 1825-27, in Budin, with the financial baoking of the Canon of Ostrihom, Jruraj Pallkovic (not to he confused with his contemporary, the Lutheran Jifi PalJkovic), who colmlpleted Bernolak's dictionary with the sixth volume. During his appointment in Trnava, Bernola;k founded in 1792, the literary and cultural society "Slowenske ucene Towarisstwo" (:Slovalk Learned Sodety) whose aim it was to further the advancement of education and culture of the SlO!Vak · pepple by means of Sl01Vak literature. The majority of the memberE of this group, numbering close to five hun- SLOVAKIA dred, were Catholic priests who promised to write Slovak bOOlks and support the prOI_Pagation -of Slovak literature. Branches of this society were esta:blished throughout Slovakia. Sources do not all list the, same towns where literary centexs, were fornned. S. Kromery names only three towns where branches were formed: Nitra, Rovne, and Banska Bystrica. To .tJhes,e centers are a:dded Sotl'na Bairn near Presov by J. Vlcek, J. Kaicka and J. Poru'bslky,. and the two last named authorities mention Trencin as well. The historian Fr. HrusovSky enumerate·s Nitra, Rovne, Banska Bystrica, ,Solirvar, Roziiav,a and Kosice in SlovaJlda. He goes on to state that the society was represented also in other lands. In Austria them wa:s a branch in Vienna, and in Hungary there was a gro,UJp in Ja;ger. Thus the writers of the Bernolak s:chool decided to meet the- literary needs of those not lirving in their homeland . .A!Illong tlhe society's most outstanding l,i tera:ry men, in addition to its founder, were Juraj Pal1kovic, who translated the Bi!ble into the SlOiVaJk language; the Archlbishop of Ostriho:m, Alexande,r Cardinal RUJdnay, who, besides writing many semnons a:nd translating Cicero assisted the society financially ; Juraj Fandli, also a priest, who even in his botanica..l and agricultural wonks urged the Slovak people to a greater aippreciation of theiir mother tongue; another priest, the first famous SlovaJk ,p oet, Jan Holly ; the first Slovak literary historian, Rev. Michael Resetka; and Martin Haimuija:k who, in 1834, co--founded another organization in Budapest, the "Spolek miloviiikov reci a literatury slovenskej" (Organi'.zation of the Lovers of the Slovak Language and Literature) to ex:pand the work commenced by Bernola;k'"S society. Varied were the types of ,books published ,b y the Bernolalk school of writecrs. Their pulblications consisted orf theses on practical agriculture; religious, poetilc and pedagogic works; and histori'cal, literary and linguistic studies. · ·Truly, Anton Bernolak and his group are men worthy of admiration for the great love for their language and the efforts they put forth for its sake. SLOVAKIA BIBLIOGRAPHY BOOKS : \J Botto·, Julius, Slovaci, Vyvin ich narodneho povedomia, Turciansky sv. Martin; Vydanie knihkuipooko-Nwkladatel'skeho Spolku, 1906. \J DeBray, R. G. A. Guide to the Slavonic Lan~ges. London: J. -M. Dent and Sons Ltd., 1951. (New York: E. P. Dutton and Co., Inc.) Hruso:vsky, Fr. Slovenske Dejiny. Turcianslky sv. Mar\J tin, Matica SlovellSlka., 1940 (Fifth Edition). Kaolrn, Jozef. Dejiny literatury slovenskej. Ruzomlberok: Leva, 1921. Krcmery, Stefan. Stopafdesiat rokov slovenskej literatury. Sva.zok Prvy. Turcia.nsky sv. Martin: Matica Slovenska., 1943. Pietro, Amlbro. Napor-Odpor, Ako postupovala mad'a.risacia v Uhorsku. Turcia.nsiky sv. Martin: Nakladom vilastnym, 1905. Ponibsky, Rev. Jan. K Stemu Vyrociu Literarnej Slovenciny 1844-1944. Scranton, Pa.: Obrana Press, Inc., 1944. Vlcek, Jaroslav. Dejiny literatiiry slovenskej. Turciansky sv. Martin: Matica Slovenska, ( obnovienie vydanie z roku 1890) 1923. PERIODICALS : Banik, Ant. Aug. "Rok zo zivota Juraja Fa.ndliho" Slovenske Pohfady, Vol. LXVI, 9 (1950), pp. 507-51. Jarouseik, Rudolf. "Anton Bernola.k Ako Ucenec a Narodny BuditeY." Slov. Uc. Reprinted in Slovenska Obrana, August 3, 1937. Kovac ml., Edo. "Anton Bernola.k," Slovak v Amerike, May 9, 1933. Skuiltety, Jozef. "Pa:miat.ka Antona BernolaJka" Slovak, date unknown.  Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Anton Bernolak's Influence on Slovak Literature Description An account of the resource Eleonor Podkrivacký Slovakia, Vol. 3, No. 3 (8), September 1953 pp. 18-25 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Podkrivacký, Eleonor Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource September 1953 name https://slovakia.wordsofpassage.net/files/original/8db9dd47a0cbc4f10cc1ef6b84edb23c.pdf 83131de0e65840790ccb5638a6cb6ae1 PDF Text Text 58 SLOVA:KIA ARE TIIE SWVAKS AND CZECHS TWO "CWSELY RELATED'' NATIONS? DR. A . GRÉBERT Official propaganda of all Czech governments trom 1918 to 1938 (the era of T. G. Masaryk and Edward Beneš) stated cat&gorically that the Slovaks and the Czechs were "two very closely related" na· tiona. We say "Czech" governments advlsedly, because the Slovaks had llttle or no lnfluence In them; the wm o! the Slovak natlon was totally lgnored when lt came to policy and natlonal and lnternatlonal relationships. The "Czecho-Slovak" (wlth or wlthout the hyphen) admlnlstrations during that tlme were in reality "Czech" admlnlstratlons; "Czecho-Slovak" government was In fact a "Czech" govern· ment. Even the national "Czechoslovak" church was strlctly a "Czech" en terprise. During and immedlately after World War I, T. G. Masary'k and Edward Beneš had to offer some "loglcal" reasons for the creation of a joint political stalte for the Czechs and the Slovaks, because Presldent Wllson had insisted on the appllcation of the democratlc principle of the right of self-determinatlon to all natlons. So. T. G. Masaryk and Beneš set out to prove that the Slov,aks really were not a distinct nation, but only a branch of the Czech natlon, and that the Slovak language was but a dialect of the Czech language. 'l'he CzechoSlovak Republlc was bom of th'!s "big Ile" In 1918. Slnce that tlme, the "big !ie" was promoted constantly by the propaganda aP'l)aratus of the Czecbo·Slovak state. Many non-CZech politiclana, statesmen, hlstorlans and writers succumbed to lt. Among them were some who repudlated the concept ot a "common state," but still thought that the Slovaks and Czechs were, nevertheless, "two very closely related" nations. Among the factors which dec!de the Individuality of a nation, we find: the natural framework within which a nation Ilves, lts racia! composltlon, language, cultural !nfluences, llterature, rellglous develop. ment, social structure, economlc relations, etc. Now, how "very close-Jy related" are the Slovaks and the Czechs? IN THE BEGINNING THERE WERE TWO NATIONS The Slovaks and Czechs already at the beginnlng ot the!r recorded hlstor!es were not members of one natlon, or a common polltlcal state, as most Czech pol!tlcians, hlstorlans an<l writers - and many unlnformed non-Czech commE\lltators, writers, hlstor!ans and polit!· cians, lnfluenced by or in tbe pay ot Czech propaganda - would have the world believe. There !s nothlng in recorded blstory to ind!· cate that the Slovaks and tbe Cze-cbs dld not go separate ways. Thls hlstorlcal fact was upheld even by sueh a typlcal representatlve ot pol!tlcal and cultural "Czechoslovaklsm" as Dr. K. Krofta (Tchéques et Slovaques jusqu' á leur union polltlque," in the LE MONDE SLAVE, March·April, 1933, pg. 2). Chronlclers of the nlntb and tenth centurles clearly dlstlngulshed betwen the two natlons. Paul J. Šafárlk clted many examples to prove thls point In hls "Slawlsche Alterttimer" (Vo!. 2, pages 208, 458, 493). Tbe dlt!erentatlon between the Slovaks and tbe Czecbs, however, be• �SLO:YAKIA 69 gan a Jong tíme ,be!ore that. 1t already began In their ancient, prehlstorlc, common Slovanic homeland. Later, In their new homelands, the indlvJduallty of both natloM became more pronounced. NATURE SEPARATED THEM The Slovak.s are a natlon whose core lives in mountains and hllls, whereas the c ore of the Czech people lnhabits plains. And molllltains and hllls generaJly breed an altogether d<ifferent type of man, psychologically and even physically, than do the Jowlands. Rivers of Czech lands empty lnto the North Sea, whereas the rlvers of Slovaltia, w1th ihe exceptlon of the Dunajec, flow lnto the Black Sea. Wlth the rlV'ers even Slovak !ife gravitated In a d.ifferent directlon from the llfe of úhe Czech nation. The Czech lands, on the one hand, and the Slovak lands, on the other, represent two very distlnct geographical environments, which tended to create two dlstlnct national in• dividualltles. In some Czech propaganda publlcations deslgned for the Engllsh-speaking world, it ls even admitted that after one crosses the Czech border lnto Slovakla "we have the impresslon that we have come to a different world. Nature ls different and the people, too, ls dlstinctly drnferent" (J. Czeoh-J. E. Mellon: "Czechoslovakla, Land of Dream and Enterprise," pg, 132). lf nothing else but nature separated the Slovaks from the Czechs, it undoubtedly would suffice to create and to preserve the dlstlnctly ;;,pecial lndlvlduality of the Slovak natlon. But the Slovaks were un!lke the Czechs In other respects as well. RACIAL COMPOSITION SEPARATE D THEM T•he Czech natlon, surrounded on three sldes as it !s by the German world, undoubtedly was open to racia! lnfluences of tha,t world. T he racia! structure of the Slovaks, on the other hand, was lnfluenced to some extent not only by the Germans, but also by the Slovanlc nat!ons (Poles, Ruthenes, Czechs) and -the U ralo-Alta:!c Magyars, A vars, Pechengs, Cumans, Turks, etc. The Avars ruled over the !and of the Slovaks almost 250 years (to bhe end of the 8th century) and, hence, certainly must have had s ome influence on the racia} structure of t-he Slovak popula,t!on, held in bondage. And hlstory tells u.s, too, that the Slovaks llved In a com• mon poli-tlcal state wlth the Magyars over 900 yeans; and close to the Turks, when they conquered most of Hungary, for some 150 years. And we know that the Poles ruled the Spiš reg.ion of Slovakla from 1412 to 1772. The racia! structure of the Czechs was not affected by the.se lnfluences. Hence, we are lnclined to agree with Podhradszky that raclal composltlon "sharply separates the Slovaks from all the nelghborlng nations and In a special manner deflnes thelr place among all other natlons of the unlverse" ( A t6toklata feldold politikai és kultúrgeo1 gráflája, pg. 53). THEY SPEAK DIFFERENT LANGUAGES Professor Louis Novák once wrote that the Slovak language was a "very ancient" llngual formatlon, one "whlch has had an orlglnal and independent evolutlon, Quite dlfferent from the Czech langua.ge." And he added that "the language ot centra! Slovakla today 1s the �60 SLOVAKIA direct organic contlnuation of the older centra! Slovak tongue, whlch in turn was the direct organlc con-tinuation o[ the respective pre-Slovanlc dialect" (Jazykovedné glosy k čsl. otázke, pg. 89). Pro[essor Henrich Bartek, noted Slovak philologist who ma.de an t'xhaustlve study of the Slovak and Czech languages, concluded that •·the Slovak language in many of its aspects had a different evolution than the Czech language and this fact guarantees it an independent place in the family of Slovanic languages" ( Príspevok k dejinám slovenčiny, pg. 117). 'l'he diHerences between the Slovak and Czech languages are greater than most people are aware of, especially people who have been confounded by Ozech propaganda, Czech schools and books. The Czech language belongs to the group of languages which have a preponderance of the higher vowels, and 1-t has sounds or vocala whlch are not to be found in Slovak. On the oúher hand, we flnd various vocals In Slovak that are foreign to the Czech tongue. The Slovak employs an abundance of diphthongs, while the Czech has only a few. The centra) dialect of Slovakia, the basis of llterary Slovak, has only one declenslon of adjectives, while the Czech has three. 'l'hey also d.tffer greatly in the matter of inflectlon of nouns and verbs. Rules of acc811t, syllable formation, rhythm, composition and syntax, and word formation are also different. The languages are dlfferent lexically, too. Miroslav Kálal, Czech lexicograpber, collected over 35,000 words in three years for hls differential dictionary whlch are not found In Czech, or which have an entirely different meaning ťha.n the corresponding Slovak words. 'l'he language ques'lion has been doolt with in great detail by Trnovský; if the reader is interested he mlght consult bis work "K rečovej otázke Slovákov" - especially pages 126-157 (published by the "Spolok sv. Vojtecha," Trnava, 1937). Little wonder then that M. Sečenský wrote a book (about 1700) for Slovaks "llving In Hungary" who wanted to learn Czech. The book, called "Swétlonos Cžeský," would teaoh talented and industrlous Slovaks how to read Czech correctly in a week and eventually how to dlst!nguish between words and ,nite correctly in Czech. Thls also proves that the Czecb language was a foreign language to Slovaks, wbo had to learn lt just as any other forelgn language, if they wanted to acqulre the use of lt. But even lf the Slovaks did speak the same language as the Czechs, would that be a valid argument for ~he formatlon of a "Czechoslovak" natlon, ethnically speaklng? Certainly not. And it is less valid as an argument for a joint state lJfe. We have German-speaklng Sw!ss, French-speaking Belgians, Engllsh.,speaklng Irlsh, South Americans speaking Spanish and Portuguese. When books are written in the same language, tbey often belong to dlstlnct llteratures. And the Slovaks are indlsput.ably distinct from tbe Czechs wibh thelr Independent Slovak llterature, whlch is the expre,ssion of Slovak cultural individuality. THE PAST SEPARATES THEM The Slovaks and Czechs neve-r formed a joint state up to 1918. True, Svätopluk annexed the Czecb lamds to tbe Slovak state and held them a few years, but these were politlcally completely autonomous under their own Czech princes. History tells us, too, tbat •the Czechs used the first opportunity that came thefr way to break away from the Slovak state with the help of tbe Germans. Whlle the Czechs l!ved in �SLOVAKIA 61 the broad framework of the German empire, "the Roman Empi•re of the German nation," that is witl1in the framework of the Austrian Erop,ire, the Slovaks on the other hand, were within the framework of the Hungarian empire. T•hese were two distinct worlds, which could not remaln wil!hout influence on the political thought, cultural development, economlc cond,i tlons and social status of both these natlons. "We Czechs know well," wrote the "Narodní Listy" {Nationa l ~ews) at the end of the last centUľY, "that even the strongest movement, wh1ch stlrred our na,tion in all Czech lands from the lowest to <the hlghest strata, was halted at the Hungarian border. The entire past does not show even a single example that a,t home in Bohemia {Czechia), or again in Slovak-ia, t.here was evldent any desire for a political union of the Czechs and Slovaks, not even at the tlme when the Czech kindom was independen,t and the Czech na,tion the ruling element in it." The economic history of Slovakia was altogether different from that of the Cz.ech lands. W,hlle in l!he Cz.eoh lands, under the lnfluence of the indus,trlalization policy of the Habsburgs, capitallstic forms of economy b egan to talke root comparatively very early, In Slovakia the conserva,tive nobility, with the aid of the dominant posltion l<t held in the Hungarian s,tate, successfully defended feudalism until the middle of the nineteen,th century. In Czech Jands, capitallsm could thus begin muoh sooner to form t,he Czech person. while In Slovakia Lhe Slovak person still lived a long time back and worked and was influenced by the economic forms of feudalism. To thls very day •there have been preserved in the Slovaks and Czechs distinct traces of thls 1•ar!ed economic development. CZECH ORIENTATION SEPARATES THEM While the Czechs lived primarily under the cultural influence of the German world and looked out into the world through t,he medium of German windows, the Slovaks Jlved in an entirely different cultural environment. Medieval Hungary .gravltated more towards fäe culture of the Italian peninsula, to Roman culture. Besides that, Hungary on its southern and eastern borders was in contact w!th the culture of the Byzanit:ine,Slovanic world, Into all thls came the cult ure of an Aslatic nation w!tb its own particular flavor: the culture of tbe Magyar nation. F. Wollman, a Czech univers!,ty professor, pointed to the intenslty of Roman cultural influences on the '81ovaks. According to -bim, the Slovaks are In substance slmilarly Romanized as the Poles are. Wbile the Czechs represent a ty.pe of culture common to Germanlzed Slovana {'81avs), the Slovaks are a type of Romanized Slovana ("Východ, východnosť, východnictví," in Nová Svoboda, Feb. 20, 1924). RELIGIOUS TRADITIONS SEPARATE THEM While the Czech religious organizations were influenced by the German world, the Slovaks were in direct contact wlth Roman Christian!ty. While Huss'.itism, Protestantism and the Czedh Brethren Jeft deep traces in Czech religlous hlstory, the rellgious development of the Slovaks went in an entirely different d irect!on. It 1s very slgniflcant and most ,highly characterlstlc that Hu.ssltism, which ls perhaps the mos,t marked manifestat!on of Czech religious development, and one w·hloh took hold to some extent In southern Hungary, malnly �SLOVAKIA among 1:he Rumanlans, evoked practlcally no response in the Slovaks, as wa.s demonstrated by Prof. Varsik in hls book " Husiti a reformácia na Slovensku" (Tbe Hussites and the Reformatlon In Slovak.ia) . Similarly -the movement of the so-called "Czechoslovak Chureh, ' whlch cost Czech Cathollclsm over a million souls, remained completely wlthout response In Slovakla. The national "Czechoslovak" churoh was strictly a Czech enterprise with notihing Slovak about it. The name, of course, was meant to confuse the little-informed and deceive the world in general. This holds for practically all things called "Czechoslovak." Whlle in Bohemia, In 1930, over 10 per cent or the populatlon was wlthout any religlous fa:lth, In Slovakia only 0.51 per cent belonged ,to that category - and tlie greatest part of this was made up of lmmigrant Czech officials, soldiers and police. Indlrectly, the dlsUnctness of rellgious traditions is also shown by the dJstln ct stand taken by the Czech collecUve toward Communism: the Czechs are less negative towards Jt than are the Slovaks. SOCIAL STRUCTURE SEPARATES THEM While in Czechia, In 1921, only 29 per cent of the lnhab itants was engaged in agriculture, in Slovalda 60 per cent of the inhab itants belonged to that category. In Czechia 46 per cent of the lnhabltants lived from industry and buslness, In Slovakia only 21 per cent. It 1s not necessary to stress that people and natlons living from agriculture, represent an altogetber different type of person and natlon tban peoples and nations engaged In buslness and industry. The varied social and economlc struoture of both these natlons and countries appears In other rubrics of statls-tics. The denslty ot the population in Bobemla 1s about 128 lnhabitanots per .square kilometer, while in Slovakia lt is only 62. The biological potentlal 1s different also: Jn 1932, 17.10 Jlving chlldren were bom for each 1000 Czechs In Bobemia, whlle in Slovakla 28.46 Slovak children were born. The Czechs belong to the group of biologically very weak nations, whlle the Slovaks be long to -the group of nations which are biologically strong. Whlle a large part of the Czech nation llves in small towns, the core of the Slovak nation lives in vlllages. Tbe dominant Czech type 1s the small4.owner and industria) worker, whlle the Slovak type is tbe agrlculturlst. ŠVEJK V ERSUS JÁNOŠÍK These actualitles engraved their own deep traces on booth natlon.s. Il dld not happen by chance that the ratlonal, materialistlc, calculatlng "small Czech fellow" found adequate expression for the most popular of his own people's hero In the figure of tbe legendary "good soldler "Švejk" (Shveyk). We find nothlng llke bim wltb. the Slo• va.ks, wbose most typical and most popular type of people's hero 1s tb& rebel Jánošík (Yabnowsheek), tbe romantlc, ldea!ISltlc, magnanimous and herolc Slovak Robin Hood. švejk flghts against Austrian begemony wltb a hunched ba.ek, wi-tb cunning and stealth, petty "sabotage." and wlth polsonous needles. Jánošik. on the other hand, goes lnto the mountalns, flghts herolcally and rallles the people untll he dles for bis idea!. Švejk �63 and J áno!!lk stand agalnst each other as two absolutely distlnct, special tlgures of popu\ar "reslslance" types of two absolutely dlslinot natlonal indlvlduallties. TWO DISTIN CT WORLD S There !s no doubt that the Slovak and Czech worlds are two substantlally dlstlnct worlds. "SlovakJa !s a component part of our Republlc," wrote the Czech newspaperma n Václav Kapllcký in the "Svobodný Zlti'ek" (Free Tomorrow) of July 24, 1947, "but it ls, nevertheless, still forelgn to us, unkuown; a dlfferent people llves there and there are there altogebher d!fferent condltlons of !1fe than In our country." Slmllarly, the French unlverslty professor Ancel, after a stay in Slovakla, declared that "the vila! form.s of the Slovak.s are just as dlstinct trom Czech llfe as they are from Magyar llfe" ( Lea frontierea slovaquea, pg. 28). A Swiss corresponden t, after studylng Jlfe In Slova.kla, wrote: "Only 800 kilometera separate Bratislava from Prague, but arrlvlng In Slovakia, you meet wlth the sounds of a dlfrerent language, a dlfferent ma.nner of llfe, a different manner of thlnklog, a dlfferent po\ltlcal atmosphere" (Journal de Geneve, Sep. tember 30, 1947). Today the Slova.ks and Czechs are more dlstant trom and more allen to each other than they were a thousand years ago, or than they were even In 1938. And as tlme goes on, these natlonal lndivlduallsts wlll be even more pronounced. Thls statement 1s based on the self-evldent soclologlcal development, whlch no one wlll be able to stop or alter. It wlll go on whetber any one likes lt or not. The so-called "<:zechO&lovaks," together wlth thelr Czeoh masters, are effect1vely speedlng thls process wlth thelr limited, short-slghted, un• realistlc pollcy. Once hi.Story undoubtedly wlll prove thls convlnclngly. We bave mentloned only tbe most Jmportaut actuaJltles, whlch &cted together ln tbe dlfferent formatlon of the Slovak nation anu the Czeoh natlon. Tbe narrow tramework ot this perlodlcal does not al\ow us to go lnto more detail. But the tact.s presented clearly lndlcate that the expresslcm referrlng to the Slovaks and Czechs as "two very closely related natlons" slmply wlll not stand up under the cr1tlcal eye of sclentlflc analysls. Conversely, it ls very strlklng that these two nelghborlng natlons have so llttle In common. TWO DIFFERENT MI SSIONS Not only tbe past and present separate the S\ovaks and Czechs, but the tuture as well. The mlsslon of the Slovak natlon 1s In substance altogether dlfferent from that of the Czech natlon. The geo1>olltlcal tunotlon of Slovakla ls dlstinct !rom the runctlon of the Czech lands. Wblle Slova.kla occuples the centra] locatlon In the defense o! the Central-Euro pean area, Czech terrltory occuples the border posltlon. Wblle the Czech lands have a defenslve role agal nst the pressure o! the German world In the Danube, Basin, Slova.kla la supposed to ,bave a coordlnatlng role, and that not only toward German pressure, but even toward lncldental Russlan pressure. After the flrst World War the vlctorlous power.s gave SlovakJa the role to be "a support or the Czechs agalnst German pressure. �64 SLOVAKIA. This conceptlon proved to be !neffective. T he Danube Basin, or Centra! E urope, can be defended only with joint forces. And that !.s possible only when Slovakia wlll not be the cause of any CzechoMagyar or Czecho-Polis h antagonis ms. That will be so only wh en Slovakia is independent. The n s he will be able to fuJflll the function of a consolidating and coord!natlng factor in the pol!t!cal atmosphere of Centra! Europe. • • • WHO SAI D IT? "It is difficul t, nay right impossible, in a short artlcle to no te even in slogan for m the things that are connected with h istor!c November 7, 1947, for the USSR, for us, for Europe, for the whole cultural world. But one thlng can be expre ssed and interpreted fully. And th at is the sincere, deep hearty and undying gratitude of all Czechs a nd Slova ks t o the Soviet Union, to its people, to its Army and to it s s kipper, Generalissimo Stalin, for everyth ing they ha ve done and sti ll are doing for us. It is an unfalsified, selfless and clean feeling of friendshlp and sympathy, which we have for this great country that is so close to us and !s our ne!ghbor. l t is a pur e joy from the ,oys, the su ccesses and the progress of the USSR; !t !s the lnflexible hope that Slavdom, in its own new perception, w ill assure for itself and the world the deserved peace, in wh!ch all nations shall live a ccording to their manner, freely, without fears, democratically and w!th dign!ty, as well as in understanding, prosperity and happiness. In this s pirit, from my so ul I greet the jubileeing USSR, and congratulate lt from my heart for the results attained in peace and war. 1 wlsh it to continue to prosper, grow and become m ightier unto its own greatness, but a lso for the we lfa re of al l humanity. Long live the Soviet Un io n, and may its leader and ski pper, J . V. Stalin, live in fu ll health to see many more jubilees !" - (Dr. J oseph Lettrich, Pres!dent of the Slovak Democratic Party and the Slovak National Counc!I; ÔAS, ~ovember 7, 1947.) • • • • • • " Czechoslovakia a nd th e Uni on of Soviet Socialist Repub lics have united in the midst of fire a nd b lood - thls a lliance, the refore, is for eternity, as love and friendsh ip proven in affliction._,___, We are aware of th e fact that the USSR could sti ll exist w lthout us, but our free State certainly cou ld not exist without th e USS R .. .. Long live the victorlous Soviet Army ! Long live its Supreme Commande r, Gene ral issimo Stali n ! Long live the li berator of Bratislava, Marshal Ma• (ÔAS, the off!cial organ of Lettr!ch's Democratlc linovský !" Party. Apr!I 4. 19-17 ' "In parl!ament on November 7, 1935, when I spoke a bout the international sltuatlon, I s aid that it was my deep conviction that our contacts w ith t he Soviet Un io n shall be good and lasting, that Soviet Rus sia wi ll again beco me a powe rful Slova nic factor, a nd as the most powerfu l S lova n ic fact or would bri ng S lavdom muc h good. We are not c hang ing our stand - a nd th is is the permanent sta nd of the Demo(John U rsi ny, Vice-Premier of Czecho-Slovakla and c rati c Party." Vice-President of tbe Democ ratlr P arty. in Bratislava. February 22. 1947, according to ÔAS. offlclal orga n of tbe SDP, February 27, 1947.) � 58 SLOVA:KIA ARE TIIE SWVAKS AND CZECHS TWO "CWSELY RELATED'' NATIONS? DR. A . GRÉBERT Official propaganda of all Czech governments trom 1918 to 1938 (the era of T. G. Masaryk and Edward Beneš) stated cat&gorically that the Slovaks and the Czechs were "two very closely related" na· tiona. We say "Czech" governments advlsedly, because the Slovaks had llttle or no lnfluence In them; the wm o! the Slovak natlon was totally lgnored when lt came to policy and natlonal and lnternatlonal relationships. The "Czecho-Slovak" (wlth or wlthout the hyphen) admlnlstrations during that tlme were in reality "Czech" admlnlstratlons; "Czecho-Slovak" government was In fact a "Czech" govern· ment. Even the national "Czechoslovak" church was strlctly a "Czech" en terprise. During and immedlately after World War I, T. G. Masary'k and Edward Beneš had to offer some "loglcal" reasons for the creation of a joint political stalte for the Czechs and the Slovaks, because Presldent Wllson had insisted on the appllcation of the democratlc principle of the right of self-determinatlon to all natlons. So. T. G. Masaryk and Beneš set out to prove that the Slov,aks really were not a distinct nation, but only a branch of the Czech natlon, and that the Slovak language was but a dialect of the Czech language. 'l'he CzechoSlovak Republlc was bom of th'!s "big Ile" In 1918. Slnce that tlme, the "big !ie" was promoted constantly by the propaganda aP'l)aratus of the Czecbo·Slovak state. Many non-CZech politiclana, statesmen, hlstorlans and writers succumbed to lt. Among them were some who repudlated the concept ot a "common state," but still thought that the Slovaks and Czechs were, nevertheless, "two very closely related" nations. Among the factors which dec!de the Individuality of a nation, we find: the natural framework within which a nation Ilves, lts racia! composltlon, language, cultural !nfluences, llterature, rellglous develop. ment, social structure, economlc relations, etc. Now, how "very close-Jy related" are the Slovaks and the Czechs? IN THE BEGINNING THERE WERE TWO NATIONS The Slovaks and Czechs already at the beginnlng ot the!r recorded hlstor!es were not members of one natlon, or a common polltlcal state, as most Czech pol!tlcians, hlstorlans an<l writers - and many unlnformed non-Czech commE\lltators, writers, hlstor!ans and polit!· cians, lnfluenced by or in tbe pay ot Czech propaganda - would have the world believe. There !s nothlng in recorded blstory to ind!· cate that the Slovaks and tbe Cze-cbs dld not go separate ways. Thls hlstorlcal fact was upheld even by sueh a typlcal representatlve ot pol!tlcal and cultural "Czechoslovaklsm" as Dr. K. Krofta (Tchéques et Slovaques jusqu' á leur union polltlque," in the LE MONDE SLAVE, March·April, 1933, pg. 2). Chronlclers of the nlntb and tenth centurles clearly dlstlngulshed betwen the two natlons. Paul J. Šafárlk clted many examples to prove thls point In hls "Slawlsche Alterttimer" (Vo!. 2, pages 208, 458, 493). Tbe dlt!erentatlon between the Slovaks and tbe Czecbs, however, be• �SLO:YAKIA 69 gan a Jong tíme ,be!ore that. 1t already began In their ancient, prehlstorlc, common Slovanic homeland. Later, In their new homelands, the indlvJduallty of both natloM became more pronounced. NATURE SEPARATED THEM The Slovak.s are a natlon whose core lives in mountains and hllls, whereas the c ore of the Czech people lnhabits plains. And molllltains and hllls generaJly breed an altogether d<ifferent type of man, psychologically and even physically, than do the Jowlands. Rivers of Czech lands empty lnto the North Sea, whereas the rlvers of Slovaltia, w1th ihe exceptlon of the Dunajec, flow lnto the Black Sea. Wlth the rlV'ers even Slovak !ife gravitated In a d.ifferent directlon from the llfe of úhe Czech nation. The Czech lands, on the one hand, and the Slovak lands, on the other, represent two very distlnct geographical environments, which tended to create two dlstlnct national in• dividualltles. In some Czech propaganda publlcations deslgned for the Engllsh-speaking world, it ls even admitted that after one crosses the Czech border lnto Slovakla "we have the impresslon that we have come to a different world. Nature ls different and the people, too, ls dlstinctly drnferent" (J. Czeoh-J. E. Mellon: "Czechoslovakla, Land of Dream and Enterprise," pg, 132). lf nothing else but nature separated the Slovaks from the Czechs, it undoubtedly would suffice to create and to preserve the dlstlnctly ;;,pecial lndlvlduality of the Slovak natlon. But the Slovaks were un!lke the Czechs In other respects as well. RACIAL COMPOSITION SEPARATE D THEM T•he Czech natlon, surrounded on three sldes as it !s by the German world, undoubtedly was open to racia! lnfluences of tha,t world. T he racia! structure of the Slovaks, on the other hand, was lnfluenced to some extent not only by the Germans, but also by the Slovanlc nat!ons (Poles, Ruthenes, Czechs) and -the U ralo-Alta:!c Magyars, A vars, Pechengs, Cumans, Turks, etc. The Avars ruled over the !and of the Slovaks almost 250 years (to bhe end of the 8th century) and, hence, certainly must have had s ome influence on the racia} structure of t-he Slovak popula,t!on, held in bondage. And hlstory tells u.s, too, that the Slovaks llved In a com• mon poli-tlcal state wlth the Magyars over 900 yeans; and close to the Turks, when they conquered most of Hungary, for some 150 years. And we know that the Poles ruled the Spiš reg.ion of Slovakla from 1412 to 1772. The racia! structure of the Czechs was not affected by the.se lnfluences. Hence, we are lnclined to agree with Podhradszky that raclal composltlon "sharply separates the Slovaks from all the nelghborlng nations and In a special manner deflnes thelr place among all other natlons of the unlverse" ( A t6toklata feldold politikai és kultúrgeo1 gráflája, pg. 53). THEY SPEAK DIFFERENT LANGUAGES Professor Louis Novák once wrote that the Slovak language was a "very ancient" llngual formatlon, one "whlch has had an orlglnal and independent evolutlon, Quite dlfferent from the Czech langua.ge." And he added that "the language ot centra! Slovakla today 1s the �60 SLOVAKIA direct organic contlnuation of the older centra! Slovak tongue, whlch in turn was the direct organlc con-tinuation o[ the respective pre-Slovanlc dialect" (Jazykovedné glosy k čsl. otázke, pg. 89). Pro[essor Henrich Bartek, noted Slovak philologist who ma.de an t'xhaustlve study of the Slovak and Czech languages, concluded that •·the Slovak language in many of its aspects had a different evolution than the Czech language and this fact guarantees it an independent place in the family of Slovanic languages" ( Príspevok k dejinám slovenčiny, pg. 117). 'l'he diHerences between the Slovak and Czech languages are greater than most people are aware of, especially people who have been confounded by Ozech propaganda, Czech schools and books. The Czech language belongs to the group of languages which have a preponderance of the higher vowels, and 1-t has sounds or vocala whlch are not to be found in Slovak. On the oúher hand, we flnd various vocals In Slovak that are foreign to the Czech tongue. The Slovak employs an abundance of diphthongs, while the Czech has only a few. The centra) dialect of Slovakia, the basis of llterary Slovak, has only one declenslon of adjectives, while the Czech has three. 'l'hey also d.tffer greatly in the matter of inflectlon of nouns and verbs. Rules of acc811t, syllable formation, rhythm, composition and syntax, and word formation are also different. The languages are dlfferent lexically, too. Miroslav Kálal, Czech lexicograpber, collected over 35,000 words in three years for hls differential dictionary whlch are not found In Czech, or which have an entirely different meaning ťha.n the corresponding Slovak words. 'l'he language ques'lion has been doolt with in great detail by Trnovský; if the reader is interested he mlght consult bis work "K rečovej otázke Slovákov" - especially pages 126-157 (published by the "Spolok sv. Vojtecha," Trnava, 1937). Little wonder then that M. Sečenský wrote a book (about 1700) for Slovaks "llving In Hungary" who wanted to learn Czech. The book, called "Swétlonos Cžeský," would teaoh talented and industrlous Slovaks how to read Czech correctly in a week and eventually how to dlst!nguish between words and ,nite correctly in Czech. Thls also proves that the Czecb language was a foreign language to Slovaks, wbo had to learn lt just as any other forelgn language, if they wanted to acqulre the use of lt. But even lf the Slovaks did speak the same language as the Czechs, would that be a valid argument for ~he formatlon of a "Czechoslovak" natlon, ethnically speaklng? Certainly not. And it is less valid as an argument for a joint state lJfe. We have German-speaklng Sw!ss, French-speaking Belgians, Engllsh.,speaklng Irlsh, South Americans speaking Spanish and Portuguese. When books are written in the same language, tbey often belong to dlstlnct llteratures. And the Slovaks are indlsput.ably distinct from tbe Czechs wibh thelr Independent Slovak llterature, whlch is the expre,ssion of Slovak cultural individuality. THE PAST SEPARATES THEM The Slovaks and Czechs neve-r formed a joint state up to 1918. True, Svätopluk annexed the Czecb lamds to tbe Slovak state and held them a few years, but these were politlcally completely autonomous under their own Czech princes. History tells us, too, tbat •the Czechs used the first opportunity that came thefr way to break away from the Slovak state with the help of tbe Germans. Whlle the Czechs l!ved in �SLOVAKIA 61 the broad framework of the German empire, "the Roman Empi•re of the German nation," that is witl1in the framework of the Austrian Erop,ire, the Slovaks on the other hand, were within the framework of the Hungarian empire. T•hese were two distinct worlds, which could not remaln wil!hout influence on the political thought, cultural development, economlc cond,i tlons and social status of both these natlons. "We Czechs know well," wrote the "Narodní Listy" {Nationa l ~ews) at the end of the last centUľY, "that even the strongest movement, wh1ch stlrred our na,tion in all Czech lands from the lowest to <the hlghest strata, was halted at the Hungarian border. The entire past does not show even a single example that a,t home in Bohemia {Czechia), or again in Slovak-ia, t.here was evldent any desire for a political union of the Czechs and Slovaks, not even at the tlme when the Czech kindom was independen,t and the Czech na,tion the ruling element in it." The economic history of Slovakia was altogether different from that of the Cz.ech lands. W,hlle in l!he Cz.eoh lands, under the lnfluence of the indus,trlalization policy of the Habsburgs, capitallstic forms of economy b egan to talke root comparatively very early, In Slovakia the conserva,tive nobility, with the aid of the dominant posltion l<t held in the Hungarian s,tate, successfully defended feudalism until the middle of the nineteen,th century. In Czech Jands, capitallsm could thus begin muoh sooner to form t,he Czech person. while In Slovakia Lhe Slovak person still lived a long time back and worked and was influenced by the economic forms of feudalism. To thls very day •there have been preserved in the Slovaks and Czechs distinct traces of thls 1•ar!ed economic development. CZECH ORIENTATION SEPARATES THEM While the Czechs lived primarily under the cultural influence of the German world and looked out into the world through t,he medium of German windows, the Slovaks Jlved in an entirely different cultural environment. Medieval Hungary .gravltated more towards fäe culture of the Italian peninsula, to Roman culture. Besides that, Hungary on its southern and eastern borders was in contact w!th the culture of the Byzanit:ine,Slovanic world, Into all thls came the cult ure of an Aslatic nation w!tb its own particular flavor: the culture of tbe Magyar nation. F. Wollman, a Czech univers!,ty professor, pointed to the intenslty of Roman cultural influences on the '81ovaks. According to -bim, the Slovaks are In substance slmilarly Romanized as the Poles are. Wbile the Czechs represent a ty.pe of culture common to Germanlzed Slovana {'81avs), the Slovaks are a type of Romanized Slovana ("Východ, východnosť, východnictví," in Nová Svoboda, Feb. 20, 1924). RELIGIOUS TRADITIONS SEPARATE THEM While the Czech religious organizations were influenced by the German world, the Slovaks were in direct contact wlth Roman Christian!ty. While Huss'.itism, Protestantism and the Czedh Brethren Jeft deep traces in Czech religlous hlstory, the rellgious development of the Slovaks went in an entirely different d irect!on. It 1s very slgniflcant and most ,highly characterlstlc that Hu.ssltism, which ls perhaps the mos,t marked manifestat!on of Czech religious development, and one w·hloh took hold to some extent In southern Hungary, malnly �SLOVAKIA among 1:he Rumanlans, evoked practlcally no response in the Slovaks, as wa.s demonstrated by Prof. Varsik in hls book " Husiti a reformácia na Slovensku" (Tbe Hussites and the Reformatlon In Slovak.ia) . Similarly -the movement of the so-called "Czechoslovak Chureh, ' whlch cost Czech Cathollclsm over a million souls, remained completely wlthout response In Slovakla. The national "Czechoslovak" churoh was strictly a Czech enterprise with notihing Slovak about it. The name, of course, was meant to confuse the little-informed and deceive the world in general. This holds for practically all things called "Czechoslovak." Whlle in Bohemia, In 1930, over 10 per cent or the populatlon was wlthout any religlous fa:lth, In Slovakia only 0.51 per cent belonged ,to that category - and tlie greatest part of this was made up of lmmigrant Czech officials, soldiers and police. Indlrectly, the dlsUnctness of rellgious traditions is also shown by the dJstln ct stand taken by the Czech collecUve toward Communism: the Czechs are less negative towards Jt than are the Slovaks. SOCIAL STRUCTURE SEPARATES THEM While in Czechia, In 1921, only 29 per cent of the lnhab itants was engaged in agriculture, in Slovalda 60 per cent of the inhab itants belonged to that category. In Czechia 46 per cent of the lnhabltants lived from industry and buslness, In Slovakia only 21 per cent. It 1s not necessary to stress that people and natlons living from agriculture, represent an altogetber different type of person and natlon tban peoples and nations engaged In buslness and industry. The varied social and economlc struoture of both these natlons and countries appears In other rubrics of statls-tics. The denslty ot the population in Bobemla 1s about 128 lnhabitanots per .square kilometer, while in Slovakia lt is only 62. The biological potentlal 1s different also: Jn 1932, 17.10 Jlving chlldren were bom for each 1000 Czechs In Bobemia, whlle in Slovakla 28.46 Slovak children were born. The Czechs belong to the group of biologically very weak nations, whlle the Slovaks be long to -the group of nations which are biologically strong. Whlle a large part of the Czech nation llves in small towns, the core of the Slovak nation lives in vlllages. Tbe dominant Czech type 1s the small4.owner and industria) worker, whlle the Slovak type is tbe agrlculturlst. ŠVEJK V ERSUS JÁNOŠÍK These actualitles engraved their own deep traces on booth natlon.s. Il dld not happen by chance that the ratlonal, materialistlc, calculatlng "small Czech fellow" found adequate expression for the most popular of his own people's hero In the figure of tbe legendary "good soldler "Švejk" (Shveyk). We find nothlng llke bim wltb. the Slo• va.ks, wbose most typical and most popular type of people's hero 1s tb& rebel Jánošík (Yabnowsheek), tbe romantlc, ldea!ISltlc, magnanimous and herolc Slovak Robin Hood. švejk flghts against Austrian begemony wltb a hunched ba.ek, wi-tb cunning and stealth, petty "sabotage." and wlth polsonous needles. Jánošik. on the other hand, goes lnto the mountalns, flghts herolcally and rallles the people untll he dles for bis idea!. Švejk �63 and J áno!!lk stand agalnst each other as two absolutely distlnct, special tlgures of popu\ar "reslslance" types of two absolutely dlslinot natlonal indlvlduallties. TWO DISTIN CT WORLD S There !s no doubt that the Slovak and Czech worlds are two substantlally dlstlnct worlds. "SlovakJa !s a component part of our Republlc," wrote the Czech newspaperma n Václav Kapllcký in the "Svobodný Zlti'ek" (Free Tomorrow) of July 24, 1947, "but it ls, nevertheless, still forelgn to us, unkuown; a dlfferent people llves there and there are there altogebher d!fferent condltlons of !1fe than In our country." Slmllarly, the French unlverslty professor Ancel, after a stay in Slovakla, declared that "the vila! form.s of the Slovak.s are just as dlstinct trom Czech llfe as they are from Magyar llfe" ( Lea frontierea slovaquea, pg. 28). A Swiss corresponden t, after studylng Jlfe In Slova.kla, wrote: "Only 800 kilometera separate Bratislava from Prague, but arrlvlng In Slovakia, you meet wlth the sounds of a dlfrerent language, a dlfferent ma.nner of llfe, a different manner of thlnklog, a dlfferent po\ltlcal atmosphere" (Journal de Geneve, Sep. tember 30, 1947). Today the Slova.ks and Czechs are more dlstant trom and more allen to each other than they were a thousand years ago, or than they were even In 1938. And as tlme goes on, these natlonal lndivlduallsts wlll be even more pronounced. Thls statement 1s based on the self-evldent soclologlcal development, whlch no one wlll be able to stop or alter. It wlll go on whetber any one likes lt or not. The so-called "<:zechO&lovaks," together wlth thelr Czeoh masters, are effect1vely speedlng thls process wlth thelr limited, short-slghted, un• realistlc pollcy. Once hi.Story undoubtedly wlll prove thls convlnclngly. We bave mentloned only tbe most Jmportaut actuaJltles, whlch &cted together ln tbe dlfferent formatlon of the Slovak nation anu the Czeoh natlon. Tbe narrow tramework ot this perlodlcal does not al\ow us to go lnto more detail. But the tact.s presented clearly lndlcate that the expresslcm referrlng to the Slovaks and Czechs as "two very closely related natlons" slmply wlll not stand up under the cr1tlcal eye of sclentlflc analysls. Conversely, it ls very strlklng that these two nelghborlng natlons have so llttle In common. TWO DIFFERENT MI SSIONS Not only tbe past and present separate the S\ovaks and Czechs, but the tuture as well. The mlsslon of the Slovak natlon 1s In substance altogether dlfferent from that of the Czech natlon. The geo1>olltlcal tunotlon of Slovakla ls dlstinct !rom the runctlon of the Czech lands. Wblle Slova.kla occuples the centra] locatlon In the defense o! the Central-Euro pean area, Czech terrltory occuples the border posltlon. Wblle the Czech lands have a defenslve role agal nst the pressure o! the German world In the Danube, Basin, Slova.kla la supposed to ,bave a coordlnatlng role, and that not only toward German pressure, but even toward lncldental Russlan pressure. After the flrst World War the vlctorlous power.s gave SlovakJa the role to be "a support or the Czechs agalnst German pressure. �64 SLOVAKIA. This conceptlon proved to be !neffective. T he Danube Basin, or Centra! E urope, can be defended only with joint forces. And that !.s possible only when Slovakia wlll not be the cause of any CzechoMagyar or Czecho-Polis h antagonis ms. That will be so only wh en Slovakia is independent. The n s he will be able to fuJflll the function of a consolidating and coord!natlng factor in the pol!t!cal atmosphere of Centra! Europe. • • • WHO SAI D IT? "It is difficul t, nay right impossible, in a short artlcle to no te even in slogan for m the things that are connected with h istor!c November 7, 1947, for the USSR, for us, for Europe, for the whole cultural world. But one thlng can be expre ssed and interpreted fully. And th at is the sincere, deep hearty and undying gratitude of all Czechs a nd Slova ks t o the Soviet Union, to its people, to its Army and to it s s kipper, Generalissimo Stalin, for everyth ing they ha ve done and sti ll are doing for us. It is an unfalsified, selfless and clean feeling of friendshlp and sympathy, which we have for this great country that is so close to us and !s our ne!ghbor. l t is a pur e joy from the ,oys, the su ccesses and the progress of the USSR; !t !s the lnflexible hope that Slavdom, in its own new perception, w ill assure for itself and the world the deserved peace, in wh!ch all nations shall live a ccording to their manner, freely, without fears, democratically and w!th dign!ty, as well as in understanding, prosperity and happiness. In this s pirit, from my so ul I greet the jubileeing USSR, and congratulate lt from my heart for the results attained in peace and war. 1 wlsh it to continue to prosper, grow and become m ightier unto its own greatness, but a lso for the we lfa re of al l humanity. Long live the Soviet Un io n, and may its leader and ski pper, J . V. Stalin, live in fu ll health to see many more jubilees !" - (Dr. J oseph Lettrich, Pres!dent of the Slovak Democratic Party and the Slovak National Counc!I; ÔAS, ~ovember 7, 1947.) • • • • • • " Czechoslovakia a nd th e Uni on of Soviet Socialist Repub lics have united in the midst of fire a nd b lood - thls a lliance, the refore, is for eternity, as love and friendsh ip proven in affliction._,___, We are aware of th e fact that the USSR could sti ll exist w lthout us, but our free State certainly cou ld not exist without th e USS R .. .. Long live the victorlous Soviet Army ! Long live its Supreme Commande r, Gene ral issimo Stali n ! Long live the li berator of Bratislava, Marshal Ma• (ÔAS, the off!cial organ of Lettr!ch's Democratlc linovský !" Party. Apr!I 4. 19-17 ' "In parl!ament on November 7, 1935, when I spoke a bout the international sltuatlon, I s aid that it was my deep conviction that our contacts w ith t he Soviet Un io n shall be good and lasting, that Soviet Rus sia wi ll again beco me a powe rful Slova nic factor, a nd as the most powerfu l S lova n ic fact or would bri ng S lavdom muc h good. We are not c hang ing our stand - a nd th is is the permanent sta nd of the Demo(John U rsi ny, Vice-Premier of Czecho-Slovakla and c rati c Party." Vice-President of tbe Democ ratlr P arty. in Bratislava. February 22. 1947, according to ÔAS. offlclal orga n of tbe SDP, February 27, 1947.) � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource 1952, Vol. 2 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available The Slovak League of America Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1952 Description An account of the resource <ul><li>Issue 1 (No. 3), March 1952.</li> <li>Issue 2 (No. 4), August 1952.</li> <li>Issue 3 (No. 5), December 1952.</li> </ul> Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document 58 SLOVA:KIA ARE TIIE SWVAKS AND CZECHS TWO "CWSELY RELATED'' NATIONS? DR. A . GRÉBERT Official propaganda of all Czech governments trom 1918 to 1938 (the era of T. G. Masaryk and Edward Beneš) stated cat&gorically that the Slovaks and the Czechs were "two very closely related" na· tiona. We say "Czech" governments advlsedly, because the Slovaks had llttle or no lnfluence In them; the wm o! the Slovak natlon was totally lgnored when lt came to policy and natlonal and lnternatlonal relationships. The "Czecho-Slovak" (wlth or wlthout the hyphen) admlnlstrations during that tlme were in reality "Czech" admlnlstratlons; "Czecho-Slovak" government was In fact a "Czech" govern· ment. Even the national "Czechoslovak" church was strlctly a "Czech" en terprise. During and immedlately after World War I, T. G. Masary'k and Edward Beneš had to offer some "loglcal" reasons for the creation of a joint political stalte for the Czechs and the Slovaks, because Presldent Wllson had insisted on the appllcation of the democratlc principle of the right of self-determinatlon to all natlons. So. T. G. Masaryk and Beneš set out to prove that the Slov,aks really were not a distinct nation, but only a branch of the Czech natlon, and that the Slovak language was but a dialect of the Czech language. 'l'he CzechoSlovak Republlc was bom of th'!s "big Ile" In 1918. Slnce that tlme, the "big !ie" was promoted constantly by the propaganda aP'l)aratus of the Czecbo·Slovak state. Many non-CZech politiclana, statesmen, hlstorlans and writers succumbed to lt. Among them were some who repudlated the concept ot a "common state," but still thought that the Slovaks and Czechs were, nevertheless, "two very closely related" nations. Among the factors which dec!de the Individuality of a nation, we find: the natural framework within which a nation Ilves, lts racia! composltlon, language, cultural !nfluences, llterature, rellglous develop. ment, social structure, economlc relations, etc. Now, how "very close-Jy related" are the Slovaks and the Czechs? IN THE BEGINNING THERE WERE TWO NATIONS The Slovaks and Czechs already at the beginnlng ot the!r recorded hlstor!es were not members of one natlon, or a common polltlcal state, as most Czech pol!tlcians, hlstorlans an<l writers - and many unlnformed non-Czech commE\lltators, writers, hlstor!ans and polit!· cians, lnfluenced by or in tbe pay ot Czech propaganda - would have the world believe. There !s nothlng in recorded blstory to ind!· cate that the Slovaks and tbe Cze-cbs dld not go separate ways. Thls hlstorlcal fact was upheld even by sueh a typlcal representatlve ot pol!tlcal and cultural "Czechoslovaklsm" as Dr. K. Krofta (Tchéques et Slovaques jusqu' á leur union polltlque," in the LE MONDE SLAVE, March·April, 1933, pg. 2). Chronlclers of the nlntb and tenth centurles clearly dlstlngulshed betwen the two natlons. Paul J. Šafárlk clted many examples to prove thls point In hls "Slawlsche Alterttimer" (Vo!. 2, pages 208, 458, 493). Tbe dlt!erentatlon between the Slovaks and tbe Czecbs, however, be• SLO:YAKIA 69 gan a Jong tíme ,be!ore that. 1t already began In their ancient, prehlstorlc, common Slovanic homeland. Later, In their new homelands, the indlvJduallty of both natloM became more pronounced. NATURE SEPARATED THEM The Slovak.s are a natlon whose core lives in mountains and hllls, whereas the c ore of the Czech people lnhabits plains. And molllltains and hllls generaJly breed an altogether d<ifferent type of man, psychologically and even physically, than do the Jowlands. Rivers of Czech lands empty lnto the North Sea, whereas the rlvers of Slovaltia, w1th ihe exceptlon of the Dunajec, flow lnto the Black Sea. Wlth the rlV'ers even Slovak !ife gravitated In a d.ifferent directlon from the llfe of úhe Czech nation. The Czech lands, on the one hand, and the Slovak lands, on the other, represent two very distlnct geographical environments, which tended to create two dlstlnct national in• dividualltles. In some Czech propaganda publlcations deslgned for the Engllsh-speaking world, it ls even admitted that after one crosses the Czech border lnto Slovakla "we have the impresslon that we have come to a different world. Nature ls different and the people, too, ls dlstinctly drnferent" (J. Czeoh-J. E. Mellon: "Czechoslovakla, Land of Dream and Enterprise," pg, 132). lf nothing else but nature separated the Slovaks from the Czechs, it undoubtedly would suffice to create and to preserve the dlstlnctly ;;,pecial lndlvlduality of the Slovak natlon. But the Slovaks were un!lke the Czechs In other respects as well. RACIAL COMPOSITION SEPARATE D THEM T•he Czech natlon, surrounded on three sldes as it !s by the German world, undoubtedly was open to racia! lnfluences of tha,t world. T he racia! structure of the Slovaks, on the other hand, was lnfluenced to some extent not only by the Germans, but also by the Slovanlc nat!ons (Poles, Ruthenes, Czechs) and -the U ralo-Alta:!c Magyars, A vars, Pechengs, Cumans, Turks, etc. The Avars ruled over the !and of the Slovaks almost 250 years (to bhe end of the 8th century) and, hence, certainly must have had s ome influence on the racia} structure of t-he Slovak popula,t!on, held in bondage. And hlstory tells u.s, too, that the Slovaks llved In a com• mon poli-tlcal state wlth the Magyars over 900 yeans; and close to the Turks, when they conquered most of Hungary, for some 150 years. And we know that the Poles ruled the Spiš reg.ion of Slovakla from 1412 to 1772. The racia! structure of the Czechs was not affected by the.se lnfluences. Hence, we are lnclined to agree with Podhradszky that raclal composltlon "sharply separates the Slovaks from all the nelghborlng nations and In a special manner deflnes thelr place among all other natlons of the unlverse" ( A t6toklata feldold politikai és kultúrgeo1 gráflája, pg. 53). THEY SPEAK DIFFERENT LANGUAGES Professor Louis Novák once wrote that the Slovak language was a "very ancient" llngual formatlon, one "whlch has had an orlglnal and independent evolutlon, Quite dlfferent from the Czech langua.ge." And he added that "the language ot centra! Slovakla today 1s the 60 SLOVAKIA direct organic contlnuation of the older centra! Slovak tongue, whlch in turn was the direct organlc con-tinuation o[ the respective pre-Slovanlc dialect" (Jazykovedné glosy k čsl. otázke, pg. 89). Pro[essor Henrich Bartek, noted Slovak philologist who ma.de an t'xhaustlve study of the Slovak and Czech languages, concluded that •·the Slovak language in many of its aspects had a different evolution than the Czech language and this fact guarantees it an independent place in the family of Slovanic languages" ( Príspevok k dejinám slovenčiny, pg. 117). 'l'he diHerences between the Slovak and Czech languages are greater than most people are aware of, especially people who have been confounded by Ozech propaganda, Czech schools and books. The Czech language belongs to the group of languages which have a preponderance of the higher vowels, and 1-t has sounds or vocala whlch are not to be found in Slovak. On the oúher hand, we flnd various vocals In Slovak that are foreign to the Czech tongue. The Slovak employs an abundance of diphthongs, while the Czech has only a few. The centra) dialect of Slovakia, the basis of llterary Slovak, has only one declenslon of adjectives, while the Czech has three. 'l'hey also d.tffer greatly in the matter of inflectlon of nouns and verbs. Rules of acc811t, syllable formation, rhythm, composition and syntax, and word formation are also different. The languages are dlfferent lexically, too. Miroslav Kálal, Czech lexicograpber, collected over 35,000 words in three years for hls differential dictionary whlch are not found In Czech, or which have an entirely different meaning ťha.n the corresponding Slovak words. 'l'he language ques'lion has been doolt with in great detail by Trnovský; if the reader is interested he mlght consult bis work "K rečovej otázke Slovákov" - especially pages 126-157 (published by the "Spolok sv. Vojtecha," Trnava, 1937). Little wonder then that M. Sečenský wrote a book (about 1700) for Slovaks "llving In Hungary" who wanted to learn Czech. The book, called "Swétlonos Cžeský," would teaoh talented and industrlous Slovaks how to read Czech correctly in a week and eventually how to dlst!nguish between words and ,nite correctly in Czech. Thls also proves that the Czecb language was a foreign language to Slovaks, wbo had to learn lt just as any other forelgn language, if they wanted to acqulre the use of lt. But even lf the Slovaks did speak the same language as the Czechs, would that be a valid argument for ~he formatlon of a "Czechoslovak" natlon, ethnically speaklng? Certainly not. And it is less valid as an argument for a joint state lJfe. We have German-speaklng Sw!ss, French-speaking Belgians, Engllsh.,speaklng Irlsh, South Americans speaking Spanish and Portuguese. When books are written in the same language, tbey often belong to dlstlnct llteratures. And the Slovaks are indlsput.ably distinct from tbe Czechs wibh thelr Independent Slovak llterature, whlch is the expre,ssion of Slovak cultural individuality. THE PAST SEPARATES THEM The Slovaks and Czechs neve-r formed a joint state up to 1918. True, Svätopluk annexed the Czecb lamds to tbe Slovak state and held them a few years, but these were politlcally completely autonomous under their own Czech princes. History tells us, too, tbat •the Czechs used the first opportunity that came thefr way to break away from the Slovak state with the help of tbe Germans. Whlle the Czechs l!ved in SLOVAKIA 61 the broad framework of the German empire, "the Roman Empi•re of the German nation," that is witl1in the framework of the Austrian Erop,ire, the Slovaks on the other hand, were within the framework of the Hungarian empire. T•hese were two distinct worlds, which could not remaln wil!hout influence on the political thought, cultural development, economlc cond,i tlons and social status of both these natlons. "We Czechs know well," wrote the "Narodní Listy" {Nationa l ~ews) at the end of the last centUľY, "that even the strongest movement, wh1ch stlrred our na,tion in all Czech lands from the lowest to <the hlghest strata, was halted at the Hungarian border. The entire past does not show even a single example that a,t home in Bohemia {Czechia), or again in Slovak-ia, t.here was evldent any desire for a political union of the Czechs and Slovaks, not even at the tlme when the Czech kindom was independen,t and the Czech na,tion the ruling element in it." The economic history of Slovakia was altogether different from that of the Cz.ech lands. W,hlle in l!he Cz.eoh lands, under the lnfluence of the indus,trlalization policy of the Habsburgs, capitallstic forms of economy b egan to talke root comparatively very early, In Slovakia the conserva,tive nobility, with the aid of the dominant posltion l<t held in the Hungarian s,tate, successfully defended feudalism until the middle of the nineteen,th century. In Czech Jands, capitallsm could thus begin muoh sooner to form t,he Czech person. while In Slovakia Lhe Slovak person still lived a long time back and worked and was influenced by the economic forms of feudalism. To thls very day •there have been preserved in the Slovaks and Czechs distinct traces of thls 1•ar!ed economic development. CZECH ORIENTATION SEPARATES THEM While the Czechs lived primarily under the cultural influence of the German world and looked out into the world through t,he medium of German windows, the Slovaks Jlved in an entirely different cultural environment. Medieval Hungary .gravltated more towards fäe culture of the Italian peninsula, to Roman culture. Besides that, Hungary on its southern and eastern borders was in contact w!th the culture of the Byzanit:ine,Slovanic world, Into all thls came the cult ure of an Aslatic nation w!tb its own particular flavor: the culture of tbe Magyar nation. F. Wollman, a Czech univers!,ty professor, pointed to the intenslty of Roman cultural influences on the '81ovaks. According to -bim, the Slovaks are In substance slmilarly Romanized as the Poles are. Wbile the Czechs represent a ty.pe of culture common to Germanlzed Slovana {'81avs), the Slovaks are a type of Romanized Slovana ("Východ, východnosť, východnictví," in Nová Svoboda, Feb. 20, 1924). RELIGIOUS TRADITIONS SEPARATE THEM While the Czech religious organizations were influenced by the German world, the Slovaks were in direct contact wlth Roman Christian!ty. While Huss'.itism, Protestantism and the Czedh Brethren Jeft deep traces in Czech religlous hlstory, the rellgious development of the Slovaks went in an entirely different d irect!on. It 1s very slgniflcant and most ,highly characterlstlc that Hu.ssltism, which ls perhaps the mos,t marked manifestat!on of Czech religious development, and one w·hloh took hold to some extent In southern Hungary, malnly SLOVAKIA among 1:he Rumanlans, evoked practlcally no response in the Slovaks, as wa.s demonstrated by Prof. Varsik in hls book " Husiti a reformácia na Slovensku" (Tbe Hussites and the Reformatlon In Slovak.ia) . Similarly -the movement of the so-called "Czechoslovak Chureh, ' whlch cost Czech Cathollclsm over a million souls, remained completely wlthout response In Slovakla. The national "Czechoslovak" churoh was strictly a Czech enterprise with notihing Slovak about it. The name, of course, was meant to confuse the little-informed and deceive the world in general. This holds for practically all things called "Czechoslovak." Whlle in Bohemia, In 1930, over 10 per cent or the populatlon was wlthout any religlous fa:lth, In Slovakia only 0.51 per cent belonged ,to that category - and tlie greatest part of this was made up of lmmigrant Czech officials, soldiers and police. Indlrectly, the dlsUnctness of rellgious traditions is also shown by the dJstln ct stand taken by the Czech collecUve toward Communism: the Czechs are less negative towards Jt than are the Slovaks. SOCIAL STRUCTURE SEPARATES THEM While in Czechia, In 1921, only 29 per cent of the lnhab itants was engaged in agriculture, in Slovalda 60 per cent of the inhab itants belonged to that category. In Czechia 46 per cent of the lnhabltants lived from industry and buslness, In Slovakia only 21 per cent. It 1s not necessary to stress that people and natlons living from agriculture, represent an altogetber different type of person and natlon tban peoples and nations engaged In buslness and industry. The varied social and economlc struoture of both these natlons and countries appears In other rubrics of statls-tics. The denslty ot the population in Bobemla 1s about 128 lnhabitanots per .square kilometer, while in Slovakia lt is only 62. The biological potentlal 1s different also: Jn 1932, 17.10 Jlving chlldren were bom for each 1000 Czechs In Bobemia, whlle in Slovakla 28.46 Slovak children were born. The Czechs belong to the group of biologically very weak nations, whlle the Slovaks be long to -the group of nations which are biologically strong. Whlle a large part of the Czech nation llves in small towns, the core of the Slovak nation lives in vlllages. Tbe dominant Czech type 1s the small4.owner and industria) worker, whlle the Slovak type is tbe agrlculturlst. ŠVEJK V ERSUS JÁNOŠÍK These actualitles engraved their own deep traces on booth natlon.s. Il dld not happen by chance that the ratlonal, materialistlc, calculatlng "small Czech fellow" found adequate expression for the most popular of his own people's hero In the figure of tbe legendary "good soldler "Švejk" (Shveyk). We find nothlng llke bim wltb. the Slo• va.ks, wbose most typical and most popular type of people's hero 1s tb& rebel Jánošík (Yabnowsheek), tbe romantlc, ldea!ISltlc, magnanimous and herolc Slovak Robin Hood. švejk flghts against Austrian begemony wltb a hunched ba.ek, wi-tb cunning and stealth, petty "sabotage." and wlth polsonous needles. Jánošik. on the other hand, goes lnto the mountalns, flghts herolcally and rallles the people untll he dles for bis idea!. Švejk 63 and J áno!!lk stand agalnst each other as two absolutely distlnct, special tlgures of popu\ar "reslslance" types of two absolutely dlslinot natlonal indlvlduallties. TWO DISTIN CT WORLD S There !s no doubt that the Slovak and Czech worlds are two substantlally dlstlnct worlds. "SlovakJa !s a component part of our Republlc," wrote the Czech newspaperma n Václav Kapllcký in the "Svobodný Zlti'ek" (Free Tomorrow) of July 24, 1947, "but it ls, nevertheless, still forelgn to us, unkuown; a dlfferent people llves there and there are there altogebher d!fferent condltlons of !1fe than In our country." Slmllarly, the French unlverslty professor Ancel, after a stay in Slovakla, declared that "the vila! form.s of the Slovak.s are just as dlstinct trom Czech llfe as they are from Magyar llfe" ( Lea frontierea slovaquea, pg. 28). A Swiss corresponden t, after studylng Jlfe In Slova.kla, wrote: "Only 800 kilometera separate Bratislava from Prague, but arrlvlng In Slovakia, you meet wlth the sounds of a dlfrerent language, a dlfferent ma.nner of llfe, a different manner of thlnklog, a dlfferent po\ltlcal atmosphere" (Journal de Geneve, Sep. tember 30, 1947). Today the Slova.ks and Czechs are more dlstant trom and more allen to each other than they were a thousand years ago, or than they were even In 1938. And as tlme goes on, these natlonal lndivlduallsts wlll be even more pronounced. Thls statement 1s based on the self-evldent soclologlcal development, whlch no one wlll be able to stop or alter. It wlll go on whetber any one likes lt or not. The so-called "<:zechO&lovaks," together wlth thelr Czeoh masters, are effect1vely speedlng thls process wlth thelr limited, short-slghted, un• realistlc pollcy. Once hi.Story undoubtedly wlll prove thls convlnclngly. We bave mentloned only tbe most Jmportaut actuaJltles, whlch &cted together ln tbe dlfferent formatlon of the Slovak nation anu the Czeoh natlon. Tbe narrow tramework ot this perlodlcal does not al\ow us to go lnto more detail. But the tact.s presented clearly lndlcate that the expresslcm referrlng to the Slovaks and Czechs as "two very closely related natlons" slmply wlll not stand up under the cr1tlcal eye of sclentlflc analysls. Conversely, it ls very strlklng that these two nelghborlng natlons have so llttle In common. TWO DIFFERENT MI SSIONS Not only tbe past and present separate the S\ovaks and Czechs, but the tuture as well. The mlsslon of the Slovak natlon 1s In substance altogether dlfferent from that of the Czech natlon. The geo1>olltlcal tunotlon of Slovakla ls dlstinct !rom the runctlon of the Czech lands. Wblle Slova.kla occuples the centra] locatlon In the defense o! the Central-Euro pean area, Czech terrltory occuples the border posltlon. Wblle the Czech lands have a defenslve role agal nst the pressure o! the German world In the Danube, Basin, Slova.kla la supposed to ,bave a coordlnatlng role, and that not only toward German pressure, but even toward lncldental Russlan pressure. After the flrst World War the vlctorlous power.s gave SlovakJa the role to be "a support or the Czechs agalnst German pressure. 64 SLOVAKIA. This conceptlon proved to be !neffective. T he Danube Basin, or Centra! E urope, can be defended only with joint forces. And that !.s possible only when Slovakia wlll not be the cause of any CzechoMagyar or Czecho-Polis h antagonis ms. That will be so only wh en Slovakia is independent. The n s he will be able to fuJflll the function of a consolidating and coord!natlng factor in the pol!t!cal atmosphere of Centra! Europe. • • • WHO SAI D IT? "It is difficul t, nay right impossible, in a short artlcle to no te even in slogan for m the things that are connected with h istor!c November 7, 1947, for the USSR, for us, for Europe, for the whole cultural world. But one thlng can be expre ssed and interpreted fully. And th at is the sincere, deep hearty and undying gratitude of all Czechs a nd Slova ks t o the Soviet Union, to its people, to its Army and to it s s kipper, Generalissimo Stalin, for everyth ing they ha ve done and sti ll are doing for us. It is an unfalsified, selfless and clean feeling of friendshlp and sympathy, which we have for this great country that is so close to us and !s our ne!ghbor. l t is a pur e joy from the ,oys, the su ccesses and the progress of the USSR; !t !s the lnflexible hope that Slavdom, in its own new perception, w ill assure for itself and the world the deserved peace, in wh!ch all nations shall live a ccording to their manner, freely, without fears, democratically and w!th dign!ty, as well as in understanding, prosperity and happiness. In this s pirit, from my so ul I greet the jubileeing USSR, and congratulate lt from my heart for the results attained in peace and war. 1 wlsh it to continue to prosper, grow and become m ightier unto its own greatness, but a lso for the we lfa re of al l humanity. Long live the Soviet Un io n, and may its leader and ski pper, J . V. Stalin, live in fu ll health to see many more jubilees !" - (Dr. J oseph Lettrich, Pres!dent of the Slovak Democratic Party and the Slovak National Counc!I; ÔAS, ~ovember 7, 1947.) • • • • • • " Czechoslovakia a nd th e Uni on of Soviet Socialist Repub lics have united in the midst of fire a nd b lood - thls a lliance, the refore, is for eternity, as love and friendsh ip proven in affliction._,___, We are aware of th e fact that the USSR could sti ll exist w lthout us, but our free State certainly cou ld not exist without th e USS R .. .. Long live the victorlous Soviet Army ! Long live its Supreme Commande r, Gene ral issimo Stali n ! Long live the li berator of Bratislava, Marshal Ma• (ÔAS, the off!cial organ of Lettr!ch's Democratlc linovský !" Party. Apr!I 4. 19-17 ' "In parl!ament on November 7, 1935, when I spoke a bout the international sltuatlon, I s aid that it was my deep conviction that our contacts w ith t he Soviet Un io n shall be good and lasting, that Soviet Rus sia wi ll again beco me a powe rful Slova nic factor, a nd as the most powerfu l S lova n ic fact or would bri ng S lavdom muc h good. We are not c hang ing our stand - a nd th is is the permanent sta nd of the Demo(John U rsi ny, Vice-Premier of Czecho-Slovakla and c rati c Party." Vice-President of tbe Democ ratlr P arty. in Bratislava. February 22. 1947, according to ÔAS. offlclal orga n of tbe SDP, February 27, 1947.)  Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Are the Slovaks and Czechs Two "Closely Related" Nations? Description An account of the resource Dr. A. Grébert Slovakia, Vol. 2, No. 3 (5), December 1952 pp. 58-64 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Grébert, Arvéd, 1915-2001 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource December 1952 LCNAF+dates https://slovakia.wordsofpassage.net/files/original/e569ca39b248734e436889efd01f4eca.pdf f871f88f76f4deea3b0c30aed267baae PDF Text Text SLOVAKIA 3 .6JSSEMBL Y OF CAPTIVE EUROPEAN N~TIONS: CONFLICT BETWEEN IDEA AND DEED JOSEPH CIEK·ER The politics of the non-Communi st world loses much of its aggressivenes s, attractiveness and snap because of the frequent conflict between thought and action, between an ideal and reality, between the height of the noblest values and the baseness of those money-change rs who have made a profession out of politics. If this frequent conflict in the politics of the non-Communi st world is judged benevolently, reasons will be found to explain it, even if not for justification. If, however, in the directing of this conflict politics is being made by people whose personal, moral and national obligation it should be to perseveringly make politics of principles, politics of spiritual and moral revival, politics of li-berating the nations fettered by the chains of communist violence, then this conflict even with the greatest benevolence cannot find neither explanation, nor justification. Undoubtedly great ideas and noble ideas inspired the organization of the Assembly of Captive Nations (ACEN) The "Czechoslovak" delegation or represenfation of the A•ssemlbly of Captive European Natioms is made up of persons who were - all of th€.m with the ,exce•p.tion of Dr. Stephen Osusky memlbel's o.f the po·s twar Communist-dom inated National Ff,(mt Government (1945°1948) of the Benes-<Gottwaild coaJitil()n, whi:ch CO'lla'borated fully wi'th the Soviet Union (Benes's ''Czechosl()IVaJk-S<wiet" tr·e aty of Dec. 112, 1'943, was the "cornerstone" of Pr,a gue's foreign policy). They are con'sidered responsilble in a large measure fo.r the present hapless plig,h t of the Slov,aks and Czechs. Osusky was chosen to head the delega,tion, ibecaus·e he was "cleane·r " tha~, the others. on September 20, 1954. The principal aim of this organization, as expressed on its shield, is: "Freedom and national independence for the nations of Central and Eastern Europe enslaved by the Soviets." The roster of the nations "enslaved by the Soviets'~ �4 SLOVAKIA should contain the names of all the nations (not only the names of the political formations they are enslaved in) which, from the day of their occupation by the Reds, are fighting, suffering and dying for the concept of freedom and independence. Europe and the entire non-Communist world would like to see in this Assembly of Captive Nations ALL of the nations that are held captive by the USSR. Elementary political honor and the most primitive political loyalty to the ideal of freedom and independence, to this truth and the political and national realities in Central and Eastern Europe, have demanded from the very beginning - and perseveringly demand even today - that this organization - which has pledged itself before the non--Communist world that it wishes to express the spiritual, moral, and political content of the enslaved nations - will keep its given word and shall in its own conduct be identified with the aim expressed on its shield. Unfortunately, this was not so. And it still is not so. This Assembly is not an assemly of ALL the nations held in captivity. Its beautifully expressed aim has been, and still "At a time when i,n the free part of the world, peoples who have never enjoy,ed self-government in the past are gradua'1ly attaining ruat ionhood and are assisted by the United NatilQlns in the aichievement of their rightful aspirations - the exact reverse process has been t·ailcirng place in Central a1nd :Ela,s tern Europe." (AIO:EJN statement, Sept. 20, 1·954). Adden<lum: Amid this "reverse pr,ocess" has been goin,g on in Ozeicho-Slov.akia {even under the leadership of T. G. Mia•s•aryik and Dr. Edward Benes) ever since the birth of that glorified "isle of democracy." The Slovaks never enjoyed self-govern'ment or home rule within the fr,a1m~ol'lk of Czech<H5lovakia - not eve n, after members of tlhe present "polibiical representations in exile," \\iho now olaillD. to 1b e ''the genuine voice of the peoples," were members of the Czecho.SlO'V,ak government. is, refuted by the actions of this organization. Its actions belie its noble words. From its very beginning, this organization has been in sharp and basic conflict not only with its own expressed noble ideals, but even with its very own substance. It has not become a dynamic force for the realization of the idea of freedom and independence, but only an instrument of obsolete political garnitures and politi- �SLOVAKIA 5 cal parties that have been crushed and cast off by Communism. Thinking in terms of their past functions, they want to bring back the past. The organization, which - under the given international circumstances, at this twelfth hour, in this amazing shake-up of continents, in this transformation of people and nations, on this cross-roads of universal history should have a great mission, has remained a paralyzed formation because it has renounced the magnanimity which its ideals had assured. Universally valid ideas and principles - being realized today in the jungles of Africa and Asiatic wastelands - have been scrapped by this organization when the same ideas and principles applied equally to all the nations of Central and Eastern Europe. The Assembly of Captive European Nations has, in fact, become an exclusive club of the privileged. Instead of being the interpreter of the will of the historical, organic and •live nations before the world public opinion, in the press, publications, in cultural, scientific and political institutions, in international organizations, in propaganda organs, in parliaments and congresses, in diplomatic and military circles, this organization has become the interpreter of select and dying political garnitures. After so many tragic experiences of the nations of Central and Eastern Europe, after so many disappointments and much suffering, after so many mistakes and catastrophies, Europe and the non-Communist world in general do have the right to learn the truth, the whole truth about the political and national realities of the area which today is primarily dependent on the Kremlin. The fact is that the people in responsible positions in the As~ sembly of Captive European Nations have not come out with the whole truth, and the Western world, making international politics, has not as yet made up its mind to press for the whole truth to find out what the nations in Soviet captivity really want and how they picture the reorganization of Central and Eastern Europe. Europe and the non-Communist world should not be expected to accept, in the name of freedom and independence, political products which time has made obsolete and �6 SLOVAKIA which the moths have eaten through. This Europe going forward with renovation, this Europe which in the interest of its own preservat-ion is on the road to unification on the basis of the positive Christian forces within it existing, as expressed in the national individualities, - this non-Communist world, which is being organized on the basis of freedom and independence of the Afr.ican and Asiatic tribes, cannot be permanently deceived as far as the will of the nations of Central and Eastern Europe is concerned. If on the strengbh of the idea freedom and independence, the Albanians, Bulgarians, Czechoslovakians, Estonians, Latvians, Lithuanians, Hungarians, Poles, and Rumanians are represented in the Assembly of Captive European Nations, why are not, on the strength of the same concept of freedom and independence, the Slovaks, Ukrainians, Czechs, Byelorussians, Croatians, Slovenians, Serbians, and the rest of the European national individualities, represented there by their interpreters, since they all suffer the same fate? This aJPparent conflict between idea and deed debases eV1en the positive things the organization has accomplished and can still accomplish. One cannot work constructively "We herewi.th d·e elare our solidarity and pledge our assis'ta'r.1Ce to all who are oppressed, to those who aire being wronged, to the exploited, to the down-trodden, to the ,b etrayed, wha1tev,e r their ina1tiionality, race or creed. The misuse of justified national and social aspira,tions by oppre-s-sive interniatiiona1l Communism must be stopped." - Statement of ACEN, Sept. 20, 1954). Words, words, words - sterHe words! The fa.ct is that tbe A&Sembly of Oapti,ve European Naitions ignores and repudiates the right of the Slovaks, Ukr.ainians, Croatia•ns, Slov-e nians, etc., to freedom, irudependence, and self-determination. Indeed, thoe "misuse of justified national and socia1l aspirati-ons" even of oppressive ''Ozechoslovakism" must be stopped! and successfully for the common good of Europe and the non-Communist world if he is burdened with basic ideological, political and moral conflicts. One cannot logically be for freedom and independence of A L L nations and, at the same time, against the freedom and independence of SOME nations. One cannot logically and honestly be for the freedom and independence of a political territory, but �SLOVAKIA 7 opposed to the freedom and independence of the peoples within that territory. People who always have their heads turned back to the past (the old order in which they functioned as officials) cannot move along with the development of Europe and the world. If the people of the Assembly of Captive European Nations can have recourse to any kind of legitimacy, the latter can have validity only as long as those "representatives" express the authentic will of their respective nations, and as long as by word and deed they are identified with the concept of freedom and independence of every nation. Furthermore, politically, morally, and legally it is not right to base the legitimacy of expressing the will of the national societies of today on the basis of the legitimacies of political parties and group interests of societies which today do not exist. The nations even in this bondage, in this captivity, have gone forward and new generations have come to the fore in the historical continuity of these nations. Now, what have the adherents of the old political garnitures to say, to these new generations that really means anything? Their political titles and functions are meaningless. And the political records of many, based on their political beliefs, are records of moclrery of the concept of freedom and independence. Some were promoters of the modern feudalistic state, the a:lmighty state based on materialistic socialism. To these new generations, which already have - and will - form ranks, one can approach only with the concept of genuine freedom and independence, only with principles of Christian world-outlook, only with aims that are in accord with their will and the attainment and realization of which will mean not only satisfying every nation that has been deprived of freedom and independence, but also making a substantial contribution to the common good of a united Europe. The Right of Self-Determination Is Indivisible The Parisian daily LE FIGARO of October 18, 1961, devoted its entire fifth page to the meeting of exiled politicians and diploma,ts who are members of the Assembly �8 SLOVAKIA of Captive Nations. The editress, Dominique Auclere, had an extensive interview with seven of them. The title, set up in large bold type, read: ONE HUNDRED M)LLION EUROPEANS DEMAND RIGHT TO SELF-DETERMINATION." According to the editress, the Parisian Congress was called to discuss the ways that would enable the nations in captivity to attain the privilege - so generously granted others - to the right of self-determination. She presented the select group of seven as the "spokesmen" of the nations which could not freely express themselves. "This congress," she said, "is of great importance, because the subject to be discussed is very close to our hearts: the right to self-determination." Now, gentlemen, the first question: "What do you expect from Europe?" Reply: "Everything." Q. "Don't you think that the youth has joined Communism?" A. "No. We wanted to practice co-existence, but all our concessions and sacrifices were in vain. The Russians did Dr. Joseph Lettrich, chaiQ"man of the newly,baked postwar "Slovak Democratic Party" in Slova,lcia, headed the "Czechosfovak" delegation at AIOEN's conference in Paris, Oct. 18-20, 1961. He sig;rued two ag,r eements - the first i,n 1943, and the second i:n 1,945 - w~th the CoonmunLsts in Slovakta to collalborate fully with them . Of Slovak birth, he nevertheless has repud~ated the right of his people to fTeedom , inde'Pendenee, and sel'f-determinati-0n. not tolerate any governments, save those in which the Communists predominated." Q. What else should the West have done?" A. "We reproach the West and Europe, too, for not opposing the status as was demanded (incorporating the countries of Central and Eastern Europe within the Soviet sphere). A counterattack at the liberation of the captive nations, was very much desired .... In Czecho-Slovakia the elections in May, 1946, were only relatively free. The presence of the Red Army was felt ... nevertheless the majority voted democratfo. A putsch was made against this ma- �SLOVAKIA 9 jority in 1948. . . THE RIGHT TO SELF~DETERMINATION IS INDIVISIBLE whether we consider Berlin and Germany, or the captive nations. Africans and Asiatics are enjoying this right. Demand - (addressing the French and the West) - to place the question of self-determination for our countries on the agenda of the General Assembly of the United Nations." "The question of self-determination of our nations should not be the subject of discussion of only the General Assembly of the United Nations, but of every discussion between the West and the East... We agree with the right of self-determination which was granted to the countries, the races and tribes of Africa. BUT WHAT ABOUT US ARE WE INFECTED WITH THE PLAGUE?" "You did not know how to exploit the opportunity in 1949 when the USSR was forced to abandon the blockade of Berlin; at the time you had nuclear prevalance. Such an opportunity, which I evaluate as historical, will not come again. But the problem of Berlin is here again. Do not resolve it in an isolationist fashion. Do not say: to speak of the nations in captivity would provoke the Soviet Union .... The spirit of resistance in our countries is a condition of your security. You do not have to figure with that as long as you were not open to attack from the Soviet Union, but now you must think about it." "All our nations in prevailing majority are anti-Communistic. But if we, despite all disappointments, still preserve our faith in the will of Europe to grant us self-determination, our nations, because they are held in captivity, are more vulnerable than we in emigration are .... Europe is not divided and does not appear to be solidified with Europeans of the East .... You go to ,conferences and subjeot yourself to methods, which Hitler invented and which Stalin used, and now that Khrushchev is using. At these conferences you have nothing to gain ,a nd the others have nothing to lose. Take over the offensive! Demand the unification of Germany and self-determination for Eastern Europe, and say: If you want peace, then you shall have to remove all remnants and consequences which issued illegally out of the war .... How could the West allow Soviet Rus- �10 SLOVAKIA sia to become the champion of freedom, that Soviet Russia which has enslaved half of Europe? This is really scandalous! Why is it not said: Let us apply self-determina tion to ALL the nations of the world, including the countries of Eastern Europe! ... France has granted so many African countries independence that we have decided to formulate here our demand to the right of self-determina tion. THE MATTER OF FREEDOM IS INDIVISIBLE !" It must be admitted with satisfaction that the members of the congress expressed principles that are moving the world and without respecting which it is not possible to demolish the world of slavery and to build the foundations .for a new world of justice, equality and cooperation. However, it is easy to express great and noble ideas. Even leading Reds have resorted to them when it served their purpose. Many people keep on washing out their throats with the noblest ideas, but their minds and their deeds are far away from these ideas. It is in this moral conflict that the dissolution of society rests, the dissolution and decay of The Assembly of Captive European Nations requested the Generail Assemlbly of the Uirnited Nations to look into deportations and forced transfel'S of population "ca,r ried out 1by the Soviet Union" (!Resolution of 7th Plenary Meetinig, Nov. 7, 1954!, and Resolution of loth Plenary Meet~n:g, Dec. 18, 1954), but conveniently ignored the brutal transfer of the Sudeten a1nd other Germans from their home·lan:d by Czecho-Slovakia, Poland, etc. Why? 1 institutions and also of the best formulated programs. Words without actions are sterile. Clothes do not make the monk. "THE RIGHT TO SELF-DETER MINATION IS INDIVISIBLE .... THE MATTER OF FREJDDOM IS INDIVISIBLE" - said the members at the conference of European Captive Nations. In other words, in th'is matter of freedom and independence ALL nations must be considered - and none considered more privileged than others. On this we can heartily agree. Why then, we ask, is the Assembly of Captive European Nations limited to nine countries? Nine political territories or formations are members of the Assembly, and there are representative s to speak for these �SLOVAKIA 11 territories, but who is really authorized or entitled to speak for the nations within those territories? Who, for example, speaks for the Slovaks? And the Czechs? We know that the persons who presume to speak for "CZEOHOSLOVAKIA'' are definitely opposed to freedom and independence for the Slovaks and the Czechs, because they are working for the liberation of "Czechoslovakia" and not the liberation of the Slovak and Czech nations. People who could not break with the past, who have their minds and hearts burdened with weeds of fictions, cannot be the builders of a new and just order in Central and Eastern Europe. People who knowingly sin against the evident principles of the self-determination of nations, who in a concrete case deny this right of self-determination to the Slovak nation, demonstrate before the world public that they are not seriously concerned with the idea of selfdetermination. They are dishonest. Otherwise, how can they draw the just sword of self-determination against the Soviet Union and, at the same time, with the same sword, behead the freedom and independence of the Slovak nation? But here we are concerned not only with the Slovak nation, but also with many other nations that equally base their future on the validation of the right of self-determination. It is very significant, indeed, that the politicians and diplomats in the Assembly of Captive European Nations preferred and still prefer to ignore them. "We agree with the right of self-determination that was granted to the countries, races and tribes of Africa, but how about us, are we infected with the plague?" - one of the leading members of the Assembly of Captive European Nations said in just anger. In like manner, the Slovak nation asks the West, and particularly the Assembly of the Captive European Nations - which announced at its Paris Conference that it demands the validation of the right of self-determination for the nations of Central and Eastern Europe : "And how about us? Are we Slovaks infected with the plague?" Does not the right to self-determination apply to the Slovak nation - �12 SLOVAKIA the oldest Christian nation in Central Europe - to the extent that it applies to cannibals of the African jungle? An organization which violates, even partially, its own principles and universally valid principles, loses its political and moral right to reproach the Communist world for violating the right of self-determination - and to cast up to the West its inconsistencies and deficiencies in regard to the nations of Central and Eastern Europe. All Nations Are Entitled To Freedom When the editress of Le Figaro asked the members of the Assembly of Captive European Nations how many people demanded self-determination , they answered unanimously : ONE HUNDRED MILLION. This reply is in full accord with the idea which the organization would want to express, but which in practice it denies or repudiates. The name of the organization plainly speaks of NATIONS and not of STATES. Certainly it must be quite clear to the representatives of this organization that it is peoples, national associations, therefore, live and historic personalities that bear an idea, who express an idea, who defend an idea and fight for it. Therefore, the conflict between the "Our politica-1 representations in exile are the gen,uine v,oice of our peoples. They represent our nations' will and desire for independence, freedom, and the democratic form of governmemt. They repr-es-ent the demO'cratic SJpiTi.tuail, political, and socia,l convictions and aspirations which persist amon'g the peoples of Central ar.,d Easllern Europe." - Statement of AJOE)N, Sept. 20, 1954). Dr. Stephen Osusky, chairman of the "Czechoslovak" de'1egation or representation, was never elected to a,my office by his people. He does not represenlt the CZJEOH people, a,n d, even though a SLOVlA!K by birth, he does not represent the SJJOVAK people, and, hence, ca'l~<not be the "genuine voice" of these peoples. As chairman, he has never pwblicly coone out for freedom, ind-ependence, and self-determinatio,n for his peoiple - the SLOVIAK people. concept and reality is all the more apparent, since this organization established its status and structure on the basis of states and did not remain loyal to national individualities. The right of self-determination belongs to a person, to people, to nations. Only through this right of self-determin- �SLOVAKIA 13 ation do we get to the state, to national and state independence. But not conversely. What moral and political capital the organization of the Assembly of Captive European Nations could have enjoyed if it had remained loyal to itself and the principles which it undertook to defend and had demanded their validation to the fullest extent! The fact that in practice it bound itself up with the fate of state, therefore secondary, aims - subordinating nations to state formations - it has deprived itself of reality and, as a result of this, also o{ attractiveness for the nations that are waging their fight for freedom and independence in the name of the right of self-determination. But that is not all. Limiting itself only to the territorial part of Central and Eastern Europe and, therefore, rejecting a priori the benefits and positive effectiveness of the right of self-determination of the Slovaks, Byelorussians, Ukrainians, Croatians, Slovenes, Serbians, and other live organisms which consider themselves nations, the Assembly of Captive European Nations has unmasked the utter nakedness of its interior, in which there is entirely too much insincerity and very little dedication to the common good, in which prevails sectarian obstinacy and very little political wisdom, and in which decisions are made not according to the needs of great European and Christian aims, ,but according to the needs of small, indeed very small, needs of personal and group aims and interests. How is one to explain the fact that the Assembly sidetracked Yugoslavia where the Communist law governs no less than it does in the Soviet Union, Albania, China, Czecho-Slovakia, and Cuba? The Assembly had spoken: FREEDOM AND INDEPENDENCE OF THE NATIONS IS INDIVISIBLE! The right of self-determination is valid for ALL nations. If the Assembly of Captive European Nations repudiates this right for some nations or any one nation, it deserves to be repudiated by the West and cast out on the political rubbish heap. Its representatives are not truly interested in a new and just democratic order of Europe, but only in an exchange of political garnitures in the states �14 SLOVAKIA which they claim to represent, or, in effect, they are telling the West: we st.and for the old order, but not the present regimes. Of course, the representatives of the Assembly can claim - as they even do - that they cannot include ALL nations in their program, because the great powers recognize diplomatically the existing states in Central and Eastern Europe. The great powers have their reasons for such recognition, even though it is not consistent with their expressed policies and, for practical purposes, is even detrimental to the common good. Many informed observers believe it would have been better not to have granted recognition to states whose rulers are dedicated to the enslavement of their subjects and, in faot, to the destruction of the entire free world. But what reasons can an organization like the Assembly have for its conduct - an organization which should be nurtured with the revolutionary and creative spirit of reconstructing order in the sense of the principles which it proclaims and which should be concerned about, in the first place, with a permanent balance of this part of Europe - its Central and Eastern area? Even in politics it is not possible to serve two masters. The Assembly of Captive European Nations - as attested to by its record of action - serves not two masters, but all masters who want to permanently warm their soup on the nO'ble and clean fire of concept of freedom, independence, and the rig.ht of self-determination. One cannot therefore declare that, for example, the Albanians have a right to freedom, independence, and self-determination already today, but that the Slovaks, Croatians, Ukrainians, etc., will be granted that right tomorrow. Speaking and writing for the gallery, from which one expects not only applause, but political and material help as well, one cannot state that the business of freedom, independence, and self-determination of the Poles, Germans, Rumanians, etc., is a matter of validifying the principles of freedom, independence and self-determination, but that the matter of freedom , independence, and self-determination of the Slovaks is the business of the Czechs, that of the Croatians the business of �SLOVAKIA 15 the Ser,b ians, that of the Ukrainians the business of the Russians, etc. At a time when the nations in Communist captivity are demanding concrete expression of their own desires, when they are waiting for political motives that would be worthy of their sacrifices and resistance, it is not possible to approach them with the useless, dried-out and stripped branch, broken from the tree of freedom, independence, and self-determination by the careless hands of politicians who are obsessed with their past. From the fruit of this tree of freedom, independence and self-determination which has for long years been sprinkled with their own blood and sweat - the Slovaks, Ukrainians, Croatians, etc., want an equal share. And not tomorrow, but today. As long as the Assembly of Captive European Nations does not bring its own house in order, as long as it promotes self-determination , freedom, and independence only for SOME, but not ALL nations, it will remain in permanent conflict with those noble concepts and those nations to whom it denies the right of self-determination , freedom, and independence. And finally it will be in a paradoxical position: the nations ignored or avoided by it shall have to persistently fight against it in the name of the concept of freedom, independence, and self-determination , as they are now fighting and shall always fight against every violence and every falsehood. "SLOVAKIA AND ITS PEOPLE" by Professor Gilbert L. Oddo can now be sent on order. Get your copy rODA \:'. because the -.upply is limited. Over 2.100 copies have been -.old. rhe first real history of the Slovaks and their country in English. rhe book ha~ ~X4 pages and sells for $6.00 per copy postpaid. Order your copy fODA Y from: JED NOT A PRINTERY. P. 0. Box 150. Middletown. Pa. � SLOVAKIA 3 .6JSSEMBL Y OF CAPTIVE EUROPEAN N~TIONS: CONFLICT BETWEEN IDEA AND DEED JOSEPH CIEK·ER The politics of the non-Communi st world loses much of its aggressivenes s, attractiveness and snap because of the frequent conflict between thought and action, between an ideal and reality, between the height of the noblest values and the baseness of those money-change rs who have made a profession out of politics. If this frequent conflict in the politics of the non-Communi st world is judged benevolently, reasons will be found to explain it, even if not for justification. If, however, in the directing of this conflict politics is being made by people whose personal, moral and national obligation it should be to perseveringly make politics of principles, politics of spiritual and moral revival, politics of li-berating the nations fettered by the chains of communist violence, then this conflict even with the greatest benevolence cannot find neither explanation, nor justification. Undoubtedly great ideas and noble ideas inspired the organization of the Assembly of Captive Nations (ACEN) The "Czechoslovak" delegation or represenfation of the A•ssemlbly of Captive European Natioms is made up of persons who were - all of th€.m with the ,exce•p.tion of Dr. Stephen Osusky memlbel's o.f the po·s twar Communist-dom inated National Ff,(mt Government (1945°1948) of the Benes-<Gottwaild coaJitil()n, whi:ch CO'lla'borated fully wi'th the Soviet Union (Benes's ''Czechosl()IVaJk-S<wiet" tr·e aty of Dec. 112, 1'943, was the "cornerstone" of Pr,a gue's foreign policy). They are con'sidered responsilble in a large measure fo.r the present hapless plig,h t of the Slov,aks and Czechs. Osusky was chosen to head the delega,tion, ibecaus·e he was "cleane·r " tha~, the others. on September 20, 1954. The principal aim of this organization, as expressed on its shield, is: "Freedom and national independence for the nations of Central and Eastern Europe enslaved by the Soviets." The roster of the nations "enslaved by the Soviets'~ �4 SLOVAKIA should contain the names of all the nations (not only the names of the political formations they are enslaved in) which, from the day of their occupation by the Reds, are fighting, suffering and dying for the concept of freedom and independence. Europe and the entire non-Communist world would like to see in this Assembly of Captive Nations ALL of the nations that are held captive by the USSR. Elementary political honor and the most primitive political loyalty to the ideal of freedom and independence, to this truth and the political and national realities in Central and Eastern Europe, have demanded from the very beginning - and perseveringly demand even today - that this organization - which has pledged itself before the non--Communist world that it wishes to express the spiritual, moral, and political content of the enslaved nations - will keep its given word and shall in its own conduct be identified with the aim expressed on its shield. Unfortunately, this was not so. And it still is not so. This Assembly is not an assemly of ALL the nations held in captivity. Its beautifully expressed aim has been, and still "At a time when i,n the free part of the world, peoples who have never enjoy,ed self-government in the past are gradua'1ly attaining ruat ionhood and are assisted by the United NatilQlns in the aichievement of their rightful aspirations - the exact reverse process has been t·ailcirng place in Central a1nd :Ela,s tern Europe." (AIO:EJN statement, Sept. 20, 1·954). Adden<lum: Amid this "reverse pr,ocess" has been goin,g on in Ozeicho-Slov.akia {even under the leadership of T. G. Mia•s•aryik and Dr. Edward Benes) ever since the birth of that glorified "isle of democracy." The Slovaks never enjoyed self-govern'ment or home rule within the fr,a1m~ol'lk of Czech<H5lovakia - not eve n, after members of tlhe present "polibiical representations in exile," \\iho now olaillD. to 1b e ''the genuine voice of the peoples," were members of the Czecho.SlO'V,ak government. is, refuted by the actions of this organization. Its actions belie its noble words. From its very beginning, this organization has been in sharp and basic conflict not only with its own expressed noble ideals, but even with its very own substance. It has not become a dynamic force for the realization of the idea of freedom and independence, but only an instrument of obsolete political garnitures and politi- �SLOVAKIA 5 cal parties that have been crushed and cast off by Communism. Thinking in terms of their past functions, they want to bring back the past. The organization, which - under the given international circumstances, at this twelfth hour, in this amazing shake-up of continents, in this transformation of people and nations, on this cross-roads of universal history should have a great mission, has remained a paralyzed formation because it has renounced the magnanimity which its ideals had assured. Universally valid ideas and principles - being realized today in the jungles of Africa and Asiatic wastelands - have been scrapped by this organization when the same ideas and principles applied equally to all the nations of Central and Eastern Europe. The Assembly of Captive European Nations has, in fact, become an exclusive club of the privileged. Instead of being the interpreter of the will of the historical, organic and •live nations before the world public opinion, in the press, publications, in cultural, scientific and political institutions, in international organizations, in propaganda organs, in parliaments and congresses, in diplomatic and military circles, this organization has become the interpreter of select and dying political garnitures. After so many tragic experiences of the nations of Central and Eastern Europe, after so many disappointments and much suffering, after so many mistakes and catastrophies, Europe and the non-Communist world in general do have the right to learn the truth, the whole truth about the political and national realities of the area which today is primarily dependent on the Kremlin. The fact is that the people in responsible positions in the As~ sembly of Captive European Nations have not come out with the whole truth, and the Western world, making international politics, has not as yet made up its mind to press for the whole truth to find out what the nations in Soviet captivity really want and how they picture the reorganization of Central and Eastern Europe. Europe and the non-Communist world should not be expected to accept, in the name of freedom and independence, political products which time has made obsolete and �6 SLOVAKIA which the moths have eaten through. This Europe going forward with renovation, this Europe which in the interest of its own preservat-ion is on the road to unification on the basis of the positive Christian forces within it existing, as expressed in the national individualities, - this non-Communist world, which is being organized on the basis of freedom and independence of the Afr.ican and Asiatic tribes, cannot be permanently deceived as far as the will of the nations of Central and Eastern Europe is concerned. If on the strengbh of the idea freedom and independence, the Albanians, Bulgarians, Czechoslovakians, Estonians, Latvians, Lithuanians, Hungarians, Poles, and Rumanians are represented in the Assembly of Captive European Nations, why are not, on the strength of the same concept of freedom and independence, the Slovaks, Ukrainians, Czechs, Byelorussians, Croatians, Slovenians, Serbians, and the rest of the European national individualities, represented there by their interpreters, since they all suffer the same fate? This aJPparent conflict between idea and deed debases eV1en the positive things the organization has accomplished and can still accomplish. One cannot work constructively "We herewi.th d·e elare our solidarity and pledge our assis'ta'r.1Ce to all who are oppressed, to those who aire being wronged, to the exploited, to the down-trodden, to the ,b etrayed, wha1tev,e r their ina1tiionality, race or creed. The misuse of justified national and social aspira,tions by oppre-s-sive interniatiiona1l Communism must be stopped." - Statement of ACEN, Sept. 20, 1954). Words, words, words - sterHe words! The fa.ct is that tbe A&Sembly of Oapti,ve European Naitions ignores and repudiates the right of the Slovaks, Ukr.ainians, Croatia•ns, Slov-e nians, etc., to freedom, irudependence, and self-determination. Indeed, thoe "misuse of justified national and socia1l aspirati-ons" even of oppressive ''Ozechoslovakism" must be stopped! and successfully for the common good of Europe and the non-Communist world if he is burdened with basic ideological, political and moral conflicts. One cannot logically be for freedom and independence of A L L nations and, at the same time, against the freedom and independence of SOME nations. One cannot logically and honestly be for the freedom and independence of a political territory, but �SLOVAKIA 7 opposed to the freedom and independence of the peoples within that territory. People who always have their heads turned back to the past (the old order in which they functioned as officials) cannot move along with the development of Europe and the world. If the people of the Assembly of Captive European Nations can have recourse to any kind of legitimacy, the latter can have validity only as long as those "representatives" express the authentic will of their respective nations, and as long as by word and deed they are identified with the concept of freedom and independence of every nation. Furthermore, politically, morally, and legally it is not right to base the legitimacy of expressing the will of the national societies of today on the basis of the legitimacies of political parties and group interests of societies which today do not exist. The nations even in this bondage, in this captivity, have gone forward and new generations have come to the fore in the historical continuity of these nations. Now, what have the adherents of the old political garnitures to say, to these new generations that really means anything? Their political titles and functions are meaningless. And the political records of many, based on their political beliefs, are records of moclrery of the concept of freedom and independence. Some were promoters of the modern feudalistic state, the a:lmighty state based on materialistic socialism. To these new generations, which already have - and will - form ranks, one can approach only with the concept of genuine freedom and independence, only with principles of Christian world-outlook, only with aims that are in accord with their will and the attainment and realization of which will mean not only satisfying every nation that has been deprived of freedom and independence, but also making a substantial contribution to the common good of a united Europe. The Right of Self-Determination Is Indivisible The Parisian daily LE FIGARO of October 18, 1961, devoted its entire fifth page to the meeting of exiled politicians and diploma,ts who are members of the Assembly �8 SLOVAKIA of Captive Nations. The editress, Dominique Auclere, had an extensive interview with seven of them. The title, set up in large bold type, read: ONE HUNDRED M)LLION EUROPEANS DEMAND RIGHT TO SELF-DETERMINATION." According to the editress, the Parisian Congress was called to discuss the ways that would enable the nations in captivity to attain the privilege - so generously granted others - to the right of self-determination. She presented the select group of seven as the "spokesmen" of the nations which could not freely express themselves. "This congress," she said, "is of great importance, because the subject to be discussed is very close to our hearts: the right to self-determination." Now, gentlemen, the first question: "What do you expect from Europe?" Reply: "Everything." Q. "Don't you think that the youth has joined Communism?" A. "No. We wanted to practice co-existence, but all our concessions and sacrifices were in vain. The Russians did Dr. Joseph Lettrich, chaiQ"man of the newly,baked postwar "Slovak Democratic Party" in Slova,lcia, headed the "Czechosfovak" delegation at AIOEN's conference in Paris, Oct. 18-20, 1961. He sig;rued two ag,r eements - the first i,n 1943, and the second i:n 1,945 - w~th the CoonmunLsts in Slovakta to collalborate fully with them . Of Slovak birth, he nevertheless has repud~ated the right of his people to fTeedom , inde'Pendenee, and sel'f-determinati-0n. not tolerate any governments, save those in which the Communists predominated." Q. What else should the West have done?" A. "We reproach the West and Europe, too, for not opposing the status as was demanded (incorporating the countries of Central and Eastern Europe within the Soviet sphere). A counterattack at the liberation of the captive nations, was very much desired .... In Czecho-Slovakia the elections in May, 1946, were only relatively free. The presence of the Red Army was felt ... nevertheless the majority voted democratfo. A putsch was made against this ma- �SLOVAKIA 9 jority in 1948. . . THE RIGHT TO SELF~DETERMINATION IS INDIVISIBLE whether we consider Berlin and Germany, or the captive nations. Africans and Asiatics are enjoying this right. Demand - (addressing the French and the West) - to place the question of self-determination for our countries on the agenda of the General Assembly of the United Nations." "The question of self-determination of our nations should not be the subject of discussion of only the General Assembly of the United Nations, but of every discussion between the West and the East... We agree with the right of self-determination which was granted to the countries, the races and tribes of Africa. BUT WHAT ABOUT US ARE WE INFECTED WITH THE PLAGUE?" "You did not know how to exploit the opportunity in 1949 when the USSR was forced to abandon the blockade of Berlin; at the time you had nuclear prevalance. Such an opportunity, which I evaluate as historical, will not come again. But the problem of Berlin is here again. Do not resolve it in an isolationist fashion. Do not say: to speak of the nations in captivity would provoke the Soviet Union .... The spirit of resistance in our countries is a condition of your security. You do not have to figure with that as long as you were not open to attack from the Soviet Union, but now you must think about it." "All our nations in prevailing majority are anti-Communistic. But if we, despite all disappointments, still preserve our faith in the will of Europe to grant us self-determination, our nations, because they are held in captivity, are more vulnerable than we in emigration are .... Europe is not divided and does not appear to be solidified with Europeans of the East .... You go to ,conferences and subjeot yourself to methods, which Hitler invented and which Stalin used, and now that Khrushchev is using. At these conferences you have nothing to gain ,a nd the others have nothing to lose. Take over the offensive! Demand the unification of Germany and self-determination for Eastern Europe, and say: If you want peace, then you shall have to remove all remnants and consequences which issued illegally out of the war .... How could the West allow Soviet Rus- �10 SLOVAKIA sia to become the champion of freedom, that Soviet Russia which has enslaved half of Europe? This is really scandalous! Why is it not said: Let us apply self-determina tion to ALL the nations of the world, including the countries of Eastern Europe! ... France has granted so many African countries independence that we have decided to formulate here our demand to the right of self-determina tion. THE MATTER OF FREEDOM IS INDIVISIBLE !" It must be admitted with satisfaction that the members of the congress expressed principles that are moving the world and without respecting which it is not possible to demolish the world of slavery and to build the foundations .for a new world of justice, equality and cooperation. However, it is easy to express great and noble ideas. Even leading Reds have resorted to them when it served their purpose. Many people keep on washing out their throats with the noblest ideas, but their minds and their deeds are far away from these ideas. It is in this moral conflict that the dissolution of society rests, the dissolution and decay of The Assembly of Captive European Nations requested the Generail Assemlbly of the Uirnited Nations to look into deportations and forced transfel'S of population "ca,r ried out 1by the Soviet Union" (!Resolution of 7th Plenary Meetinig, Nov. 7, 1954!, and Resolution of loth Plenary Meet~n:g, Dec. 18, 1954), but conveniently ignored the brutal transfer of the Sudeten a1nd other Germans from their home·lan:d by Czecho-Slovakia, Poland, etc. Why? 1 institutions and also of the best formulated programs. Words without actions are sterile. Clothes do not make the monk. "THE RIGHT TO SELF-DETER MINATION IS INDIVISIBLE .... THE MATTER OF FREJDDOM IS INDIVISIBLE" - said the members at the conference of European Captive Nations. In other words, in th'is matter of freedom and independence ALL nations must be considered - and none considered more privileged than others. On this we can heartily agree. Why then, we ask, is the Assembly of Captive European Nations limited to nine countries? Nine political territories or formations are members of the Assembly, and there are representative s to speak for these �SLOVAKIA 11 territories, but who is really authorized or entitled to speak for the nations within those territories? Who, for example, speaks for the Slovaks? And the Czechs? We know that the persons who presume to speak for "CZEOHOSLOVAKIA'' are definitely opposed to freedom and independence for the Slovaks and the Czechs, because they are working for the liberation of "Czechoslovakia" and not the liberation of the Slovak and Czech nations. People who could not break with the past, who have their minds and hearts burdened with weeds of fictions, cannot be the builders of a new and just order in Central and Eastern Europe. People who knowingly sin against the evident principles of the self-determination of nations, who in a concrete case deny this right of self-determination to the Slovak nation, demonstrate before the world public that they are not seriously concerned with the idea of selfdetermination. They are dishonest. Otherwise, how can they draw the just sword of self-determination against the Soviet Union and, at the same time, with the same sword, behead the freedom and independence of the Slovak nation? But here we are concerned not only with the Slovak nation, but also with many other nations that equally base their future on the validation of the right of self-determination. It is very significant, indeed, that the politicians and diplomats in the Assembly of Captive European Nations preferred and still prefer to ignore them. "We agree with the right of self-determination that was granted to the countries, races and tribes of Africa, but how about us, are we infected with the plague?" - one of the leading members of the Assembly of Captive European Nations said in just anger. In like manner, the Slovak nation asks the West, and particularly the Assembly of the Captive European Nations - which announced at its Paris Conference that it demands the validation of the right of self-determination for the nations of Central and Eastern Europe : "And how about us? Are we Slovaks infected with the plague?" Does not the right to self-determination apply to the Slovak nation - �12 SLOVAKIA the oldest Christian nation in Central Europe - to the extent that it applies to cannibals of the African jungle? An organization which violates, even partially, its own principles and universally valid principles, loses its political and moral right to reproach the Communist world for violating the right of self-determination - and to cast up to the West its inconsistencies and deficiencies in regard to the nations of Central and Eastern Europe. All Nations Are Entitled To Freedom When the editress of Le Figaro asked the members of the Assembly of Captive European Nations how many people demanded self-determination , they answered unanimously : ONE HUNDRED MILLION. This reply is in full accord with the idea which the organization would want to express, but which in practice it denies or repudiates. The name of the organization plainly speaks of NATIONS and not of STATES. Certainly it must be quite clear to the representatives of this organization that it is peoples, national associations, therefore, live and historic personalities that bear an idea, who express an idea, who defend an idea and fight for it. Therefore, the conflict between the "Our politica-1 representations in exile are the gen,uine v,oice of our peoples. They represent our nations' will and desire for independence, freedom, and the democratic form of governmemt. They repr-es-ent the demO'cratic SJpiTi.tuail, political, and socia,l convictions and aspirations which persist amon'g the peoples of Central ar.,d Easllern Europe." - Statement of AJOE)N, Sept. 20, 1954). Dr. Stephen Osusky, chairman of the "Czechoslovak" de'1egation or representation, was never elected to a,my office by his people. He does not represenlt the CZJEOH people, a,n d, even though a SLOVlA!K by birth, he does not represent the SJJOVAK people, and, hence, ca'l~<not be the "genuine voice" of these peoples. As chairman, he has never pwblicly coone out for freedom, ind-ependence, and self-determinatio,n for his peoiple - the SLOVIAK people. concept and reality is all the more apparent, since this organization established its status and structure on the basis of states and did not remain loyal to national individualities. The right of self-determination belongs to a person, to people, to nations. Only through this right of self-determin- �SLOVAKIA 13 ation do we get to the state, to national and state independence. But not conversely. What moral and political capital the organization of the Assembly of Captive European Nations could have enjoyed if it had remained loyal to itself and the principles which it undertook to defend and had demanded their validation to the fullest extent! The fact that in practice it bound itself up with the fate of state, therefore secondary, aims - subordinating nations to state formations - it has deprived itself of reality and, as a result of this, also o{ attractiveness for the nations that are waging their fight for freedom and independence in the name of the right of self-determination. But that is not all. Limiting itself only to the territorial part of Central and Eastern Europe and, therefore, rejecting a priori the benefits and positive effectiveness of the right of self-determination of the Slovaks, Byelorussians, Ukrainians, Croatians, Slovenes, Serbians, and other live organisms which consider themselves nations, the Assembly of Captive European Nations has unmasked the utter nakedness of its interior, in which there is entirely too much insincerity and very little dedication to the common good, in which prevails sectarian obstinacy and very little political wisdom, and in which decisions are made not according to the needs of great European and Christian aims, ,but according to the needs of small, indeed very small, needs of personal and group aims and interests. How is one to explain the fact that the Assembly sidetracked Yugoslavia where the Communist law governs no less than it does in the Soviet Union, Albania, China, Czecho-Slovakia, and Cuba? The Assembly had spoken: FREEDOM AND INDEPENDENCE OF THE NATIONS IS INDIVISIBLE! The right of self-determination is valid for ALL nations. If the Assembly of Captive European Nations repudiates this right for some nations or any one nation, it deserves to be repudiated by the West and cast out on the political rubbish heap. Its representatives are not truly interested in a new and just democratic order of Europe, but only in an exchange of political garnitures in the states �14 SLOVAKIA which they claim to represent, or, in effect, they are telling the West: we st.and for the old order, but not the present regimes. Of course, the representatives of the Assembly can claim - as they even do - that they cannot include ALL nations in their program, because the great powers recognize diplomatically the existing states in Central and Eastern Europe. The great powers have their reasons for such recognition, even though it is not consistent with their expressed policies and, for practical purposes, is even detrimental to the common good. Many informed observers believe it would have been better not to have granted recognition to states whose rulers are dedicated to the enslavement of their subjects and, in faot, to the destruction of the entire free world. But what reasons can an organization like the Assembly have for its conduct - an organization which should be nurtured with the revolutionary and creative spirit of reconstructing order in the sense of the principles which it proclaims and which should be concerned about, in the first place, with a permanent balance of this part of Europe - its Central and Eastern area? Even in politics it is not possible to serve two masters. The Assembly of Captive European Nations - as attested to by its record of action - serves not two masters, but all masters who want to permanently warm their soup on the nO'ble and clean fire of concept of freedom, independence, and the rig.ht of self-determination. One cannot therefore declare that, for example, the Albanians have a right to freedom, independence, and self-determination already today, but that the Slovaks, Croatians, Ukrainians, etc., will be granted that right tomorrow. Speaking and writing for the gallery, from which one expects not only applause, but political and material help as well, one cannot state that the business of freedom, independence, and self-determination of the Poles, Germans, Rumanians, etc., is a matter of validifying the principles of freedom, independence and self-determination, but that the matter of freedom , independence, and self-determination of the Slovaks is the business of the Czechs, that of the Croatians the business of �SLOVAKIA 15 the Ser,b ians, that of the Ukrainians the business of the Russians, etc. At a time when the nations in Communist captivity are demanding concrete expression of their own desires, when they are waiting for political motives that would be worthy of their sacrifices and resistance, it is not possible to approach them with the useless, dried-out and stripped branch, broken from the tree of freedom, independence, and self-determination by the careless hands of politicians who are obsessed with their past. From the fruit of this tree of freedom, independence and self-determination which has for long years been sprinkled with their own blood and sweat - the Slovaks, Ukrainians, Croatians, etc., want an equal share. And not tomorrow, but today. As long as the Assembly of Captive European Nations does not bring its own house in order, as long as it promotes self-determination , freedom, and independence only for SOME, but not ALL nations, it will remain in permanent conflict with those noble concepts and those nations to whom it denies the right of self-determination , freedom, and independence. And finally it will be in a paradoxical position: the nations ignored or avoided by it shall have to persistently fight against it in the name of the concept of freedom, independence, and self-determination , as they are now fighting and shall always fight against every violence and every falsehood. "SLOVAKIA AND ITS PEOPLE" by Professor Gilbert L. Oddo can now be sent on order. Get your copy rODA \:'. because the -.upply is limited. Over 2.100 copies have been -.old. rhe first real history of the Slovaks and their country in English. rhe book ha~ ~X4 pages and sells for $6.00 per copy postpaid. Order your copy fODA Y from: JED NOT A PRINTERY. P. 0. Box 150. Middletown. Pa. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource 1961, Vol. 11 Description An account of the resource <ul><li>Issue 1 (No. 33), March-June 1961.</li> <li>Issue 2 (No. 34), September-December June 1961.</li> </ul> Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available The Slovak League of America Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1961 Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document SLOVAKIA 3 .6JSSEMBL Y OF CAPTIVE EUROPEAN N~TIONS: CONFLICT BETWEEN IDEA AND DEED JOSEPH CIEK·ER The politics of the non-Communi st world loses much of its aggressivenes s, attractiveness and snap because of the frequent conflict between thought and action, between an ideal and reality, between the height of the noblest values and the baseness of those money-change rs who have made a profession out of politics. If this frequent conflict in the politics of the non-Communi st world is judged benevolently, reasons will be found to explain it, even if not for justification. If, however, in the directing of this conflict politics is being made by people whose personal, moral and national obligation it should be to perseveringly make politics of principles, politics of spiritual and moral revival, politics of li-berating the nations fettered by the chains of communist violence, then this conflict even with the greatest benevolence cannot find neither explanation, nor justification. Undoubtedly great ideas and noble ideas inspired the organization of the Assembly of Captive Nations (ACEN) The "Czechoslovak" delegation or represenfation of the A•ssemlbly of Captive European Natioms is made up of persons who were - all of th€.m with the ,exce•p.tion of Dr. Stephen Osusky memlbel's o.f the po·s twar Communist-dom inated National Ff,(mt Government (1945°1948) of the Benes-<Gottwaild coaJitil()n, whi:ch CO'lla'borated fully wi'th the Soviet Union (Benes's ''Czechosl()IVaJk-S<wiet" tr·e aty of Dec. 112, 1'943, was the "cornerstone" of Pr,a gue's foreign policy). They are con'sidered responsilble in a large measure fo.r the present hapless plig,h t of the Slov,aks and Czechs. Osusky was chosen to head the delega,tion, ibecaus·e he was "cleane·r " tha~, the others. on September 20, 1954. The principal aim of this organization, as expressed on its shield, is: "Freedom and national independence for the nations of Central and Eastern Europe enslaved by the Soviets." The roster of the nations "enslaved by the Soviets'~ 4 SLOVAKIA should contain the names of all the nations (not only the names of the political formations they are enslaved in) which, from the day of their occupation by the Reds, are fighting, suffering and dying for the concept of freedom and independence. Europe and the entire non-Communist world would like to see in this Assembly of Captive Nations ALL of the nations that are held captive by the USSR. Elementary political honor and the most primitive political loyalty to the ideal of freedom and independence, to this truth and the political and national realities in Central and Eastern Europe, have demanded from the very beginning - and perseveringly demand even today - that this organization - which has pledged itself before the non--Communist world that it wishes to express the spiritual, moral, and political content of the enslaved nations - will keep its given word and shall in its own conduct be identified with the aim expressed on its shield. Unfortunately, this was not so. And it still is not so. This Assembly is not an assemly of ALL the nations held in captivity. Its beautifully expressed aim has been, and still "At a time when i,n the free part of the world, peoples who have never enjoy,ed self-government in the past are gradua'1ly attaining ruat ionhood and are assisted by the United NatilQlns in the aichievement of their rightful aspirations - the exact reverse process has been t·ailcirng place in Central a1nd :Ela,s tern Europe." (AIO:EJN statement, Sept. 20, 1·954). Adden<lum: Amid this "reverse pr,ocess" has been goin,g on in Ozeicho-Slov.akia {even under the leadership of T. G. Mia•s•aryik and Dr. Edward Benes) ever since the birth of that glorified "isle of democracy." The Slovaks never enjoyed self-govern'ment or home rule within the fr,a1m~ol'lk of Czech<H5lovakia - not eve n, after members of tlhe present "polibiical representations in exile," \\iho now olaillD. to 1b e ''the genuine voice of the peoples," were members of the Czecho.SlO'V,ak government. is, refuted by the actions of this organization. Its actions belie its noble words. From its very beginning, this organization has been in sharp and basic conflict not only with its own expressed noble ideals, but even with its very own substance. It has not become a dynamic force for the realization of the idea of freedom and independence, but only an instrument of obsolete political garnitures and politi- SLOVAKIA 5 cal parties that have been crushed and cast off by Communism. Thinking in terms of their past functions, they want to bring back the past. The organization, which - under the given international circumstances, at this twelfth hour, in this amazing shake-up of continents, in this transformation of people and nations, on this cross-roads of universal history should have a great mission, has remained a paralyzed formation because it has renounced the magnanimity which its ideals had assured. Universally valid ideas and principles - being realized today in the jungles of Africa and Asiatic wastelands - have been scrapped by this organization when the same ideas and principles applied equally to all the nations of Central and Eastern Europe. The Assembly of Captive European Nations has, in fact, become an exclusive club of the privileged. Instead of being the interpreter of the will of the historical, organic and •live nations before the world public opinion, in the press, publications, in cultural, scientific and political institutions, in international organizations, in propaganda organs, in parliaments and congresses, in diplomatic and military circles, this organization has become the interpreter of select and dying political garnitures. After so many tragic experiences of the nations of Central and Eastern Europe, after so many disappointments and much suffering, after so many mistakes and catastrophies, Europe and the non-Communist world in general do have the right to learn the truth, the whole truth about the political and national realities of the area which today is primarily dependent on the Kremlin. The fact is that the people in responsible positions in the As~ sembly of Captive European Nations have not come out with the whole truth, and the Western world, making international politics, has not as yet made up its mind to press for the whole truth to find out what the nations in Soviet captivity really want and how they picture the reorganization of Central and Eastern Europe. Europe and the non-Communist world should not be expected to accept, in the name of freedom and independence, political products which time has made obsolete and 6 SLOVAKIA which the moths have eaten through. This Europe going forward with renovation, this Europe which in the interest of its own preservat-ion is on the road to unification on the basis of the positive Christian forces within it existing, as expressed in the national individualities, - this non-Communist world, which is being organized on the basis of freedom and independence of the Afr.ican and Asiatic tribes, cannot be permanently deceived as far as the will of the nations of Central and Eastern Europe is concerned. If on the strengbh of the idea freedom and independence, the Albanians, Bulgarians, Czechoslovakians, Estonians, Latvians, Lithuanians, Hungarians, Poles, and Rumanians are represented in the Assembly of Captive European Nations, why are not, on the strength of the same concept of freedom and independence, the Slovaks, Ukrainians, Czechs, Byelorussians, Croatians, Slovenians, Serbians, and the rest of the European national individualities, represented there by their interpreters, since they all suffer the same fate? This aJPparent conflict between idea and deed debases eV1en the positive things the organization has accomplished and can still accomplish. One cannot work constructively "We herewi.th d·e elare our solidarity and pledge our assis'ta'r.1Ce to all who are oppressed, to those who aire being wronged, to the exploited, to the down-trodden, to the ,b etrayed, wha1tev,e r their ina1tiionality, race or creed. The misuse of justified national and social aspira,tions by oppre-s-sive interniatiiona1l Communism must be stopped." - Statement of ACEN, Sept. 20, 1954). Words, words, words - sterHe words! The fa.ct is that tbe A&Sembly of Oapti,ve European Naitions ignores and repudiates the right of the Slovaks, Ukr.ainians, Croatia•ns, Slov-e nians, etc., to freedom, irudependence, and self-determination. Indeed, thoe "misuse of justified national and socia1l aspirati-ons" even of oppressive ''Ozechoslovakism" must be stopped! and successfully for the common good of Europe and the non-Communist world if he is burdened with basic ideological, political and moral conflicts. One cannot logically be for freedom and independence of A L L nations and, at the same time, against the freedom and independence of SOME nations. One cannot logically and honestly be for the freedom and independence of a political territory, but SLOVAKIA 7 opposed to the freedom and independence of the peoples within that territory. People who always have their heads turned back to the past (the old order in which they functioned as officials) cannot move along with the development of Europe and the world. If the people of the Assembly of Captive European Nations can have recourse to any kind of legitimacy, the latter can have validity only as long as those "representatives" express the authentic will of their respective nations, and as long as by word and deed they are identified with the concept of freedom and independence of every nation. Furthermore, politically, morally, and legally it is not right to base the legitimacy of expressing the will of the national societies of today on the basis of the legitimacies of political parties and group interests of societies which today do not exist. The nations even in this bondage, in this captivity, have gone forward and new generations have come to the fore in the historical continuity of these nations. Now, what have the adherents of the old political garnitures to say, to these new generations that really means anything? Their political titles and functions are meaningless. And the political records of many, based on their political beliefs, are records of moclrery of the concept of freedom and independence. Some were promoters of the modern feudalistic state, the a:lmighty state based on materialistic socialism. To these new generations, which already have - and will - form ranks, one can approach only with the concept of genuine freedom and independence, only with principles of Christian world-outlook, only with aims that are in accord with their will and the attainment and realization of which will mean not only satisfying every nation that has been deprived of freedom and independence, but also making a substantial contribution to the common good of a united Europe. The Right of Self-Determination Is Indivisible The Parisian daily LE FIGARO of October 18, 1961, devoted its entire fifth page to the meeting of exiled politicians and diploma,ts who are members of the Assembly 8 SLOVAKIA of Captive Nations. The editress, Dominique Auclere, had an extensive interview with seven of them. The title, set up in large bold type, read: ONE HUNDRED M)LLION EUROPEANS DEMAND RIGHT TO SELF-DETERMINATION." According to the editress, the Parisian Congress was called to discuss the ways that would enable the nations in captivity to attain the privilege - so generously granted others - to the right of self-determination. She presented the select group of seven as the "spokesmen" of the nations which could not freely express themselves. "This congress," she said, "is of great importance, because the subject to be discussed is very close to our hearts: the right to self-determination." Now, gentlemen, the first question: "What do you expect from Europe?" Reply: "Everything." Q. "Don't you think that the youth has joined Communism?" A. "No. We wanted to practice co-existence, but all our concessions and sacrifices were in vain. The Russians did Dr. Joseph Lettrich, chaiQ"man of the newly,baked postwar "Slovak Democratic Party" in Slova,lcia, headed the "Czechosfovak" delegation at AIOEN's conference in Paris, Oct. 18-20, 1961. He sig;rued two ag,r eements - the first i,n 1943, and the second i:n 1,945 - w~th the CoonmunLsts in Slovakta to collalborate fully with them . Of Slovak birth, he nevertheless has repud~ated the right of his people to fTeedom , inde'Pendenee, and sel'f-determinati-0n. not tolerate any governments, save those in which the Communists predominated." Q. What else should the West have done?" A. "We reproach the West and Europe, too, for not opposing the status as was demanded (incorporating the countries of Central and Eastern Europe within the Soviet sphere). A counterattack at the liberation of the captive nations, was very much desired .... In Czecho-Slovakia the elections in May, 1946, were only relatively free. The presence of the Red Army was felt ... nevertheless the majority voted democratfo. A putsch was made against this ma- SLOVAKIA 9 jority in 1948. . . THE RIGHT TO SELF~DETERMINATION IS INDIVISIBLE whether we consider Berlin and Germany, or the captive nations. Africans and Asiatics are enjoying this right. Demand - (addressing the French and the West) - to place the question of self-determination for our countries on the agenda of the General Assembly of the United Nations." "The question of self-determination of our nations should not be the subject of discussion of only the General Assembly of the United Nations, but of every discussion between the West and the East... We agree with the right of self-determination which was granted to the countries, the races and tribes of Africa. BUT WHAT ABOUT US ARE WE INFECTED WITH THE PLAGUE?" "You did not know how to exploit the opportunity in 1949 when the USSR was forced to abandon the blockade of Berlin; at the time you had nuclear prevalance. Such an opportunity, which I evaluate as historical, will not come again. But the problem of Berlin is here again. Do not resolve it in an isolationist fashion. Do not say: to speak of the nations in captivity would provoke the Soviet Union .... The spirit of resistance in our countries is a condition of your security. You do not have to figure with that as long as you were not open to attack from the Soviet Union, but now you must think about it." "All our nations in prevailing majority are anti-Communistic. But if we, despite all disappointments, still preserve our faith in the will of Europe to grant us self-determination, our nations, because they are held in captivity, are more vulnerable than we in emigration are .... Europe is not divided and does not appear to be solidified with Europeans of the East .... You go to ,conferences and subjeot yourself to methods, which Hitler invented and which Stalin used, and now that Khrushchev is using. At these conferences you have nothing to gain ,a nd the others have nothing to lose. Take over the offensive! Demand the unification of Germany and self-determination for Eastern Europe, and say: If you want peace, then you shall have to remove all remnants and consequences which issued illegally out of the war .... How could the West allow Soviet Rus- 10 SLOVAKIA sia to become the champion of freedom, that Soviet Russia which has enslaved half of Europe? This is really scandalous! Why is it not said: Let us apply self-determina tion to ALL the nations of the world, including the countries of Eastern Europe! ... France has granted so many African countries independence that we have decided to formulate here our demand to the right of self-determina tion. THE MATTER OF FREEDOM IS INDIVISIBLE !" It must be admitted with satisfaction that the members of the congress expressed principles that are moving the world and without respecting which it is not possible to demolish the world of slavery and to build the foundations .for a new world of justice, equality and cooperation. However, it is easy to express great and noble ideas. Even leading Reds have resorted to them when it served their purpose. Many people keep on washing out their throats with the noblest ideas, but their minds and their deeds are far away from these ideas. It is in this moral conflict that the dissolution of society rests, the dissolution and decay of The Assembly of Captive European Nations requested the Generail Assemlbly of the Uirnited Nations to look into deportations and forced transfel'S of population "ca,r ried out 1by the Soviet Union" (!Resolution of 7th Plenary Meetinig, Nov. 7, 1954!, and Resolution of loth Plenary Meet~n:g, Dec. 18, 1954), but conveniently ignored the brutal transfer of the Sudeten a1nd other Germans from their home·lan:d by Czecho-Slovakia, Poland, etc. Why? 1 institutions and also of the best formulated programs. Words without actions are sterile. Clothes do not make the monk. "THE RIGHT TO SELF-DETER MINATION IS INDIVISIBLE .... THE MATTER OF FREJDDOM IS INDIVISIBLE" - said the members at the conference of European Captive Nations. In other words, in th'is matter of freedom and independence ALL nations must be considered - and none considered more privileged than others. On this we can heartily agree. Why then, we ask, is the Assembly of Captive European Nations limited to nine countries? Nine political territories or formations are members of the Assembly, and there are representative s to speak for these SLOVAKIA 11 territories, but who is really authorized or entitled to speak for the nations within those territories? Who, for example, speaks for the Slovaks? And the Czechs? We know that the persons who presume to speak for "CZEOHOSLOVAKIA'' are definitely opposed to freedom and independence for the Slovaks and the Czechs, because they are working for the liberation of "Czechoslovakia" and not the liberation of the Slovak and Czech nations. People who could not break with the past, who have their minds and hearts burdened with weeds of fictions, cannot be the builders of a new and just order in Central and Eastern Europe. People who knowingly sin against the evident principles of the self-determination of nations, who in a concrete case deny this right of self-determination to the Slovak nation, demonstrate before the world public that they are not seriously concerned with the idea of selfdetermination. They are dishonest. Otherwise, how can they draw the just sword of self-determination against the Soviet Union and, at the same time, with the same sword, behead the freedom and independence of the Slovak nation? But here we are concerned not only with the Slovak nation, but also with many other nations that equally base their future on the validation of the right of self-determination. It is very significant, indeed, that the politicians and diplomats in the Assembly of Captive European Nations preferred and still prefer to ignore them. "We agree with the right of self-determination that was granted to the countries, races and tribes of Africa, but how about us, are we infected with the plague?" - one of the leading members of the Assembly of Captive European Nations said in just anger. In like manner, the Slovak nation asks the West, and particularly the Assembly of the Captive European Nations - which announced at its Paris Conference that it demands the validation of the right of self-determination for the nations of Central and Eastern Europe : "And how about us? Are we Slovaks infected with the plague?" Does not the right to self-determination apply to the Slovak nation - 12 SLOVAKIA the oldest Christian nation in Central Europe - to the extent that it applies to cannibals of the African jungle? An organization which violates, even partially, its own principles and universally valid principles, loses its political and moral right to reproach the Communist world for violating the right of self-determination - and to cast up to the West its inconsistencies and deficiencies in regard to the nations of Central and Eastern Europe. All Nations Are Entitled To Freedom When the editress of Le Figaro asked the members of the Assembly of Captive European Nations how many people demanded self-determination , they answered unanimously : ONE HUNDRED MILLION. This reply is in full accord with the idea which the organization would want to express, but which in practice it denies or repudiates. The name of the organization plainly speaks of NATIONS and not of STATES. Certainly it must be quite clear to the representatives of this organization that it is peoples, national associations, therefore, live and historic personalities that bear an idea, who express an idea, who defend an idea and fight for it. Therefore, the conflict between the "Our politica-1 representations in exile are the gen,uine v,oice of our peoples. They represent our nations' will and desire for independence, freedom, and the democratic form of governmemt. They repr-es-ent the demO'cratic SJpiTi.tuail, political, and socia,l convictions and aspirations which persist amon'g the peoples of Central ar.,d Easllern Europe." - Statement of AJOE)N, Sept. 20, 1954). Dr. Stephen Osusky, chairman of the "Czechoslovak" de'1egation or representation, was never elected to a,my office by his people. He does not represenlt the CZJEOH people, a,n d, even though a SLOVlA!K by birth, he does not represent the SJJOVAK people, and, hence, ca'l~<not be the "genuine voice" of these peoples. As chairman, he has never pwblicly coone out for freedom, ind-ependence, and self-determinatio,n for his peoiple - the SLOVIAK people. concept and reality is all the more apparent, since this organization established its status and structure on the basis of states and did not remain loyal to national individualities. The right of self-determination belongs to a person, to people, to nations. Only through this right of self-determin- SLOVAKIA 13 ation do we get to the state, to national and state independence. But not conversely. What moral and political capital the organization of the Assembly of Captive European Nations could have enjoyed if it had remained loyal to itself and the principles which it undertook to defend and had demanded their validation to the fullest extent! The fact that in practice it bound itself up with the fate of state, therefore secondary, aims - subordinating nations to state formations - it has deprived itself of reality and, as a result of this, also o{ attractiveness for the nations that are waging their fight for freedom and independence in the name of the right of self-determination. But that is not all. Limiting itself only to the territorial part of Central and Eastern Europe and, therefore, rejecting a priori the benefits and positive effectiveness of the right of self-determination of the Slovaks, Byelorussians, Ukrainians, Croatians, Slovenes, Serbians, and other live organisms which consider themselves nations, the Assembly of Captive European Nations has unmasked the utter nakedness of its interior, in which there is entirely too much insincerity and very little dedication to the common good, in which prevails sectarian obstinacy and very little political wisdom, and in which decisions are made not according to the needs of great European and Christian aims, ,but according to the needs of small, indeed very small, needs of personal and group aims and interests. How is one to explain the fact that the Assembly sidetracked Yugoslavia where the Communist law governs no less than it does in the Soviet Union, Albania, China, Czecho-Slovakia, and Cuba? The Assembly had spoken: FREEDOM AND INDEPENDENCE OF THE NATIONS IS INDIVISIBLE! The right of self-determination is valid for ALL nations. If the Assembly of Captive European Nations repudiates this right for some nations or any one nation, it deserves to be repudiated by the West and cast out on the political rubbish heap. Its representatives are not truly interested in a new and just democratic order of Europe, but only in an exchange of political garnitures in the states 14 SLOVAKIA which they claim to represent, or, in effect, they are telling the West: we st.and for the old order, but not the present regimes. Of course, the representatives of the Assembly can claim - as they even do - that they cannot include ALL nations in their program, because the great powers recognize diplomatically the existing states in Central and Eastern Europe. The great powers have their reasons for such recognition, even though it is not consistent with their expressed policies and, for practical purposes, is even detrimental to the common good. Many informed observers believe it would have been better not to have granted recognition to states whose rulers are dedicated to the enslavement of their subjects and, in faot, to the destruction of the entire free world. But what reasons can an organization like the Assembly have for its conduct - an organization which should be nurtured with the revolutionary and creative spirit of reconstructing order in the sense of the principles which it proclaims and which should be concerned about, in the first place, with a permanent balance of this part of Europe - its Central and Eastern area? Even in politics it is not possible to serve two masters. The Assembly of Captive European Nations - as attested to by its record of action - serves not two masters, but all masters who want to permanently warm their soup on the nO'ble and clean fire of concept of freedom, independence, and the rig.ht of self-determination. One cannot therefore declare that, for example, the Albanians have a right to freedom, independence, and self-determination already today, but that the Slovaks, Croatians, Ukrainians, etc., will be granted that right tomorrow. Speaking and writing for the gallery, from which one expects not only applause, but political and material help as well, one cannot state that the business of freedom, independence, and self-determination of the Poles, Germans, Rumanians, etc., is a matter of validifying the principles of freedom, independence and self-determination, but that the matter of freedom , independence, and self-determination of the Slovaks is the business of the Czechs, that of the Croatians the business of SLOVAKIA 15 the Ser,b ians, that of the Ukrainians the business of the Russians, etc. At a time when the nations in Communist captivity are demanding concrete expression of their own desires, when they are waiting for political motives that would be worthy of their sacrifices and resistance, it is not possible to approach them with the useless, dried-out and stripped branch, broken from the tree of freedom, independence, and self-determination by the careless hands of politicians who are obsessed with their past. From the fruit of this tree of freedom, independence and self-determination which has for long years been sprinkled with their own blood and sweat - the Slovaks, Ukrainians, Croatians, etc., want an equal share. And not tomorrow, but today. As long as the Assembly of Captive European Nations does not bring its own house in order, as long as it promotes self-determination , freedom, and independence only for SOME, but not ALL nations, it will remain in permanent conflict with those noble concepts and those nations to whom it denies the right of self-determination , freedom, and independence. And finally it will be in a paradoxical position: the nations ignored or avoided by it shall have to persistently fight against it in the name of the concept of freedom, independence, and self-determination , as they are now fighting and shall always fight against every violence and every falsehood. "SLOVAKIA AND ITS PEOPLE" by Professor Gilbert L. Oddo can now be sent on order. Get your copy rODA \:'. because the -.upply is limited. Over 2.100 copies have been -.old. rhe first real history of the Slovaks and their country in English. rhe book ha~ ~X4 pages and sells for $6.00 per copy postpaid. Order your copy fODA Y from: JED NOT A PRINTERY. P. 0. Box 150. Middletown. Pa.  Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Assembly of Captive European Nations: onflict Between Idea and Deed Description An account of the resource Joseph Cieker Slovakia, Vol. 11, No. 2 (34), September-December 1961 pp. 3-15 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Cieker, Jozef, 1907-1969 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource September-December 1961 LCNAF+dates https://slovakia.wordsofpassage.net/files/original/6e569d0c39e1821f0ee1671443347001.pdf d16efb37ce3186a20087b170159ad16b PDF Text Text 126 SLOVAKIA Babushka SONYA JASON She was in church again this morning. As before, the image in long, dark blue skirt and blouse, navy kerchief covering her head that only accentuated the high Slavic cheekbones and pale blue eyes; so strongly did she resemble my long dead mother that it jarred me deeply. Throughout Divine Liturgy, my spirit prayed but my heart battled tears and homesickness , not only for my mother, but for the wealth of the past. As a child I had always seen at least one old lady at every weekday church service . There still is. Babushka or " little grandmother" we called them and still do. As there can be no Orthodox Liturgy unless a community of worshippers of at least two or three is present, including the celebrant priest , often her efforts to be there on winter or stormy mornings made the difference whether a particular saint would be honored in God's house on his or her feast day in that liturgical year. Today was my name-saint 's day and I set aside pressing duties to drive twenty-five miles to worship and petition not only for my needs but for those of my loved ones and all the world. Standing near the babushka to light a candle , I heard her lips murmur in prayer and noted that her mind was far, far away. She was oblivious to my presence and became immersed at once in the Liturgy and remained so throughout. Whoever she was , she cared only about what she was doing, and this morning, it was the business of prayer and worship. I could feel a spiritual energy emanate from her very presence. Like her, my mother had had a sense of identity so strong that you felt it at once. My very first knowledge of this came the year before I started school. A new little girl whose family had just moved into our coal mining patch the week before timidly wandered over. Warily we sized each other up. " Where did you come from? " Her query did not connote Freudian curiosity about sexual origins or even another town. Rather, it was ordinary for us children to learn the country of parents ' origin. From this , invisible guidelines were established, and if both sets of parents were \ll'om the same country in Europe, frequently friendships of depth were formed at once. �SLOVAKIA 127 " I'm Czech, " I replied. "I'm Polish." But my mother, scrubbing shirt collars on a corrugated washboard set in a galvanized tub in the middle of the kitchen floor , straightened up with a frown . She brushed a tawny tendril off her glistening brow and pushed it back into the knot on top of her head. " Come here ... " she beckoned me with a finger dribbling bubbles of strong laundry soap. " You are Slovak," she corrected. I shrugged. " What 's the difference? " My question was partly puzzlement and partly that indifference of children to the vagaries of their parents. " Difference?" she echoed. Drying arms on her apron after plunging the shirts under suds to soak, she waved my new friend and me inside . We watched her cut thick slices of freshly baked bread from a loaf cooling on the shelf above the kitchen table and butter them . Eagerly we accepted and sat beside her to eat and listen. " You and Mary are sisters . But are you exactly alike? " The bread was warm and delicious and helped me ponder. I was dark and chubby. Mary fair and thin. The comparison made me giggle , but through a mouthful of bread I managed a '' huh uh. '' " Well, it's the same thing. Czechs and Slovaks are brothers and sisters but not the same." She then entertained us with the legend of King Sviitopluk as it has been told to untold generations of Czech and Slovak children . It seems that long ago good King Sviitopluk had two sons , Mojmir II and Sviitopluk II. They were fractious and greedy for each other's share of the kingdom as well as their own. On his deathbed, the old king summoned them and, holding their hands together in brotherly bond , admonished them: '' As long as you remember you are brothers and remain united, all will be well with you. If you forget and fight each other, you will suffer and your people with you. " Their vows of unity evaporated with their tears and hardly was the king in his grave before they began to squabble and conspire for each other's territories. In time, the dire warning came true; Bohemia and Slovakia, united and thriving as the Great Moravian Empire , were overrun and conquered as soon as they were divided. And so they remain to this day, separate in geography and philosophy and fates , although brothers and sisters in spirit. This example of the tragic consequences of sibling rivalry left an indelible impression upon me , but not the story of the Old Country. For �128 SLOVAKIA I was an American . .. and the Old Country meant little to me for many years. Not until that time in mid-life when we come full circle to what and who we are was I able to know and appreciate my mother for the individual she was and relish her memory to the fullest . ' 'I am Slovak-American . . . but you are American-Slovak .. . '' she would point out when we tried to urge supposedly superior ways upon her. Thus she paid tribute to Caesar without judgment. It was fine for us , but for her, she accepted only those changes she cared to adopt and we were not to forget it. And so we grew. Through good times , not so many, and bad times , more numerous, she never lost that sense of identity . Contained in it was a firm faith in Life and God, exemplified for her in her robust Eastern Orthodox faith . Although we lived too far from a church for regular attendance, babies were driven long distances for baptisms and on their name day would be carried to the nearest church for special remembrance. Also, on most holidays , special liturgical prayers were chanted in Slavonic by my father from his frayed prayer book with mother singing the responses. "For our President , for all civil authorities, for every city and country, let us pray to the Lord . . . '' a booming baritone would rise and fall. And back in light, high soprano would come the sung response, " Lord have mercy. " Eagerly I awaited my name day. Leaving brothers and sisters in care of a friend , my mother and I walked the four miles of country road lined with trees flamboyant in fall colors of late September. It was doubly special because we were both named for St. Sophia. At tiny St. John 's, the ikons, candles gleaming in the interior of mellow woods , and perfumed incense accompanying the prayers of intense , bearded Father Michael were awesome. But it was the babushki, those women standing at the front of the church, staunch, solid, and intent upon every word that wended its way upwards over the altar in a trail of incense vapor, that I recall most vividly. Whoever they were they mattered so much that there was no need to ask about them. They just were . When a particular one coaxed me to join her in singing the response , I refused. On the way home , my mother chided me . " But I don 't understand that language \ .. " I protested. " I talk English ." ' Was there a tinge of arrogance or presentiment of falsity that might harm her child that made my mother walk a silent mile with wor- �SLOVAKIA 129 ried face before she spoke? I don't know. But right before we crossed the bridge that led up the hill to the mining patch, she abruptly stopped. "See?" she pointed to the bridge. "That is you." "Me?" "Yes, I am Slovak who came here . . . yet . . . " and she struggled so hard for just the right words, ''I am not 100 percent American. Never." She pointed to her heart. "In here, you not 100 percent. Your children, maybe, but not you, not yet ... " She shook her head vehemently. ' ' But some day you will pray in church in English . . . like you talk." But as the legend of Svatopluk, the words faded almost as soon as spoken, the profound simile of first generation Americans as bridges connecting two cultures seeming wasted on a child. At the beginning of World War II my family moved to the city of Pittsburgh, but my mother remained Slovak-American and who she was all the days of her life. Her native land was a small area in the heartland of Europe, and every army of history had rolled over it again and again. Yet in villages and huts and farms, families such as ours managed to preserve a spark of identity of a people separate from all other peoples. Through centuries of political and economic repression and the contempts of a world that advanced more rapidly, yes even that of sibling Czechs whose German influence helped industrial advances, rural Slovaks as my mother never lost faith in themselves as persons or as a people. Above all, there was a deep faith in God and gratitude for the gift of life itself with all its tragedies. When my three brothers immediately enlisted in the Army she only sighed an agony-filled "vojna . . . vojna . .. "war ... war ... for her native land had suffered its destruction countless times and would again. And now even her adopted land was afflicted. When that dreaded telegram came saying that one of her sons, Nick, was killed in France, her anguish could only weep, ''vojna ... vojna .. . '' and her sorrow was finally assuaged in her church and by her God whom she still trusted as preserver of Life. And then one day we assembled from various parts of the country to weep through a last Liturgy for her. The large spirit had departed the tiny, tired body that had borne twelve children and raised ten by laboring through numberless 18-hour days required to feed, clothe, and nourish physically, emotionally, and spiritually. The depth of our loss was indescribable. She was our strength. Our comfort. Our life. And now she was gone. Even our powerful father �130 SLOVAKIA never quite recovered, and none of us was surprised when he followed her three years later, the light of his life having left this earth. It was years before I returned to the church of my mother. I had a search to make first. In other philosophies . Into the intellect. The emotions . Even at other altars. But that bowl of emptiness that was my inner being remained unfulfilled. I had consciously forgotten St. Sophia' s Day, but my heart must have remembered. Because it was the end of September when I found my way to a tiny Orthodox church in my Los Angeles suburb so much like the St . John's of my childhood, four decades and thousands of miles apart. Intense, bearded Father Sergei welcomed me and sat silently through my tale of bewilderment and woe. I had much of what the world valued, earned with so much effort. Then why hadn't God rewarded me with happiness? Why was I so sad? He smiled gently and touched my hand. '' But you have tried to cut off your roots . Did you think you could truly live like that? '' I drew back in protest. God was universal. God was immense. God was everywhere . Of course . Of course . Of course. He nodded assent to it all. But even before he said it, the ancient teaching of the Bible not to despise the church of one 's mother rose to my memory. So? What could it mean to me in the 1970s? The feeling part. Not the legal, formal , structured part. But that part of my mother's church that was a God of love , of mercy and nonjudgment, of trust in the largesse of life on earth and hereafter, a life so rich in mysteries that no arrogant egotism could hope to fathom it in a lifetime. Oh, how it had sustained her as she lived it and how expansive her life of spirit had been! The many who came to her funeral witnessed to that. Over and over they wept with us , remembering, " She was so kind ," or " When I was sick she came to see me every day and once brought a jar of peaches ,'' this in a depression year that must have emptied her larder of hoarded desserts , and " She always had a word of encouragement for me . . .. '' Together we mourned our loss. Joy despite a hard life and in her God. And I had lost it if indeed I had ever had it, I now bewailed. " But not at all. Why look , her prayers received a miraculous answer. God sent the Holy Spirit to bring you full circle . . . why, you have come home. And do you know sometl\ing? She was right . . . you will pray the Liturgy in English . . . . ' ' \ For he was the same priest who had changed tradition by celebrat- �SLOVAKIA 131 ing Liturgy in English aftet translating words and music from Old Slavonic, beginning just a short time before in this very church. Tears submerged the abutment to the bridge of connection for a time. With them, accumulated dust of the nonsense of years was washed away until once more that inner child emerged to again stand free and adventurous in heart . "Wisdom, " the priest had intoned this morning as he always does preceding the gospel reading. Sophia. The name meant wisdom. And my mother had had it. A peasant surety that was as deep as the intellect , only kinder and warmer. So many others had come to drink of that fountain and never had one gone away again still thirsty. Was my mother unique? Certainly in the individual sense. One of a kind I was sure until the publication of my novel, Concomitant Soldier. In it I had drawn from her qualities to create a key character. Then came the reviews and letters . ' ' Anna is my Italian nonna (grandmother) all over again . " Anna is just like my Swedish moder (mother) .. . " '' Anna is just like my wonderful Tia Roas . . . ' ' And even, "Anna is exactly like my English nanny I loved so much " She was, it seems, not only multi-ethnic, but her number was legion. And she left an imprint upon spirits that truly unites, first, sec~ ond, and third-generation Americans of very persuasion, and fortunate indeed are those families who experienced her grace. For too long, my life had been one of activity but, not united to my feelings and spirit, made every achievement empty. Somehow the babushki I knew, just as my mother, had never been so fragmented, perhaps more common in our day of increasing opportunities in the outer world of action. And today as I become a link in that long chain of babushki, past, present, and those to come , when I light candles and follow ancient prayers of liturgical custom, my spirit will join with those countless others as we add a special petition for the sacred tradition of wholeness to be handed down intact to our daughters and sisters everywhere. Although I don 't possess that intuitive sense of destiny and sure strength of spirit, still there is hope as the Church they served teaches, and maybe if I listen as intently to the still voice from the temple within, something of the mystery of who and why I am in this particular time and place and how to carry my own light into my world today will be revealed. Until then , it is enough merely to try to become my mother's daughter. Amen and amen. �� 126 SLOVAKIA Babushka SONYA JASON She was in church again this morning. As before, the image in long, dark blue skirt and blouse, navy kerchief covering her head that only accentuated the high Slavic cheekbones and pale blue eyes; so strongly did she resemble my long dead mother that it jarred me deeply. Throughout Divine Liturgy, my spirit prayed but my heart battled tears and homesickness , not only for my mother, but for the wealth of the past. As a child I had always seen at least one old lady at every weekday church service . There still is. Babushka or " little grandmother" we called them and still do. As there can be no Orthodox Liturgy unless a community of worshippers of at least two or three is present, including the celebrant priest , often her efforts to be there on winter or stormy mornings made the difference whether a particular saint would be honored in God's house on his or her feast day in that liturgical year. Today was my name-saint 's day and I set aside pressing duties to drive twenty-five miles to worship and petition not only for my needs but for those of my loved ones and all the world. Standing near the babushka to light a candle , I heard her lips murmur in prayer and noted that her mind was far, far away. She was oblivious to my presence and became immersed at once in the Liturgy and remained so throughout. Whoever she was , she cared only about what she was doing, and this morning, it was the business of prayer and worship. I could feel a spiritual energy emanate from her very presence. Like her, my mother had had a sense of identity so strong that you felt it at once. My very first knowledge of this came the year before I started school. A new little girl whose family had just moved into our coal mining patch the week before timidly wandered over. Warily we sized each other up. " Where did you come from? " Her query did not connote Freudian curiosity about sexual origins or even another town. Rather, it was ordinary for us children to learn the country of parents ' origin. From this , invisible guidelines were established, and if both sets of parents were \ll'om the same country in Europe, frequently friendships of depth were formed at once. �SLOVAKIA 127 " I'm Czech, " I replied. "I'm Polish." But my mother, scrubbing shirt collars on a corrugated washboard set in a galvanized tub in the middle of the kitchen floor , straightened up with a frown . She brushed a tawny tendril off her glistening brow and pushed it back into the knot on top of her head. " Come here ... " she beckoned me with a finger dribbling bubbles of strong laundry soap. " You are Slovak," she corrected. I shrugged. " What 's the difference? " My question was partly puzzlement and partly that indifference of children to the vagaries of their parents. " Difference?" she echoed. Drying arms on her apron after plunging the shirts under suds to soak, she waved my new friend and me inside . We watched her cut thick slices of freshly baked bread from a loaf cooling on the shelf above the kitchen table and butter them . Eagerly we accepted and sat beside her to eat and listen. " You and Mary are sisters . But are you exactly alike? " The bread was warm and delicious and helped me ponder. I was dark and chubby. Mary fair and thin. The comparison made me giggle , but through a mouthful of bread I managed a '' huh uh. '' " Well, it's the same thing. Czechs and Slovaks are brothers and sisters but not the same." She then entertained us with the legend of King Sviitopluk as it has been told to untold generations of Czech and Slovak children . It seems that long ago good King Sviitopluk had two sons , Mojmir II and Sviitopluk II. They were fractious and greedy for each other's share of the kingdom as well as their own. On his deathbed, the old king summoned them and, holding their hands together in brotherly bond , admonished them: '' As long as you remember you are brothers and remain united, all will be well with you. If you forget and fight each other, you will suffer and your people with you. " Their vows of unity evaporated with their tears and hardly was the king in his grave before they began to squabble and conspire for each other's territories. In time, the dire warning came true; Bohemia and Slovakia, united and thriving as the Great Moravian Empire , were overrun and conquered as soon as they were divided. And so they remain to this day, separate in geography and philosophy and fates , although brothers and sisters in spirit. This example of the tragic consequences of sibling rivalry left an indelible impression upon me , but not the story of the Old Country. For �128 SLOVAKIA I was an American . .. and the Old Country meant little to me for many years. Not until that time in mid-life when we come full circle to what and who we are was I able to know and appreciate my mother for the individual she was and relish her memory to the fullest . ' 'I am Slovak-American . . . but you are American-Slovak .. . '' she would point out when we tried to urge supposedly superior ways upon her. Thus she paid tribute to Caesar without judgment. It was fine for us , but for her, she accepted only those changes she cared to adopt and we were not to forget it. And so we grew. Through good times , not so many, and bad times , more numerous, she never lost that sense of identity . Contained in it was a firm faith in Life and God, exemplified for her in her robust Eastern Orthodox faith . Although we lived too far from a church for regular attendance, babies were driven long distances for baptisms and on their name day would be carried to the nearest church for special remembrance. Also, on most holidays , special liturgical prayers were chanted in Slavonic by my father from his frayed prayer book with mother singing the responses. "For our President , for all civil authorities, for every city and country, let us pray to the Lord . . . '' a booming baritone would rise and fall. And back in light, high soprano would come the sung response, " Lord have mercy. " Eagerly I awaited my name day. Leaving brothers and sisters in care of a friend , my mother and I walked the four miles of country road lined with trees flamboyant in fall colors of late September. It was doubly special because we were both named for St. Sophia. At tiny St. John 's, the ikons, candles gleaming in the interior of mellow woods , and perfumed incense accompanying the prayers of intense , bearded Father Michael were awesome. But it was the babushki, those women standing at the front of the church, staunch, solid, and intent upon every word that wended its way upwards over the altar in a trail of incense vapor, that I recall most vividly. Whoever they were they mattered so much that there was no need to ask about them. They just were . When a particular one coaxed me to join her in singing the response , I refused. On the way home , my mother chided me . " But I don 't understand that language \ .. " I protested. " I talk English ." ' Was there a tinge of arrogance or presentiment of falsity that might harm her child that made my mother walk a silent mile with wor- �SLOVAKIA 129 ried face before she spoke? I don't know. But right before we crossed the bridge that led up the hill to the mining patch, she abruptly stopped. "See?" she pointed to the bridge. "That is you." "Me?" "Yes, I am Slovak who came here . . . yet . . . " and she struggled so hard for just the right words, ''I am not 100 percent American. Never." She pointed to her heart. "In here, you not 100 percent. Your children, maybe, but not you, not yet ... " She shook her head vehemently. ' ' But some day you will pray in church in English . . . like you talk." But as the legend of Svatopluk, the words faded almost as soon as spoken, the profound simile of first generation Americans as bridges connecting two cultures seeming wasted on a child. At the beginning of World War II my family moved to the city of Pittsburgh, but my mother remained Slovak-American and who she was all the days of her life. Her native land was a small area in the heartland of Europe, and every army of history had rolled over it again and again. Yet in villages and huts and farms, families such as ours managed to preserve a spark of identity of a people separate from all other peoples. Through centuries of political and economic repression and the contempts of a world that advanced more rapidly, yes even that of sibling Czechs whose German influence helped industrial advances, rural Slovaks as my mother never lost faith in themselves as persons or as a people. Above all, there was a deep faith in God and gratitude for the gift of life itself with all its tragedies. When my three brothers immediately enlisted in the Army she only sighed an agony-filled "vojna . . . vojna . .. "war ... war ... for her native land had suffered its destruction countless times and would again. And now even her adopted land was afflicted. When that dreaded telegram came saying that one of her sons, Nick, was killed in France, her anguish could only weep, ''vojna ... vojna .. . '' and her sorrow was finally assuaged in her church and by her God whom she still trusted as preserver of Life. And then one day we assembled from various parts of the country to weep through a last Liturgy for her. The large spirit had departed the tiny, tired body that had borne twelve children and raised ten by laboring through numberless 18-hour days required to feed, clothe, and nourish physically, emotionally, and spiritually. The depth of our loss was indescribable. She was our strength. Our comfort. Our life. And now she was gone. Even our powerful father �130 SLOVAKIA never quite recovered, and none of us was surprised when he followed her three years later, the light of his life having left this earth. It was years before I returned to the church of my mother. I had a search to make first. In other philosophies . Into the intellect. The emotions . Even at other altars. But that bowl of emptiness that was my inner being remained unfulfilled. I had consciously forgotten St. Sophia' s Day, but my heart must have remembered. Because it was the end of September when I found my way to a tiny Orthodox church in my Los Angeles suburb so much like the St . John's of my childhood, four decades and thousands of miles apart. Intense, bearded Father Sergei welcomed me and sat silently through my tale of bewilderment and woe. I had much of what the world valued, earned with so much effort. Then why hadn't God rewarded me with happiness? Why was I so sad? He smiled gently and touched my hand. '' But you have tried to cut off your roots . Did you think you could truly live like that? '' I drew back in protest. God was universal. God was immense. God was everywhere . Of course . Of course . Of course. He nodded assent to it all. But even before he said it, the ancient teaching of the Bible not to despise the church of one 's mother rose to my memory. So? What could it mean to me in the 1970s? The feeling part. Not the legal, formal , structured part. But that part of my mother's church that was a God of love , of mercy and nonjudgment, of trust in the largesse of life on earth and hereafter, a life so rich in mysteries that no arrogant egotism could hope to fathom it in a lifetime. Oh, how it had sustained her as she lived it and how expansive her life of spirit had been! The many who came to her funeral witnessed to that. Over and over they wept with us , remembering, " She was so kind ," or " When I was sick she came to see me every day and once brought a jar of peaches ,'' this in a depression year that must have emptied her larder of hoarded desserts , and " She always had a word of encouragement for me . . .. '' Together we mourned our loss. Joy despite a hard life and in her God. And I had lost it if indeed I had ever had it, I now bewailed. " But not at all. Why look , her prayers received a miraculous answer. God sent the Holy Spirit to bring you full circle . . . why, you have come home. And do you know sometl\ing? She was right . . . you will pray the Liturgy in English . . . . ' ' \ For he was the same priest who had changed tradition by celebrat- �SLOVAKIA 131 ing Liturgy in English aftet translating words and music from Old Slavonic, beginning just a short time before in this very church. Tears submerged the abutment to the bridge of connection for a time. With them, accumulated dust of the nonsense of years was washed away until once more that inner child emerged to again stand free and adventurous in heart . "Wisdom, " the priest had intoned this morning as he always does preceding the gospel reading. Sophia. The name meant wisdom. And my mother had had it. A peasant surety that was as deep as the intellect , only kinder and warmer. So many others had come to drink of that fountain and never had one gone away again still thirsty. Was my mother unique? Certainly in the individual sense. One of a kind I was sure until the publication of my novel, Concomitant Soldier. In it I had drawn from her qualities to create a key character. Then came the reviews and letters . ' ' Anna is my Italian nonna (grandmother) all over again . " Anna is just like my Swedish moder (mother) .. . " '' Anna is just like my wonderful Tia Roas . . . ' ' And even, "Anna is exactly like my English nanny I loved so much " She was, it seems, not only multi-ethnic, but her number was legion. And she left an imprint upon spirits that truly unites, first, sec~ ond, and third-generation Americans of very persuasion, and fortunate indeed are those families who experienced her grace. For too long, my life had been one of activity but, not united to my feelings and spirit, made every achievement empty. Somehow the babushki I knew, just as my mother, had never been so fragmented, perhaps more common in our day of increasing opportunities in the outer world of action. And today as I become a link in that long chain of babushki, past, present, and those to come , when I light candles and follow ancient prayers of liturgical custom, my spirit will join with those countless others as we add a special petition for the sacred tradition of wholeness to be handed down intact to our daughters and sisters everywhere. Although I don 't possess that intuitive sense of destiny and sure strength of spirit, still there is hope as the Church they served teaches, and maybe if I listen as intently to the still voice from the temple within, something of the mystery of who and why I am in this particular time and place and how to carry my own light into my world today will be revealed. Until then , it is enough merely to try to become my mother's daughter. Amen and amen. �� Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource 1980-81, Vol. 29 Description An account of the resource Vol. 29 (No. 53-54), 1980-81. Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available The Slovak League of America Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1980-81 Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document 126 SLOVAKIA Babushka SONYA JASON She was in church again this morning. As before, the image in long, dark blue skirt and blouse, navy kerchief covering her head that only accentuated the high Slavic cheekbones and pale blue eyes; so strongly did she resemble my long dead mother that it jarred me deeply. Throughout Divine Liturgy, my spirit prayed but my heart battled tears and homesickness , not only for my mother, but for the wealth of the past. As a child I had always seen at least one old lady at every weekday church service . There still is. Babushka or " little grandmother" we called them and still do. As there can be no Orthodox Liturgy unless a community of worshippers of at least two or three is present, including the celebrant priest , often her efforts to be there on winter or stormy mornings made the difference whether a particular saint would be honored in God's house on his or her feast day in that liturgical year. Today was my name-saint 's day and I set aside pressing duties to drive twenty-five miles to worship and petition not only for my needs but for those of my loved ones and all the world. Standing near the babushka to light a candle , I heard her lips murmur in prayer and noted that her mind was far, far away. She was oblivious to my presence and became immersed at once in the Liturgy and remained so throughout. Whoever she was , she cared only about what she was doing, and this morning, it was the business of prayer and worship. I could feel a spiritual energy emanate from her very presence. Like her, my mother had had a sense of identity so strong that you felt it at once. My very first knowledge of this came the year before I started school. A new little girl whose family had just moved into our coal mining patch the week before timidly wandered over. Warily we sized each other up. " Where did you come from? " Her query did not connote Freudian curiosity about sexual origins or even another town. Rather, it was ordinary for us children to learn the country of parents ' origin. From this , invisible guidelines were established, and if both sets of parents were \ll'om the same country in Europe, frequently friendships of depth were formed at once. SLOVAKIA 127 " I'm Czech, " I replied. "I'm Polish." But my mother, scrubbing shirt collars on a corrugated washboard set in a galvanized tub in the middle of the kitchen floor , straightened up with a frown . She brushed a tawny tendril off her glistening brow and pushed it back into the knot on top of her head. " Come here ... " she beckoned me with a finger dribbling bubbles of strong laundry soap. " You are Slovak," she corrected. I shrugged. " What 's the difference? " My question was partly puzzlement and partly that indifference of children to the vagaries of their parents. " Difference?" she echoed. Drying arms on her apron after plunging the shirts under suds to soak, she waved my new friend and me inside . We watched her cut thick slices of freshly baked bread from a loaf cooling on the shelf above the kitchen table and butter them . Eagerly we accepted and sat beside her to eat and listen. " You and Mary are sisters . But are you exactly alike? " The bread was warm and delicious and helped me ponder. I was dark and chubby. Mary fair and thin. The comparison made me giggle , but through a mouthful of bread I managed a '' huh uh. '' " Well, it's the same thing. Czechs and Slovaks are brothers and sisters but not the same." She then entertained us with the legend of King Sviitopluk as it has been told to untold generations of Czech and Slovak children . It seems that long ago good King Sviitopluk had two sons , Mojmir II and Sviitopluk II. They were fractious and greedy for each other's share of the kingdom as well as their own. On his deathbed, the old king summoned them and, holding their hands together in brotherly bond , admonished them: '' As long as you remember you are brothers and remain united, all will be well with you. If you forget and fight each other, you will suffer and your people with you. " Their vows of unity evaporated with their tears and hardly was the king in his grave before they began to squabble and conspire for each other's territories. In time, the dire warning came true; Bohemia and Slovakia, united and thriving as the Great Moravian Empire , were overrun and conquered as soon as they were divided. And so they remain to this day, separate in geography and philosophy and fates , although brothers and sisters in spirit. This example of the tragic consequences of sibling rivalry left an indelible impression upon me , but not the story of the Old Country. For 128 SLOVAKIA I was an American . .. and the Old Country meant little to me for many years. Not until that time in mid-life when we come full circle to what and who we are was I able to know and appreciate my mother for the individual she was and relish her memory to the fullest . ' 'I am Slovak-American . . . but you are American-Slovak .. . '' she would point out when we tried to urge supposedly superior ways upon her. Thus she paid tribute to Caesar without judgment. It was fine for us , but for her, she accepted only those changes she cared to adopt and we were not to forget it. And so we grew. Through good times , not so many, and bad times , more numerous, she never lost that sense of identity . Contained in it was a firm faith in Life and God, exemplified for her in her robust Eastern Orthodox faith . Although we lived too far from a church for regular attendance, babies were driven long distances for baptisms and on their name day would be carried to the nearest church for special remembrance. Also, on most holidays , special liturgical prayers were chanted in Slavonic by my father from his frayed prayer book with mother singing the responses. "For our President , for all civil authorities, for every city and country, let us pray to the Lord . . . '' a booming baritone would rise and fall. And back in light, high soprano would come the sung response, " Lord have mercy. " Eagerly I awaited my name day. Leaving brothers and sisters in care of a friend , my mother and I walked the four miles of country road lined with trees flamboyant in fall colors of late September. It was doubly special because we were both named for St. Sophia. At tiny St. John 's, the ikons, candles gleaming in the interior of mellow woods , and perfumed incense accompanying the prayers of intense , bearded Father Michael were awesome. But it was the babushki, those women standing at the front of the church, staunch, solid, and intent upon every word that wended its way upwards over the altar in a trail of incense vapor, that I recall most vividly. Whoever they were they mattered so much that there was no need to ask about them. They just were . When a particular one coaxed me to join her in singing the response , I refused. On the way home , my mother chided me . " But I don 't understand that language \ .. " I protested. " I talk English ." ' Was there a tinge of arrogance or presentiment of falsity that might harm her child that made my mother walk a silent mile with wor- SLOVAKIA 129 ried face before she spoke? I don't know. But right before we crossed the bridge that led up the hill to the mining patch, she abruptly stopped. "See?" she pointed to the bridge. "That is you." "Me?" "Yes, I am Slovak who came here . . . yet . . . " and she struggled so hard for just the right words, ''I am not 100 percent American. Never." She pointed to her heart. "In here, you not 100 percent. Your children, maybe, but not you, not yet ... " She shook her head vehemently. ' ' But some day you will pray in church in English . . . like you talk." But as the legend of Svatopluk, the words faded almost as soon as spoken, the profound simile of first generation Americans as bridges connecting two cultures seeming wasted on a child. At the beginning of World War II my family moved to the city of Pittsburgh, but my mother remained Slovak-American and who she was all the days of her life. Her native land was a small area in the heartland of Europe, and every army of history had rolled over it again and again. Yet in villages and huts and farms, families such as ours managed to preserve a spark of identity of a people separate from all other peoples. Through centuries of political and economic repression and the contempts of a world that advanced more rapidly, yes even that of sibling Czechs whose German influence helped industrial advances, rural Slovaks as my mother never lost faith in themselves as persons or as a people. Above all, there was a deep faith in God and gratitude for the gift of life itself with all its tragedies. When my three brothers immediately enlisted in the Army she only sighed an agony-filled "vojna . . . vojna . .. "war ... war ... for her native land had suffered its destruction countless times and would again. And now even her adopted land was afflicted. When that dreaded telegram came saying that one of her sons, Nick, was killed in France, her anguish could only weep, ''vojna ... vojna .. . '' and her sorrow was finally assuaged in her church and by her God whom she still trusted as preserver of Life. And then one day we assembled from various parts of the country to weep through a last Liturgy for her. The large spirit had departed the tiny, tired body that had borne twelve children and raised ten by laboring through numberless 18-hour days required to feed, clothe, and nourish physically, emotionally, and spiritually. The depth of our loss was indescribable. She was our strength. Our comfort. Our life. And now she was gone. Even our powerful father 130 SLOVAKIA never quite recovered, and none of us was surprised when he followed her three years later, the light of his life having left this earth. It was years before I returned to the church of my mother. I had a search to make first. In other philosophies . Into the intellect. The emotions . Even at other altars. But that bowl of emptiness that was my inner being remained unfulfilled. I had consciously forgotten St. Sophia' s Day, but my heart must have remembered. Because it was the end of September when I found my way to a tiny Orthodox church in my Los Angeles suburb so much like the St . John's of my childhood, four decades and thousands of miles apart. Intense, bearded Father Sergei welcomed me and sat silently through my tale of bewilderment and woe. I had much of what the world valued, earned with so much effort. Then why hadn't God rewarded me with happiness? Why was I so sad? He smiled gently and touched my hand. '' But you have tried to cut off your roots . Did you think you could truly live like that? '' I drew back in protest. God was universal. God was immense. God was everywhere . Of course . Of course . Of course. He nodded assent to it all. But even before he said it, the ancient teaching of the Bible not to despise the church of one 's mother rose to my memory. So? What could it mean to me in the 1970s? The feeling part. Not the legal, formal , structured part. But that part of my mother's church that was a God of love , of mercy and nonjudgment, of trust in the largesse of life on earth and hereafter, a life so rich in mysteries that no arrogant egotism could hope to fathom it in a lifetime. Oh, how it had sustained her as she lived it and how expansive her life of spirit had been! The many who came to her funeral witnessed to that. Over and over they wept with us , remembering, " She was so kind ," or " When I was sick she came to see me every day and once brought a jar of peaches ,'' this in a depression year that must have emptied her larder of hoarded desserts , and " She always had a word of encouragement for me . . .. '' Together we mourned our loss. Joy despite a hard life and in her God. And I had lost it if indeed I had ever had it, I now bewailed. " But not at all. Why look , her prayers received a miraculous answer. God sent the Holy Spirit to bring you full circle . . . why, you have come home. And do you know sometl\ing? She was right . . . you will pray the Liturgy in English . . . . ' ' \ For he was the same priest who had changed tradition by celebrat- SLOVAKIA 131 ing Liturgy in English aftet translating words and music from Old Slavonic, beginning just a short time before in this very church. Tears submerged the abutment to the bridge of connection for a time. With them, accumulated dust of the nonsense of years was washed away until once more that inner child emerged to again stand free and adventurous in heart . "Wisdom, " the priest had intoned this morning as he always does preceding the gospel reading. Sophia. The name meant wisdom. And my mother had had it. A peasant surety that was as deep as the intellect , only kinder and warmer. So many others had come to drink of that fountain and never had one gone away again still thirsty. Was my mother unique? Certainly in the individual sense. One of a kind I was sure until the publication of my novel, Concomitant Soldier. In it I had drawn from her qualities to create a key character. Then came the reviews and letters . ' ' Anna is my Italian nonna (grandmother) all over again . " Anna is just like my Swedish moder (mother) .. . " '' Anna is just like my wonderful Tia Roas . . . ' ' And even, "Anna is exactly like my English nanny I loved so much " She was, it seems, not only multi-ethnic, but her number was legion. And she left an imprint upon spirits that truly unites, first, sec~ ond, and third-generation Americans of very persuasion, and fortunate indeed are those families who experienced her grace. For too long, my life had been one of activity but, not united to my feelings and spirit, made every achievement empty. Somehow the babushki I knew, just as my mother, had never been so fragmented, perhaps more common in our day of increasing opportunities in the outer world of action. And today as I become a link in that long chain of babushki, past, present, and those to come , when I light candles and follow ancient prayers of liturgical custom, my spirit will join with those countless others as we add a special petition for the sacred tradition of wholeness to be handed down intact to our daughters and sisters everywhere. Although I don 't possess that intuitive sense of destiny and sure strength of spirit, still there is hope as the Church they served teaches, and maybe if I listen as intently to the still voice from the temple within, something of the mystery of who and why I am in this particular time and place and how to carry my own light into my world today will be revealed. Until then , it is enough merely to try to become my mother's daughter. Amen and amen.  Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Babushka Description An account of the resource Sonya Jason Slovakia, Vol. 29 (No. 53-54), 1980-81 pp. 126-131 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Jason, Sonya, 1924- Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1980-81 LCNAF https://slovakia.wordsofpassage.net/files/original/f9b44a0bc9f2d8a6194cf8dc60d9da94.pdf 73c53258079388771e6c4b75ee4aad69 PDF Text Text Officers of the Slovak League of America (Organized 1907 in Cleveland, Ohio.) • Honnraľy Preside nt Rev. John J . Lach 2006 Schrage Ave., Whiting, Ind. Or. Peter P. H letko Chicago, lllinois Joseph Prusa 205 Madison St.. Passaic, N. J. Pres ident Michae l Rehak Philip A . Hrobak 2738 W. 55th St., Chicago 32, 111. P. O. Box 150, Middletown, Pa. Vice-President ADVISORY COUNCIL Marti n Slimak Michael J . Vargovich 12511 Madison Avenue Lakewood 7, Ohio. National Pľesident First Catholic Slovak Union of U. S. A. Vice-Presideut Julia Krajcovic 1648 W. 18th Sl., Chicago 8, III. Helen Kocan Nationa I President First Catholic Slovak Ladies Union Recording Secretary Dr. Francis Hrusovsky 10510 Bu<:keye Road Cleve land 4, Ohio Frank Bobus National President Slovak Catholic Sokol Financial Secretary Stephen J. Tkach Frank J. Gurcak National President Peuna. Slovak Union 4755 Baptist Road Pittsburgh 27, Pa. Gabriela E. Vavrek Treasurer National President Ladies Pennsylvania Slovak Union Stephen Skriba 3235 W. 26th St., Chicago 23, III. EXECU TIVE COMMITTEE Martin Cintula Natlonal P r esideut Slovak Wreath of the Free Eagle Dr. Peter P. Hletko F'iľst 1943 W. 48th St., Chicago 9, Jll. Paul P. Jamriska John Rozboril 810 Montooth Street Pittsburgh 10, Pa. National Presideut Slovak Catholic Cadet Un ion SLOVAK NEWSPAPERS ( Affiliated with the Slovak League of America) JEDNOTA SLOVENSKÁ OBRANA ŽENSKÁ JEDNOTA Middlet own, Pa. Scranton, Pa. Cleveland, Ohlo. BRATSTVO SLOVENSKÉ NOVINY ZORNIČKA Wilkes-Barre, Pa. Cle veland, Ohio. Wilkes-Barre, P a. KATOLÍCKY SOKOL SVORNOSŤ Whitaker, Pa. OSADNÉ HLASY Chicago, lll. Passaic, N. J. �0 šAšriw TRNAVA 0 � Officers of the Slovak League of America (Organized 1907 in Cleveland, Ohio.) • Honnraľy Preside nt Rev. John J . Lach 2006 Schrage Ave., Whiting, Ind. Or. Peter P. H letko Chicago, lllinois Joseph Prusa 205 Madison St.. Passaic, N. J. Pres ident Michae l Rehak Philip A . Hrobak 2738 W. 55th St., Chicago 32, 111. P. O. Box 150, Middletown, Pa. Vice-President ADVISORY COUNCIL Marti n Slimak Michael J . Vargovich 12511 Madison Avenue Lakewood 7, Ohio. National Pľesident First Catholic Slovak Union of U. S. A. Vice-Presideut Julia Krajcovic 1648 W. 18th Sl., Chicago 8, III. Helen Kocan Nationa I President First Catholic Slovak Ladies Union Recording Secretary Dr. Francis Hrusovsky 10510 Bu<:keye Road Cleve land 4, Ohio Frank Bobus National President Slovak Catholic Sokol Financial Secretary Stephen J. Tkach Frank J. Gurcak National President Peuna. Slovak Union 4755 Baptist Road Pittsburgh 27, Pa. Gabriela E. Vavrek Treasurer National President Ladies Pennsylvania Slovak Union Stephen Skriba 3235 W. 26th St., Chicago 23, III. EXECU TIVE COMMITTEE Martin Cintula Natlonal P r esideut Slovak Wreath of the Free Eagle Dr. Peter P. Hletko F'iľst 1943 W. 48th St., Chicago 9, Jll. Paul P. Jamriska John Rozboril 810 Montooth Street Pittsburgh 10, Pa. National Presideut Slovak Catholic Cadet Un ion SLOVAK NEWSPAPERS ( Affiliated with the Slovak League of America) JEDNOTA SLOVENSKÁ OBRANA ŽENSKÁ JEDNOTA Middlet own, Pa. Scranton, Pa. Cleveland, Ohlo. BRATSTVO SLOVENSKÉ NOVINY ZORNIČKA Wilkes-Barre, Pa. Cle veland, Ohio. Wilkes-Barre, P a. KATOLÍCKY SOKOL SVORNOSŤ Whitaker, Pa. OSADNÉ HLASY Chicago, lll. Passaic, N. J. �0 šAšriw TRNAVA 0 � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource 1951, Vol. 1 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available The Slovak League of America Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1951 Description An account of the resource <ul><li>Issue 1 (No. 1), May 1951.</li> <li>Issue 2 (No. 2), December 1951.</li> </ul> Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context <ul><li><a href="https://n2t.net/ark:/13960/s261hfmshm7" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><span>ark:/13960/s261hfmshm7</span></a></li> <li><a href="https://n2t.net/ark:/13960/s21tk2wkzj4" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><span>ark:/13960/s21tk2wkzj4</span></a></li> </ul> Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Back Matter, Slovakia, Vol. 1, No. 1 (1) Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource May 1951 https://slovakia.wordsofpassage.net/files/original/62d8bf281c11a13fdbc1a16bf1801964.pdf cff62a63b570183b9523e931ef1c7a2b PDF Text Text Officers of the Slovak League of America (Organized 1907 in Cleveland, Ohio.) • John J. Sirotn ak Houorary President 610-612 Lincoln Trus t Bldg. Scranton 3, Pa. Or. Peter P. Hletko 1943 W . 48th Street Chicago 9, Illinois Dr. Jul ius J. Janci 311 W. King St., Owosso, Mich . President Stephanie O. H usek Philip A. Hrobak Georgian Court College P. O. Box 150, Middletown, Pa. Lakewood, N. J . Vice-President ADVISORY COUNCIL M ichael Sinchak 333 Schoonmaker Avenue !'.Ionessen, Pa. Michael J . Vargovich National P resident First Catholic Slovak Union of U. S. A. Vice-P resident Julia Krajcovi c 1648 W. 18th St., Chicago 8, III. H elen K ocan National President First Catholic Slovak Ladies Union Recor ding Secretary Dr. F rancis Hrusovsky 10510 Buckeye Road Cleveland 4. Ohio Frank Bobus National President Slovak Catholic Sokol Secretary- Treasurer Frank J . Gurcak Stephen ·J. Tk ach 4755 Haptist Road Pittsburgh 27, Pa. National P resident Pe nna. Slovak U nion Gabri el a E. Vavrek EXE CU T IVE COMMI TTEE National President Ladies P ennsylvan ia Slovak Union Paul P. Jamriska 810 Montooth Street Pittsburgh 10, Pa. John Rozbo r il Joseph Prusa 205 Madison St., Passaic, N. J. National President Slovak Cathollc Cadet Union SLOVAK NEWSPAPERS ( Affi liated w ith the S lovak League of America) JEDNOTA SLOV E NSKÁ OBRANA ŽENSKÁ J EDN OTA Middletown, Pa. Scranton, Pa. Cleveland, Ohlo. BRATSTVO SLOVE NSKÉ NOVI NY Wilkes-Ba rre, Pa. Cleveland, Ohio. Wilkes-Barre, Pa. KAT OLÍCKY SOKO L SVORNOSŤ Passalc, N. J . Whitaker. Pa. OSADNÉ H L ASY Chicago, Tli. ZORN I Č KA �CASTLE ORAVA, one of the most beautiful castles in Slovakia, nestles some 360 ft. above t he Orava river. The stronghold consists of t hree sections, built at different times; the lower, built in 1543; the centra!, built in about 1010; and the upper, built in 1561 . � Officers of the Slovak League of America (Organized 1907 in Cleveland, Ohio.) • John J. Sirotn ak Houorary President 610-612 Lincoln Trus t Bldg. Scranton 3, Pa. Or. Peter P. Hletko 1943 W . 48th Street Chicago 9, Illinois Dr. Jul ius J. Janci 311 W. King St., Owosso, Mich . President Stephanie O. H usek Philip A. Hrobak Georgian Court College P. O. Box 150, Middletown, Pa. Lakewood, N. J . Vice-President ADVISORY COUNCIL M ichael Sinchak 333 Schoonmaker Avenue !'.Ionessen, Pa. Michael J . Vargovich National P resident First Catholic Slovak Union of U. S. A. Vice-P resident Julia Krajcovi c 1648 W. 18th St., Chicago 8, III. H elen K ocan National President First Catholic Slovak Ladies Union Recor ding Secretary Dr. F rancis Hrusovsky 10510 Buckeye Road Cleveland 4. Ohio Frank Bobus National President Slovak Catholic Sokol Secretary- Treasurer Frank J . Gurcak Stephen ·J. Tk ach 4755 Haptist Road Pittsburgh 27, Pa. National P resident Pe nna. Slovak U nion Gabri el a E. Vavrek EXE CU T IVE COMMI TTEE National President Ladies P ennsylvan ia Slovak Union Paul P. Jamriska 810 Montooth Street Pittsburgh 10, Pa. John Rozbo r il Joseph Prusa 205 Madison St., Passaic, N. J. National President Slovak Cathollc Cadet Union SLOVAK NEWSPAPERS ( Affi liated w ith the S lovak League of America) JEDNOTA SLOV E NSKÁ OBRANA ŽENSKÁ J EDN OTA Middletown, Pa. Scranton, Pa. Cleveland, Ohlo. BRATSTVO SLOVE NSKÉ NOVI NY Wilkes-Ba rre, Pa. Cleveland, Ohio. Wilkes-Barre, Pa. KAT OLÍCKY SOKO L SVORNOSŤ Passalc, N. J . Whitaker. Pa. OSADNÉ H L ASY Chicago, Tli. ZORN I Č KA �CASTLE ORAVA, one of the most beautiful castles in Slovakia, nestles some 360 ft. above t he Orava river. The stronghold consists of t hree sections, built at different times; the lower, built in 1543; the centra!, built in about 1010; and the upper, built in 1561 . � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource 1951, Vol. 1 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available The Slovak League of America Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1951 Description An account of the resource <ul><li>Issue 1 (No. 1), May 1951.</li> <li>Issue 2 (No. 2), December 1951.</li> </ul> Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context <ul><li><a href="https://n2t.net/ark:/13960/s261hfmshm7" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><span>ark:/13960/s261hfmshm7</span></a></li> <li><a href="https://n2t.net/ark:/13960/s21tk2wkzj4" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><span>ark:/13960/s21tk2wkzj4</span></a></li> </ul> Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Back Matter, Slovakia, Vol. 1, No. 2 (2) Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource December 1951 https://slovakia.wordsofpassage.net/files/original/473ad706ff2c43f97ebdfdc2a5ad6f19.pdf fa659454b30cf0e3b1fabeb9f7d22b50 PDF Text Text 74 SLOVAKIA NEW BOOKS Gilbe rt L. Oddo: Slova kia and by the ,p roper and wide circulation Its People, Robert Speller and <Yf this book. Sons, New York, 1960; 362 pp., $6.00. This scholarly work is a most fitting tri!bute to the pla<ce and stature of Francis Hrufovsky in the annals of Slovakian histoi,y. Offered in memory of that distinguished Slov-ak historian, it serves as the first systemati:c history Olf the S:lovak nation in the English language. The privilege that Professor Gilbert L. Oddo enjoys in this respect is more than justilfied by the sterling at triibutes of his product. By careful research,, detailed documentat-i<on and balanced interpretation he has filled a gap in knowledlge and underst-anding that has existed for too long in the English-speaking countries. U!ns tfil now has ,b een a serious gap which no amount Olf pamphlets, papers and other transient media could adequately narrow. An important, authoritative source on the Slovak nat•ion has haippily emerged in, an important and leadin1g language of the world. While today many eyes are centered on Catholic countries like Olllba and others, wondering how and by what means a communist takeover might be achieived, tomorrow, as a result of works of this kind, they wti.11 become more and more focused on a predominantly Catholic counti,y behind the Iron Curtain which by no means has recei'Ved is fair due in world attention, evaluation and signi!ficance. Purposely distorted propaganda has clouded Western, and particUJlarly American, unldierstandi.ng r,f reality and aspirations r,f over four million people making urp the Slovak nat ion. Much of this politically contrived propaganda will undoulbtedly be dissi,pated It is truly amazinig the extent to which our thinkiing albout other people and nations is seriously discolored by myths and failse• hoods that ha.ve g-a,i ned currency through calculated effort on the part of the politiically ambitious few and, more so, through habitual usage and mental inertia. In these times it is even iroruical to hear many Olf our pwblic and private leaders urge in one breath that lfor our long-term security interests it is utterly indispensaible for us to understand other peoples and nations and then, in, the very ne~t breath, deny the distinctive nattiional existence of a given people by parroting unfounded and mis leading nomer·s and cliches. This writer has witnessed many trying, in efifect, to squMe a ciTcle by speaking, on the one hand, ()ff the glorious fight of Slovak patriots for nation.al independence and th en, on the other hand, reiterating the myth of a "Czechoslovak nation." Fortun,ately, in most instances this self-<!ontl'adiction is the con'sequence of an in~irm grasp of basiic essentials albout Slovaikia for which now there can be no excuse. lli. Oddo clearly and vividly provides t,h ese essentials in this hi-ghil.y readaible and accessible work. Despite the open record of nat ional Slovak resistance again•st communiist domination, the story of Slov.akia is a story Olf a nation's fight for fu'eedom and survival goes back well beyond the conteimpor,ary period. In a real sense, the present subjugation otf this undyin·g nation is only another chapter in, its long and evenbful history. Its cumulative experience in alternating periods of 1 1 1 �SLOVAKIA 75 independence and capt-i<vity pre- tianirty, social justi'Ce, literature, pares and equips its people welll cuJture, and the freedom of Slofor the tasks and chaU,enges olf vak!ia. The role of Trnava Univerthe present struggle. As one readls sity, the Slovak role i 1n, the evoluwbout rthe many historic occaS:i.on-s tion of the Czechs, Slovak if.fieedom forming the distinctive history of and the 1848 Revolution, the St. this European nation, he cannot Martin Memorandum of '1001~ .the but feel doubly assured that here ::zech-0..Slovak Pact of May 30, 119118 erists one of the truest and most and many other events are events reliwble allies of the cause of that bespeak the vitality, growth, world freedom. This volume cov- ,persevernnK!e, and determinatio niof ers these occasions wrth moving •a strategica1liy situated nation. All an<l d~scr,iiptive force, an<l the in- 1 this and more spells out a vtbrant dis,pensalble persp~tri.ve gained by tradition whiich is the .living soul Olf the reader is insurance enough Slovakia, a permanent reaHrty that against the repetition of basic no amount ofmyt,h-mraking political errors concerning rthe right and propaganda can possilbly erase or property of an independent Slo- for .long conceal. With descriptive vak nation in the world fami1ly oil' 1 vividness· and factual proportion, IProfessor Ododo succeeds in tbringnations. .Asi<le from it.s naturcm. rJgoht of ing out this truth in all its luselif-deterunination - which really minous aspects. The pattern of events and tragic doesn't have rto •b e reasserted time and time again to es!Jalblish the development thwt characterizes the distinctive character and the sepa- long history of the Slovak nation rate national will of rthe Slorva!k is rem'barkalbly similar to that of people - the full creden,t ials of many other nations naw held in the Slovak nation for sovereignty captiv~ty in the Russian Coonmuanid independence are found in its nist Empini Ukraine, White RusliVt.ing history F1rom the earliest sia, Georgoia, Turkestan and other backgrounds to the pr,e sent, the subjugated nations in Eastern Eumovement of Slovakian existence rope and Central Asia have on difhas been toward e,opanded free- ferent stages of the historical dom or t-oward freedom itsellf. ! drama and at different times enFrom the ninth century, when the Icountered - indeed, still do share first Slovak ruler, Prince Prilbina, 1 - si:milar problems. Problems o!f reigned, to our century, when on identity and rightful. recogniti1on, Ma-rch '14, 1939, a new independ- ! of nationial survival and historical ent Slovakia emerged and was re- I truth, are problems foisted upon cognized by twenty-seven coun- I the Slovak nation by alien influI tries, this saga ·o f a people's iixed ences and powers as they are by dletermina1iion to be free and re- I simi1ar forces in these other areas. spocted a·s an equal among nations ! The nature and character of these abounds with heroes, events and j problems, whether arisin,g from achievements that would glorilfy / •b lind Western iniaipplicatfon of the the history of any nation, large . ,pri-nciple of national self-determin / ation, misinrter;pre,t,at.ion of the or small. The names of SS. Cyiril and Me- / Czecho-6lovak Pact, the Hitlerian thodius, Janosik, Anthony Beroo- 1episode arul the dtelimmas it posed laJc, Hlinka, Stefanik, Hurlban-V•a- to maniy peoples in Central and jansky, Dr. Joseph Tiso and numer- Easter.Ill Europe, are treated with ous other,s are historic names as- scholarly consideration and balsoci-aited with the advance o! Chni.s- ance in this work. They cannot be I �76 SLOVAKIA handled otherwise, for the strug-1 Slo,v ak culture, literature and the language of the oldest people gle of a people is involved. This struggle is today an in- in the Danube region, as well as tegral and important part of man- the democratic traditions of the krnd's struggle for freedom . The Slovak nation, are presented in so,mer many Amer,i cans realize an intiemgilble way. Moreover, the this, the better wm our position complex events that created and be in relation to all the eruptive shaped Czecho-Slovakia an'<i then. nations in the Russian Communi9t led to the declaration of Slovak Empire. The history of the free- 1 independence on March 14, 1939 dom-loving Slovak nation, as so (six months before the outbreak competently portrayed here, is a of the war, are so arranged sufficient guideline for our think- and exiplained as to give the ing, our policies, our actions and , reader a factual and mastierful survey of a hectic period in momost of all, for our conscience. dern history. Lev E. Dobriansky, Arrnerican Slovaks are credited Georgetown University. with the idea of Slovak independJoseph M. Kirschbaum: Slo- ence in the very frrst chaipter. vakia - Nation at the Cross- This trilbute is based upon the fact roads of Central Europe, Ro- that all during the present cenibel"'t Slpeller and Sons, Ne<w tury the Slova1ks here, inspired by York, 1960; 385 pp,, $5.00. the spir,it of American freedom, This latest work by the distin- have spared no effort to help their guished professor of Slavic Stu- fellow countrymen estalblish a free dies at the University of Montreal and self-governing state of their is a well balanced, coordinated and own. To this end they attempted weIJ.,calculated effort to give a forward step towards self-govthinking people a true picture of Iemment with the Czechs to be the Slovak nation struggling for equal partners in- the formation national freedom and survival since I of the first Republic of Czechothe dawn of western civilization. i Slovakra. (Cfr. the Cleveland In his introduction, Kirschbaum I Agreement of 1915 and the Pittsgives the reader a genuine histo- i burgh Pact of 19118). When the latrical prospective of the land and ter agreement with the Czech repits people in a few pages. In a ' resentatives (including Thomas G. concise sweep of centuries of -hi- Masal"'yk) was repudiated after the of the republic, story, the author traces the fate- establishment ful course of -this small but dy- the Slovaks, rea.Jizing they were namic nation from the sixth cen- denied the right to selrf-governI ment in, their home country, retury to the present. ever before has a reader of newed the struggle, and the moveSlovak histori'Cal development had ment towards a free state of their the opportunity to learn so quickly , own was accelerated by both the the real story of a countl"'y whose irresistible force of freedom and destiny has been and still is close- the sweep of external events, rely associated with the life of its , suiting in the declara1Uon of Sloneighbors, namely, Czechs,, Aits- vak ind'ependen'Ce on, Miarch 14, trians, Germans, Poles, Russians, 11939. and Magyars, for here, in a com- , The book is enhanced by more pact vollllffie, the author has com- than a score of pictures that iipressed centuries of history as it ' lustrate highlights in the history occurred in the heart of Eurnpe of the Slovak nation. A suitable ! �77 SLOVAKIA bibliography of s·o me sixty sources indicates the thorough scho1'arship that produced it. Documents and letters relati'Ilg to the struggle of the Slo;vaiks for their right t'O self-governmeITTit and a free stathood are quoited as far back as April 13, '11849, when a group of Slovak deputies submitted a petition to the Ministry in Vienna for national recognition. These, a total of 712, are up to 1005. Thus, not only is this book designated fur popular :reading but also for serious study by students of hi'story. It will serve to provide them with a basic historical knowledge of the S1ovak nation, and wi11 g~ve them a reliaible insight in'to the incredibly fascinating story of Slovakia on the Danube. Andrew Pie.r, O.S.B., Director, Slovak Jn.stirtute, Cleveland, 0. 1 Jozef Pauco: Unconquerables. Vanitage P,ress, N. Y., Washington, Chi~caglo, Holly,wood. 225 pp., $3.50. In this a•ge of the exiled, the tempest-rossed and the oppressed, many have been the men and women of diverse political, religious and ied'ologicall persuasi·ons whose fate has been sung and whose cause won through global sympathy and recognition,. No less dramatic but perhaps less sung and stiU not won is the cause of the Slovak heroes, the unconqueraibles behind, the iron curtain, souls who could not and would not leave, cornvinced that their mission, is to remain, to oppose the foe and defend the id•e als that externally have succumbed but in their hearr ts burn on. Ph.D. Jlozef Paufo, son of S!lov,akia, whose road has led him from the Slovaik University into the world of journalism via Austria and West Germany, New York, and now Pennsylvancita, has recor- ded true stories of Silova,k heroism as personified in the "Whtie Legionnaires." Slova~ia, whose fight against Czech chauvfoism was as little appreciated as that of the Sudeten Germans a,g;afo,s t Czech encroachment, has a tale of its own to tell in the 20th cen•tury battle aga,i nst satanic Coonmuni sm. Those familiar with the Slo,vak people know that no wedge has been or can be driven between them and their clergy. The Slovaks are devout, loyal Catholics almost ro a man. Any stor,y olf their bravery against Bolshevism is at the same tJime a document o.f the valor olf their priests, nuns, and o,ther religious who to this very h1our are traveling a path to Calvary that only a glowing faith i-n the Crucified could make possible. The pages of Pauco's "Unrcon• queraib!tes" offer the reader no paipier-mache dons but filesh and blood men and women like Sister Katarina, enduring personal insuit and humi!Jiation, foreed to witness the desecra'tion of what she ho1ds most sacred; like teacher Stach, dediicated to saving Slovak youth from the acids of Bolshevist ideology by fonning secret schools to lecture on religi•on, ins<tihl Slovak ideals in young folk and keep good literature alive. We read of the diabolical chticanery iruvented to prevent the people oi a Slovak village from going on a pilgrimage and we see that simple faith undaunted even in the face o,f outright deceit and force . We see the enemy systematically trying to wproot Christian prindples from the school's and Slovak way of life and see the Legionna,i res fig;hting hack. Simple s'traightforwaror books like Pauco's should be placed on required reading lists for schools I �SLOVAKIA 78 and in public li!braries all over I L. Niederle, e<tc.) and try to shed the coullltry. Irts message goes right a new light on this, period of Slavic history and civilization. And to the heart. while we may disagree with their Frances McPoyne. "marxist" methods, it will be difStephen Smriik, S.J.,: The .flicult to deny the conclusfons Glagolitic or Romano-S'lavonic reached whi<ch are supported by Liturgy, Series Cyrill()'Illethodi- research in archeofogy and p,hiana, Slovak Institute, Cleve- lology. a'and, Rome, 195'9, 1120 pp., ilThe author of The Glagolitic or Roman-Slavonic Liturgy wrote his lustraited; $2.50. The approachiing 1100th anni- I book on .this side of the Iron Curversary of the arrival of SS. Cyril , tain, in Rome, where und,oUlbtedly and Metiliodfos to Great Moravia, j many original sources, until now inspir-ed several Slovak Slavists to only partly or not at all used, publish a series of s,cholM"lY stu- ,I were at his disposal. Thi'S g,ives to dies in English called Cyrilome- his study on the introductii.on of thodiana. The first volume was the ancierut Slovak (Slovanic) Ianprepared by a Sloivak exipert in guage into the Christian, •l iturgy a medieval arts, Prolfessor J. G. Cin- value of original reaserch and cik. Allthougih its tiitle reads An- makes his book a contribution to glo-Saxon and Slovak-Avar Pat• the Slavis<tJics. Recognition of the terns of the Cuthbert Gospel, it re- Slovaniic language by ROlllle as one fers in its conclusions to the mis- of the liturgi.cal languages, at a sion of SS. Cyril and Meithodius. time when Slavs were lbut barba(See a rev-itew on, this in Slavic and rians, was an epoch-making eivent East European Studies, Vol. IIII, which laid the foundation for a F. 4, p. 240). The second volume I new Slav,i,c civilization that spread is the well,balanced and carefully ! from Great Moraivia and later d~ veloped among Southern and Eastedited study by Rev. Stephen zik, S.J., a learned Sllovak Jesuit, ern Slavs. The corutinuous interest study-Jng and teaching in Italy. 1 of Slavis'ts in this epooh is conGreat Moravia and the civiliza- ! sequently understandalble. tion which started in the t erri- 1 Father Sanrzik r,e-examined in tory of today's Sl 01Vakia, Moraivia, \ his scholarly treatise the views and Southern Poland, a,nd Slo-v enia I theories of several Slavi•s ts on• the (the comp'o nen:t parts of Greater IRoman-Slovanic liturgy, called also Moravia) with the missi'On of SS. the Glagolitic liturgy. In order to Cyril and Methodius, became in ! arrive at objective conclusions, the the past decades a favorite field of j author analyzed the theories which study and research of many S.la- j assert that the Roman Siova'lllic livis1ts of Polish, Slovak, Sloveni'an, I turgy was in't roduced already by Crech, and Hungartan origin. 1 the Slovak a,postles, CY["il and Scores of books have been, pulb- 1 Methodius, as well as the theories lis_hed b~hind the Iron Cm,tain on j whi~h assert that they _had no conthis subJect namely by Slovak and I nect110n whatsoever with the RoCzech archeologists and linguists mano.Slovanic liturgy. Writing his (Poul-&, Eisner, Tocik, Stanislav, : bO'ok in Rome, the author had an Isacenko, Dek>an, Pauliny, etc.) who : excellent opportunity for peru&ing challenge the vtiews and theories I all the principal works on the subof previous researche:rs (F. Dvor- ject. As a result, he gives us the nik, J . Skultety, P. Hrusovsky, V. views of Cherubi,n, Segivic, who exJagic, J. Dobrovsky, J. P. Safarik, pounded his theory on the origin Smr- 1 1 �SLOVAKIA on the ROl!Ilan-Slovanic liturrgy lin several puiblica'tions, denying the Cyrilo-Methodian origJn of the Roman-Slovanic liturgy, as weU as thie 1heories· of Orthodox authors Gorazd Pa,vlik and Jif.i Novak, on the one ha-nd, and recent pro-Cyrilomethodiian theories oif Ivan Bercic, F. Pasternak, S. Rittig, Anton Brtikner, and C. Mohlberg, on the otherr hand. The author g.ives a clear evaluation and a crlitique of all theories and presents a syn'thesis of the evolution and preserut status of the liturgy which, according to him, is western in its ceremonies and eastern in its· language. For Fiather Smrzik there is no douibt that the Roman-Slov~nic liturgy was introduced lby the Slovak apostles Cyril and Methodius in Gre-a t Moravia. Sinre he arri>ved at this coniclusion on the basis of a thorough study of so many eminent Slavists, whose works were predominenltly published in Slavic languages, his book is und'OUlbtedly a valualble contribution to the elucidation of the sulbject. The boolk also contains a chapter on history of the Roman-6110vanic liturgy which makes it an the more v,aluable for readers who are not acqua,i nted with the s·ubject. However, this chap'ter should have come, in this reviewer's opinion, -as Ohapter I. Chapter II, w,hich deals with t,h e oldest written record,s of the Rom,an-Siovanic liturgy, completes eff~ct-ively the picture of the origin and development of the ROl!Ilan-Slovanic liturgy. Scholars in Slaivic subje'cts will appreciate also the author's bilbliograiphy, but n1dt including an index is one of the shortcomings of this excellent and well-eddted stud!Y which is enr-ichied by several repro<lucti'Ons and illustrations. I 79 J. M. Kirschbaum: Contempo• rary Tendencies in Slovak Phi• lology, an offprint from the periodical SI:avk and East European Studies, Vol. IV, No. 3-4, Department Olf Slavic Stud:ies, University Olf Montreal; 114 pp. Though Professor Kirschlbaum's concise study is primair.iJy destinoo for scholars and teachers, it gives, neventheiess, a clear picture of Slovaik endeavors in the field of philology to all who -are interested in the Slovak languag,e and in its relation to other Slavic languages. Man!Y American and Canadian readers• will be sur,pci-sed to Jearn that the relation between the Czech and the Slovaik language is not onJy a relaitdon between two distinct Slavic languages, but ,t hat Czech poetry and prose are now tl"anslated !into rbhe Slovak and vice versa as the Polish or Russian have always been. There was much confusion albowt this relation even in academic circles. ,T he value of Kirschlbaum's ·new study !lies in its cleair elucida.bon of the sulbject and of the reasons which, for so many years w.ere res,ponsilble for the existing con/fusion. ,Divid-ed into three chapters, the s,tu,dy presents a short, ,b ut scholarly perusal of contemporary tendencies in Slovak philology which is sUJbject to Russian pressure in the same way as the whole Slovak cultural lilfe has been from [945. While the author of the s,tudy admits that Slovaik philology develops comparaitiv,e ly undisitUT1bed by the incluSlion of Slovaik:ia within the Soviet cultural and political s,p he,r e of influence, he points to the attempts o;f some young philologists to impose "iMarxlis,t" or "StaJin'·s" dir:ectives upon the J. M. Kirschbaum, aeti<vities o~ Slovak philologists. University of Montreal. An anialysis of two volumes olf 1 �SLOVAKIA 80 "Bilbl'iography of Slovak PhHolo gy" tional origin of these men, but Cfor the y,e ars 1'93•9,,119417 and 1'!)!4& especially the position and role 195'2) makes Kiirschlbaum's study of Sttir in forming m<Ydern literacy pa.r ticularly valuable, as it shows Slovak, in unifying the Slovak nahow th e indi,v idual £ields of Slo- tion, and ,l eading the Slov,aks in vak phi,1,ology de,v eloped during their fight for national survival the past 20 years. The fact, that and independence. The author c. i the study is based on a thorough ;•this 1booklet did not enumerate all resea11ch into original S1'ovalk ,t he availaibLe bilbliography, but works giv,es to this first English brought out the lit,e ratur,e based treatise of S1-0'Vak philology an •o n oriiginal manuscripts, which unadded va,Iue. fortuiniaitely are still little known A. 'D. . among the Sla,vists on ,this con1 . , , • , tinent, and a score of works in J. M. ~•rschbam: L'.udovit S t ~r several foreign 1'anguages. and His Pl~c! In the Slavic · Four condensed chapters which '-'."oiild, Sla,vistma No. 32, _if>uib- 1make up this booklet cannot exL1s_he~ by the Slovak In st itute, I haust the per,sonaliity of Iludlorvit Wmn11peg...JC1'erveland, 1 9 5 8; Stur as a philosopher of Prun.SlavG-4 PP' ism, as a linguist and philologist, il.ittle has !been written in Eng- ' as an aesthete and poet, and as a lish rubout Stur's ideas of Pan- ' Slovak naition1a,l leader. lt is our Slavism and about his •i deas con- hope that J. M. Kirschlbaum will cerning the stmgg,l e for indei)end- 1,e ventua•Lly enlarge this valuable ence of ,t he Slo;vaik nation, and study into a 11esource!ful book fulonoe he -exhausted all peac,efuil ly and thoroughly evaluating the ,parlJ.amentary and .political means, ; ~igan,ti,c personality of Iludovit his role ,in the Iieibellion against Stur. Magyar oppression in 11848. The John Rekem, Slovak natio•n, dly.ing a slow death ' Winniipeg. under Miagyar oppression, was 1 greatly l!eartened and strength- 1 AT LAST ened by Stur's new unifying liverary language and culitu~al pro- 'A HISTORY OF SLOVAK.IA grams •took on a new life. This I in En lish fina,lly led to Slovak independence : g in 193e. I SUPPLY IS LIMITED Even eminent scholars o.f Slavisti:cs did not look into the per- I Get your copy NOW. sonality of Iludovit Stur. Lack of 1 ,access to, the oriiginal works of i Cloth cover, 382 pages Stur led some Slavists t o accept I th•e judgment of ma,ny politica,Uy i $6.00 pr,ejuditced Czech authors. Some went so far as to laibel Stur with J. Kollar and Saifarik as Czechs 1 although they were SlovaJks. Stur's : by Gilbert L. Oddo greaitest achievement wa:s the codification of the new Slo:vak Ii- ' terary language. JEDNOTA PRINTERY Credit is due to Kirschbaum's P. 0. Bo,x 150 present booklet inasmuch as it Middletown, Pa. helps to clarify not only the na1 1 ============== 1 1 Slovakia And Its People � 74 SLOVAKIA NEW BOOKS Gilbe rt L. Oddo: Slova kia and by the ,p roper and wide circulation Its People, Robert Speller and <Yf this book. Sons, New York, 1960; 362 pp., $6.00. This scholarly work is a most fitting tri!bute to the pla<ce and stature of Francis Hrufovsky in the annals of Slovakian histoi,y. Offered in memory of that distinguished Slov-ak historian, it serves as the first systemati:c history Olf the S:lovak nation in the English language. The privilege that Professor Gilbert L. Oddo enjoys in this respect is more than justilfied by the sterling at triibutes of his product. By careful research,, detailed documentat-i<on and balanced interpretation he has filled a gap in knowledlge and underst-anding that has existed for too long in the English-speaking countries. U!ns tfil now has ,b een a serious gap which no amount Olf pamphlets, papers and other transient media could adequately narrow. An important, authoritative source on the Slovak nat•ion has haippily emerged in, an important and leadin1g language of the world. While today many eyes are centered on Catholic countries like Olllba and others, wondering how and by what means a communist takeover might be achieived, tomorrow, as a result of works of this kind, they wti.11 become more and more focused on a predominantly Catholic counti,y behind the Iron Curtain which by no means has recei'Ved is fair due in world attention, evaluation and signi!ficance. Purposely distorted propaganda has clouded Western, and particUJlarly American, unldierstandi.ng r,f reality and aspirations r,f over four million people making urp the Slovak nat ion. Much of this politically contrived propaganda will undoulbtedly be dissi,pated It is truly amazinig the extent to which our thinkiing albout other people and nations is seriously discolored by myths and failse• hoods that ha.ve g-a,i ned currency through calculated effort on the part of the politiically ambitious few and, more so, through habitual usage and mental inertia. In these times it is even iroruical to hear many Olf our pwblic and private leaders urge in one breath that lfor our long-term security interests it is utterly indispensaible for us to understand other peoples and nations and then, in, the very ne~t breath, deny the distinctive nattiional existence of a given people by parroting unfounded and mis leading nomer·s and cliches. This writer has witnessed many trying, in efifect, to squMe a ciTcle by speaking, on the one hand, ()ff the glorious fight of Slovak patriots for nation.al independence and th en, on the other hand, reiterating the myth of a "Czechoslovak nation." Fortun,ately, in most instances this self-<!ontl'adiction is the con'sequence of an in~irm grasp of basiic essentials albout Slovaikia for which now there can be no excuse. lli. Oddo clearly and vividly provides t,h ese essentials in this hi-ghil.y readaible and accessible work. Despite the open record of nat ional Slovak resistance again•st communiist domination, the story of Slov.akia is a story Olf a nation's fight for fu'eedom and survival goes back well beyond the conteimpor,ary period. In a real sense, the present subjugation otf this undyin·g nation is only another chapter in, its long and evenbful history. Its cumulative experience in alternating periods of 1 1 1 �SLOVAKIA 75 independence and capt-i<vity pre- tianirty, social justi'Ce, literature, pares and equips its people welll cuJture, and the freedom of Slofor the tasks and chaU,enges olf vak!ia. The role of Trnava Univerthe present struggle. As one readls sity, the Slovak role i 1n, the evoluwbout rthe many historic occaS:i.on-s tion of the Czechs, Slovak if.fieedom forming the distinctive history of and the 1848 Revolution, the St. this European nation, he cannot Martin Memorandum of '1001~ .the but feel doubly assured that here ::zech-0..Slovak Pact of May 30, 119118 erists one of the truest and most and many other events are events reliwble allies of the cause of that bespeak the vitality, growth, world freedom. This volume cov- ,persevernnK!e, and determinatio niof ers these occasions wrth moving •a strategica1liy situated nation. All an<l d~scr,iiptive force, an<l the in- 1 this and more spells out a vtbrant dis,pensalble persp~tri.ve gained by tradition whiich is the .living soul Olf the reader is insurance enough Slovakia, a permanent reaHrty that against the repetition of basic no amount ofmyt,h-mraking political errors concerning rthe right and propaganda can possilbly erase or property of an independent Slo- for .long conceal. With descriptive vak nation in the world fami1ly oil' 1 vividness· and factual proportion, IProfessor Ododo succeeds in tbringnations. .Asi<le from it.s naturcm. rJgoht of ing out this truth in all its luselif-deterunination - which really minous aspects. The pattern of events and tragic doesn't have rto •b e reasserted time and time again to es!Jalblish the development thwt characterizes the distinctive character and the sepa- long history of the Slovak nation rate national will of rthe Slorva!k is rem'barkalbly similar to that of people - the full creden,t ials of many other nations naw held in the Slovak nation for sovereignty captiv~ty in the Russian Coonmuanid independence are found in its nist Empini Ukraine, White RusliVt.ing history F1rom the earliest sia, Georgoia, Turkestan and other backgrounds to the pr,e sent, the subjugated nations in Eastern Eumovement of Slovakian existence rope and Central Asia have on difhas been toward e,opanded free- ferent stages of the historical dom or t-oward freedom itsellf. ! drama and at different times enFrom the ninth century, when the Icountered - indeed, still do share first Slovak ruler, Prince Prilbina, 1 - si:milar problems. Problems o!f reigned, to our century, when on identity and rightful. recogniti1on, Ma-rch '14, 1939, a new independ- ! of nationial survival and historical ent Slovakia emerged and was re- I truth, are problems foisted upon cognized by twenty-seven coun- I the Slovak nation by alien influI tries, this saga ·o f a people's iixed ences and powers as they are by dletermina1iion to be free and re- I simi1ar forces in these other areas. spocted a·s an equal among nations ! The nature and character of these abounds with heroes, events and j problems, whether arisin,g from achievements that would glorilfy / •b lind Western iniaipplicatfon of the the history of any nation, large . ,pri-nciple of national self-determin / ation, misinrter;pre,t,at.ion of the or small. The names of SS. Cyiril and Me- / Czecho-6lovak Pact, the Hitlerian thodius, Janosik, Anthony Beroo- 1episode arul the dtelimmas it posed laJc, Hlinka, Stefanik, Hurlban-V•a- to maniy peoples in Central and jansky, Dr. Joseph Tiso and numer- Easter.Ill Europe, are treated with ous other,s are historic names as- scholarly consideration and balsoci-aited with the advance o! Chni.s- ance in this work. They cannot be I �76 SLOVAKIA handled otherwise, for the strug-1 Slo,v ak culture, literature and the language of the oldest people gle of a people is involved. This struggle is today an in- in the Danube region, as well as tegral and important part of man- the democratic traditions of the krnd's struggle for freedom . The Slovak nation, are presented in so,mer many Amer,i cans realize an intiemgilble way. Moreover, the this, the better wm our position complex events that created and be in relation to all the eruptive shaped Czecho-Slovakia an'<i then. nations in the Russian Communi9t led to the declaration of Slovak Empire. The history of the free- 1 independence on March 14, 1939 dom-loving Slovak nation, as so (six months before the outbreak competently portrayed here, is a of the war, are so arranged sufficient guideline for our think- and exiplained as to give the ing, our policies, our actions and , reader a factual and mastierful survey of a hectic period in momost of all, for our conscience. dern history. Lev E. Dobriansky, Arrnerican Slovaks are credited Georgetown University. with the idea of Slovak independJoseph M. Kirschbaum: Slo- ence in the very frrst chaipter. vakia - Nation at the Cross- This trilbute is based upon the fact roads of Central Europe, Ro- that all during the present cenibel"'t Slpeller and Sons, Ne<w tury the Slova1ks here, inspired by York, 1960; 385 pp,, $5.00. the spir,it of American freedom, This latest work by the distin- have spared no effort to help their guished professor of Slavic Stu- fellow countrymen estalblish a free dies at the University of Montreal and self-governing state of their is a well balanced, coordinated and own. To this end they attempted weIJ.,calculated effort to give a forward step towards self-govthinking people a true picture of Iemment with the Czechs to be the Slovak nation struggling for equal partners in- the formation national freedom and survival since I of the first Republic of Czechothe dawn of western civilization. i Slovakra. (Cfr. the Cleveland In his introduction, Kirschbaum I Agreement of 1915 and the Pittsgives the reader a genuine histo- i burgh Pact of 19118). When the latrical prospective of the land and ter agreement with the Czech repits people in a few pages. In a ' resentatives (including Thomas G. concise sweep of centuries of -hi- Masal"'yk) was repudiated after the of the republic, story, the author traces the fate- establishment ful course of -this small but dy- the Slovaks, rea.Jizing they were namic nation from the sixth cen- denied the right to selrf-governI ment in, their home country, retury to the present. ever before has a reader of newed the struggle, and the moveSlovak histori'Cal development had ment towards a free state of their the opportunity to learn so quickly , own was accelerated by both the the real story of a countl"'y whose irresistible force of freedom and destiny has been and still is close- the sweep of external events, rely associated with the life of its , suiting in the declara1Uon of Sloneighbors, namely, Czechs,, Aits- vak ind'ependen'Ce on, Miarch 14, trians, Germans, Poles, Russians, 11939. and Magyars, for here, in a com- , The book is enhanced by more pact vollllffie, the author has com- than a score of pictures that iipressed centuries of history as it ' lustrate highlights in the history occurred in the heart of Eurnpe of the Slovak nation. A suitable ! �77 SLOVAKIA bibliography of s·o me sixty sources indicates the thorough scho1'arship that produced it. Documents and letters relati'Ilg to the struggle of the Slo;vaiks for their right t'O self-governmeITTit and a free stathood are quoited as far back as April 13, '11849, when a group of Slovak deputies submitted a petition to the Ministry in Vienna for national recognition. These, a total of 712, are up to 1005. Thus, not only is this book designated fur popular :reading but also for serious study by students of hi'story. It will serve to provide them with a basic historical knowledge of the S1ovak nation, and wi11 g~ve them a reliaible insight in'to the incredibly fascinating story of Slovakia on the Danube. Andrew Pie.r, O.S.B., Director, Slovak Jn.stirtute, Cleveland, 0. 1 Jozef Pauco: Unconquerables. Vanitage P,ress, N. Y., Washington, Chi~caglo, Holly,wood. 225 pp., $3.50. In this a•ge of the exiled, the tempest-rossed and the oppressed, many have been the men and women of diverse political, religious and ied'ologicall persuasi·ons whose fate has been sung and whose cause won through global sympathy and recognition,. No less dramatic but perhaps less sung and stiU not won is the cause of the Slovak heroes, the unconqueraibles behind, the iron curtain, souls who could not and would not leave, cornvinced that their mission, is to remain, to oppose the foe and defend the id•e als that externally have succumbed but in their hearr ts burn on. Ph.D. Jlozef Paufo, son of S!lov,akia, whose road has led him from the Slovaik University into the world of journalism via Austria and West Germany, New York, and now Pennsylvancita, has recor- ded true stories of Silova,k heroism as personified in the "Whtie Legionnaires." Slova~ia, whose fight against Czech chauvfoism was as little appreciated as that of the Sudeten Germans a,g;afo,s t Czech encroachment, has a tale of its own to tell in the 20th cen•tury battle aga,i nst satanic Coonmuni sm. Those familiar with the Slo,vak people know that no wedge has been or can be driven between them and their clergy. The Slovaks are devout, loyal Catholics almost ro a man. Any stor,y olf their bravery against Bolshevism is at the same tJime a document o.f the valor olf their priests, nuns, and o,ther religious who to this very h1our are traveling a path to Calvary that only a glowing faith i-n the Crucified could make possible. The pages of Pauco's "Unrcon• queraib!tes" offer the reader no paipier-mache dons but filesh and blood men and women like Sister Katarina, enduring personal insuit and humi!Jiation, foreed to witness the desecra'tion of what she ho1ds most sacred; like teacher Stach, dediicated to saving Slovak youth from the acids of Bolshevist ideology by fonning secret schools to lecture on religi•on, ins<tihl Slovak ideals in young folk and keep good literature alive. We read of the diabolical chticanery iruvented to prevent the people oi a Slovak village from going on a pilgrimage and we see that simple faith undaunted even in the face o,f outright deceit and force . We see the enemy systematically trying to wproot Christian prindples from the school's and Slovak way of life and see the Legionna,i res fig;hting hack. Simple s'traightforwaror books like Pauco's should be placed on required reading lists for schools I �SLOVAKIA 78 and in public li!braries all over I L. Niederle, e<tc.) and try to shed the coullltry. Irts message goes right a new light on this, period of Slavic history and civilization. And to the heart. while we may disagree with their Frances McPoyne. "marxist" methods, it will be difStephen Smriik, S.J.,: The .flicult to deny the conclusfons Glagolitic or Romano-S'lavonic reached whi<ch are supported by Liturgy, Series Cyrill()'Illethodi- research in archeofogy and p,hiana, Slovak Institute, Cleve- lology. a'and, Rome, 195'9, 1120 pp., ilThe author of The Glagolitic or Roman-Slavonic Liturgy wrote his lustraited; $2.50. The approachiing 1100th anni- I book on .this side of the Iron Curversary of the arrival of SS. Cyril , tain, in Rome, where und,oUlbtedly and Metiliodfos to Great Moravia, j many original sources, until now inspir-ed several Slovak Slavists to only partly or not at all used, publish a series of s,cholM"lY stu- ,I were at his disposal. Thi'S g,ives to dies in English called Cyrilome- his study on the introductii.on of thodiana. The first volume was the ancierut Slovak (Slovanic) Ianprepared by a Sloivak exipert in guage into the Christian, •l iturgy a medieval arts, Prolfessor J. G. Cin- value of original reaserch and cik. Allthougih its tiitle reads An- makes his book a contribution to glo-Saxon and Slovak-Avar Pat• the Slavis<tJics. Recognition of the terns of the Cuthbert Gospel, it re- Slovaniic language by ROlllle as one fers in its conclusions to the mis- of the liturgi.cal languages, at a sion of SS. Cyril and Meithodius. time when Slavs were lbut barba(See a rev-itew on, this in Slavic and rians, was an epoch-making eivent East European Studies, Vol. IIII, which laid the foundation for a F. 4, p. 240). The second volume I new Slav,i,c civilization that spread is the well,balanced and carefully ! from Great Moraivia and later d~ veloped among Southern and Eastedited study by Rev. Stephen zik, S.J., a learned Sllovak Jesuit, ern Slavs. The corutinuous interest study-Jng and teaching in Italy. 1 of Slavis'ts in this epooh is conGreat Moravia and the civiliza- ! sequently understandalble. tion which started in the t erri- 1 Father Sanrzik r,e-examined in tory of today's Sl 01Vakia, Moraivia, \ his scholarly treatise the views and Southern Poland, a,nd Slo-v enia I theories of several Slavi•s ts on• the (the comp'o nen:t parts of Greater IRoman-Slovanic liturgy, called also Moravia) with the missi'On of SS. the Glagolitic liturgy. In order to Cyril and Methodius, became in ! arrive at objective conclusions, the the past decades a favorite field of j author analyzed the theories which study and research of many S.la- j assert that the Roman Siova'lllic livis1ts of Polish, Slovak, Sloveni'an, I turgy was in't roduced already by Crech, and Hungartan origin. 1 the Slovak a,postles, CY["il and Scores of books have been, pulb- 1 Methodius, as well as the theories lis_hed b~hind the Iron Cm,tain on j whi~h assert that they _had no conthis subJect namely by Slovak and I nect110n whatsoever with the RoCzech archeologists and linguists mano.Slovanic liturgy. Writing his (Poul-&, Eisner, Tocik, Stanislav, : bO'ok in Rome, the author had an Isacenko, Dek>an, Pauliny, etc.) who : excellent opportunity for peru&ing challenge the vtiews and theories I all the principal works on the subof previous researche:rs (F. Dvor- ject. As a result, he gives us the nik, J . Skultety, P. Hrusovsky, V. views of Cherubi,n, Segivic, who exJagic, J. Dobrovsky, J. P. Safarik, pounded his theory on the origin Smr- 1 1 �SLOVAKIA on the ROl!Ilan-Slovanic liturrgy lin several puiblica'tions, denying the Cyrilo-Methodian origJn of the Roman-Slovanic liturgy, as weU as thie 1heories· of Orthodox authors Gorazd Pa,vlik and Jif.i Novak, on the one ha-nd, and recent pro-Cyrilomethodiian theories oif Ivan Bercic, F. Pasternak, S. Rittig, Anton Brtikner, and C. Mohlberg, on the otherr hand. The author g.ives a clear evaluation and a crlitique of all theories and presents a syn'thesis of the evolution and preserut status of the liturgy which, according to him, is western in its ceremonies and eastern in its· language. For Fiather Smrzik there is no douibt that the Roman-Slov~nic liturgy was introduced lby the Slovak apostles Cyril and Methodius in Gre-a t Moravia. Sinre he arri>ved at this coniclusion on the basis of a thorough study of so many eminent Slavists, whose works were predominenltly published in Slavic languages, his book is und'OUlbtedly a valualble contribution to the elucidation of the sulbject. The boolk also contains a chapter on history of the Roman-6110vanic liturgy which makes it an the more v,aluable for readers who are not acqua,i nted with the s·ubject. However, this chap'ter should have come, in this reviewer's opinion, -as Ohapter I. Chapter II, w,hich deals with t,h e oldest written record,s of the Rom,an-Siovanic liturgy, completes eff~ct-ively the picture of the origin and development of the ROl!Ilan-Slovanic liturgy. Scholars in Slaivic subje'cts will appreciate also the author's bilbliograiphy, but n1dt including an index is one of the shortcomings of this excellent and well-eddted stud!Y which is enr-ichied by several repro<lucti'Ons and illustrations. I 79 J. M. Kirschbaum: Contempo• rary Tendencies in Slovak Phi• lology, an offprint from the periodical SI:avk and East European Studies, Vol. IV, No. 3-4, Department Olf Slavic Stud:ies, University Olf Montreal; 114 pp. Though Professor Kirschlbaum's concise study is primair.iJy destinoo for scholars and teachers, it gives, neventheiess, a clear picture of Slovaik endeavors in the field of philology to all who -are interested in the Slovak languag,e and in its relation to other Slavic languages. Man!Y American and Canadian readers• will be sur,pci-sed to Jearn that the relation between the Czech and the Slovaik language is not onJy a relaitdon between two distinct Slavic languages, but ,t hat Czech poetry and prose are now tl"anslated !into rbhe Slovak and vice versa as the Polish or Russian have always been. There was much confusion albowt this relation even in academic circles. ,T he value of Kirschlbaum's ·new study !lies in its cleair elucida.bon of the sulbject and of the reasons which, for so many years w.ere res,ponsilble for the existing con/fusion. ,Divid-ed into three chapters, the s,tu,dy presents a short, ,b ut scholarly perusal of contemporary tendencies in Slovak philology which is sUJbject to Russian pressure in the same way as the whole Slovak cultural lilfe has been from [945. While the author of the s,tudy admits that Slovaik philology develops comparaitiv,e ly undisitUT1bed by the incluSlion of Slovaik:ia within the Soviet cultural and political s,p he,r e of influence, he points to the attempts o;f some young philologists to impose "iMarxlis,t" or "StaJin'·s" dir:ectives upon the J. M. Kirschbaum, aeti<vities o~ Slovak philologists. University of Montreal. An anialysis of two volumes olf 1 �SLOVAKIA 80 "Bilbl'iography of Slovak PhHolo gy" tional origin of these men, but Cfor the y,e ars 1'93•9,,119417 and 1'!)!4& especially the position and role 195'2) makes Kiirschlbaum's study of Sttir in forming m<Ydern literacy pa.r ticularly valuable, as it shows Slovak, in unifying the Slovak nahow th e indi,v idual £ields of Slo- tion, and ,l eading the Slov,aks in vak phi,1,ology de,v eloped during their fight for national survival the past 20 years. The fact, that and independence. The author c. i the study is based on a thorough ;•this 1booklet did not enumerate all resea11ch into original S1'ovalk ,t he availaibLe bilbliography, but works giv,es to this first English brought out the lit,e ratur,e based treatise of S1-0'Vak philology an •o n oriiginal manuscripts, which unadded va,Iue. fortuiniaitely are still little known A. 'D. . among the Sla,vists on ,this con1 . , , • , tinent, and a score of works in J. M. ~•rschbam: L'.udovit S t ~r several foreign 1'anguages. and His Pl~c! In the Slavic · Four condensed chapters which '-'."oiild, Sla,vistma No. 32, _if>uib- 1make up this booklet cannot exL1s_he~ by the Slovak In st itute, I haust the per,sonaliity of Iludlorvit Wmn11peg...JC1'erveland, 1 9 5 8; Stur as a philosopher of Prun.SlavG-4 PP' ism, as a linguist and philologist, il.ittle has !been written in Eng- ' as an aesthete and poet, and as a lish rubout Stur's ideas of Pan- ' Slovak naition1a,l leader. lt is our Slavism and about his •i deas con- hope that J. M. Kirschlbaum will cerning the stmgg,l e for indei)end- 1,e ventua•Lly enlarge this valuable ence of ,t he Slo;vaik nation, and study into a 11esource!ful book fulonoe he -exhausted all peac,efuil ly and thoroughly evaluating the ,parlJ.amentary and .political means, ; ~igan,ti,c personality of Iludovit his role ,in the Iieibellion against Stur. Magyar oppression in 11848. The John Rekem, Slovak natio•n, dly.ing a slow death ' Winniipeg. under Miagyar oppression, was 1 greatly l!eartened and strength- 1 AT LAST ened by Stur's new unifying liverary language and culitu~al pro- 'A HISTORY OF SLOVAK.IA grams •took on a new life. This I in En lish fina,lly led to Slovak independence : g in 193e. I SUPPLY IS LIMITED Even eminent scholars o.f Slavisti:cs did not look into the per- I Get your copy NOW. sonality of Iludovit Stur. Lack of 1 ,access to, the oriiginal works of i Cloth cover, 382 pages Stur led some Slavists t o accept I th•e judgment of ma,ny politica,Uy i $6.00 pr,ejuditced Czech authors. Some went so far as to laibel Stur with J. Kollar and Saifarik as Czechs 1 although they were SlovaJks. Stur's : by Gilbert L. Oddo greaitest achievement wa:s the codification of the new Slo:vak Ii- ' terary language. JEDNOTA PRINTERY Credit is due to Kirschbaum's P. 0. Bo,x 150 present booklet inasmuch as it Middletown, Pa. helps to clarify not only the na1 1 ============== 1 1 Slovakia And Its People � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource 1960, Vol. 10 Description An account of the resource <ul><li>Issue 6 [sic] (No. 31), March-June 1960.</li> <li>Issue 7 [sic] (No. 32), September-December 1960.</li> </ul> Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available The Slovak League of America Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1960 Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document 74 SLOVAKIA NEW BOOKS Gilbe rt L. Oddo: Slova kia and by the ,p roper and wide circulation Its People, Robert Speller and <Yf this book. Sons, New York, 1960; 362 pp., $6.00. This scholarly work is a most fitting tri!bute to the pla<ce and stature of Francis Hrufovsky in the annals of Slovakian histoi,y. Offered in memory of that distinguished Slov-ak historian, it serves as the first systemati:c history Olf the S:lovak nation in the English language. The privilege that Professor Gilbert L. Oddo enjoys in this respect is more than justilfied by the sterling at triibutes of his product. By careful research,, detailed documentat-i<on and balanced interpretation he has filled a gap in knowledlge and underst-anding that has existed for too long in the English-speaking countries. U!ns tfil now has ,b een a serious gap which no amount Olf pamphlets, papers and other transient media could adequately narrow. An important, authoritative source on the Slovak nat•ion has haippily emerged in, an important and leadin1g language of the world. While today many eyes are centered on Catholic countries like Olllba and others, wondering how and by what means a communist takeover might be achieived, tomorrow, as a result of works of this kind, they wti.11 become more and more focused on a predominantly Catholic counti,y behind the Iron Curtain which by no means has recei'Ved is fair due in world attention, evaluation and signi!ficance. Purposely distorted propaganda has clouded Western, and particUJlarly American, unldierstandi.ng r,f reality and aspirations r,f over four million people making urp the Slovak nat ion. Much of this politically contrived propaganda will undoulbtedly be dissi,pated It is truly amazinig the extent to which our thinkiing albout other people and nations is seriously discolored by myths and failse• hoods that ha.ve g-a,i ned currency through calculated effort on the part of the politiically ambitious few and, more so, through habitual usage and mental inertia. In these times it is even iroruical to hear many Olf our pwblic and private leaders urge in one breath that lfor our long-term security interests it is utterly indispensaible for us to understand other peoples and nations and then, in, the very ne~t breath, deny the distinctive nattiional existence of a given people by parroting unfounded and mis leading nomer·s and cliches. This writer has witnessed many trying, in efifect, to squMe a ciTcle by speaking, on the one hand, ()ff the glorious fight of Slovak patriots for nation.al independence and th en, on the other hand, reiterating the myth of a "Czechoslovak nation." Fortun,ately, in most instances this self-<!ontl'adiction is the con'sequence of an in~irm grasp of basiic essentials albout Slovaikia for which now there can be no excuse. lli. Oddo clearly and vividly provides t,h ese essentials in this hi-ghil.y readaible and accessible work. Despite the open record of nat ional Slovak resistance again•st communiist domination, the story of Slov.akia is a story Olf a nation's fight for fu'eedom and survival goes back well beyond the conteimpor,ary period. In a real sense, the present subjugation otf this undyin·g nation is only another chapter in, its long and evenbful history. Its cumulative experience in alternating periods of 1 1 1 SLOVAKIA 75 independence and capt-i<vity pre- tianirty, social justi'Ce, literature, pares and equips its people welll cuJture, and the freedom of Slofor the tasks and chaU,enges olf vak!ia. The role of Trnava Univerthe present struggle. As one readls sity, the Slovak role i 1n, the evoluwbout rthe many historic occaS:i.on-s tion of the Czechs, Slovak if.fieedom forming the distinctive history of and the 1848 Revolution, the St. this European nation, he cannot Martin Memorandum of '1001~ .the but feel doubly assured that here ::zech-0..Slovak Pact of May 30, 119118 erists one of the truest and most and many other events are events reliwble allies of the cause of that bespeak the vitality, growth, world freedom. This volume cov- ,persevernnK!e, and determinatio niof ers these occasions wrth moving •a strategica1liy situated nation. All an<l d~scr,iiptive force, an<l the in- 1 this and more spells out a vtbrant dis,pensalble persp~tri.ve gained by tradition whiich is the .living soul Olf the reader is insurance enough Slovakia, a permanent reaHrty that against the repetition of basic no amount ofmyt,h-mraking political errors concerning rthe right and propaganda can possilbly erase or property of an independent Slo- for .long conceal. With descriptive vak nation in the world fami1ly oil' 1 vividness· and factual proportion, IProfessor Ododo succeeds in tbringnations. .Asi<le from it.s naturcm. rJgoht of ing out this truth in all its luselif-deterunination - which really minous aspects. The pattern of events and tragic doesn't have rto •b e reasserted time and time again to es!Jalblish the development thwt characterizes the distinctive character and the sepa- long history of the Slovak nation rate national will of rthe Slorva!k is rem'barkalbly similar to that of people - the full creden,t ials of many other nations naw held in the Slovak nation for sovereignty captiv~ty in the Russian Coonmuanid independence are found in its nist Empini Ukraine, White RusliVt.ing history F1rom the earliest sia, Georgoia, Turkestan and other backgrounds to the pr,e sent, the subjugated nations in Eastern Eumovement of Slovakian existence rope and Central Asia have on difhas been toward e,opanded free- ferent stages of the historical dom or t-oward freedom itsellf. ! drama and at different times enFrom the ninth century, when the Icountered - indeed, still do share first Slovak ruler, Prince Prilbina, 1 - si:milar problems. Problems o!f reigned, to our century, when on identity and rightful. recogniti1on, Ma-rch '14, 1939, a new independ- ! of nationial survival and historical ent Slovakia emerged and was re- I truth, are problems foisted upon cognized by twenty-seven coun- I the Slovak nation by alien influI tries, this saga ·o f a people's iixed ences and powers as they are by dletermina1iion to be free and re- I simi1ar forces in these other areas. spocted a·s an equal among nations ! The nature and character of these abounds with heroes, events and j problems, whether arisin,g from achievements that would glorilfy / •b lind Western iniaipplicatfon of the the history of any nation, large . ,pri-nciple of national self-determin / ation, misinrter;pre,t,at.ion of the or small. The names of SS. Cyiril and Me- / Czecho-6lovak Pact, the Hitlerian thodius, Janosik, Anthony Beroo- 1episode arul the dtelimmas it posed laJc, Hlinka, Stefanik, Hurlban-V•a- to maniy peoples in Central and jansky, Dr. Joseph Tiso and numer- Easter.Ill Europe, are treated with ous other,s are historic names as- scholarly consideration and balsoci-aited with the advance o! Chni.s- ance in this work. They cannot be I 76 SLOVAKIA handled otherwise, for the strug-1 Slo,v ak culture, literature and the language of the oldest people gle of a people is involved. This struggle is today an in- in the Danube region, as well as tegral and important part of man- the democratic traditions of the krnd's struggle for freedom . The Slovak nation, are presented in so,mer many Amer,i cans realize an intiemgilble way. Moreover, the this, the better wm our position complex events that created and be in relation to all the eruptive shaped Czecho-Slovakia an'<i then. nations in the Russian Communi9t led to the declaration of Slovak Empire. The history of the free- 1 independence on March 14, 1939 dom-loving Slovak nation, as so (six months before the outbreak competently portrayed here, is a of the war, are so arranged sufficient guideline for our think- and exiplained as to give the ing, our policies, our actions and , reader a factual and mastierful survey of a hectic period in momost of all, for our conscience. dern history. Lev E. Dobriansky, Arrnerican Slovaks are credited Georgetown University. with the idea of Slovak independJoseph M. Kirschbaum: Slo- ence in the very frrst chaipter. vakia - Nation at the Cross- This trilbute is based upon the fact roads of Central Europe, Ro- that all during the present cenibel"'t Slpeller and Sons, Ne<w tury the Slova1ks here, inspired by York, 1960; 385 pp,, $5.00. the spir,it of American freedom, This latest work by the distin- have spared no effort to help their guished professor of Slavic Stu- fellow countrymen estalblish a free dies at the University of Montreal and self-governing state of their is a well balanced, coordinated and own. To this end they attempted weIJ.,calculated effort to give a forward step towards self-govthinking people a true picture of Iemment with the Czechs to be the Slovak nation struggling for equal partners in- the formation national freedom and survival since I of the first Republic of Czechothe dawn of western civilization. i Slovakra. (Cfr. the Cleveland In his introduction, Kirschbaum I Agreement of 1915 and the Pittsgives the reader a genuine histo- i burgh Pact of 19118). When the latrical prospective of the land and ter agreement with the Czech repits people in a few pages. In a ' resentatives (including Thomas G. concise sweep of centuries of -hi- Masal"'yk) was repudiated after the of the republic, story, the author traces the fate- establishment ful course of -this small but dy- the Slovaks, rea.Jizing they were namic nation from the sixth cen- denied the right to selrf-governI ment in, their home country, retury to the present. ever before has a reader of newed the struggle, and the moveSlovak histori'Cal development had ment towards a free state of their the opportunity to learn so quickly , own was accelerated by both the the real story of a countl"'y whose irresistible force of freedom and destiny has been and still is close- the sweep of external events, rely associated with the life of its , suiting in the declara1Uon of Sloneighbors, namely, Czechs,, Aits- vak ind'ependen'Ce on, Miarch 14, trians, Germans, Poles, Russians, 11939. and Magyars, for here, in a com- , The book is enhanced by more pact vollllffie, the author has com- than a score of pictures that iipressed centuries of history as it ' lustrate highlights in the history occurred in the heart of Eurnpe of the Slovak nation. A suitable ! 77 SLOVAKIA bibliography of s·o me sixty sources indicates the thorough scho1'arship that produced it. Documents and letters relati'Ilg to the struggle of the Slo;vaiks for their right t'O self-governmeITTit and a free stathood are quoited as far back as April 13, '11849, when a group of Slovak deputies submitted a petition to the Ministry in Vienna for national recognition. These, a total of 712, are up to 1005. Thus, not only is this book designated fur popular :reading but also for serious study by students of hi'story. It will serve to provide them with a basic historical knowledge of the S1ovak nation, and wi11 g~ve them a reliaible insight in'to the incredibly fascinating story of Slovakia on the Danube. Andrew Pie.r, O.S.B., Director, Slovak Jn.stirtute, Cleveland, 0. 1 Jozef Pauco: Unconquerables. Vanitage P,ress, N. Y., Washington, Chi~caglo, Holly,wood. 225 pp., $3.50. In this a•ge of the exiled, the tempest-rossed and the oppressed, many have been the men and women of diverse political, religious and ied'ologicall persuasi·ons whose fate has been sung and whose cause won through global sympathy and recognition,. No less dramatic but perhaps less sung and stiU not won is the cause of the Slovak heroes, the unconqueraibles behind, the iron curtain, souls who could not and would not leave, cornvinced that their mission, is to remain, to oppose the foe and defend the id•e als that externally have succumbed but in their hearr ts burn on. Ph.D. Jlozef Paufo, son of S!lov,akia, whose road has led him from the Slovaik University into the world of journalism via Austria and West Germany, New York, and now Pennsylvancita, has recor- ded true stories of Silova,k heroism as personified in the "Whtie Legionnaires." Slova~ia, whose fight against Czech chauvfoism was as little appreciated as that of the Sudeten Germans a,g;afo,s t Czech encroachment, has a tale of its own to tell in the 20th cen•tury battle aga,i nst satanic Coonmuni sm. Those familiar with the Slo,vak people know that no wedge has been or can be driven between them and their clergy. The Slovaks are devout, loyal Catholics almost ro a man. Any stor,y olf their bravery against Bolshevism is at the same tJime a document o.f the valor olf their priests, nuns, and o,ther religious who to this very h1our are traveling a path to Calvary that only a glowing faith i-n the Crucified could make possible. The pages of Pauco's "Unrcon• queraib!tes" offer the reader no paipier-mache dons but filesh and blood men and women like Sister Katarina, enduring personal insuit and humi!Jiation, foreed to witness the desecra'tion of what she ho1ds most sacred; like teacher Stach, dediicated to saving Slovak youth from the acids of Bolshevist ideology by fonning secret schools to lecture on religi•on, ins<tihl Slovak ideals in young folk and keep good literature alive. We read of the diabolical chticanery iruvented to prevent the people oi a Slovak village from going on a pilgrimage and we see that simple faith undaunted even in the face o,f outright deceit and force . We see the enemy systematically trying to wproot Christian prindples from the school's and Slovak way of life and see the Legionna,i res fig;hting hack. Simple s'traightforwaror books like Pauco's should be placed on required reading lists for schools I SLOVAKIA 78 and in public li!braries all over I L. Niederle, e<tc.) and try to shed the coullltry. Irts message goes right a new light on this, period of Slavic history and civilization. And to the heart. while we may disagree with their Frances McPoyne. "marxist" methods, it will be difStephen Smriik, S.J.,: The .flicult to deny the conclusfons Glagolitic or Romano-S'lavonic reached whi<ch are supported by Liturgy, Series Cyrill()'Illethodi- research in archeofogy and p,hiana, Slovak Institute, Cleve- lology. a'and, Rome, 195'9, 1120 pp., ilThe author of The Glagolitic or Roman-Slavonic Liturgy wrote his lustraited; $2.50. The approachiing 1100th anni- I book on .this side of the Iron Curversary of the arrival of SS. Cyril , tain, in Rome, where und,oUlbtedly and Metiliodfos to Great Moravia, j many original sources, until now inspir-ed several Slovak Slavists to only partly or not at all used, publish a series of s,cholM"lY stu- ,I were at his disposal. Thi'S g,ives to dies in English called Cyrilome- his study on the introductii.on of thodiana. The first volume was the ancierut Slovak (Slovanic) Ianprepared by a Sloivak exipert in guage into the Christian, •l iturgy a medieval arts, Prolfessor J. G. Cin- value of original reaserch and cik. Allthougih its tiitle reads An- makes his book a contribution to glo-Saxon and Slovak-Avar Pat• the Slavis<tJics. Recognition of the terns of the Cuthbert Gospel, it re- Slovaniic language by ROlllle as one fers in its conclusions to the mis- of the liturgi.cal languages, at a sion of SS. Cyril and Meithodius. time when Slavs were lbut barba(See a rev-itew on, this in Slavic and rians, was an epoch-making eivent East European Studies, Vol. IIII, which laid the foundation for a F. 4, p. 240). The second volume I new Slav,i,c civilization that spread is the well,balanced and carefully ! from Great Moraivia and later d~ veloped among Southern and Eastedited study by Rev. Stephen zik, S.J., a learned Sllovak Jesuit, ern Slavs. The corutinuous interest study-Jng and teaching in Italy. 1 of Slavis'ts in this epooh is conGreat Moravia and the civiliza- ! sequently understandalble. tion which started in the t erri- 1 Father Sanrzik r,e-examined in tory of today's Sl 01Vakia, Moraivia, \ his scholarly treatise the views and Southern Poland, a,nd Slo-v enia I theories of several Slavi•s ts on• the (the comp'o nen:t parts of Greater IRoman-Slovanic liturgy, called also Moravia) with the missi'On of SS. the Glagolitic liturgy. In order to Cyril and Methodius, became in ! arrive at objective conclusions, the the past decades a favorite field of j author analyzed the theories which study and research of many S.la- j assert that the Roman Siova'lllic livis1ts of Polish, Slovak, Sloveni'an, I turgy was in't roduced already by Crech, and Hungartan origin. 1 the Slovak a,postles, CY["il and Scores of books have been, pulb- 1 Methodius, as well as the theories lis_hed b~hind the Iron Cm,tain on j whi~h assert that they _had no conthis subJect namely by Slovak and I nect110n whatsoever with the RoCzech archeologists and linguists mano.Slovanic liturgy. Writing his (Poul-&, Eisner, Tocik, Stanislav, : bO'ok in Rome, the author had an Isacenko, Dek>an, Pauliny, etc.) who : excellent opportunity for peru&ing challenge the vtiews and theories I all the principal works on the subof previous researche:rs (F. Dvor- ject. As a result, he gives us the nik, J . Skultety, P. Hrusovsky, V. views of Cherubi,n, Segivic, who exJagic, J. Dobrovsky, J. P. Safarik, pounded his theory on the origin Smr- 1 1 SLOVAKIA on the ROl!Ilan-Slovanic liturrgy lin several puiblica'tions, denying the Cyrilo-Methodian origJn of the Roman-Slovanic liturgy, as weU as thie 1heories· of Orthodox authors Gorazd Pa,vlik and Jif.i Novak, on the one ha-nd, and recent pro-Cyrilomethodiian theories oif Ivan Bercic, F. Pasternak, S. Rittig, Anton Brtikner, and C. Mohlberg, on the otherr hand. The author g.ives a clear evaluation and a crlitique of all theories and presents a syn'thesis of the evolution and preserut status of the liturgy which, according to him, is western in its ceremonies and eastern in its· language. For Fiather Smrzik there is no douibt that the Roman-Slov~nic liturgy was introduced lby the Slovak apostles Cyril and Methodius in Gre-a t Moravia. Sinre he arri>ved at this coniclusion on the basis of a thorough study of so many eminent Slavists, whose works were predominenltly published in Slavic languages, his book is und'OUlbtedly a valualble contribution to the elucidation of the sulbject. The boolk also contains a chapter on history of the Roman-6110vanic liturgy which makes it an the more v,aluable for readers who are not acqua,i nted with the s·ubject. However, this chap'ter should have come, in this reviewer's opinion, -as Ohapter I. Chapter II, w,hich deals with t,h e oldest written record,s of the Rom,an-Siovanic liturgy, completes eff~ct-ively the picture of the origin and development of the ROl!Ilan-Slovanic liturgy. Scholars in Slaivic subje'cts will appreciate also the author's bilbliograiphy, but n1dt including an index is one of the shortcomings of this excellent and well-eddted stud!Y which is enr-ichied by several repro<lucti'Ons and illustrations. I 79 J. M. Kirschbaum: Contempo• rary Tendencies in Slovak Phi• lology, an offprint from the periodical SI:avk and East European Studies, Vol. IV, No. 3-4, Department Olf Slavic Stud:ies, University Olf Montreal; 114 pp. Though Professor Kirschlbaum's concise study is primair.iJy destinoo for scholars and teachers, it gives, neventheiess, a clear picture of Slovaik endeavors in the field of philology to all who -are interested in the Slovak languag,e and in its relation to other Slavic languages. Man!Y American and Canadian readers• will be sur,pci-sed to Jearn that the relation between the Czech and the Slovaik language is not onJy a relaitdon between two distinct Slavic languages, but ,t hat Czech poetry and prose are now tl"anslated !into rbhe Slovak and vice versa as the Polish or Russian have always been. There was much confusion albowt this relation even in academic circles. ,T he value of Kirschlbaum's ·new study !lies in its cleair elucida.bon of the sulbject and of the reasons which, for so many years w.ere res,ponsilble for the existing con/fusion. ,Divid-ed into three chapters, the s,tu,dy presents a short, ,b ut scholarly perusal of contemporary tendencies in Slovak philology which is sUJbject to Russian pressure in the same way as the whole Slovak cultural lilfe has been from [945. While the author of the s,tudy admits that Slovaik philology develops comparaitiv,e ly undisitUT1bed by the incluSlion of Slovaik:ia within the Soviet cultural and political s,p he,r e of influence, he points to the attempts o;f some young philologists to impose "iMarxlis,t" or "StaJin'·s" dir:ectives upon the J. M. Kirschbaum, aeti<vities o~ Slovak philologists. University of Montreal. An anialysis of two volumes olf 1 SLOVAKIA 80 "Bilbl'iography of Slovak PhHolo gy" tional origin of these men, but Cfor the y,e ars 1'93•9,,119417 and 1'!)!4& especially the position and role 195'2) makes Kiirschlbaum's study of Sttir in forming m<Ydern literacy pa.r ticularly valuable, as it shows Slovak, in unifying the Slovak nahow th e indi,v idual £ields of Slo- tion, and ,l eading the Slov,aks in vak phi,1,ology de,v eloped during their fight for national survival the past 20 years. The fact, that and independence. The author c. i the study is based on a thorough ;•this 1booklet did not enumerate all resea11ch into original S1'ovalk ,t he availaibLe bilbliography, but works giv,es to this first English brought out the lit,e ratur,e based treatise of S1-0'Vak philology an •o n oriiginal manuscripts, which unadded va,Iue. fortuiniaitely are still little known A. 'D. . among the Sla,vists on ,this con1 . , , • , tinent, and a score of works in J. M. ~•rschbam: L'.udovit S t ~r several foreign 1'anguages. and His Pl~c! In the Slavic · Four condensed chapters which '-'."oiild, Sla,vistma No. 32, _if>uib- 1make up this booklet cannot exL1s_he~ by the Slovak In st itute, I haust the per,sonaliity of Iludlorvit Wmn11peg...JC1'erveland, 1 9 5 8; Stur as a philosopher of Prun.SlavG-4 PP' ism, as a linguist and philologist, il.ittle has !been written in Eng- ' as an aesthete and poet, and as a lish rubout Stur's ideas of Pan- ' Slovak naition1a,l leader. lt is our Slavism and about his •i deas con- hope that J. M. Kirschlbaum will cerning the stmgg,l e for indei)end- 1,e ventua•Lly enlarge this valuable ence of ,t he Slo;vaik nation, and study into a 11esource!ful book fulonoe he -exhausted all peac,efuil ly and thoroughly evaluating the ,parlJ.amentary and .political means, ; ~igan,ti,c personality of Iludovit his role ,in the Iieibellion against Stur. Magyar oppression in 11848. The John Rekem, Slovak natio•n, dly.ing a slow death ' Winniipeg. under Miagyar oppression, was 1 greatly l!eartened and strength- 1 AT LAST ened by Stur's new unifying liverary language and culitu~al pro- 'A HISTORY OF SLOVAK.IA grams •took on a new life. This I in En lish fina,lly led to Slovak independence : g in 193e. I SUPPLY IS LIMITED Even eminent scholars o.f Slavisti:cs did not look into the per- I Get your copy NOW. sonality of Iludovit Stur. Lack of 1 ,access to, the oriiginal works of i Cloth cover, 382 pages Stur led some Slavists t o accept I th•e judgment of ma,ny politica,Uy i $6.00 pr,ejuditced Czech authors. Some went so far as to laibel Stur with J. Kollar and Saifarik as Czechs 1 although they were SlovaJks. Stur's : by Gilbert L. Oddo greaitest achievement wa:s the codification of the new Slo:vak Ii- ' terary language. JEDNOTA PRINTERY Credit is due to Kirschbaum's P. 0. Bo,x 150 present booklet inasmuch as it Middletown, Pa. helps to clarify not only the na1 1 ============== 1 1 Slovakia And Its People  Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Back Matter, Slovakia, Vol. 10, No. 6 (31) Description An account of the resource includes book reviews, pp. 74-80 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource March-June 1960 https://slovakia.wordsofpassage.net/files/original/321b318dc6d9ca4970e908d29371d4cc.pdf f213781653c647dae0bad8c8173be792 PDF Text Text SLOVAKIA 61 BOOK REVIEWS Slovak Aspirations I order in Central Europe wars were . hb SI ova k.1a, N a- I where two world J . M . K 1rsc: aum: tion •t the Crossroads of Central touched off. Europe. Robert Speller and Sons, 1 "The campaign N. Y., 1960, pp. 371, $5.00. , · C t l Although written to enlighten and correct the warped political vision of those still convinced tha't CzechoSlovakia was a "litlte Switzerland in the heart of Europe," this book may be recommended as a compact political history of Slovakia. Sudeten Germans wili welcome its fair presentation of faots that corroborate their own version of what actually ha:ppened in the CSR. It is amazing that Czech propaganda was, and to a large extent still is, able to influence the thinking of millions of people - particularly the Anglo-Saxon world - to believe a myth that there is one "Czechoslovak" people. Kirschbaum exp'lodes this mylth and traces the origins of Slovakia from its historic beginnings, unfolding before the reader a detailed anti soundly referenced account of a proud, vital and highly cultured people from their earliest origins to the declaration of their independence in 1939, pleading for a new for democracy m en ra an d E ast ern Europe," maintains Kirschbaum "can be successful only if it will not feature people who compromised and collaborated with Communism, but will engage representatives without chauvinistic and imperialistic tendencies who are fighUng for a democraitc order of Central Europe in which every nation will enjoy equality and freedom and which will safeguard its security from outside attacks." The last third of the book is an appendage of documents, including diplomatic memoranda, speeches, reports to the Slovak Parliament, exchanges of telegrams with Hitler and other German Reich officials, 26 photographs, and agreements, resolutions and statements by the representatives of Americans of Slovak descent at conferences of the Slovak League of America, plus remarks by US Congressional leaders on the Slovak prob • lem. A dual leitmotiv throughout is the thesis that Slovakia �62 SLOVAKIA has at all eras of its history been a western-oriented people and has been sought after by other surrounding peoples who attempted, but unsuccessfully, to assimilate it. Today the Slovaks are still western-oriented interiorly and not assimilated, eiither by the Czechs or by the Soviets. Kirsch1baum's book is another reminder and a convincing one, that f.ires are still burning in the hearts of a little people in Central Europe who, like the Irish whom they so strongly resemble, are keeping the faith that independence shall one day be theirs. Though captured by Communists, they have not compromised with them. May Joseph Kirschbaum's meritorious volume win friends for Slovakia and for their cause. - F. McPoyne, in "Sudeten Bulletin," Dec. 1960. B. S. Bue, Ph.D.: Slovak Nationalism; Published by the Slovak L.ague of America, Middletown, Pa., 1960; pp. 67. Scholarly works on Slovakia in English language were, until recently, hard .to find in American and Canadian libraries. Scholars in the field of Slavic studies somehow a voided 'the oldest civilized part of the Slavic world even though Slovakia's role in the early Slavic civilization and in the nineteenth century Pan-Slavism deserved their attention. Since the Second World Wax, lack of interest in things Slovak is gradually disappearing. Whlle some basic works on literature, political and cu]tural history are still to be desired, there is a score of readable and reliable books for the general public as _w ell as for the students of political history and civilization. Professor Buc's recent study on Slovak nationalism is one of the works which will be welcome by s ~udents of Central Eastern European history not only because of its scholarly na/ture but also because it is the first thesis on this subject in the English language. From Seton-Watson to R. A. Kann and Gilbert Oddo, foreign scholars tackled the problem of Slovak nationa. ism, directly or indirectly, some of them, like Macartney for instance, were even very close to understand its origin and aims. There was, however, no serious attempt at presenting the significance of nationalist ideas methodically in Slovak history through the centuries and in various historical situations. �SLOVAKIA Although this reviewer is inclined to call the ideas which stand behind the present Slovak drive for national independence rather patriotism than nationalism, Professor Buc's an a 1 y sis makes it clear that there are many distinctions between na tionalism of some European counltries and the "nationalism" of the Slovaks. "From the beginning of its existence, Slovak nationalism," says Priofessor Bue, "was nurtured by ideas which followed the revolutionary changes of medieval, feudal society and laid the foundation for the birth of new political systems which we call 'Western democracy' ... it involves a loyal devotion to a native land, but as yet has not developed serious revolutionary characteristics." One may add that Slovak nationalism lacks also any tendency to expand or dominate other peoples, aiming merely at a foll national independence of the Slovak people in its own state or in a federal union with other European nations. Professor Bue explains methodically the origins, components, motives, and objectives of Slovak nationalism in the context of a Europear 63 and especially of a Central European politlica'l setting. There were geographical and historical reasons which provoked to life Slovakia's struggle along the lines of nationalistic ideas. Being a part of European modern 'thought, Slovak nationalism was stimulated also by the chauvnism of some of Slovakia's ne<ighbors; its characteristics were, however, for a long time defensive in nature and objective. Speaking of conflicts of Slovak nationalism, the writer gives a picture of the Slovak struggle not only against Hungarian assimilative tendencies, but also of confllicts between Magyarized Slovaks and Slovak Pan-Slavists, and later between Slovak adherents of "Czechoslovakism" and Slovak autonomists, as well .as of Slovak Lutherans versus Slovak Catholics. In a relatively small territory of Slovakia, nationalism became a more complex phenomenon that it would appear to foreign casual observers, although its principal aim remains a struggle for national identity and survival and, continuously, Slovak nationalism was marked by federative tendencies. The chapter on the federative tendencies of Slovak na- �64 SLOVAKIA tionalism is one of the most ins'tructive not only for a proper understanding of the nature of Slovak nationalism, but also for future developments in Central Eastern Europe. Being federative in its tendencies and objectives, Slovak nationalism is a constructive element and not a barrier preventing co-operation of peoples of Eas'tem Europe. In view of the fact that some neighbors of Slovakiia tried to present the Slovak struggle for national independence as an attempt at "balkamization," Professor Buc's analysis gives justice to the facts and to Slovaks. Professor Buc's s t u d y, which originally was prepared • • as a thesis for his Mas!ter Degree in Political Science at the University of Pittsburgh follows the developments of Slovak nationaHsm to the very recent events in Slovakia under Communist domination. The work is written in a clear, forceful style, and its conclusions aire based on a thorough knowledge of the subject, with references to a large number of works in several foreign languages. In the biblography, works by Hans Kohn and R. A. Kann are missing, as well as some symposia (Strakhovsky, Lednicki, Gross, etc.). J. M. Kirschbaum, Universite de Montreal. • WHO SAID IT? "The Slo!Wcl{ Leag,ue of America - its affiliated organizations and its indwidual memlbers1hiip - does not hl8Jte the Czech nation, as propagated by members of the Council ( of Free Czechosl.rwaJkia). 'Dhe Slova:ks do not want aniyithing that belongs to the Ozeichs. They do not want their nationaJl or relrigious tra:dibiolns, thei:r history OIi' their J:anguage, and they covet not their lands. They recogndze and respect the rig,ht of the Ozeich nation to full freedom and pdliticaJl independence. Alt the same time, however, and by the same token, they riighrtfrwlly expect the Ozech nation to recognize and respect the inhere.nit right of the Slovak nation to full freedom and imlepem.dence, to a poJiticaJly independent Slovak Retp'lllblk. Flree and 'Czechoslovalk' simply don't rhyme!" - (P. A. Hrcibak, leit:Jter to Hon. Afivin M. Bentley, Juiy 10, 1g53). � SLOVAKIA 61 BOOK REVIEWS Slovak Aspirations I order in Central Europe wars were . hb SI ova k.1a, N a- I where two world J . M . K 1rsc: aum: tion •t the Crossroads of Central touched off. Europe. Robert Speller and Sons, 1 "The campaign N. Y., 1960, pp. 371, $5.00. , · C t l Although written to enlighten and correct the warped political vision of those still convinced tha't CzechoSlovakia was a "litlte Switzerland in the heart of Europe," this book may be recommended as a compact political history of Slovakia. Sudeten Germans wili welcome its fair presentation of faots that corroborate their own version of what actually ha:ppened in the CSR. It is amazing that Czech propaganda was, and to a large extent still is, able to influence the thinking of millions of people - particularly the Anglo-Saxon world - to believe a myth that there is one "Czechoslovak" people. Kirschbaum exp'lodes this mylth and traces the origins of Slovakia from its historic beginnings, unfolding before the reader a detailed anti soundly referenced account of a proud, vital and highly cultured people from their earliest origins to the declaration of their independence in 1939, pleading for a new for democracy m en ra an d E ast ern Europe," maintains Kirschbaum "can be successful only if it will not feature people who compromised and collaborated with Communism, but will engage representatives without chauvinistic and imperialistic tendencies who are fighUng for a democraitc order of Central Europe in which every nation will enjoy equality and freedom and which will safeguard its security from outside attacks." The last third of the book is an appendage of documents, including diplomatic memoranda, speeches, reports to the Slovak Parliament, exchanges of telegrams with Hitler and other German Reich officials, 26 photographs, and agreements, resolutions and statements by the representatives of Americans of Slovak descent at conferences of the Slovak League of America, plus remarks by US Congressional leaders on the Slovak prob • lem. A dual leitmotiv throughout is the thesis that Slovakia �62 SLOVAKIA has at all eras of its history been a western-oriented people and has been sought after by other surrounding peoples who attempted, but unsuccessfully, to assimilate it. Today the Slovaks are still western-oriented interiorly and not assimilated, eiither by the Czechs or by the Soviets. Kirsch1baum's book is another reminder and a convincing one, that f.ires are still burning in the hearts of a little people in Central Europe who, like the Irish whom they so strongly resemble, are keeping the faith that independence shall one day be theirs. Though captured by Communists, they have not compromised with them. May Joseph Kirschbaum's meritorious volume win friends for Slovakia and for their cause. - F. McPoyne, in "Sudeten Bulletin," Dec. 1960. B. S. Bue, Ph.D.: Slovak Nationalism; Published by the Slovak L.ague of America, Middletown, Pa., 1960; pp. 67. Scholarly works on Slovakia in English language were, until recently, hard .to find in American and Canadian libraries. Scholars in the field of Slavic studies somehow a voided 'the oldest civilized part of the Slavic world even though Slovakia's role in the early Slavic civilization and in the nineteenth century Pan-Slavism deserved their attention. Since the Second World Wax, lack of interest in things Slovak is gradually disappearing. Whlle some basic works on literature, political and cu]tural history are still to be desired, there is a score of readable and reliable books for the general public as _w ell as for the students of political history and civilization. Professor Buc's recent study on Slovak nationalism is one of the works which will be welcome by s ~udents of Central Eastern European history not only because of its scholarly na/ture but also because it is the first thesis on this subject in the English language. From Seton-Watson to R. A. Kann and Gilbert Oddo, foreign scholars tackled the problem of Slovak nationa. ism, directly or indirectly, some of them, like Macartney for instance, were even very close to understand its origin and aims. There was, however, no serious attempt at presenting the significance of nationalist ideas methodically in Slovak history through the centuries and in various historical situations. �SLOVAKIA Although this reviewer is inclined to call the ideas which stand behind the present Slovak drive for national independence rather patriotism than nationalism, Professor Buc's an a 1 y sis makes it clear that there are many distinctions between na tionalism of some European counltries and the "nationalism" of the Slovaks. "From the beginning of its existence, Slovak nationalism," says Priofessor Bue, "was nurtured by ideas which followed the revolutionary changes of medieval, feudal society and laid the foundation for the birth of new political systems which we call 'Western democracy' ... it involves a loyal devotion to a native land, but as yet has not developed serious revolutionary characteristics." One may add that Slovak nationalism lacks also any tendency to expand or dominate other peoples, aiming merely at a foll national independence of the Slovak people in its own state or in a federal union with other European nations. Professor Bue explains methodically the origins, components, motives, and objectives of Slovak nationalism in the context of a Europear 63 and especially of a Central European politlica'l setting. There were geographical and historical reasons which provoked to life Slovakia's struggle along the lines of nationalistic ideas. Being a part of European modern 'thought, Slovak nationalism was stimulated also by the chauvnism of some of Slovakia's ne<ighbors; its characteristics were, however, for a long time defensive in nature and objective. Speaking of conflicts of Slovak nationalism, the writer gives a picture of the Slovak struggle not only against Hungarian assimilative tendencies, but also of confllicts between Magyarized Slovaks and Slovak Pan-Slavists, and later between Slovak adherents of "Czechoslovakism" and Slovak autonomists, as well .as of Slovak Lutherans versus Slovak Catholics. In a relatively small territory of Slovakia, nationalism became a more complex phenomenon that it would appear to foreign casual observers, although its principal aim remains a struggle for national identity and survival and, continuously, Slovak nationalism was marked by federative tendencies. The chapter on the federative tendencies of Slovak na- �64 SLOVAKIA tionalism is one of the most ins'tructive not only for a proper understanding of the nature of Slovak nationalism, but also for future developments in Central Eastern Europe. Being federative in its tendencies and objectives, Slovak nationalism is a constructive element and not a barrier preventing co-operation of peoples of Eas'tem Europe. In view of the fact that some neighbors of Slovakiia tried to present the Slovak struggle for national independence as an attempt at "balkamization," Professor Buc's analysis gives justice to the facts and to Slovaks. Professor Buc's s t u d y, which originally was prepared • • as a thesis for his Mas!ter Degree in Political Science at the University of Pittsburgh follows the developments of Slovak nationaHsm to the very recent events in Slovakia under Communist domination. The work is written in a clear, forceful style, and its conclusions aire based on a thorough knowledge of the subject, with references to a large number of works in several foreign languages. In the biblography, works by Hans Kohn and R. A. Kann are missing, as well as some symposia (Strakhovsky, Lednicki, Gross, etc.). J. M. Kirschbaum, Universite de Montreal. • WHO SAID IT? "The Slo!Wcl{ Leag,ue of America - its affiliated organizations and its indwidual memlbers1hiip - does not hl8Jte the Czech nation, as propagated by members of the Council ( of Free Czechosl.rwaJkia). 'Dhe Slova:ks do not want aniyithing that belongs to the Ozeichs. They do not want their nationaJl or relrigious tra:dibiolns, thei:r history OIi' their J:anguage, and they covet not their lands. They recogndze and respect the rig,ht of the Ozeich nation to full freedom and pdliticaJl independence. Alt the same time, however, and by the same token, they riighrtfrwlly expect the Ozech nation to recognize and respect the inhere.nit right of the Slovak nation to full freedom and imlepem.dence, to a poJiticaJly independent Slovak Retp'lllblk. Flree and 'Czechoslovalk' simply don't rhyme!" - (P. A. Hrcibak, leit:Jter to Hon. Afivin M. Bentley, Juiy 10, 1g53). � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource 1960, Vol. 10 Description An account of the resource <ul><li>Issue 6 [sic] (No. 31), March-June 1960.</li> <li>Issue 7 [sic] (No. 32), September-December 1960.</li> </ul> Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available The Slovak League of America Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1960 Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document SLOVAKIA 61 BOOK REVIEWS Slovak Aspirations I order in Central Europe wars were . hb SI ova k.1a, N a- I where two world J . M . K 1rsc: aum: tion •t the Crossroads of Central touched off. Europe. Robert Speller and Sons, 1 "The campaign N. Y., 1960, pp. 371, $5.00. , · C t l Although written to enlighten and correct the warped political vision of those still convinced tha't CzechoSlovakia was a "litlte Switzerland in the heart of Europe," this book may be recommended as a compact political history of Slovakia. Sudeten Germans wili welcome its fair presentation of faots that corroborate their own version of what actually ha:ppened in the CSR. It is amazing that Czech propaganda was, and to a large extent still is, able to influence the thinking of millions of people - particularly the Anglo-Saxon world - to believe a myth that there is one "Czechoslovak" people. Kirschbaum exp'lodes this mylth and traces the origins of Slovakia from its historic beginnings, unfolding before the reader a detailed anti soundly referenced account of a proud, vital and highly cultured people from their earliest origins to the declaration of their independence in 1939, pleading for a new for democracy m en ra an d E ast ern Europe," maintains Kirschbaum "can be successful only if it will not feature people who compromised and collaborated with Communism, but will engage representatives without chauvinistic and imperialistic tendencies who are fighUng for a democraitc order of Central Europe in which every nation will enjoy equality and freedom and which will safeguard its security from outside attacks." The last third of the book is an appendage of documents, including diplomatic memoranda, speeches, reports to the Slovak Parliament, exchanges of telegrams with Hitler and other German Reich officials, 26 photographs, and agreements, resolutions and statements by the representatives of Americans of Slovak descent at conferences of the Slovak League of America, plus remarks by US Congressional leaders on the Slovak prob • lem. A dual leitmotiv throughout is the thesis that Slovakia 62 SLOVAKIA has at all eras of its history been a western-oriented people and has been sought after by other surrounding peoples who attempted, but unsuccessfully, to assimilate it. Today the Slovaks are still western-oriented interiorly and not assimilated, eiither by the Czechs or by the Soviets. Kirsch1baum's book is another reminder and a convincing one, that f.ires are still burning in the hearts of a little people in Central Europe who, like the Irish whom they so strongly resemble, are keeping the faith that independence shall one day be theirs. Though captured by Communists, they have not compromised with them. May Joseph Kirschbaum's meritorious volume win friends for Slovakia and for their cause. - F. McPoyne, in "Sudeten Bulletin," Dec. 1960. B. S. Bue, Ph.D.: Slovak Nationalism; Published by the Slovak L.ague of America, Middletown, Pa., 1960; pp. 67. Scholarly works on Slovakia in English language were, until recently, hard .to find in American and Canadian libraries. Scholars in the field of Slavic studies somehow a voided 'the oldest civilized part of the Slavic world even though Slovakia's role in the early Slavic civilization and in the nineteenth century Pan-Slavism deserved their attention. Since the Second World Wax, lack of interest in things Slovak is gradually disappearing. Whlle some basic works on literature, political and cu]tural history are still to be desired, there is a score of readable and reliable books for the general public as _w ell as for the students of political history and civilization. Professor Buc's recent study on Slovak nationalism is one of the works which will be welcome by s ~udents of Central Eastern European history not only because of its scholarly na/ture but also because it is the first thesis on this subject in the English language. From Seton-Watson to R. A. Kann and Gilbert Oddo, foreign scholars tackled the problem of Slovak nationa. ism, directly or indirectly, some of them, like Macartney for instance, were even very close to understand its origin and aims. There was, however, no serious attempt at presenting the significance of nationalist ideas methodically in Slovak history through the centuries and in various historical situations. SLOVAKIA Although this reviewer is inclined to call the ideas which stand behind the present Slovak drive for national independence rather patriotism than nationalism, Professor Buc's an a 1 y sis makes it clear that there are many distinctions between na tionalism of some European counltries and the "nationalism" of the Slovaks. "From the beginning of its existence, Slovak nationalism," says Priofessor Bue, "was nurtured by ideas which followed the revolutionary changes of medieval, feudal society and laid the foundation for the birth of new political systems which we call 'Western democracy' ... it involves a loyal devotion to a native land, but as yet has not developed serious revolutionary characteristics." One may add that Slovak nationalism lacks also any tendency to expand or dominate other peoples, aiming merely at a foll national independence of the Slovak people in its own state or in a federal union with other European nations. Professor Bue explains methodically the origins, components, motives, and objectives of Slovak nationalism in the context of a Europear 63 and especially of a Central European politlica'l setting. There were geographical and historical reasons which provoked to life Slovakia's struggle along the lines of nationalistic ideas. Being a part of European modern 'thought, Slovak nationalism was stimulated also by the chauvnism of some of Slovakia's ne<ighbors; its characteristics were, however, for a long time defensive in nature and objective. Speaking of conflicts of Slovak nationalism, the writer gives a picture of the Slovak struggle not only against Hungarian assimilative tendencies, but also of confllicts between Magyarized Slovaks and Slovak Pan-Slavists, and later between Slovak adherents of "Czechoslovakism" and Slovak autonomists, as well .as of Slovak Lutherans versus Slovak Catholics. In a relatively small territory of Slovakia, nationalism became a more complex phenomenon that it would appear to foreign casual observers, although its principal aim remains a struggle for national identity and survival and, continuously, Slovak nationalism was marked by federative tendencies. The chapter on the federative tendencies of Slovak na- 64 SLOVAKIA tionalism is one of the most ins'tructive not only for a proper understanding of the nature of Slovak nationalism, but also for future developments in Central Eastern Europe. Being federative in its tendencies and objectives, Slovak nationalism is a constructive element and not a barrier preventing co-operation of peoples of Eas'tem Europe. In view of the fact that some neighbors of Slovakiia tried to present the Slovak struggle for national independence as an attempt at "balkamization," Professor Buc's analysis gives justice to the facts and to Slovaks. Professor Buc's s t u d y, which originally was prepared • • as a thesis for his Mas!ter Degree in Political Science at the University of Pittsburgh follows the developments of Slovak nationaHsm to the very recent events in Slovakia under Communist domination. The work is written in a clear, forceful style, and its conclusions aire based on a thorough knowledge of the subject, with references to a large number of works in several foreign languages. In the biblography, works by Hans Kohn and R. A. Kann are missing, as well as some symposia (Strakhovsky, Lednicki, Gross, etc.). J. M. Kirschbaum, Universite de Montreal. • WHO SAID IT? "The Slo!Wcl{ Leag,ue of America - its affiliated organizations and its indwidual memlbers1hiip - does not hl8Jte the Czech nation, as propagated by members of the Council ( of Free Czechosl.rwaJkia). 'Dhe Slova:ks do not want aniyithing that belongs to the Ozeichs. They do not want their nationaJl or relrigious tra:dibiolns, thei:r history OIi' their J:anguage, and they covet not their lands. They recogndze and respect the rig,ht of the Ozeich nation to full freedom and pdliticaJl independence. Alt the same time, however, and by the same token, they riighrtfrwlly expect the Ozech nation to recognize and respect the inhere.nit right of the Slovak nation to full freedom and imlepem.dence, to a poJiticaJly independent Slovak Retp'lllblk. Flree and 'Czechoslovalk' simply don't rhyme!" - (P. A. Hrcibak, leit:Jter to Hon. Afivin M. Bentley, Juiy 10, 1g53).  Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Back Matter, Slovakia, Vol. 10, No. 7 (32) Description An account of the resource includes book reviews, pp. 61-64 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource September-December 1960 https://slovakia.wordsofpassage.net/files/original/be3851cca4aed3cb2b75cd1e507d9eab.pdf 58c0528665d3bb1f1afc697fe0b32fff PDF Text Text 74 SLOVAKIA BOOK REVIEWS Joseph G. Cincik, Anglo-Saxon and because the present book is a nd Slovak-Avar Paf!;erns of Cuth- written with the same sicholarly berth Gospels, Editions Slovak 'Ln- method and knowledge, his am.alystitute, Cleveland, Ohio, Rome, Italy, 1958, p. 1 24, XW pl. The kn01wn illuminated ma<nu• script called the Gospel of Cuthbert ha'S been, Jior a long time a favoriite olbject of scholarly research and analysis by several owtstanding hlstorians of medfoval art, such as (T. D. Kendrick, J. Zykan, J. Strzgowski, H. J. Hermann, G. Slwarzenski, and E. H. Zimmerman. The Gospel or Codex is preserved in the State Ubrary of Vienna', Austria,, and was originally included iin the rare illuminated Codices categorized by arthistories under the general title ''The Insular Book Illuminiations" wrich are believed to be of insular Anglo-Saxcm onigin. Some modern analysts (T. D. Kendrii'Ck, J. Zyikan) noted that non- Anglo,Sax:on ornaments in the Cuthbert Gospel predomina,te over other Codices iin quantity and they stressed that in case of the vegetal or,n aments the irufluence of AlpineDanubian ornamentation was more than casuaL They did not, however, undertake a more detailed analysis and did not arrive at any new conclusions as to the origin of the non~nglo.;saxon artistic in;fluen~s. Prof. Cinctk's w@k, his third book (See: S lovak Ru le r's Sword, Scranton, Pa., 1947, and Anc ient 1 Slovak Fibu las and Pseudo,Fibu • las, Chicago, 1,957), pulblished on the subject of medieval art in the Oarpathian and Danubian area w,ithin the last few years, sheds new Hght on all three prolblems: the origin, the date, and the nonAnglo,Saxon influences. Since both previous woriks by Professor Cincik were farvoraibly received by European as well as American critics sis and conclusions undou,btedly desel'Ve to be considered. A,s Cincilk states in the foreword to his work, he became interested in the similarity of the SlovakAivar omamental pa1tterns to those in the Cuthlbert Gospel duriin,g h1is studies of the Meroving,i,an and Oarolingian epoch at Vienna in 19351,936. During the turibulent years of the Second World War he interrwpted his work, but in exile, during his stay in Bavaria and Rome, between the years 194511947, he once again took up the work "on the complicated prolblem of solvJng the origin of the ornamental elements, the circumstances, and the time of the illuminations of Cuthbert's Gospel." The resuLts of the author's many years of study ba,sed on historicalgenetic, geograiphical, ethnic, and stylo-crJtical analyiSis, are now contained in his book, artistiicalily illustrated either by plates or original drawings made by the author •h imself. The book undoubtedly presents highly 'i nteresting scholarly readiin,g and like his previous works on medi'eval art of the Danulbian and Carpathian basin, it sheds new lig ht not only on the illuminations of the Go's pel in question aind their origin, but also on many rella ted artistic and ethnic probelms and histori'cal events. Cin'Cik's approach throughout the book is that of a highly qualified historian of medieval art with rare artistic intuition and solid knowledge of archeology, political history and literature on, the sulbj,ect in half a dozen a,nrcient and modern languages. To be assured of the accuracy of his conclusions, Cincik compared his a,nalysi:s and synthesis with work's amd docu1 �81.-0VAKIA 75 ments of numerous libra.ries air.,d of th-is illuiminated manuscript" museums suich as the Pontif.ica· (P. 10). Oriental Institute, the Va1tican 12. Piace of the Origin of the AJpostolit Library, and the Am,eri can Alcademy in Rome, the Insti' Gospel: tute of Medieval Studies of HarHavi,r.,g set the date, Prof. Cincik vard University, the Ubrary o.f the presents in his analysis a ne•w Cleve!:and Art Museum, the Art theory atbout the place. "The ornaMuseum Ln Chilca,go, the State Li- menta,t ions point to the ye,a rs of bracy and Museums in Vienna, Pa- the final destruction of the Avar ris, Lond·on, etc. supreml!K!y - says the author Wha,t are the new elements and over Slovak and Sliovenian tri/bes conclusions of Prof. Cincitk's re- in the A!Jpine a,n<l Danubian researeh and anaiysis? gion. " There ar,e in ,the Gospel, says '1. Date of Origin: Several scho • 1Cinicik, contri,bu,ti,ons from the Jars have dated the Go'spel, on the Slo,vak-Avaric patterns, and the basis of paleogra.phic evid-em:e, inspirational historical event for the hand-like and interlaced oma- the Slovak1Avar elements, found ments and the composiltional in the onniamental parts of the mascheme of illuminations as a pro- nuscript "can be traiced to the duct emanating from th•e South- grandiose loot of aTtistic ornamenEng,lish monastic scriptoria relat- tal creations hauled out from the ed to the Merr,cian-NorthJUmlbri'an Canpathian Basin aJfter the defea t scribaJ pr,a ctice, as being "circa of the Aivars by the armies of 770 A.D.". Cinlcik analysing in de- Chadamagne under his son Pepin taH the illuminations a,nd the or- and Dutke Erich of Friaulfa.." Acnamerntal elements of the Gospel cording to the judgment of the has advainiced its date of origin author, the artist 'lwas influenced "into more devieloped art-forms of during the illumi•n ation work on the pre•Carolingia,n and early Ca- the Codex by the artistic form-Ian rolingian art as circa 800 A.D." guage of the above J.oot" and "thus "Since the paleographical cha,r- from the cohalbit-a tion of the Sloacter of "lettering" in the Codex vaks a-nd Avars in Trans-Danulbia i.; unique for the date of its ori- we find ,i,r:, the Go,s,pel many ornagin, its iLlumi'nations - especially mentations which prove the Sarthe artistic elements a,n<l style ap- 1ma tian,Slavic arfo:tic continuity. 'Pear indicative of a later period •Pro.£. Cincik condudes that "Cuthsays Prof. Cin!cik. It postdates the 1bert's Gospel stands before us on Gospel into the last dooade o;f the the threshold of early medieval ar t eighth century, i,f not slightly pas , in Trans,Da.nubia as a miss,ionary ·heritage of the Ghristianiza.tio,r:. of 800 A.D." 'I1he author sta-tes that the pUlb the Slovaks and Avars during and lished works a,nd studies albout a±tter the rule of Charlamagne." Cuthlbert's Gospel initiated by G. He even suggests tha,t the autho r Swarzenski, H. J. Herman an E of the illumina:tions could als·o b e H. Zimmerman, together with si- a .r..ative of the Danulbfan and Carmilar findings in the books of E pathi,an region, and holds to the Herzfeld a,n d Smirnov, and finally view that "this rare Cod·ex played the keen insight of J. Zy,kan con- am, important role in the beginvinced him "albout the accura cy of ning of the Ohristiaruization of the his views concerning the historical Slova~s, A,l pine and Pannonic Sloand evoluti'onary appraisal aJbout ivenes and Avars in the period of the place and time of the mission the strong Omaiad and .A!bba.said 1 �76 SLOVAKIA inf.luem,ces in fine ar.t in the Danubian basin" (IP. 13). 3. Non-Anglo-Saxon Elements: While other scholars who analyzed the Gospel merely noted non-Anglo-Saxon elements and ornamental pa,tterns, Pro.f. Ci-ncik states emphatically that "the Alpine-Danubian character of the ilI,umination's with predominain1t Slovak and Av,aric ornamental elements or with sU'ch ornamentac local and animal figures in relationship to the contemporary New Persian Art of the Omaiad and first Albbaside Ca1ip-hs is indisputalble" ('P. 28). In his view the Cuthlbert Gospel "thus adorned predominantly with Slovak and Avaric elements, had a direct, distinct and psychological ef.fect on the acti,vity of the priest - missionaries coming from Sal:dburg region to the inhabita,n,ts whose ornamentation was used by the illuminator in the book illustrations of the Gospel." (p. 64'). Cincik builds this conclusion, which at first glance could seem nationalisti'c, on a thorough study of ornamenta~ elements which illustrate the book, as well as on, the histor,really proven presence of Irish missi:onaries among the Slovaks a,n d Slovenes during the reign of Ohadamagne. These missionaries must have been familiar not only with the local dialects o·f the Slovaks, Slovenes, Moravians, and Avars, but they also understood the local morphology of the pagian symlbolism. "Thus," ac• cording to Prof. Cincik, "the .illumin,ating p.'.llbterns brou•g ht to the Sal21burg area from the 'South EngLish Schools' even though insular, served as a sample to the illumina-tor of Outhlbert's GospeJ., OJ!, the basis of the relationship between VirgibA.l.cuin-iArno (the latter was arch/bishop of the area). Likewise, elements of the local artistic form and the symlbolic language of S'lovak and Avaric art were at his disposal after the defeat of the Avars." (ip. 86). Besides ornamental element's and patterns, the color schemes aJso are, aocording to 01nlcik's ana-lysis, "completel,y different." "The lively, fiery coioring,' 'says Cincik, "nowhere f.ades in the iUuminations of the Gospel and it thus testifies to the permanent and basic temper o;f the illuminator. It verifiles also that it was neither of Angl~axon nor perhaips e,v en Thankish or Italian origin. A continuous effort to mafotai'n a wide sca'1e of v,iviid colors sponta.neousJ.y points to the taste and· sen'se of priJIDa,r y colors used at that time by !:he local population" (p. 89). 'IH)a,v ing considered these facts," Prof. Oincik writes on, the last page o;f h<is work, "together with the Anglo,Saxon ornamental influence and the prevalent elemental trace's and colorisan, we condude that the art of Cuth!bel't's Gospel •is purposely that of the ancient Slovak and Arv.ari'c or,niamenrtal art sty,lization." "With many characteristics of Caroling-ian and local art style in the Middle~,anuJbia,n region, Cuthbert's Gospel sta.nds out as Romianesque Slovak art at the daJWn of the early medieval period. As such, i't is not only an imipol'tant histor,ical and cultural heritage of the Anglo.Saxon missions d-uring the time of Charlemagne in the Ela-stern Alps, but al,so a famous and outs~ding artisti•c relic testifying to the decorative art style develop•ed in the Slovak Christian pr,irncipalities, the ca,p itals of whi~h we r e Nitm and the !Bannoniain, Blatnohrad after the year 800 A.D. M: is an art remruant developed by signiifa:ant hii:s.torical events at the begi.nning o.f the filrst half of the ninth century which witnessed a gradual Christianrizaition of Slovakian pr,incipa,Mies in Slovakd:a pro- �SLOVAKIA per, Morarvia, and the Slavs in _general around the Carpa,t hian Ba.sin, a;nd terminated later in a Great Moravian Empire and in the .apostolic activity of SS. Cyril and Method1us ... " Pmf. Cincilk corrOlborates his conclusions and ·suggestions w~th 23 pages of illustraitions. He also refer,s to many works of outstandr ing EurQPean aind American scholars in the fileld oif the history of art, ar-cheology, paleography, and cu1tural history. Some scholars at Central European universities ha'Ve en<thusi>astilcaJ:ly accepted• Oincilk's study and its coniclusions. If generally accepted by exper,ts in mediev-al art history, Cincik's work will meain. for Slarvic studies a new important and: valualble contriibution. :Some of the conclusions are unnecessarily repeated in the book and the awthor is inconsistent when using the ,n;a,me Olf the Gospel (Curt!hlberts or Cuthlbert?) as well as the term Arvar or Avaric. Seveml chapters of the book do not directly refer to the Gospel but make the text and the author'o conclusions easi'er to understand and to aocept. The teX!t would indicate that i>t is a translation from Slovak or other European language and sometimes quite far from perfect English. An ilmpressive bibliogr,aiphy and a great number of references in footnotes prove that Prof. Oincik took his task seriously. J. M. Kirschbaum, Uni:Versilty oif Mlo-ntreaJ. Rev. B. S. Bue, OJF.IM., Ph.ID.: Slovak Nationalism; published by the Slovak League oif America, M1dd<letawn, Pa., 1960; pp. 67. This book is the aurthor's thesis for his Mlasber Degree in Political Science a,t the Uni'ver,s ity of Pittsburgh. The a~eptance of a thesfa by a University Falculty ilmplies that the swbm'itted work is 77 serious, well documented, and written in a solid way. '!1his work of the Rev. Bue has all these qualities. The author first discusses the history oif Slovak nationalism a,s it had developed under the influence of Enlightenmen1t and Roonanticism in the Aiustro-iHungarian Monarchy, until, in the middle -Orf the pa,s t century, it ac,q uired definite political fol"ms. In the old Monarchy the Slo,vak-s struggled f •o r nati'on,a,1 self.,presewa-tion a,g ain'st the offilcial trend of magy,arizati-on. J!l'om 19.1.8, when the FJrst Czecho-Slovak Republic was estalblished, until 1009 they had to defend their distinct national character against the so-called 'ICzecho-Slovruc i'dea," the offiicial trend of the Prague governmemrt to assimilate the Slov,aiks into the Czech ethnic growp. The proclamarti-on of the Slovak Rerpu'blic in M<arch, 19319, is considered· by the awthor as a logical conclusion of Slov-a!k national aspirati1ons. Rev. Bue defends Slovak nation.al aspiraUons ag,a inst the all•e· gations oif anti,Slcwak political enemies who claim that the Slovaks with their na1tionalism have been a des-trucfone elemenrt in the Danwbian Basin. He proves that the Slova'ks defended their un.al~ena1ble rights for their own nartional life wi'thiin the poli:tical entity in which they Hved, filr-s t in A'll'!>tro-,Hung,ary, and then in Czecho,Slovakia. OnJy when these political en• tities were destroyed in coniflicts of the great power block,s, the Slova!ks took the opportunity to improve their nartional position in a new un~t, namely in Czecho-Slovakia (19118), and then, ◊1939) in thefr indeipendent Slovak Repulblic. •I n the develQpment of Slovak national consciousness and in the struggle for th·e improV'e'IDem.t of the Sliovak politilcal position, a prominent role wa,s played by �SLOVAKIA 78 Slovak emigrants, particularly by those in the U. S. A. American Slovaks, toget her with American Czechs, took an active part in fighting against the Hapsburg Monarchy. To saifeguard Slovak .r.iational rights in the commoniwealt:i oi Czechs arnd Slovaks which was to come into ex.istence under the name of Czecho-Sl.ovakfa, Slovak political leaders concluded an agreement with Czech represem,tat,ives in P.ittsiburgh, May 30, MHS. By this agreement S1ovakia wa•s to dbtain an autonomous posit-ion in the Czecho-Slovalk Republic. La ter the Czechs under T. G. Masaryk and EdJWard Benes denownced this agreement as void and tried to assimilate the Slovak ethnic group in to the so-called "Czech-oslovak" nation. The Pilttsburg.h Agreement, howe~r, became the poJ.itical credo of the Slovak autonomists under the leadershiip orf iMsgr. Am,dr e<w Hlinka. Slovak emigrant s of the period after World War ]I are almost withoult a-n exception for complete independenc·e of Slovakia and work intensely for tha t goal. Very interesting is the last chapter of Rev. Buc's book which describes commu,n-islt tactics in re· lation to Slovak naitona1is,m. During the First Czecho-Slovak Rlepublic the Slovak communist s, though few in number, were more separatist than the Father IDinka (Catho lie) P>eople's Party or Rev. Razus' (Lu,theran) Nationa l P.arty. The Slovak communists propounded the idea of coonpl•e te separat ion of Slovakia from Czecho-Slova'kfa, while the other two Slovak parties had for their aim the autonomy of Slovakia wJthiin, the CzechO-Slo-vak Republic. During the Second World War the Slovak communisits, apparently with the approval of Moscow, continued to work their or,i ginal line. Bult when the idea of a reborn Czecho--SlCl'Vakia 1 preva,iJed in Moscow. the Slovak communists had to be satisfied with only a guarantee of autonomy for Slovakia, gramited under commuruist pressure by President Dr. Edlward Benes in the Slovak city of Kosice. Nevertheless, following the communis:t coup d'etat of 1948, the Ozech communists gradually liquidated Slovak nationalist commun~·sts branding them as national bourgeois deviationists aind rescinding all Slovak autonomous pr,erogatives . After 1'948, cenitralism, stricter than that of the First Czecho--Slovak Repulblic, was re-established. The book of Rev. Bue not only pro,j ects objective light over Slovak nationalism in its historical structure, but also gives a pr.aspec t for a sound solution of the Slovak question. This solution, in the conclusions of Rev. Bue, is no-thin,g less tha1n full independence for the Slovaks within their ethnographic Boundaries. - T. Z. Gj~bert L. Oddo: Slovakia and People, :Robert Speller and Sons, New York, 1960,. 370 pp. , $6.00. The eyes and ears of the world are focused as .never before on the African and! Asiat ic peoples in their frenzied attempt to !break encrusted •colonial political patterns and1 asser,t their right of pol i tic al self-determinatio n. That right is not som•et hing newly conceived iby the no,n .mhite world; the non -w-hite peoples, however, have newly disc01Vered it. The right of self-determinatio n of peoples was popularized for European peoples at the peace po,w-wows of 19r118-19. [n approaching [)r. Oddo's minute history of the Slovak nation, one should recall that the Slovaks, like their neighbors in Cen,t ral Eurape, ,t he Sudeter:: Germans, were among the "little" Il'atio·ns Wils·on had in mind when he ipropounded its �SLOVAKIA his aims of self-determinatoin, a worthy cause that was frustrated by C'hauv,i nis,t exploitation, later tossed' into the political waste-masket. iHere we find a long-needed presentation of 11:J.istoric 1b ac~ground events requisite to the underst1and ing of the formation ·a nd growth of Slovakia into a politically conscious ethnic group seeking independence from foreign overlords, even to the present dlay. Dr. Oddo shows the emergence of Great Miorarvia, starting with the d,3wn of history and moving into the Christian- era; he tells of the warring elements that, made tlhe Slovak country little more than a battleground for centuries, highlights t he age of !Maria Theresia, then o.f her son Jioseph I[ and the influence ·of the Slovak life of his reforms. One by one Oddo peels off the coats of legendary myt'h that have olbscured the true telling of the Slova,k story for de cades. Boldly the author daubs his canvas with vivid colors of historical truth, producing a series of coherent scenes that show a people tenacious, conscious of pur:pose, idealistic and proud, slowly bu t surely emerging from oppression ar.d imposed servitude into a cohesive political and ehhnic entity. The talblea ux take the reader on through tJhe 'Europeon revolution of '1848 jnto the era of the Dual Monal"chy, continuing• into the "tro1.11blous days o.f the '1~20's . . . and t,he more cha'Otic years of the 30's. We see Slovakia's saga as a never-ending, torment•ed striving for ethnic self-eX,pression an,d, poliWhat a tical se1f-determination. tragic coin:ciden'Ce that inde-p endence, however short-liv,ed , had to come -a t a time when National Socialism was to :form its political back-dro,p, casting unwarranted as- 79 persions on- the aims and methods of SlO'Vak statesmen. A£ter the short brea,tJhing s,pell of rnberty we see the light o.f truth and freedom quenched again, this time from the !East. The con'Cluding chapter on Slovak emigration deals prilJ'Ilarily with the Slovaks who emigrated to the USA and tells what they harve been a!ble to achieve from their new home on belhalf of their captive fellowcountrymen: "We ask for the Slovak nation ·c omp lete autonomy and freedom of self-determination both in the field of politi'cs as well as in the cultural and' economic !fields. 1 In completing the reading of Slovakia and its People the reader chances thes•e what won-der.s dreams h-aive of !fulfillment now that all unli.berated peoples are on the march. Will they be forgotten, over-slhadowed by the dark man's world,, or will the ,plea for selfdetermination be strengthend, now that other voi•c es have strengthened, now that other voices have joon-ed the chorus? - Frances McPoyne. The Origin of the Name "Slav," by J. B. Riudnyc:ky,j, Winnipeg; Ukrainian Free Acad'emy of S'Ciences (Box 3•597 S,tn. B, Winnipeg 4, Man .) (Onoonastica Series No. 21) Second revised edition, '1961, 24 pages 50c. 'Ilh.e origin of the namie "Slav" is a controversial swbject as this b~ief survey shows. In the eight pages devoted to the topic there are over a dozen possilble etymological d•erivations of "Slav" summarized. Pro.f. Rudnycky,j , head of the University of Manito1b a Slavic Dep:i,r tmen t, originally d,elivered this survey as a presidential address at an Annual Meeting of the American Name Society. It was firs t �80 SLOVAKIA printed in the June 11960 issue o,f the journal Names andr is pro'baliYl!Y the <first such syino,ptic survey in the 'Englislh language. All -the most important etyimological d'erivations are summarized. The first suggested is from trhe root of slava (,glory), lin which cas•e the Slavs -are •t he "glorious" people. The second possi!ble exipJ..anation de·r ives it fu-OIIll slovo (rword) in which case the Slavs were ,t hose people who spoke an understandable language. The tlhird explanation is the topographic or t01Ponyimic (geographic place-name) origin. Sug,gestions fur this source are from an anrcier..t Slavic capital Slauna, from a root meaning "hiill, mounliain," or another meaning "lowlands." Another interesting suggestion is that the common ending "-slav" in names such as Yarosiav, IMstislav and, My<roslav exipanded into the nlllIIle of the people. This is also sugg.ested as the origin of t,he Englislh word "s1'ave." The Slavic captives lby repeating their n.ames may 'hav,e clearly impressed the common 1atter part orf their captors. 'Ptrofessor iRudnyrckyj concludes that there is no unanimous agreement on the etymology of the word "SfaN" although the topographic ex;planation seems to be the most convincing. Howeiver, th,e derivation from slovo (rword) is sti-Il :possiible. It may be mentioned tha K. Mos7JYnski lin Original Extension of the Pre-Slavic !Language (Wroclaw: IPolrish Arcademy of S'Cienc.es, 1'957) S'llg,g ests yet another view not touched on in this survey. iHe derives a .torpogr,aiphic view from the name given by ,northerners "to the drwellers of 'orpen fields' " (page 145), implying "dear' 'or 'clean" 'from the sunny open steppe of Uikraine. He gives this etymology: from the "Lart in cluo ([ clean.), Greeik kluzo (I wash, purge) kludon (striking orf waves), Old !High German hl11t• tar (clean, clear), Old iNordiic hler (lake, sea.), Litlhuanfan slavu, sluoti (to rweep (originally to clean, compare the Slav wo,rd cistiti, which in Uikrainian, Bulgarian and Serbo..Croat asswmed a secondary meaning 'to sweep')" (from page 13·9.) In the English language the word "Slav" has been used i nm-any forms•. llt has finaUy distilled down to three interchangeaible forms : Slaiv, Sla'Vlic, and Slavonic. The (Proressor's consistent use of "Slavic" in ,t he text indicates his preference "Slavonic" is used 1Inostly in En,gl'and. A useful featUTe of Pro!essor Rudnyrckiyj's monograph is the extensive list of lbi!bliogrruphical footnotes. This will guide the situdent to a wealth o'f sourees on the s-wbject. Mso includ•e d in this Onoma-stica issue is an ar,ti:cle, "Ten Years of Onomastaica {100lel961i)'' by M. H. Scargill. It is a history of this toip'O and anthrorponyimic series edited, ·tiwice a ye•ar 1b y J. B. Rudn,yckyj . Although brief, this survey is a real contrilbution !bercause it makes avaiilaible to the !English read'er the !basic tlheories on the origin of the word "S1av." otherwise they would lbe inaccess1ble to him. -It is an important step in eliminating ,part of the prevailing ignoranrce, in -the western world, o,f the !Slavs. Andrew Gregorovich, IM!ClMiaster University, Hamilton, Ontario. ,(iEditor's Note: See rDr. Henrich Bartelk's "The Origin of 'Slovan' and 'Slovak'" in SWI\I\AlKlliA, June '1958.) �Officers of the Slovak League of America (Organized May 26, 1907, Cleveland, Ohio) Honorary Presicent3 Michael Msgr. F . J. Dubosh, P.A. Sas 3803 Cresson Street Philadelphia 27, Pa. 12608 Madison Avenue Lakewood 7, hio Joseph Dr. Peter P. H letko Klucar 1617 Alameda Avenue Lakewood 7, Ohio Batavia Rd ., Box 48 Warrensville, III. George Kantor President Philip A. Hrobak 281 Hollywood Ave. New York 61, N. Y. P. 0. Box 150 Middletown, Pa. ADVISORY COUNCIL Vice-Presidents Joseph Bendik John P. 0. Box 230 Uniontown, Pa. A. Sabol National President First Catholic Slovak Union Julia Krajcovic Helen Kocan 1648 \V. 18th Street Chicago 8. Ill. National President First Catholic Slovak Ladies Union Recording Secretary John Horecky Paul 2264 Walton Ave. New York 53, N. Y. Secretary-Treasurer Stephen J. Tkach Paul C. Kazim er 1122 Sy! van Avenue Homestead, Pa. :-.'atinnal President Pa. Catholic Slovak Union EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Paul Fallat :-.'alional Presiden: Slovak Catholic Sokol Anna Sotak National President Ladies Pennsylvania Slovak Catholic Union P. Jamriska 536 Marie Ave. Pittsburgh 2, Pa. Emrich Valko Andrew Hudak 15701 Bennett Rd. :-So. Royalton 33, Ohio National President Slovak Catholic Cadet Union SLOVAK NEWSPAPERS (Affiliated with the Slov;ik League of America) JEDNOTA SLOVENSKA OBRANA ZENSK.A. JEDNOTA Middletown. Pa. Sr-ranton. Pa. Cleveland, Ohio BRATSTVO Wilkes-Ilarre. Pa. SLOVENSKE NOVINY ClevPland. Ohio Scranton, Pa. KATOLiCKY SOKOL Pa,.salc. N . J . SVORNOST OSADNE. HLASY Whitaker. Pa. Chicago, Ill. SLOVAK V AMERIKE Middletown, Pa. ZORNICKA �SLOVAKIA: The Castle of Brunovce ( 17th Century) � 74 SLOVAKIA BOOK REVIEWS Joseph G. Cincik, Anglo-Saxon and because the present book is a nd Slovak-Avar Paf!;erns of Cuth- written with the same sicholarly berth Gospels, Editions Slovak 'Ln- method and knowledge, his am.alystitute, Cleveland, Ohio, Rome, Italy, 1958, p. 1 24, XW pl. The kn01wn illuminated ma<nu• script called the Gospel of Cuthbert ha'S been, Jior a long time a favoriite olbject of scholarly research and analysis by several owtstanding hlstorians of medfoval art, such as (T. D. Kendrick, J. Zykan, J. Strzgowski, H. J. Hermann, G. Slwarzenski, and E. H. Zimmerman. The Gospel or Codex is preserved in the State Ubrary of Vienna', Austria,, and was originally included iin the rare illuminated Codices categorized by arthistories under the general title ''The Insular Book Illuminiations" wrich are believed to be of insular Anglo-Saxcm onigin. Some modern analysts (T. D. Kendrii'Ck, J. Zyikan) noted that non- Anglo,Sax:on ornaments in the Cuthbert Gospel predomina,te over other Codices iin quantity and they stressed that in case of the vegetal or,n aments the irufluence of AlpineDanubian ornamentation was more than casuaL They did not, however, undertake a more detailed analysis and did not arrive at any new conclusions as to the origin of the non~nglo.;saxon artistic in;fluen~s. Prof. Cinctk's w@k, his third book (See: S lovak Ru le r's Sword, Scranton, Pa., 1947, and Anc ient 1 Slovak Fibu las and Pseudo,Fibu • las, Chicago, 1,957), pulblished on the subject of medieval art in the Oarpathian and Danubian area w,ithin the last few years, sheds new Hght on all three prolblems: the origin, the date, and the nonAnglo,Saxon influences. Since both previous woriks by Professor Cincik were farvoraibly received by European as well as American critics sis and conclusions undou,btedly desel'Ve to be considered. A,s Cincilk states in the foreword to his work, he became interested in the similarity of the SlovakAivar omamental pa1tterns to those in the Cuthlbert Gospel duriin,g h1is studies of the Meroving,i,an and Oarolingian epoch at Vienna in 19351,936. During the turibulent years of the Second World War he interrwpted his work, but in exile, during his stay in Bavaria and Rome, between the years 194511947, he once again took up the work "on the complicated prolblem of solvJng the origin of the ornamental elements, the circumstances, and the time of the illuminations of Cuthbert's Gospel." The resuLts of the author's many years of study ba,sed on historicalgenetic, geograiphical, ethnic, and stylo-crJtical analyiSis, are now contained in his book, artistiicalily illustrated either by plates or original drawings made by the author •h imself. The book undoubtedly presents highly 'i nteresting scholarly readiin,g and like his previous works on medi'eval art of the Danulbian and Carpathian basin, it sheds new lig ht not only on the illuminations of the Go's pel in question aind their origin, but also on many rella ted artistic and ethnic probelms and histori'cal events. Cin'Cik's approach throughout the book is that of a highly qualified historian of medieval art with rare artistic intuition and solid knowledge of archeology, political history and literature on, the sulbj,ect in half a dozen a,nrcient and modern languages. To be assured of the accuracy of his conclusions, Cincik compared his a,nalysi:s and synthesis with work's amd docu1 �81.-0VAKIA 75 ments of numerous libra.ries air.,d of th-is illuiminated manuscript" museums suich as the Pontif.ica· (P. 10). Oriental Institute, the Va1tican 12. Piace of the Origin of the AJpostolit Library, and the Am,eri can Alcademy in Rome, the Insti' Gospel: tute of Medieval Studies of HarHavi,r.,g set the date, Prof. Cincik vard University, the Ubrary o.f the presents in his analysis a ne•w Cleve!:and Art Museum, the Art theory atbout the place. "The ornaMuseum Ln Chilca,go, the State Li- menta,t ions point to the ye,a rs of bracy and Museums in Vienna, Pa- the final destruction of the Avar ris, Lond·on, etc. supreml!K!y - says the author Wha,t are the new elements and over Slovak and Sliovenian tri/bes conclusions of Prof. Cincitk's re- in the A!Jpine a,n<l Danubian researeh and anaiysis? gion. " There ar,e in ,the Gospel, says '1. Date of Origin: Several scho • 1Cinicik, contri,bu,ti,ons from the Jars have dated the Go'spel, on the Slo,vak-Avaric patterns, and the basis of paleogra.phic evid-em:e, inspirational historical event for the hand-like and interlaced oma- the Slovak1Avar elements, found ments and the composiltional in the onniamental parts of the mascheme of illuminations as a pro- nuscript "can be traiced to the duct emanating from th•e South- grandiose loot of aTtistic ornamenEng,lish monastic scriptoria relat- tal creations hauled out from the ed to the Merr,cian-NorthJUmlbri'an Canpathian Basin aJfter the defea t scribaJ pr,a ctice, as being "circa of the Aivars by the armies of 770 A.D.". Cinlcik analysing in de- Chadamagne under his son Pepin taH the illuminations a,nd the or- and Dutke Erich of Friaulfa.." Acnamerntal elements of the Gospel cording to the judgment of the has advainiced its date of origin author, the artist 'lwas influenced "into more devieloped art-forms of during the illumi•n ation work on the pre•Carolingia,n and early Ca- the Codex by the artistic form-Ian rolingian art as circa 800 A.D." guage of the above J.oot" and "thus "Since the paleographical cha,r- from the cohalbit-a tion of the Sloacter of "lettering" in the Codex vaks a-nd Avars in Trans-Danulbia i.; unique for the date of its ori- we find ,i,r:, the Go,s,pel many ornagin, its iLlumi'nations - especially mentations which prove the Sarthe artistic elements a,n<l style ap- 1ma tian,Slavic arfo:tic continuity. 'Pear indicative of a later period •Pro.£. Cincik condudes that "Cuthsays Prof. Cin!cik. It postdates the 1bert's Gospel stands before us on Gospel into the last dooade o;f the the threshold of early medieval ar t eighth century, i,f not slightly pas , in Trans,Da.nubia as a miss,ionary ·heritage of the Ghristianiza.tio,r:. of 800 A.D." 'I1he author sta-tes that the pUlb the Slovaks and Avars during and lished works a,nd studies albout a±tter the rule of Charlamagne." Cuthlbert's Gospel initiated by G. He even suggests tha,t the autho r Swarzenski, H. J. Herman an E of the illumina:tions could als·o b e H. Zimmerman, together with si- a .r..ative of the Danulbfan and Carmilar findings in the books of E pathi,an region, and holds to the Herzfeld a,n d Smirnov, and finally view that "this rare Cod·ex played the keen insight of J. Zy,kan con- am, important role in the beginvinced him "albout the accura cy of ning of the Ohristiaruization of the his views concerning the historical Slova~s, A,l pine and Pannonic Sloand evoluti'onary appraisal aJbout ivenes and Avars in the period of the place and time of the mission the strong Omaiad and .A!bba.said 1 �76 SLOVAKIA inf.luem,ces in fine ar.t in the Danubian basin" (IP. 13). 3. Non-Anglo-Saxon Elements: While other scholars who analyzed the Gospel merely noted non-Anglo-Saxon elements and ornamental pa,tterns, Pro.f. Ci-ncik states emphatically that "the Alpine-Danubian character of the ilI,umination's with predominain1t Slovak and Av,aric ornamental elements or with sU'ch ornamentac local and animal figures in relationship to the contemporary New Persian Art of the Omaiad and first Albbaside Ca1ip-hs is indisputalble" ('P. 28). In his view the Cuthlbert Gospel "thus adorned predominantly with Slovak and Avaric elements, had a direct, distinct and psychological ef.fect on the acti,vity of the priest - missionaries coming from Sal:dburg region to the inhabita,n,ts whose ornamentation was used by the illuminator in the book illustrations of the Gospel." (p. 64'). Cincik builds this conclusion, which at first glance could seem nationalisti'c, on a thorough study of ornamenta~ elements which illustrate the book, as well as on, the histor,really proven presence of Irish missi:onaries among the Slovaks a,n d Slovenes during the reign of Ohadamagne. These missionaries must have been familiar not only with the local dialects o·f the Slovaks, Slovenes, Moravians, and Avars, but they also understood the local morphology of the pagian symlbolism. "Thus," ac• cording to Prof. Cincik, "the .illumin,ating p.'.llbterns brou•g ht to the Sal21burg area from the 'South EngLish Schools' even though insular, served as a sample to the illumina-tor of Outhlbert's GospeJ., OJ!, the basis of the relationship between VirgibA.l.cuin-iArno (the latter was arch/bishop of the area). Likewise, elements of the local artistic form and the symlbolic language of S'lovak and Avaric art were at his disposal after the defeat of the Avars." (ip. 86). Besides ornamental element's and patterns, the color schemes aJso are, aocording to 01nlcik's ana-lysis, "completel,y different." "The lively, fiery coioring,' 'says Cincik, "nowhere f.ades in the iUuminations of the Gospel and it thus testifies to the permanent and basic temper o;f the illuminator. It verifiles also that it was neither of Angl~axon nor perhaips e,v en Thankish or Italian origin. A continuous effort to mafotai'n a wide sca'1e of v,iviid colors sponta.neousJ.y points to the taste and· sen'se of priJIDa,r y colors used at that time by !:he local population" (p. 89). 'IH)a,v ing considered these facts," Prof. Oincik writes on, the last page o;f h<is work, "together with the Anglo,Saxon ornamental influence and the prevalent elemental trace's and colorisan, we condude that the art of Cuth!bel't's Gospel •is purposely that of the ancient Slovak and Arv.ari'c or,niamenrtal art sty,lization." "With many characteristics of Caroling-ian and local art style in the Middle~,anuJbia,n region, Cuthbert's Gospel sta.nds out as Romianesque Slovak art at the daJWn of the early medieval period. As such, i't is not only an imipol'tant histor,ical and cultural heritage of the Anglo.Saxon missions d-uring the time of Charlemagne in the Ela-stern Alps, but al,so a famous and outs~ding artisti•c relic testifying to the decorative art style develop•ed in the Slovak Christian pr,irncipalities, the ca,p itals of whi~h we r e Nitm and the !Bannoniain, Blatnohrad after the year 800 A.D. M: is an art remruant developed by signiifa:ant hii:s.torical events at the begi.nning o.f the filrst half of the ninth century which witnessed a gradual Christianrizaition of Slovakian pr,incipa,Mies in Slovakd:a pro- �SLOVAKIA per, Morarvia, and the Slavs in _general around the Carpa,t hian Ba.sin, a;nd terminated later in a Great Moravian Empire and in the .apostolic activity of SS. Cyril and Method1us ... " Pmf. Cincilk corrOlborates his conclusions and ·suggestions w~th 23 pages of illustraitions. He also refer,s to many works of outstandr ing EurQPean aind American scholars in the fileld oif the history of art, ar-cheology, paleography, and cu1tural history. Some scholars at Central European universities ha'Ve en<thusi>astilcaJ:ly accepted• Oincilk's study and its coniclusions. If generally accepted by exper,ts in mediev-al art history, Cincik's work will meain. for Slarvic studies a new important and: valualble contriibution. :Some of the conclusions are unnecessarily repeated in the book and the awthor is inconsistent when using the ,n;a,me Olf the Gospel (Curt!hlberts or Cuthlbert?) as well as the term Arvar or Avaric. Seveml chapters of the book do not directly refer to the Gospel but make the text and the author'o conclusions easi'er to understand and to aocept. The teX!t would indicate that i>t is a translation from Slovak or other European language and sometimes quite far from perfect English. An ilmpressive bibliogr,aiphy and a great number of references in footnotes prove that Prof. Oincik took his task seriously. J. M. Kirschbaum, Uni:Versilty oif Mlo-ntreaJ. Rev. B. S. Bue, OJF.IM., Ph.ID.: Slovak Nationalism; published by the Slovak League oif America, M1dd<letawn, Pa., 1960; pp. 67. This book is the aurthor's thesis for his Mlasber Degree in Political Science a,t the Uni'ver,s ity of Pittsburgh. The a~eptance of a thesfa by a University Falculty ilmplies that the swbm'itted work is 77 serious, well documented, and written in a solid way. '!1his work of the Rev. Bue has all these qualities. The author first discusses the history oif Slovak nationalism a,s it had developed under the influence of Enlightenmen1t and Roonanticism in the Aiustro-iHungarian Monarchy, until, in the middle -Orf the pa,s t century, it ac,q uired definite political fol"ms. In the old Monarchy the Slo,vak-s struggled f •o r nati'on,a,1 self.,presewa-tion a,g ain'st the offilcial trend of magy,arizati-on. J!l'om 19.1.8, when the FJrst Czecho-Slovak Republic was estalblished, until 1009 they had to defend their distinct national character against the so-called 'ICzecho-Slovruc i'dea," the offiicial trend of the Prague governmemrt to assimilate the Slov,aiks into the Czech ethnic growp. The proclamarti-on of the Slovak Rerpu'blic in M<arch, 19319, is considered· by the awthor as a logical conclusion of Slov-a!k national aspirati1ons. Rev. Bue defends Slovak nation.al aspiraUons ag,a inst the all•e· gations oif anti,Slcwak political enemies who claim that the Slovaks with their na1tionalism have been a des-trucfone elemenrt in the Danwbian Basin. He proves that the Slova'ks defended their un.al~ena1ble rights for their own nartional life wi'thiin the poli:tical entity in which they Hved, filr-s t in A'll'!>tro-,Hung,ary, and then in Czecho,Slovakia. OnJy when these political en• tities were destroyed in coniflicts of the great power block,s, the Slova!ks took the opportunity to improve their nartional position in a new un~t, namely in Czecho-Slovakia (19118), and then, ◊1939) in thefr indeipendent Slovak Repulblic. •I n the develQpment of Slovak national consciousness and in the struggle for th·e improV'e'IDem.t of the Sliovak politilcal position, a prominent role wa,s played by �SLOVAKIA 78 Slovak emigrants, particularly by those in the U. S. A. American Slovaks, toget her with American Czechs, took an active part in fighting against the Hapsburg Monarchy. To saifeguard Slovak .r.iational rights in the commoniwealt:i oi Czechs arnd Slovaks which was to come into ex.istence under the name of Czecho-Sl.ovakfa, Slovak political leaders concluded an agreement with Czech represem,tat,ives in P.ittsiburgh, May 30, MHS. By this agreement S1ovakia wa•s to dbtain an autonomous posit-ion in the Czecho-Slovalk Republic. La ter the Czechs under T. G. Masaryk and EdJWard Benes denownced this agreement as void and tried to assimilate the Slovak ethnic group in to the so-called "Czech-oslovak" nation. The Pilttsburg.h Agreement, howe~r, became the poJ.itical credo of the Slovak autonomists under the leadershiip orf iMsgr. Am,dr e<w Hlinka. Slovak emigrant s of the period after World War ]I are almost withoult a-n exception for complete independenc·e of Slovakia and work intensely for tha t goal. Very interesting is the last chapter of Rev. Buc's book which describes commu,n-islt tactics in re· lation to Slovak naitona1is,m. During the First Czecho-Slovak Rlepublic the Slovak communist s, though few in number, were more separatist than the Father IDinka (Catho lie) P>eople's Party or Rev. Razus' (Lu,theran) Nationa l P.arty. The Slovak communists propounded the idea of coonpl•e te separat ion of Slovakia from Czecho-Slova'kfa, while the other two Slovak parties had for their aim the autonomy of Slovakia wJthiin, the CzechO-Slo-vak Republic. During the Second World War the Slovak communisits, apparently with the approval of Moscow, continued to work their or,i ginal line. Bult when the idea of a reborn Czecho--SlCl'Vakia 1 preva,iJed in Moscow. the Slovak communists had to be satisfied with only a guarantee of autonomy for Slovakia, gramited under commuruist pressure by President Dr. Edlward Benes in the Slovak city of Kosice. Nevertheless, following the communis:t coup d'etat of 1948, the Ozech communists gradually liquidated Slovak nationalist commun~·sts branding them as national bourgeois deviationists aind rescinding all Slovak autonomous pr,erogatives . After 1'948, cenitralism, stricter than that of the First Czecho--Slovak Repulblic, was re-established. The book of Rev. Bue not only pro,j ects objective light over Slovak nationalism in its historical structure, but also gives a pr.aspec t for a sound solution of the Slovak question. This solution, in the conclusions of Rev. Bue, is no-thin,g less tha1n full independence for the Slovaks within their ethnographic Boundaries. - T. Z. Gj~bert L. Oddo: Slovakia and People, :Robert Speller and Sons, New York, 1960,. 370 pp. , $6.00. The eyes and ears of the world are focused as .never before on the African and! Asiat ic peoples in their frenzied attempt to !break encrusted •colonial political patterns and1 asser,t their right of pol i tic al self-determinatio n. That right is not som•et hing newly conceived iby the no,n .mhite world; the non -w-hite peoples, however, have newly disc01Vered it. The right of self-determinatio n of peoples was popularized for European peoples at the peace po,w-wows of 19r118-19. [n approaching [)r. Oddo's minute history of the Slovak nation, one should recall that the Slovaks, like their neighbors in Cen,t ral Eurape, ,t he Sudeter:: Germans, were among the "little" Il'atio·ns Wils·on had in mind when he ipropounded its �SLOVAKIA his aims of self-determinatoin, a worthy cause that was frustrated by C'hauv,i nis,t exploitation, later tossed' into the political waste-masket. iHere we find a long-needed presentation of 11:J.istoric 1b ac~ground events requisite to the underst1and ing of the formation ·a nd growth of Slovakia into a politically conscious ethnic group seeking independence from foreign overlords, even to the present dlay. Dr. Oddo shows the emergence of Great Miorarvia, starting with the d,3wn of history and moving into the Christian- era; he tells of the warring elements that, made tlhe Slovak country little more than a battleground for centuries, highlights t he age of !Maria Theresia, then o.f her son Jioseph I[ and the influence ·of the Slovak life of his reforms. One by one Oddo peels off the coats of legendary myt'h that have olbscured the true telling of the Slova,k story for de cades. Boldly the author daubs his canvas with vivid colors of historical truth, producing a series of coherent scenes that show a people tenacious, conscious of pur:pose, idealistic and proud, slowly bu t surely emerging from oppression ar.d imposed servitude into a cohesive political and ehhnic entity. The talblea ux take the reader on through tJhe 'Europeon revolution of '1848 jnto the era of the Dual Monal"chy, continuing• into the "tro1.11blous days o.f the '1~20's . . . and t,he more cha'Otic years of the 30's. We see Slovakia's saga as a never-ending, torment•ed striving for ethnic self-eX,pression an,d, poliWhat a tical se1f-determination. tragic coin:ciden'Ce that inde-p endence, however short-liv,ed , had to come -a t a time when National Socialism was to :form its political back-dro,p, casting unwarranted as- 79 persions on- the aims and methods of SlO'Vak statesmen. A£ter the short brea,tJhing s,pell of rnberty we see the light o.f truth and freedom quenched again, this time from the !East. The con'Cluding chapter on Slovak emigration deals prilJ'Ilarily with the Slovaks who emigrated to the USA and tells what they harve been a!ble to achieve from their new home on belhalf of their captive fellowcountrymen: "We ask for the Slovak nation ·c omp lete autonomy and freedom of self-determination both in the field of politi'cs as well as in the cultural and' economic !fields. 1 In completing the reading of Slovakia and its People the reader chances thes•e what won-der.s dreams h-aive of !fulfillment now that all unli.berated peoples are on the march. Will they be forgotten, over-slhadowed by the dark man's world,, or will the ,plea for selfdetermination be strengthend, now that other voi•c es have strengthened, now that other voices have joon-ed the chorus? - Frances McPoyne. The Origin of the Name "Slav," by J. B. Riudnyc:ky,j, Winnipeg; Ukrainian Free Acad'emy of S'Ciences (Box 3•597 S,tn. B, Winnipeg 4, Man .) (Onoonastica Series No. 21) Second revised edition, '1961, 24 pages 50c. 'Ilh.e origin of the namie "Slav" is a controversial swbject as this b~ief survey shows. In the eight pages devoted to the topic there are over a dozen possilble etymological d•erivations of "Slav" summarized. Pro.f. Rudnycky,j , head of the University of Manito1b a Slavic Dep:i,r tmen t, originally d,elivered this survey as a presidential address at an Annual Meeting of the American Name Society. It was firs t �80 SLOVAKIA printed in the June 11960 issue o,f the journal Names andr is pro'baliYl!Y the <first such syino,ptic survey in the 'Englislh language. All -the most important etyimological d'erivations are summarized. The first suggested is from trhe root of slava (,glory), lin which cas•e the Slavs -are •t he "glorious" people. The second possi!ble exipJ..anation de·r ives it fu-OIIll slovo (rword) in which case the Slavs were ,t hose people who spoke an understandable language. The tlhird explanation is the topographic or t01Ponyimic (geographic place-name) origin. Sug,gestions fur this source are from an anrcier..t Slavic capital Slauna, from a root meaning "hiill, mounliain," or another meaning "lowlands." Another interesting suggestion is that the common ending "-slav" in names such as Yarosiav, IMstislav and, My<roslav exipanded into the nlllIIle of the people. This is also sugg.ested as the origin of t,he Englislh word "s1'ave." The Slavic captives lby repeating their n.ames may 'hav,e clearly impressed the common 1atter part orf their captors. 'Ptrofessor iRudnyrckyj concludes that there is no unanimous agreement on the etymology of the word "SfaN" although the topographic ex;planation seems to be the most convincing. Howeiver, th,e derivation from slovo (rword) is sti-Il :possiible. It may be mentioned tha K. Mos7JYnski lin Original Extension of the Pre-Slavic !Language (Wroclaw: IPolrish Arcademy of S'Cienc.es, 1'957) S'llg,g ests yet another view not touched on in this survey. iHe derives a .torpogr,aiphic view from the name given by ,northerners "to the drwellers of 'orpen fields' " (page 145), implying "dear' 'or 'clean" 'from the sunny open steppe of Uikraine. He gives this etymology: from the "Lart in cluo ([ clean.), Greeik kluzo (I wash, purge) kludon (striking orf waves), Old !High German hl11t• tar (clean, clear), Old iNordiic hler (lake, sea.), Litlhuanfan slavu, sluoti (to rweep (originally to clean, compare the Slav wo,rd cistiti, which in Uikrainian, Bulgarian and Serbo..Croat asswmed a secondary meaning 'to sweep')" (from page 13·9.) In the English language the word "Slav" has been used i nm-any forms•. llt has finaUy distilled down to three interchangeaible forms : Slaiv, Sla'Vlic, and Slavonic. The (Proressor's consistent use of "Slavic" in ,t he text indicates his preference "Slavonic" is used 1Inostly in En,gl'and. A useful featUTe of Pro!essor Rudnyrckiyj's monograph is the extensive list of lbi!bliogrruphical footnotes. This will guide the situdent to a wealth o'f sourees on the s-wbject. Mso includ•e d in this Onoma-stica issue is an ar,ti:cle, "Ten Years of Onomastaica {100lel961i)'' by M. H. Scargill. It is a history of this toip'O and anthrorponyimic series edited, ·tiwice a ye•ar 1b y J. B. Rudn,yckyj . Although brief, this survey is a real contrilbution !bercause it makes avaiilaible to the !English read'er the !basic tlheories on the origin of the word "S1av." otherwise they would lbe inaccess1ble to him. -It is an important step in eliminating ,part of the prevailing ignoranrce, in -the western world, o,f the !Slavs. Andrew Gregorovich, IM!ClMiaster University, Hamilton, Ontario. ,(iEditor's Note: See rDr. Henrich Bartelk's "The Origin of 'Slovan' and 'Slovak'" in SWI\I\AlKlliA, June '1958.) �Officers of the Slovak League of America (Organized May 26, 1907, Cleveland, Ohio) Honorary Presicent3 Michael Msgr. F . J. Dubosh, P.A. Sas 3803 Cresson Street Philadelphia 27, Pa. 12608 Madison Avenue Lakewood 7, hio Joseph Dr. Peter P. H letko Klucar 1617 Alameda Avenue Lakewood 7, Ohio Batavia Rd ., Box 48 Warrensville, III. George Kantor President Philip A. Hrobak 281 Hollywood Ave. New York 61, N. Y. P. 0. Box 150 Middletown, Pa. ADVISORY COUNCIL Vice-Presidents Joseph Bendik John P. 0. Box 230 Uniontown, Pa. A. Sabol National President First Catholic Slovak Union Julia Krajcovic Helen Kocan 1648 \V. 18th Street Chicago 8. Ill. National President First Catholic Slovak Ladies Union Recording Secretary John Horecky Paul 2264 Walton Ave. New York 53, N. Y. Secretary-Treasurer Stephen J. Tkach Paul C. Kazim er 1122 Sy! van Avenue Homestead, Pa. :-.'atinnal President Pa. Catholic Slovak Union EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Paul Fallat :-.'alional Presiden: Slovak Catholic Sokol Anna Sotak National President Ladies Pennsylvania Slovak Catholic Union P. Jamriska 536 Marie Ave. Pittsburgh 2, Pa. Emrich Valko Andrew Hudak 15701 Bennett Rd. :-So. Royalton 33, Ohio National President Slovak Catholic Cadet Union SLOVAK NEWSPAPERS (Affiliated with the Slov;ik League of America) JEDNOTA SLOVENSKA OBRANA ZENSK.A. JEDNOTA Middletown. Pa. Sr-ranton. Pa. Cleveland, Ohio BRATSTVO Wilkes-Ilarre. Pa. SLOVENSKE NOVINY ClevPland. Ohio Scranton, Pa. KATOLiCKY SOKOL Pa,.salc. N . J . SVORNOST OSADNE. HLASY Whitaker. Pa. Chicago, Ill. SLOVAK V AMERIKE Middletown, Pa. ZORNICKA �SLOVAKIA: The Castle of Brunovce ( 17th Century) � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource 1961, Vol. 11 Description An account of the resource <ul><li>Issue 1 (No. 33), March-June 1961.</li> <li>Issue 2 (No. 34), September-December June 1961.</li> </ul> Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available The Slovak League of America Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1961 Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document 74 SLOVAKIA BOOK REVIEWS Joseph G. Cincik, Anglo-Saxon and because the present book is a nd Slovak-Avar Paf!;erns of Cuth- written with the same sicholarly berth Gospels, Editions Slovak 'Ln- method and knowledge, his am.alystitute, Cleveland, Ohio, Rome, Italy, 1958, p. 1 24, XW pl. The kn01wn illuminated ma<nu• script called the Gospel of Cuthbert ha'S been, Jior a long time a favoriite olbject of scholarly research and analysis by several owtstanding hlstorians of medfoval art, such as (T. D. Kendrick, J. Zykan, J. Strzgowski, H. J. Hermann, G. Slwarzenski, and E. H. Zimmerman. The Gospel or Codex is preserved in the State Ubrary of Vienna', Austria,, and was originally included iin the rare illuminated Codices categorized by arthistories under the general title ''The Insular Book Illuminiations" wrich are believed to be of insular Anglo-Saxcm onigin. Some modern analysts (T. D. Kendrii'Ck, J. Zyikan) noted that non- Anglo,Sax:on ornaments in the Cuthbert Gospel predomina,te over other Codices iin quantity and they stressed that in case of the vegetal or,n aments the irufluence of AlpineDanubian ornamentation was more than casuaL They did not, however, undertake a more detailed analysis and did not arrive at any new conclusions as to the origin of the non~nglo.;saxon artistic in;fluen~s. Prof. Cinctk's w@k, his third book (See: S lovak Ru le r's Sword, Scranton, Pa., 1947, and Anc ient 1 Slovak Fibu las and Pseudo,Fibu • las, Chicago, 1,957), pulblished on the subject of medieval art in the Oarpathian and Danubian area w,ithin the last few years, sheds new Hght on all three prolblems: the origin, the date, and the nonAnglo,Saxon influences. Since both previous woriks by Professor Cincik were farvoraibly received by European as well as American critics sis and conclusions undou,btedly desel'Ve to be considered. A,s Cincilk states in the foreword to his work, he became interested in the similarity of the SlovakAivar omamental pa1tterns to those in the Cuthlbert Gospel duriin,g h1is studies of the Meroving,i,an and Oarolingian epoch at Vienna in 19351,936. During the turibulent years of the Second World War he interrwpted his work, but in exile, during his stay in Bavaria and Rome, between the years 194511947, he once again took up the work "on the complicated prolblem of solvJng the origin of the ornamental elements, the circumstances, and the time of the illuminations of Cuthbert's Gospel." The resuLts of the author's many years of study ba,sed on historicalgenetic, geograiphical, ethnic, and stylo-crJtical analyiSis, are now contained in his book, artistiicalily illustrated either by plates or original drawings made by the author •h imself. The book undoubtedly presents highly 'i nteresting scholarly readiin,g and like his previous works on medi'eval art of the Danulbian and Carpathian basin, it sheds new lig ht not only on the illuminations of the Go's pel in question aind their origin, but also on many rella ted artistic and ethnic probelms and histori'cal events. Cin'Cik's approach throughout the book is that of a highly qualified historian of medieval art with rare artistic intuition and solid knowledge of archeology, political history and literature on, the sulbj,ect in half a dozen a,nrcient and modern languages. To be assured of the accuracy of his conclusions, Cincik compared his a,nalysi:s and synthesis with work's amd docu1 81.-0VAKIA 75 ments of numerous libra.ries air.,d of th-is illuiminated manuscript" museums suich as the Pontif.ica· (P. 10). Oriental Institute, the Va1tican 12. Piace of the Origin of the AJpostolit Library, and the Am,eri can Alcademy in Rome, the Insti' Gospel: tute of Medieval Studies of HarHavi,r.,g set the date, Prof. Cincik vard University, the Ubrary o.f the presents in his analysis a ne•w Cleve!:and Art Museum, the Art theory atbout the place. "The ornaMuseum Ln Chilca,go, the State Li- menta,t ions point to the ye,a rs of bracy and Museums in Vienna, Pa- the final destruction of the Avar ris, Lond·on, etc. supreml!K!y - says the author Wha,t are the new elements and over Slovak and Sliovenian tri/bes conclusions of Prof. Cincitk's re- in the A!Jpine a,n<l Danubian researeh and anaiysis? gion. " There ar,e in ,the Gospel, says '1. Date of Origin: Several scho • 1Cinicik, contri,bu,ti,ons from the Jars have dated the Go'spel, on the Slo,vak-Avaric patterns, and the basis of paleogra.phic evid-em:e, inspirational historical event for the hand-like and interlaced oma- the Slovak1Avar elements, found ments and the composiltional in the onniamental parts of the mascheme of illuminations as a pro- nuscript "can be traiced to the duct emanating from th•e South- grandiose loot of aTtistic ornamenEng,lish monastic scriptoria relat- tal creations hauled out from the ed to the Merr,cian-NorthJUmlbri'an Canpathian Basin aJfter the defea t scribaJ pr,a ctice, as being "circa of the Aivars by the armies of 770 A.D.". Cinlcik analysing in de- Chadamagne under his son Pepin taH the illuminations a,nd the or- and Dutke Erich of Friaulfa.." Acnamerntal elements of the Gospel cording to the judgment of the has advainiced its date of origin author, the artist 'lwas influenced "into more devieloped art-forms of during the illumi•n ation work on the pre•Carolingia,n and early Ca- the Codex by the artistic form-Ian rolingian art as circa 800 A.D." guage of the above J.oot" and "thus "Since the paleographical cha,r- from the cohalbit-a tion of the Sloacter of "lettering" in the Codex vaks a-nd Avars in Trans-Danulbia i.; unique for the date of its ori- we find ,i,r:, the Go,s,pel many ornagin, its iLlumi'nations - especially mentations which prove the Sarthe artistic elements a,n<l style ap- 1ma tian,Slavic arfo:tic continuity. 'Pear indicative of a later period •Pro.£. Cincik condudes that "Cuthsays Prof. Cin!cik. It postdates the 1bert's Gospel stands before us on Gospel into the last dooade o;f the the threshold of early medieval ar t eighth century, i,f not slightly pas , in Trans,Da.nubia as a miss,ionary ·heritage of the Ghristianiza.tio,r:. of 800 A.D." 'I1he author sta-tes that the pUlb the Slovaks and Avars during and lished works a,nd studies albout a±tter the rule of Charlamagne." Cuthlbert's Gospel initiated by G. He even suggests tha,t the autho r Swarzenski, H. J. Herman an E of the illumina:tions could als·o b e H. Zimmerman, together with si- a .r..ative of the Danulbfan and Carmilar findings in the books of E pathi,an region, and holds to the Herzfeld a,n d Smirnov, and finally view that "this rare Cod·ex played the keen insight of J. Zy,kan con- am, important role in the beginvinced him "albout the accura cy of ning of the Ohristiaruization of the his views concerning the historical Slova~s, A,l pine and Pannonic Sloand evoluti'onary appraisal aJbout ivenes and Avars in the period of the place and time of the mission the strong Omaiad and .A!bba.said 1 76 SLOVAKIA inf.luem,ces in fine ar.t in the Danubian basin" (IP. 13). 3. Non-Anglo-Saxon Elements: While other scholars who analyzed the Gospel merely noted non-Anglo-Saxon elements and ornamental pa,tterns, Pro.f. Ci-ncik states emphatically that "the Alpine-Danubian character of the ilI,umination's with predominain1t Slovak and Av,aric ornamental elements or with sU'ch ornamentac local and animal figures in relationship to the contemporary New Persian Art of the Omaiad and first Albbaside Ca1ip-hs is indisputalble" ('P. 28). In his view the Cuthlbert Gospel "thus adorned predominantly with Slovak and Avaric elements, had a direct, distinct and psychological ef.fect on the acti,vity of the priest - missionaries coming from Sal:dburg region to the inhabita,n,ts whose ornamentation was used by the illuminator in the book illustrations of the Gospel." (p. 64'). Cincik builds this conclusion, which at first glance could seem nationalisti'c, on a thorough study of ornamenta~ elements which illustrate the book, as well as on, the histor,really proven presence of Irish missi:onaries among the Slovaks a,n d Slovenes during the reign of Ohadamagne. These missionaries must have been familiar not only with the local dialects o·f the Slovaks, Slovenes, Moravians, and Avars, but they also understood the local morphology of the pagian symlbolism. "Thus," ac• cording to Prof. Cincik, "the .illumin,ating p.'.llbterns brou•g ht to the Sal21burg area from the 'South EngLish Schools' even though insular, served as a sample to the illumina-tor of Outhlbert's GospeJ., OJ!, the basis of the relationship between VirgibA.l.cuin-iArno (the latter was arch/bishop of the area). Likewise, elements of the local artistic form and the symlbolic language of S'lovak and Avaric art were at his disposal after the defeat of the Avars." (ip. 86). Besides ornamental element's and patterns, the color schemes aJso are, aocording to 01nlcik's ana-lysis, "completel,y different." "The lively, fiery coioring,' 'says Cincik, "nowhere f.ades in the iUuminations of the Gospel and it thus testifies to the permanent and basic temper o;f the illuminator. It verifiles also that it was neither of Angl~axon nor perhaips e,v en Thankish or Italian origin. A continuous effort to mafotai'n a wide sca'1e of v,iviid colors sponta.neousJ.y points to the taste and· sen'se of priJIDa,r y colors used at that time by !:he local population" (p. 89). 'IH)a,v ing considered these facts," Prof. Oincik writes on, the last page o;f h<is work, "together with the Anglo,Saxon ornamental influence and the prevalent elemental trace's and colorisan, we condude that the art of Cuth!bel't's Gospel •is purposely that of the ancient Slovak and Arv.ari'c or,niamenrtal art sty,lization." "With many characteristics of Caroling-ian and local art style in the Middle~,anuJbia,n region, Cuthbert's Gospel sta.nds out as Romianesque Slovak art at the daJWn of the early medieval period. As such, i't is not only an imipol'tant histor,ical and cultural heritage of the Anglo.Saxon missions d-uring the time of Charlemagne in the Ela-stern Alps, but al,so a famous and outs~ding artisti•c relic testifying to the decorative art style develop•ed in the Slovak Christian pr,irncipalities, the ca,p itals of whi~h we r e Nitm and the !Bannoniain, Blatnohrad after the year 800 A.D. M: is an art remruant developed by signiifa:ant hii:s.torical events at the begi.nning o.f the filrst half of the ninth century which witnessed a gradual Christianrizaition of Slovakian pr,incipa,Mies in Slovakd:a pro- SLOVAKIA per, Morarvia, and the Slavs in _general around the Carpa,t hian Ba.sin, a;nd terminated later in a Great Moravian Empire and in the .apostolic activity of SS. Cyril and Method1us ... " Pmf. Cincilk corrOlborates his conclusions and ·suggestions w~th 23 pages of illustraitions. He also refer,s to many works of outstandr ing EurQPean aind American scholars in the fileld oif the history of art, ar-cheology, paleography, and cu1tural history. Some scholars at Central European universities ha'Ve en<thusi>astilcaJ:ly accepted• Oincilk's study and its coniclusions. If generally accepted by exper,ts in mediev-al art history, Cincik's work will meain. for Slarvic studies a new important and: valualble contriibution. :Some of the conclusions are unnecessarily repeated in the book and the awthor is inconsistent when using the ,n;a,me Olf the Gospel (Curt!hlberts or Cuthlbert?) as well as the term Arvar or Avaric. Seveml chapters of the book do not directly refer to the Gospel but make the text and the author'o conclusions easi'er to understand and to aocept. The teX!t would indicate that i>t is a translation from Slovak or other European language and sometimes quite far from perfect English. An ilmpressive bibliogr,aiphy and a great number of references in footnotes prove that Prof. Oincik took his task seriously. J. M. Kirschbaum, Uni:Versilty oif Mlo-ntreaJ. Rev. B. S. Bue, OJF.IM., Ph.ID.: Slovak Nationalism; published by the Slovak League oif America, M1dd<letawn, Pa., 1960; pp. 67. This book is the aurthor's thesis for his Mlasber Degree in Political Science a,t the Uni'ver,s ity of Pittsburgh. The a~eptance of a thesfa by a University Falculty ilmplies that the swbm'itted work is 77 serious, well documented, and written in a solid way. '!1his work of the Rev. Bue has all these qualities. The author first discusses the history oif Slovak nationalism a,s it had developed under the influence of Enlightenmen1t and Roonanticism in the Aiustro-iHungarian Monarchy, until, in the middle -Orf the pa,s t century, it ac,q uired definite political fol"ms. In the old Monarchy the Slo,vak-s struggled f •o r nati'on,a,1 self.,presewa-tion a,g ain'st the offilcial trend of magy,arizati-on. J!l'om 19.1.8, when the FJrst Czecho-Slovak Republic was estalblished, until 1009 they had to defend their distinct national character against the so-called 'ICzecho-Slovruc i'dea," the offiicial trend of the Prague governmemrt to assimilate the Slov,aiks into the Czech ethnic growp. The proclamarti-on of the Slovak Rerpu'blic in M<arch, 19319, is considered· by the awthor as a logical conclusion of Slov-a!k national aspirati1ons. Rev. Bue defends Slovak nation.al aspiraUons ag,a inst the all•e· gations oif anti,Slcwak political enemies who claim that the Slovaks with their na1tionalism have been a des-trucfone elemenrt in the Danwbian Basin. He proves that the Slova'ks defended their un.al~ena1ble rights for their own nartional life wi'thiin the poli:tical entity in which they Hved, filr-s t in A'll'!>tro-,Hung,ary, and then in Czecho,Slovakia. OnJy when these political en• tities were destroyed in coniflicts of the great power block,s, the Slova!ks took the opportunity to improve their nartional position in a new un~t, namely in Czecho-Slovakia (19118), and then, ◊1939) in thefr indeipendent Slovak Repulblic. •I n the develQpment of Slovak national consciousness and in the struggle for th·e improV'e'IDem.t of the Sliovak politilcal position, a prominent role wa,s played by SLOVAKIA 78 Slovak emigrants, particularly by those in the U. S. A. American Slovaks, toget her with American Czechs, took an active part in fighting against the Hapsburg Monarchy. To saifeguard Slovak .r.iational rights in the commoniwealt:i oi Czechs arnd Slovaks which was to come into ex.istence under the name of Czecho-Sl.ovakfa, Slovak political leaders concluded an agreement with Czech represem,tat,ives in P.ittsiburgh, May 30, MHS. By this agreement S1ovakia wa•s to dbtain an autonomous posit-ion in the Czecho-Slovalk Republic. La ter the Czechs under T. G. Masaryk and EdJWard Benes denownced this agreement as void and tried to assimilate the Slovak ethnic group in to the so-called "Czech-oslovak" nation. The Pilttsburg.h Agreement, howe~r, became the poJ.itical credo of the Slovak autonomists under the leadershiip orf iMsgr. Am,dr e<w Hlinka. Slovak emigrant s of the period after World War ]I are almost withoult a-n exception for complete independenc·e of Slovakia and work intensely for tha t goal. Very interesting is the last chapter of Rev. Buc's book which describes commu,n-islt tactics in re· lation to Slovak naitona1is,m. During the First Czecho-Slovak Rlepublic the Slovak communist s, though few in number, were more separatist than the Father IDinka (Catho lie) P>eople's Party or Rev. Razus' (Lu,theran) Nationa l P.arty. The Slovak communists propounded the idea of coonpl•e te separat ion of Slovakia from Czecho-Slova'kfa, while the other two Slovak parties had for their aim the autonomy of Slovakia wJthiin, the CzechO-Slo-vak Republic. During the Second World War the Slovak communisits, apparently with the approval of Moscow, continued to work their or,i ginal line. Bult when the idea of a reborn Czecho--SlCl'Vakia 1 preva,iJed in Moscow. the Slovak communists had to be satisfied with only a guarantee of autonomy for Slovakia, gramited under commuruist pressure by President Dr. Edlward Benes in the Slovak city of Kosice. Nevertheless, following the communis:t coup d'etat of 1948, the Ozech communists gradually liquidated Slovak nationalist commun~·sts branding them as national bourgeois deviationists aind rescinding all Slovak autonomous pr,erogatives . After 1'948, cenitralism, stricter than that of the First Czecho--Slovak Repulblic, was re-established. The book of Rev. Bue not only pro,j ects objective light over Slovak nationalism in its historical structure, but also gives a pr.aspec t for a sound solution of the Slovak question. This solution, in the conclusions of Rev. Bue, is no-thin,g less tha1n full independence for the Slovaks within their ethnographic Boundaries. - T. Z. Gj~bert L. Oddo: Slovakia and People, :Robert Speller and Sons, New York, 1960,. 370 pp. , $6.00. The eyes and ears of the world are focused as .never before on the African and! Asiat ic peoples in their frenzied attempt to !break encrusted •colonial political patterns and1 asser,t their right of pol i tic al self-determinatio n. That right is not som•et hing newly conceived iby the no,n .mhite world; the non -w-hite peoples, however, have newly disc01Vered it. The right of self-determinatio n of peoples was popularized for European peoples at the peace po,w-wows of 19r118-19. [n approaching [)r. Oddo's minute history of the Slovak nation, one should recall that the Slovaks, like their neighbors in Cen,t ral Eurape, ,t he Sudeter:: Germans, were among the "little" Il'atio·ns Wils·on had in mind when he ipropounded its SLOVAKIA his aims of self-determinatoin, a worthy cause that was frustrated by C'hauv,i nis,t exploitation, later tossed' into the political waste-masket. iHere we find a long-needed presentation of 11:J.istoric 1b ac~ground events requisite to the underst1and ing of the formation ·a nd growth of Slovakia into a politically conscious ethnic group seeking independence from foreign overlords, even to the present dlay. Dr. Oddo shows the emergence of Great Miorarvia, starting with the d,3wn of history and moving into the Christian- era; he tells of the warring elements that, made tlhe Slovak country little more than a battleground for centuries, highlights t he age of !Maria Theresia, then o.f her son Jioseph I[ and the influence ·of the Slovak life of his reforms. One by one Oddo peels off the coats of legendary myt'h that have olbscured the true telling of the Slova,k story for de cades. Boldly the author daubs his canvas with vivid colors of historical truth, producing a series of coherent scenes that show a people tenacious, conscious of pur:pose, idealistic and proud, slowly bu t surely emerging from oppression ar.d imposed servitude into a cohesive political and ehhnic entity. The talblea ux take the reader on through tJhe 'Europeon revolution of '1848 jnto the era of the Dual Monal"chy, continuing• into the "tro1.11blous days o.f the '1~20's . . . and t,he more cha'Otic years of the 30's. We see Slovakia's saga as a never-ending, torment•ed striving for ethnic self-eX,pression an,d, poliWhat a tical se1f-determination. tragic coin:ciden'Ce that inde-p endence, however short-liv,ed , had to come -a t a time when National Socialism was to :form its political back-dro,p, casting unwarranted as- 79 persions on- the aims and methods of SlO'Vak statesmen. A£ter the short brea,tJhing s,pell of rnberty we see the light o.f truth and freedom quenched again, this time from the !East. The con'Cluding chapter on Slovak emigration deals prilJ'Ilarily with the Slovaks who emigrated to the USA and tells what they harve been a!ble to achieve from their new home on belhalf of their captive fellowcountrymen: "We ask for the Slovak nation ·c omp lete autonomy and freedom of self-determination both in the field of politi'cs as well as in the cultural and' economic !fields. 1 In completing the reading of Slovakia and its People the reader chances thes•e what won-der.s dreams h-aive of !fulfillment now that all unli.berated peoples are on the march. Will they be forgotten, over-slhadowed by the dark man's world,, or will the ,plea for selfdetermination be strengthend, now that other voi•c es have strengthened, now that other voices have joon-ed the chorus? - Frances McPoyne. The Origin of the Name "Slav," by J. B. Riudnyc:ky,j, Winnipeg; Ukrainian Free Acad'emy of S'Ciences (Box 3•597 S,tn. B, Winnipeg 4, Man .) (Onoonastica Series No. 21) Second revised edition, '1961, 24 pages 50c. 'Ilh.e origin of the namie "Slav" is a controversial swbject as this b~ief survey shows. In the eight pages devoted to the topic there are over a dozen possilble etymological d•erivations of "Slav" summarized. Pro.f. Rudnycky,j , head of the University of Manito1b a Slavic Dep:i,r tmen t, originally d,elivered this survey as a presidential address at an Annual Meeting of the American Name Society. It was firs t 80 SLOVAKIA printed in the June 11960 issue o,f the journal Names andr is pro'baliYl!Y the <first such syino,ptic survey in the 'Englislh language. All -the most important etyimological d'erivations are summarized. The first suggested is from trhe root of slava (,glory), lin which cas•e the Slavs -are •t he "glorious" people. The second possi!ble exipJ..anation de·r ives it fu-OIIll slovo (rword) in which case the Slavs were ,t hose people who spoke an understandable language. The tlhird explanation is the topographic or t01Ponyimic (geographic place-name) origin. Sug,gestions fur this source are from an anrcier..t Slavic capital Slauna, from a root meaning "hiill, mounliain," or another meaning "lowlands." Another interesting suggestion is that the common ending "-slav" in names such as Yarosiav, IMstislav and, My<roslav exipanded into the nlllIIle of the people. This is also sugg.ested as the origin of t,he Englislh word "s1'ave." The Slavic captives lby repeating their n.ames may 'hav,e clearly impressed the common 1atter part orf their captors. 'Ptrofessor iRudnyrckyj concludes that there is no unanimous agreement on the etymology of the word "SfaN" although the topographic ex;planation seems to be the most convincing. Howeiver, th,e derivation from slovo (rword) is sti-Il :possiible. It may be mentioned tha K. Mos7JYnski lin Original Extension of the Pre-Slavic !Language (Wroclaw: IPolrish Arcademy of S'Cienc.es, 1'957) S'llg,g ests yet another view not touched on in this survey. iHe derives a .torpogr,aiphic view from the name given by ,northerners "to the drwellers of 'orpen fields' " (page 145), implying "dear' 'or 'clean" 'from the sunny open steppe of Uikraine. He gives this etymology: from the "Lart in cluo ([ clean.), Greeik kluzo (I wash, purge) kludon (striking orf waves), Old !High German hl11t• tar (clean, clear), Old iNordiic hler (lake, sea.), Litlhuanfan slavu, sluoti (to rweep (originally to clean, compare the Slav wo,rd cistiti, which in Uikrainian, Bulgarian and Serbo..Croat asswmed a secondary meaning 'to sweep')" (from page 13·9.) In the English language the word "Slav" has been used i nm-any forms•. llt has finaUy distilled down to three interchangeaible forms : Slaiv, Sla'Vlic, and Slavonic. The (Proressor's consistent use of "Slavic" in ,t he text indicates his preference "Slavonic" is used 1Inostly in En,gl'and. A useful featUTe of Pro!essor Rudnyrckiyj's monograph is the extensive list of lbi!bliogrruphical footnotes. This will guide the situdent to a wealth o'f sourees on the s-wbject. Mso includ•e d in this Onoma-stica issue is an ar,ti:cle, "Ten Years of Onomastaica {100lel961i)'' by M. H. Scargill. It is a history of this toip'O and anthrorponyimic series edited, ·tiwice a ye•ar 1b y J. B. Rudn,yckyj . Although brief, this survey is a real contrilbution !bercause it makes avaiilaible to the !English read'er the !basic tlheories on the origin of the word "S1av." otherwise they would lbe inaccess1ble to him. -It is an important step in eliminating ,part of the prevailing ignoranrce, in -the western world, o,f the !Slavs. Andrew Gregorovich, IM!ClMiaster University, Hamilton, Ontario. ,(iEditor's Note: See rDr. Henrich Bartelk's "The Origin of 'Slovan' and 'Slovak'" in SWI\I\AlKlliA, June '1958.) Officers of the Slovak League of America (Organized May 26, 1907, Cleveland, Ohio) Honorary Presicent3 Michael Msgr. F . J. Dubosh, P.A. Sas 3803 Cresson Street Philadelphia 27, Pa. 12608 Madison Avenue Lakewood 7, hio Joseph Dr. Peter P. H letko Klucar 1617 Alameda Avenue Lakewood 7, Ohio Batavia Rd ., Box 48 Warrensville, III. George Kantor President Philip A. Hrobak 281 Hollywood Ave. New York 61, N. Y. P. 0. Box 150 Middletown, Pa. ADVISORY COUNCIL Vice-Presidents Joseph Bendik John P. 0. Box 230 Uniontown, Pa. A. Sabol National President First Catholic Slovak Union Julia Krajcovic Helen Kocan 1648 \V. 18th Street Chicago 8. Ill. National President First Catholic Slovak Ladies Union Recording Secretary John Horecky Paul 2264 Walton Ave. New York 53, N. Y. Secretary-Treasurer Stephen J. Tkach Paul C. Kazim er 1122 Sy! van Avenue Homestead, Pa. :-.'atinnal President Pa. Catholic Slovak Union EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Paul Fallat :-.'alional Presiden: Slovak Catholic Sokol Anna Sotak National President Ladies Pennsylvania Slovak Catholic Union P. Jamriska 536 Marie Ave. Pittsburgh 2, Pa. Emrich Valko Andrew Hudak 15701 Bennett Rd. :-So. Royalton 33, Ohio National President Slovak Catholic Cadet Union SLOVAK NEWSPAPERS (Affiliated with the Slov;ik League of America) JEDNOTA SLOVENSKA OBRANA ZENSK.A. JEDNOTA Middletown. Pa. Sr-ranton. Pa. Cleveland, Ohio BRATSTVO Wilkes-Ilarre. Pa. SLOVENSKE NOVINY ClevPland. Ohio Scranton, Pa. KATOLiCKY SOKOL Pa,.salc. N . J . SVORNOST OSADNE. HLASY Whitaker. Pa. Chicago, Ill. SLOVAK V AMERIKE Middletown, Pa. ZORNICKA SLOVAKIA: The Castle of Brunovce ( 17th Century)  Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Back Matter, Slovakia, Vol. 11, No. 1 (33) Description An account of the resource includes book reviews, pp. 74-80, and photo of Castle of Brunovce, back cover Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource March-June 1961 https://slovakia.wordsofpassage.net/files/original/b18108215852bc4a08f208666081e79b.pdf 9a4ab27d7e272cd3622a29d351930724 PDF Text Text 76 SLOVAKIA BOOK REVIEWS Dejiny sta.rlej slovenskej literatury (iHistory of the Older Slowrlc Literature) by J . Misia,n<iik, J. Minarik, M. Midhalcova, A. Me'llichercik; 11>ublished by Slovenska ~kademia vied (Slovak Academy of Sciences), Bratis]arva, 1'960; p. a20, iJll. 'During the past decade, The Slovalk Academy of Sciences published several workis which shed a new Hght on the history of Slovaik literature and basically contrast wtl.th the views otf American syIIlJPosia dealing wifa Slov,alkfa's past. The volume on older Slovaik literature, W1hkh d:ates the ·beginniings <ff the history oif Slovak l,i terature back to the ninth cenltiury, wi'll perhaps be one of the most unexpected surprises to foreign Sla,v,ists, accustomed a,s they are to regard Slovalk literature not oMer than a hundred years. The contrilbutors to L. I. Str•a'k hovsky's "Handbook of Slavic Studies," to R. J . Kero-er's "Czechoslovakia," or to the present volwme on "Czechoslovakia," ed•ited :b y V. Busek.JN. Spul'ber and pulblished by the Mid1European Studies Center, set the birtfrld•aite of SloVlak literature as the year 1844, minimizing or ignorJng prwious literary efforts in Slovak cwture. And their views have been accepted favoraibly by many scho~ars in the f\ield Olf Slavilc stud,ies. Mancist literary his'toriam<S, who prepared the volume under review, produced a volume of 320 pages on Slovak Hterary rustory which ends with 11he year 1•7 00, and a bibliography Olf 410 pages on the period 17,80-1844, indicating .tlrat only in Bernolak's movement there were albout 100 writers. There also were severa!l outstanding Slovak scholars ,be!foa-e, who emphasized as early as 1655. that Slovaldla was the heir of Great M!oravfa and that the Slavs in genera·! and the Slovaks in panticwar, had an old culture and were an old Europea1n ra-ce. rt should be stressed that neither Professor Strakhovsky nor R. J . Kerner can be held responsi!Jjle for the misrepresentatiorn; in their symposia because the ir contr~butors were the closest SiJiavic ki n to the Slovaks. Nor any lack of original s'tud'ies on, Sl10vak literature can be re!:lPOnsilble for the distorited .accounts, because there is not m'UCh new in the Marxtist ''Histor,y of 11he Older Slovak Literature" which so-caned ' 1bourgeiois nationalist" literary historians would not hlaive kn()IW,n, albout. In numerous monog:r,aphies and studies wri~n by A . A. Banik, J . Skultety, S. J:urovsky, C. F . Lepacek, V. Bobelk, S. Krcmery, J. Vlcek, A. Prazalk, A . Mraz, R. Brtan, etc., more or less all the pulblished material was made known a long t~e aigo . It was known to some extent even to Prdfessor Ernest Denis from t he So11bon,n e, as evidenced by his boOik La question d'Autriche Les Slovaques, pulblished in 1&17. Slovak Marxist liiterary historians merely compiled results of prevfous researches and gave to tlhe histocy of Slovak literature a new '"Mar~ist" interpretati10n and a new periodization. The older Slo'Vak li'terature is d'iv.ided by the Marxist historians in-to four periods: the epoch df Great Moravi,a (the ninth ,and tenth century); the Romanesque and Gothic per.i'Od (tenth- fifteenth cen- �77 SLOVAKIA tury); Renaissance (filfteen:th~seventeenth centucy); and Baroque (1Jhe first half of the seventeenlth century to 1'780). This periodization is new and it is based on the principles of .Miarxist philoso.ph!y of history rather than on, the ideoliogicai and literary currents of Western ciwlization which found an e'C'ho in .Slovakia. In their a•p praisal of older Slovak wniiters and Marxist literary his'torians are cliose to former "bourgeois aoo nationaHst" scholars wiho also i,n,dluded into the history of Slovak literature the Cyrifo~ethod'ian peniod and all literary works created by Slovaks in Latin, Gennan, Biblical Czech, or other languages. ]t is the "Czechosl<ovalk" intenpr,etation wh!iich the Marxist li17erary historians vehemently oppose, since the Czech scholars (A. Prazak, F . Wollman, J. Chaloupecky) re~rded Slovak literature before 11844 (Stur's reform cxf the Slovalk la,n,g.uage) as a part of Crec!h 1iterature (including even Satfarik, Kollar, e1Jc., Into it) and belittled its si:gn'ificance. While we may disagree with the critenia and aipproach of 17he Marxist literary historians, we ca·nnot disregard maniy positive aspects ocf this first comprehensi'Ve volwme on, the older Slovak literature. It wiH fiill a gap in the fieltl of Slaviic literatures, and to ma11y Slavists on this continenlt it will bring a new looik at the Slovak pa'St. The book unfortu,niately lac~ a resume in foreign languages whidh other recent Slovak ,publications usua.Uy conrtain. In form and cont ents tihe book is not without scho1ar1y values. J. M. Kirschbaum, Un i'Vers•i ty of Monit•r>ea'1. 1 R:oma,n Smal-Stocki: The Captive Nations: Nationalism of the NonRuss,ian Nations in the Soviet Union, Bookman Associates Nesw York, 1960; 118 pp. A popular fallacy is that smaU volumes have little to saiy, large ones much. As many scholars learn very early in their tra,ining, the reverse is often the case. The present slender volume is a distillate of the many years of study - alild of a of personal exiperience particularly vJtal asp·eict of the Soviet phenomenon by a distinguished scholar, Dr. Roman SmalStocki, for over ten ~ars on the faculty of Marquette University. It is because this is must reading for all America that we point out that brevity in -this study of naticma1ism in the Soviet orbit affords two advantages: a wide scope compressed such that the significance of the oppressed peoples may easily be gra,sped; and the relatively little reading required to grasp it. Dr. Smal-Stocki, witty as well as penetrating, is pro'balbly unrivallled for such an accoonp1ishment; and he has admiralb~ succeeded. Internationally !mown for his scholarship, he has also been acclaimed for his life-long struggle (conducted kom no Ivory Tower) for the right o'f self-detel'IJllination for all non4lussian nati ons in the S'o viet "m001olith." A'S president of the Promethe,m Lea~ue, representing all the nations oppressed by Russia, he effectua.ted a common front of all significant non.Jtussian emigre groups op.pressed by Soviet Russia. From 1924: to 1929 the champi!oned the victims of Russian aggression at the League of Nation,s. His importance was certified by Hitler, eager to aicqu.ire Ukraine without interference as an 1 �78 SLOVAKIA agricultural reservoir: Dr. SmalStocki was interned in Prague for the dur,ation of the war. '11he pres• ent W-Ol'lk is but one olf a ser,i es of brd:lliant studies conducted by this indivi'd ual, gifted both as a scholar and ais a main, during his years in America. This study of naitionalism, if disseminated properJy, should go f.ar to correct present tendencies in Amerkan thinking with regard to the importance of modern nationali'sm in modern times. Ir-0nically enough, "the principles for which Americans fought 1'heir own mother counitry" are ''the very principles whiich Amer,i cans h,ave been ignoriing in their foreign policy t01WaTd the new Re'd Russian Em· pire for 4-0 year-s." Especially in recent times, Wlilson's conlcept of "seLf-detel.'lffiiniation of small nations" wen,t to the way.side. It beicame fashionalble, in schoJ.,ar,ly cireles and elsewhere, to attack ,t he application, of th~s doctrJne for not emasculating itsel! in the mystical goal of inlternationalism. Even in ouT 01Wn day we oan hear the claii'm that -t he Russians, wha1:ever their failures in pr,aicvice so far, are continuing a revolutioo w,h ich is "a necessary successor" to the French a·n d the American Rievolutions. Such thinking is in no little wise responsilble for t he "r,apid and catastrophic deoliine from world leadershti;p as oiccurred to the United State's from 1946 to lt958 in world polit,ics." Defeatism ha-s been on the march - and shows no signs of flagging. Such schools of thought" as these have developed: (1) with giradual lilberalization, the Ru·ssian revolutoin wdll end with staibi1ization of a "democratic fede!"ated republic" ; (2) acbive support of national communiJSm , called Ti'toism, to speed up "1-tberolization" (disregarding the fact that "national" cOOll!Illunism i:s commun- ism and d,i ctatorship, nonetheles's) ; (3) status quo ad,voca,tes, on the premise that the communist revoluti'onary expansiM has ended; •this, goes the claim, would give the USSR "secuTity." Dr. Sma'1-Stocld points out tha t the non.JRuss,i,a,n nait-ions (which compose over half of the Russian" populatfon of the USSR) believe that the communist revolution is unfinished. "The begLn,niing of the last act of thi's revolution started Jn East Germany (BerJin), in Poland, and in Hungiary, but was stopped by the moral apathy and ,l etharg,y of the free w-0rl'Cl. (It) can be stopped and broken onJy by a democratic revolution of the victims of Russian imperda1ism, supported by the whole 'strengt-h of the democratic p01Wers for the c01Inmon cause." The alterinates are, to say -the least, dista'steful. H the free world tolerates the further conbinuation of Russ-ian expansion, in the ,n,ext 20 years or sooner, declares the all!thor, the Wlorld Sovi•e t Union wi11 be estaiblJshed. Or, ontce convinced its technical adva,n ces have outstriipped us gr e at 1 y enough, SoVliet Moscow can taike its chances with a gigantic ''Pearl Haribor" type of attack on the whole U. S. The Russian Communis,t dictatorship is a past master at ubiliiz.iln,g every mJstake or act olf magnanimity on the part of the free world, the author points out. "Only 1b y realizing the self-determination of the non.JRussi,an natfons, only by i'ntel'IIl,ational concert of the free nations, nationalities and· peoples, can re·al peatce be achieved," concludes Dr. Smal,Stocki. A highly recommended hooik to all, whfoh, going back in its study of natn:ona1ism in the nomri.Riu:ssian n'aitions, even before World War I, afil'ords us a perspective wh'ich leads, under the author's �SLOVAKIA cogent guidance, to a realization that our true weapon is the explosive force of ideas contained 1n, the national freedom aspirations of the non.JRussian nations. - W.D. William L. Shlirer: The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich. A History of Na2i Germany, Sim,o,n. and· Schusrter, New Yol'ik, 1960; 12415 pp., $10.00. <In the guise of objective hiistory this volume presents a harrow.ing, massive but one-sided record of unrelieved German crimes• and blunders. W.illiam L. Shirer, fored·g n correspondent and news commentator, is also on, the board Olf directors Olf the "Society for ~he Prevention Olf World War Ill, Inc." of which Dorothy Thompson wrote (Mary 311, 1,950) that it "has conducted a systematic campadgn ag1ainst any constructive peace with Germany ... and vilified every person in pulblilc life who tried to warn that procedure alon,g Morgenthau 1ines would encompass the rwin of Europe." Shirer does not allOIW that the Versailles Treaty was unjust (p. 58). He st,ates that "Nazism and the Third Reich, in fact, were but a Logical colilltinuafron of German histor,y" (p. 90). His piling up of Nazi crimes, failing to put them 1n, perspecllive with the crimes of the opp·onents, never in fact alludi'ng to the worst Soviet cr,imes, such as their brutal population transfers and their mass raping Olf not only German but also Hungarian, Slovak and Austrirun women, .seem calculated to make any unwary reader hate more than ever the German people - now our allies - who tolera,ted the monsti,ous Nazis, and to think of the equally monstrous Bol'shev~ks, no•w o.ur cold war enemies, as really not so bad! ln, pages on the Nazi aibuse of Soviet and Polish p:rtlsoners of war 79 he does not once allude to the Soviet mass murder of Polish of.f,ilcers at Katyn. He never mentions General Vilassov and hrs insur.ge'Illt Russians who preferred fiighti,ng for the Germans to livi,n,g under the Soviets. He gives good inlformation on several German attempts to remove Hitler, three even be:fore '194'1, but he makes no relference to the Miorgenthau plan, CommunistJinspired, which was calcul'a ted to dr,ive the Germans to desperate resistan1ee instead of revolt. For the rest, despite distoi,tions and some clear falsehoods, there is much interesting information in the book. Hitler is depicted as an uncanny genius, aJmost puriban, fanatically warped on Ioy;alitJy and honor, pathologica~ly airuti-IBolshev,i k and anti-Jewish, absolutely ag:a,i nst war w.ith the West, but certainly plotting 1t against Poland and Russia. Reading of Hitler's crimes and •b lunders in detail, deducing from the facts that truly moral st•atesmanship a,nyiwhere from 1918 on could· have prevented the colossal misery of World War II and aifter, makes one feel aibout the human ra,ce as Swiift dlid. ln sum: more harmful th-.in good except for trained histor,ians. A. J. A,pp. H. G. Adler: Die Judttn in Deutschland. From the Enlightenment to Natiorual Socialism. Ki:ise1Verlag, Munich, 1960; 17·8 pp., DM 6.80. National Socialism produced nothing really new, particularly antiSemLtism, although dt remained for sa-id regjme to exercise i1t in the modern age in an a1pocalyptic way. H. G. Adler is a Jew from Prague, sun~ivor of the concentration camps of Theresienstad•t and Auschwitz, who has anal~ed the origins of anti-semi1tism, the Eman- �80 SLOVAKIA cipation, and the plight of the J'Elws in Germany. 'l1he results cxf the author's endeavor are procuralble in a smaU book prolif.ic with quotes and sources. Adler candidJy acknowledges that dur1nlg the Middle Ages a Jewish prdblem was poss1ble only in Germany ·b ecause the Eur®ean na:!Ji,onal states, after a period cxf severe op,pression "divested themselves of their Jews" by means of expulsion, England in 1200, FIia.nee in li306 (a.nd, after temporary readmittance, again i.n, '1933), Spain in 1492 and Portug•al in 1497." Hatred of the Jews was due for cenwries to ,theh- belonging to a different religion; the sol'Utiion lay therefore i.n, conversion to Christianity, or by remedying their "otherness." Heine spoke of his baiptism as the "ticket O£f admission to European culture." Yet the position of the Jews in Germanry was as varied as the very diversilfied nature of the First Reioh itself. As fate as 1,81,7, for example, the English prov,ince of Hannover quite firmly resisted the ,proposed emanlci,pation of the Jews which had been sought by Christians and Jews alike ever since the Enlightenment. Mter the founding of the Second Reich religious dilfference was, to be sure, no longer the tme cause cxf anti-semitism, for 1n, the Bismarokian constitution one's religious affiliation was irreleivant. Adler cites in addition to the longstanding religious a$Pect of the Jewish question German aruti'-semites like the Berlin court preacher Stocker, the Viennese Biirgermeister Lueger, Richard Wagner, Lagarde, and Fritsch. Aocording to these persons race and not religion was the cause of anti-Jewish feeling. One notes a breach in developments that is not bri:dged· by any explanation and one wonders why this surprising change. Was it due to the l"apid increase after 18711 of Jewish banking a.nd trad- ing firms, the entranice of J·ewish lawyers, doctors, and teachers into prcxfessions that had been barred to them hitherto? Was it due to enviy cxf thei'r quiick social climb? Even during the period of religious anti-Jewish hatred the c-u rse "his blood be on us and on our chillren" was not the sole reason for the pogroms, but also the desire to be rid of the annoying creditors. A similar trend developed in many lia.r,ge German cities fo the "golden t,w,en,ties." Germ•an anti-semitism, in the final analysis, has come to be a stain not only on the name of Germany for years to coone bwt bas actually estranged one of the most ardent Ge Tm ,a n protagonists throughout the world, the German speaking J~s. Adler's book shows primarily, too, the zeal with which the German Jews all over the world were ready to serve their peopl'e, a fact whi'ch is seldom rememlbered today - L. Rainalter. ANONYMOUS LETTIERS, wriltten to Red leaders in Slovakia, are caiusing some conc,ern to th~ regiime. The Bra'tisla'Va Radio recently reminded its listeners that Wl'liters of such letters, ill: revealed, are in fur stiff fin~s and long jail sentences. The rea'ction: more and still more anonymous letters to worry the coHalborators of Red P11ague. :IE: :IE: )l(! is 1b e in g planned in Bratislava, Slovakia, according to the dlaiily PRA-OA. It should be ready by the end of 1!963; the cost: 9 million, Crowns; and location: near the present Bra,tislava cemeter.y. Thi! Reds are happy that finaUy consideratfon has been given "to this modern and scientiific way of buryi<11,g the dead." A CREMATORY �Officers of the Slovak League of America (Organized May 26, 1907, Cleveland, Ohio) Honorary Presidents Michael Msgr. F. J . Dubosh, P.A. 12608 Madison Avenue Lakewood 7, hio Joseph Dr. Pet er P. H letko Klucar 1617 Alameda Avenue Lakewood 7, Ohio Batavia Rd., Box 48 Warrensville, Ill. Ge-0rge Kantor P:·esident Philip A. Hrobak 281 Hollywood Ave. New York 61, N. Y. P. 0. Box 150 Middletown, Pa. ADVISORY COUNCIL Vice-Presi dents Joseph Bend i k John P. 0 . Box 230 Uniontown, P a . Ju l ia Sas 3803 Cresson Street Philadelphia 27, Pa. A. Sabol National President First Catholic Slovak Union Krajcovic Helen Ko can 1648 W. 18th Street Chi cago 8. Ill. National President First Catholic Slovak Ladies Union Recording Secretary John Horecky Paul 22 64 Walton Ave. New York 53, N. Y. Secretary-Treasurer Paul C. Kazimer St ephen J. Tkach 1122 Sylvan Avenue Homestead, Pa. Nationa l President Pa. Catholic Slovak Union EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Paul Fallat National President Slovak Catholic Sokol Anna Sotak National President Ladies Pennsylvania Slovak Catholic Union P. Jamriska 536 Marie Ave. Pittsburgh 2, Pa. Emrich Valko An.drew Hudak Nation.al President Slov,ak Catholic Cadet Union 15701 Bennett Rd. No. Royalton 33, Ohio SLOVAK NEWSPAPERS (Affiliated with the Slovak League of America) JEDNOTA SLOVENSKA OBRANA ZENSKA JEDNOTA Middletown, Pa. Scranton, Pa. Cleveland, Ohio BRATSTVO SLOVENSKE NOVINY ZORNICKA Cleve land, Ohio Scranton, Pa. KATOLiCKY SOKOL SVORNOST OSADNE HLASY Passaic, N . J. Whitaker. Pa. Chicago, Ill. Wilkes-Barre, Pa. SLOVAK V AMERIKE Middletown, Pa. �SLOVAKIA : The ruins of Strecno Castle above the Vah river in the Trencin Province (13th century). � 76 SLOVAKIA BOOK REVIEWS Dejiny sta.rlej slovenskej literatury (iHistory of the Older Slowrlc Literature) by J . Misia,n<iik, J. Minarik, M. Midhalcova, A. Me'llichercik; 11>ublished by Slovenska ~kademia vied (Slovak Academy of Sciences), Bratis]arva, 1'960; p. a20, iJll. 'During the past decade, The Slovalk Academy of Sciences published several workis which shed a new Hght on the history of Slovaik literature and basically contrast wtl.th the views otf American syIIlJPosia dealing wifa Slov,alkfa's past. The volume on older Slovaik literature, W1hkh d:ates the ·beginniings <ff the history oif Slovak l,i terature back to the ninth cenltiury, wi'll perhaps be one of the most unexpected surprises to foreign Sla,v,ists, accustomed a,s they are to regard Slovalk literature not oMer than a hundred years. The contrilbutors to L. I. Str•a'k hovsky's "Handbook of Slavic Studies," to R. J . Kero-er's "Czechoslovakia," or to the present volwme on "Czechoslovakia," ed•ited :b y V. Busek.JN. Spul'ber and pulblished by the Mid1European Studies Center, set the birtfrld•aite of SloVlak literature as the year 1844, minimizing or ignorJng prwious literary efforts in Slovak cwture. And their views have been accepted favoraibly by many scho~ars in the f\ield Olf Slavilc stud,ies. Mancist literary his'toriam<S, who prepared the volume under review, produced a volume of 320 pages on Slovak Hterary rustory which ends with 11he year 1•7 00, and a bibliography Olf 410 pages on the period 17,80-1844, indicating .tlrat only in Bernolak's movement there were albout 100 writers. There also were severa!l outstanding Slovak scholars ,be!foa-e, who emphasized as early as 1655. that Slovaldla was the heir of Great M!oravfa and that the Slavs in genera·! and the Slovaks in panticwar, had an old culture and were an old Europea1n ra-ce. rt should be stressed that neither Professor Strakhovsky nor R. J . Kerner can be held responsi!Jjle for the misrepresentatiorn; in their symposia because the ir contr~butors were the closest SiJiavic ki n to the Slovaks. Nor any lack of original s'tud'ies on, Sl10vak literature can be re!:lPOnsilble for the distorited .accounts, because there is not m'UCh new in the Marxtist ''Histor,y of 11he Older Slovak Literature" which so-caned ' 1bourgeiois nationalist" literary historians would not hlaive kn()IW,n, albout. In numerous monog:r,aphies and studies wri~n by A . A. Banik, J . Skultety, S. J:urovsky, C. F . Lepacek, V. Bobelk, S. Krcmery, J. Vlcek, A. Prazalk, A . Mraz, R. Brtan, etc., more or less all the pulblished material was made known a long t~e aigo . It was known to some extent even to Prdfessor Ernest Denis from t he So11bon,n e, as evidenced by his boOik La question d'Autriche Les Slovaques, pulblished in 1&17. Slovak Marxist liiterary historians merely compiled results of prevfous researches and gave to tlhe histocy of Slovak literature a new '"Mar~ist" interpretati10n and a new periodization. The older Slo'Vak li'terature is d'iv.ided by the Marxist historians in-to four periods: the epoch df Great Moravi,a (the ninth ,and tenth century); the Romanesque and Gothic per.i'Od (tenth- fifteenth cen- �77 SLOVAKIA tury); Renaissance (filfteen:th~seventeenth centucy); and Baroque (1Jhe first half of the seventeenlth century to 1'780). This periodization is new and it is based on the principles of .Miarxist philoso.ph!y of history rather than on, the ideoliogicai and literary currents of Western ciwlization which found an e'C'ho in .Slovakia. In their a•p praisal of older Slovak wniiters and Marxist literary his'torians are cliose to former "bourgeois aoo nationaHst" scholars wiho also i,n,dluded into the history of Slovak literature the Cyrifo~ethod'ian peniod and all literary works created by Slovaks in Latin, Gennan, Biblical Czech, or other languages. ]t is the "Czechosl<ovalk" intenpr,etation wh!iich the Marxist li17erary historians vehemently oppose, since the Czech scholars (A. Prazak, F . Wollman, J. Chaloupecky) re~rded Slovak literature before 11844 (Stur's reform cxf the Slovalk la,n,g.uage) as a part of Crec!h 1iterature (including even Satfarik, Kollar, e1Jc., Into it) and belittled its si:gn'ificance. While we may disagree with the critenia and aipproach of 17he Marxist literary historians, we ca·nnot disregard maniy positive aspects ocf this first comprehensi'Ve volwme on, the older Slovak literature. It wiH fiill a gap in the fieltl of Slaviic literatures, and to ma11y Slavists on this continenlt it will bring a new looik at the Slovak pa'St. The book unfortu,niately lac~ a resume in foreign languages whidh other recent Slovak ,publications usua.Uy conrtain. In form and cont ents tihe book is not without scho1ar1y values. J. M. Kirschbaum, Un i'Vers•i ty of Monit•r>ea'1. 1 R:oma,n Smal-Stocki: The Captive Nations: Nationalism of the NonRuss,ian Nations in the Soviet Union, Bookman Associates Nesw York, 1960; 118 pp. A popular fallacy is that smaU volumes have little to saiy, large ones much. As many scholars learn very early in their tra,ining, the reverse is often the case. The present slender volume is a distillate of the many years of study - alild of a of personal exiperience particularly vJtal asp·eict of the Soviet phenomenon by a distinguished scholar, Dr. Roman SmalStocki, for over ten ~ars on the faculty of Marquette University. It is because this is must reading for all America that we point out that brevity in -this study of naticma1ism in the Soviet orbit affords two advantages: a wide scope compressed such that the significance of the oppressed peoples may easily be gra,sped; and the relatively little reading required to grasp it. Dr. Smal-Stocki, witty as well as penetrating, is pro'balbly unrivallled for such an accoonp1ishment; and he has admiralb~ succeeded. Internationally !mown for his scholarship, he has also been acclaimed for his life-long struggle (conducted kom no Ivory Tower) for the right o'f self-detel'IJllination for all non4lussian nati ons in the S'o viet "m001olith." A'S president of the Promethe,m Lea~ue, representing all the nations oppressed by Russia, he effectua.ted a common front of all significant non.Jtussian emigre groups op.pressed by Soviet Russia. From 1924: to 1929 the champi!oned the victims of Russian aggression at the League of Nation,s. His importance was certified by Hitler, eager to aicqu.ire Ukraine without interference as an 1 �78 SLOVAKIA agricultural reservoir: Dr. SmalStocki was interned in Prague for the dur,ation of the war. '11he pres• ent W-Ol'lk is but one olf a ser,i es of brd:lliant studies conducted by this indivi'd ual, gifted both as a scholar and ais a main, during his years in America. This study of naitionalism, if disseminated properJy, should go f.ar to correct present tendencies in Amerkan thinking with regard to the importance of modern nationali'sm in modern times. Ir-0nically enough, "the principles for which Americans fought 1'heir own mother counitry" are ''the very principles whiich Amer,i cans h,ave been ignoriing in their foreign policy t01WaTd the new Re'd Russian Em· pire for 4-0 year-s." Especially in recent times, Wlilson's conlcept of "seLf-detel.'lffiiniation of small nations" wen,t to the way.side. It beicame fashionalble, in schoJ.,ar,ly cireles and elsewhere, to attack ,t he application, of th~s doctrJne for not emasculating itsel! in the mystical goal of inlternationalism. Even in ouT 01Wn day we oan hear the claii'm that -t he Russians, wha1:ever their failures in pr,aicvice so far, are continuing a revolutioo w,h ich is "a necessary successor" to the French a·n d the American Rievolutions. Such thinking is in no little wise responsilble for t he "r,apid and catastrophic deoliine from world leadershti;p as oiccurred to the United State's from 1946 to lt958 in world polit,ics." Defeatism ha-s been on the march - and shows no signs of flagging. Such schools of thought" as these have developed: (1) with giradual lilberalization, the Ru·ssian revolutoin wdll end with staibi1ization of a "democratic fede!"ated republic" ; (2) acbive support of national communiJSm , called Ti'toism, to speed up "1-tberolization" (disregarding the fact that "national" cOOll!Illunism i:s commun- ism and d,i ctatorship, nonetheles's) ; (3) status quo ad,voca,tes, on the premise that the communist revoluti'onary expansiM has ended; •this, goes the claim, would give the USSR "secuTity." Dr. Sma'1-Stocld points out tha t the non.JRuss,i,a,n nait-ions (which compose over half of the Russian" populatfon of the USSR) believe that the communist revolution is unfinished. "The begLn,niing of the last act of thi's revolution started Jn East Germany (BerJin), in Poland, and in Hungiary, but was stopped by the moral apathy and ,l etharg,y of the free w-0rl'Cl. (It) can be stopped and broken onJy by a democratic revolution of the victims of Russian imperda1ism, supported by the whole 'strengt-h of the democratic p01Wers for the c01Inmon cause." The alterinates are, to say -the least, dista'steful. H the free world tolerates the further conbinuation of Russ-ian expansion, in the ,n,ext 20 years or sooner, declares the all!thor, the Wlorld Sovi•e t Union wi11 be estaiblJshed. Or, ontce convinced its technical adva,n ces have outstriipped us gr e at 1 y enough, SoVliet Moscow can taike its chances with a gigantic ''Pearl Haribor" type of attack on the whole U. S. The Russian Communis,t dictatorship is a past master at ubiliiz.iln,g every mJstake or act olf magnanimity on the part of the free world, the author points out. "Only 1b y realizing the self-determination of the non.JRussi,an natfons, only by i'ntel'IIl,ational concert of the free nations, nationalities and· peoples, can re·al peatce be achieved," concludes Dr. Smal,Stocki. A highly recommended hooik to all, whfoh, going back in its study of natn:ona1ism in the nomri.Riu:ssian n'aitions, even before World War I, afil'ords us a perspective wh'ich leads, under the author's �SLOVAKIA cogent guidance, to a realization that our true weapon is the explosive force of ideas contained 1n, the national freedom aspirations of the non.JRussian nations. - W.D. William L. Shlirer: The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich. A History of Na2i Germany, Sim,o,n. and· Schusrter, New Yol'ik, 1960; 12415 pp., $10.00. <In the guise of objective hiistory this volume presents a harrow.ing, massive but one-sided record of unrelieved German crimes• and blunders. W.illiam L. Shirer, fored·g n correspondent and news commentator, is also on, the board Olf directors Olf the "Society for ~he Prevention Olf World War Ill, Inc." of which Dorothy Thompson wrote (Mary 311, 1,950) that it "has conducted a systematic campadgn ag1ainst any constructive peace with Germany ... and vilified every person in pulblilc life who tried to warn that procedure alon,g Morgenthau 1ines would encompass the rwin of Europe." Shirer does not allOIW that the Versailles Treaty was unjust (p. 58). He st,ates that "Nazism and the Third Reich, in fact, were but a Logical colilltinuafron of German histor,y" (p. 90). His piling up of Nazi crimes, failing to put them 1n, perspecllive with the crimes of the opp·onents, never in fact alludi'ng to the worst Soviet cr,imes, such as their brutal population transfers and their mass raping Olf not only German but also Hungarian, Slovak and Austrirun women, .seem calculated to make any unwary reader hate more than ever the German people - now our allies - who tolera,ted the monsti,ous Nazis, and to think of the equally monstrous Bol'shev~ks, no•w o.ur cold war enemies, as really not so bad! ln, pages on the Nazi aibuse of Soviet and Polish p:rtlsoners of war 79 he does not once allude to the Soviet mass murder of Polish of.f,ilcers at Katyn. He never mentions General Vilassov and hrs insur.ge'Illt Russians who preferred fiighti,ng for the Germans to livi,n,g under the Soviets. He gives good inlformation on several German attempts to remove Hitler, three even be:fore '194'1, but he makes no relference to the Miorgenthau plan, CommunistJinspired, which was calcul'a ted to dr,ive the Germans to desperate resistan1ee instead of revolt. For the rest, despite distoi,tions and some clear falsehoods, there is much interesting information in the book. Hitler is depicted as an uncanny genius, aJmost puriban, fanatically warped on Ioy;alitJy and honor, pathologica~ly airuti-IBolshev,i k and anti-Jewish, absolutely ag:a,i nst war w.ith the West, but certainly plotting 1t against Poland and Russia. Reading of Hitler's crimes and •b lunders in detail, deducing from the facts that truly moral st•atesmanship a,nyiwhere from 1918 on could· have prevented the colossal misery of World War II and aifter, makes one feel aibout the human ra,ce as Swiift dlid. ln sum: more harmful th-.in good except for trained histor,ians. A. J. A,pp. H. G. Adler: Die Judttn in Deutschland. From the Enlightenment to Natiorual Socialism. Ki:ise1Verlag, Munich, 1960; 17·8 pp., DM 6.80. National Socialism produced nothing really new, particularly antiSemLtism, although dt remained for sa-id regjme to exercise i1t in the modern age in an a1pocalyptic way. H. G. Adler is a Jew from Prague, sun~ivor of the concentration camps of Theresienstad•t and Auschwitz, who has anal~ed the origins of anti-semi1tism, the Eman- �80 SLOVAKIA cipation, and the plight of the J'Elws in Germany. 'l1he results cxf the author's endeavor are procuralble in a smaU book prolif.ic with quotes and sources. Adler candidJy acknowledges that dur1nlg the Middle Ages a Jewish prdblem was poss1ble only in Germany ·b ecause the Eur®ean na:!Ji,onal states, after a period cxf severe op,pression "divested themselves of their Jews" by means of expulsion, England in 1200, FIia.nee in li306 (a.nd, after temporary readmittance, again i.n, '1933), Spain in 1492 and Portug•al in 1497." Hatred of the Jews was due for cenwries to ,theh- belonging to a different religion; the sol'Utiion lay therefore i.n, conversion to Christianity, or by remedying their "otherness." Heine spoke of his baiptism as the "ticket O£f admission to European culture." Yet the position of the Jews in Germanry was as varied as the very diversilfied nature of the First Reioh itself. As fate as 1,81,7, for example, the English prov,ince of Hannover quite firmly resisted the ,proposed emanlci,pation of the Jews which had been sought by Christians and Jews alike ever since the Enlightenment. Mter the founding of the Second Reich religious dilfference was, to be sure, no longer the tme cause cxf anti-semitism, for 1n, the Bismarokian constitution one's religious affiliation was irreleivant. Adler cites in addition to the longstanding religious a$Pect of the Jewish question German aruti'-semites like the Berlin court preacher Stocker, the Viennese Biirgermeister Lueger, Richard Wagner, Lagarde, and Fritsch. Aocording to these persons race and not religion was the cause of anti-Jewish feeling. One notes a breach in developments that is not bri:dged· by any explanation and one wonders why this surprising change. Was it due to the l"apid increase after 18711 of Jewish banking a.nd trad- ing firms, the entranice of J·ewish lawyers, doctors, and teachers into prcxfessions that had been barred to them hitherto? Was it due to enviy cxf thei'r quiick social climb? Even during the period of religious anti-Jewish hatred the c-u rse "his blood be on us and on our chillren" was not the sole reason for the pogroms, but also the desire to be rid of the annoying creditors. A similar trend developed in many lia.r,ge German cities fo the "golden t,w,en,ties." Germ•an anti-semitism, in the final analysis, has come to be a stain not only on the name of Germany for years to coone bwt bas actually estranged one of the most ardent Ge Tm ,a n protagonists throughout the world, the German speaking J~s. Adler's book shows primarily, too, the zeal with which the German Jews all over the world were ready to serve their peopl'e, a fact whi'ch is seldom rememlbered today - L. Rainalter. ANONYMOUS LETTIERS, wriltten to Red leaders in Slovakia, are caiusing some conc,ern to th~ regiime. The Bra'tisla'Va Radio recently reminded its listeners that Wl'liters of such letters, ill: revealed, are in fur stiff fin~s and long jail sentences. The rea'ction: more and still more anonymous letters to worry the coHalborators of Red P11ague. :IE: :IE: )l(! is 1b e in g planned in Bratislava, Slovakia, according to the dlaiily PRA-OA. It should be ready by the end of 1!963; the cost: 9 million, Crowns; and location: near the present Bra,tislava cemeter.y. Thi! Reds are happy that finaUy consideratfon has been given "to this modern and scientiific way of buryi<11,g the dead." A CREMATORY �Officers of the Slovak League of America (Organized May 26, 1907, Cleveland, Ohio) Honorary Presidents Michael Msgr. F. J . Dubosh, P.A. 12608 Madison Avenue Lakewood 7, hio Joseph Dr. Pet er P. H letko Klucar 1617 Alameda Avenue Lakewood 7, Ohio Batavia Rd., Box 48 Warrensville, Ill. Ge-0rge Kantor P:·esident Philip A. Hrobak 281 Hollywood Ave. New York 61, N. Y. P. 0. Box 150 Middletown, Pa. ADVISORY COUNCIL Vice-Presi dents Joseph Bend i k John P. 0 . Box 230 Uniontown, P a . Ju l ia Sas 3803 Cresson Street Philadelphia 27, Pa. A. Sabol National President First Catholic Slovak Union Krajcovic Helen Ko can 1648 W. 18th Street Chi cago 8. Ill. National President First Catholic Slovak Ladies Union Recording Secretary John Horecky Paul 22 64 Walton Ave. New York 53, N. Y. Secretary-Treasurer Paul C. Kazimer St ephen J. Tkach 1122 Sylvan Avenue Homestead, Pa. Nationa l President Pa. Catholic Slovak Union EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Paul Fallat National President Slovak Catholic Sokol Anna Sotak National President Ladies Pennsylvania Slovak Catholic Union P. Jamriska 536 Marie Ave. Pittsburgh 2, Pa. Emrich Valko An.drew Hudak Nation.al President Slov,ak Catholic Cadet Union 15701 Bennett Rd. No. Royalton 33, Ohio SLOVAK NEWSPAPERS (Affiliated with the Slovak League of America) JEDNOTA SLOVENSKA OBRANA ZENSKA JEDNOTA Middletown, Pa. Scranton, Pa. Cleveland, Ohio BRATSTVO SLOVENSKE NOVINY ZORNICKA Cleve land, Ohio Scranton, Pa. KATOLiCKY SOKOL SVORNOST OSADNE HLASY Passaic, N . J. Whitaker. Pa. Chicago, Ill. Wilkes-Barre, Pa. SLOVAK V AMERIKE Middletown, Pa. �SLOVAKIA : The ruins of Strecno Castle above the Vah river in the Trencin Province (13th century). � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource 1961, Vol. 11 Description An account of the resource <ul><li>Issue 1 (No. 33), March-June 1961.</li> <li>Issue 2 (No. 34), September-December June 1961.</li> </ul> Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available The Slovak League of America Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1961 Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document 76 SLOVAKIA BOOK REVIEWS Dejiny sta.rlej slovenskej literatury (iHistory of the Older Slowrlc Literature) by J . Misia,n<iik, J. Minarik, M. Midhalcova, A. Me'llichercik; 11>ublished by Slovenska ~kademia vied (Slovak Academy of Sciences), Bratis]arva, 1'960; p. a20, iJll. 'During the past decade, The Slovalk Academy of Sciences published several workis which shed a new Hght on the history of Slovaik literature and basically contrast wtl.th the views otf American syIIlJPosia dealing wifa Slov,alkfa's past. The volume on older Slovaik literature, W1hkh d:ates the ·beginniings <ff the history oif Slovak l,i terature back to the ninth cenltiury, wi'll perhaps be one of the most unexpected surprises to foreign Sla,v,ists, accustomed a,s they are to regard Slovalk literature not oMer than a hundred years. The contrilbutors to L. I. Str•a'k hovsky's "Handbook of Slavic Studies," to R. J . Kero-er's "Czechoslovakia," or to the present volwme on "Czechoslovakia," ed•ited :b y V. Busek.JN. Spul'ber and pulblished by the Mid1European Studies Center, set the birtfrld•aite of SloVlak literature as the year 1844, minimizing or ignorJng prwious literary efforts in Slovak cwture. And their views have been accepted favoraibly by many scho~ars in the f\ield Olf Slavilc stud,ies. Mancist literary his'toriam<S, who prepared the volume under review, produced a volume of 320 pages on Slovak Hterary rustory which ends with 11he year 1•7 00, and a bibliography Olf 410 pages on the period 17,80-1844, indicating .tlrat only in Bernolak's movement there were albout 100 writers. There also were severa!l outstanding Slovak scholars ,be!foa-e, who emphasized as early as 1655. that Slovaldla was the heir of Great M!oravfa and that the Slavs in genera·! and the Slovaks in panticwar, had an old culture and were an old Europea1n ra-ce. rt should be stressed that neither Professor Strakhovsky nor R. J . Kerner can be held responsi!Jjle for the misrepresentatiorn; in their symposia because the ir contr~butors were the closest SiJiavic ki n to the Slovaks. Nor any lack of original s'tud'ies on, Sl10vak literature can be re!:lPOnsilble for the distorited .accounts, because there is not m'UCh new in the Marxtist ''Histor,y of 11he Older Slovak Literature" which so-caned ' 1bourgeiois nationalist" literary historians would not hlaive kn()IW,n, albout. In numerous monog:r,aphies and studies wri~n by A . A. Banik, J . Skultety, S. J:urovsky, C. F . Lepacek, V. Bobelk, S. Krcmery, J. Vlcek, A. Prazalk, A . Mraz, R. Brtan, etc., more or less all the pulblished material was made known a long t~e aigo . It was known to some extent even to Prdfessor Ernest Denis from t he So11bon,n e, as evidenced by his boOik La question d'Autriche Les Slovaques, pulblished in 1&17. Slovak Marxist liiterary historians merely compiled results of prevfous researches and gave to tlhe histocy of Slovak literature a new '"Mar~ist" interpretati10n and a new periodization. The older Slo'Vak li'terature is d'iv.ided by the Marxist historians in-to four periods: the epoch df Great Moravi,a (the ninth ,and tenth century); the Romanesque and Gothic per.i'Od (tenth- fifteenth cen- 77 SLOVAKIA tury); Renaissance (filfteen:th~seventeenth centucy); and Baroque (1Jhe first half of the seventeenlth century to 1'780). This periodization is new and it is based on the principles of .Miarxist philoso.ph!y of history rather than on, the ideoliogicai and literary currents of Western ciwlization which found an e'C'ho in .Slovakia. In their a•p praisal of older Slovak wniiters and Marxist literary his'torians are cliose to former "bourgeois aoo nationaHst" scholars wiho also i,n,dluded into the history of Slovak literature the Cyrifo~ethod'ian peniod and all literary works created by Slovaks in Latin, Gennan, Biblical Czech, or other languages. ]t is the "Czechosl<ovalk" intenpr,etation wh!iich the Marxist li17erary historians vehemently oppose, since the Czech scholars (A. Prazak, F . Wollman, J. Chaloupecky) re~rded Slovak literature before 11844 (Stur's reform cxf the Slovalk la,n,g.uage) as a part of Crec!h 1iterature (including even Satfarik, Kollar, e1Jc., Into it) and belittled its si:gn'ificance. While we may disagree with the critenia and aipproach of 17he Marxist literary historians, we ca·nnot disregard maniy positive aspects ocf this first comprehensi'Ve volwme on, the older Slovak literature. It wiH fiill a gap in the fieltl of Slaviic literatures, and to ma11y Slavists on this continenlt it will bring a new looik at the Slovak pa'St. The book unfortu,niately lac~ a resume in foreign languages whidh other recent Slovak ,publications usua.Uy conrtain. In form and cont ents tihe book is not without scho1ar1y values. J. M. Kirschbaum, Un i'Vers•i ty of Monit•r>ea'1. 1 R:oma,n Smal-Stocki: The Captive Nations: Nationalism of the NonRuss,ian Nations in the Soviet Union, Bookman Associates Nesw York, 1960; 118 pp. A popular fallacy is that smaU volumes have little to saiy, large ones much. As many scholars learn very early in their tra,ining, the reverse is often the case. The present slender volume is a distillate of the many years of study - alild of a of personal exiperience particularly vJtal asp·eict of the Soviet phenomenon by a distinguished scholar, Dr. Roman SmalStocki, for over ten ~ars on the faculty of Marquette University. It is because this is must reading for all America that we point out that brevity in -this study of naticma1ism in the Soviet orbit affords two advantages: a wide scope compressed such that the significance of the oppressed peoples may easily be gra,sped; and the relatively little reading required to grasp it. Dr. Smal-Stocki, witty as well as penetrating, is pro'balbly unrivallled for such an accoonp1ishment; and he has admiralb~ succeeded. Internationally !mown for his scholarship, he has also been acclaimed for his life-long struggle (conducted kom no Ivory Tower) for the right o'f self-detel'IJllination for all non4lussian nati ons in the S'o viet "m001olith." A'S president of the Promethe,m Lea~ue, representing all the nations oppressed by Russia, he effectua.ted a common front of all significant non.Jtussian emigre groups op.pressed by Soviet Russia. From 1924: to 1929 the champi!oned the victims of Russian aggression at the League of Nation,s. His importance was certified by Hitler, eager to aicqu.ire Ukraine without interference as an 1 78 SLOVAKIA agricultural reservoir: Dr. SmalStocki was interned in Prague for the dur,ation of the war. '11he pres• ent W-Ol'lk is but one olf a ser,i es of brd:lliant studies conducted by this indivi'd ual, gifted both as a scholar and ais a main, during his years in America. This study of naitionalism, if disseminated properJy, should go f.ar to correct present tendencies in Amerkan thinking with regard to the importance of modern nationali'sm in modern times. Ir-0nically enough, "the principles for which Americans fought 1'heir own mother counitry" are ''the very principles whiich Amer,i cans h,ave been ignoriing in their foreign policy t01WaTd the new Re'd Russian Em· pire for 4-0 year-s." Especially in recent times, Wlilson's conlcept of "seLf-detel.'lffiiniation of small nations" wen,t to the way.side. It beicame fashionalble, in schoJ.,ar,ly cireles and elsewhere, to attack ,t he application, of th~s doctrJne for not emasculating itsel! in the mystical goal of inlternationalism. Even in ouT 01Wn day we oan hear the claii'm that -t he Russians, wha1:ever their failures in pr,aicvice so far, are continuing a revolutioo w,h ich is "a necessary successor" to the French a·n d the American Rievolutions. Such thinking is in no little wise responsilble for t he "r,apid and catastrophic deoliine from world leadershti;p as oiccurred to the United State's from 1946 to lt958 in world polit,ics." Defeatism ha-s been on the march - and shows no signs of flagging. Such schools of thought" as these have developed: (1) with giradual lilberalization, the Ru·ssian revolutoin wdll end with staibi1ization of a "democratic fede!"ated republic" ; (2) acbive support of national communiJSm , called Ti'toism, to speed up "1-tberolization" (disregarding the fact that "national" cOOll!Illunism i:s commun- ism and d,i ctatorship, nonetheles's) ; (3) status quo ad,voca,tes, on the premise that the communist revoluti'onary expansiM has ended; •this, goes the claim, would give the USSR "secuTity." Dr. Sma'1-Stocld points out tha t the non.JRuss,i,a,n nait-ions (which compose over half of the Russian" populatfon of the USSR) believe that the communist revolution is unfinished. "The begLn,niing of the last act of thi's revolution started Jn East Germany (BerJin), in Poland, and in Hungiary, but was stopped by the moral apathy and ,l etharg,y of the free w-0rl'Cl. (It) can be stopped and broken onJy by a democratic revolution of the victims of Russian imperda1ism, supported by the whole 'strengt-h of the democratic p01Wers for the c01Inmon cause." The alterinates are, to say -the least, dista'steful. H the free world tolerates the further conbinuation of Russ-ian expansion, in the ,n,ext 20 years or sooner, declares the all!thor, the Wlorld Sovi•e t Union wi11 be estaiblJshed. Or, ontce convinced its technical adva,n ces have outstriipped us gr e at 1 y enough, SoVliet Moscow can taike its chances with a gigantic ''Pearl Haribor" type of attack on the whole U. S. The Russian Communis,t dictatorship is a past master at ubiliiz.iln,g every mJstake or act olf magnanimity on the part of the free world, the author points out. "Only 1b y realizing the self-determination of the non.JRussi,an natfons, only by i'ntel'IIl,ational concert of the free nations, nationalities and· peoples, can re·al peatce be achieved," concludes Dr. Smal,Stocki. A highly recommended hooik to all, whfoh, going back in its study of natn:ona1ism in the nomri.Riu:ssian n'aitions, even before World War I, afil'ords us a perspective wh'ich leads, under the author's SLOVAKIA cogent guidance, to a realization that our true weapon is the explosive force of ideas contained 1n, the national freedom aspirations of the non.JRussian nations. - W.D. William L. Shlirer: The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich. A History of Na2i Germany, Sim,o,n. and· Schusrter, New Yol'ik, 1960; 12415 pp., $10.00. <In the guise of objective hiistory this volume presents a harrow.ing, massive but one-sided record of unrelieved German crimes• and blunders. W.illiam L. Shirer, fored·g n correspondent and news commentator, is also on, the board Olf directors Olf the "Society for ~he Prevention Olf World War Ill, Inc." of which Dorothy Thompson wrote (Mary 311, 1,950) that it "has conducted a systematic campadgn ag1ainst any constructive peace with Germany ... and vilified every person in pulblilc life who tried to warn that procedure alon,g Morgenthau 1ines would encompass the rwin of Europe." Shirer does not allOIW that the Versailles Treaty was unjust (p. 58). He st,ates that "Nazism and the Third Reich, in fact, were but a Logical colilltinuafron of German histor,y" (p. 90). His piling up of Nazi crimes, failing to put them 1n, perspecllive with the crimes of the opp·onents, never in fact alludi'ng to the worst Soviet cr,imes, such as their brutal population transfers and their mass raping Olf not only German but also Hungarian, Slovak and Austrirun women, .seem calculated to make any unwary reader hate more than ever the German people - now our allies - who tolera,ted the monsti,ous Nazis, and to think of the equally monstrous Bol'shev~ks, no•w o.ur cold war enemies, as really not so bad! ln, pages on the Nazi aibuse of Soviet and Polish p:rtlsoners of war 79 he does not once allude to the Soviet mass murder of Polish of.f,ilcers at Katyn. He never mentions General Vilassov and hrs insur.ge'Illt Russians who preferred fiighti,ng for the Germans to livi,n,g under the Soviets. He gives good inlformation on several German attempts to remove Hitler, three even be:fore '194'1, but he makes no relference to the Miorgenthau plan, CommunistJinspired, which was calcul'a ted to dr,ive the Germans to desperate resistan1ee instead of revolt. For the rest, despite distoi,tions and some clear falsehoods, there is much interesting information in the book. Hitler is depicted as an uncanny genius, aJmost puriban, fanatically warped on Ioy;alitJy and honor, pathologica~ly airuti-IBolshev,i k and anti-Jewish, absolutely ag:a,i nst war w.ith the West, but certainly plotting 1t against Poland and Russia. Reading of Hitler's crimes and •b lunders in detail, deducing from the facts that truly moral st•atesmanship a,nyiwhere from 1918 on could· have prevented the colossal misery of World War II and aifter, makes one feel aibout the human ra,ce as Swiift dlid. ln sum: more harmful th-.in good except for trained histor,ians. A. J. A,pp. H. G. Adler: Die Judttn in Deutschland. From the Enlightenment to Natiorual Socialism. Ki:ise1Verlag, Munich, 1960; 17·8 pp., DM 6.80. National Socialism produced nothing really new, particularly antiSemLtism, although dt remained for sa-id regjme to exercise i1t in the modern age in an a1pocalyptic way. H. G. Adler is a Jew from Prague, sun~ivor of the concentration camps of Theresienstad•t and Auschwitz, who has anal~ed the origins of anti-semi1tism, the Eman- 80 SLOVAKIA cipation, and the plight of the J'Elws in Germany. 'l1he results cxf the author's endeavor are procuralble in a smaU book prolif.ic with quotes and sources. Adler candidJy acknowledges that dur1nlg the Middle Ages a Jewish prdblem was poss1ble only in Germany ·b ecause the Eur®ean na:!Ji,onal states, after a period cxf severe op,pression "divested themselves of their Jews" by means of expulsion, England in 1200, FIia.nee in li306 (a.nd, after temporary readmittance, again i.n, '1933), Spain in 1492 and Portug•al in 1497." Hatred of the Jews was due for cenwries to ,theh- belonging to a different religion; the sol'Utiion lay therefore i.n, conversion to Christianity, or by remedying their "otherness." Heine spoke of his baiptism as the "ticket O£f admission to European culture." Yet the position of the Jews in Germanry was as varied as the very diversilfied nature of the First Reioh itself. As fate as 1,81,7, for example, the English prov,ince of Hannover quite firmly resisted the ,proposed emanlci,pation of the Jews which had been sought by Christians and Jews alike ever since the Enlightenment. Mter the founding of the Second Reich religious dilfference was, to be sure, no longer the tme cause cxf anti-semitism, for 1n, the Bismarokian constitution one's religious affiliation was irreleivant. Adler cites in addition to the longstanding religious a$Pect of the Jewish question German aruti'-semites like the Berlin court preacher Stocker, the Viennese Biirgermeister Lueger, Richard Wagner, Lagarde, and Fritsch. Aocording to these persons race and not religion was the cause of anti-Jewish feeling. One notes a breach in developments that is not bri:dged· by any explanation and one wonders why this surprising change. Was it due to the l"apid increase after 18711 of Jewish banking a.nd trad- ing firms, the entranice of J·ewish lawyers, doctors, and teachers into prcxfessions that had been barred to them hitherto? Was it due to enviy cxf thei'r quiick social climb? Even during the period of religious anti-Jewish hatred the c-u rse "his blood be on us and on our chillren" was not the sole reason for the pogroms, but also the desire to be rid of the annoying creditors. A similar trend developed in many lia.r,ge German cities fo the "golden t,w,en,ties." Germ•an anti-semitism, in the final analysis, has come to be a stain not only on the name of Germany for years to coone bwt bas actually estranged one of the most ardent Ge Tm ,a n protagonists throughout the world, the German speaking J~s. Adler's book shows primarily, too, the zeal with which the German Jews all over the world were ready to serve their peopl'e, a fact whi'ch is seldom rememlbered today - L. Rainalter. ANONYMOUS LETTIERS, wriltten to Red leaders in Slovakia, are caiusing some conc,ern to th~ regiime. The Bra'tisla'Va Radio recently reminded its listeners that Wl'liters of such letters, ill: revealed, are in fur stiff fin~s and long jail sentences. The rea'ction: more and still more anonymous letters to worry the coHalborators of Red P11ague. :IE: :IE: )l(! is 1b e in g planned in Bratislava, Slovakia, according to the dlaiily PRA-OA. It should be ready by the end of 1!963; the cost: 9 million, Crowns; and location: near the present Bra,tislava cemeter.y. Thi! Reds are happy that finaUy consideratfon has been given "to this modern and scientiific way of buryi<11,g the dead." A CREMATORY Officers of the Slovak League of America (Organized May 26, 1907, Cleveland, Ohio) Honorary Presidents Michael Msgr. F. J . Dubosh, P.A. 12608 Madison Avenue Lakewood 7, hio Joseph Dr. Pet er P. H letko Klucar 1617 Alameda Avenue Lakewood 7, Ohio Batavia Rd., Box 48 Warrensville, Ill. Ge-0rge Kantor P:·esident Philip A. Hrobak 281 Hollywood Ave. New York 61, N. Y. P. 0. Box 150 Middletown, Pa. ADVISORY COUNCIL Vice-Presi dents Joseph Bend i k John P. 0 . Box 230 Uniontown, P a . Ju l ia Sas 3803 Cresson Street Philadelphia 27, Pa. A. Sabol National President First Catholic Slovak Union Krajcovic Helen Ko can 1648 W. 18th Street Chi cago 8. Ill. National President First Catholic Slovak Ladies Union Recording Secretary John Horecky Paul 22 64 Walton Ave. New York 53, N. Y. Secretary-Treasurer Paul C. Kazimer St ephen J. Tkach 1122 Sylvan Avenue Homestead, Pa. Nationa l President Pa. Catholic Slovak Union EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Paul Fallat National President Slovak Catholic Sokol Anna Sotak National President Ladies Pennsylvania Slovak Catholic Union P. Jamriska 536 Marie Ave. Pittsburgh 2, Pa. Emrich Valko An.drew Hudak Nation.al President Slov,ak Catholic Cadet Union 15701 Bennett Rd. No. Royalton 33, Ohio SLOVAK NEWSPAPERS (Affiliated with the Slovak League of America) JEDNOTA SLOVENSKA OBRANA ZENSKA JEDNOTA Middletown, Pa. Scranton, Pa. Cleveland, Ohio BRATSTVO SLOVENSKE NOVINY ZORNICKA Cleve land, Ohio Scranton, Pa. KATOLiCKY SOKOL SVORNOST OSADNE HLASY Passaic, N . J. Whitaker. Pa. Chicago, Ill. Wilkes-Barre, Pa. SLOVAK V AMERIKE Middletown, Pa. SLOVAKIA : The ruins of Strecno Castle above the Vah river in the Trencin Province (13th century).  Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Back Matter, Slovakia, Vol. 11, No. 2 (34) Description An account of the resource includes book reviews, pp. 76-80, and photo of ruins of Strečno Castle above the Váh river in the Trenčin Province Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource September-December 1961 https://slovakia.wordsofpassage.net/files/original/ca7006fb5736f99986eeaa5048b17003.pdf 409b536755270fbf3f251b1d95f3bbb9 PDF Text Text SLOVAKIA 75 to arrange not only additional arms allotments but munition for the tanks and artillery guns and the exchange of more officers and specialists. At the beginning of 1961, at least 200 Cubans went to Czecho-Slovakia to get practical experience in larger industries there. While the Czechs are doing everything they can to aid material ends, they are also trying to ,p ut a peaceful foot forward by sponsoring expositions in Havana. Plans for these shows were prepared by the Brno architects Denk and Pospisil. The Czechs want to show the Cubans just what socialism looks like. They will display all kinds of Czech export goods including Prague hams, Pilsner beer, all kinds of machinery and, of course, their brand of plum brandy (Slivovice). BOOK REVIEWS Gilbert L. Oddo: Slovakia and Its ' the form of yet unpublished ma,People, New York, Speller ' nuSC'l'lipts. and Sons, Inc., 1960, xi-361 IReviewirug the end results, one pp., $6.00. can, be grateful fur Prof. Oddo's Prolfessor Oddo, a native-fuoirn limit_a~o.ns, whitc'h forced him to Amerkan, undertook a dilflficult , a di.iif1~~lt process of research and demanding task in copinlg . and w:iiiltmg, as they wo:iik t~ !he with a phase of the history of a I a~va•nt~ge of t?~ reader, proVId~ng country whose la!llguage he lh'as I him with a cri~ical_ Slovak version the country s h1s'toriy from the no't mastered and to whose na- / tional arehives and otJher insti- n,mbh centu,r y to the present day. tuti«ms he has never had access. ,• ~ddo's version, m~ed~y ?1>jectConseq,uenrtly, in an olbje'ctive a,p- 1ve and compreh~~s1ve rn its asproa'Oh, he had to rely on sources s~s;1111e~_t ai:id critique of Slo~,a(scarce as they are) pulbHshed in k1a s Justoncal mov~ents, ~ill, English and French. In am,a,1,yzing I ~ c?urse, .con-trast w1'tlh previous Professors works in the Slovak la•n,guage, or 1nteripre'tahons lby studying documents in the airch- T,homson, Busek-sipullber, K~rner, ives o,f S,lova•k cultural assolcia- etc., w.ho were markedly mflutions in America, (there are over eniced hY C~ech sources. bwo million Americans of Slovak 1 '.Ilhe history of Slovakia is a suiboru,gin, wiitJh a scor,e of associa- ject which, in languages other tions, newspaiperis and period'ica1's), than Slovak, was until recen'tly he was aided, arccordi,ng to his given the silent treaJtrrnent; and severa'l the little that was reported was by aclcnO'Wlledgeimenlts, Slov,ak intellectua,ls, professors done so i.nicompetently and withand linguists, teachiong at Canadian out adequate rese'areh, and - in not and American universities, and by I Professor Oddo's views their English language works in without unnecessary pa-ejudice. '°~ I �76 SLOVAKIA His book will, theirefore, nalburally stimllllate controversies. By his own ad'mi!ssfon in the Introduction to his wock, Prof.essor Oddo saw tlhat part o:f his task lay in hrupintg to "exipos·e and exiped myths which, for ooe r•eason or other, have fownd their way into the long and poi,gnarut history of the Slovak people." Basically, the author attempts to expo.se the myths that (1) the Czechs a•nd tlhe Slovaks are now and always have been a cultural, linguishc and nationau uniity; (2) that Czedh◊'"Slova!lda was the "picture demdcracy" of the post-Versailles Europe; and (3,) that the S1'ovak Repu[Jjlilc was not a natural d·e vclopment in the histocy of the Slovak people. The author gaithered many availalb le s-ources and inv,e stigated arguments pro and con to prove his points and draw his conclusions, and they .ire mostly correct. His scy1e is clear and plain. Studenlts di history, un.fiortunatel,y, may be inconivenienced in the a["rangement of ref.erences, which the allllthor mentions at the end of tJhe book a<nd will mi1Ss footnotes. Since the thesis of a distinct national, cultural and linguistic Slo\'ak enrtity has been generally aooepted in recent years, the autho,r will! not encouIJ1ter much objection on this point from the students od' Central European history. HoweveT, as for t'he ''<pictmre democracy" olf pre,wair Czecho.:slo"'1kia, many readers, aocustome'd •to the sta·ndardized picture presented for over fourr decades in so milillY wofiks, may hesi'taite to accept P,rof. Oddo's ,n,ewcypresented ve·r sion, ev,e n though it has been corrolborated by the views of C. A. Ma1Cartney, H. A. Gilbbons, F . Lee Benns, and some Slovak historians or by suich "Czechoslovak" politicians a,s the for- mer Premier MiJ.a,n Rodi.a (in his. Federation of Central Europe). The most di'Dfiicult task for American readers and students. of modern hiistoriY will be, of course, to· accept Prod'. Oddo's inte11pretation of the origin and politkal organization od' the Slowik Repulblic which emerged in Central Eui-o,pe on Mairch 14, 1009,. aifter Olecho-JS1'oviakia had been abandCl'Iled art; Muni!ch by the Eu,ro,pean Great P-O<Wers, a,nd thus. left rut the mercy of Hitler's Germany. The war pl'opag•a nda and several symposia, inspired mostlry by eimLgre poli'ticians and intellectuals, injected into the minds .of millions who fought German exipansion am adverse image oif Sloviaki,a and her wartime existe,nice as a Repulblic. ]t cannot be assumed ,t hat Rr.of. Oddo's book will su:fifice to exipel aH the mtYths aioorut the or~g,m, interna<tional recogruition and war pooicy of the Slovak Repulbli'c, which had allre,ady penetm<ted into the Ameirican hi:storiograiphy, before several seri•ous and comprehensive wor-ks were written on the ba,s is of scholariLy r,e search and 1nlteirnaitio,n,al ddcwments. The diidlf<i:culty ror Canadian and Amerilcan readei-s in aclcepting P<raf. Oddo's inter,pretation od' ·t he Slovalk Repu:blic will perh'<!.lps be greatly reduced in li:ght af present-day Aaneri<ean policy and heav.y responsihility tn prevenrtJ1ng newly •i ndependent small artd buffer countries fir,o m either being eX1¢0Jted by orr seeking proteotion in a/Jiliance or aid from adrvers.a,ries attemptin:g to upset the bal:mce of power. Slovakia and Its People com- prises twelve chayters and, in addition to outl<ines cxf historical events, it deals also with the oultul"al and elconomilc liife of Slo~ v,aikia. One charpter deals with SLovak emtg,r ation and its role in Slovaik naltionail lilre. Severall mlllPS, �SLOVAKIA bi'bliogl'arpbiy and index add to the value of the book which, conitain·i.n,g the basic in,formation about Sloviakia and the Slovaks in a popular rather bhan scholarlry style, is a new contr~bution to English written literatul'e on Sfovailcia and has its va1ue for Oil"· diina[1y re•a ders as well as for scholars. J. M. Kirschbaum, Unw,er,silty of Montreall. (A re!pcint from Sfavic and East Eurropeam, Etudies, Vol. V'I, Part I-TI, Montreal, 1'962). )Jg H. )Jg )Jg G. Adler: Die Jude n in Deutschland. From the Enlightenment to Nationa,l SoMucialism. Kosel-Verlag, nich, 1960; 1718 pp., DM 6.80. Nationial Socialism produced no, thing rea:&liy new, particularly antiSemitism, alth-0ug,h it remained for said regiime to exercise it in tihe modern age in a•n arpocaty.ptic way. H. G. Adler is a Jew .fu--0m Pra,gue, survivor of the concentration camps oif 'l\h&esienstadt and Auschwitz, who has arua:yq;ed the origins oi anti-Semitism, the Emancipation, and the plight of the Jews in Germany. The results af the author's e.ndea,v-0r are procu,r,a ble in a small book proli,filc with quotes and sources. Adler candidly acknowledges tha't durin1g the Middle A,g.es a Jewish prdblem was possilble only in Gernnany because the European naJtionrul States, ruf. ter a period of severe oppression "divested themselves of their Jews" by means of expu]sio,n,, England in 1200, France in li306, (,a,n d after ,temrpora,r,y readmitta'Ilce, a.g ain in moo), Spain in 1492 and Portugal in 1497." IHa'tred of tihe Jews was due for centuries to their belonging to a dilfifer-elllt religion,; the sol u- 77 tion laiY ther,e fore in conversion to Christianity or by remedying their "otherness." Heine spoke of his rbaiptism as the "ticket of adm[ssion to EUI'O'Pean cul'twre." Yet the position of the Jews in German,y was as varied as the ver,y diirversilfied nature of the First Reich itsellf. As lalte as 18'17. for example, the English prov:ince of Haillil<)lVer quite firmly resisted the proposed emancipation oif the Jews which had been souwht by Ohristians and Jews alilke ever since the Enlightenment. Amter the founding of the Second Reich re!Lgious dimference was, to be su'l"e, no longer the tr-ue cause of anti-semitism, fur i.n, the Bismarclci-an constitution one's religious alffiliation wa-s irrelevant. Adler ciites in addiltion to the long-standing religious aspect of the Jewish question German anH-Semites like the BexHn cour't preacher StockeQ", the Viennese Btirgermeister Lueger, Richa,r d Wa-gner, Lagarde, and FrLtsch. Accord!ing to these a pe,rsom.'s race and not reliigion was the cause of anti.Jewish feclilnlg. One noites a breach in devclopm~nts that is not bridged by any explanation and one wonders wlh,y this sooprising ohange. Was it due to the rapid increase aifrer 187'1 of Jeiwi9h ba,nki,n,g and trading firms, the en:tirance of Jewish laiw,y ers, doctors and teaichers .into 1Pr-01fessions ,t hat had been barred to them hrither.to? Was ilt due to envy of their quick so-cial climb? Even ducing the period of rcli,gious anlti.Jiewish hatred the C'll!rse 'IJ!is blood be on us and on our chi'ldren" was not the sole reason for tJhe pogiroms, bult a'lso the desire to be rid of the annoyi111g oreditors. A similar trend developed i.n many large German cities in the "golden twenties." German anti-Semitism, in the �78 SLOVAKIA final! anal'Ysis, has come to be a stain not only on the name dI Germany for years to coone but has actually estram,g ed one of the most M'dent German prataigonists thrnughO'Ut the world, the German speaking J ews. Adler's book sh01Ws •primariliy, too, th•e zeal with which the Gerunan Jews all o·v er the world were read1Y to serve t!h•eir people, a fact whioh is seldom reim.embered toda'Y. 1 L. Rainalter. 31: 31: 31: Robert Kee: Refugee World, Oxford University Press, London., 11961-; '1531 pag,es. " ... to h-av•e been a refugee over a lo'lllg period of years is to hav-e built up an inner world cxf feelirug and experience dI which the outsider ca,n often have liittle idea. " Dt is this inner woI"ld, as ~hl as tihe outer world, that Mr. Kee brings to the r,e ader in a s·eries of peI"sonal visits to refugees in German'Y aind Al\lS'tlria, in camps, in private huts, in aibandoned buses, wherever th•ey happen to be. One irnimediateliy feels one is chatting with Ulmcinia•ns, Slo:viaks,, Ju,goslaivs, Boles, Riumanians, wi1fh •ex,pe1lees, displaced persons, aind with escapees. Possessed oif a rare power of descrifption, aruthor Eee makes every new contact with his c·haracters a unique experience. Unfortunat,e is Mr. Kee's relferenJc,e to an elder,ly couple he visited in TI"aiskirchen, Austr\i•a, as "Czech Volksdellltscbe." The designation "Czech Volksdeutsche" is a misnomer, for the very word "V:olkdsd·eultoohie" means ethnic Germa,ns, and, in this case, Volilcsdeutsche from Czecho-&lovakia coulld only be ei'1lher S.udeten Germans or the German e11hnic peop1e from one of the v•airious "language islands" withirn Czecho- Slovalcia, e .g., Spisska Nova Ves or the (Spls) Mountain region. SHgh'tl'Y painful is th-e second incorr.e!ct r,eference ,to the s-aane couple as "the old Czech cou~le who had wailk•e d out dI Communist Czecho.,S}ov-akia because the aruthorities had tried to suggest that they should do heaV1Y work to keep a'1iive." Painlful because tlhe VoLksdeutsche, Sude'ten Germans, and a.11 other "expellees od' German ethnic origin" were expressly denied any of the ands a1lotted to other displ,aced pffsons (.DPs) under the IIRIO (lnternahonal Refugee Or.ganization) character, for the sole reason that they wer,e German. '11he clause that stipulated thei,r exolus1on, pla,ced them in the same bracket with ''Nazis and criminals." The outstanding featur.e of Mr. Kee's book is its drive,home power which acqualints the reader not with viague and shad'O'W(Y forms but wit,h flesh a,n d blood men, women and children. Graitifyi111g is the fair ev>a,luation of Germany's part in ha1n,dling the refugee prdlllem that the CO'Untry w:as •coruiironted with in its own p!"ostra·t e post,war condition when rougMy nine mil11lion German eXJpellees from the Gocman East were shum,ted into the country to be housed, alothed, £ed and employed. Mr. Kee says: "It is poinUess to say tha.t the Germans had themselv,es inflicted :liar more terr.ilble sulflferirug on even more people or, wlhat is also true, thalt the vast majority ru the GeI"mans on whom this suif£ering was now infilicted had tacitly approved dI such things being done to other people im, the daiys when to be •a good German was to be a good Nlazi. Hoth mass deportations were crimes against humanity pei,pe'tr.i.'ted for selfish politicall interes'ts." A point one might take ex.cep- �SLOVAKIA tion to the statement tha,t "the crime against the e~e11ed Germa,ns ... was one moo:-,e of indiilferenx:e rather tlham, caliculatiion, as the Nia:lli-s' crimes had been." These inlfCJII'lmed, know too well that Edlwar<l Bene!'; and his accompilii:ces planned meticulously the ex,pulsion Olf three and a hailif mil]ion, Sudeten Germarus and sa-i<l aJt& ordering their expuJS'ion: ''!Leave th-em om,Ly a han<lk.e:rchief to shed their tears in." The aulthor is an En,glishman wri'tling for Englli!sh r-eaders l)rimairily. This fact need not disturib other English-i1anguage readers for anyone whose interest runs froon simple humam, curiosity and corrupassion to social service field work an<l other refugee a,n d expellee exiperience in theory an<l pira:ctice wi1ll :filnd Mr. Kee's book arlive an<l iruformati:ve. Alppendix "A" giv-es a nut-shell aicqua,inltance with r,ediugee situ1aWlorl<l War El, lllnd Alppen,dix "B" with a few of the or.gan~zations workiing for refugees. M. E.W. li(! li(! li(! William L. Shirer: The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich: A !History of Nazi Germany, Simon and Schuster, N. Y. , 1960; 124'5 pp., $10.00. In the guise of olbjective histocy this volume presents a harTowim,g, massiv,e but one-sided record of unrelieved Gernnan crimes an'd blunders. WilU.am L. Shirer, foreign correspon<lent and news commentator, is also on the boa,r d of diireotors of the "Society for the PI"evention of Wo·rl<l War m, Inc." of Wlhich Dorothy Thompson wrote (May 31, 11950) that it "has conduclted a systematic campaign a1gaimst any constructive peace with Gernianiy ... land vilifi.ed every person iln pulblic life who 79 tried to warn that procedure alon,g MorgenJthau lines wouild encomipa-ss the ruiTI olf Eur()ll)'e." Shirer does n:ot allow that the Versailles Treacy was unjust (p. 58). He states that "Nazism -a nd the Third Reic-h, in fiact were but a lo.g ica,l conltinuation otf German history" (p. 90). His piling up otf Nia7li crimes, faLling to put them iin, perspective with the crimes otf the opponents, never in fad!; a•lludin,g to the worst Soviet crimes, such as their brutal population transfers and their mass ra,ping otf not only German but -a lso Hungarian and Austrian woonen, seem calculated to· make any wruwacy rea'd er hate more than ever the Gemna-n people - now our allies who tOilerated the monstrous Nazis, and to think of the equally monstrous Bolsheviks, now ou<r cold war enemies, as reaHy not so bad! [n pa1ges on the Nazi abuse of SOIV'iet and Poli&h prisoners of wair he does not once al1ude to the Soviet mass murder of Poli-sh odificers at Kllltyn. He never mantions General Vlassov an<l his insurgent Russi·a ns who preferred fighting for the Germans to Living under the Soviets. IHe gives good information on sev,era,l German attempts to remove Hit-Ioer, three even before '11941, but he maikes no r-etfeir.e nce to the Morgenthau plan, Communist-inspired, which was oalcu4ated to d!'i'Ve the Germans to desperate resistance instead of revo:llt. F<o,r the rest, d-e spite distorti-ons and some cuea,r fa~sehoods, there is much interesiting inlformart,ion in the book. Hitler is depicted as an uncanrny genius, almoslt purirtan, fa,niatical<Ly warped on loyalty and honoir, pathologica.U,y anti.iBolshevik and anti-JewiSl'h, aibsolute.cy a.g ainst war with the West, but certaionl,y plotting it ag,a'inst Poland and Russia. �SLOVAKIA Readirug of Hitler's crimes •a nd tilunders in d,etail, deducting firom facts that truly morail statesmaill• s'hiiip anywhere .from .l ,91\8 on could have prevenlted the colossal miseey of World War IiI and aft:er, makes on,e feel aibout the human raJCe as Sw.ilflt did. 'In sum: more .harmful than good e,ocept for trained historians. A. J. App. ~ )lg )lg Ernst Bil'ke and Kurit Oberdorifer: Das bohmische Staatsrecht in chischen gen des hunderts, den deu,t sch-tscheAuseinandersetzu n• 19. und 20. Jahrpulblished 1960 by N. D. Elwert Verla.g, Mia,rburg-Lahn; 147 pp. The book a.fifers four a51Pects on the question otf historic Boh•emian State Ri<glhts. While Richaro P1aschkia presents the Cz.ooh point of view, Helmut Slalmicka deals with the German side of the question. EU/gen LemJberg writes on the Ozeich corucepts of n,ation and State ideology. Kurt Riabl searehes into t:he legal aspects and co.ruf.r onts the "histock State rights" wilth the r1ghts otf seLfdetermination at the time when Czecho-Sllovalk<ia was created. One k•e y to understamding Cz.ech--German rel-ations, accords and discords, is to stud:y the concept od' Bo'h emian State rights. Bohemia, a const1tutional erntity within the dld Haibsbur,g Empire was partly inhalbited by Czechs and partly by Germans. One of the debated questions wi.thin thre two nation.s wa.s whether the country should be divlided into two administrative regions, a Czech and a German one, or wthether it should be ~ept as an administrativ,e u n i try. Althoog'h opinions w-ere diivided in both the Czech aind the German camps, it can be said that, as a general rule, the Czechs tri,ed to maintain the feudailist concept of "orownJ:and Bohemia" as a consUtutional entity, while the Gernnans found that nat ional and politicail developments in bhe niineteenth century made obsolete the oo.d conoopts of State r.iights. They striived for an administrative division of Bohemia into Geriman and Czec!h districts. lt ma,y be safe1y said todary in retr,ospeict that an administrative diivision otf Bohemia into a German and a Ozech part mright havre saved the country aind both nations from m11.uneroos nationa[ r,i valries and fruitless struggles. 11he historry of Bohemi'a and with it ,t he history otf Czecho-Slovakia might haive taken a different course, if the old feudal1st concept od' historic Bohemian State riglhts would have been replaced in time by a reailistirc arnd liibera,l ooncept of national equality amd administrative separation. People who give thought to a reorg,a nization of EuirO'l)e on t,he basis od' sellf-.deternnination ,md justice wilil find the contr~butions of th·e aforementioned a,u thors irn "Das bohmische Sta-atsre<:ht" most informative aind a rich soorce for historic or interna,tional studies. In add~tion, copious footnotes provide a fine bi'bliograiphiy on the tOlpiC. - A. W. Kozarovcie im, Slovakia has a farm cooperative that is not doJng so wel[. According to Stefan Hano of Nitra (iPravda, Jian. 1:5, 1962), the young peopJ.e have run otff to the faotory in TlmaCJie arnd bhose over fifty spend more time as musicians, playing at weddings, birtbdays, anniiversarires, etc., than as farm workers. Thek favorite tum,e: "Neorem, nesejem, vsetko samo sa mi rodi" (I plOIW not, I sow not, everything g,r ,ows by itself for me)! �Officers of the Slovak League of America (Organized May 26, 1907, Cleveland, Ohio) Honorary Presiden ts I 4, Michael S-as Msgr. F. J. Dubosh, P.A. 3803 Cresson Street Philadelphia 27, Pa. 12608 Madison Avenue Lakewood 7, hio Joseph Dr. Peter P. H letko "' George Kantor President Ph i lip A. Hrobak i. Klucar 1617 Alameda Avenu e Lakewood 7, Ohio Batavia R d., Box 48 Warrensville, Ill. 281 Hollywood Ave. New York ol, N. Y. P. 0 . Box 150 Midd letown, P a. ADVISORY COUNCIL Vice-P resi dents Joseph Bendik John P. 0. Box 230 Uniontown, Pa. A. Sabo l National President First Catholic Slovak Un ion Ju l ia Krajcovic Helen Kocan 1648 W . 18th S t r eet Chicago 8, Ill. National P resident First Catholic Slovak Ladies Union Recording Secretary John Horecky Paul 2264 Walton Ave. New York 53, N. Y. Fallat National President Slovak Catholic Sokol Secretary-T reas ur er Paul C. Kazimer Stephen J, Tkach 1122 Sylvan Avenue Homestead, Pa. National President Pa. Catholic Slovak Union EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE An,na Sotak National President Ladies Pennsylvania Slovak Catholic Union Paul P. Jamriska 536 Mari e Ave. Pitts burgh 2, Pa. Emrich Valko Andrew Hudak National President SloV'ak Catholic Cad e t Union 15701 Bennett Rd. No. Royalton 33, Ohio SLOVAK NEWSPAPERS (Affiliated with the Slovak League of America) JEDNOTA SLOVENSKA OBRANA ZENSKA JEDNOTA Mid dletown , Pa. Scran ton , P a. Cleveland, Ohio BRATSTVO SLOVENSKE NOVINY ZORNlCKA Cleveland, Oh io Scranton, Pa. KATOLiCKY SOKOL SVORNOST OSADNE HLASY Passaic, N. J. Whita ker. Pa . Chicago, Ill. Wilkes-Barr e, Pa. SLOVAK V AMERIKE Mi ddletown , P a. �SLOVAKIA: The city of Kremnica, famous for its gold and silver mines, minted money for cenh•ries. Castle and City Hall in the foreground. � SLOVAKIA 75 to arrange not only additional arms allotments but munition for the tanks and artillery guns and the exchange of more officers and specialists. At the beginning of 1961, at least 200 Cubans went to Czecho-Slovakia to get practical experience in larger industries there. While the Czechs are doing everything they can to aid material ends, they are also trying to ,p ut a peaceful foot forward by sponsoring expositions in Havana. Plans for these shows were prepared by the Brno architects Denk and Pospisil. The Czechs want to show the Cubans just what socialism looks like. They will display all kinds of Czech export goods including Prague hams, Pilsner beer, all kinds of machinery and, of course, their brand of plum brandy (Slivovice). BOOK REVIEWS Gilbert L. Oddo: Slovakia and Its ' the form of yet unpublished ma,People, New York, Speller ' nuSC'l'lipts. and Sons, Inc., 1960, xi-361 IReviewirug the end results, one pp., $6.00. can, be grateful fur Prof. Oddo's Prolfessor Oddo, a native-fuoirn limit_a~o.ns, whitc'h forced him to Amerkan, undertook a dilflficult , a di.iif1~~lt process of research and demanding task in copinlg . and w:iiiltmg, as they wo:iik t~ !he with a phase of the history of a I a~va•nt~ge of t?~ reader, proVId~ng country whose la!llguage he lh'as I him with a cri~ical_ Slovak version the country s h1s'toriy from the no't mastered and to whose na- / tional arehives and otJher insti- n,mbh centu,r y to the present day. tuti«ms he has never had access. ,• ~ddo's version, m~ed~y ?1>jectConseq,uenrtly, in an olbje'ctive a,p- 1ve and compreh~~s1ve rn its asproa'Oh, he had to rely on sources s~s;1111e~_t ai:id critique of Slo~,a(scarce as they are) pulbHshed in k1a s Justoncal mov~ents, ~ill, English and French. In am,a,1,yzing I ~ c?urse, .con-trast w1'tlh previous Professors works in the Slovak la•n,guage, or 1nteripre'tahons lby studying documents in the airch- T,homson, Busek-sipullber, K~rner, ives o,f S,lova•k cultural assolcia- etc., w.ho were markedly mflutions in America, (there are over eniced hY C~ech sources. bwo million Americans of Slovak 1 '.Ilhe history of Slovakia is a suiboru,gin, wiitJh a scor,e of associa- ject which, in languages other tions, newspaiperis and period'ica1's), than Slovak, was until recen'tly he was aided, arccordi,ng to his given the silent treaJtrrnent; and severa'l the little that was reported was by aclcnO'Wlledgeimenlts, Slov,ak intellectua,ls, professors done so i.nicompetently and withand linguists, teachiong at Canadian out adequate rese'areh, and - in not and American universities, and by I Professor Oddo's views their English language works in without unnecessary pa-ejudice. '°~ I �76 SLOVAKIA His book will, theirefore, nalburally stimllllate controversies. By his own ad'mi!ssfon in the Introduction to his wock, Prof.essor Oddo saw tlhat part o:f his task lay in hrupintg to "exipos·e and exiped myths which, for ooe r•eason or other, have fownd their way into the long and poi,gnarut history of the Slovak people." Basically, the author attempts to expo.se the myths that (1) the Czechs a•nd tlhe Slovaks are now and always have been a cultural, linguishc and nationau uniity; (2) that Czedh◊'"Slova!lda was the "picture demdcracy" of the post-Versailles Europe; and (3,) that the S1'ovak Repu[Jjlilc was not a natural d·e vclopment in the histocy of the Slovak people. The author gaithered many availalb le s-ources and inv,e stigated arguments pro and con to prove his points and draw his conclusions, and they .ire mostly correct. His scy1e is clear and plain. Studenlts di history, un.fiortunatel,y, may be inconivenienced in the a["rangement of ref.erences, which the allllthor mentions at the end of tJhe book a<nd will mi1Ss footnotes. Since the thesis of a distinct national, cultural and linguistic Slo\'ak enrtity has been generally aooepted in recent years, the autho,r will! not encouIJ1ter much objection on this point from the students od' Central European history. HoweveT, as for t'he ''<pictmre democracy" olf pre,wair Czecho.:slo"'1kia, many readers, aocustome'd •to the sta·ndardized picture presented for over fourr decades in so milillY wofiks, may hesi'taite to accept P,rof. Oddo's ,n,ewcypresented ve·r sion, ev,e n though it has been corrolborated by the views of C. A. Ma1Cartney, H. A. Gilbbons, F . Lee Benns, and some Slovak historians or by suich "Czechoslovak" politicians a,s the for- mer Premier MiJ.a,n Rodi.a (in his. Federation of Central Europe). The most di'Dfiicult task for American readers and students. of modern hiistoriY will be, of course, to· accept Prod'. Oddo's inte11pretation of the origin and politkal organization od' the Slowik Repulblic which emerged in Central Eui-o,pe on Mairch 14, 1009,. aifter Olecho-JS1'oviakia had been abandCl'Iled art; Muni!ch by the Eu,ro,pean Great P-O<Wers, a,nd thus. left rut the mercy of Hitler's Germany. The war pl'opag•a nda and several symposia, inspired mostlry by eimLgre poli'ticians and intellectuals, injected into the minds .of millions who fought German exipansion am adverse image oif Sloviaki,a and her wartime existe,nice as a Repulblic. ]t cannot be assumed ,t hat Rr.of. Oddo's book will su:fifice to exipel aH the mtYths aioorut the or~g,m, interna<tional recogruition and war pooicy of the Slovak Repulbli'c, which had allre,ady penetm<ted into the Ameirican hi:storiograiphy, before several seri•ous and comprehensive wor-ks were written on the ba,s is of scholariLy r,e search and 1nlteirnaitio,n,al ddcwments. The diidlf<i:culty ror Canadian and Amerilcan readei-s in aclcepting P<raf. Oddo's inter,pretation od' ·t he Slovalk Repu:blic will perh'<!.lps be greatly reduced in li:ght af present-day Aaneri<ean policy and heav.y responsihility tn prevenrtJ1ng newly •i ndependent small artd buffer countries fir,o m either being eX1¢0Jted by orr seeking proteotion in a/Jiliance or aid from adrvers.a,ries attemptin:g to upset the bal:mce of power. Slovakia and Its People com- prises twelve chayters and, in addition to outl<ines cxf historical events, it deals also with the oultul"al and elconomilc liife of Slo~ v,aikia. One charpter deals with SLovak emtg,r ation and its role in Slovaik naltionail lilre. Severall mlllPS, �SLOVAKIA bi'bliogl'arpbiy and index add to the value of the book which, conitain·i.n,g the basic in,formation about Sloviakia and the Slovaks in a popular rather bhan scholarlry style, is a new contr~bution to English written literatul'e on Sfovailcia and has its va1ue for Oil"· diina[1y re•a ders as well as for scholars. J. M. Kirschbaum, Unw,er,silty of Montreall. (A re!pcint from Sfavic and East Eurropeam, Etudies, Vol. V'I, Part I-TI, Montreal, 1'962). )Jg H. )Jg )Jg G. Adler: Die Jude n in Deutschland. From the Enlightenment to Nationa,l SoMucialism. Kosel-Verlag, nich, 1960; 1718 pp., DM 6.80. Nationial Socialism produced no, thing rea:&liy new, particularly antiSemitism, alth-0ug,h it remained for said regiime to exercise it in tihe modern age in a•n arpocaty.ptic way. H. G. Adler is a Jew .fu--0m Pra,gue, survivor of the concentration camps oif 'l\h&esienstadt and Auschwitz, who has arua:yq;ed the origins oi anti-Semitism, the Emancipation, and the plight of the Jews in Germany. The results af the author's e.ndea,v-0r are procu,r,a ble in a small book proli,filc with quotes and sources. Adler candidly acknowledges tha't durin1g the Middle A,g.es a Jewish prdblem was possilble only in Gernnany because the European naJtionrul States, ruf. ter a period of severe oppression "divested themselves of their Jews" by means of expu]sio,n,, England in 1200, France in li306, (,a,n d after ,temrpora,r,y readmitta'Ilce, a.g ain in moo), Spain in 1492 and Portugal in 1497." IHa'tred of tihe Jews was due for centuries to their belonging to a dilfifer-elllt religion,; the sol u- 77 tion laiY ther,e fore in conversion to Christianity or by remedying their "otherness." Heine spoke of his rbaiptism as the "ticket of adm[ssion to EUI'O'Pean cul'twre." Yet the position of the Jews in German,y was as varied as the ver,y diirversilfied nature of the First Reich itsellf. As lalte as 18'17. for example, the English prov:ince of Haillil<)lVer quite firmly resisted the proposed emancipation oif the Jews which had been souwht by Ohristians and Jews alilke ever since the Enlightenment. Amter the founding of the Second Reich re!Lgious dimference was, to be su'l"e, no longer the tr-ue cause of anti-semitism, fur i.n, the Bismarclci-an constitution one's religious alffiliation wa-s irrelevant. Adler ciites in addiltion to the long-standing religious aspect of the Jewish question German anH-Semites like the BexHn cour't preacher StockeQ", the Viennese Btirgermeister Lueger, Richa,r d Wa-gner, Lagarde, and FrLtsch. Accord!ing to these a pe,rsom.'s race and not reliigion was the cause of anti.Jewish feclilnlg. One noites a breach in devclopm~nts that is not bridged by any explanation and one wonders wlh,y this sooprising ohange. Was it due to the rapid increase aifrer 187'1 of Jeiwi9h ba,nki,n,g and trading firms, the en:tirance of Jewish laiw,y ers, doctors and teaichers .into 1Pr-01fessions ,t hat had been barred to them hrither.to? Was ilt due to envy of their quick so-cial climb? Even ducing the period of rcli,gious anlti.Jiewish hatred the C'll!rse 'IJ!is blood be on us and on our chi'ldren" was not the sole reason for tJhe pogiroms, bult a'lso the desire to be rid of the annoyi111g oreditors. A similar trend developed i.n many large German cities in the "golden twenties." German anti-Semitism, in the �78 SLOVAKIA final! anal'Ysis, has come to be a stain not only on the name dI Germany for years to coone but has actually estram,g ed one of the most M'dent German prataigonists thrnughO'Ut the world, the German speaking J ews. Adler's book sh01Ws •primariliy, too, th•e zeal with which the Gerunan Jews all o·v er the world were read1Y to serve t!h•eir people, a fact whioh is seldom reim.embered toda'Y. 1 L. Rainalter. 31: 31: 31: Robert Kee: Refugee World, Oxford University Press, London., 11961-; '1531 pag,es. " ... to h-av•e been a refugee over a lo'lllg period of years is to hav-e built up an inner world cxf feelirug and experience dI which the outsider ca,n often have liittle idea. " Dt is this inner woI"ld, as ~hl as tihe outer world, that Mr. Kee brings to the r,e ader in a s·eries of peI"sonal visits to refugees in German'Y aind Al\lS'tlria, in camps, in private huts, in aibandoned buses, wherever th•ey happen to be. One irnimediateliy feels one is chatting with Ulmcinia•ns, Slo:viaks,, Ju,goslaivs, Boles, Riumanians, wi1fh •ex,pe1lees, displaced persons, aind with escapees. Possessed oif a rare power of descrifption, aruthor Eee makes every new contact with his c·haracters a unique experience. Unfortunat,e is Mr. Kee's relferenJc,e to an elder,ly couple he visited in TI"aiskirchen, Austr\i•a, as "Czech Volksdellltscbe." The designation "Czech Volksdeutsche" is a misnomer, for the very word "V:olkdsd·eultoohie" means ethnic Germa,ns, and, in this case, Volilcsdeutsche from Czecho-&lovakia coulld only be ei'1lher S.udeten Germans or the German e11hnic peop1e from one of the v•airious "language islands" withirn Czecho- Slovalcia, e .g., Spisska Nova Ves or the (Spls) Mountain region. SHgh'tl'Y painful is th-e second incorr.e!ct r,eference ,to the s-aane couple as "the old Czech cou~le who had wailk•e d out dI Communist Czecho.,S}ov-akia because the aruthorities had tried to suggest that they should do heaV1Y work to keep a'1iive." Painlful because tlhe VoLksdeutsche, Sude'ten Germans, and a.11 other "expellees od' German ethnic origin" were expressly denied any of the ands a1lotted to other displ,aced pffsons (.DPs) under the IIRIO (lnternahonal Refugee Or.ganization) character, for the sole reason that they wer,e German. '11he clause that stipulated thei,r exolus1on, pla,ced them in the same bracket with ''Nazis and criminals." The outstanding featur.e of Mr. Kee's book is its drive,home power which acqualints the reader not with viague and shad'O'W(Y forms but wit,h flesh a,n d blood men, women and children. Graitifyi111g is the fair ev>a,luation of Germany's part in ha1n,dling the refugee prdlllem that the CO'Untry w:as •coruiironted with in its own p!"ostra·t e post,war condition when rougMy nine mil11lion German eXJpellees from the Gocman East were shum,ted into the country to be housed, alothed, £ed and employed. Mr. Kee says: "It is poinUess to say tha.t the Germans had themselv,es inflicted :liar more terr.ilble sulflferirug on even more people or, wlhat is also true, thalt the vast majority ru the GeI"mans on whom this suif£ering was now infilicted had tacitly approved dI such things being done to other people im, the daiys when to be •a good German was to be a good Nlazi. Hoth mass deportations were crimes against humanity pei,pe'tr.i.'ted for selfish politicall interes'ts." A point one might take ex.cep- �SLOVAKIA tion to the statement tha,t "the crime against the e~e11ed Germa,ns ... was one moo:-,e of indiilferenx:e rather tlham, caliculatiion, as the Nia:lli-s' crimes had been." These inlfCJII'lmed, know too well that Edlwar<l Bene!'; and his accompilii:ces planned meticulously the ex,pulsion Olf three and a hailif mil]ion, Sudeten Germarus and sa-i<l aJt& ordering their expuJS'ion: ''!Leave th-em om,Ly a han<lk.e:rchief to shed their tears in." The aulthor is an En,glishman wri'tling for Englli!sh r-eaders l)rimairily. This fact need not disturib other English-i1anguage readers for anyone whose interest runs froon simple humam, curiosity and corrupassion to social service field work an<l other refugee a,n d expellee exiperience in theory an<l pira:ctice wi1ll :filnd Mr. Kee's book arlive an<l iruformati:ve. Alppendix "A" giv-es a nut-shell aicqua,inltance with r,ediugee situ1aWlorl<l War El, lllnd Alppen,dix "B" with a few of the or.gan~zations workiing for refugees. M. E.W. li(! li(! li(! William L. Shirer: The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich: A !History of Nazi Germany, Simon and Schuster, N. Y. , 1960; 124'5 pp., $10.00. In the guise of olbjective histocy this volume presents a harTowim,g, massiv,e but one-sided record of unrelieved Gernnan crimes an'd blunders. WilU.am L. Shirer, foreign correspon<lent and news commentator, is also on the boa,r d of diireotors of the "Society for the PI"evention of Wo·rl<l War m, Inc." of Wlhich Dorothy Thompson wrote (May 31, 11950) that it "has conduclted a systematic campaign a1gaimst any constructive peace with Gernianiy ... land vilifi.ed every person iln pulblic life who 79 tried to warn that procedure alon,g MorgenJthau lines wouild encomipa-ss the ruiTI olf Eur()ll)'e." Shirer does n:ot allow that the Versailles Treacy was unjust (p. 58). He states that "Nazism -a nd the Third Reic-h, in fiact were but a lo.g ica,l conltinuation otf German history" (p. 90). His piling up otf Nia7li crimes, faLling to put them iin, perspective with the crimes otf the opponents, never in fad!; a•lludin,g to the worst Soviet crimes, such as their brutal population transfers and their mass ra,ping otf not only German but -a lso Hungarian and Austrian woonen, seem calculated to· make any wruwacy rea'd er hate more than ever the Gemna-n people - now our allies who tOilerated the monstrous Nazis, and to think of the equally monstrous Bolsheviks, now ou<r cold war enemies, as reaHy not so bad! [n pa1ges on the Nazi abuse of SOIV'iet and Poli&h prisoners of wair he does not once al1ude to the Soviet mass murder of Poli-sh odificers at Kllltyn. He never mantions General Vlassov an<l his insurgent Russi·a ns who preferred fighting for the Germans to Living under the Soviets. IHe gives good information on sev,era,l German attempts to remove Hit-Ioer, three even before '11941, but he maikes no r-etfeir.e nce to the Morgenthau plan, Communist-inspired, which was oalcu4ated to d!'i'Ve the Germans to desperate resistance instead of revo:llt. F<o,r the rest, d-e spite distorti-ons and some cuea,r fa~sehoods, there is much interesiting inlformart,ion in the book. Hitler is depicted as an uncanrny genius, almoslt purirtan, fa,niatical<Ly warped on loyalty and honoir, pathologica.U,y anti.iBolshevik and anti-JewiSl'h, aibsolute.cy a.g ainst war with the West, but certaionl,y plotting it ag,a'inst Poland and Russia. �SLOVAKIA Readirug of Hitler's crimes •a nd tilunders in d,etail, deducting firom facts that truly morail statesmaill• s'hiiip anywhere .from .l ,91\8 on could have prevenlted the colossal miseey of World War IiI and aft:er, makes on,e feel aibout the human raJCe as Sw.ilflt did. 'In sum: more .harmful than good e,ocept for trained historians. A. J. App. ~ )lg )lg Ernst Bil'ke and Kurit Oberdorifer: Das bohmische Staatsrecht in chischen gen des hunderts, den deu,t sch-tscheAuseinandersetzu n• 19. und 20. Jahrpulblished 1960 by N. D. Elwert Verla.g, Mia,rburg-Lahn; 147 pp. The book a.fifers four a51Pects on the question otf historic Boh•emian State Ri<glhts. While Richaro P1aschkia presents the Cz.ooh point of view, Helmut Slalmicka deals with the German side of the question. EU/gen LemJberg writes on the Ozeich corucepts of n,ation and State ideology. Kurt Riabl searehes into t:he legal aspects and co.ruf.r onts the "histock State rights" wilth the r1ghts otf seLfdetermination at the time when Czecho-Sllovalk<ia was created. One k•e y to understamding Cz.ech--German rel-ations, accords and discords, is to stud:y the concept od' Bo'h emian State rights. Bohemia, a const1tutional erntity within the dld Haibsbur,g Empire was partly inhalbited by Czechs and partly by Germans. One of the debated questions wi.thin thre two nation.s wa.s whether the country should be divlided into two administrative regions, a Czech and a German one, or wthether it should be ~ept as an administrativ,e u n i try. Althoog'h opinions w-ere diivided in both the Czech aind the German camps, it can be said that, as a general rule, the Czechs tri,ed to maintain the feudailist concept of "orownJ:and Bohemia" as a consUtutional entity, while the Gernnans found that nat ional and politicail developments in bhe niineteenth century made obsolete the oo.d conoopts of State r.iights. They striived for an administrative division of Bohemia into Geriman and Czec!h districts. lt ma,y be safe1y said todary in retr,ospeict that an administrative diivision otf Bohemia into a German and a Ozech part mright havre saved the country aind both nations from m11.uneroos nationa[ r,i valries and fruitless struggles. 11he historry of Bohemi'a and with it ,t he history otf Czecho-Slovakia might haive taken a different course, if the old feudal1st concept od' historic Bohemian State riglhts would have been replaced in time by a reailistirc arnd liibera,l ooncept of national equality amd administrative separation. People who give thought to a reorg,a nization of EuirO'l)e on t,he basis od' sellf-.deternnination ,md justice wilil find the contr~butions of th·e aforementioned a,u thors irn "Das bohmische Sta-atsre<:ht" most informative aind a rich soorce for historic or interna,tional studies. In add~tion, copious footnotes provide a fine bi'bliograiphiy on the tOlpiC. - A. W. Kozarovcie im, Slovakia has a farm cooperative that is not doJng so wel[. According to Stefan Hano of Nitra (iPravda, Jian. 1:5, 1962), the young peopJ.e have run otff to the faotory in TlmaCJie arnd bhose over fifty spend more time as musicians, playing at weddings, birtbdays, anniiversarires, etc., than as farm workers. Thek favorite tum,e: "Neorem, nesejem, vsetko samo sa mi rodi" (I plOIW not, I sow not, everything g,r ,ows by itself for me)! �Officers of the Slovak League of America (Organized May 26, 1907, Cleveland, Ohio) Honorary Presiden ts I 4, Michael S-as Msgr. F. J. Dubosh, P.A. 3803 Cresson Street Philadelphia 27, Pa. 12608 Madison Avenue Lakewood 7, hio Joseph Dr. Peter P. H letko "' George Kantor President Ph i lip A. Hrobak i. Klucar 1617 Alameda Avenu e Lakewood 7, Ohio Batavia R d., Box 48 Warrensville, Ill. 281 Hollywood Ave. New York ol, N. Y. P. 0 . Box 150 Midd letown, P a. ADVISORY COUNCIL Vice-P resi dents Joseph Bendik John P. 0. Box 230 Uniontown, Pa. A. Sabo l National President First Catholic Slovak Un ion Ju l ia Krajcovic Helen Kocan 1648 W . 18th S t r eet Chicago 8, Ill. National P resident First Catholic Slovak Ladies Union Recording Secretary John Horecky Paul 2264 Walton Ave. New York 53, N. Y. Fallat National President Slovak Catholic Sokol Secretary-T reas ur er Paul C. Kazimer Stephen J, Tkach 1122 Sylvan Avenue Homestead, Pa. National President Pa. Catholic Slovak Union EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE An,na Sotak National President Ladies Pennsylvania Slovak Catholic Union Paul P. Jamriska 536 Mari e Ave. Pitts burgh 2, Pa. Emrich Valko Andrew Hudak National President SloV'ak Catholic Cad e t Union 15701 Bennett Rd. No. Royalton 33, Ohio SLOVAK NEWSPAPERS (Affiliated with the Slovak League of America) JEDNOTA SLOVENSKA OBRANA ZENSKA JEDNOTA Mid dletown , Pa. Scran ton , P a. Cleveland, Ohio BRATSTVO SLOVENSKE NOVINY ZORNlCKA Cleveland, Oh io Scranton, Pa. KATOLiCKY SOKOL SVORNOST OSADNE HLASY Passaic, N. J. Whita ker. Pa . Chicago, Ill. Wilkes-Barr e, Pa. SLOVAK V AMERIKE Mi ddletown , P a. �SLOVAKIA: The city of Kremnica, famous for its gold and silver mines, minted money for cenh•ries. Castle and City Hall in the foreground. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource 1962, Vol. 12 Description An account of the resource Issue 1 (No. 35), March-June 1962. Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available The Slovak League of America Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1962 Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document SLOVAKIA 75 to arrange not only additional arms allotments but munition for the tanks and artillery guns and the exchange of more officers and specialists. At the beginning of 1961, at least 200 Cubans went to Czecho-Slovakia to get practical experience in larger industries there. While the Czechs are doing everything they can to aid material ends, they are also trying to ,p ut a peaceful foot forward by sponsoring expositions in Havana. Plans for these shows were prepared by the Brno architects Denk and Pospisil. The Czechs want to show the Cubans just what socialism looks like. They will display all kinds of Czech export goods including Prague hams, Pilsner beer, all kinds of machinery and, of course, their brand of plum brandy (Slivovice). BOOK REVIEWS Gilbert L. Oddo: Slovakia and Its ' the form of yet unpublished ma,People, New York, Speller ' nuSC'l'lipts. and Sons, Inc., 1960, xi-361 IReviewirug the end results, one pp., $6.00. can, be grateful fur Prof. Oddo's Prolfessor Oddo, a native-fuoirn limit_a~o.ns, whitc'h forced him to Amerkan, undertook a dilflficult , a di.iif1~~lt process of research and demanding task in copinlg . and w:iiiltmg, as they wo:iik t~ !he with a phase of the history of a I a~va•nt~ge of t?~ reader, proVId~ng country whose la!llguage he lh'as I him with a cri~ical_ Slovak version the country s h1s'toriy from the no't mastered and to whose na- / tional arehives and otJher insti- n,mbh centu,r y to the present day. tuti«ms he has never had access. ,• ~ddo's version, m~ed~y ?1>jectConseq,uenrtly, in an olbje'ctive a,p- 1ve and compreh~~s1ve rn its asproa'Oh, he had to rely on sources s~s;1111e~_t ai:id critique of Slo~,a(scarce as they are) pulbHshed in k1a s Justoncal mov~ents, ~ill, English and French. In am,a,1,yzing I ~ c?urse, .con-trast w1'tlh previous Professors works in the Slovak la•n,guage, or 1nteripre'tahons lby studying documents in the airch- T,homson, Busek-sipullber, K~rner, ives o,f S,lova•k cultural assolcia- etc., w.ho were markedly mflutions in America, (there are over eniced hY C~ech sources. bwo million Americans of Slovak 1 '.Ilhe history of Slovakia is a suiboru,gin, wiitJh a scor,e of associa- ject which, in languages other tions, newspaiperis and period'ica1's), than Slovak, was until recen'tly he was aided, arccordi,ng to his given the silent treaJtrrnent; and severa'l the little that was reported was by aclcnO'Wlledgeimenlts, Slov,ak intellectua,ls, professors done so i.nicompetently and withand linguists, teachiong at Canadian out adequate rese'areh, and - in not and American universities, and by I Professor Oddo's views their English language works in without unnecessary pa-ejudice. '°~ I 76 SLOVAKIA His book will, theirefore, nalburally stimllllate controversies. By his own ad'mi!ssfon in the Introduction to his wock, Prof.essor Oddo saw tlhat part o:f his task lay in hrupintg to "exipos·e and exiped myths which, for ooe r•eason or other, have fownd their way into the long and poi,gnarut history of the Slovak people." Basically, the author attempts to expo.se the myths that (1) the Czechs a•nd tlhe Slovaks are now and always have been a cultural, linguishc and nationau uniity; (2) that Czedh◊'"Slova!lda was the "picture demdcracy" of the post-Versailles Europe; and (3,) that the S1'ovak Repu[Jjlilc was not a natural d·e vclopment in the histocy of the Slovak people. The author gaithered many availalb le s-ources and inv,e stigated arguments pro and con to prove his points and draw his conclusions, and they .ire mostly correct. His scy1e is clear and plain. Studenlts di history, un.fiortunatel,y, may be inconivenienced in the a["rangement of ref.erences, which the allllthor mentions at the end of tJhe book a<nd will mi1Ss footnotes. Since the thesis of a distinct national, cultural and linguistic Slo\'ak enrtity has been generally aooepted in recent years, the autho,r will! not encouIJ1ter much objection on this point from the students od' Central European history. HoweveT, as for t'he ''<pictmre democracy" olf pre,wair Czecho.:slo"'1kia, many readers, aocustome'd •to the sta·ndardized picture presented for over fourr decades in so milillY wofiks, may hesi'taite to accept P,rof. Oddo's ,n,ewcypresented ve·r sion, ev,e n though it has been corrolborated by the views of C. A. Ma1Cartney, H. A. Gilbbons, F . Lee Benns, and some Slovak historians or by suich "Czechoslovak" politicians a,s the for- mer Premier MiJ.a,n Rodi.a (in his. Federation of Central Europe). The most di'Dfiicult task for American readers and students. of modern hiistoriY will be, of course, to· accept Prod'. Oddo's inte11pretation of the origin and politkal organization od' the Slowik Repulblic which emerged in Central Eui-o,pe on Mairch 14, 1009,. aifter Olecho-JS1'oviakia had been abandCl'Iled art; Muni!ch by the Eu,ro,pean Great P-O<Wers, a,nd thus. left rut the mercy of Hitler's Germany. The war pl'opag•a nda and several symposia, inspired mostlry by eimLgre poli'ticians and intellectuals, injected into the minds .of millions who fought German exipansion am adverse image oif Sloviaki,a and her wartime existe,nice as a Repulblic. ]t cannot be assumed ,t hat Rr.of. Oddo's book will su:fifice to exipel aH the mtYths aioorut the or~g,m, interna<tional recogruition and war pooicy of the Slovak Repulbli'c, which had allre,ady penetm<ted into the Ameirican hi:storiograiphy, before several seri•ous and comprehensive wor-ks were written on the ba,s is of scholariLy r,e search and 1nlteirnaitio,n,al ddcwments. The diidlf<i:culty ror Canadian and Amerilcan readei-s in aclcepting P<raf. Oddo's inter,pretation od' ·t he Slovalk Repu:blic will perh'<!.lps be greatly reduced in li:ght af present-day Aaneri<ean policy and heav.y responsihility tn prevenrtJ1ng newly •i ndependent small artd buffer countries fir,o m either being eX1¢0Jted by orr seeking proteotion in a/Jiliance or aid from adrvers.a,ries attemptin:g to upset the bal:mce of power. Slovakia and Its People com- prises twelve chayters and, in addition to outl<ines cxf historical events, it deals also with the oultul"al and elconomilc liife of Slo~ v,aikia. One charpter deals with SLovak emtg,r ation and its role in Slovaik naltionail lilre. Severall mlllPS, SLOVAKIA bi'bliogl'arpbiy and index add to the value of the book which, conitain·i.n,g the basic in,formation about Sloviakia and the Slovaks in a popular rather bhan scholarlry style, is a new contr~bution to English written literatul'e on Sfovailcia and has its va1ue for Oil"· diina[1y re•a ders as well as for scholars. J. M. Kirschbaum, Unw,er,silty of Montreall. (A re!pcint from Sfavic and East Eurropeam, Etudies, Vol. V'I, Part I-TI, Montreal, 1'962). )Jg H. )Jg )Jg G. Adler: Die Jude n in Deutschland. From the Enlightenment to Nationa,l SoMucialism. Kosel-Verlag, nich, 1960; 1718 pp., DM 6.80. Nationial Socialism produced no, thing rea:&liy new, particularly antiSemitism, alth-0ug,h it remained for said regiime to exercise it in tihe modern age in a•n arpocaty.ptic way. H. G. Adler is a Jew .fu--0m Pra,gue, survivor of the concentration camps oif 'l\h&esienstadt and Auschwitz, who has arua:yq;ed the origins oi anti-Semitism, the Emancipation, and the plight of the Jews in Germany. The results af the author's e.ndea,v-0r are procu,r,a ble in a small book proli,filc with quotes and sources. Adler candidly acknowledges tha't durin1g the Middle A,g.es a Jewish prdblem was possilble only in Gernnany because the European naJtionrul States, ruf. ter a period of severe oppression "divested themselves of their Jews" by means of expu]sio,n,, England in 1200, France in li306, (,a,n d after ,temrpora,r,y readmitta'Ilce, a.g ain in moo), Spain in 1492 and Portugal in 1497." IHa'tred of tihe Jews was due for centuries to their belonging to a dilfifer-elllt religion,; the sol u- 77 tion laiY ther,e fore in conversion to Christianity or by remedying their "otherness." Heine spoke of his rbaiptism as the "ticket of adm[ssion to EUI'O'Pean cul'twre." Yet the position of the Jews in German,y was as varied as the ver,y diirversilfied nature of the First Reich itsellf. As lalte as 18'17. for example, the English prov:ince of Haillil<)lVer quite firmly resisted the proposed emancipation oif the Jews which had been souwht by Ohristians and Jews alilke ever since the Enlightenment. Amter the founding of the Second Reich re!Lgious dimference was, to be su'l"e, no longer the tr-ue cause of anti-semitism, fur i.n, the Bismarclci-an constitution one's religious alffiliation wa-s irrelevant. Adler ciites in addiltion to the long-standing religious aspect of the Jewish question German anH-Semites like the BexHn cour't preacher StockeQ", the Viennese Btirgermeister Lueger, Richa,r d Wa-gner, Lagarde, and FrLtsch. Accord!ing to these a pe,rsom.'s race and not reliigion was the cause of anti.Jewish feclilnlg. One noites a breach in devclopm~nts that is not bridged by any explanation and one wonders wlh,y this sooprising ohange. Was it due to the rapid increase aifrer 187'1 of Jeiwi9h ba,nki,n,g and trading firms, the en:tirance of Jewish laiw,y ers, doctors and teaichers .into 1Pr-01fessions ,t hat had been barred to them hrither.to? Was ilt due to envy of their quick so-cial climb? Even ducing the period of rcli,gious anlti.Jiewish hatred the C'll!rse 'IJ!is blood be on us and on our chi'ldren" was not the sole reason for tJhe pogiroms, bult a'lso the desire to be rid of the annoyi111g oreditors. A similar trend developed i.n many large German cities in the "golden twenties." German anti-Semitism, in the 78 SLOVAKIA final! anal'Ysis, has come to be a stain not only on the name dI Germany for years to coone but has actually estram,g ed one of the most M'dent German prataigonists thrnughO'Ut the world, the German speaking J ews. Adler's book sh01Ws •primariliy, too, th•e zeal with which the Gerunan Jews all o·v er the world were read1Y to serve t!h•eir people, a fact whioh is seldom reim.embered toda'Y. 1 L. Rainalter. 31: 31: 31: Robert Kee: Refugee World, Oxford University Press, London., 11961-; '1531 pag,es. " ... to h-av•e been a refugee over a lo'lllg period of years is to hav-e built up an inner world cxf feelirug and experience dI which the outsider ca,n often have liittle idea. " Dt is this inner woI"ld, as ~hl as tihe outer world, that Mr. Kee brings to the r,e ader in a s·eries of peI"sonal visits to refugees in German'Y aind Al\lS'tlria, in camps, in private huts, in aibandoned buses, wherever th•ey happen to be. One irnimediateliy feels one is chatting with Ulmcinia•ns, Slo:viaks,, Ju,goslaivs, Boles, Riumanians, wi1fh •ex,pe1lees, displaced persons, aind with escapees. Possessed oif a rare power of descrifption, aruthor Eee makes every new contact with his c·haracters a unique experience. Unfortunat,e is Mr. Kee's relferenJc,e to an elder,ly couple he visited in TI"aiskirchen, Austr\i•a, as "Czech Volksdellltscbe." The designation "Czech Volksdeutsche" is a misnomer, for the very word "V:olkdsd·eultoohie" means ethnic Germa,ns, and, in this case, Volilcsdeutsche from Czecho-&lovakia coulld only be ei'1lher S.udeten Germans or the German e11hnic peop1e from one of the v•airious "language islands" withirn Czecho- Slovalcia, e .g., Spisska Nova Ves or the (Spls) Mountain region. SHgh'tl'Y painful is th-e second incorr.e!ct r,eference ,to the s-aane couple as "the old Czech cou~le who had wailk•e d out dI Communist Czecho.,S}ov-akia because the aruthorities had tried to suggest that they should do heaV1Y work to keep a'1iive." Painlful because tlhe VoLksdeutsche, Sude'ten Germans, and a.11 other "expellees od' German ethnic origin" were expressly denied any of the ands a1lotted to other displ,aced pffsons (.DPs) under the IIRIO (lnternahonal Refugee Or.ganization) character, for the sole reason that they wer,e German. '11he clause that stipulated thei,r exolus1on, pla,ced them in the same bracket with ''Nazis and criminals." The outstanding featur.e of Mr. Kee's book is its drive,home power which acqualints the reader not with viague and shad'O'W(Y forms but wit,h flesh a,n d blood men, women and children. Graitifyi111g is the fair ev>a,luation of Germany's part in ha1n,dling the refugee prdlllem that the CO'Untry w:as •coruiironted with in its own p!"ostra·t e post,war condition when rougMy nine mil11lion German eXJpellees from the Gocman East were shum,ted into the country to be housed, alothed, £ed and employed. Mr. Kee says: "It is poinUess to say tha.t the Germans had themselv,es inflicted :liar more terr.ilble sulflferirug on even more people or, wlhat is also true, thalt the vast majority ru the GeI"mans on whom this suif£ering was now infilicted had tacitly approved dI such things being done to other people im, the daiys when to be •a good German was to be a good Nlazi. Hoth mass deportations were crimes against humanity pei,pe'tr.i.'ted for selfish politicall interes'ts." A point one might take ex.cep- SLOVAKIA tion to the statement tha,t "the crime against the e~e11ed Germa,ns ... was one moo:-,e of indiilferenx:e rather tlham, caliculatiion, as the Nia:lli-s' crimes had been." These inlfCJII'lmed, know too well that Edlwar<l Bene!'; and his accompilii:ces planned meticulously the ex,pulsion Olf three and a hailif mil]ion, Sudeten Germarus and sa-i<l aJt& ordering their expuJS'ion: ''!Leave th-em om,Ly a han<lk.e:rchief to shed their tears in." The aulthor is an En,glishman wri'tling for Englli!sh r-eaders l)rimairily. This fact need not disturib other English-i1anguage readers for anyone whose interest runs froon simple humam, curiosity and corrupassion to social service field work an<l other refugee a,n d expellee exiperience in theory an<l pira:ctice wi1ll :filnd Mr. Kee's book arlive an<l iruformati:ve. Alppendix "A" giv-es a nut-shell aicqua,inltance with r,ediugee situ1aWlorl<l War El, lllnd Alppen,dix "B" with a few of the or.gan~zations workiing for refugees. M. E.W. li(! li(! li(! William L. Shirer: The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich: A !History of Nazi Germany, Simon and Schuster, N. Y. , 1960; 124'5 pp., $10.00. In the guise of olbjective histocy this volume presents a harTowim,g, massiv,e but one-sided record of unrelieved Gernnan crimes an'd blunders. WilU.am L. Shirer, foreign correspon<lent and news commentator, is also on the boa,r d of diireotors of the "Society for the PI"evention of Wo·rl<l War m, Inc." of Wlhich Dorothy Thompson wrote (May 31, 11950) that it "has conduclted a systematic campaign a1gaimst any constructive peace with Gernianiy ... land vilifi.ed every person iln pulblic life who 79 tried to warn that procedure alon,g MorgenJthau lines wouild encomipa-ss the ruiTI olf Eur()ll)'e." Shirer does n:ot allow that the Versailles Treacy was unjust (p. 58). He states that "Nazism -a nd the Third Reic-h, in fiact were but a lo.g ica,l conltinuation otf German history" (p. 90). His piling up otf Nia7li crimes, faLling to put them iin, perspective with the crimes otf the opponents, never in fad!; a•lludin,g to the worst Soviet crimes, such as their brutal population transfers and their mass ra,ping otf not only German but -a lso Hungarian and Austrian woonen, seem calculated to· make any wruwacy rea'd er hate more than ever the Gemna-n people - now our allies who tOilerated the monstrous Nazis, and to think of the equally monstrous Bolsheviks, now ou<r cold war enemies, as reaHy not so bad! [n pa1ges on the Nazi abuse of SOIV'iet and Poli&h prisoners of wair he does not once al1ude to the Soviet mass murder of Poli-sh odificers at Kllltyn. He never mantions General Vlassov an<l his insurgent Russi·a ns who preferred fighting for the Germans to Living under the Soviets. IHe gives good information on sev,era,l German attempts to remove Hit-Ioer, three even before '11941, but he maikes no r-etfeir.e nce to the Morgenthau plan, Communist-inspired, which was oalcu4ated to d!'i'Ve the Germans to desperate resistance instead of revo:llt. F<o,r the rest, d-e spite distorti-ons and some cuea,r fa~sehoods, there is much interesiting inlformart,ion in the book. Hitler is depicted as an uncanrny genius, almoslt purirtan, fa,niatical<Ly warped on loyalty and honoir, pathologica.U,y anti.iBolshevik and anti-JewiSl'h, aibsolute.cy a.g ainst war with the West, but certaionl,y plotting it ag,a'inst Poland and Russia. SLOVAKIA Readirug of Hitler's crimes •a nd tilunders in d,etail, deducting firom facts that truly morail statesmaill• s'hiiip anywhere .from .l ,91\8 on could have prevenlted the colossal miseey of World War IiI and aft:er, makes on,e feel aibout the human raJCe as Sw.ilflt did. 'In sum: more .harmful than good e,ocept for trained historians. A. J. App. ~ )lg )lg Ernst Bil'ke and Kurit Oberdorifer: Das bohmische Staatsrecht in chischen gen des hunderts, den deu,t sch-tscheAuseinandersetzu n• 19. und 20. Jahrpulblished 1960 by N. D. Elwert Verla.g, Mia,rburg-Lahn; 147 pp. The book a.fifers four a51Pects on the question otf historic Boh•emian State Ri<glhts. While Richaro P1aschkia presents the Cz.ooh point of view, Helmut Slalmicka deals with the German side of the question. EU/gen LemJberg writes on the Ozeich corucepts of n,ation and State ideology. Kurt Riabl searehes into t:he legal aspects and co.ruf.r onts the "histock State rights" wilth the r1ghts otf seLfdetermination at the time when Czecho-Sllovalk<ia was created. One k•e y to understamding Cz.ech--German rel-ations, accords and discords, is to stud:y the concept od' Bo'h emian State rights. Bohemia, a const1tutional erntity within the dld Haibsbur,g Empire was partly inhalbited by Czechs and partly by Germans. One of the debated questions wi.thin thre two nation.s wa.s whether the country should be divlided into two administrative regions, a Czech and a German one, or wthether it should be ~ept as an administrativ,e u n i try. Althoog'h opinions w-ere diivided in both the Czech aind the German camps, it can be said that, as a general rule, the Czechs tri,ed to maintain the feudailist concept of "orownJ:and Bohemia" as a consUtutional entity, while the Gernnans found that nat ional and politicail developments in bhe niineteenth century made obsolete the oo.d conoopts of State r.iights. They striived for an administrative division of Bohemia into Geriman and Czec!h districts. lt ma,y be safe1y said todary in retr,ospeict that an administrative diivision otf Bohemia into a German and a Ozech part mright havre saved the country aind both nations from m11.uneroos nationa[ r,i valries and fruitless struggles. 11he historry of Bohemi'a and with it ,t he history otf Czecho-Slovakia might haive taken a different course, if the old feudal1st concept od' historic Bohemian State riglhts would have been replaced in time by a reailistirc arnd liibera,l ooncept of national equality amd administrative separation. People who give thought to a reorg,a nization of EuirO'l)e on t,he basis od' sellf-.deternnination ,md justice wilil find the contr~butions of th·e aforementioned a,u thors irn "Das bohmische Sta-atsre<:ht" most informative aind a rich soorce for historic or interna,tional studies. In add~tion, copious footnotes provide a fine bi'bliograiphiy on the tOlpiC. - A. W. Kozarovcie im, Slovakia has a farm cooperative that is not doJng so wel[. According to Stefan Hano of Nitra (iPravda, Jian. 1:5, 1962), the young peopJ.e have run otff to the faotory in TlmaCJie arnd bhose over fifty spend more time as musicians, playing at weddings, birtbdays, anniiversarires, etc., than as farm workers. Thek favorite tum,e: "Neorem, nesejem, vsetko samo sa mi rodi" (I plOIW not, I sow not, everything g,r ,ows by itself for me)! Officers of the Slovak League of America (Organized May 26, 1907, Cleveland, Ohio) Honorary Presiden ts I 4, Michael S-as Msgr. F. J. Dubosh, P.A. 3803 Cresson Street Philadelphia 27, Pa. 12608 Madison Avenue Lakewood 7, hio Joseph Dr. Peter P. H letko "' George Kantor President Ph i lip A. Hrobak i. Klucar 1617 Alameda Avenu e Lakewood 7, Ohio Batavia R d., Box 48 Warrensville, Ill. 281 Hollywood Ave. New York ol, N. Y. P. 0 . Box 150 Midd letown, P a. ADVISORY COUNCIL Vice-P resi dents Joseph Bendik John P. 0. Box 230 Uniontown, Pa. A. Sabo l National President First Catholic Slovak Un ion Ju l ia Krajcovic Helen Kocan 1648 W . 18th S t r eet Chicago 8, Ill. National P resident First Catholic Slovak Ladies Union Recording Secretary John Horecky Paul 2264 Walton Ave. New York 53, N. Y. Fallat National President Slovak Catholic Sokol Secretary-T reas ur er Paul C. Kazimer Stephen J, Tkach 1122 Sylvan Avenue Homestead, Pa. National President Pa. Catholic Slovak Union EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE An,na Sotak National President Ladies Pennsylvania Slovak Catholic Union Paul P. Jamriska 536 Mari e Ave. Pitts burgh 2, Pa. Emrich Valko Andrew Hudak National President SloV'ak Catholic Cad e t Union 15701 Bennett Rd. No. Royalton 33, Ohio SLOVAK NEWSPAPERS (Affiliated with the Slovak League of America) JEDNOTA SLOVENSKA OBRANA ZENSKA JEDNOTA Mid dletown , Pa. Scran ton , P a. Cleveland, Ohio BRATSTVO SLOVENSKE NOVINY ZORNlCKA Cleveland, Oh io Scranton, Pa. KATOLiCKY SOKOL SVORNOST OSADNE HLASY Passaic, N. J. Whita ker. Pa . Chicago, Ill. Wilkes-Barr e, Pa. SLOVAK V AMERIKE Mi ddletown , P a. SLOVAKIA: The city of Kremnica, famous for its gold and silver mines, minted money for cenh•ries. Castle and City Hall in the foreground.  Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Back Matter, Slovakia, Vol. 12, No. 1 (35) Description An account of the resource includes book reviews, 75-80, and photo of Kremnica Castle and City Hall Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource March-June 1962 https://slovakia.wordsofpassage.net/files/original/6975baf9fc6c254775c22bb4a9bff5dc.pdf 868807e15e6bf8bb2249ce732d4d2b80 PDF Text Text SLOVAKIA BOOK REVIEWS Kurt Glaser: Czecho-Slovakia, a Critical History, published by tlhe Caxton Printers Ltd., Ca,ldwell, Idaho, 1961.. Tm-ee maps, U photogra,phic plates, 275 pp., $5.50. Visitors to NA'l10 headquarters in Paris are shown a moving picture od: the "oolfapse O!f democra11ic Czecho-Slov,ak~a" under president Dr. Edward Bene§ in FebI'luary 1948, as one o'f the impeiti toward crea.ting ain, Atlantic def8llse organizartion. Indeed, there are many contemporaries, whose opinions are moulded 3Jfter superficial or slanted reports, who hold that Communism came suddenly to Czecho-Siovakia in 194'8, overthrowirug whalt was previously a "\little island of Westernbrand democracy in a sea of totallitarian-ruled States" in Central Europe. This pulblication has ()({ten poiin,t ed out that such a concept does not jibe with the historrc facts. Professor Glaser of Soothem Illinois Univ-er.silty, prQlbes deep1y into the matter. By collecting proliifiic facts from Czech, Slovak, ~11man and American sources (not anicy from those who staged the February cowp d'etat), he has gathered ample material for his ·thoroug;h-goinig, schola-r1¥ and objective evaluation of developments in and around Czecho-Slovakia from the birth of that State iin, 1918 to the present. Frequent quotations from documents and other source materiall in the text make Glaser's book not on[y interesting reading but give the reader a,n opportunity to dr,a,w conclusi.lOns of his own from the facts and judge the aptitude or i,naiptitude with which histoo-ic situaltion1S were handled at the time by decisive (WeS'tEf!'n and Eastern) policymaking bodies and leaders. 'J.1his reviewer, who lived i-n Czecho-Slov,a!ldia for maniy years and eXJperienced first-hand llhe naHonality, economic, and political pl"o'blems of that State was astonished at Professor GU~ser's keen _sense O!f o~rvation, understandmg, and Judlgment of the historic facts. Caxton pri,nters are to be cong,ratulated on pulblisrhing this excellent piece of scholarly research and objective evaluation. Dr. Glaser, American-born, a Harv,ard graduate, served with the U. S. Mill.itary Governmenlt im, occupied Germa,n y in 19416. While serving overseas he saw at first hand Communist encroachment in Centraa Europe. This proximate exiperience prompted him to adopt, as one O!f his pri111Ci,pal interests, t-he development oo a dynamiic anti-Oommun,ilSt policy. With this in mind, he searched for the reason for the Bolshevizafaon oo East-Oentral Europe, a•n d of Czecho-Slovaki-a in particular. The author's findings are o;f value to the student of histocy, to contemiporacy writers on international alffairs, and to fore~ policy makers. The sulbject he deals with is not a dead topic. It is of timely concern and holds a lesson for future behavior in dealing with the Soviets and in ma-naging effective](y psycliologicall war strategy. Glaser aJ.so warns against misj udig-ing advke and pro,pagamda activities of Czech politidans in eX'ile who before 19418 had kowtowed to Staliin, and, consciously or unconscioosly, paved tlhe w~ for Communi-st rule in OzechoSlovakia. He spotlights otbjection- �96 SLOVAKIA able policy and personnel management of R!adio ftee Europe and in the c-0oo1udi.n•g chapter shows ways for an effective anti-Commuru.st Western policy with regard t-0 Czooho-SloV'altia and EastCentral Europe. Summing up: He, who woulld know a•n d understand happenings in Czecho-Slovakia during the past decades, wil11 find Plrofessor Glaser's book a valuable guide. American Slovaks this yewr are commemorating their "Grand Jubilee" - the 1,lOOth a:nniversary of the advent of SS. Cyrll and Methodius to t he land of the ancient Slova~, Great Moravia - under tlhe SJ)onwrs hi/I) of the Slovak League of America. A conterence of Ame·rican S 1 o v a k s is scheduled far Waishington, D. C., April 15-6, 1963; '1 ater a pilgritmage to Slov,a,kla aind Rome, •I taly, where the ,p ilgrimage will end with the dedication of the Institute of .SS. Cyril and Methodius on Sept. 15. X X Ill! The Slovak Catholic Federation of America 1s sponsoring the ddve 'for $600,00-0 to ·b uild and equip the new Institute of SS. Cy'lil and Metihodiuis in Ro m e. The drive is headed by the Most Rev. Andrew G. Grutka, Bishop of Gary, Indiana, who will also hea<l rthe Americain delegation to Rome for the dedioo.tion of the Institute on •S ept. 16. Clevela,nd and Youngs-toW1J1, 0 ., have already held their celebrations of the 1,lOOth anniversary of SS. Cyril and Methodius; so have Scra'llton and Wi.1.kes-BaTre, Pa. , an<l Brl<lg•eport, Conn. Other Slovak centel'B in America and Gamada will keep the celebrations going to the end of 1963. Almost ha!lf the goal had been rnached by tJhe end of Mareh. X !JC !JC Tido J. Gaipar, Slov·a k jour:nalist and novelist, was 70 years obd on MaTch 7. He "cel~brate<l" the event ,in jail, where he was placed "for life" by the Czech Reos after W. W . II. His "crimes" : Mlti-State activities (In his articles he ~efended the f.nd,e,pendence o·r S!o-yl),'kia, con- demned Stalin's mass murderis in Katyn an<l Vinica, and opposed the pro-Moscow policy of Prague). Gaspar, one of the most cha•mcteristic and most expressive personalities of Slova'k >life ,si'llce W. W. I, was described by his colleagues a,s Slovakia's best stylist and di!plomat. At his trial, no witnesses were allowe<l to testMy •i n his beha.lf. X X !JC Father Vojtech Trizna wa,s given a three-year jail .term in Kosice, Slovakia, because he allegedly "attaoked the athe.fstis, opposed coliectiviza.tdon and mass poliiticall organizaitlons," accordi'llg to a report from Vienna.. Anton F. · Wuschttk. YOU CAN LEARN SLOVAK - IF YOU WANT TO The New, Revised "SLOVAK LESSONS" Will do the trick! • 400 PAGES • 92 LESSONS . Bound in . Cloth - $8.50 ORDER TODAY! • Jednota Printery Middletown. Pa. �Officers of the Slovak League of America (Organized May 26, 1907, Cleveland, Ohio) President Joseph G. Prusa Dr. Peter P. H letko 205 Madison Street, Passaic, N. J. Batavia Rd., Box 48 Warrensville, Ill. John A. Sabol Vice-Presidents 140 First Avenue, Phoenixville, Pa. John Horecky 2264 Walton Ave. New York 63, N. Y. ADVISORY COUNCIL Julia Krajcovlc John 1648 W. 18th Street Chicago 8, Ill. A. Sabol National President First Catholic Slovak Union Secretary Helen Kocan Joseph Pauco National President Fir11t Catholic Slovak Ladies Union 107 Bradford Avenue Middletown, Pa. Treasurer Paul Paul C. Kazimer Fallat National President Slovak Catholic Sokol 1122 Sylvan Avenue Homes tead, Pa. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Stephen J. Tkach National President Pennsylvania Slovak Catholic Union Msgr. F. J. Dubosh, P.A. 12608 Madison Avenue Lakewood 7, Ohio Anna Sotak National President Ladies Pennsylvania Slovak Catholic Union Paul P. Jamriska 536 Marie Ave. Pittsburgh 2, Pa. Philip A. Hrobak Emrich Valko P. 0. Box 150 Middletown, Pa. National President SloV'ak Catholic Cadet Union (Affiliated JEDNOTA Middletown, Pa. BRATSTVO Wilkes-Barre, Pa. Middletown, KATOLiCKY SOKOL SVORNOST Pas.sale, N. J. Whitaker, Pa. �• ~ry:,,.---¾ .. . 55. CYRIL AN·O METHODIU S - ~.i,-..,, ~ ··- SLOVAK APOSTLES � SLOVAKIA BOOK REVIEWS Kurt Glaser: Czecho-Slovakia, a Critical History, published by tlhe Caxton Printers Ltd., Ca,ldwell, Idaho, 1961.. Tm-ee maps, U photogra,phic plates, 275 pp., $5.50. Visitors to NA'l10 headquarters in Paris are shown a moving picture od: the "oolfapse O!f democra11ic Czecho-Slov,ak~a" under president Dr. Edward Bene§ in FebI'luary 1948, as one o'f the impeiti toward crea.ting ain, Atlantic def8llse organizartion. Indeed, there are many contemporaries, whose opinions are moulded 3Jfter superficial or slanted reports, who hold that Communism came suddenly to Czecho-Siovakia in 194'8, overthrowirug whalt was previously a "\little island of Westernbrand democracy in a sea of totallitarian-ruled States" in Central Europe. This pulblication has ()({ten poiin,t ed out that such a concept does not jibe with the historrc facts. Professor Glaser of Soothem Illinois Univ-er.silty, prQlbes deep1y into the matter. By collecting proliifiic facts from Czech, Slovak, ~11man and American sources (not anicy from those who staged the February cowp d'etat), he has gathered ample material for his ·thoroug;h-goinig, schola-r1¥ and objective evaluation of developments in and around Czecho-Slovakia from the birth of that State iin, 1918 to the present. Frequent quotations from documents and other source materiall in the text make Glaser's book not on[y interesting reading but give the reader a,n opportunity to dr,a,w conclusi.lOns of his own from the facts and judge the aptitude or i,naiptitude with which histoo-ic situaltion1S were handled at the time by decisive (WeS'tEf!'n and Eastern) policymaking bodies and leaders. 'J.1his reviewer, who lived i-n Czecho-Slov,a!ldia for maniy years and eXJperienced first-hand llhe naHonality, economic, and political pl"o'blems of that State was astonished at Professor GU~ser's keen _sense O!f o~rvation, understandmg, and Judlgment of the historic facts. Caxton pri,nters are to be cong,ratulated on pulblisrhing this excellent piece of scholarly research and objective evaluation. Dr. Glaser, American-born, a Harv,ard graduate, served with the U. S. Mill.itary Governmenlt im, occupied Germa,n y in 19416. While serving overseas he saw at first hand Communist encroachment in Centraa Europe. This proximate exiperience prompted him to adopt, as one O!f his pri111Ci,pal interests, t-he development oo a dynamiic anti-Oommun,ilSt policy. With this in mind, he searched for the reason for the Bolshevizafaon oo East-Oentral Europe, a•n d of Czecho-Slovaki-a in particular. The author's findings are o;f value to the student of histocy, to contemiporacy writers on international alffairs, and to fore~ policy makers. The sulbject he deals with is not a dead topic. It is of timely concern and holds a lesson for future behavior in dealing with the Soviets and in ma-naging effective](y psycliologicall war strategy. Glaser aJ.so warns against misj udig-ing advke and pro,pagamda activities of Czech politidans in eX'ile who before 19418 had kowtowed to Staliin, and, consciously or unconscioosly, paved tlhe w~ for Communi-st rule in OzechoSlovakia. He spotlights otbjection- �96 SLOVAKIA able policy and personnel management of R!adio ftee Europe and in the c-0oo1udi.n•g chapter shows ways for an effective anti-Commuru.st Western policy with regard t-0 Czooho-SloV'altia and EastCentral Europe. Summing up: He, who woulld know a•n d understand happenings in Czecho-Slovakia during the past decades, wil11 find Plrofessor Glaser's book a valuable guide. American Slovaks this yewr are commemorating their "Grand Jubilee" - the 1,lOOth a:nniversary of the advent of SS. Cyrll and Methodius to t he land of the ancient Slova~, Great Moravia - under tlhe SJ)onwrs hi/I) of the Slovak League of America. A conterence of Ame·rican S 1 o v a k s is scheduled far Waishington, D. C., April 15-6, 1963; '1 ater a pilgritmage to Slov,a,kla aind Rome, •I taly, where the ,p ilgrimage will end with the dedication of the Institute of .SS. Cyril and Methodius on Sept. 15. X X Ill! The Slovak Catholic Federation of America 1s sponsoring the ddve 'for $600,00-0 to ·b uild and equip the new Institute of SS. Cy'lil and Metihodiuis in Ro m e. The drive is headed by the Most Rev. Andrew G. Grutka, Bishop of Gary, Indiana, who will also hea<l rthe Americain delegation to Rome for the dedioo.tion of the Institute on •S ept. 16. Clevela,nd and Youngs-toW1J1, 0 ., have already held their celebrations of the 1,lOOth anniversary of SS. Cyril and Methodius; so have Scra'llton and Wi.1.kes-BaTre, Pa. , an<l Brl<lg•eport, Conn. Other Slovak centel'B in America and Gamada will keep the celebrations going to the end of 1963. Almost ha!lf the goal had been rnached by tJhe end of Mareh. X !JC !JC Tido J. Gaipar, Slov·a k jour:nalist and novelist, was 70 years obd on MaTch 7. He "cel~brate<l" the event ,in jail, where he was placed "for life" by the Czech Reos after W. W . II. His "crimes" : Mlti-State activities (In his articles he ~efended the f.nd,e,pendence o·r S!o-yl),'kia, con- demned Stalin's mass murderis in Katyn an<l Vinica, and opposed the pro-Moscow policy of Prague). Gaspar, one of the most cha•mcteristic and most expressive personalities of Slova'k >life ,si'llce W. W. I, was described by his colleagues a,s Slovakia's best stylist and di!plomat. At his trial, no witnesses were allowe<l to testMy •i n his beha.lf. X X !JC Father Vojtech Trizna wa,s given a three-year jail .term in Kosice, Slovakia, because he allegedly "attaoked the athe.fstis, opposed coliectiviza.tdon and mass poliiticall organizaitlons," accordi'llg to a report from Vienna.. Anton F. · Wuschttk. YOU CAN LEARN SLOVAK - IF YOU WANT TO The New, Revised "SLOVAK LESSONS" Will do the trick! • 400 PAGES • 92 LESSONS . Bound in . Cloth - $8.50 ORDER TODAY! • Jednota Printery Middletown. Pa. �Officers of the Slovak League of America (Organized May 26, 1907, Cleveland, Ohio) President Joseph G. Prusa Dr. Peter P. H letko 205 Madison Street, Passaic, N. J. Batavia Rd., Box 48 Warrensville, Ill. John A. Sabol Vice-Presidents 140 First Avenue, Phoenixville, Pa. John Horecky 2264 Walton Ave. New York 63, N. Y. ADVISORY COUNCIL Julia Krajcovlc John 1648 W. 18th Street Chicago 8, Ill. A. Sabol National President First Catholic Slovak Union Secretary Helen Kocan Joseph Pauco National President Fir11t Catholic Slovak Ladies Union 107 Bradford Avenue Middletown, Pa. Treasurer Paul Paul C. Kazimer Fallat National President Slovak Catholic Sokol 1122 Sylvan Avenue Homes tead, Pa. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Stephen J. Tkach National President Pennsylvania Slovak Catholic Union Msgr. F. J. Dubosh, P.A. 12608 Madison Avenue Lakewood 7, Ohio Anna Sotak National President Ladies Pennsylvania Slovak Catholic Union Paul P. Jamriska 536 Marie Ave. Pittsburgh 2, Pa. Philip A. Hrobak Emrich Valko P. 0. Box 150 Middletown, Pa. National President SloV'ak Catholic Cadet Union (Affiliated JEDNOTA Middletown, Pa. BRATSTVO Wilkes-Barre, Pa. Middletown, KATOLiCKY SOKOL SVORNOST Pas.sale, N. J. Whitaker, Pa. �• ~ry:,,.---¾ .. . 55. CYRIL AN·O METHODIU S - ~.i,-..,, ~ ··- SLOVAK APOSTLES � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource 1963, Vol. 13 Description An account of the resource Issue 1 (No. 36), March 1963. Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available The Slovak League of America Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1963 Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document SLOVAKIA BOOK REVIEWS Kurt Glaser: Czecho-Slovakia, a Critical History, published by tlhe Caxton Printers Ltd., Ca,ldwell, Idaho, 1961.. Tm-ee maps, U photogra,phic plates, 275 pp., $5.50. Visitors to NA'l10 headquarters in Paris are shown a moving picture od: the "oolfapse O!f democra11ic Czecho-Slov,ak~a" under president Dr. Edward Bene§ in FebI'luary 1948, as one o'f the impeiti toward crea.ting ain, Atlantic def8llse organizartion. Indeed, there are many contemporaries, whose opinions are moulded 3Jfter superficial or slanted reports, who hold that Communism came suddenly to Czecho-Siovakia in 194'8, overthrowirug whalt was previously a "\little island of Westernbrand democracy in a sea of totallitarian-ruled States" in Central Europe. This pulblication has ()({ten poiin,t ed out that such a concept does not jibe with the historrc facts. Professor Glaser of Soothem Illinois Univ-er.silty, prQlbes deep1y into the matter. By collecting proliifiic facts from Czech, Slovak, ~11man and American sources (not anicy from those who staged the February cowp d'etat), he has gathered ample material for his ·thoroug;h-goinig, schola-r1¥ and objective evaluation of developments in and around Czecho-Slovakia from the birth of that State iin, 1918 to the present. Frequent quotations from documents and other source materiall in the text make Glaser's book not on[y interesting reading but give the reader a,n opportunity to dr,a,w conclusi.lOns of his own from the facts and judge the aptitude or i,naiptitude with which histoo-ic situaltion1S were handled at the time by decisive (WeS'tEf!'n and Eastern) policymaking bodies and leaders. 'J.1his reviewer, who lived i-n Czecho-Slov,a!ldia for maniy years and eXJperienced first-hand llhe naHonality, economic, and political pl"o'blems of that State was astonished at Professor GU~ser's keen _sense O!f o~rvation, understandmg, and Judlgment of the historic facts. Caxton pri,nters are to be cong,ratulated on pulblisrhing this excellent piece of scholarly research and objective evaluation. Dr. Glaser, American-born, a Harv,ard graduate, served with the U. S. Mill.itary Governmenlt im, occupied Germa,n y in 19416. While serving overseas he saw at first hand Communist encroachment in Centraa Europe. This proximate exiperience prompted him to adopt, as one O!f his pri111Ci,pal interests, t-he development oo a dynamiic anti-Oommun,ilSt policy. With this in mind, he searched for the reason for the Bolshevizafaon oo East-Oentral Europe, a•n d of Czecho-Slovaki-a in particular. The author's findings are o;f value to the student of histocy, to contemiporacy writers on international alffairs, and to fore~ policy makers. The sulbject he deals with is not a dead topic. It is of timely concern and holds a lesson for future behavior in dealing with the Soviets and in ma-naging effective](y psycliologicall war strategy. Glaser aJ.so warns against misj udig-ing advke and pro,pagamda activities of Czech politidans in eX'ile who before 19418 had kowtowed to Staliin, and, consciously or unconscioosly, paved tlhe w~ for Communi-st rule in OzechoSlovakia. He spotlights otbjection- 96 SLOVAKIA able policy and personnel management of R!adio ftee Europe and in the c-0oo1udi.n•g chapter shows ways for an effective anti-Commuru.st Western policy with regard t-0 Czooho-SloV'altia and EastCentral Europe. Summing up: He, who woulld know a•n d understand happenings in Czecho-Slovakia during the past decades, wil11 find Plrofessor Glaser's book a valuable guide. American Slovaks this yewr are commemorating their "Grand Jubilee" - the 1,lOOth a:nniversary of the advent of SS. Cyrll and Methodius to t he land of the ancient Slova~, Great Moravia - under tlhe SJ)onwrs hi/I) of the Slovak League of America. A conterence of Ame·rican S 1 o v a k s is scheduled far Waishington, D. C., April 15-6, 1963; '1 ater a pilgritmage to Slov,a,kla aind Rome, •I taly, where the ,p ilgrimage will end with the dedication of the Institute of .SS. Cyril and Methodius on Sept. 15. X X Ill! The Slovak Catholic Federation of America 1s sponsoring the ddve 'for $600,00-0 to ·b uild and equip the new Institute of SS. Cy'lil and Metihodiuis in Ro m e. The drive is headed by the Most Rev. Andrew G. Grutka, Bishop of Gary, Indiana, who will also hea<l rthe Americain delegation to Rome for the dedioo.tion of the Institute on •S ept. 16. Clevela,nd and Youngs-toW1J1, 0 ., have already held their celebrations of the 1,lOOth anniversary of SS. Cyril and Methodius; so have Scra'llton and Wi.1.kes-BaTre, Pa. , an<l Brl<lg•eport, Conn. Other Slovak centel'B in America and Gamada will keep the celebrations going to the end of 1963. Almost ha!lf the goal had been rnached by tJhe end of Mareh. X !JC !JC Tido J. Gaipar, Slov·a k jour:nalist and novelist, was 70 years obd on MaTch 7. He "cel~brate<l" the event ,in jail, where he was placed "for life" by the Czech Reos after W. W . II. His "crimes" : Mlti-State activities (In his articles he ~efended the f.nd,e,pendence o·r S!o-yl),'kia, con- demned Stalin's mass murderis in Katyn an<l Vinica, and opposed the pro-Moscow policy of Prague). Gaspar, one of the most cha•mcteristic and most expressive personalities of Slova'k >life ,si'llce W. W. I, was described by his colleagues a,s Slovakia's best stylist and di!plomat. At his trial, no witnesses were allowe<l to testMy •i n his beha.lf. X X !JC Father Vojtech Trizna wa,s given a three-year jail .term in Kosice, Slovakia, because he allegedly "attaoked the athe.fstis, opposed coliectiviza.tdon and mass poliiticall organizaitlons," accordi'llg to a report from Vienna.. Anton F. · Wuschttk. YOU CAN LEARN SLOVAK - IF YOU WANT TO The New, Revised "SLOVAK LESSONS" Will do the trick! • 400 PAGES • 92 LESSONS . Bound in . Cloth - $8.50 ORDER TODAY! • Jednota Printery Middletown. Pa. Officers of the Slovak League of America (Organized May 26, 1907, Cleveland, Ohio) President Joseph G. Prusa Dr. Peter P. H letko 205 Madison Street, Passaic, N. J. Batavia Rd., Box 48 Warrensville, Ill. John A. Sabol Vice-Presidents 140 First Avenue, Phoenixville, Pa. John Horecky 2264 Walton Ave. New York 63, N. Y. ADVISORY COUNCIL Julia Krajcovlc John 1648 W. 18th Street Chicago 8, Ill. A. Sabol National President First Catholic Slovak Union Secretary Helen Kocan Joseph Pauco National President Fir11t Catholic Slovak Ladies Union 107 Bradford Avenue Middletown, Pa. Treasurer Paul Paul C. Kazimer Fallat National President Slovak Catholic Sokol 1122 Sylvan Avenue Homes tead, Pa. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Stephen J. Tkach National President Pennsylvania Slovak Catholic Union Msgr. F. J. Dubosh, P.A. 12608 Madison Avenue Lakewood 7, Ohio Anna Sotak National President Ladies Pennsylvania Slovak Catholic Union Paul P. Jamriska 536 Marie Ave. Pittsburgh 2, Pa. Philip A. Hrobak Emrich Valko P. 0. Box 150 Middletown, Pa. National President SloV'ak Catholic Cadet Union (Affiliated JEDNOTA Middletown, Pa. BRATSTVO Wilkes-Barre, Pa. Middletown, KATOLiCKY SOKOL SVORNOST Pas.sale, N. J. Whitaker, Pa. • ~ry:,,.---¾ .. . 55. CYRIL AN·O METHODIU S - ~.i,-..,, ~ ··- SLOVAK APOSTLES  Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Back Matter, Slovakia, Vol. 13, No. 1 (36) Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource March 1963 https://slovakia.wordsofpassage.net/files/original/ce332654afd2e34c2be719229798e1a1.pdf fd85ea60f735a041e9b4050b531a7f3a PDF Text Text SLOVAKIA 85 BOOK REVIEW Slovakia - A Political History 1918-1950 by Joseph A. Mikus, The Marquette University Press Milwaukee, Wisc. 1963, XXXIII - 392 pages. Appendices, Bibliography, statistical tables, indices. Not only scholars but anyone interested in the problems of Central Eastern Europe will find in Mikus' book a serious attempt at a scholarly analysis and an objective presentation of Slovakia's history in the pre-war and post-war Czecho-Slovakia. Since Prague remains the most faithful satellite of Moscow, the book might be of great interest also for students of East-West relations. The original French edition published in 1955, was received by many critics in Europe and in United States as a valuable contribution to an understanding of Central European history. The English edition, in its revised and completed form, will serve that purpose now in the Anglo-Saxon cultural orbit, where, for years, many misconceptions on Slovakia and Czecho-Slovakia were spread, not only through political media, but also by scholarly works. By contradicting the accept- ed versions of Czecho-Slovakia's history, the book is bound to be labeled as controversial, even if the author (former diplomat and lecturer in history at an American university) supports his conclusions with a rich abundance of documents, statistics and careful analysis of events. Serious students of Central European history would, however, value the book for this reason even higher, since the monotony of Czech versions is broken by a well founded and academically elaborate challenge. Historiography on Slovakia in English, so far represented only by a few scholarly works (R. W. Seton-Watson, C. A. Macartney, J. M. Kirschbaum, G. L. Oddo), is undoubtedly enriched by this volume, and even if some interpretations were already formulated in other English writings of Slovak authors, Mikus' book is larger in scope, more detailed and covers a longer period than any other of the recent English publications by Slovak authors. Besides being "a study of the internal weaknesses of Czecho-Slovakia as reflected in the political, cultural, economic, and social relations of the �SLOVAKIA 86 Czechs and Slovaks" the book contains also a positive approac~ to the future of Central Europe. The author rightly sees the only durable solution in "the political, military and economic integration of Central Europe, which would respect the national personalities and self-government of all peoples". Needless to say, the book advocates democracy and unveils all the mistakes and inadequacy of the present Communist regime in Slovakia, a country with thousand years old Christian traditions. The value of the book is enhanced by many documents as well as by the fact that literature in several languages was used by the author to support his conclusions. J. M . Kirschbaum Challenge of the Steppes by Joseph F. Rudinsky, D. D., L.L.D. Robert Speller and Sons, New York, 1963, XX 342 pages. Index. Among several books which try to explain to the American reader the phenomenon of the Soviet expansion in Central Europe, this book by an outstanding Slovak intellectual and former professor at the School of Political science in Prague, is differenent by its approach and method. Unlike the other writings of Central European refugee politicians or authors, Rudinsky approaches the problems also from the philosophical and religious point of view and from centuries long development of Europe. There is no exageration in saying that the book is a thought provoking account of the age-old conflict between East and West from the time of the Huns to Stalin. Rudinsky's assertion that Marxism-Leninism of the Soviet brand is essentially a philosophy and way of life of seminomads seems logical and ac-ceptable in his well founded analysis. In this age-long conflict, the .peoples of Central and Eastern Europe had acted as barricades against Eastern invaders in Rudinsky's view and, therefore, the book deals with the problem of Austria-Hungary and with the states and politicians who came after the dismemberment of the Habsburg empire. Even if there are numerous books on this subject, Rudinsky brings new observations and treats the old empire with much more objectivity than it was done - especially by Czech writers until now. His analysis of the collapse of the Empire and of the policy of the new states in Central Eastern Europe be- �SLOVAKIA tween the two wars is a valuable contribution to the history of that area. With its chapter on CzechoSlovakia and the policy of Dr. E. Benes, the book also completes the writings of other Slovak authors (Durcansky, Kirschbaum, Mikus, Pauco, Culen, Durica, Vnuk, etc.), not only by Rudinsky's first hand knowledge of Dr. Benes and Prague government's policy toward Slovakia (he was a close confidence-man of Dr. M. Hodza), but also by the approach to the subject. While the Slovak writers on political matters rather follow the descriptive method and sober style of American political literature, Dr. Rudinsky's style and approach to the subject reminds us of the French political school of the pre-war generation. Methodical[y the book is also different. It is composed of several essays which are linked together only by the general idea. It is, in any case, a book of interesL and a refined intellectual reading material. 87 Slovak literature being either unknown or misinterpreted in American symposia on Slavic civilization, is a study that will be welcome by students of literatures and professors, but also by many educated Americans of Slovak and Slavic background. It is, so far, the best and most complete English survey and introduction to Slovak literature. The author, former professor of Slavic civilization at the Department of Slavic studies in Montreal, used an abundance of sources in several languages to present Slovak literature in a new and objective light. The author proves the thesis, maintained by Western literary historians, that Slovak literature began only in the 19th century is without foundation. This misconception was spread, says the writer, mainly by Czech scholars and foreign slavists educated at Czech universities. According to Marxist scholars, Slovak history of literature goes back to the period of St. Cyril and Methodius and literature in Slovakia developed in several jk languages before the Slovak vernacular was codified by Slovak Literary History in Anton Bernolak in the 18th Marxist Interpretation s. By J. century. M. Kirschbaum, Ph. D., A reThe value of the study lies print from Canadian Slavonic Papers, published by Univer- also in acquainting the reader with many sources in Slavic sity of Toronto Press, 1964. �1 88 SLOVAKIA or foreign languages which deal with Slovak literature. T h e Marxist interpretation seems to be treated for the first time in the English language in this concise and well written survey. Published in Canadian S 1 a v o n i c Papers, whose editors are several outstanding Canadian Slavists, the study undoubtedly went through a thorough examination before printed, which adds to its value. J.P. An Outline of Slovakia' s Struggle for Independence . By J. M. Kirschbaum, LL.D., Ph. D. Published by the Canadian Slovak League, Toronto, 1964. 40 pages, llustrated appendices, biblography. The controversial subject of Slovakia's independence is treated in this concise publication with the evident aim to refute the false legends which the hostile propaganda of the Czech and Communist politicians spread in the West. The booklet was published on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the declaration of Slovakia's independence, but its value is far greater than is usual with publications written for celebrating anniversaries of political events. In five short chapters the author gathered all the evidence available in diplomatic and other sources to prove that Slovakia's striving for independence developed independently of German policy and that Berlin for some time preferred other solutions. The chapter on international recognition of the Slovak Republic also shows that originally Great Britian, the Soviet Union and some other 30 state:; established diplomatic or consular relations with Slovakia and not only Germany and the Axis, as tendenciously write American sources on the Second World War. The closing chapters give an account on Sovietization of Slovakia and on the prospects of Slovak democracy. Three appeals for Slovakia's freedom, recorded in the Congress of the United States, some statistical data and bibliography complete the picture ancl make of this concise publication a source of useful information for politicians, diplomats and students of history of Central Europe. J.P. �independence, the right of every nation to freely choose its cwn form of government and freely elect persons of its own choice by whom it shall be governed; condemns and unequivocally opposes all forms of tyranny, every form of totalitarian political system. The Slovak League of America has always recognized the Godless philosophy of materialistic Communism for the dread evil and conspiracy against free humanity that it is, as the political system which threatens mankind with utter enslavement and, therefore, has fought resolutely against it in and out of season and, today, is still determined to fight against it with all the means at its command until the dread plague of Communism is wiped off the face of the earth; firmly believes that the national existence and welfare of the Slovak nation can best be safeguarded by the Slovaks themselves in their own independent Slovak Republic; as a Christian and democratic organization, is resolutely against the dominat ion and exploitation of the Slovak nation by any other nation or political state; the Slovaks did not want to be ruled over by the Magyars and, today, do not want to be subservient to the Czech nation; heartily commends all efforts of our governmental and other organs to f erret out and unmask all Communists and fellow travellers, as well as all persons and organizations who wittingly or unwittingly give aid and comfort to the conspiracy of Communism promoted by the Soviet Union ; stands for honesty, integrity, industry and justice in government. SLOVAKIA $2 .00 per annum in the U.S.A. Published by $3.00 elsewhere. ~ \~~ y.~ \) THE SLOVAK LEAGUE OF AMERICA 313 Ridge Avenue M i d d l etown , Pa., 17057 PRINTED IN THE U.S. A . JEDNOTA PRESS M i ddletown , Pa. 17057 ,L . c..\ ,Q v;:/ · -;:;, [.f!- (!},, -:.,.,' , ":'-? : ,· ~-"' ._ .• ,.'i �Officers of the Slovak League of America Stephen J. Tkach, President 173 North Main Street Wilkes-Barre, Pa. Dr. Jos~ph Pauc o, Sec'y-Treasurer 313 Ridge Avenue MiddletOWlll, Pa. Edwal'd J. Behuncik, Vice-Pres. Mrs. Julla Krajcovic, Ladies Vice-Pres. Executiv-e Cpmmibtee: Msgr. F. J. Dubosh, P .A., Dr. Peter P . Hletko, Paul Jamris ka, Jose.p h G. Pmsa, John A. Sabol, Eli.zaibeth Andrejko SLOVAK FRATERNAL ORGANIZATIONS (Alffillated wi,th the Slovak League of America) THE FffiST CATHOLIC SLOVAK UNION Cleveland, Ohio - Membership: 104,000 THE FffiST CATHOLIC SLOVAK LADIES UNION Cl eveland, Oh io - Membership: 95 ,000 THE SLOVAK CATHOLIC SOKOL Passaic, N. J. - Membership: 52,000 PENNSYLVANIA SLOVAK CATHOLIC UNION Wilkes-Barre. Pa. - Membership 18.000 PENNSYLVANIA SLOVAK CATHOLIC LADIES UNION Wilkes-Barre. Pa. - Members-hip: 16,500 SLOVAK NEWSPAPER'S JOURNALISTS' ASSOCIATION (Affiliated with the Slovak Lea,g ue of America) Joseph G. Prusa, President V. J . Tylka, Secretary, 2103 W. Oermak Road. Chicago 8, ill. SLOVAK NEWSPAPERS (Affiliated with the Slovak League of America) JEDNOTA Middletown, Pa. SLOVENSKA OBRANA ZENSKAJEDNOTA Scranton, Pa. Cleveland. Ohio BRATSTVO SVORNOSt ZORNltKA Wilkes-Barre, Pa. Braddock, Pa. Wilkes-Barre, Pa. KATOLICKY SOKOL SLOVAK V AMERIKE Passaic, N. J . Middletown, Pa. Join the Local Assembly in your town or contact the Secretary of the Slovak League. Membership dues are only $1.50 per year. � SLOVAKIA 85 BOOK REVIEW Slovakia - A Political History 1918-1950 by Joseph A. Mikus, The Marquette University Press Milwaukee, Wisc. 1963, XXXIII - 392 pages. Appendices, Bibliography, statistical tables, indices. Not only scholars but anyone interested in the problems of Central Eastern Europe will find in Mikus' book a serious attempt at a scholarly analysis and an objective presentation of Slovakia's history in the pre-war and post-war Czecho-Slovakia. Since Prague remains the most faithful satellite of Moscow, the book might be of great interest also for students of East-West relations. The original French edition published in 1955, was received by many critics in Europe and in United States as a valuable contribution to an understanding of Central European history. The English edition, in its revised and completed form, will serve that purpose now in the Anglo-Saxon cultural orbit, where, for years, many misconceptions on Slovakia and Czecho-Slovakia were spread, not only through political media, but also by scholarly works. By contradicting the accept- ed versions of Czecho-Slovakia's history, the book is bound to be labeled as controversial, even if the author (former diplomat and lecturer in history at an American university) supports his conclusions with a rich abundance of documents, statistics and careful analysis of events. Serious students of Central European history would, however, value the book for this reason even higher, since the monotony of Czech versions is broken by a well founded and academically elaborate challenge. Historiography on Slovakia in English, so far represented only by a few scholarly works (R. W. Seton-Watson, C. A. Macartney, J. M. Kirschbaum, G. L. Oddo), is undoubtedly enriched by this volume, and even if some interpretations were already formulated in other English writings of Slovak authors, Mikus' book is larger in scope, more detailed and covers a longer period than any other of the recent English publications by Slovak authors. Besides being "a study of the internal weaknesses of Czecho-Slovakia as reflected in the political, cultural, economic, and social relations of the �SLOVAKIA 86 Czechs and Slovaks" the book contains also a positive approac~ to the future of Central Europe. The author rightly sees the only durable solution in "the political, military and economic integration of Central Europe, which would respect the national personalities and self-government of all peoples". Needless to say, the book advocates democracy and unveils all the mistakes and inadequacy of the present Communist regime in Slovakia, a country with thousand years old Christian traditions. The value of the book is enhanced by many documents as well as by the fact that literature in several languages was used by the author to support his conclusions. J. M . Kirschbaum Challenge of the Steppes by Joseph F. Rudinsky, D. D., L.L.D. Robert Speller and Sons, New York, 1963, XX 342 pages. Index. Among several books which try to explain to the American reader the phenomenon of the Soviet expansion in Central Europe, this book by an outstanding Slovak intellectual and former professor at the School of Political science in Prague, is differenent by its approach and method. Unlike the other writings of Central European refugee politicians or authors, Rudinsky approaches the problems also from the philosophical and religious point of view and from centuries long development of Europe. There is no exageration in saying that the book is a thought provoking account of the age-old conflict between East and West from the time of the Huns to Stalin. Rudinsky's assertion that Marxism-Leninism of the Soviet brand is essentially a philosophy and way of life of seminomads seems logical and ac-ceptable in his well founded analysis. In this age-long conflict, the .peoples of Central and Eastern Europe had acted as barricades against Eastern invaders in Rudinsky's view and, therefore, the book deals with the problem of Austria-Hungary and with the states and politicians who came after the dismemberment of the Habsburg empire. Even if there are numerous books on this subject, Rudinsky brings new observations and treats the old empire with much more objectivity than it was done - especially by Czech writers until now. His analysis of the collapse of the Empire and of the policy of the new states in Central Eastern Europe be- �SLOVAKIA tween the two wars is a valuable contribution to the history of that area. With its chapter on CzechoSlovakia and the policy of Dr. E. Benes, the book also completes the writings of other Slovak authors (Durcansky, Kirschbaum, Mikus, Pauco, Culen, Durica, Vnuk, etc.), not only by Rudinsky's first hand knowledge of Dr. Benes and Prague government's policy toward Slovakia (he was a close confidence-man of Dr. M. Hodza), but also by the approach to the subject. While the Slovak writers on political matters rather follow the descriptive method and sober style of American political literature, Dr. Rudinsky's style and approach to the subject reminds us of the French political school of the pre-war generation. Methodical[y the book is also different. It is composed of several essays which are linked together only by the general idea. It is, in any case, a book of interesL and a refined intellectual reading material. 87 Slovak literature being either unknown or misinterpreted in American symposia on Slavic civilization, is a study that will be welcome by students of literatures and professors, but also by many educated Americans of Slovak and Slavic background. It is, so far, the best and most complete English survey and introduction to Slovak literature. The author, former professor of Slavic civilization at the Department of Slavic studies in Montreal, used an abundance of sources in several languages to present Slovak literature in a new and objective light. The author proves the thesis, maintained by Western literary historians, that Slovak literature began only in the 19th century is without foundation. This misconception was spread, says the writer, mainly by Czech scholars and foreign slavists educated at Czech universities. According to Marxist scholars, Slovak history of literature goes back to the period of St. Cyril and Methodius and literature in Slovakia developed in several jk languages before the Slovak vernacular was codified by Slovak Literary History in Anton Bernolak in the 18th Marxist Interpretation s. By J. century. M. Kirschbaum, Ph. D., A reThe value of the study lies print from Canadian Slavonic Papers, published by Univer- also in acquainting the reader with many sources in Slavic sity of Toronto Press, 1964. �1 88 SLOVAKIA or foreign languages which deal with Slovak literature. T h e Marxist interpretation seems to be treated for the first time in the English language in this concise and well written survey. Published in Canadian S 1 a v o n i c Papers, whose editors are several outstanding Canadian Slavists, the study undoubtedly went through a thorough examination before printed, which adds to its value. J.P. An Outline of Slovakia' s Struggle for Independence . By J. M. Kirschbaum, LL.D., Ph. D. Published by the Canadian Slovak League, Toronto, 1964. 40 pages, llustrated appendices, biblography. The controversial subject of Slovakia's independence is treated in this concise publication with the evident aim to refute the false legends which the hostile propaganda of the Czech and Communist politicians spread in the West. The booklet was published on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the declaration of Slovakia's independence, but its value is far greater than is usual with publications written for celebrating anniversaries of political events. In five short chapters the author gathered all the evidence available in diplomatic and other sources to prove that Slovakia's striving for independence developed independently of German policy and that Berlin for some time preferred other solutions. The chapter on international recognition of the Slovak Republic also shows that originally Great Britian, the Soviet Union and some other 30 state:; established diplomatic or consular relations with Slovakia and not only Germany and the Axis, as tendenciously write American sources on the Second World War. The closing chapters give an account on Sovietization of Slovakia and on the prospects of Slovak democracy. Three appeals for Slovakia's freedom, recorded in the Congress of the United States, some statistical data and bibliography complete the picture ancl make of this concise publication a source of useful information for politicians, diplomats and students of history of Central Europe. J.P. �independence, the right of every nation to freely choose its cwn form of government and freely elect persons of its own choice by whom it shall be governed; condemns and unequivocally opposes all forms of tyranny, every form of totalitarian political system. The Slovak League of America has always recognized the Godless philosophy of materialistic Communism for the dread evil and conspiracy against free humanity that it is, as the political system which threatens mankind with utter enslavement and, therefore, has fought resolutely against it in and out of season and, today, is still determined to fight against it with all the means at its command until the dread plague of Communism is wiped off the face of the earth; firmly believes that the national existence and welfare of the Slovak nation can best be safeguarded by the Slovaks themselves in their own independent Slovak Republic; as a Christian and democratic organization, is resolutely against the dominat ion and exploitation of the Slovak nation by any other nation or political state; the Slovaks did not want to be ruled over by the Magyars and, today, do not want to be subservient to the Czech nation; heartily commends all efforts of our governmental and other organs to f erret out and unmask all Communists and fellow travellers, as well as all persons and organizations who wittingly or unwittingly give aid and comfort to the conspiracy of Communism promoted by the Soviet Union ; stands for honesty, integrity, industry and justice in government. SLOVAKIA $2 .00 per annum in the U.S.A. Published by $3.00 elsewhere. ~ \~~ y.~ \) THE SLOVAK LEAGUE OF AMERICA 313 Ridge Avenue M i d d l etown , Pa., 17057 PRINTED IN THE U.S. A . JEDNOTA PRESS M i ddletown , Pa. 17057 ,L . c..\ ,Q v;:/ · -;:;, [.f!- (!},, -:.,.,' , ":'-? : ,· ~-"' ._ .• ,.'i �Officers of the Slovak League of America Stephen J. Tkach, President 173 North Main Street Wilkes-Barre, Pa. Dr. Jos~ph Pauc o, Sec'y-Treasurer 313 Ridge Avenue MiddletOWlll, Pa. Edwal'd J. Behuncik, Vice-Pres. Mrs. Julla Krajcovic, Ladies Vice-Pres. Executiv-e Cpmmibtee: Msgr. F. J. Dubosh, P .A., Dr. Peter P . Hletko, Paul Jamris ka, Jose.p h G. Pmsa, John A. Sabol, Eli.zaibeth Andrejko SLOVAK FRATERNAL ORGANIZATIONS (Alffillated wi,th the Slovak League of America) THE FffiST CATHOLIC SLOVAK UNION Cleveland, Ohio - Membership: 104,000 THE FffiST CATHOLIC SLOVAK LADIES UNION Cl eveland, Oh io - Membership: 95 ,000 THE SLOVAK CATHOLIC SOKOL Passaic, N. J. - Membership: 52,000 PENNSYLVANIA SLOVAK CATHOLIC UNION Wilkes-Barre. Pa. - Membership 18.000 PENNSYLVANIA SLOVAK CATHOLIC LADIES UNION Wilkes-Barre. Pa. - Members-hip: 16,500 SLOVAK NEWSPAPER'S JOURNALISTS' ASSOCIATION (Affiliated with the Slovak Lea,g ue of America) Joseph G. Prusa, President V. J . Tylka, Secretary, 2103 W. Oermak Road. Chicago 8, ill. SLOVAK NEWSPAPERS (Affiliated with the Slovak League of America) JEDNOTA Middletown, Pa. SLOVENSKA OBRANA ZENSKAJEDNOTA Scranton, Pa. Cleveland. Ohio BRATSTVO SVORNOSt ZORNltKA Wilkes-Barre, Pa. Braddock, Pa. Wilkes-Barre, Pa. KATOLICKY SOKOL SLOVAK V AMERIKE Passaic, N. J . Middletown, Pa. Join the Local Assembly in your town or contact the Secretary of the Slovak League. Membership dues are only $1.50 per year. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource 1964, Vol. 14 Description An account of the resource Vol. 14 (No. 37), 1964. Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available The Slovak League of America Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1964 Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document SLOVAKIA 85 BOOK REVIEW Slovakia - A Political History 1918-1950 by Joseph A. Mikus, The Marquette University Press Milwaukee, Wisc. 1963, XXXIII - 392 pages. Appendices, Bibliography, statistical tables, indices. Not only scholars but anyone interested in the problems of Central Eastern Europe will find in Mikus' book a serious attempt at a scholarly analysis and an objective presentation of Slovakia's history in the pre-war and post-war Czecho-Slovakia. Since Prague remains the most faithful satellite of Moscow, the book might be of great interest also for students of East-West relations. The original French edition published in 1955, was received by many critics in Europe and in United States as a valuable contribution to an understanding of Central European history. The English edition, in its revised and completed form, will serve that purpose now in the Anglo-Saxon cultural orbit, where, for years, many misconceptions on Slovakia and Czecho-Slovakia were spread, not only through political media, but also by scholarly works. By contradicting the accept- ed versions of Czecho-Slovakia's history, the book is bound to be labeled as controversial, even if the author (former diplomat and lecturer in history at an American university) supports his conclusions with a rich abundance of documents, statistics and careful analysis of events. Serious students of Central European history would, however, value the book for this reason even higher, since the monotony of Czech versions is broken by a well founded and academically elaborate challenge. Historiography on Slovakia in English, so far represented only by a few scholarly works (R. W. Seton-Watson, C. A. Macartney, J. M. Kirschbaum, G. L. Oddo), is undoubtedly enriched by this volume, and even if some interpretations were already formulated in other English writings of Slovak authors, Mikus' book is larger in scope, more detailed and covers a longer period than any other of the recent English publications by Slovak authors. Besides being "a study of the internal weaknesses of Czecho-Slovakia as reflected in the political, cultural, economic, and social relations of the SLOVAKIA 86 Czechs and Slovaks" the book contains also a positive approac~ to the future of Central Europe. The author rightly sees the only durable solution in "the political, military and economic integration of Central Europe, which would respect the national personalities and self-government of all peoples". Needless to say, the book advocates democracy and unveils all the mistakes and inadequacy of the present Communist regime in Slovakia, a country with thousand years old Christian traditions. The value of the book is enhanced by many documents as well as by the fact that literature in several languages was used by the author to support his conclusions. J. M . Kirschbaum Challenge of the Steppes by Joseph F. Rudinsky, D. D., L.L.D. Robert Speller and Sons, New York, 1963, XX 342 pages. Index. Among several books which try to explain to the American reader the phenomenon of the Soviet expansion in Central Europe, this book by an outstanding Slovak intellectual and former professor at the School of Political science in Prague, is differenent by its approach and method. Unlike the other writings of Central European refugee politicians or authors, Rudinsky approaches the problems also from the philosophical and religious point of view and from centuries long development of Europe. There is no exageration in saying that the book is a thought provoking account of the age-old conflict between East and West from the time of the Huns to Stalin. Rudinsky's assertion that Marxism-Leninism of the Soviet brand is essentially a philosophy and way of life of seminomads seems logical and ac-ceptable in his well founded analysis. In this age-long conflict, the .peoples of Central and Eastern Europe had acted as barricades against Eastern invaders in Rudinsky's view and, therefore, the book deals with the problem of Austria-Hungary and with the states and politicians who came after the dismemberment of the Habsburg empire. Even if there are numerous books on this subject, Rudinsky brings new observations and treats the old empire with much more objectivity than it was done - especially by Czech writers until now. His analysis of the collapse of the Empire and of the policy of the new states in Central Eastern Europe be- SLOVAKIA tween the two wars is a valuable contribution to the history of that area. With its chapter on CzechoSlovakia and the policy of Dr. E. Benes, the book also completes the writings of other Slovak authors (Durcansky, Kirschbaum, Mikus, Pauco, Culen, Durica, Vnuk, etc.), not only by Rudinsky's first hand knowledge of Dr. Benes and Prague government's policy toward Slovakia (he was a close confidence-man of Dr. M. Hodza), but also by the approach to the subject. While the Slovak writers on political matters rather follow the descriptive method and sober style of American political literature, Dr. Rudinsky's style and approach to the subject reminds us of the French political school of the pre-war generation. Methodical[y the book is also different. It is composed of several essays which are linked together only by the general idea. It is, in any case, a book of interesL and a refined intellectual reading material. 87 Slovak literature being either unknown or misinterpreted in American symposia on Slavic civilization, is a study that will be welcome by students of literatures and professors, but also by many educated Americans of Slovak and Slavic background. It is, so far, the best and most complete English survey and introduction to Slovak literature. The author, former professor of Slavic civilization at the Department of Slavic studies in Montreal, used an abundance of sources in several languages to present Slovak literature in a new and objective light. The author proves the thesis, maintained by Western literary historians, that Slovak literature began only in the 19th century is without foundation. This misconception was spread, says the writer, mainly by Czech scholars and foreign slavists educated at Czech universities. According to Marxist scholars, Slovak history of literature goes back to the period of St. Cyril and Methodius and literature in Slovakia developed in several jk languages before the Slovak vernacular was codified by Slovak Literary History in Anton Bernolak in the 18th Marxist Interpretation s. By J. century. M. Kirschbaum, Ph. D., A reThe value of the study lies print from Canadian Slavonic Papers, published by Univer- also in acquainting the reader with many sources in Slavic sity of Toronto Press, 1964. 1 88 SLOVAKIA or foreign languages which deal with Slovak literature. T h e Marxist interpretation seems to be treated for the first time in the English language in this concise and well written survey. Published in Canadian S 1 a v o n i c Papers, whose editors are several outstanding Canadian Slavists, the study undoubtedly went through a thorough examination before printed, which adds to its value. J.P. An Outline of Slovakia' s Struggle for Independence . By J. M. Kirschbaum, LL.D., Ph. D. Published by the Canadian Slovak League, Toronto, 1964. 40 pages, llustrated appendices, biblography. The controversial subject of Slovakia's independence is treated in this concise publication with the evident aim to refute the false legends which the hostile propaganda of the Czech and Communist politicians spread in the West. The booklet was published on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the declaration of Slovakia's independence, but its value is far greater than is usual with publications written for celebrating anniversaries of political events. In five short chapters the author gathered all the evidence available in diplomatic and other sources to prove that Slovakia's striving for independence developed independently of German policy and that Berlin for some time preferred other solutions. The chapter on international recognition of the Slovak Republic also shows that originally Great Britian, the Soviet Union and some other 30 state:; established diplomatic or consular relations with Slovakia and not only Germany and the Axis, as tendenciously write American sources on the Second World War. The closing chapters give an account on Sovietization of Slovakia and on the prospects of Slovak democracy. Three appeals for Slovakia's freedom, recorded in the Congress of the United States, some statistical data and bibliography complete the picture ancl make of this concise publication a source of useful information for politicians, diplomats and students of history of Central Europe. J.P. independence, the right of every nation to freely choose its cwn form of government and freely elect persons of its own choice by whom it shall be governed; condemns and unequivocally opposes all forms of tyranny, every form of totalitarian political system. The Slovak League of America has always recognized the Godless philosophy of materialistic Communism for the dread evil and conspiracy against free humanity that it is, as the political system which threatens mankind with utter enslavement and, therefore, has fought resolutely against it in and out of season and, today, is still determined to fight against it with all the means at its command until the dread plague of Communism is wiped off the face of the earth; firmly believes that the national existence and welfare of the Slovak nation can best be safeguarded by the Slovaks themselves in their own independent Slovak Republic; as a Christian and democratic organization, is resolutely against the dominat ion and exploitation of the Slovak nation by any other nation or political state; the Slovaks did not want to be ruled over by the Magyars and, today, do not want to be subservient to the Czech nation; heartily commends all efforts of our governmental and other organs to f erret out and unmask all Communists and fellow travellers, as well as all persons and organizations who wittingly or unwittingly give aid and comfort to the conspiracy of Communism promoted by the Soviet Union ; stands for honesty, integrity, industry and justice in government. SLOVAKIA $2 .00 per annum in the U.S.A. Published by $3.00 elsewhere. ~ \~~ y.~ \) THE SLOVAK LEAGUE OF AMERICA 313 Ridge Avenue M i d d l etown , Pa., 17057 PRINTED IN THE U.S. A . JEDNOTA PRESS M i ddletown , Pa. 17057 ,L . c..\ ,Q v;:/ · -;:;, [.f!- (!},, -:.,.,' , ":'-? : ,· ~-"' ._ .• ,.'i Officers of the Slovak League of America Stephen J. Tkach, President 173 North Main Street Wilkes-Barre, Pa. Dr. Jos~ph Pauc o, Sec'y-Treasurer 313 Ridge Avenue MiddletOWlll, Pa. Edwal'd J. Behuncik, Vice-Pres. Mrs. Julla Krajcovic, Ladies Vice-Pres. Executiv-e Cpmmibtee: Msgr. F. J. Dubosh, P .A., Dr. Peter P . Hletko, Paul Jamris ka, Jose.p h G. Pmsa, John A. Sabol, Eli.zaibeth Andrejko SLOVAK FRATERNAL ORGANIZATIONS (Alffillated wi,th the Slovak League of America) THE FffiST CATHOLIC SLOVAK UNION Cleveland, Ohio - Membership: 104,000 THE FffiST CATHOLIC SLOVAK LADIES UNION Cl eveland, Oh io - Membership: 95 ,000 THE SLOVAK CATHOLIC SOKOL Passaic, N. J. - Membership: 52,000 PENNSYLVANIA SLOVAK CATHOLIC UNION Wilkes-Barre. Pa. - Membership 18.000 PENNSYLVANIA SLOVAK CATHOLIC LADIES UNION Wilkes-Barre. Pa. - Members-hip: 16,500 SLOVAK NEWSPAPER'S JOURNALISTS' ASSOCIATION (Affiliated with the Slovak Lea,g ue of America) Joseph G. Prusa, President V. J . Tylka, Secretary, 2103 W. Oermak Road. Chicago 8, ill. SLOVAK NEWSPAPERS (Affiliated with the Slovak League of America) JEDNOTA Middletown, Pa. SLOVENSKA OBRANA ZENSKAJEDNOTA Scranton, Pa. Cleveland. Ohio BRATSTVO SVORNOSt ZORNltKA Wilkes-Barre, Pa. Braddock, Pa. Wilkes-Barre, Pa. KATOLICKY SOKOL SLOVAK V AMERIKE Passaic, N. J . Middletown, Pa. Join the Local Assembly in your town or contact the Secretary of the Slovak League. Membership dues are only $1.50 per year.  Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Back Matter, Slovakia, Vol. 14 (No. 37) Description An account of the resource includes Book Reviews Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1964 https://slovakia.wordsofpassage.net/files/original/769635e2364a7189d5a2c1f98263f219.pdf 56d063a8bde528fa9dbe67bef21c308f PDF Text Text 150 SLOVAKIA WHO'S WHO AMONG SLOVAKS IN U. S. A. A!ND OANADA Hletko, Peter Paul, M.D., physlcian-s urge on; (semi-retired); med. examiner of many insurance Co's; born June 26, 1'902 in Chicago, Ill.; son of Martin and Catherine (IHargas ) Hletko; educated, St. Michael's School (1908-1915), Chicago, St. Procopius Academy and College, Lisle, Ill. (1915-19) and (1919-21); De Paul Univ., Chicago (1921-23, B. Sc. in Chem. 1923); Loyola University, Chicago, (M.D. 1927) ; Resident Staff (interne) Cook County Hosp., Chicrugo (19271928); instructor in clinical neurology, Loyola U. Medical School (1931-35) ; wed Anna E. Remijas in 1938; led Slovak League of Am. delegation to Czecho-Slovakia in 1938 in behal! of Pittsburgh Pact recognition; pres. Slovak League of Am. (1935-1939) and (1963M); Hon. Presid•ent and member of Exec. Committee of Slovak League (19·3 8-196i); Tice-pres. Slov. Cath. F ed er ation of Amer. (19314); Supr. Med. Examiner, Slovak Cath. Sokol (1927-19&4); Hon. Med. Examiner (emeritus), and Member of Exec. Comm. •Slovak Cath. Sokol; Supr. Med. Examiner Nat. Slovak Society (1934-39); secretary, Supreme Court 01' Na:t. Slovak Society (l'll26-19.3 4); organizer and 1s t pres . 'Club Furdek' (Oath. Slovak Cultural Society, Chicago) 1929; member Amer. Med. Assn., Ill. Med. Assn. and Chicago Medical Assn. since 1929; med. examiner of Municipal Court and Law Dept. Benefit and .Pension Fund, Chica~o. (1936-61); Pl!"esident, Gage Park Savings & Loan Assn., Chica~o. ,since .1985. Author: "The Slovaks and the Pittsburgh Pact" (publi,shed by 'Slovak Catholic Federation 1934); vrote "Islm,r" - rQprint of satko-comic column in the Osad n e Hlasy (Slovak Parish N liws), 19,311 ; edited the "Catholic Slovak Sokol Cook-Book", 1964; contrib. editor, Osadne Hlasy (Chi- cago P a rish News, 1927-63); editor 'Jaro", English supplement to 'Jednota, 1927-3·6. Editor, 'Chicagsky Dennik' (Chicago Slovak D a i 1 y News), 1926-27. Democrat. Hobbies : Books, philately, pinochle. Home : Warrenville, Ill. Office : 2740 W. 55th St., Chicago 32, Ill. Mlynarovic h, Clement, Milos, Born October 1'1, 1·887, Hasprunka 1 ( Studlenka), S 1 ova k i a, son of Stephen and Stephanie (Heiny) Mlynarovich; educated in Studienka, Trnava, Bratislava; ordained May 21, 1910 Bratislava; doc ent of Eloquence and Blblicum in Franciscan Seminary 1911-1914. Assistant at St. J oh n Parish, Whiting, Indiana 1915; organizer of Assumption Parish, East Chicago, Indiana. /Pastor of A s sumpt.ion Pwrish 1915; ,b uilt church 1917, rectory 1919, school and convent 1,926. Organized Sacred Heart Parish, East Chicago, Indiana (East side) and ·b uilt church 1g3'7. Toured Central Europe 1925; elected Supr,e me Judge of Slovak Catholic Sokol 1930; elected chaplain or ISlovak Catholic Sokol 193.:'l. Elected •Supreme •P resident Slovak Catholic ·F ederwtion 1930-193•5. Made Very Rev. Monsignor 194•5 ; visited Peace Conference 1945. Elected l!"egul ar member of the Gallery-Academy of Livi n g Authors 1949; resigned the Assumption (Parish, East Chicago, Indiana, and moved to Seven Dolors 1Shrine, Valparaiso, .Indiana 1950. Reelected 1Supreme Presid ent Slovak Catholic Federation or America. 19>50. Visited ,I taly and Germany 1955 In re: Slovak ,seminarians in Pontifical Nepomucenum, Rome, and In re: Slovak emigll"ants in Germany. Was made Rt. R ev. Monsignor 1955; made r egular member the International Marian Academy 1955. 1 �SLOVAKIA Visited Europe in 1962 and 1963 In re: St. Cyril and IMethodius Institu te in Rome. Literary works: Slavia J>oems Novels from American Life Great God (poems) Christmas Telephone Two Worlds "In Search of God," (poems) "In The 'Shadow of Skyscrapers," ( short novels) "S,truggle With Fate," (short novels) "Birds in The Storm," (novel) "From the People for the People," {poems) "Mary the Divine Design," "IRoseta," (novel) Sermons "Story of a Hea rt," (poems) All literary works aire in Slovak. !Awarded with Hlinka Silver Cup and with Gold Medal of the Slovak Catholic Intellectuals. Stephen B. Roman is widely recognized as a leading spokesman for the Canadian uranium industry. He has been in the forefront of those who have claimed that the demand for nuclear fuel and power would build up rapidly in the next few years. Today, he and his company, Denison Mines Limited, are on the threshhold of a solid, long-term association with European customers. Details in full have to be ironed out, but negotiations involve the sale of 100,000,000 lbs. of uranium oxide over a 25-year period. In honoring Stephen Roman recently, Western Miner recognizes that even greater things lie ahead for the ambitious 43-year old executive who heads one of Canada's most important mining and industrial complexes. Denison, with its diversified investments b o th in Canada and the U. S. A., appears destined to b e c o m e one of the great "growth" organizations of North America. Born in Slovakia, Stephen Ro- 151 man came to Canada as an immigrant lad of 17 in the company of an older brother. He began his life in Canada by spending his first three years on a farm near Port Perry. Nights were consumed with study, furthering both his cultural interests and his knowledge of a new language. Following service in the Canadian army, he married, worked in industry and, briefly, as an editor of a Slovak weekly newspaper. His subsequent, phenomenal financial career evolved over a period of 18 years. As president of Denison Mines Limited, he brought the world's largest uranium mine into production, at Elliot Lake, Ontario. He has made "Denison" synonymous with dynamism and diversification. The company today is a leading g a s and o i 1 producer, with large proven reserves in Western Canada. Through its investments, it is also a manufacturer of cement and building materials (Lake Ontario Cement Company, Premier Building Materials Limited, Primeau Argo Block Company). Un, der Denison's guidance, a b a s emetal property, Black Hawk Mining Limited, is being currently developed in Maine, U.S.A. In this perspective, a not her newsworthy accomplishment was his prominent role in the merging of Roman Corporation with TransCanada Explorations. Roman Corporation, the new company, in addition to its interests in a variety of attractive mining properties and its own diversified holdings, has a substantial investment in Denison stock, its most important single asset. With Denison as a base, Mr. Roman has built a $85 million industrial empire of diversified investments. Now with Roman Corporation Limited as an active new agency of investment, he is advancing on another phase of his meteoric career. �152 SLOVAKIA BOOK REVIEWS Pauco, Joseph, Ph.D.: 75 rokov Prvej Katoiickej Slovenskej Jednoty, Middletown, . Pa., 1965, p. 664, Illustrated. Not infrequently one encounters in life a specific circumstance which calls for the accomplishment of a momentous task, but there is no one at hand with the necessary competence to perform it; and, vice versa, one oftentimes meets with a person of marked ability for a particular task, who is denied the opportunity to exercise his talent. Matthew Arn old neatly states the outcome when the two appear simultaneously in the literary field: "Great creative works in literature result from the happy concurrence of two notable powers, the power of the man and the power of the moment." Such a happy concurrence of two notable power~ has been strikingly exemplified before our eyes this year. For the power of the moment there was the 75th anniversary of the First Catholic Slovak Union in 1965, calling for the writing of the history of this remarkable organization. For the power of the man there was Joseph Pauco, Ph.D., a gifted author, historian and scholar, capable and willing to assume the task of writing this history. The result is a truly monumental contribution to Slovak history and literature, entitled, "75 Rokov Prvej Katolickej Slovenskej J ednoty." The history of the First Catholic Siovak Union can well be considered concommitant with that of the adjustment of S l o v a k immigrants to the American way of life. On page one of its June 2, 1965 issue, the JEDNOTA weekly notes : "The 75-year history of the First Catholic Slovak Union is interlocked with the story of the Slovaks in America from their very first days in this country, embodying their dreams and aspirations, their programs and campaigns of action, their accomplishments, their contributions to the ideals of this great country ... " It is important that we Slovaks f a m i 1 i a rize ourselves with this record. Only too often we are confronted by inquirers seeking information on matters which they quite rightly expect us to know. A careful reading of Dr. Pauco's book will enable us to furnish answers to questions like the following: When and why did the Slovaks emigrate �SLOVAKIA to the United States in such large numbers? Why all this concern about conditions in Central Europe? What part was played by American Slovak leaders in the founding of the Czecho-Slovak Republic in 1918 and of the Independent Slovakia in 1939? Thus the book portrays the early struggles of the Slovak immigrants, their traits of <:haracter, their involvement in events, both here and in their fatherland, their progress from life in simple settlements to flourishing parishes and to the founding of religious, educational, cultural, and charitable institutions. The book presents thumb·n ail sketches of institutions like the Catholic Slovak Federation, the Slovak League of America, the various Religious Congregations of men and women, and the newly established Institute of SS. Cyril and Methodius in Rome for 'the training of priests for Slovakia. It includes biographical sketches of notable persons in Slovak life, contemporary as well a.s past, persons whose names were ·household w0rds iR their day-Furdek, .Jankola, Pavco, Di an is k a, Murgas, Rusek, Hrobak, Kozak, Lach, Rovnianek, all ac·tive in American Slovak life. Nor are there lacking names like Culen, Hronsky, Hlinka, 153 Razus, Hrusovsky, Urbanek, Sasinek, Skultety, 0 s v a 1 d, whose area of action stemmed from Slovakia and whose influence was felt in America. Scores of other names appear in the record of persons still living and active in the Slovak cause. Furthermore, Dr. Pauco's book records events like the following: The Consecration of the first Slovak bishop in America in 1957; a Slovak pilgrimage to the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D. C. and the erection within its walls of the altar of our Mother of Sorrows, Patroness of Slovakia; visits made to America by Msgr. Hlinka, the Slovak Bishops: Blaha, Vojtassak, Cars k y, and Jantausch; visits of delegations representitng national, educational and cultural societies in Slovakia; Papal honors conferred upon distinguished Slovaks. It contains hi&torical documents such a.s: Memoranda on behalf of Slovakia addressed to the President and Congress of the United States and to the U.N.; messages to the Slovak people by eminent churchmen, like Cardinal S p e 11 m a n a n d Cardinal Stritch, climaxed by the memorable address of Pope Paul VI to the Slovak pilgrims a~ sembled in Rome from the �154 SLOVAKIA United States, Austria, Belgium, France, Spain, Italy, South America and the Far Ea;st on September 14, 1963. Moreover, the author has authentically annotated e a c h fact so that if the reader wishes further information he can pursue the topic further. The foregoing is but a superficin.l s u m m a r y of the wealth of information contained in Dr. Pauco's book. ~cholars will appreciate the amount of painstaking and persistent research and methodical organization of material that produced in one volume a veritable treasury of information. To the older members of the J ednota, the book offers precious reminiscences of past struggles, labors, trials, triumps, and achievements; to the discerning reader it offers historical data on a gallant and courageous nation; to the student it offers a valuable r eference in the field of research. In recent years there · has been in America a welcome awakening of interest in the Slovak people. Students in high schools and colleges are encouraged to write papers on topics relating to Slovak history, literature, culture, and politics. There is immense need for source material. Dr. Pauco has pr o v i d e d this source material in his book "Seventy-five Years of the First Catholic Slovak Union", so rich in content, in abundant notes and references, and in bibliographic data. On the occasion of an anniversary it is customary for the celebrating jubilarian to r eceive gifts; now the order has been reversed; the celebrating jubilarian, the 75year old Jednota, does not receive a gift, but bestows one-a gift of lasting value · to its members, to the Slovak people, and to history and literature in general. Speaking of value draws attention to the price of the volume. Only $5.00! A small sum indeed for such a valuruble 'book-'lllllieommOllllly valuable in content and proportionately valuable in its digno.fled fomna;t~iits tyipe, its numerous illustrations, and its durable binding. One more important thought. The statement of Matthew Arnold about the power of the moment and the power of the man applies here again. 'Dhere :i!S urgent need-the power of .t he moment-to provide source material in Eng- · lish for students and to make · Slovak information available to the general American reader. This need calls for a writer �SLOVAKIA _,the power of the mancaJPa!ble and willing to translaite Dr. P.auc's booO{ imito ffingHsh. God grant that the two powers concur very soon to fulfill this need of the times. Mother M. Emerentia, SS.C.M. M!lan S. Durica, LA SL0VAICC'HI!A. E LE SUE RELAZIONI POLITIOHE 0ON LA GEJRMANIA - 1938/ 194 5, (Slovakia and Her Political Relations with Germany), Marsilio E ditor!, Padova, Italy, 1964, Sarmatlca Series, Introduction by Ettore Anchleri, p. 274. Books on Slovakia in foreign languages are growing in number and quality, and the present volume counts undoubtedly among the bes,t bo th for its scholarly method and objective analysis of the events and for -the use of documents rela ted to Slovakia's recent history. Admitted to unpublished diplomatic archives of the Third Reich, the author tried to find an ansvrer to and put in proper per~pQctive 1.) The origin of the Slovak 'Republic, 2.) The rel ation s of Slovakia with Germany, and 3.) The policy of the Slovak Government towards Berlin. All these topics were casually treated in Western European languages in connection with the Eastern Europea n problems or with the Second WGrld War, but the writers, except for those of Slovak origin mostly accepted biased opinions from anti,Slovak sources and were not concerned with archives and do cuments . Profesor DuTica is the first social scientist who has used his knowledge of foreign languages to look into the -primary sources and find out wheTe the truth lies and where the Western historiography relied on political myths. The result of his research is consequently in dis.agreement with many a thesis on 155 both the origm of the Slovak state in March 1939 and on the policy of the Slovak government towards the German attempts to limit Slovakia's sovereignty and to impose national socialism upo n the Slovak people. Without any intention ,t o exculpate or apologize, a tendency which can be found in other works, professor Durica depicts the relations betwee n Germany and Slovakia as they appear in the light of the documents of German diploma ts, Slovak cabinet ministers, or other personalities, playing a role in Slovak politics. The present volume which ls the first o! a series, deals with the events of the years 1938-1939, from the Munich Agreement to the outburst of the Second World War. A'\vare of the scarce knowledge of the Slovak problem in the West, including Italy, the author also gives a brief survey of the Slovak national aspirations before the First World War and during the years 1918-1938 in Czecho-Slovakia. Jn an extensive introduction he deals with Wes tern historiography concerning Slovakia and shows considerable knowledge of literature in several European languages. On ,the 'basis of such documentation and research, Profesor Durica came to the conclusion that "a direct influence of Germans on Slovak politician<.! with regard to an immediate declaration or independence of Slovakia can be documented only from March 7, 1939", and "that the principal Slovak personalities gave a proof of firmness wh en enco untered with German press ure and faced witih dignity even the personal intervention of Hitler on March 13." (p. 11-5) The declaration of Slovak independence on March H, 1939 "was made under the pressure of the international situation, pa rticularly und er that of Germany, but the independence was nevertheless proclaimed by the diet of the autonomous Slovakia on the �156 SLOVAKIA basis of delibera:tions basically free, and by a free and unanimous vote of all members of the Diet present in the Parliament." (p. 115) ,P rofesor Durica states emphatically ,tha,t; "the Slovak state cannot be considered as a creation of Hitler's Germany. In the secret documents of Nazi Germany preceding the crisis of March 1939, there is no project of this kind. The subsequent documents clearly prove instead that there was on one hand, an initial disorientaition in Berlin as to the viability of the independent Slovak state, and on the other, a decisive and constant resistance of Slovakia against repeated attempts, by the Third Reich, first at the military occupation of the Slovak territory, and later, at reducing <the Slovak state to a German protectorate" (p. 116) As for the viability and ideological orientation of Slovakia the author concludes that "in the period of March-September 1939 <the Slovak State consolidated noteworthy its administrative structure, adopted a republican constitution inspired by the Christian traditions or its people and obtained sufficiently large recognition as the member of the international community." (P. 116). Durica came to these conclusions on the basis of an extensive study, as shown by his footnotes and bibliography, of secondary and primary sources of which the 86 documents in German and English, attached to the book enhance thtl value of his work. He also cleared a confusion around two ducuments, .na mely a letter by the Hungarian regent Nicholas Horthy of March 13, 1939, and a telegram, allegedly sent by Dr. Tiso to Hitler on March 15th, 1939. This reviewer has been responsible for a part of the confusion since he was the first to use, in good faith, Horthy's letter as a document referring to Slovakia in an article published in 1948 and later in 1958 in my book "Nas boj o samostatnost: Slovenska", from which it passed into Mikus French book and Oddo's work. It was left out from my English book SLOVAKIA (publ. 1960) since I found out in the meantime that the document referred to the Carphato-Ukraine. The other document was publish• ed in the DOCUMENTS ON GER• MA!N FOiREIGN PO[,!CY SERIES D and since I was aware of a telegram sent to Hitler on March 14, 1939 (I was personal secretary to the Minister of External Affairs of Slovakia at that time), I mistakingly considered the draft, found in Berlin and never used, as the text of Tiso's telegram. It is now clear that Tiso never sent that teleg,r am and the message I was aware of, was signed by Durcansky as published . by Durica (Doc. 51, p. 196). If the following volumes of Durica's work will be of the same scholarly precision and objectivity, he will undoubtedly make a valu• able contribution to Western historiography on Central Eastern Europe. We hope that he will adcI to the fortcomiug volumes a resume in English and French which he did not attach this time and which Is one o-f the short-comings of this valuable work. J. M. KIRSCHBAUM Ludwig v. Gogolak, BEITRAGE ZUR GElSCHICHTE DES SLOV A· KISCHE~ VOLKES I, (Contribut• ions to the History of the Slovak People), Verlag R. Oldenburg, Munchen, 1963, p. 265. This scholarly work by a professor of •Central European history at the University of Vienna, is the first critical work by a foreign scholar on the rise of Slovak national consciousness and on the origin of the Czecho- Slovak question. It deserves, therefore, more than casual attention �SLOVAKIA o! Slavists and experts in Central ·E astern European problems. :As the subtitle indicates (Die Natiornalwerdung der Slowaken und die Anfange der tschechoslowakischen 1F rage 1526-1790), the author made a thorough research, facilitated lby his knowledge of German, Hungarian, Slovak and Czech, into two contested questions on which not only politicians but also linguists and historians for a long time held and defended divergent positions and opinions. Western historiography predominantly accepted the Czech thesis ,t hat ethnically, and linguistically Slovaks were a part of the Czech people or a:t the best a part of the "Czechoslovak people". The Slovaks vehemently defended their linguistic, cultural and political identity, but until recently they scarcely found understanding or support among Western scholars. The first serious attempt on the part of Western scholars to present a critical analysis of the q u e s t i o n, base.d on original sources; dates only from 19.3'1 and was made by Th. J. Locher in his D1E NIA:T.IONAIJE DH'FERENZIER UN G UND INTEGRIERUNG DER SLOWAKEN UND TSCHECHEN IN IHREM GESCHICHTLICHEN VERLAUF 'BIS 1848 (The Natrona! Differentation and Integration of 1Slovaks and Czechs in its historical development until 1848). Dr. 'Locher completed two years of post-graduate studies in Prague and IBratislava (after graduating .from the University of Leiden in his native Holland) and to the dismay of his Czech professors (J. Susta in Prague and V. Chaloupecky in Bratislava) he came to conclusions contradicting the Czech t h e s i s of fue ethnic linguistic, cultural and political unity of the Slovaks and Czechs. The work by professor v. Gogolak confirms Lecher's conclusions, but it is at the same time more de- 157 tailed, broader in scope and much better documen,ted. We might say that this is the first foreig n-language book which goes de eper into the problem of the relations between the Slovaks and Czechs than any other book in Slovak or Czech, and -there were many books written on this ,topic in the last hundred years. Gogolak's knowledge of sources in the languages pertainin.g to the topic is unique among the Western historians and he displays a rare objectivity !ri his analysis not only with regard to the Czechs but also with regard to Hungarians, who similarly attempted to create "a Hungari an people" of the inhabitants of !Hungary by the assimilation of Slovaks and other nationalities. It does not mean, however ithat the book is not bound to stir up controversy among C z e ch and Hungarian historians alike; it may provoke disag,r eement in some det ails even among the Slovaks, and particularly among the Pro-· testant Slovaks. ;Frofessor v. Gog o 1 a k defends not only the thesis of an independent Slovak linguistic and cultural entity, but correctly states· that the so-called Czechoslovak· problem or ,the thesis of the unity of Czechs and Slovaks is of very late date and was masterminded by the Slovak Protestant minority (about 18% at the present time) which ,was to a great degree of Czech ancestry and has been linked wi,th the. Czechs by their liturgical language (see pp. 214 and fol.). Gogolak goes so .far as to say that "had the Protestant intelligentsia, which in fact lived mostly on their historical heritage and foreign German-Czech connections, r emained in the leading role, the result would have been the complete disappearance of the Slovak people" (p. 229) In his view "it is thanks only to the activity of several Catholic priests and scholars, who. were conscious of their goal and �_158 SLOVAKIA mission, that the Slovak national character did not lose its own characteristics and identity in the clash with the menacing political magyarization and the spiritual 'self-czechizatlon' ... " Such statements, even if basically true, are undoubtedly bound to provoke reaction on the side of the Slovak Protestant intellectuals of whom many reel, like their ancestors ait the beginning of ,the 19th century, that they are "the ex c I u s iv e leaders of the Slovak people" whose "bold consciousness of their mi s s ion (Sendungsbewusstsein ) came again and again in the foreground until 1918-1919". (p. 217). Besides these two main problems the author deals with many other questions related to the rise of Slovak national consciousness, as for instance the role of the aristocracy and bourgeoisie in Slovak cultural life, the role of the German element, Hungarian assimilatory t e n d e n c i es etc., on which topics there are some monographic works in Slovak, which were not analyzed from a global point of view. This concise and well-documented scholarly work deserves attention not only from SloTak scholars, but also from Slavists in general. JK. Edward E . Delaney, FREEDOM'S FRONTIER, .Published by H. A. Nickel, Sacramento, Cal., 211 p. The author is a n,vell-known news reporter, whose area of opera,tion was Central Europe during World War II. On more than one oc- casion he visited Slovakia and learned its problems firsthand. In this book he sets forth a challenging analysis of western policy, pointing out its blunders with regard to Soviet expansion. In no uncer,tain terms the a uthor expr esses his condemnation of western appeasement and calls for a constructive policy of liberation of captive nations, tearing down the Iron C urtain and the Berlin Wall, and undoing the brainwashing to which the American public has been subjected. In his references ,to Slovakia h e names Slovak intellectuals and politicians whose anti-Communist stand has been known in the West and n,vho rightfully claim freedom and independence for their nation. In his view Slovakia is a captive nation, now occupied by the Soviets. After Hs so-called liberation, it was combined again with Bohemia and Moravia in a restored Czecho,Slovakia to compensate Benes for services rendered to Moscow by himself and other Czech politicians. Delaney condemns such disr egard or a nation's rights as well as the unjust condemnation or Slovak politicias and specifically •the execution of Dr. Tiso. Quoting Slovak scholars like Dr. J . M. Kirschbaum and Dr. F. Durcansky, he presses for Slovakia's independence. A perusal of the book proves that the author is acquainted with the literature and basic problems of Central Europe and has personally met some of its leaders. JK . Die Slowaken und das Grossmiihrishe Reich (The Slovaks and the Great-Moravian Empire), by Dr. Arved Grebert, Munich, 1965, p. 64, bibl. For a long time a matter of interest for a few historians and linguists, the Great-Moravian Empire became during the past two decades an object of scholarly research by experts in many fields, especially of archeologists, ethnographers and social scientists. The booklet under review is a contribution to the ethnic character of the Great-Moravian Empire, according to its subtitle, but it also sheds a new light on many other problems. �SLOVAKIA 159 After having outlined historical and geographical data of this first empire of Carpathian and Danubian Slavs, called Sclaveni or Sclavi Marahenses in contemporary Latin sources and Slovene in eastern re• cords, the author attempts to give an answer to the following ques• tions: Which Slavic tribes lived on the territory of the Great-Moravian Empire in the 9th Century? What is the ethnic character of the population of today's Moravia? What was the relation of the Slovaks to the Czechs in the 9th century? Dr. Grebert's answer is based on a thorough study of sources, of historical and linguistic works of renown scholars of various nationali• ties, published in half a dozen languages. Nevertheless, it is an answer which is bound to provoke controversy, since it contradicts or refutes many an outdated thesis of Czech Slavists or of historians guided by political considerations. In his conclusion Dr. Grebert states that his research and quoted sources and data prove that "the Great-Moravian Empire was a Slovak state, formed by Slovaks" (p. 50). Though amply supported by the views of scholars not only of the Slovak, German, Hungarian, but also of the Czech origin, the author refers in his conclusion also to the so-called Marxist experts to give his study an objective basis beyond any doubt. It will be now to the experts in this period of history to accept or refute Grebert's new look at the first Slavic empire which was claimed mainly by the Czechs as a part of their national heritage. The essay is written in a clear style, concise form, and convincing manner. The writer apparently was guided by the dictum "non multa, sed multun". J. M. Kirschbaum ANTON BERNOLAK-The First Codifier of the Slovak Language (1762-1813). By J. M. Kirschbaum, LL.D., Ph.D. Publishers: Slovak In• stitute, Cleveland, Ohio, 48 pages. Bernolak's 200th birthday anniversary provided the occasion for the author's masterful address at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, which fortunately has been preserved for us in this highly documented work. The wide scope of his research is shown in the Bibliography in which sources are quoted from works in Latin, German, Slovak, Polish, English, Czech, French and Italian. No one so far has come up with such a concise and scholarly his• torical and literary background to the development of the modern Slovak language as Dr. Kirschbaum in this brochure in English and French. This small volume is an excellent and invaluable handbook for future scholars who may want to treat the subject more extensively. They will find in it not only the Slovak literary and national leaders who saved the Slovak nation from extinction in a period of historic crisis but a list of names of philologists, historians, etc. as references to authorities on the subject. Rarely does one find such an imposing array of distinguished men quoted as we find in Dr. Kirschbaum's priceless work. To mention a few: Bajza, Safarik, Holly, Pa?lrnvic, Fandly, stur, Jungman, Niederle, Vlcek, Mraz, Kotvan, Bartek, Mihal, Sta• nislav. Pauliny, Seton-Watson, Denis, Dobrov,sky, Auty, de Bray, von Gogolak, Skultety, Krcmery, Miskovic, Tibensky, Pisut, Banik, Lepacek, MeriggL A.P. �160 SLOVAKIA CONTRIBUTORS Zatko, James J., Ph.D., Rev., received an M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of Notre Dame. Under sponsorship of Ford Fellowships he studied at Harvard in 1954-1955 and at the Catholic University of Lublin in 1958. He was also the recipient of an Association of Middle Eastern Studies Fellowships in 1962. He is assistant professor of history at the University of Notre Dame. Just off the press is his book Descent Into Darkness -The Destruction of the Roman Catholic Church in Russia 1917-1923, published by Notre Dame University. Kona, William, was born in Slovakia where he was reared and took his secondary education. He received part of his education in law at Bratislava in Slovakia. He continued his education in law in Rome and in Madrid. Attended Roosevelt University, Chicago Teachers College; Chicago Real Estate Board Institute. At Rosary College in River Forest, Illinois, he received his M.A. He also took advanced :studies in library science at the University of Chicago. In his travels Mr. Kona has been to Austria, Germany, Italy, Slovenia, Monaco France, Portugal, Gibraltar, Croatia, Spain, Canada, Mexico, and has toured the United States extensively. Mr. Kona is a Member of the Association of Hospital and Institutional Libraries of the American Library Association of which he is on the Publications Advisory Committee ( 1962-64) and Bibliotherapy Committee (1962-66); Medical Library Association in which he is the Chairman of the Nursing Libraries Group (1963-64 and 1964-65), Chairman of Membership Committee (1964-65), and member of the Exchange Committee ( 1963-64 and 1964-65). As well as these two national organizations he is a member of the Midwest Regional Group of the Medical Library Association (Member of the Board of Directors) and also he was Program chairman for the Tri-State Hospital Assembly Medical Library Service (1963-64); Permanent Chairman since 1960 of the Nursing Librarians of Metropolitan Chicago; VicePresident of A.P.P. (1962-64); American Hospital Association of which he was faculty member to the Institute on Hospital Librarianship in 1961 and 1964. Evangela, M. Sister, B.S., M.A., the Sisters of SS. Cyril and Methodius whose Motherhouse is in Danville, Pa., is working toward a doctorate in history at Georgetown University, Washington, D. C. She is the recipient of a summer grant in history under the National Defense Educational Act. For her Master's thesis from De Paul University in 1964, Sister wrote on: Foreign Relations Between the United States and Czecho-Slovakia with Special Emphasis on Slovakia, 1920-1960. Essay in this issue of Slovakia is a part of her thesis. Krajsa, Joseph C., B.S., with majors in Health and Physical Education, History, and English - plus graduate work in Philosophy at Lehigh University, was born in Allentown, Pa. For 11 years he taught high school English and History and was Head Coach in three sports; tor 15 years he was associated in a finance business; and since February 1964, he has been the Editor of the Catholic Weekly JEDNOTA. �Misan11, N. Joseph, is a well-known lawyer. President of Mil- waukee Assemb!y 20 of the .Slovak L eague of America, an Assistant City Attorney of Milwaukee, Wis., Comma nder of Post 508, Catholic War Veterans, Adju tant of Wisco nsin Pos t 490, Inc, The Am erican Legion, and is a member of •the Sokols, J ednota and Narodny Spolok; a parishione r o! St. Stephen's (Slovak) Catholic Church, Milwaukee, Wis., Misany graduated from ?.forquette University an d the Law School, helped organize the Father Blinka Club there, and wrote h is political science thesis on Slova kia, Yester day and Today : The Feelings and Sen,timen ts of a Catholic People (M. U. L ibrar y, 1940), believed to be one of the fi r st such works on a University level in U.S.A. Kirschbaum, J . M., LL.D., Ph.D., former Slovak diplomat in Rome, Italy, and Bern, Switzerland, born in Slovakia and residing in c;anada. For a decade, he was professor at the Unive. sity of Montreal, Department of Slavic Studies, and contributor to French, English and Slovak periodicals and symposia. Some of his writings were also published in Spanish and German. His best known books: Slovakia: A Nation at the Crossroads of Central Europe (Speller and Sons, New York, N. Y., 1960) and Neis boj o samostatnost' Slovenska (Slovak Institute, Cleveland, Ohio, 1958). Urban, Eugene, was born January 2, 1914 at Podolie, Slovakia. He completed his studies of Slovak and French language and literature at the University in Bratislava, Slovakia, with a M.A. in Education degree in 1938. In 1935 he studied slavistics at the Slovenian University at Ljubljana, Slovenia, and French language and literature at the Universite Catholique, Lille, France. In 1960 he received his M.A. in Library Science degree from the Rosary College, River Forest, Ill. In World War II he was assigned as press attache to the Legation of the Slovak Republic in Vatican City. Actually, he is librarian in the Research Library of Inland Steel Company, Hammond, Ind. Many of his articles on Slovak literary, historical and J>Qlitical topics were published in Slovak, Slovenian and Italian journals. The publishing house Sandron, Rome, Italy, published in 1945 his translation into Italian of Slovak short stories by the Slovak author Milo Urban, with the title Novelle Slovacche. Vnuk, Frantisek, P.Eng., professor at a Technological Institute in Adelaide, Australia, was born in Slovakia. He belongs to the younger generation of Slovak intellectuals who did not give up their fight a: ainst communism and strive for freedom and democracy in Slovakia. Profilic and gifted historian writer, he covers in his Slovak and English writings several fields of intellectual activities, from politics to literature. Recently he published the book Neuveritel'ne sprisahanie dealing with the invasion of the communists into Slovakia in 1944. SLOVAKIA $2.00 per annum in the U.S.A. - $3.00 elsewhere. PRI NTED IN THE U.S. A. JEDNOTA PRESS M idd letown, Pa. 17057 �The Slovak League of America - - is an AMERICAN INSTITUTION; it was organized May 26, 1907, at Cleveland, 0., by the Rev. Stephen Furdek; is a CULTURAL and CMC organization of Americans of Slovak descent; is interested primarily in promoting the welfare and security of the United States of America; represents an overwhelming majority of organized Americans of Slovak descent; actively affiliated with it are the largest Slovak fraternals, religious organizations, Slovak Clubs and Slovak civic organizations in the United States; is dedicated to American Democracy, the American way of life, and encourages Americans of Slovak descent to be loyal and alert citizens of America; it urges and aids Slovak emigrants to become U. S. citizens by publishing appropriate manuals and brochures in Slovak and English; promotes a better understanding and appreciation of the Slovak nation, its history, culture, traditions, achievements and its long, hard struggle for freedom and independence; firmly believes in the American principle of self-determination of all nations, the inherent and God-given right of every nation, whether large or small, to freedom and independence, the right of every nation to freely choose its own form of government and freely elect persons of its own choice by whom it shall be governed; condemns and unequivocally opposes all forms of tyranny, every form of totalitarian political system. The Slovak League of America has always recognized the Godless philosophy of materialistic Communism for the dread evil and conspiracy against free humanity that it is, as the political system which threatens mankind with utter enslavement and, therefore, has fought resolutely against it in and out of season and, today, is still determined to fight against it with all the means at its command until the dread plague of Communism is wiped off the face of the earth, � 150 SLOVAKIA WHO'S WHO AMONG SLOVAKS IN U. S. A. A!ND OANADA Hletko, Peter Paul, M.D., physlcian-s urge on; (semi-retired); med. examiner of many insurance Co's; born June 26, 1'902 in Chicago, Ill.; son of Martin and Catherine (IHargas ) Hletko; educated, St. Michael's School (1908-1915), Chicago, St. Procopius Academy and College, Lisle, Ill. (1915-19) and (1919-21); De Paul Univ., Chicago (1921-23, B. Sc. in Chem. 1923); Loyola University, Chicago, (M.D. 1927) ; Resident Staff (interne) Cook County Hosp., Chicrugo (19271928); instructor in clinical neurology, Loyola U. Medical School (1931-35) ; wed Anna E. Remijas in 1938; led Slovak League of Am. delegation to Czecho-Slovakia in 1938 in behal! of Pittsburgh Pact recognition; pres. Slovak League of Am. (1935-1939) and (1963M); Hon. Presid•ent and member of Exec. Committee of Slovak League (19·3 8-196i); Tice-pres. Slov. Cath. F ed er ation of Amer. (19314); Supr. Med. Examiner, Slovak Cath. Sokol (1927-19&4); Hon. Med. Examiner (emeritus), and Member of Exec. Comm. •Slovak Cath. Sokol; Supr. Med. Examiner Nat. Slovak Society (1934-39); secretary, Supreme Court 01' Na:t. Slovak Society (l'll26-19.3 4); organizer and 1s t pres . 'Club Furdek' (Oath. Slovak Cultural Society, Chicago) 1929; member Amer. Med. Assn., Ill. Med. Assn. and Chicago Medical Assn. since 1929; med. examiner of Municipal Court and Law Dept. Benefit and .Pension Fund, Chica~o. (1936-61); Pl!"esident, Gage Park Savings & Loan Assn., Chica~o. ,since .1985. Author: "The Slovaks and the Pittsburgh Pact" (publi,shed by 'Slovak Catholic Federation 1934); vrote "Islm,r" - rQprint of satko-comic column in the Osad n e Hlasy (Slovak Parish N liws), 19,311 ; edited the "Catholic Slovak Sokol Cook-Book", 1964; contrib. editor, Osadne Hlasy (Chi- cago P a rish News, 1927-63); editor 'Jaro", English supplement to 'Jednota, 1927-3·6. Editor, 'Chicagsky Dennik' (Chicago Slovak D a i 1 y News), 1926-27. Democrat. Hobbies : Books, philately, pinochle. Home : Warrenville, Ill. Office : 2740 W. 55th St., Chicago 32, Ill. Mlynarovic h, Clement, Milos, Born October 1'1, 1·887, Hasprunka 1 ( Studlenka), S 1 ova k i a, son of Stephen and Stephanie (Heiny) Mlynarovich; educated in Studienka, Trnava, Bratislava; ordained May 21, 1910 Bratislava; doc ent of Eloquence and Blblicum in Franciscan Seminary 1911-1914. Assistant at St. J oh n Parish, Whiting, Indiana 1915; organizer of Assumption Parish, East Chicago, Indiana. /Pastor of A s sumpt.ion Pwrish 1915; ,b uilt church 1917, rectory 1919, school and convent 1,926. Organized Sacred Heart Parish, East Chicago, Indiana (East side) and ·b uilt church 1g3'7. Toured Central Europe 1925; elected Supr,e me Judge of Slovak Catholic Sokol 1930; elected chaplain or ISlovak Catholic Sokol 193.:'l. Elected •Supreme •P resident Slovak Catholic ·F ederwtion 1930-193•5. Made Very Rev. Monsignor 194•5 ; visited Peace Conference 1945. Elected l!"egul ar member of the Gallery-Academy of Livi n g Authors 1949; resigned the Assumption (Parish, East Chicago, Indiana, and moved to Seven Dolors 1Shrine, Valparaiso, .Indiana 1950. Reelected 1Supreme Presid ent Slovak Catholic Federation or America. 19>50. Visited ,I taly and Germany 1955 In re: Slovak ,seminarians in Pontifical Nepomucenum, Rome, and In re: Slovak emigll"ants in Germany. Was made Rt. R ev. Monsignor 1955; made r egular member the International Marian Academy 1955. 1 �SLOVAKIA Visited Europe in 1962 and 1963 In re: St. Cyril and IMethodius Institu te in Rome. Literary works: Slavia J>oems Novels from American Life Great God (poems) Christmas Telephone Two Worlds "In Search of God," (poems) "In The 'Shadow of Skyscrapers," ( short novels) "S,truggle With Fate," (short novels) "Birds in The Storm," (novel) "From the People for the People," {poems) "Mary the Divine Design," "IRoseta," (novel) Sermons "Story of a Hea rt," (poems) All literary works aire in Slovak. !Awarded with Hlinka Silver Cup and with Gold Medal of the Slovak Catholic Intellectuals. Stephen B. Roman is widely recognized as a leading spokesman for the Canadian uranium industry. He has been in the forefront of those who have claimed that the demand for nuclear fuel and power would build up rapidly in the next few years. Today, he and his company, Denison Mines Limited, are on the threshhold of a solid, long-term association with European customers. Details in full have to be ironed out, but negotiations involve the sale of 100,000,000 lbs. of uranium oxide over a 25-year period. In honoring Stephen Roman recently, Western Miner recognizes that even greater things lie ahead for the ambitious 43-year old executive who heads one of Canada's most important mining and industrial complexes. Denison, with its diversified investments b o th in Canada and the U. S. A., appears destined to b e c o m e one of the great "growth" organizations of North America. Born in Slovakia, Stephen Ro- 151 man came to Canada as an immigrant lad of 17 in the company of an older brother. He began his life in Canada by spending his first three years on a farm near Port Perry. Nights were consumed with study, furthering both his cultural interests and his knowledge of a new language. Following service in the Canadian army, he married, worked in industry and, briefly, as an editor of a Slovak weekly newspaper. His subsequent, phenomenal financial career evolved over a period of 18 years. As president of Denison Mines Limited, he brought the world's largest uranium mine into production, at Elliot Lake, Ontario. He has made "Denison" synonymous with dynamism and diversification. The company today is a leading g a s and o i 1 producer, with large proven reserves in Western Canada. Through its investments, it is also a manufacturer of cement and building materials (Lake Ontario Cement Company, Premier Building Materials Limited, Primeau Argo Block Company). Un, der Denison's guidance, a b a s emetal property, Black Hawk Mining Limited, is being currently developed in Maine, U.S.A. In this perspective, a not her newsworthy accomplishment was his prominent role in the merging of Roman Corporation with TransCanada Explorations. Roman Corporation, the new company, in addition to its interests in a variety of attractive mining properties and its own diversified holdings, has a substantial investment in Denison stock, its most important single asset. With Denison as a base, Mr. Roman has built a $85 million industrial empire of diversified investments. Now with Roman Corporation Limited as an active new agency of investment, he is advancing on another phase of his meteoric career. �152 SLOVAKIA BOOK REVIEWS Pauco, Joseph, Ph.D.: 75 rokov Prvej Katoiickej Slovenskej Jednoty, Middletown, . Pa., 1965, p. 664, Illustrated. Not infrequently one encounters in life a specific circumstance which calls for the accomplishment of a momentous task, but there is no one at hand with the necessary competence to perform it; and, vice versa, one oftentimes meets with a person of marked ability for a particular task, who is denied the opportunity to exercise his talent. Matthew Arn old neatly states the outcome when the two appear simultaneously in the literary field: "Great creative works in literature result from the happy concurrence of two notable powers, the power of the man and the power of the moment." Such a happy concurrence of two notable power~ has been strikingly exemplified before our eyes this year. For the power of the moment there was the 75th anniversary of the First Catholic Slovak Union in 1965, calling for the writing of the history of this remarkable organization. For the power of the man there was Joseph Pauco, Ph.D., a gifted author, historian and scholar, capable and willing to assume the task of writing this history. The result is a truly monumental contribution to Slovak history and literature, entitled, "75 Rokov Prvej Katolickej Slovenskej J ednoty." The history of the First Catholic Siovak Union can well be considered concommitant with that of the adjustment of S l o v a k immigrants to the American way of life. On page one of its June 2, 1965 issue, the JEDNOTA weekly notes : "The 75-year history of the First Catholic Slovak Union is interlocked with the story of the Slovaks in America from their very first days in this country, embodying their dreams and aspirations, their programs and campaigns of action, their accomplishments, their contributions to the ideals of this great country ... " It is important that we Slovaks f a m i 1 i a rize ourselves with this record. Only too often we are confronted by inquirers seeking information on matters which they quite rightly expect us to know. A careful reading of Dr. Pauco's book will enable us to furnish answers to questions like the following: When and why did the Slovaks emigrate �SLOVAKIA to the United States in such large numbers? Why all this concern about conditions in Central Europe? What part was played by American Slovak leaders in the founding of the Czecho-Slovak Republic in 1918 and of the Independent Slovakia in 1939? Thus the book portrays the early struggles of the Slovak immigrants, their traits of <:haracter, their involvement in events, both here and in their fatherland, their progress from life in simple settlements to flourishing parishes and to the founding of religious, educational, cultural, and charitable institutions. The book presents thumb·n ail sketches of institutions like the Catholic Slovak Federation, the Slovak League of America, the various Religious Congregations of men and women, and the newly established Institute of SS. Cyril and Methodius in Rome for 'the training of priests for Slovakia. It includes biographical sketches of notable persons in Slovak life, contemporary as well a.s past, persons whose names were ·household w0rds iR their day-Furdek, .Jankola, Pavco, Di an is k a, Murgas, Rusek, Hrobak, Kozak, Lach, Rovnianek, all ac·tive in American Slovak life. Nor are there lacking names like Culen, Hronsky, Hlinka, 153 Razus, Hrusovsky, Urbanek, Sasinek, Skultety, 0 s v a 1 d, whose area of action stemmed from Slovakia and whose influence was felt in America. Scores of other names appear in the record of persons still living and active in the Slovak cause. Furthermore, Dr. Pauco's book records events like the following: The Consecration of the first Slovak bishop in America in 1957; a Slovak pilgrimage to the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D. C. and the erection within its walls of the altar of our Mother of Sorrows, Patroness of Slovakia; visits made to America by Msgr. Hlinka, the Slovak Bishops: Blaha, Vojtassak, Cars k y, and Jantausch; visits of delegations representitng national, educational and cultural societies in Slovakia; Papal honors conferred upon distinguished Slovaks. It contains hi&torical documents such a.s: Memoranda on behalf of Slovakia addressed to the President and Congress of the United States and to the U.N.; messages to the Slovak people by eminent churchmen, like Cardinal S p e 11 m a n a n d Cardinal Stritch, climaxed by the memorable address of Pope Paul VI to the Slovak pilgrims a~ sembled in Rome from the �154 SLOVAKIA United States, Austria, Belgium, France, Spain, Italy, South America and the Far Ea;st on September 14, 1963. Moreover, the author has authentically annotated e a c h fact so that if the reader wishes further information he can pursue the topic further. The foregoing is but a superficin.l s u m m a r y of the wealth of information contained in Dr. Pauco's book. ~cholars will appreciate the amount of painstaking and persistent research and methodical organization of material that produced in one volume a veritable treasury of information. To the older members of the J ednota, the book offers precious reminiscences of past struggles, labors, trials, triumps, and achievements; to the discerning reader it offers historical data on a gallant and courageous nation; to the student it offers a valuable r eference in the field of research. In recent years there · has been in America a welcome awakening of interest in the Slovak people. Students in high schools and colleges are encouraged to write papers on topics relating to Slovak history, literature, culture, and politics. There is immense need for source material. Dr. Pauco has pr o v i d e d this source material in his book "Seventy-five Years of the First Catholic Slovak Union", so rich in content, in abundant notes and references, and in bibliographic data. On the occasion of an anniversary it is customary for the celebrating jubilarian to r eceive gifts; now the order has been reversed; the celebrating jubilarian, the 75year old Jednota, does not receive a gift, but bestows one-a gift of lasting value · to its members, to the Slovak people, and to history and literature in general. Speaking of value draws attention to the price of the volume. Only $5.00! A small sum indeed for such a valuruble 'book-'lllllieommOllllly valuable in content and proportionately valuable in its digno.fled fomna;t~iits tyipe, its numerous illustrations, and its durable binding. One more important thought. The statement of Matthew Arnold about the power of the moment and the power of the man applies here again. 'Dhere :i!S urgent need-the power of .t he moment-to provide source material in Eng- · lish for students and to make · Slovak information available to the general American reader. This need calls for a writer �SLOVAKIA _,the power of the mancaJPa!ble and willing to translaite Dr. P.auc's booO{ imito ffingHsh. God grant that the two powers concur very soon to fulfill this need of the times. Mother M. Emerentia, SS.C.M. M!lan S. Durica, LA SL0VAICC'HI!A. E LE SUE RELAZIONI POLITIOHE 0ON LA GEJRMANIA - 1938/ 194 5, (Slovakia and Her Political Relations with Germany), Marsilio E ditor!, Padova, Italy, 1964, Sarmatlca Series, Introduction by Ettore Anchleri, p. 274. Books on Slovakia in foreign languages are growing in number and quality, and the present volume counts undoubtedly among the bes,t bo th for its scholarly method and objective analysis of the events and for -the use of documents rela ted to Slovakia's recent history. Admitted to unpublished diplomatic archives of the Third Reich, the author tried to find an ansvrer to and put in proper per~pQctive 1.) The origin of the Slovak 'Republic, 2.) The rel ation s of Slovakia with Germany, and 3.) The policy of the Slovak Government towards Berlin. All these topics were casually treated in Western European languages in connection with the Eastern Europea n problems or with the Second WGrld War, but the writers, except for those of Slovak origin mostly accepted biased opinions from anti,Slovak sources and were not concerned with archives and do cuments . Profesor DuTica is the first social scientist who has used his knowledge of foreign languages to look into the -primary sources and find out wheTe the truth lies and where the Western historiography relied on political myths. The result of his research is consequently in dis.agreement with many a thesis on 155 both the origm of the Slovak state in March 1939 and on the policy of the Slovak government towards the German attempts to limit Slovakia's sovereignty and to impose national socialism upo n the Slovak people. Without any intention ,t o exculpate or apologize, a tendency which can be found in other works, professor Durica depicts the relations betwee n Germany and Slovakia as they appear in the light of the documents of German diploma ts, Slovak cabinet ministers, or other personalities, playing a role in Slovak politics. The present volume which ls the first o! a series, deals with the events of the years 1938-1939, from the Munich Agreement to the outburst of the Second World War. A'\vare of the scarce knowledge of the Slovak problem in the West, including Italy, the author also gives a brief survey of the Slovak national aspirations before the First World War and during the years 1918-1938 in Czecho-Slovakia. Jn an extensive introduction he deals with Wes tern historiography concerning Slovakia and shows considerable knowledge of literature in several European languages. On ,the 'basis of such documentation and research, Profesor Durica came to the conclusion that "a direct influence of Germans on Slovak politician<.! with regard to an immediate declaration or independence of Slovakia can be documented only from March 7, 1939", and "that the principal Slovak personalities gave a proof of firmness wh en enco untered with German press ure and faced witih dignity even the personal intervention of Hitler on March 13." (p. 11-5) The declaration of Slovak independence on March H, 1939 "was made under the pressure of the international situation, pa rticularly und er that of Germany, but the independence was nevertheless proclaimed by the diet of the autonomous Slovakia on the �156 SLOVAKIA basis of delibera:tions basically free, and by a free and unanimous vote of all members of the Diet present in the Parliament." (p. 115) ,P rofesor Durica states emphatically ,tha,t; "the Slovak state cannot be considered as a creation of Hitler's Germany. In the secret documents of Nazi Germany preceding the crisis of March 1939, there is no project of this kind. The subsequent documents clearly prove instead that there was on one hand, an initial disorientaition in Berlin as to the viability of the independent Slovak state, and on the other, a decisive and constant resistance of Slovakia against repeated attempts, by the Third Reich, first at the military occupation of the Slovak territory, and later, at reducing <the Slovak state to a German protectorate" (p. 116) As for the viability and ideological orientation of Slovakia the author concludes that "in the period of March-September 1939 <the Slovak State consolidated noteworthy its administrative structure, adopted a republican constitution inspired by the Christian traditions or its people and obtained sufficiently large recognition as the member of the international community." (P. 116). Durica came to these conclusions on the basis of an extensive study, as shown by his footnotes and bibliography, of secondary and primary sources of which the 86 documents in German and English, attached to the book enhance thtl value of his work. He also cleared a confusion around two ducuments, .na mely a letter by the Hungarian regent Nicholas Horthy of March 13, 1939, and a telegram, allegedly sent by Dr. Tiso to Hitler on March 15th, 1939. This reviewer has been responsible for a part of the confusion since he was the first to use, in good faith, Horthy's letter as a document referring to Slovakia in an article published in 1948 and later in 1958 in my book "Nas boj o samostatnost: Slovenska", from which it passed into Mikus French book and Oddo's work. It was left out from my English book SLOVAKIA (publ. 1960) since I found out in the meantime that the document referred to the Carphato-Ukraine. The other document was publish• ed in the DOCUMENTS ON GER• MA!N FOiREIGN PO[,!CY SERIES D and since I was aware of a telegram sent to Hitler on March 14, 1939 (I was personal secretary to the Minister of External Affairs of Slovakia at that time), I mistakingly considered the draft, found in Berlin and never used, as the text of Tiso's telegram. It is now clear that Tiso never sent that teleg,r am and the message I was aware of, was signed by Durcansky as published . by Durica (Doc. 51, p. 196). If the following volumes of Durica's work will be of the same scholarly precision and objectivity, he will undoubtedly make a valu• able contribution to Western historiography on Central Eastern Europe. We hope that he will adcI to the fortcomiug volumes a resume in English and French which he did not attach this time and which Is one o-f the short-comings of this valuable work. J. M. KIRSCHBAUM Ludwig v. Gogolak, BEITRAGE ZUR GElSCHICHTE DES SLOV A· KISCHE~ VOLKES I, (Contribut• ions to the History of the Slovak People), Verlag R. Oldenburg, Munchen, 1963, p. 265. This scholarly work by a professor of •Central European history at the University of Vienna, is the first critical work by a foreign scholar on the rise of Slovak national consciousness and on the origin of the Czecho- Slovak question. It deserves, therefore, more than casual attention �SLOVAKIA o! Slavists and experts in Central ·E astern European problems. :As the subtitle indicates (Die Natiornalwerdung der Slowaken und die Anfange der tschechoslowakischen 1F rage 1526-1790), the author made a thorough research, facilitated lby his knowledge of German, Hungarian, Slovak and Czech, into two contested questions on which not only politicians but also linguists and historians for a long time held and defended divergent positions and opinions. Western historiography predominantly accepted the Czech thesis ,t hat ethnically, and linguistically Slovaks were a part of the Czech people or a:t the best a part of the "Czechoslovak people". The Slovaks vehemently defended their linguistic, cultural and political identity, but until recently they scarcely found understanding or support among Western scholars. The first serious attempt on the part of Western scholars to present a critical analysis of the q u e s t i o n, base.d on original sources; dates only from 19.3'1 and was made by Th. J. Locher in his D1E NIA:T.IONAIJE DH'FERENZIER UN G UND INTEGRIERUNG DER SLOWAKEN UND TSCHECHEN IN IHREM GESCHICHTLICHEN VERLAUF 'BIS 1848 (The Natrona! Differentation and Integration of 1Slovaks and Czechs in its historical development until 1848). Dr. 'Locher completed two years of post-graduate studies in Prague and IBratislava (after graduating .from the University of Leiden in his native Holland) and to the dismay of his Czech professors (J. Susta in Prague and V. Chaloupecky in Bratislava) he came to conclusions contradicting the Czech t h e s i s of fue ethnic linguistic, cultural and political unity of the Slovaks and Czechs. The work by professor v. Gogolak confirms Lecher's conclusions, but it is at the same time more de- 157 tailed, broader in scope and much better documen,ted. We might say that this is the first foreig n-language book which goes de eper into the problem of the relations between the Slovaks and Czechs than any other book in Slovak or Czech, and -there were many books written on this ,topic in the last hundred years. Gogolak's knowledge of sources in the languages pertainin.g to the topic is unique among the Western historians and he displays a rare objectivity !ri his analysis not only with regard to the Czechs but also with regard to Hungarians, who similarly attempted to create "a Hungari an people" of the inhabitants of !Hungary by the assimilation of Slovaks and other nationalities. It does not mean, however ithat the book is not bound to stir up controversy among C z e ch and Hungarian historians alike; it may provoke disag,r eement in some det ails even among the Slovaks, and particularly among the Pro-· testant Slovaks. ;Frofessor v. Gog o 1 a k defends not only the thesis of an independent Slovak linguistic and cultural entity, but correctly states· that the so-called Czechoslovak· problem or ,the thesis of the unity of Czechs and Slovaks is of very late date and was masterminded by the Slovak Protestant minority (about 18% at the present time) which ,was to a great degree of Czech ancestry and has been linked wi,th the. Czechs by their liturgical language (see pp. 214 and fol.). Gogolak goes so .far as to say that "had the Protestant intelligentsia, which in fact lived mostly on their historical heritage and foreign German-Czech connections, r emained in the leading role, the result would have been the complete disappearance of the Slovak people" (p. 229) In his view "it is thanks only to the activity of several Catholic priests and scholars, who. were conscious of their goal and �_158 SLOVAKIA mission, that the Slovak national character did not lose its own characteristics and identity in the clash with the menacing political magyarization and the spiritual 'self-czechizatlon' ... " Such statements, even if basically true, are undoubtedly bound to provoke reaction on the side of the Slovak Protestant intellectuals of whom many reel, like their ancestors ait the beginning of ,the 19th century, that they are "the ex c I u s iv e leaders of the Slovak people" whose "bold consciousness of their mi s s ion (Sendungsbewusstsein ) came again and again in the foreground until 1918-1919". (p. 217). Besides these two main problems the author deals with many other questions related to the rise of Slovak national consciousness, as for instance the role of the aristocracy and bourgeoisie in Slovak cultural life, the role of the German element, Hungarian assimilatory t e n d e n c i es etc., on which topics there are some monographic works in Slovak, which were not analyzed from a global point of view. This concise and well-documented scholarly work deserves attention not only from SloTak scholars, but also from Slavists in general. JK. Edward E . Delaney, FREEDOM'S FRONTIER, .Published by H. A. Nickel, Sacramento, Cal., 211 p. The author is a n,vell-known news reporter, whose area of opera,tion was Central Europe during World War II. On more than one oc- casion he visited Slovakia and learned its problems firsthand. In this book he sets forth a challenging analysis of western policy, pointing out its blunders with regard to Soviet expansion. In no uncer,tain terms the a uthor expr esses his condemnation of western appeasement and calls for a constructive policy of liberation of captive nations, tearing down the Iron C urtain and the Berlin Wall, and undoing the brainwashing to which the American public has been subjected. In his references ,to Slovakia h e names Slovak intellectuals and politicians whose anti-Communist stand has been known in the West and n,vho rightfully claim freedom and independence for their nation. In his view Slovakia is a captive nation, now occupied by the Soviets. After Hs so-called liberation, it was combined again with Bohemia and Moravia in a restored Czecho,Slovakia to compensate Benes for services rendered to Moscow by himself and other Czech politicians. Delaney condemns such disr egard or a nation's rights as well as the unjust condemnation or Slovak politicias and specifically •the execution of Dr. Tiso. Quoting Slovak scholars like Dr. J . M. Kirschbaum and Dr. F. Durcansky, he presses for Slovakia's independence. A perusal of the book proves that the author is acquainted with the literature and basic problems of Central Europe and has personally met some of its leaders. JK . Die Slowaken und das Grossmiihrishe Reich (The Slovaks and the Great-Moravian Empire), by Dr. Arved Grebert, Munich, 1965, p. 64, bibl. For a long time a matter of interest for a few historians and linguists, the Great-Moravian Empire became during the past two decades an object of scholarly research by experts in many fields, especially of archeologists, ethnographers and social scientists. The booklet under review is a contribution to the ethnic character of the Great-Moravian Empire, according to its subtitle, but it also sheds a new light on many other problems. �SLOVAKIA 159 After having outlined historical and geographical data of this first empire of Carpathian and Danubian Slavs, called Sclaveni or Sclavi Marahenses in contemporary Latin sources and Slovene in eastern re• cords, the author attempts to give an answer to the following ques• tions: Which Slavic tribes lived on the territory of the Great-Moravian Empire in the 9th Century? What is the ethnic character of the population of today's Moravia? What was the relation of the Slovaks to the Czechs in the 9th century? Dr. Grebert's answer is based on a thorough study of sources, of historical and linguistic works of renown scholars of various nationali• ties, published in half a dozen languages. Nevertheless, it is an answer which is bound to provoke controversy, since it contradicts or refutes many an outdated thesis of Czech Slavists or of historians guided by political considerations. In his conclusion Dr. Grebert states that his research and quoted sources and data prove that "the Great-Moravian Empire was a Slovak state, formed by Slovaks" (p. 50). Though amply supported by the views of scholars not only of the Slovak, German, Hungarian, but also of the Czech origin, the author refers in his conclusion also to the so-called Marxist experts to give his study an objective basis beyond any doubt. It will be now to the experts in this period of history to accept or refute Grebert's new look at the first Slavic empire which was claimed mainly by the Czechs as a part of their national heritage. The essay is written in a clear style, concise form, and convincing manner. The writer apparently was guided by the dictum "non multa, sed multun". J. M. Kirschbaum ANTON BERNOLAK-The First Codifier of the Slovak Language (1762-1813). By J. M. Kirschbaum, LL.D., Ph.D. Publishers: Slovak In• stitute, Cleveland, Ohio, 48 pages. Bernolak's 200th birthday anniversary provided the occasion for the author's masterful address at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, which fortunately has been preserved for us in this highly documented work. The wide scope of his research is shown in the Bibliography in which sources are quoted from works in Latin, German, Slovak, Polish, English, Czech, French and Italian. No one so far has come up with such a concise and scholarly his• torical and literary background to the development of the modern Slovak language as Dr. Kirschbaum in this brochure in English and French. This small volume is an excellent and invaluable handbook for future scholars who may want to treat the subject more extensively. They will find in it not only the Slovak literary and national leaders who saved the Slovak nation from extinction in a period of historic crisis but a list of names of philologists, historians, etc. as references to authorities on the subject. Rarely does one find such an imposing array of distinguished men quoted as we find in Dr. Kirschbaum's priceless work. To mention a few: Bajza, Safarik, Holly, Pa?lrnvic, Fandly, stur, Jungman, Niederle, Vlcek, Mraz, Kotvan, Bartek, Mihal, Sta• nislav. Pauliny, Seton-Watson, Denis, Dobrov,sky, Auty, de Bray, von Gogolak, Skultety, Krcmery, Miskovic, Tibensky, Pisut, Banik, Lepacek, MeriggL A.P. �160 SLOVAKIA CONTRIBUTORS Zatko, James J., Ph.D., Rev., received an M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of Notre Dame. Under sponsorship of Ford Fellowships he studied at Harvard in 1954-1955 and at the Catholic University of Lublin in 1958. He was also the recipient of an Association of Middle Eastern Studies Fellowships in 1962. He is assistant professor of history at the University of Notre Dame. Just off the press is his book Descent Into Darkness -The Destruction of the Roman Catholic Church in Russia 1917-1923, published by Notre Dame University. Kona, William, was born in Slovakia where he was reared and took his secondary education. He received part of his education in law at Bratislava in Slovakia. He continued his education in law in Rome and in Madrid. Attended Roosevelt University, Chicago Teachers College; Chicago Real Estate Board Institute. At Rosary College in River Forest, Illinois, he received his M.A. He also took advanced :studies in library science at the University of Chicago. In his travels Mr. Kona has been to Austria, Germany, Italy, Slovenia, Monaco France, Portugal, Gibraltar, Croatia, Spain, Canada, Mexico, and has toured the United States extensively. Mr. Kona is a Member of the Association of Hospital and Institutional Libraries of the American Library Association of which he is on the Publications Advisory Committee ( 1962-64) and Bibliotherapy Committee (1962-66); Medical Library Association in which he is the Chairman of the Nursing Libraries Group (1963-64 and 1964-65), Chairman of Membership Committee (1964-65), and member of the Exchange Committee ( 1963-64 and 1964-65). As well as these two national organizations he is a member of the Midwest Regional Group of the Medical Library Association (Member of the Board of Directors) and also he was Program chairman for the Tri-State Hospital Assembly Medical Library Service (1963-64); Permanent Chairman since 1960 of the Nursing Librarians of Metropolitan Chicago; VicePresident of A.P.P. (1962-64); American Hospital Association of which he was faculty member to the Institute on Hospital Librarianship in 1961 and 1964. Evangela, M. Sister, B.S., M.A., the Sisters of SS. Cyril and Methodius whose Motherhouse is in Danville, Pa., is working toward a doctorate in history at Georgetown University, Washington, D. C. She is the recipient of a summer grant in history under the National Defense Educational Act. For her Master's thesis from De Paul University in 1964, Sister wrote on: Foreign Relations Between the United States and Czecho-Slovakia with Special Emphasis on Slovakia, 1920-1960. Essay in this issue of Slovakia is a part of her thesis. Krajsa, Joseph C., B.S., with majors in Health and Physical Education, History, and English - plus graduate work in Philosophy at Lehigh University, was born in Allentown, Pa. For 11 years he taught high school English and History and was Head Coach in three sports; tor 15 years he was associated in a finance business; and since February 1964, he has been the Editor of the Catholic Weekly JEDNOTA. �Misan11, N. Joseph, is a well-known lawyer. President of Mil- waukee Assemb!y 20 of the .Slovak L eague of America, an Assistant City Attorney of Milwaukee, Wis., Comma nder of Post 508, Catholic War Veterans, Adju tant of Wisco nsin Pos t 490, Inc, The Am erican Legion, and is a member of •the Sokols, J ednota and Narodny Spolok; a parishione r o! St. Stephen's (Slovak) Catholic Church, Milwaukee, Wis., Misany graduated from ?.forquette University an d the Law School, helped organize the Father Blinka Club there, and wrote h is political science thesis on Slova kia, Yester day and Today : The Feelings and Sen,timen ts of a Catholic People (M. U. L ibrar y, 1940), believed to be one of the fi r st such works on a University level in U.S.A. Kirschbaum, J . M., LL.D., Ph.D., former Slovak diplomat in Rome, Italy, and Bern, Switzerland, born in Slovakia and residing in c;anada. For a decade, he was professor at the Unive. sity of Montreal, Department of Slavic Studies, and contributor to French, English and Slovak periodicals and symposia. Some of his writings were also published in Spanish and German. His best known books: Slovakia: A Nation at the Crossroads of Central Europe (Speller and Sons, New York, N. Y., 1960) and Neis boj o samostatnost' Slovenska (Slovak Institute, Cleveland, Ohio, 1958). Urban, Eugene, was born January 2, 1914 at Podolie, Slovakia. He completed his studies of Slovak and French language and literature at the University in Bratislava, Slovakia, with a M.A. in Education degree in 1938. In 1935 he studied slavistics at the Slovenian University at Ljubljana, Slovenia, and French language and literature at the Universite Catholique, Lille, France. In 1960 he received his M.A. in Library Science degree from the Rosary College, River Forest, Ill. In World War II he was assigned as press attache to the Legation of the Slovak Republic in Vatican City. Actually, he is librarian in the Research Library of Inland Steel Company, Hammond, Ind. Many of his articles on Slovak literary, historical and J>Qlitical topics were published in Slovak, Slovenian and Italian journals. The publishing house Sandron, Rome, Italy, published in 1945 his translation into Italian of Slovak short stories by the Slovak author Milo Urban, with the title Novelle Slovacche. Vnuk, Frantisek, P.Eng., professor at a Technological Institute in Adelaide, Australia, was born in Slovakia. He belongs to the younger generation of Slovak intellectuals who did not give up their fight a: ainst communism and strive for freedom and democracy in Slovakia. Profilic and gifted historian writer, he covers in his Slovak and English writings several fields of intellectual activities, from politics to literature. Recently he published the book Neuveritel'ne sprisahanie dealing with the invasion of the communists into Slovakia in 1944. SLOVAKIA $2.00 per annum in the U.S.A. - $3.00 elsewhere. PRI NTED IN THE U.S. A. JEDNOTA PRESS M idd letown, Pa. 17057 �The Slovak League of America - - is an AMERICAN INSTITUTION; it was organized May 26, 1907, at Cleveland, 0., by the Rev. Stephen Furdek; is a CULTURAL and CMC organization of Americans of Slovak descent; is interested primarily in promoting the welfare and security of the United States of America; represents an overwhelming majority of organized Americans of Slovak descent; actively affiliated with it are the largest Slovak fraternals, religious organizations, Slovak Clubs and Slovak civic organizations in the United States; is dedicated to American Democracy, the American way of life, and encourages Americans of Slovak descent to be loyal and alert citizens of America; it urges and aids Slovak emigrants to become U. S. citizens by publishing appropriate manuals and brochures in Slovak and English; promotes a better understanding and appreciation of the Slovak nation, its history, culture, traditions, achievements and its long, hard struggle for freedom and independence; firmly believes in the American principle of self-determination of all nations, the inherent and God-given right of every nation, whether large or small, to freedom and independence, the right of every nation to freely choose its own form of government and freely elect persons of its own choice by whom it shall be governed; condemns and unequivocally opposes all forms of tyranny, every form of totalitarian political system. The Slovak League of America has always recognized the Godless philosophy of materialistic Communism for the dread evil and conspiracy against free humanity that it is, as the political system which threatens mankind with utter enslavement and, therefore, has fought resolutely against it in and out of season and, today, is still determined to fight against it with all the means at its command until the dread plague of Communism is wiped off the face of the earth, � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource 1965, Vol. 15 Description An account of the resource Vol. 15 (No. 38), 1965. Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available The Slovak League of America Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1965 Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document 150 SLOVAKIA WHO'S WHO AMONG SLOVAKS IN U. S. A. A!ND OANADA Hletko, Peter Paul, M.D., physlcian-s urge on; (semi-retired); med. examiner of many insurance Co's; born June 26, 1'902 in Chicago, Ill.; son of Martin and Catherine (IHargas ) Hletko; educated, St. Michael's School (1908-1915), Chicago, St. Procopius Academy and College, Lisle, Ill. (1915-19) and (1919-21); De Paul Univ., Chicago (1921-23, B. Sc. in Chem. 1923); Loyola University, Chicago, (M.D. 1927) ; Resident Staff (interne) Cook County Hosp., Chicrugo (19271928); instructor in clinical neurology, Loyola U. Medical School (1931-35) ; wed Anna E. Remijas in 1938; led Slovak League of Am. delegation to Czecho-Slovakia in 1938 in behal! of Pittsburgh Pact recognition; pres. Slovak League of Am. (1935-1939) and (1963M); Hon. Presid•ent and member of Exec. Committee of Slovak League (19·3 8-196i); Tice-pres. Slov. Cath. F ed er ation of Amer. (19314); Supr. Med. Examiner, Slovak Cath. Sokol (1927-19&4); Hon. Med. Examiner (emeritus), and Member of Exec. Comm. •Slovak Cath. Sokol; Supr. Med. Examiner Nat. Slovak Society (1934-39); secretary, Supreme Court 01' Na:t. Slovak Society (l'll26-19.3 4); organizer and 1s t pres . 'Club Furdek' (Oath. Slovak Cultural Society, Chicago) 1929; member Amer. Med. Assn., Ill. Med. Assn. and Chicago Medical Assn. since 1929; med. examiner of Municipal Court and Law Dept. Benefit and .Pension Fund, Chica~o. (1936-61); Pl!"esident, Gage Park Savings & Loan Assn., Chica~o. ,since .1985. Author: "The Slovaks and the Pittsburgh Pact" (publi,shed by 'Slovak Catholic Federation 1934); vrote "Islm,r" - rQprint of satko-comic column in the Osad n e Hlasy (Slovak Parish N liws), 19,311 ; edited the "Catholic Slovak Sokol Cook-Book", 1964; contrib. editor, Osadne Hlasy (Chi- cago P a rish News, 1927-63); editor 'Jaro", English supplement to 'Jednota, 1927-3·6. Editor, 'Chicagsky Dennik' (Chicago Slovak D a i 1 y News), 1926-27. Democrat. Hobbies : Books, philately, pinochle. Home : Warrenville, Ill. Office : 2740 W. 55th St., Chicago 32, Ill. Mlynarovic h, Clement, Milos, Born October 1'1, 1·887, Hasprunka 1 ( Studlenka), S 1 ova k i a, son of Stephen and Stephanie (Heiny) Mlynarovich; educated in Studienka, Trnava, Bratislava; ordained May 21, 1910 Bratislava; doc ent of Eloquence and Blblicum in Franciscan Seminary 1911-1914. Assistant at St. J oh n Parish, Whiting, Indiana 1915; organizer of Assumption Parish, East Chicago, Indiana. /Pastor of A s sumpt.ion Pwrish 1915; ,b uilt church 1917, rectory 1919, school and convent 1,926. Organized Sacred Heart Parish, East Chicago, Indiana (East side) and ·b uilt church 1g3'7. Toured Central Europe 1925; elected Supr,e me Judge of Slovak Catholic Sokol 1930; elected chaplain or ISlovak Catholic Sokol 193.:'l. Elected •Supreme •P resident Slovak Catholic ·F ederwtion 1930-193•5. Made Very Rev. Monsignor 194•5 ; visited Peace Conference 1945. Elected l!"egul ar member of the Gallery-Academy of Livi n g Authors 1949; resigned the Assumption (Parish, East Chicago, Indiana, and moved to Seven Dolors 1Shrine, Valparaiso, .Indiana 1950. Reelected 1Supreme Presid ent Slovak Catholic Federation or America. 19>50. Visited ,I taly and Germany 1955 In re: Slovak ,seminarians in Pontifical Nepomucenum, Rome, and In re: Slovak emigll"ants in Germany. Was made Rt. R ev. Monsignor 1955; made r egular member the International Marian Academy 1955. 1 SLOVAKIA Visited Europe in 1962 and 1963 In re: St. Cyril and IMethodius Institu te in Rome. Literary works: Slavia J>oems Novels from American Life Great God (poems) Christmas Telephone Two Worlds "In Search of God," (poems) "In The 'Shadow of Skyscrapers," ( short novels) "S,truggle With Fate," (short novels) "Birds in The Storm," (novel) "From the People for the People," {poems) "Mary the Divine Design," "IRoseta," (novel) Sermons "Story of a Hea rt," (poems) All literary works aire in Slovak. !Awarded with Hlinka Silver Cup and with Gold Medal of the Slovak Catholic Intellectuals. Stephen B. Roman is widely recognized as a leading spokesman for the Canadian uranium industry. He has been in the forefront of those who have claimed that the demand for nuclear fuel and power would build up rapidly in the next few years. Today, he and his company, Denison Mines Limited, are on the threshhold of a solid, long-term association with European customers. Details in full have to be ironed out, but negotiations involve the sale of 100,000,000 lbs. of uranium oxide over a 25-year period. In honoring Stephen Roman recently, Western Miner recognizes that even greater things lie ahead for the ambitious 43-year old executive who heads one of Canada's most important mining and industrial complexes. Denison, with its diversified investments b o th in Canada and the U. S. A., appears destined to b e c o m e one of the great "growth" organizations of North America. Born in Slovakia, Stephen Ro- 151 man came to Canada as an immigrant lad of 17 in the company of an older brother. He began his life in Canada by spending his first three years on a farm near Port Perry. Nights were consumed with study, furthering both his cultural interests and his knowledge of a new language. Following service in the Canadian army, he married, worked in industry and, briefly, as an editor of a Slovak weekly newspaper. His subsequent, phenomenal financial career evolved over a period of 18 years. As president of Denison Mines Limited, he brought the world's largest uranium mine into production, at Elliot Lake, Ontario. He has made "Denison" synonymous with dynamism and diversification. The company today is a leading g a s and o i 1 producer, with large proven reserves in Western Canada. Through its investments, it is also a manufacturer of cement and building materials (Lake Ontario Cement Company, Premier Building Materials Limited, Primeau Argo Block Company). Un, der Denison's guidance, a b a s emetal property, Black Hawk Mining Limited, is being currently developed in Maine, U.S.A. In this perspective, a not her newsworthy accomplishment was his prominent role in the merging of Roman Corporation with TransCanada Explorations. Roman Corporation, the new company, in addition to its interests in a variety of attractive mining properties and its own diversified holdings, has a substantial investment in Denison stock, its most important single asset. With Denison as a base, Mr. Roman has built a $85 million industrial empire of diversified investments. Now with Roman Corporation Limited as an active new agency of investment, he is advancing on another phase of his meteoric career. 152 SLOVAKIA BOOK REVIEWS Pauco, Joseph, Ph.D.: 75 rokov Prvej Katoiickej Slovenskej Jednoty, Middletown, . Pa., 1965, p. 664, Illustrated. Not infrequently one encounters in life a specific circumstance which calls for the accomplishment of a momentous task, but there is no one at hand with the necessary competence to perform it; and, vice versa, one oftentimes meets with a person of marked ability for a particular task, who is denied the opportunity to exercise his talent. Matthew Arn old neatly states the outcome when the two appear simultaneously in the literary field: "Great creative works in literature result from the happy concurrence of two notable powers, the power of the man and the power of the moment." Such a happy concurrence of two notable power~ has been strikingly exemplified before our eyes this year. For the power of the moment there was the 75th anniversary of the First Catholic Slovak Union in 1965, calling for the writing of the history of this remarkable organization. For the power of the man there was Joseph Pauco, Ph.D., a gifted author, historian and scholar, capable and willing to assume the task of writing this history. The result is a truly monumental contribution to Slovak history and literature, entitled, "75 Rokov Prvej Katolickej Slovenskej J ednoty." The history of the First Catholic Siovak Union can well be considered concommitant with that of the adjustment of S l o v a k immigrants to the American way of life. On page one of its June 2, 1965 issue, the JEDNOTA weekly notes : "The 75-year history of the First Catholic Slovak Union is interlocked with the story of the Slovaks in America from their very first days in this country, embodying their dreams and aspirations, their programs and campaigns of action, their accomplishments, their contributions to the ideals of this great country ... " It is important that we Slovaks f a m i 1 i a rize ourselves with this record. Only too often we are confronted by inquirers seeking information on matters which they quite rightly expect us to know. A careful reading of Dr. Pauco's book will enable us to furnish answers to questions like the following: When and why did the Slovaks emigrate SLOVAKIA to the United States in such large numbers? Why all this concern about conditions in Central Europe? What part was played by American Slovak leaders in the founding of the Czecho-Slovak Republic in 1918 and of the Independent Slovakia in 1939? Thus the book portrays the early struggles of the Slovak immigrants, their traits of <:haracter, their involvement in events, both here and in their fatherland, their progress from life in simple settlements to flourishing parishes and to the founding of religious, educational, cultural, and charitable institutions. The book presents thumb·n ail sketches of institutions like the Catholic Slovak Federation, the Slovak League of America, the various Religious Congregations of men and women, and the newly established Institute of SS. Cyril and Methodius in Rome for 'the training of priests for Slovakia. It includes biographical sketches of notable persons in Slovak life, contemporary as well a.s past, persons whose names were ·household w0rds iR their day-Furdek, .Jankola, Pavco, Di an is k a, Murgas, Rusek, Hrobak, Kozak, Lach, Rovnianek, all ac·tive in American Slovak life. Nor are there lacking names like Culen, Hronsky, Hlinka, 153 Razus, Hrusovsky, Urbanek, Sasinek, Skultety, 0 s v a 1 d, whose area of action stemmed from Slovakia and whose influence was felt in America. Scores of other names appear in the record of persons still living and active in the Slovak cause. Furthermore, Dr. Pauco's book records events like the following: The Consecration of the first Slovak bishop in America in 1957; a Slovak pilgrimage to the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D. C. and the erection within its walls of the altar of our Mother of Sorrows, Patroness of Slovakia; visits made to America by Msgr. Hlinka, the Slovak Bishops: Blaha, Vojtassak, Cars k y, and Jantausch; visits of delegations representitng national, educational and cultural societies in Slovakia; Papal honors conferred upon distinguished Slovaks. It contains hi&torical documents such a.s: Memoranda on behalf of Slovakia addressed to the President and Congress of the United States and to the U.N.; messages to the Slovak people by eminent churchmen, like Cardinal S p e 11 m a n a n d Cardinal Stritch, climaxed by the memorable address of Pope Paul VI to the Slovak pilgrims a~ sembled in Rome from the 154 SLOVAKIA United States, Austria, Belgium, France, Spain, Italy, South America and the Far Ea;st on September 14, 1963. Moreover, the author has authentically annotated e a c h fact so that if the reader wishes further information he can pursue the topic further. The foregoing is but a superficin.l s u m m a r y of the wealth of information contained in Dr. Pauco's book. ~cholars will appreciate the amount of painstaking and persistent research and methodical organization of material that produced in one volume a veritable treasury of information. To the older members of the J ednota, the book offers precious reminiscences of past struggles, labors, trials, triumps, and achievements; to the discerning reader it offers historical data on a gallant and courageous nation; to the student it offers a valuable r eference in the field of research. In recent years there · has been in America a welcome awakening of interest in the Slovak people. Students in high schools and colleges are encouraged to write papers on topics relating to Slovak history, literature, culture, and politics. There is immense need for source material. Dr. Pauco has pr o v i d e d this source material in his book "Seventy-five Years of the First Catholic Slovak Union", so rich in content, in abundant notes and references, and in bibliographic data. On the occasion of an anniversary it is customary for the celebrating jubilarian to r eceive gifts; now the order has been reversed; the celebrating jubilarian, the 75year old Jednota, does not receive a gift, but bestows one-a gift of lasting value · to its members, to the Slovak people, and to history and literature in general. Speaking of value draws attention to the price of the volume. Only $5.00! A small sum indeed for such a valuruble 'book-'lllllieommOllllly valuable in content and proportionately valuable in its digno.fled fomna;t~iits tyipe, its numerous illustrations, and its durable binding. One more important thought. The statement of Matthew Arnold about the power of the moment and the power of the man applies here again. 'Dhere :i!S urgent need-the power of .t he moment-to provide source material in Eng- · lish for students and to make · Slovak information available to the general American reader. This need calls for a writer SLOVAKIA _,the power of the mancaJPa!ble and willing to translaite Dr. P.auc's booO{ imito ffingHsh. God grant that the two powers concur very soon to fulfill this need of the times. Mother M. Emerentia, SS.C.M. M!lan S. Durica, LA SL0VAICC'HI!A. E LE SUE RELAZIONI POLITIOHE 0ON LA GEJRMANIA - 1938/ 194 5, (Slovakia and Her Political Relations with Germany), Marsilio E ditor!, Padova, Italy, 1964, Sarmatlca Series, Introduction by Ettore Anchleri, p. 274. Books on Slovakia in foreign languages are growing in number and quality, and the present volume counts undoubtedly among the bes,t bo th for its scholarly method and objective analysis of the events and for -the use of documents rela ted to Slovakia's recent history. Admitted to unpublished diplomatic archives of the Third Reich, the author tried to find an ansvrer to and put in proper per~pQctive 1.) The origin of the Slovak 'Republic, 2.) The rel ation s of Slovakia with Germany, and 3.) The policy of the Slovak Government towards Berlin. All these topics were casually treated in Western European languages in connection with the Eastern Europea n problems or with the Second WGrld War, but the writers, except for those of Slovak origin mostly accepted biased opinions from anti,Slovak sources and were not concerned with archives and do cuments . Profesor DuTica is the first social scientist who has used his knowledge of foreign languages to look into the -primary sources and find out wheTe the truth lies and where the Western historiography relied on political myths. The result of his research is consequently in dis.agreement with many a thesis on 155 both the origm of the Slovak state in March 1939 and on the policy of the Slovak government towards the German attempts to limit Slovakia's sovereignty and to impose national socialism upo n the Slovak people. Without any intention ,t o exculpate or apologize, a tendency which can be found in other works, professor Durica depicts the relations betwee n Germany and Slovakia as they appear in the light of the documents of German diploma ts, Slovak cabinet ministers, or other personalities, playing a role in Slovak politics. The present volume which ls the first o! a series, deals with the events of the years 1938-1939, from the Munich Agreement to the outburst of the Second World War. A'\vare of the scarce knowledge of the Slovak problem in the West, including Italy, the author also gives a brief survey of the Slovak national aspirations before the First World War and during the years 1918-1938 in Czecho-Slovakia. Jn an extensive introduction he deals with Wes tern historiography concerning Slovakia and shows considerable knowledge of literature in several European languages. On ,the 'basis of such documentation and research, Profesor Durica came to the conclusion that "a direct influence of Germans on Slovak politician<.! with regard to an immediate declaration or independence of Slovakia can be documented only from March 7, 1939", and "that the principal Slovak personalities gave a proof of firmness wh en enco untered with German press ure and faced witih dignity even the personal intervention of Hitler on March 13." (p. 11-5) The declaration of Slovak independence on March H, 1939 "was made under the pressure of the international situation, pa rticularly und er that of Germany, but the independence was nevertheless proclaimed by the diet of the autonomous Slovakia on the 156 SLOVAKIA basis of delibera:tions basically free, and by a free and unanimous vote of all members of the Diet present in the Parliament." (p. 115) ,P rofesor Durica states emphatically ,tha,t; "the Slovak state cannot be considered as a creation of Hitler's Germany. In the secret documents of Nazi Germany preceding the crisis of March 1939, there is no project of this kind. The subsequent documents clearly prove instead that there was on one hand, an initial disorientaition in Berlin as to the viability of the independent Slovak state, and on the other, a decisive and constant resistance of Slovakia against repeated attempts, by the Third Reich, first at the military occupation of the Slovak territory, and later, at reducing <the Slovak state to a German protectorate" (p. 116) As for the viability and ideological orientation of Slovakia the author concludes that "in the period of March-September 1939 <the Slovak State consolidated noteworthy its administrative structure, adopted a republican constitution inspired by the Christian traditions or its people and obtained sufficiently large recognition as the member of the international community." (P. 116). Durica came to these conclusions on the basis of an extensive study, as shown by his footnotes and bibliography, of secondary and primary sources of which the 86 documents in German and English, attached to the book enhance thtl value of his work. He also cleared a confusion around two ducuments, .na mely a letter by the Hungarian regent Nicholas Horthy of March 13, 1939, and a telegram, allegedly sent by Dr. Tiso to Hitler on March 15th, 1939. This reviewer has been responsible for a part of the confusion since he was the first to use, in good faith, Horthy's letter as a document referring to Slovakia in an article published in 1948 and later in 1958 in my book "Nas boj o samostatnost: Slovenska", from which it passed into Mikus French book and Oddo's work. It was left out from my English book SLOVAKIA (publ. 1960) since I found out in the meantime that the document referred to the Carphato-Ukraine. The other document was publish• ed in the DOCUMENTS ON GER• MA!N FOiREIGN PO[,!CY SERIES D and since I was aware of a telegram sent to Hitler on March 14, 1939 (I was personal secretary to the Minister of External Affairs of Slovakia at that time), I mistakingly considered the draft, found in Berlin and never used, as the text of Tiso's telegram. It is now clear that Tiso never sent that teleg,r am and the message I was aware of, was signed by Durcansky as published . by Durica (Doc. 51, p. 196). If the following volumes of Durica's work will be of the same scholarly precision and objectivity, he will undoubtedly make a valu• able contribution to Western historiography on Central Eastern Europe. We hope that he will adcI to the fortcomiug volumes a resume in English and French which he did not attach this time and which Is one o-f the short-comings of this valuable work. J. M. KIRSCHBAUM Ludwig v. Gogolak, BEITRAGE ZUR GElSCHICHTE DES SLOV A· KISCHE~ VOLKES I, (Contribut• ions to the History of the Slovak People), Verlag R. Oldenburg, Munchen, 1963, p. 265. This scholarly work by a professor of •Central European history at the University of Vienna, is the first critical work by a foreign scholar on the rise of Slovak national consciousness and on the origin of the Czecho- Slovak question. It deserves, therefore, more than casual attention SLOVAKIA o! Slavists and experts in Central ·E astern European problems. :As the subtitle indicates (Die Natiornalwerdung der Slowaken und die Anfange der tschechoslowakischen 1F rage 1526-1790), the author made a thorough research, facilitated lby his knowledge of German, Hungarian, Slovak and Czech, into two contested questions on which not only politicians but also linguists and historians for a long time held and defended divergent positions and opinions. Western historiography predominantly accepted the Czech thesis ,t hat ethnically, and linguistically Slovaks were a part of the Czech people or a:t the best a part of the "Czechoslovak people". The Slovaks vehemently defended their linguistic, cultural and political identity, but until recently they scarcely found understanding or support among Western scholars. The first serious attempt on the part of Western scholars to present a critical analysis of the q u e s t i o n, base.d on original sources; dates only from 19.3'1 and was made by Th. J. Locher in his D1E NIA:T.IONAIJE DH'FERENZIER UN G UND INTEGRIERUNG DER SLOWAKEN UND TSCHECHEN IN IHREM GESCHICHTLICHEN VERLAUF 'BIS 1848 (The Natrona! Differentation and Integration of 1Slovaks and Czechs in its historical development until 1848). Dr. 'Locher completed two years of post-graduate studies in Prague and IBratislava (after graduating .from the University of Leiden in his native Holland) and to the dismay of his Czech professors (J. Susta in Prague and V. Chaloupecky in Bratislava) he came to conclusions contradicting the Czech t h e s i s of fue ethnic linguistic, cultural and political unity of the Slovaks and Czechs. The work by professor v. Gogolak confirms Lecher's conclusions, but it is at the same time more de- 157 tailed, broader in scope and much better documen,ted. We might say that this is the first foreig n-language book which goes de eper into the problem of the relations between the Slovaks and Czechs than any other book in Slovak or Czech, and -there were many books written on this ,topic in the last hundred years. Gogolak's knowledge of sources in the languages pertainin.g to the topic is unique among the Western historians and he displays a rare objectivity !ri his analysis not only with regard to the Czechs but also with regard to Hungarians, who similarly attempted to create "a Hungari an people" of the inhabitants of !Hungary by the assimilation of Slovaks and other nationalities. It does not mean, however ithat the book is not bound to stir up controversy among C z e ch and Hungarian historians alike; it may provoke disag,r eement in some det ails even among the Slovaks, and particularly among the Pro-· testant Slovaks. ;Frofessor v. Gog o 1 a k defends not only the thesis of an independent Slovak linguistic and cultural entity, but correctly states· that the so-called Czechoslovak· problem or ,the thesis of the unity of Czechs and Slovaks is of very late date and was masterminded by the Slovak Protestant minority (about 18% at the present time) which ,was to a great degree of Czech ancestry and has been linked wi,th the. Czechs by their liturgical language (see pp. 214 and fol.). Gogolak goes so .far as to say that "had the Protestant intelligentsia, which in fact lived mostly on their historical heritage and foreign German-Czech connections, r emained in the leading role, the result would have been the complete disappearance of the Slovak people" (p. 229) In his view "it is thanks only to the activity of several Catholic priests and scholars, who. were conscious of their goal and _158 SLOVAKIA mission, that the Slovak national character did not lose its own characteristics and identity in the clash with the menacing political magyarization and the spiritual 'self-czechizatlon' ... " Such statements, even if basically true, are undoubtedly bound to provoke reaction on the side of the Slovak Protestant intellectuals of whom many reel, like their ancestors ait the beginning of ,the 19th century, that they are "the ex c I u s iv e leaders of the Slovak people" whose "bold consciousness of their mi s s ion (Sendungsbewusstsein ) came again and again in the foreground until 1918-1919". (p. 217). Besides these two main problems the author deals with many other questions related to the rise of Slovak national consciousness, as for instance the role of the aristocracy and bourgeoisie in Slovak cultural life, the role of the German element, Hungarian assimilatory t e n d e n c i es etc., on which topics there are some monographic works in Slovak, which were not analyzed from a global point of view. This concise and well-documented scholarly work deserves attention not only from SloTak scholars, but also from Slavists in general. JK. Edward E . Delaney, FREEDOM'S FRONTIER, .Published by H. A. Nickel, Sacramento, Cal., 211 p. The author is a n,vell-known news reporter, whose area of opera,tion was Central Europe during World War II. On more than one oc- casion he visited Slovakia and learned its problems firsthand. In this book he sets forth a challenging analysis of western policy, pointing out its blunders with regard to Soviet expansion. In no uncer,tain terms the a uthor expr esses his condemnation of western appeasement and calls for a constructive policy of liberation of captive nations, tearing down the Iron C urtain and the Berlin Wall, and undoing the brainwashing to which the American public has been subjected. In his references ,to Slovakia h e names Slovak intellectuals and politicians whose anti-Communist stand has been known in the West and n,vho rightfully claim freedom and independence for their nation. In his view Slovakia is a captive nation, now occupied by the Soviets. After Hs so-called liberation, it was combined again with Bohemia and Moravia in a restored Czecho,Slovakia to compensate Benes for services rendered to Moscow by himself and other Czech politicians. Delaney condemns such disr egard or a nation's rights as well as the unjust condemnation or Slovak politicias and specifically •the execution of Dr. Tiso. Quoting Slovak scholars like Dr. J . M. Kirschbaum and Dr. F. Durcansky, he presses for Slovakia's independence. A perusal of the book proves that the author is acquainted with the literature and basic problems of Central Europe and has personally met some of its leaders. JK . Die Slowaken und das Grossmiihrishe Reich (The Slovaks and the Great-Moravian Empire), by Dr. Arved Grebert, Munich, 1965, p. 64, bibl. For a long time a matter of interest for a few historians and linguists, the Great-Moravian Empire became during the past two decades an object of scholarly research by experts in many fields, especially of archeologists, ethnographers and social scientists. The booklet under review is a contribution to the ethnic character of the Great-Moravian Empire, according to its subtitle, but it also sheds a new light on many other problems. SLOVAKIA 159 After having outlined historical and geographical data of this first empire of Carpathian and Danubian Slavs, called Sclaveni or Sclavi Marahenses in contemporary Latin sources and Slovene in eastern re• cords, the author attempts to give an answer to the following ques• tions: Which Slavic tribes lived on the territory of the Great-Moravian Empire in the 9th Century? What is the ethnic character of the population of today's Moravia? What was the relation of the Slovaks to the Czechs in the 9th century? Dr. Grebert's answer is based on a thorough study of sources, of historical and linguistic works of renown scholars of various nationali• ties, published in half a dozen languages. Nevertheless, it is an answer which is bound to provoke controversy, since it contradicts or refutes many an outdated thesis of Czech Slavists or of historians guided by political considerations. In his conclusion Dr. Grebert states that his research and quoted sources and data prove that "the Great-Moravian Empire was a Slovak state, formed by Slovaks" (p. 50). Though amply supported by the views of scholars not only of the Slovak, German, Hungarian, but also of the Czech origin, the author refers in his conclusion also to the so-called Marxist experts to give his study an objective basis beyond any doubt. It will be now to the experts in this period of history to accept or refute Grebert's new look at the first Slavic empire which was claimed mainly by the Czechs as a part of their national heritage. The essay is written in a clear style, concise form, and convincing manner. The writer apparently was guided by the dictum "non multa, sed multun". J. M. Kirschbaum ANTON BERNOLAK-The First Codifier of the Slovak Language (1762-1813). By J. M. Kirschbaum, LL.D., Ph.D. Publishers: Slovak In• stitute, Cleveland, Ohio, 48 pages. Bernolak's 200th birthday anniversary provided the occasion for the author's masterful address at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, which fortunately has been preserved for us in this highly documented work. The wide scope of his research is shown in the Bibliography in which sources are quoted from works in Latin, German, Slovak, Polish, English, Czech, French and Italian. No one so far has come up with such a concise and scholarly his• torical and literary background to the development of the modern Slovak language as Dr. Kirschbaum in this brochure in English and French. This small volume is an excellent and invaluable handbook for future scholars who may want to treat the subject more extensively. They will find in it not only the Slovak literary and national leaders who saved the Slovak nation from extinction in a period of historic crisis but a list of names of philologists, historians, etc. as references to authorities on the subject. Rarely does one find such an imposing array of distinguished men quoted as we find in Dr. Kirschbaum's priceless work. To mention a few: Bajza, Safarik, Holly, Pa?lrnvic, Fandly, stur, Jungman, Niederle, Vlcek, Mraz, Kotvan, Bartek, Mihal, Sta• nislav. Pauliny, Seton-Watson, Denis, Dobrov,sky, Auty, de Bray, von Gogolak, Skultety, Krcmery, Miskovic, Tibensky, Pisut, Banik, Lepacek, MeriggL A.P. 160 SLOVAKIA CONTRIBUTORS Zatko, James J., Ph.D., Rev., received an M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of Notre Dame. Under sponsorship of Ford Fellowships he studied at Harvard in 1954-1955 and at the Catholic University of Lublin in 1958. He was also the recipient of an Association of Middle Eastern Studies Fellowships in 1962. He is assistant professor of history at the University of Notre Dame. Just off the press is his book Descent Into Darkness -The Destruction of the Roman Catholic Church in Russia 1917-1923, published by Notre Dame University. Kona, William, was born in Slovakia where he was reared and took his secondary education. He received part of his education in law at Bratislava in Slovakia. He continued his education in law in Rome and in Madrid. Attended Roosevelt University, Chicago Teachers College; Chicago Real Estate Board Institute. At Rosary College in River Forest, Illinois, he received his M.A. He also took advanced :studies in library science at the University of Chicago. In his travels Mr. Kona has been to Austria, Germany, Italy, Slovenia, Monaco France, Portugal, Gibraltar, Croatia, Spain, Canada, Mexico, and has toured the United States extensively. Mr. Kona is a Member of the Association of Hospital and Institutional Libraries of the American Library Association of which he is on the Publications Advisory Committee ( 1962-64) and Bibliotherapy Committee (1962-66); Medical Library Association in which he is the Chairman of the Nursing Libraries Group (1963-64 and 1964-65), Chairman of Membership Committee (1964-65), and member of the Exchange Committee ( 1963-64 and 1964-65). As well as these two national organizations he is a member of the Midwest Regional Group of the Medical Library Association (Member of the Board of Directors) and also he was Program chairman for the Tri-State Hospital Assembly Medical Library Service (1963-64); Permanent Chairman since 1960 of the Nursing Librarians of Metropolitan Chicago; VicePresident of A.P.P. (1962-64); American Hospital Association of which he was faculty member to the Institute on Hospital Librarianship in 1961 and 1964. Evangela, M. Sister, B.S., M.A., the Sisters of SS. Cyril and Methodius whose Motherhouse is in Danville, Pa., is working toward a doctorate in history at Georgetown University, Washington, D. C. She is the recipient of a summer grant in history under the National Defense Educational Act. For her Master's thesis from De Paul University in 1964, Sister wrote on: Foreign Relations Between the United States and Czecho-Slovakia with Special Emphasis on Slovakia, 1920-1960. Essay in this issue of Slovakia is a part of her thesis. Krajsa, Joseph C., B.S., with majors in Health and Physical Education, History, and English - plus graduate work in Philosophy at Lehigh University, was born in Allentown, Pa. For 11 years he taught high school English and History and was Head Coach in three sports; tor 15 years he was associated in a finance business; and since February 1964, he has been the Editor of the Catholic Weekly JEDNOTA. Misan11, N. Joseph, is a well-known lawyer. President of Mil- waukee Assemb!y 20 of the .Slovak L eague of America, an Assistant City Attorney of Milwaukee, Wis., Comma nder of Post 508, Catholic War Veterans, Adju tant of Wisco nsin Pos t 490, Inc, The Am erican Legion, and is a member of •the Sokols, J ednota and Narodny Spolok; a parishione r o! St. Stephen's (Slovak) Catholic Church, Milwaukee, Wis., Misany graduated from ?.forquette University an d the Law School, helped organize the Father Blinka Club there, and wrote h is political science thesis on Slova kia, Yester day and Today : The Feelings and Sen,timen ts of a Catholic People (M. U. L ibrar y, 1940), believed to be one of the fi r st such works on a University level in U.S.A. Kirschbaum, J . M., LL.D., Ph.D., former Slovak diplomat in Rome, Italy, and Bern, Switzerland, born in Slovakia and residing in c;anada. For a decade, he was professor at the Unive. sity of Montreal, Department of Slavic Studies, and contributor to French, English and Slovak periodicals and symposia. Some of his writings were also published in Spanish and German. His best known books: Slovakia: A Nation at the Crossroads of Central Europe (Speller and Sons, New York, N. Y., 1960) and Neis boj o samostatnost' Slovenska (Slovak Institute, Cleveland, Ohio, 1958). Urban, Eugene, was born January 2, 1914 at Podolie, Slovakia. He completed his studies of Slovak and French language and literature at the University in Bratislava, Slovakia, with a M.A. in Education degree in 1938. In 1935 he studied slavistics at the Slovenian University at Ljubljana, Slovenia, and French language and literature at the Universite Catholique, Lille, France. In 1960 he received his M.A. in Library Science degree from the Rosary College, River Forest, Ill. In World War II he was assigned as press attache to the Legation of the Slovak Republic in Vatican City. Actually, he is librarian in the Research Library of Inland Steel Company, Hammond, Ind. Many of his articles on Slovak literary, historical and J>Qlitical topics were published in Slovak, Slovenian and Italian journals. The publishing house Sandron, Rome, Italy, published in 1945 his translation into Italian of Slovak short stories by the Slovak author Milo Urban, with the title Novelle Slovacche. Vnuk, Frantisek, P.Eng., professor at a Technological Institute in Adelaide, Australia, was born in Slovakia. He belongs to the younger generation of Slovak intellectuals who did not give up their fight a: ainst communism and strive for freedom and democracy in Slovakia. Profilic and gifted historian writer, he covers in his Slovak and English writings several fields of intellectual activities, from politics to literature. Recently he published the book Neuveritel'ne sprisahanie dealing with the invasion of the communists into Slovakia in 1944. SLOVAKIA $2.00 per annum in the U.S.A. - $3.00 elsewhere. PRI NTED IN THE U.S. A. JEDNOTA PRESS M idd letown, Pa. 17057 The Slovak League of America - - is an AMERICAN INSTITUTION; it was organized May 26, 1907, at Cleveland, 0., by the Rev. Stephen Furdek; is a CULTURAL and CMC organization of Americans of Slovak descent; is interested primarily in promoting the welfare and security of the United States of America; represents an overwhelming majority of organized Americans of Slovak descent; actively affiliated with it are the largest Slovak fraternals, religious organizations, Slovak Clubs and Slovak civic organizations in the United States; is dedicated to American Democracy, the American way of life, and encourages Americans of Slovak descent to be loyal and alert citizens of America; it urges and aids Slovak emigrants to become U. S. citizens by publishing appropriate manuals and brochures in Slovak and English; promotes a better understanding and appreciation of the Slovak nation, its history, culture, traditions, achievements and its long, hard struggle for freedom and independence; firmly believes in the American principle of self-determination of all nations, the inherent and God-given right of every nation, whether large or small, to freedom and independence, the right of every nation to freely choose its own form of government and freely elect persons of its own choice by whom it shall be governed; condemns and unequivocally opposes all forms of tyranny, every form of totalitarian political system. The Slovak League of America has always recognized the Godless philosophy of materialistic Communism for the dread evil and conspiracy against free humanity that it is, as the political system which threatens mankind with utter enslavement and, therefore, has fought resolutely against it in and out of season and, today, is still determined to fight against it with all the means at its command until the dread plague of Communism is wiped off the face of the earth,  Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Back Matter, Slovakia, Vol. 15 (No. 38) Description An account of the resource includes Who's Who Among Slovaks in U.S.A. and Canada; Book Reviews; Contributors Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1965 https://slovakia.wordsofpassage.net/files/original/c0497e8310c515c60ddab7b58d77b08f.pdf b6d6b6dcade6b3cf558b06c2b98b063f PDF Text Text 124 SLOVAKIA CURRENT ISSUES ADDRESS of the Honorable Michael A. Feighan, United States Representative, Before the Slovak League of Ameri ca, Voyager Motel In n, Youngstown, Ohio, Sunday, May 15, 1966 I have been priviledged many times over the past decades to speak about the history of the Slovak people; to speak about the true facts behind your struggles for independence; and to speak about the present determination of Slovaks all over the world to return freedom and independence once again to their native land. My long interest in, and association with, the inspirations and the aspirations of the Slovak people has brought me to appreciate, and to respect, not only the individual Slovak, but the efforts of such organizations as represented in Slovak League of America. The Slovak,s are a people who have made a continuous struggle for national independence for over unremitting and From the Brother Saints, Cyril and Meyears. thousand one Andrew Hlinka and General Monsignor through thodius, Stefanik, the Slovak history is replete with patriots unswerving in their dedication to God, to freedom and to individual liberty. The Slovaks are a people who are more than one hundred years into the second millenium of Christianity in Slovakia. The Slovaks are a people who, even after more than one thousand years of domination, have not lost their language, their national identity, or their determination for independence; an independence which in this century, was born of democratic principles, weaned all too prematurely by the r avages of war, and all but destroyed by the tyranny of Russian Communism. Slovaks know as well as anyone else the path from freedom to oppression, the path from an independent to a captive nation, and the path from a native people to an exiled people - exiled by communist design from their own country and its inherent rights to freedom. But at the same time, they know that these paths need �SLOVAKIA 125 not be irreversible. They know that the spirit of resistance to tyranny never dies. They know that dedication to freedom and justice is unfettered by geographical boundaries, national origin, race, creed, or circumstance. And it is their knowledge and faith in these ideals which has given the Slovak people the determination never to give up in their goals - as is so aptly proved by the fact that the Slovaks today continue to oppose collectivization more effectively than anyone else in the communist orbit. In this universality of conviction the Slovak League of America is strong and unyielding. And so it is today that I want especially to commend the Slovaks for their efforts to promote dedicated citizenship and to build protectors of American democracy ; for their service to this great country rin public and in private life ; for their works of charity; and for their undiminished opposition to all forms of tyranny in the world. As a large Slovak civic and cultural organization in America the Slovak League can be proud of the spiritual, cultural, social, and charitable contributions it has made to the building of our great nation. The nationally known home for orphans in Middletown, Pennsylvania stands as a tribute to the work of the First Catholic Slovak Union. Homes for the aged in various parts of the country, such as the beautiful home at Beachwood, Ohio, which is a tribute to the work of the First Catholic Slovak Ladies' Union. The internationally famous , Saints Cyril and Methodius Institute at Rome, Italy was made possible by the combined efforts of all Slovak Catholic organizations and parishes throughout the country. Bishop Andrew Grutka with the able assistance of Right Reverend Theodore Kojis and all the clergy of Slovak parishes provided inspiring leadership to create this spiritual center for the preservation of the true Slovak spirit. Churches, elementary schools, convents and high schools, too numerous to recall are future monuments to the faith of Slovaks in America. Within the past year a magnificent chapel to Our Lady of Sorrows - Patron saint of Slovakia - was dedicated in the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, in our �126 SLOVAKIA nation's capital. This stands as still another great achievement by the First Catholic Slovak Union. American Slovaks have not ignored the plights of others, but have provided a forum to urge the cause of self-determination for all peoples. Every nation has the right to chart its own destiny through self-determination. This is among the most basic American beliefs. Just as the Slovak people hav•e a dedication to the universal principles of freedom and justice - not limited just to their now oppressed native land - so I and our United States of America have a similar dedication to these same universal principles. To this end I recently introduced a resolution on the floor of the United States House of Representatives calling for the establishment of a seven member House Select Committee on Basic Human Rights and Peaceful World Order. It is all too clear that the official and organized denial of basic human rights and freedom by any government to peoples under its control creates international tensions which can prevent the development of a peaceful world order. Such suppression of national and individual identity is tied hand-in-hand with Russian imperialism, and is a matter of official policy aga,inst the many nations federated by force to the Soviet Union. Of all people, we know, that the spread of this doctrine to other lands beyond the Soviet Union has already begun, and unless it is checked, and reversed, it can well plunge the world into a holocaust. I am confident that if and when this select committee ,is established by Congress, it will provide yet another public forum to develop public opinion on an international scale that these vital issues deserve. Such a public forum will complement and up-date such work as that of the Select Committee to investigate communist aggression of the 83rd Congress, and of which I was privileged to be a member. This committee was able to document and to underscore for all the world to see, such tragic stories as the loss of Slovakia's national independence following World War II and its enslavement by imperial Russia. And such a public forum will also complement the contmued work of the Slovak League of America both here and abroad. While the evil hand of Russian Communism continues its attempts to destroy the very spirit of Saints Cyril and Methodius and to reduce the Slovak people to a state of �SLOVAKIA 127 complete servility, the Slovak people refuse to surr,ender that which, over a thousand years, they have continued to fight for - their spirit of independence, of justice and of freedom. To help this spirit in Slovakia, I am also directing my efforts not only just toward expanding the public forum against communistic tyranny, but also toward expanding the coverage of the Voice of America broadcasts in news and information to the Slovaks living under this communist tyranny. It is my hope to see a Slovak desk established in the Voice of America and to thus improve and increase the effectiveness of this communication behind the Iron Curtain. I hav,e been working toward that goal for some years and will not cease my efforts until it is won. In this way, we as a nation can more effectively demonstrate our encouragement and support for the Slovaks now living under virtual foreign occupation in their native land. For I am convinced that one of the best ways to demonstrate friendship for the people of any foreign country is to speak to them in their own language, to recognize their cultural values and to encourage them in their just aspirations for self-government. The God-fearing people of the free world will not fail in this our struggle to preserve human freedom and to erase despotic slavery. We shall not fail in restoring individual liberty and self-determination to a peaceful world. We shall not fail for we shall not falter in our efforts until our goals are won - and so long as a Slovak is alive anywhere in the world, I know that the spirit of Saints Cyril and Methodius shall prevail. To this I add my personal conviction that as the free world approaches these goals, the Slovak nation will once again join the independent and free nations of the world. SIWVAKS HAVE HIGH More than 70 languages are listDEJGREE IN EDUCATION ed. The fi "ures range all the way A 38-page report on the mother tongue of the 9,738,155 persons listed as foreign born in the 1960 Census has just been published by the U.S. Bureau of the Census. The study is based on a question as to what language was spoken in his home before an immigrant came to the United States. from 16 persons whose mother tongue was Tibetan to over a million persons each for those reporting English, German or Italian. A breakdown on the basis of the areas within the United States shows that nearly half of the total foreign born here reside in the northeast part of the country, �SLOVAKIA 128 nearly a 1/4 in the north central states, 10% in the south and 20 % in the west. Other tables show age and the number of years in school for different groups. Schooling completed by the foreign born shows that the English speaking and Japanese had the highest degree of education with an average of about 10 years of school for each. Scandinavian and German along with Chinese, Rumanian , SLOVAK, Yiddish and Arabic all range in the eight year category. While essentiall y statistical , the Report contains valuable information for those interested iFI or working with nationalit y or ethnic groups. It is on sale by the Superintendent of Documen ts, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402, for 35 cents a copy. - American Council for Nationalities Service Release. NATION .ALISiM To many people, here in the United States, Nationali sm is an ugly word. These people are either ashamed of their national origin or ridicule others for trying to retain the language , customs and traditions that were brought to this country by their forefathe rs. It is true that there are many people today, who can not honestly claim one national origin or the other. Because the marriages of their ancestors were between many different nationalit ies, they may be a mixture of four, five, six, or more nationalit ies and can not truly say they are one or the other. Of these people I do not speak, but in some cases these same persons will not be tolerant of another who knows his national origin and is proud of it. The percentag e of people who have come here to the United States and know what their national origin is, but deny it, is very small. However the children of these people are the main offend- ers, by not taking pride in their nationalit y. As an example, I would like to take the Slovak people. When the Slovak people first started to come to the United States, they were at a disadvant age because they did not know English like some of the other people who migrated here from other European countries which were English speaking. Because of this they found it hard to secure jobs and places to live. At that time there was no television or radio to cover the persecuti on these people endured, both mental and physical. They did not have any organizat ions boycottin g or protesting for them. These people proved themselve s in their place of employm ent by their ability to work and produce. They rented apartmen ts, kept a clean house, spent their money wisely and supported their church. Their accomplishments are many but unsung, because Slovakia and its' people was not well known because it was and still is a nation that is living under foreign rule and tyranny. I have had the experienc e of meeting many young people with Slovak names. Some are college students, ordinary workers and people in profession s. They say "My parents are Slovak or my father is Slovak, but I am an American, not a Slovak." Another excuse for denying their origin is that they say being called a Slovak is putting them in a "ghetto". These and other excuses are all meaningle ss. America is a land made up of many nationalit ies, so in order to be a good American you must be proud of your nationality which helped to build this country. The real American s are the American Indians and there is even doubt as to where they migrated from. The term "ghetto" has been misused in recent years and now is a good excuse for those who are ashamed of their nationality. The term is really being used by those who are too lazy to im- �129 SLOVAKIA prove their own conditions where they now live, and then, try to move elsewhere. Being proud of your Slovak customs, folksongs, language, newspapers, etc., is not to be classified as being in a "ghetto". Rather, it is being a good American in the true sense of the word. The meals, customs, and culture of many lands have gone into making America great. Why shouldn't the Slovaks, who have contributed a lot to America, and continue to do so be proud of themselves. Other groups have their parades and celebrate their saints and hero days'. They are not ashamed to say "I am Irish, Italian or other." Why then are some of the Slovak People tongue-tied, so that they flounder around for every excuse, rather than saying with pride and dignity, "I am an American Slovak!!" We are not trying to prove that we are better than anyone else, but it is about time that some people recognize the fact that we are just as good as another and there is nothing to be ashamed of. If you are weak kneed and ashamed because some donkey is ignorant enough to ridicule you, then you aren't worth much as a Slovak or an American. My father told me that his brother, my late uncle, Rev. John Kuba~ek, pastor of Most Holy Trinity Church in Yonkers, used to say this about those who were ashamed of being known as a Slovak, "It's a poor bird who dirtys his own nest." Think about this and you will see its meaning. The parents of those attending our Slovak schools should insist that Slovak be taught and taught well enough so that the pupil can carry on a conversation by the time he finishes eighth grade. In too many cases our Slovak people give in to the non-Slovaks of the parish , who voice their objections to this. This is a good case where we can be strong. It was our an- cestors hard earned money that built these schools. I am sure that if the diocese ruled that every pupil had to learn Spanish or French, e very o n e would jump. Let's jump and make sure our children in Slovak schools learn to SPEAK Slovak and not just memorize a few words. All of the above ties into our hope that someday Slovakia will be free . When this happens there will be many Slovaks who will come to this country. Will they have to go through the sarrie hardships that the early Slovak immigrants did? What is worse yet, will they have to suffer because their own Slovak brethren here in the United States are too lazy to teach and learn the Slovak language and keep up the customs? If for no other reason, this should be a motive for us to keep our spirit alive, so that we may help our people when the time comes to adjust to the United States and find employment and housing. This can only be done by waking up now. Let's not commit national suicide!! Steve Kubasek, Jr. St. Procopius College Lisle, Illinois Ll!MITED GAINS SOORED IN RENEWED DRINE FOR SLOVAK INDEJPENiDENCE Slovak national aspirations have been staging a come-back in the <".:SSR. This upsurge is not the work of individual writers. It is now supported by higher ranking party functionaries. The impetus for vocalizing these strivings which aim at complete equality with the Czechs, was the 150th birthday of :Cudovit Stur, a man honored in his native land not only as an opponent of Hungarian supremacy but as the father of the Slovak literary language, consummation of which made the separat- �130 SLOVAKIA ion of the Slovaks from the Czechs complete. For the first time well-known personalities like the former land governor Gustav Husak (sentenced to life imprisonment in 1954 as a "bourgeois nationalist" but rehabilitated in 1962) and the historian Daniel Rapant, publicly presented theses condemning the ideas of Marx and Engels from 1848 although these opinions of the fathers of socialism have actually been tabu thus far in all Communist countries. Husak, to whom the Prague government had several times offered a ministerial post in recent years, now accused Marx of having assumed a position of Hungarian nationalism and - without any more profound knowledge of the revolution of 1848 - of having developed an anti-Slovak attitude in which his "German arrogance" was a determining factor. Apart from Prague's and Moscow's still expected reply, Budapest will also have something to say, inasmuch as Rapant described the Kossuth revolution as "tyranny, and not a struggle for internationalism and emancipation". The various articles in Slovak newspapers commemorating Stur ended with the unequivocal demand for genuine equality of the Slovaks with the Czechs. The writer, Vladimir Minac, expressed the thought that if Czech-Slovak coexistence were considered historically necessary, the fate of both peoples must be seen in its "truly dramatic form". Husak even went so far as to call for the creation of state institutions designed to protect the Slovaks - who make up but one-third of the entire population - against "oppression by the privileged and hegemonist nation". About a month after the Stur jubilee the effects of Slovak unrest began to be noticeable. The Prague parliament approved a re- solution providing for the Slovak National Council in Bratislava " in cooperation with the other parliamentary bodies" to concentrate their efforts on increasing Slovak participation in the overall development of the CSSR. Although the Czechs could not bring themselves to empower the Slovak National Council with the competency it once held, they did concede to a certain amount of codetermination of the Slovaks on all-state level. It is to be realized by establishing closer contact in the future between the committees of the Prague National Assembly and the Bratislava National Council. The Slovak land governor, Michal Chudik, in a frank talk before the Prague parliament, pointed out that there were people among the Czechs who saw in the Slovak National Council only a " binding link" betweeen Prague and Bratislava that simply complicated the situation, while among the Slovaks, he claimed, there were trends toward a federalization of the CSSR. Although allying himself with neither of these trends, Chudik obviously felt the centralistic threat emanating from Prague to be the greater danger. This feeling prompted him to say to the Czech side that the Slovak National Council would henceforth appear as the representative of the "Slovak people's independence" and perform within Slovakia the functions of an all-state administrative body. Chudik's criticism that the National Council had so far not succeeded in fulfilling its "norm-establishing" function, was recently supported by an almost revolutionary move on the part of the Slovaks. The juridicial commission of the Bratislava National Council drafted a law proposing the introduction of so-called cooperative apartments. To date there has been �SLOVAKIA only home construction of the state and cooperative type, or building permits for single family houses with limited dwelling space. This new measure would allow ownership of dwellings even in buildings housing several families. They are designed for later sale, including right to inheritance or other type legal transfer to others for tenancy. There would also be opportunity for older dwellings to pass into private ownership. w. o. A STUDY OF ~HiE COMMUNIST PARTY By the end of the war, the Soviet Union and its Communist allies had gained virtually de facto control of Czechoslovakia. The Soviet armies conquered Slovakia (and as in the case of Poland refused to give military aid to an uprising of anti-German Slovak citizens) ; by Allied agreement the Soviets were permitted to liberate Prague; and they annexed SubCarpathian Ruthenia to the Soviet Union, an act formalized in June 1945. Communist-dominated People's Committees controlled the borderlands, and in the interior Communists had more than their share of power in the Committees' apparatus. According to SetonWatson, "The Communist Party could have seized complete power in 1945 had it so wished. It deliberately chose not to do so." In May 1945, Benes and the London Government-in-exile returned to Czechoslovakia, but stopping first at Moscow where further concessions were made to the Czechoslovak Communists whereby they were given key posts in the government. According to Prof. Curt Beck, a specialist on Czechoslovak affairs, these concessions were partly due to the realization that the Allies had already decided that Czechoslovakia would be in the Soviet military zone. 131 Agreements reached by Benes and the Communists in discussions during 1943 and 1945 formed the basis for the Kosice Program, ostensibly an agreement among members of the National Front coalition on polices to be adopted by the new postwar Czechoslovak Government. The most important features of the agreement were the creation of a National Front Coalition government and the formation of People's Committees that were to assume local and regional administrative responsibilities and functions . The Kosice program, proclaimed by the new Czechoslovak Government on March 22, 1945, restored the republic. On April 4, 1945, Benes, as President, named a new government headed by the left-wing Social Democrat Zdenek Fierlinger. The National Front which formed the government was a coalition of independent parties, consisting of the Czechoslovak Communist Parties, the Social Democrats, the National Socialists, the People's Party (Catholic) and the Slovak Democratic Party. Communists held 8 cabinet posts in the new government among which were the important Ministry of Interior (giving them control of the nation's police and security forces ), the Ministry of Agriculture, and the Ministries of Education and Information. In addition to their strength in the cabinet, the Communists controlled the People's Committees; General Ludwig Svoboda, trained in the Soviet Union, led the Army as Minister of Defense; the General Staff and its Intelligence Department were a Communist stronghold ; and in the border regions especially in areas from where the Germans had been expelled, the Communists, as Seton-Watson wrote, created "a party state within the state." According to Professor Beck, by 1947 Communists held 57 percent �132 SLOVAKIA of the chairmanships of local People's Committees, 80 percent of district People's Committees, and 100 percent of Provincial People's Committees. - Committee on the Judiciary, United States Senate, Washington, D.C., 1966. sr...ovA!K LANGUAGE LABORATORY OOUR'SE A modern language course, Slovak Language Laboratory Course, by an illustrious member of the Slovak Franciscan Order and a recognized professor of languages, Fr. Bonaventure S. Bue, O.F.M., Ph. D., is in the process of being published. This Slovak Language Course is patterned according to the modern language series of other languages prepared by Georgetown University. When put into book form it will be on par with the most modern method of teaching a language. For laboratory work, the lessons have already been correlated on tapes and can be purchased from the Slovak Franciscans, 232 South Home Ave., Pittsburgh, Pa., 15202. The 40 minute tapes of 12 lessons can be used on a tape recorder or in a language laboratory. The complete set costs $30.00. Dr. Bue, a man of many talents, has taught Slovak, French, German, and Russian in schools and colleges in Europe, Canada, and the United States. He is also the author of several books. With the Franciscan Order, he taught in Malacky, Slovakia, and received his Ph. D. from the University of Bratislava. He also studied in Munich and Cologne in Germany, and in Paris, France. He held various posts in Canada and the United States and also taught at Duquesne University and Notre Dame High School, Easton, Pa. In 1957, Dr. Bue received a Master's Degree in Political Science at the University of Pittsburgh and wrote as his thesis Slovak Nationalism. It was published by Slovak League of America in 1960. He was working extensively on the contributions Msgr. Andrew Hlinka and Msgr. Joseph Tiso made to the Slovak nation at the time of his death on April 22, 1966. Fr. Bue was not only the pastor of St. Rita's Church in Buffalo, N. Y., but found time to teach Russian at the Calasanctius College Preparatory School. His "Slovak Language Laboratory Course" will be a monument to his greatness. J.C. K. YOU'DH OONFERENCE OF THE SLOVAK LffiAGUE OF AMERICA As a representative of St. Cyril Academy for Girls, Danville, Pa., I was privileged to attend the 40th Congress of the Slovak League of America in Youngstown, Ohio, in May of 1966. The primary reason for my presence at the Congress was to participate in the Youth Conference. Previous to the conference, I was very curious just what would be on the agenda and how many socalled youths would be present. Since I was a new-comer at these affairs in connection with the Slovak League, I thought I would be a 99 % observer, but my estimated statistics had a change of course. The moderator of the Conference was Dr. Peter Hletko of Chicago, Ill., the Honorary President of the League and a recognized American-Slovak leader, whom I had met previously. Attorney Edward Behuncik, Vice President of the League from Bridgeport, Conn., prefaced the discussion with an excellent presentation on the background of the Slovaks as a whole, and their marked status and contribution to the American character. He had a wealth of reference material which he used �SLOVAKIA in his presentation and the noteworthy thing was that his sources were all other than Slovak. A question and answer period followed the initial presentation and there were many interesting topics discussed. The one question that interested me most was, "What is the difference between the Slovaks and Czechs and why don't they just conceive the idea of a Czechoslovak nationality and state?" I must admit I felt and wanted to answer the question myself since at the Academy I had learned the answers through my courses on Slovak history. I knew the many struggles and tribulations of the Slovak people for over eleven centuries and their guest for independence and a position of honor in the family of nations. I knew of their few moments of freedom and what it has meant to them. However, wise and logical answers came swiftly from the members of the panel. Attorney Behuncik was first in line to state various facts and figures from a wide range of books and writers, other than Slovak, that substantiated the Slovak's claim and cause. Fr. Andrew Pier, O.S.B., a prolific writer in this field, spoke in defense of the human rights of the Slovaks. And, the Rt. Rev. Abbot Theodore Kojis, O.S.B., Abbot of St. Andrew's Abbey, Cleveland, Ohio, concluded the responses and put a 'clincher' on the topic that was being discussed. The one who asked the question responded, "I certainly did not know all these points and I must say that I will leave this conference with a different impression and much more informed. " Truth prevailed! Before the Conference had terminated , Dr. Hletko asked if I would comment on how the youth could become more interested and participate in different activities 133 concerning the Slovaks. My response was that the initial promotion of interest must come from the home-the parents must be the ones to talk about their great heritage; they should speak the language more if possible; encourage reading the Slovak newspapers and periodicals; participate in Slovak affairs; continue practicing and cherishing the many Slovak customs ; and most of all, be proud of our ethnic identity. I then continued and mentioned my background which is a loyal Slovak one attributed to my parents. My attitude has been moulded toward the Slovak people-their language, culture, their religious, social, civic, and fraternal activities-as being one of honor and sincere dedication. Concerning my knowledge of the Slovaks, I could not help but mention St. Cyril Academy. I was just finishing my second year of the four-year course in Slovak offered by the Academy. We are not only taught the Slovak language, but we are exposed to and learn Slovak history, culture, and traditions. The famous men in Slovak history are familiar to me like Samo, Rastislav, Svatopluk, SS. Cyril and Methodius, Bernolak, Stur, Hlinka , Furdek, Murgas, Jankola, Tiso, Sidor, and a host of others. I already have experienced the fact that some of the girls who are taking Slovak at St. Cyril's are of non-Slovak families . They want to learn the language and the history because they know they will not have the opportunity at other institutions. These students, indeed, are aware of the potential in the Slovak language and culture. In summation, I repeat that in order to get the youth interested, the parents must set the example as they do for anything else that must be developed in the home. Only there can the love and in- �134 SLOVAKIA terest in the Slovak heritage begin to flourish. My attendance at the Youth Conference of the 40th Congress of the Slovak League of America was very beneficial. In my heart I wished that every youth could have witnessed and taken part in the educational session. This experience was truly one that I will never forget. - Maryagnes Krajsa, '68 St. Cyril Academy, Danville, Pennsylvania. " ... BY THEIR FRUITS YE SHA!LL KNOW THEM." In the Gospel according to St. Matthew we find the words of Our Lord, " ... by their fruit ye shall know them" (7:20). These words summarize a scientific truth. They express a Law that is evidenced in the lives of men and in the lives of nations. A nation is a group of men of psychological affinity, sharing a common heritage and common aspirations. When a nation represents a unity of men under God, to the detriment of no man, it is a vehicle for good. But when a nation covets that which belongs to its neighbors, rejecting the positive teachings of Christ, it becomes a negative vehicle with atrophy of its moral fibre as an inevitable consequence. This consequence is seen clearly by scientific observation, through objective examination of results. An illustration is provided by comparing two neighboring nations in Europe, the Czech and the Slovak. The majority of the Czechs are nominally Catholic. The Slovaks are predominantly, and devotedly, Catholic. No criticism of the Mother Church is intended by this comparison, nor is it for us to judge any man. A comparison of the moral situation in the two nations is the sole intent. The Czechs have developed an overhelming, almost psychotic, de- sire to not only dominate the Slovaks but to absorb them within an artificial entity they call "Czechoslovakia". A "Czechoslovak" nation never existed in the past, does not exist in the present, and cannot be imposed in the future. The Czechs and the Slovaks each have a different heritage and different aspirations. The Slovaks, the challenged, have maintained their faith while defending their identity. The Czechs, as the challengers, have sunk into a spiritual vacuum. In Slovakia the Church has maintained its life, even, where necessary, underground. As in the days of the catacombs, priests are ordained and bishops are consecrated, unknown to the eyes of the new Communist Caesars but known to the Omniscient eye of God. Bishop Paul Hnilica, S.J., is but one example of many Slovak shepherds who have been daily showing the devotion of the earliest disciples of Our Savior. Performing their pastoral duties at the greatest of personal risk and with the greatest of personal sacrifice, the Slovak clergy are fulfilling the Word of Christ, inspiring the Slovak people to meet the challenge which faces them. Through the example set by the Catholic majority in Slovakia the Protesttant Slovak community has also risen to the challenge, :as they share the devotion to the Slovak national heritage and to the Slovak n a ti o n a 1 aspirations. Such spiritual leaders as Bishop Hnilica transcend denominational boundaries. He is a spiritual leader in Christ for Catholic and Protestant Slovaks alike, representing true ecumenical spirit. U n f o rt u n a t e 1 y, among the Czechs one looks for this moral strength in vain. Due to their psychological obsession of attempting to destroy the Slovak national identity they have developed almost a castration complex concerning their own national herit- �SLOVAKIA age. This psychological sickness is a negation of Christianity. It has afflicted Czech Catholics and Protestants alike. Some symptoms of the illness are seen in the words and deeds of Josef Cardinal Ber an, the Czech Archbishop of Prague. Cardinal Beran calls himself a "Czechoslovak", but the Cat ho 1 i c Church in Slovakia was never, and is not now, in any way under the ecclesiastical jurisdiction of Prague. The Slovak Protestants have also rejected any administrative claims of Czech Protestants over their communities. Cardinal Beran and some of his Czech Catholic colleagues, with a number of Czech Protestant clergymen being equally cu 1 pa b 1 e, have chosen to give away their Czech national heritage in exchange for the pottage of unchristian covetousness of that which belongs to their Slovak neighbor. The illness is manifested in many ways: The same Cardinal Beran once signed a declaration stating that "Under the protection of our brother nation, Russia, a happy future is being opened to all Slavs." The only freedom Communist Russia has left the Czechs is the power to enslave the Slovaks. Is that a happy future? The same Cardinal Beran justified the forced expulsion after World War II of over three million Sudeten Germans. During this f o r c e d expulsion over 400,000 men, women and children were reported killed. Can a minister of the Gospel justify such bestiality? The same Cardinal Beran gave solemn "Te Deum" services in Prague's St. Vitus Cathedral in honor of the inauguration of Communist President Gottwald at the same time that the clergy in Slovakia were under the severest of Communist persecution and the Slovak people were fighting the Communist troops with their bare hands. Is that Christian brotherhood? 135 All of these actions by Cardinal Beran exemplify a negative thinking that is multiplied a thousandfold among his fellow Czech Catholic and Protestant clergy. It has borne its fruit. Among all Czech children only 3 % are reported to have received Baptism, the first of Christian sacraments. In Slovakia, the true Christian leadership of such as Bishop Hnilica has also borne its fruit. Approximately 98 % of all Slovak children are baptized, despite the Czech Communist persecutions. These nondenominational figures serve as one among many indices of the moral situation in the two nations. When we compare the fruits of the practice of Christianity among the Slovaks with the fruits of the m e n t a l malpractice among the Czechs we see the attitudes of many individuals projected as the concensus of a larger group. It is up to each of us, as an individual, to direct his thoughts positively_ When we do not, we abdicate our futures , as individuals and as nations. The results cannot be hidden for "by their fruits ye shall know them." - The Reverend Jon P. Speller, D.D., Scientific Prayer Ministry, New York, New York. THE OHRISTIAN OHURCH IN BOHEMIA AND SLOVAKIA When the Communists came to power in Czecho-Slovakia in 1948, there were 8.75 million Roman and 300,000 Greek Catholics in a population of 12.5 million. Since then, about one million Catholics have officially left the church, but this figure gives little idea of the actual leakage which has been caused by persecution and discrimination in every degree - and by disloyalty among the ranks of the priesthood. All church property was confiscated by the state in 1948, and the �136 SLOVAKIA church is not permitted to own anything whatever. Thus, collections taken during Mass have to be handed over to the local branch of the government department for church affairs, and only a bare minimum is returned to the priest for his own requirements and for the upkeep of the church fabric. Voluntary outside contributions are not permitted. And only "reliable" priests who have sworn an oath of loyalty to the Communist state, are allowed to hold office in parishes. Outwardly speaking, such religious life as there is, is confined to the church itself; off the premises it is simply not in evidence. R e 1 i g i o u s instruction in the schools has in practice ceased in Prague and in most towns in Bohemia, and in most of the villages as well, though it survives here and there in Slovakia. But instruction outside school is forbidden and subject to severe sanctions: this throws the whole responsibility on the parents, the majority of whom are not well qualified to give their children any substantial instruction. Any attempt from any quarter to influence young people toward religion is severly frowned on and those who are suspected of such activity or of religious learning will not receive advancement. And where would the parents find books to teach their children, when there are no religious publications? Little or nothing has been published, not even missals, since 1948; what has been issued has a strongly tendentious flavor. In 1948 there were 5,779 secular priests and 1,163 priests in religious orders; now there are about 2,500 in the whole country in 1951 about 3,000 priests were held in various degrees of confinement, from labor camps to "concentration monasteries." By 1958 the number had dropped to below 500, and in 1963 the majority were released, but have to earn their living as best they can, usually in unskilled labor, and are forbidden to work as priests. Today there are still about 15 priests in prison. There are theological students in training, though their number is of course inadequate. What weighs more heavily than numbers is the quality of the future priesthood, as there is an incredible lack of modern theological works available to them. Seminarians, together with the rest of the population, are "sheltered" from all contact with contemporary thought in the Catholic Church today, and in particular have no knowledge of the deliberations of the Vatican Council. They are held back in a nineteenth century climate of thought which has no relevance to the realities of life around them. The only religious periodical available to priesthood and laity is "The Spiritual Shepherd" which an authority on Czecho-Slovak affairs describes as "a mixture of timidity and weakness, full of self-deception and delusion." The reason for this-on the face of it, extraordinary-contrast between Poland and Czecho-Slovakia, is not hard to find. Today, owing to comparative religious indifferentism of the people which is very marked in Bohemia, less so in Slovakia, the Communist regime has no need to respect public opinion. Stella Musulin, correspondent for the London Herald and the St. Louis Review POLICE SEAROH RESIDENCE OF TWO BISHOPS Police searched the residences of two bishops in Czecho-Slovakia after they had been visited by tourists from the West, but found no "subversive material", accord- �SLOVAKIA ing to KNA, German Catholic news agency. The prelates are Auxiliary Bisshop Kajetan Matousek of Prague and Bishop Karel Otcenasek, apostolic administrator of Hradec Kralove, who had been released from confinement in 1963. KNA reported that all bishops who have been confined are under surveillance after their release. The news agency reported also that there are still 16 priests imprisoned in Czecho-Slovakia and that an unknown number of laymen are still in jail there because of their faith and religious activities. It was reported that 25 priests were imprisoned about six months ago. - (NCWC News Service ) HIGH TEENAGE DIVORCE According to a broadcast heard via Radio Prague, too many married couples, especially teenaged ones, are filing for divorce in Czecho-Slovakia. To stem the tide of divorce-seeking couples, a state commission has proposed establishing marriage advisory offices. The lack of savings and the scarcity of housing are given as the chief causes of early marriages ending in failure . In Prague, 28 % of all marriages end in divorce, while one in four goes on the rocks in the industrialized area of Northern Bohemia. In predominantly Catholic Slovakia, the divorce rate is less than 8% . - (NCWC New s Service) liN MiIDMORIAM Mother M . Pius, third Superior General of the Sisters of SS. Cyril and Methodius, who died on Sunday, May 15, 1966, was laid to rest in the community cemetery on Wednesday, May 18. Officiating at the funeral Mass was the Rt. Rev. Abbot Theodore 137 Kojis, O.S.B., M.A., Abbot of St. Andrew's Slovak Benedictine Abbey, Cleveland, Ohio. Mother M. Pius, during whose administration as Superior General of the Sisters of SS. Cyril and Methodius, St. Cyril Academy, Danville, Pa. was opened in 1922, passed away in her sleep on Sunday, May 15, at Maria Joseph Manor. Born in 1894 in Blakely, Pa., and b a p t i z e d in Holy Ghost Church, Olyphant, Pa., Mother M. Pius answered the call of Christ to follow Him in the religious life when she entered M a r y w o o d, Scranton, for the prescribed training. The Congregation of the Sisters of SS. Cyril and Methodius was only two years old at the time of her entrance and its pioneer Sisters received their religious training under the direction of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in Scranton. Mother M. Pius made her first profession of vows at Marywood in 1913. In the early struggling years of the Congregation, Mother M. Pius held important positions which she discharged with rare wisdom and charm. Despite her youth she was superior of the Jednota Home for orphans in Middletown in the early years when it also served as motherhouse for the Congregation. In 1922, shortly after the purchase of the Castle Grove estate in Danville, Mother M. Pius was elected third Superior General of the Congregation and served in that capacity for 12 years. That same year Villa Sacred Heart opened its doors as a boarding school for girls, known then as the First Catholic Slovak Girls High School. By 1930 it became necessary to expand. The beautiful St. �138 SLOVADA Cyril Academy on the hill was erected and its lofty tower has become a landmark in the montour area. During the administration of Mother M. Pius, St. Cyril Academy was accredited by the State Department of Education and its first commencement in 1926 were honored by the presence of five bishops, four of them from Slovakia. Meanwhile also the Congregation increased in membership and many new schools were opened. In the years that followed Mother M. Pius was principal and teacher in parish schools in New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Before her retirement last year Mother M. Pius was again superior at Jednota Home where she celebrated her Golden Jubilee in 1963. I Mother M. Pius was preceded in death by her sister, Sister M. I Philomena, who died at Jednota in 1920 and lies buried in the Community cemetery in Danville. She is mourned by three sisters, Mrs. Margaret Prokopovitsh and Cecile Yakubov, Washington, D.C. and Sister M. Constance, SS.C.M., music instructor at Andrean High School, Gary, Indiana, and many nieces and nephews. What Mother M. Pius has meant to the Sisters of SS. Cyril and Methodius is written not only in stone, but also, and more importantly, in the solid foundation of progress in the Congregation and in countless human hearts, both within the Community and without. Her deeds are recorded in history, the history of the Congregation, of the Church, and of the Slovak nation. May her great soul rest in peace. AS OTHERS SEE IT It was Monsignor Hlinka, who founded the Slovak People's Party and encouraged the Slovaks to strive for national recognition. Slovakia had long been submerged by foreign rule, but the spirit of the nation was preserved by the inspiring work of dedicated men. Monsignor Hlinka rose to prominence in Europe as a leading advocate of selfgovernment for Slovakia and all the other nations of Central-East Europe. The Wilsonian principle of self-determination provided a powerful stimulant to his work and for the cause of the Slovak people. It was in that spirit that he journied to Paris in 1919 with the hope of seeing President Wilson to plead the case of his people. While Monsignor Hlinka's hopes were not realized, his dedication and determination left an indelible mark on the life of the Slovak Congressman Michael nation. Feighan. The long-disputed Prague Pittsburgh Pact of May, 1918, which played a role in the creation of the Republic of Czechoslovakia after World War I, is no longer a political issue per se but the old hostility between Czechs and Slovaks, reflecting in part an alleged invalidation of the pact, continues under communism. The pact was agreed upon by representatives of the Slovak and Czech organizations in this country which met in the Moose Temple on Penn Avenue with T. G. Masaryk, who became the republic's first president. In the 47 years since the Czechoslovak Republic was proclaimed on Oct. 28, 1918, the Slovaks have �SLOVAIIA argued consistently that the terms of the pact were never fulfilled and that they have been unequaled partners in an unhappy political marriage. Of the 14 million people in this country, the Czechs outnumber the Slovaks more than two to one. But, of course, it does the Slovaks no good to complain. For now they are melded with the Czechs in the Czechoslovak Socialist Republic, which is a communist state and a full-fledged member of the Soviet bloc. And the Reds have not the slightest concern for any agreement negotiated in capitalist Pittsburgh. - Frank Hawkins PostGazete, Pittsburgh, Nov. 6, 1965. Czechs drink beer. Slovaks drink wine. And that's one of the instances where your connoisseur touring Slovakia would say, "Viva la difference!" - John F . McLeod, The Washington Daily News, June 15, 1965. It was shocking-three border gates, fences with double barbed wire, guns, brick cubicles and women in officer's uniforms checking cars. The landscape is bleak, devoid of trees, houses, cars. Prague is a gray city. The hotel where we stayed is their pride and joy-it's like a communal concentration camp. Those who protest the war against Communism should come here, and if they find it The Slovaks historically have agreeable, let them stay. - Candy looked of any Prague government Bergen, by Hedda Hopper, Daily with fishy eyes. - Ted Princiotto , News, November 16, 1965. The Plain Dealer, Cleveland, OctAfter the aborted Hungarian ober 17, 1965. Revolution of 1956, things seem to have simmered down in Russia's Zakamenny Klin, Slovakia "You took him away from us alive satelites and one could easily get . . . you have returned him to us the impression that most of the dead. The day of reckoning will anti-Communist yen to revolt has come. Then justice shall prevail." gone. The truth is that it seems quiescent only because it hasn't These were the words of a young found an outlet with any promise "Communist" at the grave of Bish- of success. op Jan Vojtassak and proved a fitIt took years to discover in the ting and dramatic climax in the West to what degree the Poles life and death of the venerated Slo- were ready to cut loose in October, vak warrior for justice, freedom, 1956, a few days before the Hunand truth. garians made their shots heard This unexpected tribute was around the world. Czechoslovakia, heard by 10,000 of Bishop Vojtas- at the time, was supposed to be sak's fellow countrymen. The youth plotting something which misfired. was supposed to list the prelate's Much later we learn that where"crimes." as the Czechs didn't make much of The Communist regime had plan- a fuss at the time, Slovak partisans ned to make the burial service raised Cain. The nation's four milquiet and private - instead, when lions Slovaks represent about one the word got out that the Slovak third of Czechoslovakia's 12 milprelate was to be buried from his lions Slavs. Slovak partisans battled Soviet native village church, the news spread like wildfire and overnight forces near Presov. Slovak partisans fought by the more than 10,000 gathered from all sides to pay their final respects to side of the Hungarian rebels. The C om mu n i s ts suppressed a national martyr who had remained unbowed to the end. - The news of all this at the time. If and Register, October 24, 1965. when the State Department ever �140 SLOVAKIA caught up with it, U. S. spokesmen - always considerate of Red sensibilities never bothered to mention it or rub it in. - Guy Richards, New York Journal-American, July 3, 1965. Mrs. Sloboda comes from Slovakia, which is the Church's stronghold in Czecho-Slovakia and which has shown the greatest resistance to the regime. There 60 per cent of the land is still in private hands, as compared to only 10 per cent in other regions. There, too, church attendance is still strong and there is an active religious tradition. Largely agricultural and mountainous, the remoteness has been an asset to the Church. A Communist functionary from Slovakia recently admitted in despair, "In Prague, they think Catholicism is finished. But in Slovakia, we see things differently. The faith is still strong there. We have to show much more tolerance to the Church. We can't work actively against it. " "You know, " Mrs. Sloboda explained to me, with an apology to her husband, "the Slovaks are quite d i f f e r e n t from the easy-going Czechs, who would rather accommodate themselves to the status quo than get into trouble. The Slovaks are toughened by the hard life in the mountains. " " Oh, yeah," protested her husband , "but don't forget how we threw the bottle-tossing hooligans out of church last Christmas, here in Prague! " Nevertheless, even in Slovakia, interest in religion is beginning to wane, and there has been a decline in church attendance among the youth. The rapid industrialization of the area will inevitably contribute to the secularization and estrangement from a predominantly peasant-orientated Catholicism. "In every village, just as in the rest of Czecho-Slovakia," said Mrs. Sloboda, "there are loudspeakers hanging over the square which are used for p r op a g a n d a purposes." - Adolph Schalk, The Sign, Decem- ber, 1965. Grim , tough, friendless Antonin Novotny of Czecho-Slovakia, detested by many Communists and by the population at large, especially in the chronically restless Slovak region, was already a ranking Party ogre in Stalin's day. He is a prime candidate for de-Stalinization at the first wrong move. Hal Lehrman, before The Committee on the Judiciary, United States Senate, 89th Congress, 1st Session. Planned extermination is facing Slovakia and other captive nations? In Slovakia all their leaders were either hanged, imprisoned, or exiled. 85,000 Slovak citizens were placed in labor and concentration camps. 20,000 known Slovaks were deported to the Soviet Union as slaves. Over 100,000 Slovak citizens of German ancestry were expelled to the Soviet Union. Over 120,000 Slovak citizens of Hungarian ancestry were expatriated. Over 600,000 Slovaks were forced to leave Slovakia and live in Bohemia and Moravia. - Alfred Korn, Jr., President, Americans to Free Captive Nations, Inc. New York, November 27, 1965. I frequently wonder what the people of the captive nations think of what the United States contemplates on doing. Do they sometimes begin to feel that we are abandoning them and that we do not care-that we want them to be subjects of the communists. There is a very interesting aspect about the Slovaks. In 1946 when the first vote was taken in Slovakia as to what type of government they should have, up in the mountain areas and in the land of the Slovaks the vote was about 65 % against the communists. They were the only group in the whole country of Czecho-Slovakia that voted against it. So I say that today you have given voice which should �SLOVAKIA be broadcast by the Voice of America. And the broadcast should be made in the Slovak language so that the Slovaks in the mountains and in the valleys will understand what is happening. We are challenged by the communists. We unhappily and unfortunately have in our midst many who say they are not a challenge to us, but the Slovaks know that they are. There is in the Old Testament in the Bible in the Book of Kings the story of the King who wanted the vineyard of one of his subjects. It is in Chapter 21 and this is how it reads: "And after these things, Naboth the Jezrahelite, who was in J ezrahel, had at that time a vineyard near the palace of Achab, the king of Samaria. And Achab the king spoke unto Naboth saying: Give me thy vineyard, that I may have me a garden of herbs, because it is near to my house, and I will give thee for it a better vineyard : or if you think it more good to thee, I will give thee the worth of it in money. And Naboth the subject said to Achab the king : The Lord forbith me that I should give the inheritance of my fathers unto thee." The Lord forbid that we should give the inheritance of our country and the United States on to the communists. And the Lord forbid the land of the Slovaks should pass unto the communists that now rule in Slovakia. - U.S. Senator Frank 141 freedom is restored to these valiant people and the other captive nations under communism. We must not only observe the historic national days on the floor of the House, but we should establish a Special Committee on Captive Nations to more forcibly bring the present plight of these unfortunate people to world attention. Another effective step the U.S. Government could take to show our interest in the Slovak people and their aspirations for freedom from communism would be lengthier and more effective broadcasts by the Voice of America which would pierce the wall of Communist propaganda and deliver the truth to the Slovak people. In recent years, Mr. Speaker, the Voice of America has cut back both its hours of broadcast in the Slovak language and the nature of these broadcasts. The VOA now has only straight news programs because of the present administration's fear of offending the Soviet Union. The Voice of America should instead be a vehicle for delivering the message of truth to the Slovak people so that they can resist the brainwashing of the constant propaganda from the tyrannical Moscow oppressors. - Edward J. Derwinski on the floor of the House of Representatives, March 14, 1966. Lausche. Mr. Speaker, today is the 27th anniversary of Slovak Independence Day, and on this historic occasion, I would like to pay tribute to the brave Slovak people who suffer today under the yoke of Communist tyranny. They are not permitted by their Red tyrants to publicly celebrate their national holiday. Therefore, we must rededicate ourselves to our efforts to see that Annual SLOVAKIA is published by the Slovak League of America, 313 Ridge Avenue, Middletown, Pennsylvania. Subscription $2.00. Editor: Dr. Joseph Pauco. �142 SLOVAXIA BOOK REVIEWS SLOVAK STUDIES III - CYRILLO-METHODIANA, Published by Slovak Institute, Rome, 1965, p. 224. The eleventh centenary of the arrival of the scholarly missionaries St. Cyril and Methodius among the Slavic tribes, called Sclavi Marahenses in Latin sources and Slovene or Sklavinoj in Eastern sources, was an occasion for Slavs to publish scores of studies in various languages. Slovaks, who claim to be among the heirs of the CyrilloMethodian tradition, were especially active on both sides of the Iron Curtain. Besides organizing huge celebrations in Rome, Canada and the U.S.A. and archeological exhibitions, Slovak scholars took part at the international Cyrillo-Methodian Conference in Salzburg, Austria, and contributed to various symposia either in Slovak or in foreign languages. The symposium under review contains contributions by Slovak scholars and writers who live in the free world. Expecting that the writings in Slovakia will necessary be subject to marxist criteria and political restriction, they undertook the task to present the Cyrillo-Methodian period to the Western scholars as they see it on the basis of Slovak pre-communist and foreign sources. The contributions written in English, French and German, deal with history (F. Hrusovsky, M. Lacko, J . Papin, A. Grebert, liturgy (M. Lacko and M. Rusnak), literature (J. M. Kirschbaum) and with the role of the CyrilloMethodian tradition in Slovak national and political life (J. M. Kirschbaum) . Since the Slovak erudities from the XVIIth century claimed great-Moravia and the activities of the scholarly missionaries for Slovaks and Moravians, the contributions in the symposium not only follow that tradition, but apparently try to substantiate the Slovak claims to the Cyrillo-Methodian heritage by compiling supporting evidence from the works of renown and less known slavists of many nations. The tendency to prove the "slovacity" of the Cyrillo-Methodian period or to defend the Slovak claims to the Great-Moravian heritage is common to all contributors to this third volume of Slovak Studies, but it is mainly the well documented account on the relations of the rulers of Great Moravia with Rome, written by the late Prof. F. Hru!iovsky, the German contribution on the ethnic composition of Great Moravia by A. Grebert and the French and English contribution by Prof. J . M. Kirschbaum on the Cyrillo-Methodian literature and tradition which may be of interest for Slavist who do not specialize in religious aspects. Contributions by Prof. M. Lacko, who is known as an expert in the Cyrillo-Methodian period and the articles by Prof. J. Papin, bishop M. Rusnak and I. Kondratovic are valuable especially from the Slovak point of view. Not all the contributions are of equal scholarly value and the volume is marked by the difficulty to edit a multi-lingual book: not only typographical errors but also linguistic deficiencies appear in the book quite frequently. This does not make, however, the volume without interest or value. Slavists might find it challenging in various aspects and by the same token worth reading. �SLOVAKIA U.3 The editors as well as the Slovak Institute and those who in other ways made the publication of the volume possible, deserve recognition for not allowing pass the 11th centenary of Slovak civilization without a written document. J. P. Jan Kollar-Slovak Poet of Panslavism, J. M. Kirschbaum, LL.D., Ph.D., Published by the Slovak Institute, Cleveland, 1966, 48pp., Ed. J . B. Rudnyc'kyj , Slavistica, LVI(56). Perhaps for the first time the ideas and their practical application in the Pan Slav movement of Jan Kollar, Slovak romantic poet and political philosopher, are presented in understandable language by the prolific historical and political writer, Dr. Joseph Kirschbaum. All students of history of the Slavic nations in central, southern and eastern Europe welcome this clear-cut view and analysis of one of the most complex characters in the Pan Slav movement in the first half of the 19th century. Kollar, the celebrated poet whose 'Slavy dcera' (Daughter of Slava) sonnets made him immortal in Slavdom, for personal and unknown reasons rejected the official central Slovak literary language of Stur and wrote in his own Slovak-Czech dialect he called 'stara slovencina' (the ancient language of the Slovaks). He was, therefore, in some respects both the forerunner of the political union of the Czechs and Slovaks who formed Czecho-Slovakia in 1918 and of the futile attempts of the Czechs to fuse the Slovak language into a synthetic Czechoslovak tongue. Nevertheless, in his day he was an outspoken champion of the Slovak colony in Budapest for many years. Although at first glance, Kollar's views on Panslavism calling for unity among all Slavs may appear to be a basis for a political union of all Slavic nations, a more careful look reveals that he regarded each to be but a tribe, nevertheless an individual ethnic entity with a right to its own language, state, etc., in a family of tribes belonging to one Slav nation! As a poet (Kollar's lyric and romantic works may be criticized from many angles by the experts), he excels in idealism, which is somewhat dimmed by the stark realism and cruelty of Slava, the goddess, who from her golden throne watches demons torturing the enemies and persecutors of the Slavs . . . a la Dante's Inferno. In Canto III of his Sonnet CX, Kollar turned prophet and a mighty good one, for he predicted the expansion of the Slavs like 'a mighty flood' and foresaw the day when the language of the Slavs would be spoken by their foes, and their sciences become manifest, as also their customs, dress and music on both sides of the Seine and the Danube. In the light of current history, we cannot, of course, rejoice in the modern Soviet imperialism that has reached the acme of Slavic power and prestige but only at the price of the enslavement of hundreds of millions of Slavs and non-Slavs, alike. Even for Kollar, who voices his wish to raise from his grave to behold the glory of the Slavs, the present would not be a glorious experience for the Slovak poet who envisioned a far different emergence of the Slavs would have sorrow and regret, not joy, in his heart were he a witness of the sad fate of Slavic nations today. �144 SLOVAKIA Dr. Kirschbaum shows that Kollar's Panslavism was hailed by the Russians, Czechs, Slovaks and the southern Slavs but was not at all acceptable to the Poles or Ukrainians who saw in it a form of Panrussianism . . . and as it has developed, they were right in their suspicions. On the national level, Kollar, writes Dr. Kirschbaum, played an important role in Slovak national revival by his linguistic theories, his poetry, publication of Slovak songs and his ideals of freedom. Undoubtedly, Jan Kollar will be the subject of many studies on the question of his political and linguistic theories, but despite efforts to make him a Czech poet because he wrote in his own pre-fabricated 'stara slovencina' medium which was his own personal invention in an attempt to arrive at a common language, and in spite of his rejection of Stu.r's central Slovak that was destined to become the official language of the Slovak nation, he was a Slovak poet in his own right. If his image as a Slovak poet is not altogether in focus, it is both because he moved in so many directions at one and the same time so that his picture is somewhat distorted, and the disturbing circumstances of his time, his condition, etc. At best, he was an erratic genius, and therefore, very difficult, if not impossible, to fully understand and appreciate. Nevertheless, his stature as a great Slovak poet continues to remain unimpaired. A. P. Frantisek Vnuk, Sedemnast' neurodnych rokov - Nacrt dejin slovenskej literatury v rokoch 1945-62, (Seventeen barren years -A Survey of Slovak Literature 1945-1962), Published by Slovak v Amerike, Middletown, Pa., 1965, p. 304, English summary. Slavists at various universities in the free world will receive in the present volume a first concise look at the postwar Slovak literature, and since there has been nothing published on the subject in English except a few articles in Slavic Studies and the anthology Linden Tree , which is in many ways a biased and unobjective presentation, the volume is longtime overdue. The English summary will make the book accessible also to those who do not read Slovak, which makes it even more welcome. The Slovak part of the book contains a rich source of information and remarkably well written aesthetic judgments on the literary value and ideological regimentation of the Slovak literature since the end of the Second World War. Vnuk places the works of Slovak poets and writers into the context of Slovakia's post-war upheavals, unprecedented persecutions for ideological deviations, censorship and social changes, and measures them against the moral and intellectual duties toward the Slovak people among whom writers and poets were always fighting for justice and national goals. The method used by the author does not follow the usual detached and impersonal ways of literary history and criticism, but it does not make this book less valuable for scholars or anyone interested in Slovak literature under Communism. On the contrary. The book presents a fresh, well written, scholarly sound and sincere look at the literary works and their authors and it is understandable that he condemned his country's deceit and desertion by her poets and writers who were always looked upon as intellectual leaders. �145 SLOVAKIA The seventeen barren years, as the author calls the post-war period in Slovak literature, are divided into four parts: The period of struggles (1945-1948), the period of the victory of socialism (19491951), the period of schematism and dogmatism , and the period of lost years (1956-1962) , In each of these periods Slovak literature was at the mercy of political commissars, who silenced the best writers and dictated literary subjects and criteria, and therefore one cannot but agree with the author that "these years will stand for a period for unheared of degradation in Slovak literary history - a veritable " temps du mepris" - with an unprecented decline in artistic values both qualitatively and quantitatively, when the writer became a stateemployed "engineer of human souls" and his standard was measured by the degree of his dedication to the political party line". (p. 259) . Since 1963, when the Slovak writers finall y dared to " rebel" against the straitjacket of regime's supervision and regimentation, Vnuk's harsh judgments were confirmed even in Slovak literary reviews, and therefore there is no reason to suspect him of "parti pris". Slovak literature was not only cut off the free world, but went also through the worst period of literary history in Slovakia and Vnuk's book intelligently mirrors all the tribulations, struggles, deficiences and intellectual dishonesty of some writers and the positive value of others. Vnuk reviewed in a short addition to his book also the literary works of the Slovak emigre writers and poets which will fill a gap in surveys of Slavic literatures in the free world. If the whole Slovak literature is a sort of "terra incognita" to many people in the West, the literary works of the Slovak emigre writers could not fare much better, though there are exceptions and in some instances Slovakia and her literature became known only through the writings of Slovak exiles. With regard to Slovakia, the author is maybe right when he says that "the 50 odd Slovak men of letters living on this side of the Iron Curtain kept the lights of Slovak culture burning while they went out in the writers' native country. This may sound emotional or sentimental, yet it is a sad truth that in the years 1950-55 there hardly appeared in Slovakia a single book worthy of reading. In those years indeed the emigre literature was the contemporary Slovak literature." The value of the volume is enhanced by a register of names, short bibliography and a brief note on the writer. It is to be regreted that the title of the book does not indicate that it is a survey of Slovak literature, but it is a minor shortcoming and can be repaired in distributing the English summary under a proper title. J . M. K irsc hbaum D ie Slow akei als Mittel europaisches Problem i n Geschichte und Gegenwart, (Slovakia as Central European Problem in the Past and Present) , Lectures at Collegium Carolinum, Verlag Robert Lerche, Mtinchen, 1965, p. 240. The prominent German institution Collegium Carolinum in Munich organized in August 1962 a series of lectures on Slovakia's past and present place in Central Europe, and published six of them in the present volume as a contribution to the research on problems of �146 SLOVAKIA Central Europe. The lectures cover over eleven centuries of Slovakia's history and while they are not of equal scholarly value, they are all shedding a new light on various periods of Slovak history, including the present one under Communism. Three of the lectures were given by Slovak intellectuals living in Western Europe: Prof. F. f>urcansky deals with Pan-Slavism and the role of Slovakia in this movement; Prof. Milan Stan. f>urica of the University of Padova gives the results of his scholarly research into the crisis of March 1939 and on the basis of documents he corrects various misconceptions about the origin of the Slovak republic; Ctibor Pokorny writes about the attitude of Slovaks towards Communism. The lectures by Prof. f>urcansky and Prof. Durica are well documented and scholarly written contributions to two controversial topics of historiography on Slovakia. Abundance of sources referred to, and logical conclusions which characterize both contributions, will perhaps help to clear at least partly the controversy and misconceptions of some Western historians. For students of Central European problems two other lectures might be of great interest: von Gogolak's lecture on Slovakia's social and constitutional history and Kurt Wessely's learned analysis of Slovakia's economic and social problems since World War I. Both authors are experts in their fields, but their contributions are bound to lead to a controversy either from the Slovak or from the Czech side. While Slovaks could be hurt by some of Gogolak's harsh judgements of their leaders in the remote or recent past, the Czechs might oppose the picture which Prof. Wessely has drawn about Slovakia's economic development under the Czech tutelage. The well documented account of the development of the national consciousness among Slovaks by Prof. Gogolak somehow contrasts in his conclusions not only with his previous works on Slovakia, but it also seems to be in clash with the requirements of scholarly impartiality. Except for a few Slovaks of the "Czechoslovak" orientation hardly any educated Slovak would leave unchallenged certain parts of Prof. Gogolak's picture of modern Slovak history. Unfortunately, this is not the place to go into detail or to show where Prof. Gogolak's lecture is marked rather by emotional than by objective analysis, and where the historian wandered into politics. While this is to be regretted, this reviewer is of the opinion that the scholarly lecture might serve on the other hand a very useful purpose, if Slovak intellectuals will properly react. The introductory lecture by Karl Bosl on the mission of Sts. Cyril and Methodius and its place in Rome's Church organization is a learned summary of the older and the most recent research into the GreatMoravian period, with some new hypotheses. Scholarly sound and without bias, the lecture will remain as a tribute from the German side to the 11th centenary of the Cyrillo-Methodian mission among the ancestors of today's Slovakia, which was commemorated in 1963 by Slovaks on both sides of the Iron Curtain. The volume was edited with great care and should be welcome as a valuable contribution to the research into and solution of the unsolved Slovak problem in Central European area. J. M. Kirschbaum �SLOVAKIA 147 National Slovak Society Almanac for the year 1966 - Narodny Americko-Slovensky Kalendar na rok 1966, Vol. 74, Pittsburgh, Pa., 240 pp., Edited by Jan Mihal. The first 70 pages of this year's National Slovak Society annual are in the English language . . . the rest in Slovak. This, then, is an edition designed for both young and old readers in one or both languages. In addition to their duties as members of the NSS Literary Committee, headed by Dr. Peter Hletko, M.D. as president, which compiled the bi-lingual almanac, all (Msgr. M. K. Mlynarovic, K. Belohlavek, John Pankuch [NSS President, and the editor, Jan Mihal] contributed informative and inspiring articles to this year's publication of the oldest Slovak fraternal group in America. Tribute is paid to Peter Rovnianek (1867-1933), NSS founder, on the eve of the centennial of his birth as a great American Slovak humanitarian. The following contributors are found in the English section: John Pankuch, Jan Mihal, Mary Burns, Dr. Peter Hletko, M.D., Dr. Stephen Hletko, DDS., Rosalie Gona, S. Ullman and Karol Kuzmany. Although a major part of the section is devoted to a review of NSS activities, particularly bowling, the rest gives the reader an idea of the possibilities of expanding the subject matter into a more serious sphere for better comprehension of vital issues in American Slovak life. While members of the NSS Literary Committee were called upon to do double duty by contributing articles to the Slovak section, too, the following writers made their contributions of interesting articles to the 1966 NSS Almanac: John Pankuch, E. Vesnin, Lado Demeter, Jozef Steller, Msgr. M. K. Mlynarovic, Dr. Peter Hletko, M.D., K. Holicsky, Peter Klas, Rev. Andrej Rolik, Dr. A. P. Slabey, 0. M. Debnarkin, A. Rybiansky, Dr. Jan Fabianek, Rosalie Gona, Stefan Hassik, Jozo Trnavcan, J. Horsky, J. T. Sulovsky, K. Belohlavek. In some respects the tone of the current Almanac is an ecumenical one, e.g., Dr. Slabey's article on Jan Hus. Hus' successful bid to reverse the 3-1 German preponderance in voting at Charles University to a domestic Czech 3-1 majority was confirmed by royal decree ... this democratic procedure is the only one that will finally bring peace and understanding between the Czech and Slovak nations, namely, the recognition of the right of the Slovak nation to self-rule, for the principle of human and natural rights to freedom is the same today as it was in Hus' time. A. P. Jednota Annual Furdek, 1966, Middletown, Pa., vol. 5, 160 pp., Joseph Krajsa, editor. Inaugurated by the late Philip A. Hrobak, editor of the Jednota weekly, five years ago in an effort to reach the younger generation of American Slovaks, the FURDEK annual is continuing under his successor, Mr. Joseph C. Krajsa. It is a worthwhile effort, inasmuch as our Slovak youth would otherwise lose all interest in its heritage because �148 SLOVAKIA the third and fourth generation no longer speaks or reads the Slovak language. The contents of the current issue cover a variety of subjects from the following writers: Bishop Andrew Grutka, D.D., Abbot Theodore Kojis, O.S.B., J. C. Krajsa, J. Pfeiffer, A. Sarisky, Dr. J. Kirschbaum, Ph.D., LL.D., Very Rev. Theodoric Zubek, O.F.M., S.T.D., C. Petrasek, J . J. Konus, A. Koto, and S. Sencik, S.J. Feature article is 'The Joe Lapchick Story' about the great basketball player and coach from Yonkers, N. Y. The ex-Celtic star and successful coach at St. John's University ranks among the greatest American Slovak athletes. Lead-off review of the Jednota's diamond jubilee in 1965 is given in capsule form by Dr. Jozef Pauco, Ph.D., author of the 560-page history of the First Catholic Slovak Union (75 rokov Prvej Katolickej Slovenskej Jednoty: 1890-1965) is supplemented by pictorial highlights of the jubilee observance, particularly the celebration in Washington, D. C. Oldtimers such as Dr. M. v_ Simko and Rev. A. Pier, O.S.B. have a number of contributions in this 5th issue of the Jednota annual, the Furdek, in the English language. A brief historical review of the Slovak Benedictines in the U. S. and the Slovak Jesuits in Canada completes the 1966 edition of the Furdek. Both foundations constitute only part of the story of the Slovak Religious Orders in the new world. Future issues of this novel publication will undoubtedly cover the history of the others, namely, the Slovak Franciscans, as well as the Sisters of SS. Cyril and Methodius, the Franciscan Sisters, the Dominican Sisters, the Benedictine Sisters, the Sisters of the Most Holy Saviour, the Consolers of the Sacred Heart, and the Vincentian Sisters. A. P. PUBLICATIONS RECEIVED Rekem John, Stefan Dubnicay - Slovak Polemist and Historian (1675-1725), Middletown, Pa., 1966, p. 80. Slovak Literature and National Consciousness before Anton Bernolcik, Jednota Printery, Middletown, Pa. 1964. Kirschbaum, J. M., Jcin Kollar-Slovak Poet of Panslavism, Stavistica No. 56, Slovak Institute, Cleveland, Ohio, 1966, p. 48. The Role of the Cyrillo-Methodian Tradition in Slovak National and Political Life, An Offprint from Slovak Studies Ill. Rome, 1965 La Litterature de la period CyrilLo-Methodienne et la Slovaquie, An Offprint from Slovak Studies III, Rome, 1965. Vnuk, Frantisek, Sedemncist' neurodnych rokov (Ncicrt slov enskej A Survey of Slovak Literature 1945-1962, literatury 1945-1962) Published by Slovak v Amerike, Middletown, Pa., p. 304, English summary, register. �SLOVAKIA 149 CONTRIIBUTORS Prof. Dr. J. M. Kirschbaum. Born in a small Slovak village on March 25, 1913 and lost his father in the First World War. Dr. J. Kirschbaum is a prominent representative of the new Slovak educated class, whose many members made a long way from the Slovak villages to European and American capitals, forei gn universities, diplomatic posts and teaching positions by their own diligence, capabilities and perseverance, fighting against many odds and staunch and unscrupulous adversaries of the Slovak cause. Educated at several European universities, Dr. Kirschbaum attained national prominence already during his university studies as leader of the Slovak student's organizations, Vice-President of the world-wide Catholic organization Pax Romana and speaker for the autonomy of Slovakia on behalf of the young Slovak generation. When only 26 years old, he was appointed by the President of the Slovak Republic and later elected to the responsible post of Secretary-General of the People's Party, founded by Msgr. A. Hlinka . After opposing the introduction of National Socialism into Slovakia, he was ousted in 1940 from Slovak politics and for 18 months kept in military service. In 1941 he was, however, back in public life and, as the youngest head of diplomatic mission, he served his country in Switzerland as Charge d'Affaires of the Slovak Republic. In that capacity he represented Slovakia until the end of the war, fighting relentlessly for Slovakia's right to independence and against the false propaganda of the Czech exiles and their anti-Slovak aspirations. After the war Dr. Kirschbaum very soon became one of the leading personalities of the Slovak movement for a free and independent Slovakia . He moved to Canada , for a short time to the United States and again to Canada , where he dedicated his time and energy to teaching at Canadian Universities writing and fighting for the Slovak cause. Besides a book in Slovak Nas boj o samostatnost' Slovenska, Dr. Kirschbaum published in exile the first scholarly English book on political history and cultural background of Slovakia under the title: Slovakia - Nation at the Crossroads of Central Europe (New York, 1960) . The book was r ~viewed by the foremost academic periodicals in England, U.S.A., Canada and Europe and mostly favorably received by the critics. On cultural problems Dr. Kirschbaum published a series of studies in French and English, four of them (on Bernolak, St11r, Safarik and Kollar) were published in the series Slavistica, edited by the known slavist Prof. J . B. Rudnyckyj from the University of Manitoba. His essays on Slovak language and literature were published in French and English first by University periodicals and later in offprint form . His political writings appeared in English, French , German and Spanish. Altogether Dr. Kirschbaum published 15 writings in foreign languages either in book form or as reprints, and contributed larger articles to Canadian Slavonic Papers (Univ. of Toronto) , Etudes slaves et esteuropeennes (Univ. of Montreal ), Rivista de Estudios politicos (Madrid) , Slovakia (Middletown, Pa.), Slowakei (Munich, Germany). Most ( Cleveland, Ohio) , to various symposia, encyclopedias and newspapers. All the writings of Dr. Kirschbaum are marked, according to the critics, by clarity of style, logic, scholarly objectivity and solid knowledge as well as his �150 SLOVAKIA firm belief in the rightness and victory of the Slovak cause. Once an excellent student of internat• ional law and political science, Dr. Kirschbaum turned in exile to his• tory and culture of his country and Central Europe and defends the right of the Slovak people to independence on account of their old culture and civilization. He presents Slovakia to the free world in a new light and always within a new, democratic organization of Central Europe. For his uncompromising stand towards those who tried or try to deny equal rights to the Slovak people, Dr. Kirsch b a u m was persecuted already during his uni• versity years. A Czech rector of the University of Bratislava refus• ed to give him, for political reasons, the doctor's diploma, even though Kirschbaum finished all his exams with excellent results. The Germans turned against the young Secretary-General as soon as they noticed that he opposed German interference in Slovak politics, and Berlin asked the Slovak Government not only to remove Dr. Kirschbaum from Slovak politics, but his name was not supposed to appear in any newspaper. "If it does", wrote the German Ambassador to Slovakia in 1940, "I shall ask to forbid the publication of the newspaper." ialist newspapers. A new smear campaign was organized against Dr. Kirschbaum when he moved to the United States. The most un• scrupulous and immoral campaign was, however, unleashed against him by Communist Prague and some Czech exiles in Canada dur· ing the Spring and Summer of 1962. In all those smear campaigns, not only in serious Slovak circles, but also the authorities of the countries he lived in, clergy and many newspapers and politicians were on the side of Dr. Kirschbaum, and he was fully vindicated. munist adversaries of the Slovak struggle for independence and de• mocracy turned, however, against Dr. Kirschbaum, especially after the Second World War. Even though he spent the war years in neutral Switzerland and was known to oppose Nazism, the Communist government of Prague requested his extradition from Switzerland. When the Swiss Government refused , the Czech diplomats and propagandists tried to compromise Dr. Kirschbaum by publishing smear and ludicrous accusations in the Swiss Communist and Soc• and Methodius, whose motherhouse is in Danville, Pennsylvania, was a graduate of St. Cyril Academy and obtained her B.A. degree from Marywood College, Scranton, Pa. , and her M.A. from Villanova University, Villanova, Pa. She is the author of two books : Dr. Kirschbaum is married to Magdalena Danihel, daughter of the late Slovak politician and member of Parliament Stefan Danihel, has four children of whom two graduated at Canadian universities and one of them, Stanislav, works on his Ph.D. at the Sorbon• ne, Paris, on scholarship. Dr. Kirschbaum has been since the war leading figure of the Slovak Nat• ional Council Abroad, Slovak Li• beration Council, member of many Slovak cultural and civic organiz. ations in the U.S.A. and Canada, member or officer of leading social clubs and academic organizat• ions and editorial boards. Martina Tybor, Si ster M., B.A., M.A. , of the Sisters of SS. Cyril The furor of the Czech and Com• SS. Cyril and Methodius, the Glory of the Slav s, for young adults, and SS. Cyril and Methodius , Apostles of Great Moravia, for children. She has done outstanding work in Slo• vak-English translations, notably of Slovak classic poetry. Her own poems have appeared in Spirit, �SLOVAKIA publication of the National Catholic Poetry Society. Her odes, written for various Jubilee occasions, have appeared in Fialky, St. Cyril Academy annual. At present Sister M. Martina is head of the English department at Andrean High School, Gary, Indiana. Zatko, James J., Ph.D .., Rev., received an M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of Notre Dame. Under sponsorship of Ford Fellowships he studied at Harvard in 1954-1955 and at the Catholic University of Lublin in 1958. He was also the recipient of an Association of Middle Eastern Studies Fellowship in 1962. He is assistant professor of history at the University of Notre Dame. His book Descent Into Darkness - The Destruction of the Roman Catholic Church in Russia 1917-1923, was published by Notre Dame University. Joseph Pauco, born in 1914 in Slovakia. At the Slovak University in Bratislava he received his Ph.D. in 1942. A journalist by profession, he worked with the influential daily SLOVAK from 1938 to 1945, serving as editor-in-chief from 1942 to 1945. In 1945 fled with his wife and son to Austria, then to West Germany; and finally made his way to New York City in 1950. J. Pauco is serving since 1950 as assistant editor of the weekly JEDNOTA and from 1964 he is the publisher of the oldest Slovak newspaper in this country: SLOVAK V AMERIKE. He is serving for third term as the secretary of the Slovak League of America. J. Pauco is associated with American Academy of Political and Social Science, with Institute of Ethnic Studies at Georgetown University, is a member of the Slovak Institute in Cleveland, 0. 151 and of the Slovak Writers and Artists Association in the USA. He is the author of some 1000 articles, published in Slovakia and in the USA. Dr. Joseph Pauco is the author of these books and studies: .Cudovychova u sturovcov (Stur's Movement - Popular Education ). Matica slovenska. Turciansky Sv. Martin, 1943. Pp. 151. Co po komunizme? (After Communism What?) . Jednota , Middletown, Pa., 1952. Pp. 29. Dr. Jozef Tiso o sebe (Dr. Joseph Tiso About Himself) . Slovensky Katolicky Sokol, Passaic, N. J., 1952. Pp. 359. (Ed.) Tisov odkaz (Tiso's Message). Jednota. Middletown, Pa., 1953. Pp. 89. Stefan Furdek a slovenske prist'ahovalectvo ( Stefan Furdek and Slovak Immigration) . Jednota, Middletown, Pa., 1955. Pp. 190. Slovaci a komunizmus (The Slovaks and Communism) . Rev. Jan Lach. Whiting, Ind., 1957. Pp. 318. Pod zastavou krest'anskej demokracie (Under the Banner of the Christian Democracy) . Slovenski krest'anski demokrati v Spojenych Statoch. Middletown, Pa., 1957. Pp. 30. Slovenskd re hol'a Sestier sv. Cyrila a Metoda (Slovak Order of the Sisters of Ss. Cyril and Methodius) . Slovensky .Zensky Spolok Sv. Anny. Wyoming Valley, Pa., 1957. Pp. 32. Unconquerables. Vantage Press, New York, N. Y., 1958. Pp. 225. Matus Jankola - knaz a narodovec (Matus Jankola - A Priest and Patriot) . Rad Sestier sv. Cyrila a Metoda. Danville, Pa., 1959. Pp. 174. Literarny Almanach Slovaka v Amerike (Literary Almanac of the " Slovak in America") . Middletown, Pa., 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966. Pp. 160 each, last one pp. 168. (Ed.) �152 SLOVAKIA Christian Slovakia Under ComDr. Victor R. Greene, Professor munism. The Slovak Catholic Fede- of American History at the Kan- ration. Valparaiso, Indiana, 1959. sas State University, Manhattan, Pp. 31. Kansas, received his B.A. degree Pamiatke Jozefa Cigra Hronske- from the University of Harvard in ho (In Memoriam Jozef Ciger 1955; his M.A. degree from the Hronsky) . Literarny Almanach Slo- University of Rochester in 1960; vaka v Amerike. Middletown, Pa., and his Ph.D. from the University of Pennsylvania in 1963. His dis1960. Pp. 46. (Ed.) sertation for his Ph.D. was: A HisLaicky apostol Martin Kopunek tory of East European Immigrants (Lay Apostle - Martin Kop(mek). in the Anthracite Area before Vychodna oblast' Sdruzenia Slo- 1903. It is a study of the contribvenskych Katolikov. Bethlehem, ution Slovaks and others made to Pa., 1961. Pp. 67 (Ed.) the unions in the coal fields and Karol Sidor - politik, novinar, the aid to President Johnny Mitspisovatel' (Karol Sidor - Politi- chell and the United Mine Workers cian, Newspaperman, and Writer). of America. Dr. Greene in his Literarny Almanach Slovaka v thesis elaborates that it was beAmerike. Middletown, Pa., 1962. cause of the loyalty and sacrifice of Slovak mine workers that the Pp. 148 (Ed.) union was permanently establishPat'desiatnik Dr. Jozef Kirsched in the hard coal fields. baum (Dr. Jozef Kirschbaum In his present research, ProfesFifty Years Old). Literarny Almanach Slovaka v Amerike. Middle- sor Greene is making a study of the origins of Slovak and East town, Pa., 1963. Pp. 171. (Ed.) European American self-consciousFlight to Wonderland. Robert ness and why by World War I Speller and Sons, New York, N. Y., every Slovak immigrant realized 1963. Pp. 334. such a strong feeling of his ethnic 75 rokov Prvej Katolickej Slo- heritage. Dr. Greene, who · has learned to venskej Jednoty (75 Years of the First Catholic Slovak Union). Prva read and understand Slovak, is Katolicka Slovenska Jednota, Cle- familiar with the cultural and hisveland, 0., 1965. Pp. 560 & XIV. torical material available at the Jankola Library in Danville, Pa., 80 pages of pictures. the Slovak Institute Library in Slovakia. Slovak League of AmerCleveland, Ohio, and the facilities ica. Middletown, Pa., 1965, 1966. Pp. in Pittsburgh, Pa. and Chicago, 160. (Ed.) Illinois. Joseph R . Kristofik received his B.S. in Science from the University of Pittsburgh in 1949. His education includes several years at the United States Merchant Marine Academy in Kings · Point, N. Y., and at the Detroit College of Law. Mr. Kristofik is presently the Slovak Democratic Chairman for the State of Michigan with the Michigan Democratic Nationalities Division. At its 40th Convention at Youngstown, Ohio, he was elected to the executive committee of the Slovak League of America. Tino Berko was born in Slovakia, fled to the West in 1952. He studied philosophy and the history of music and art at Munich University; is a writer and lecturer; resides in Munich, Germany. Very Rev . Theodoric J. Zubek, O.F.M., S.T.D., Slovak by birth, American by adoption, is presently Delegate Provincial of the Franciscans of the Most Holy Savior Commissariat, popularly known as the Slovak Franciscans. �SLOVAKIA He resides at the motherhouse of the Commissariat, Holy Family Friary, 232 S. Home Avenue, Pittsburgh, Penna. 15202. 153 jects were published during this time in various Slovak periodicals, such as "Serafinsky svet" (The Seraphic World), "Slovensky ucitel'" (The Slovak Teacher), "Smer" Father Theodoric was born in ( Direction), and "Nova praca " Malacky, Slovakia, April 4, 1914, (New Work) . and came to the United States on February 21, 1952; he became an This activity came to an end on American citizen on June 5, 1957. April 13, 1950, when the ComHe received his primary education munist government of Czecho-Sloin the schools of his native Ma- vakia supressed all monasteries. lacky while his secondary studies Father Theodoric was confined were taken at the Gymnasium of with his Franciscan confreres in Bratislava, 1925-1929, and Skalica, the concentration monastery of 1930-1934, in Slovakia. He entered Svaty Benadik nad Hronom. After the Franciscan Order in 1929 and escaping from the concentration made his novitiate in Trnava. He monastery, he remained in hiding took his theological studies at the in Slovakia until February 1951, Seminaries in Zagreb, Croatia, and when he secretly crossed the borin his native Slovakia at Brati- der into Austria. In February, slava. He was ordained to the 1952, he joined his Slovak Amepriesthood in Bratislava on June rican brethren of the Most Holy 26, 1938. After his ordination, Fa- Savior Commissariat, the American ther Theodoric began his studies foundation of the mother province for the doctorate in sacred theo- in Slovakia. logy at the Catholic University of After a short sojourn in TrauFribourg, Switzerland. On October 28, 1940, the Fribourg University ger, Penna., Father Theodoric was conferred on him the degree of stationed for seven years at the Doctor of Sacred Theology with Franciscan parish of SS. Cyril and Methodius in Clifton, New Jersey. the mark "magna cum laude". From 1956 to 1960 he taught SacUpon his return to his home- red Theology at the Newark and land and Franciscan Province in Jersey City divisions of Seton Hall Slovakia, Father Theodoric was University. In 1960 he was named named to the faculty of the Fran- pastor of the Franciscan parish of ciscan Theological Seminary at 2i- St. Rita in Buffalo, N. York, where lina in 1941, a post he held until he stayed till 1964. In 1961, he 1950. During this time he also serv- became Councillor to the Delegate ed at intervals as the Rector of Provincial of the Most Holy Savthe seminary, a Definitor of the ior Commissariat, and in 1964 the Franciscan Province, and Guard- Delegate Provincial of the said ian of the Franciscan Friary in Commissariat. 2ilina. In 1942, he published his doctoral thesis, "Joseph II and the In America, Father Zubek freFriars Minor in Slovakia". In 1945, quently spoke on the persecuted he translated E. Neubert's "Mon Church in Slovakia to various ideal Jesus, fils de Marie" (Moj groups in Slovak and American ideal Jezis, Syn Mariin) into Slo- parishes. He made an appearance vak. With Father Celestin Lepa- before the House Committee on cek, O.F.M., he co-authored a book Un-American Activities conceron the Assumption of the BL Vir- ning the operations of the Comgin, "Nanebevzata" (Mary Assum- munists in Slovakia. In 1956, his ed into Heaven), published in scholarly and well-documented 1947. Numerous articles of his on book on the systematic persecutboth theological and ascetical sub- ion of the Church in Slovakia was �154 SLOVAKIA published by Rev. John Lach. It is entitled "The Church of Silence in Slovakia". Since 1954 he began to contribute articles to leading national Catholic magazines such as "The Homiletic and Pastoral Review", "The American Ecclesiastical Review", "The Jurist, Unitas", "The Catholic Educator" and "The Marian Era". In these articles, he dealt with a variety of subjects, such as, the Communist persecution of the Church in Slovakia and other lands, the theory of Darwin, the morality of nuclear warfare, the possibility of living creatures on other planets, the Blessed Mother and Vatican II. Some of these articles attracted wide attention. In addition, he has contributed articles to such Slovak papers and magazines as "Most" (The Bridge ), "Dobry Pastier" (The Good Shepherd), "Jednota" (The Union), "Katolicky Sokol" (The Catholic Sokol) , "Slovak v Amerike" (The Slovak in America), "Kanadsky Slovak" (The Canadian Slovak) and "Literarny almanach Slovaka v Amerike" (The Literary Almanac of the Slovak in America) . He is a regular writer for the Slovak Franciscan Magazine "Listy sv. Franfilka" (The Leaflets of St. Francis) , for which he served as editor from 1958 to 1962. In 1963 he published a booklet entitled "The Slovak Bishops - Martyrs of Christ", and in 1965, " Rozjimania o tajomstvach sv. ruzenca" (Meditations on the Mysteries of the Holy Rosary) . The Commissariat of the Most Holy Savior, headed presently by Father Theodoric, has fifty members stationed in five monasteries and two parishes. be appropriate to present the views of an American university graduate of Slovak descent. Very Rev. Msgr. John Rekem, S.T .D. , Born December 13, 1917 in Trencianska Tepla, Msgr. John Rekem receited his early education in Trencin rand Nitra. For his philosophical and theological studies he ,w ent to Olomouc in Moravia. This was followed by four years at the Bratislava Istropolitana University. He was ordained in 1941 and two years later he received his doctorate in Sacred Theology. As curate he served in Hricove, Vel'ke Chlievany, Trencin, Pruske, and Varin; in the last named parish he was also administrator. In 1945 he was imprisoned by the Communists for almost eight months in a concentration camp in Trencin. He was released by an order of the People's court (No. T. 29/ 45) in December 1945. Two years later his name was registered for the so-called September liquidations, but he emigrated to Austria, leaving Slovakia on the feast of Our Mother of Sorrows, September 15, 1947. In Salzburg he was spiritual director of the Slovak Catholic refugees, for whom he established the Federation of Slovak Catholics and organized ia series of eight retreats in various cities of Austria. He was spiritual advisor of the League of Slovak Catholic Students in Exile. At home and abro,ad he h e l d Suzanna Mikula is a graduate of membership in leading Slovak or- the University of Detroit, specializing in history of Europe. Since last year not only Slovaks but also slavists of various countries commemorated the 150th birthday of L'udovit Stur, we thought it would ganizations: Society of St. Adalbert and its Literary Division; Matica Slovenska at home and abroad; the First Catholic Slovak Union; Society of Slovak Catholic Intellec- �155 SLOVAKIA tuals in Rome; and for a time he was a member of the Slovak National Council in Exile and of the Liberiation Oommittee. Msgr. Rekem crune to Winnipeg, Canada, in 1949, where he established a Slovak Catholic parish. With the help of his ever-faithful parishioners he built a church, a rectory and a hall in 1952, which were free of debt by 1965. Active in Canadi an public life he has long been associated with the New Canadians Council and the Citizenship Council. He served as chaplain to the Fourth Degree Assembly Tache, St. Boniface, Manitoba, in 1958. At present he is a member and a faithful friar of the Miles McDonnell Fourth Degree Assembly in Winnipeg. In Trencin he was co-editor of Trencan, 1942-1945. He contributed articles to: Slovak, Slovenska Pravda; Trencan; Misijne Hlasy; the Misijny Kalendar of the Society of the Divine Word. He was a contributor also to the periodicals: Smer; 1 Kultura; Duchovny Pastier; Katolicke Kazne; Nova Praca. In Amer- ica his works have appeared in Jednota; Zenska Jednota; Sloven- sky Katolicky Sokol; Slovak v Amerike; Slovenska Obrana; Slo-vaki a; Kalendar Jednota; Literarny Almanach; Rim; Hlasy z Rima; Ave Maria; Kanadsky Slovak; Most; etc. In Canada he wrote for the Manitoba Ensign; Western Sunday Visitor; Sunday Herald; St. Joseph's Residence News. In Winni- peg in 1949 he compiled and issued an English syndicated news and information service twice a week for the local English press. Many of his releases on the Slovaks were printed in the Ensign, Winnipeg Free Press, Winnipeg Citizen, and W i nnipeg Tribune. He is the author of twenty-five short studies on the history of Slovak cultural events of the past, and noteworthy and scholarly works depicting the evolution and growth of the Slovak language. He is a member of the Slovak Institute of Cleveland and th e Bernolak Foundation, and serves as a committee member in each. He was elevated to the rank of Monsignor on March 11, 1964 by His Holiness, Pope Paul VI and is now resident pastor of the Church of the Visitation in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. WHO'S WHO AMONG SLOVAIKiS ]N U.S.A. Rt. Rev. Msgr. Francis J. Dubosh, tion in June to September, 1916, P . A ., was born in Cleveland, Ohio, on September 27, 1890, a son of Charles and Mary Dubosh. There are no close surviving relatives, except for cousins in Cleveland, Pittsburgh, and New York. He was ordained on June 3, 1916 at St. John's Cathedral by the Most Rev. John P. Farrelly. He was in the last class to be ordained which received its complete seminary training at Old St. Mary's Seminary on 1800 Lakeside. Assignments: - From ordina- on temporary assignments; September, 1916, Assistant at St. Wendelin Parish, Cleveland, Ohio; December, 1917, Pastor, Holy Name Parish, Youngstown, Ohio; February, 1922, Pastor, Our Lady of Mercy Parish, Cleveland, 0 hi o; October, 1927, Pastor, SS. Cyril and Methodius Church, Lakewood, Ohio. Positions: - Named a Domestic Prelate with the rank of Rt. Rev. Msgr., on November 11, 1934 the first American-Slovak priest in the United States so honored; October 16, 1955, given rank of �156 SLOVAKIA Protonotary Apostolic - also the first American-Slovak Msgr. in the United States so honored; 19341938, Diocesan Prosynodal Judge; 1938 to date, Diocesan Consultor; 1952 to date, Diocesan Cemetery Board; and 1944-1951, Diocesan Buildin g Commission. Extra parochial and diocesan accomplishments:-Supreme Chaplain of the First Catholic Slovak Union (Jednota), 1932-1937 ; President of the Slovak League of America, 1943-1945; Member of Executive Board of Slovak League of America since 1945; President of the Slovak Catholic Federation of America, 1937-1938; one of the founders of: - Cleveland Slovak Radio Club, Slovak Professional and Businessmen's Association, member of Executive Committee to establish Slovak Culture Garden in Cleveland, Ohio, and instrumental in establishing SS. Cyril and Methodius Parish in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, in 1935; chairman of fund-raising committee for the establishment of Benedictine High School, Cleveland, Ohio; and worked with Catholic Resettlement Council for placing displaced persons in Diocese of Cleveland after post-war years. John Sabol is executive secretary of the First Catholic Slovak Union of the U.S.A. To Slovaks the First Catholic Slovak Union is familiarly known as "Jednota." That means union. Sabol is "Mr. Jednota" to the Jednotars. He has been executive secretary for 40 years. Previously, he served s e v e n years as supreme auditor. Said he: "This has been my career. " Sabol, son of a railroad section hand forman, was born in a shanty in Hillsboro, Pa., on part of what is now the Pennsylvania Turnpike. He received most of his schooling at Lyndora, Pa. At 15 he carried water when the Ft. Wheel Works was built. Later, he was a railroad car builder at McKees Rocks, Pa. He studied accounting at night at Duquesne University, became auditor for the society and was elected secretary in 1926. Sabol and his wife, Elizabeth, had f o u r children: Mrs. Helen Wells of Barberton, O.; Mrs. Joan Lang; Betty, deceased, and John J., a Medical Doctor. Judge John J . Sirotnak, born in Olyphant, Pa., October 12, 1901, of parents Michael and Susanna Sirotnak. Moved to Throop, Pa., in 1903, where he attended public schools and was graduated in June 1917. Worked in coal mines from 1917 to 1919. Attended Mansfield State Teachers' College, Sept. 1919, and graduated in 1921. He taught in Borough Schools of Throop 1921- 1928. Resigned as principal of the Jefferson School to enter University of Illinois in 1928, where he obtained his B. A. degree in 1930 and his Law Degree in 1932. Successfully completed Bar examination on October 24, 1932 and has practiced law in Scranton, Pa. , since. County Solicitor of Lackawanna County Institution District from 1938 to 1960, the first Slovak Attorney to be so honored. General Counsel of the First Catholic Slovak Union from 1944 to 1960. Judge Orphans' Court of Lackawanna County since June 17, 1960, Wife: Susan. Sons: Joseph and John, Medical Doctor and Attorney-at-Law. Member of Executive Committee of the Slovak League of America for several years. �157 SLOVAKIA 'DHE SLOVAK INSTITUTE ]N OI.,EVEILAIN1D, OHIO A cultural society, known as ibhe Slovruk Institute, was foll'l1ded an Ma:roh 4, 1952. Oha,rter memibers of the organization ,w ere: Rt. Rev. Abbot 'Dheodore G. Kojis, O.S.B., iPres,ident, Rev. Mrkulas Sprilil'c, !Rev. Andrej Pir, O.S.iB. , Dr. Fra,ncis Hriusovsky, Dr. Jozef Oindk, and Karol Strmen. The ,President named iDr. Hvusovsky, eminent Slovaik historian, as tJhe fiTst DiTector of the Institute. One of the first duties of tihe .:Institute was ito assume care of tJhe Slovak lilbrary anid museum estalblished at St. Andrew's AJbbey by the coordinated eflforts of the Matica Sioveniska, w'hich donll!ted 1.hrundreds of invaJluable hodkis to the Clevela,nd Slova:ks dUTing the ,M. S. delegation'1s visit to the United States in 1935, and 1:Jhe Slovaik League of Ameriica, which founded 1:Jhe obeginnin1gs of the &lova:k Museum at the Abbey in the Spring of 1943. Besides f'l.Ulfilling its rp rimary function of be1ng a centre of cultural endeavO'I'S for the :Silovalks in America, and t>he free world, the Slovalk Institute ihiais not onily preserved many SlovaJk 'books in i1Js ,Iilbrary but has pulJliShed a 'OJU1JI1iber of wo11k's of its own, notably, tlhe !history of Slovaik Religious institutions in America lb y the laite Dr. Francis Hrusovsky (died on Sept. 9, 1956). In Rome an affiliate of 1:Jhe Slovaik Inis titute wais established a num1ber of yearis ago. lbs main punpose is to sponsor religious a,nd cultura:l ipulblicaitionrs in the free world. The Roman tbranoh of the origin8.!l Olev~land foundation maintains olose contruct wiitJh the American parent orgainization which was ori ginally est8.!blished to carry on bhe work of the Slovaik naition's Matica Slovenska tlhait was swppr~ssed by the communist regime in tlhe ,postwar era. Another ibrancih of t h e Institute is in MuniC'h, Ge11many. Perhrups the most rpopuilar work of tJhe Slovak lnstitwte was the 1publitc1ation of a detailed mrurp of Slovrukia under the direction ()(f Dr. Hrusovsky. Mem1bershilp in the Slovark Institute reaiohes around the world, for leaiding Sfovalk writers and poets, as well. as cultural wor.kers, have been enrolled in this unique American association for tihe Slovarks in the free wonM. A:11 iing,uiries rubout Slovark history and culbure are to be arddressed to: Slovark Institute, 2900 Eia'St Boulevard, Cleveland, Ohio. 1 �158 SLOVAKIA The Slovak League of America - is an AMERICAN INSTITUTION; it was organized May 26, 1907, at Cleveland, 0., by the Rev. Stephen Furdek; is a CULTURAL and CIVIC organi2:ation of Americans of Slovak descent; is interested primarily in promoting the welfare and security of the United States of America; represents an overwhelming majority of organized Americans of Slovak descent; actively affiliated with it are the largest Slovak fraternals, religious organizations, Slovak Clubs and Slovak civic organizations in the United States; is dedicated to American Democracy, the American way of life, and encourages Americans of Slovak descent to be loyal and alert citizens of America; it urges and aids Slovak emigrants to become U. S. citizens by publishing appropriate manuals and brochures in Slovak and English; is dedicated to works of charity, materially and morally aids Slovaks, here and abroad, who may be in need of such aid; it supports the American Red Cross, United Fund Campaigns and other American charitable projects; wants to help Americans of Slovak descent in American political life, in business or professions, in social standing, and along educational lines; through its Ladies Auxiliary, the "VCIELKY" (Bees) , sponsors Slovak cultural displays, concerts, lectures, art exhibits, folk festivals, social evenings, etc. Our aim is to have a "Hive" of our "Vcielky" in every large Slovak community; promotes a better understanding and appreciation of the Slovak nation, its history, culture, traditions, achievements and its long, hard struggle for freedom and independence; firmly believes in the American principle of self-determination of all nations, the inherent and God-given right of every nation, whether large or small, to freedom and independence, the right of every nation to freely choose its own form of government and freely elect persons of its own choice by whom it shall be governed; �SLOVAKIA - 159 condemns and unequivocally opposes all forms of tyranny, every form of totalitarian political system. The Slovak League of America has always recognized the Godless philosophy of materialistic Communism for the dread evil and conspiracy against free humanity that it is, as the political system which threatens mankind with utter enslavement and, therefore, has fought resolutely against it in and out of season and, today, is still determined to fight against it with all the means at its command until the dread plague of Communism is wiped off the face of the earth. firmly believes that the national existence and welfare of the Slovak nation can best be safeguarded by the Slovaks themselves in their own independent Slovak Republic; as a Christian and democratic organization, is resolutely against the domination and exploitation of the Slovak nation by any other nation or political state; the Slovaks did not want to be ruled over by the Magyars and, today, do not want to be subservient to the Czech nation ; heartily commends all efforts of our governmental and other organs to ferret out and unmask all Communists and fellow travellers, as well as all persons and or ganizations who wittingly or unwittingly give aid and comfort to the conspiracy of Communism promoted by t he Soviet Union; stands for :honesty, integrity, industry and justice in government. Join the Local Assembly in your town or contact the Secretary of the Slovak League. Membership dues are only $1.50 per year. Gentlemen : I ----------------- - -------------------- ------Address --------------------- - ----------- - ----Town ----------------------- - ---------- -- ----Desire to join SLOVAK LEAGUE OF AMERICA Endosed find check $---------- �]60 SLOVAKIA Contents The Slovak Language and its Place Among the Slavic Languages - J. M. Kirschbaum - 1 Father of American Slovaks - Sister M. Martina Tybor, 25 SS.C.M. - James J. Zatko, Ph.D. - Slovaks in the U.S. A. - 41 American Slovaks and the Beginning of Czecho-Slovakia - Joseph Pauco, Ph.D. - 63 Joseph R. Kristofik - The Slovak Image - 76 " Sons of Hunkies: Men with a Past?"-Victor R. Greene A Glimpse of Gothic Slovakia Heroic Slovak Bishop - O.F.M. - Tino Berko - Mikula, B.A. - Victim of Communism - Suzanna Dr. John Rekem - 124 Current Issues As Others See It - Contributors - T. J. Zubek, 104 Martin Szentivanyi, S.J. - Book Reviews - 87 99 Eudovit Stur and the Panslavic Movement - 138 142 149 Who's Who Among Slovaks in U. S. A. The Slovak Institute in Cleveland, Ohio The Slovak League of America - 158 155 157 80 116 �PRI NTI D IN U.S. A. JIDN OTA PlllN TER Y, MID DLli TOW N, PA. � 124 SLOVAKIA CURRENT ISSUES ADDRESS of the Honorable Michael A. Feighan, United States Representative, Before the Slovak League of Ameri ca, Voyager Motel In n, Youngstown, Ohio, Sunday, May 15, 1966 I have been priviledged many times over the past decades to speak about the history of the Slovak people; to speak about the true facts behind your struggles for independence; and to speak about the present determination of Slovaks all over the world to return freedom and independence once again to their native land. My long interest in, and association with, the inspirations and the aspirations of the Slovak people has brought me to appreciate, and to respect, not only the individual Slovak, but the efforts of such organizations as represented in Slovak League of America. The Slovak,s are a people who have made a continuous struggle for national independence for over unremitting and From the Brother Saints, Cyril and Meyears. thousand one Andrew Hlinka and General Monsignor through thodius, Stefanik, the Slovak history is replete with patriots unswerving in their dedication to God, to freedom and to individual liberty. The Slovaks are a people who are more than one hundred years into the second millenium of Christianity in Slovakia. The Slovaks are a people who, even after more than one thousand years of domination, have not lost their language, their national identity, or their determination for independence; an independence which in this century, was born of democratic principles, weaned all too prematurely by the r avages of war, and all but destroyed by the tyranny of Russian Communism. Slovaks know as well as anyone else the path from freedom to oppression, the path from an independent to a captive nation, and the path from a native people to an exiled people - exiled by communist design from their own country and its inherent rights to freedom. But at the same time, they know that these paths need �SLOVAKIA 125 not be irreversible. They know that the spirit of resistance to tyranny never dies. They know that dedication to freedom and justice is unfettered by geographical boundaries, national origin, race, creed, or circumstance. And it is their knowledge and faith in these ideals which has given the Slovak people the determination never to give up in their goals - as is so aptly proved by the fact that the Slovaks today continue to oppose collectivization more effectively than anyone else in the communist orbit. In this universality of conviction the Slovak League of America is strong and unyielding. And so it is today that I want especially to commend the Slovaks for their efforts to promote dedicated citizenship and to build protectors of American democracy ; for their service to this great country rin public and in private life ; for their works of charity; and for their undiminished opposition to all forms of tyranny in the world. As a large Slovak civic and cultural organization in America the Slovak League can be proud of the spiritual, cultural, social, and charitable contributions it has made to the building of our great nation. The nationally known home for orphans in Middletown, Pennsylvania stands as a tribute to the work of the First Catholic Slovak Union. Homes for the aged in various parts of the country, such as the beautiful home at Beachwood, Ohio, which is a tribute to the work of the First Catholic Slovak Ladies' Union. The internationally famous , Saints Cyril and Methodius Institute at Rome, Italy was made possible by the combined efforts of all Slovak Catholic organizations and parishes throughout the country. Bishop Andrew Grutka with the able assistance of Right Reverend Theodore Kojis and all the clergy of Slovak parishes provided inspiring leadership to create this spiritual center for the preservation of the true Slovak spirit. Churches, elementary schools, convents and high schools, too numerous to recall are future monuments to the faith of Slovaks in America. Within the past year a magnificent chapel to Our Lady of Sorrows - Patron saint of Slovakia - was dedicated in the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, in our �126 SLOVAKIA nation's capital. This stands as still another great achievement by the First Catholic Slovak Union. American Slovaks have not ignored the plights of others, but have provided a forum to urge the cause of self-determination for all peoples. Every nation has the right to chart its own destiny through self-determination. This is among the most basic American beliefs. Just as the Slovak people hav•e a dedication to the universal principles of freedom and justice - not limited just to their now oppressed native land - so I and our United States of America have a similar dedication to these same universal principles. To this end I recently introduced a resolution on the floor of the United States House of Representatives calling for the establishment of a seven member House Select Committee on Basic Human Rights and Peaceful World Order. It is all too clear that the official and organized denial of basic human rights and freedom by any government to peoples under its control creates international tensions which can prevent the development of a peaceful world order. Such suppression of national and individual identity is tied hand-in-hand with Russian imperialism, and is a matter of official policy aga,inst the many nations federated by force to the Soviet Union. Of all people, we know, that the spread of this doctrine to other lands beyond the Soviet Union has already begun, and unless it is checked, and reversed, it can well plunge the world into a holocaust. I am confident that if and when this select committee ,is established by Congress, it will provide yet another public forum to develop public opinion on an international scale that these vital issues deserve. Such a public forum will complement and up-date such work as that of the Select Committee to investigate communist aggression of the 83rd Congress, and of which I was privileged to be a member. This committee was able to document and to underscore for all the world to see, such tragic stories as the loss of Slovakia's national independence following World War II and its enslavement by imperial Russia. And such a public forum will also complement the contmued work of the Slovak League of America both here and abroad. While the evil hand of Russian Communism continues its attempts to destroy the very spirit of Saints Cyril and Methodius and to reduce the Slovak people to a state of �SLOVAKIA 127 complete servility, the Slovak people refuse to surr,ender that which, over a thousand years, they have continued to fight for - their spirit of independence, of justice and of freedom. To help this spirit in Slovakia, I am also directing my efforts not only just toward expanding the public forum against communistic tyranny, but also toward expanding the coverage of the Voice of America broadcasts in news and information to the Slovaks living under this communist tyranny. It is my hope to see a Slovak desk established in the Voice of America and to thus improve and increase the effectiveness of this communication behind the Iron Curtain. I hav,e been working toward that goal for some years and will not cease my efforts until it is won. In this way, we as a nation can more effectively demonstrate our encouragement and support for the Slovaks now living under virtual foreign occupation in their native land. For I am convinced that one of the best ways to demonstrate friendship for the people of any foreign country is to speak to them in their own language, to recognize their cultural values and to encourage them in their just aspirations for self-government. The God-fearing people of the free world will not fail in this our struggle to preserve human freedom and to erase despotic slavery. We shall not fail in restoring individual liberty and self-determination to a peaceful world. We shall not fail for we shall not falter in our efforts until our goals are won - and so long as a Slovak is alive anywhere in the world, I know that the spirit of Saints Cyril and Methodius shall prevail. To this I add my personal conviction that as the free world approaches these goals, the Slovak nation will once again join the independent and free nations of the world. SIWVAKS HAVE HIGH More than 70 languages are listDEJGREE IN EDUCATION ed. The fi "ures range all the way A 38-page report on the mother tongue of the 9,738,155 persons listed as foreign born in the 1960 Census has just been published by the U.S. Bureau of the Census. The study is based on a question as to what language was spoken in his home before an immigrant came to the United States. from 16 persons whose mother tongue was Tibetan to over a million persons each for those reporting English, German or Italian. A breakdown on the basis of the areas within the United States shows that nearly half of the total foreign born here reside in the northeast part of the country, �SLOVAKIA 128 nearly a 1/4 in the north central states, 10% in the south and 20 % in the west. Other tables show age and the number of years in school for different groups. Schooling completed by the foreign born shows that the English speaking and Japanese had the highest degree of education with an average of about 10 years of school for each. Scandinavian and German along with Chinese, Rumanian , SLOVAK, Yiddish and Arabic all range in the eight year category. While essentiall y statistical , the Report contains valuable information for those interested iFI or working with nationalit y or ethnic groups. It is on sale by the Superintendent of Documen ts, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402, for 35 cents a copy. - American Council for Nationalities Service Release. NATION .ALISiM To many people, here in the United States, Nationali sm is an ugly word. These people are either ashamed of their national origin or ridicule others for trying to retain the language , customs and traditions that were brought to this country by their forefathe rs. It is true that there are many people today, who can not honestly claim one national origin or the other. Because the marriages of their ancestors were between many different nationalit ies, they may be a mixture of four, five, six, or more nationalit ies and can not truly say they are one or the other. Of these people I do not speak, but in some cases these same persons will not be tolerant of another who knows his national origin and is proud of it. The percentag e of people who have come here to the United States and know what their national origin is, but deny it, is very small. However the children of these people are the main offend- ers, by not taking pride in their nationalit y. As an example, I would like to take the Slovak people. When the Slovak people first started to come to the United States, they were at a disadvant age because they did not know English like some of the other people who migrated here from other European countries which were English speaking. Because of this they found it hard to secure jobs and places to live. At that time there was no television or radio to cover the persecuti on these people endured, both mental and physical. They did not have any organizat ions boycottin g or protesting for them. These people proved themselve s in their place of employm ent by their ability to work and produce. They rented apartmen ts, kept a clean house, spent their money wisely and supported their church. Their accomplishments are many but unsung, because Slovakia and its' people was not well known because it was and still is a nation that is living under foreign rule and tyranny. I have had the experienc e of meeting many young people with Slovak names. Some are college students, ordinary workers and people in profession s. They say "My parents are Slovak or my father is Slovak, but I am an American, not a Slovak." Another excuse for denying their origin is that they say being called a Slovak is putting them in a "ghetto". These and other excuses are all meaningle ss. America is a land made up of many nationalit ies, so in order to be a good American you must be proud of your nationality which helped to build this country. The real American s are the American Indians and there is even doubt as to where they migrated from. The term "ghetto" has been misused in recent years and now is a good excuse for those who are ashamed of their nationality. The term is really being used by those who are too lazy to im- �129 SLOVAKIA prove their own conditions where they now live, and then, try to move elsewhere. Being proud of your Slovak customs, folksongs, language, newspapers, etc., is not to be classified as being in a "ghetto". Rather, it is being a good American in the true sense of the word. The meals, customs, and culture of many lands have gone into making America great. Why shouldn't the Slovaks, who have contributed a lot to America, and continue to do so be proud of themselves. Other groups have their parades and celebrate their saints and hero days'. They are not ashamed to say "I am Irish, Italian or other." Why then are some of the Slovak People tongue-tied, so that they flounder around for every excuse, rather than saying with pride and dignity, "I am an American Slovak!!" We are not trying to prove that we are better than anyone else, but it is about time that some people recognize the fact that we are just as good as another and there is nothing to be ashamed of. If you are weak kneed and ashamed because some donkey is ignorant enough to ridicule you, then you aren't worth much as a Slovak or an American. My father told me that his brother, my late uncle, Rev. John Kuba~ek, pastor of Most Holy Trinity Church in Yonkers, used to say this about those who were ashamed of being known as a Slovak, "It's a poor bird who dirtys his own nest." Think about this and you will see its meaning. The parents of those attending our Slovak schools should insist that Slovak be taught and taught well enough so that the pupil can carry on a conversation by the time he finishes eighth grade. In too many cases our Slovak people give in to the non-Slovaks of the parish , who voice their objections to this. This is a good case where we can be strong. It was our an- cestors hard earned money that built these schools. I am sure that if the diocese ruled that every pupil had to learn Spanish or French, e very o n e would jump. Let's jump and make sure our children in Slovak schools learn to SPEAK Slovak and not just memorize a few words. All of the above ties into our hope that someday Slovakia will be free . When this happens there will be many Slovaks who will come to this country. Will they have to go through the sarrie hardships that the early Slovak immigrants did? What is worse yet, will they have to suffer because their own Slovak brethren here in the United States are too lazy to teach and learn the Slovak language and keep up the customs? If for no other reason, this should be a motive for us to keep our spirit alive, so that we may help our people when the time comes to adjust to the United States and find employment and housing. This can only be done by waking up now. Let's not commit national suicide!! Steve Kubasek, Jr. St. Procopius College Lisle, Illinois Ll!MITED GAINS SOORED IN RENEWED DRINE FOR SLOVAK INDEJPENiDENCE Slovak national aspirations have been staging a come-back in the <".:SSR. This upsurge is not the work of individual writers. It is now supported by higher ranking party functionaries. The impetus for vocalizing these strivings which aim at complete equality with the Czechs, was the 150th birthday of :Cudovit Stur, a man honored in his native land not only as an opponent of Hungarian supremacy but as the father of the Slovak literary language, consummation of which made the separat- �130 SLOVAKIA ion of the Slovaks from the Czechs complete. For the first time well-known personalities like the former land governor Gustav Husak (sentenced to life imprisonment in 1954 as a "bourgeois nationalist" but rehabilitated in 1962) and the historian Daniel Rapant, publicly presented theses condemning the ideas of Marx and Engels from 1848 although these opinions of the fathers of socialism have actually been tabu thus far in all Communist countries. Husak, to whom the Prague government had several times offered a ministerial post in recent years, now accused Marx of having assumed a position of Hungarian nationalism and - without any more profound knowledge of the revolution of 1848 - of having developed an anti-Slovak attitude in which his "German arrogance" was a determining factor. Apart from Prague's and Moscow's still expected reply, Budapest will also have something to say, inasmuch as Rapant described the Kossuth revolution as "tyranny, and not a struggle for internationalism and emancipation". The various articles in Slovak newspapers commemorating Stur ended with the unequivocal demand for genuine equality of the Slovaks with the Czechs. The writer, Vladimir Minac, expressed the thought that if Czech-Slovak coexistence were considered historically necessary, the fate of both peoples must be seen in its "truly dramatic form". Husak even went so far as to call for the creation of state institutions designed to protect the Slovaks - who make up but one-third of the entire population - against "oppression by the privileged and hegemonist nation". About a month after the Stur jubilee the effects of Slovak unrest began to be noticeable. The Prague parliament approved a re- solution providing for the Slovak National Council in Bratislava " in cooperation with the other parliamentary bodies" to concentrate their efforts on increasing Slovak participation in the overall development of the CSSR. Although the Czechs could not bring themselves to empower the Slovak National Council with the competency it once held, they did concede to a certain amount of codetermination of the Slovaks on all-state level. It is to be realized by establishing closer contact in the future between the committees of the Prague National Assembly and the Bratislava National Council. The Slovak land governor, Michal Chudik, in a frank talk before the Prague parliament, pointed out that there were people among the Czechs who saw in the Slovak National Council only a " binding link" betweeen Prague and Bratislava that simply complicated the situation, while among the Slovaks, he claimed, there were trends toward a federalization of the CSSR. Although allying himself with neither of these trends, Chudik obviously felt the centralistic threat emanating from Prague to be the greater danger. This feeling prompted him to say to the Czech side that the Slovak National Council would henceforth appear as the representative of the "Slovak people's independence" and perform within Slovakia the functions of an all-state administrative body. Chudik's criticism that the National Council had so far not succeeded in fulfilling its "norm-establishing" function, was recently supported by an almost revolutionary move on the part of the Slovaks. The juridicial commission of the Bratislava National Council drafted a law proposing the introduction of so-called cooperative apartments. To date there has been �SLOVAKIA only home construction of the state and cooperative type, or building permits for single family houses with limited dwelling space. This new measure would allow ownership of dwellings even in buildings housing several families. They are designed for later sale, including right to inheritance or other type legal transfer to others for tenancy. There would also be opportunity for older dwellings to pass into private ownership. w. o. A STUDY OF ~HiE COMMUNIST PARTY By the end of the war, the Soviet Union and its Communist allies had gained virtually de facto control of Czechoslovakia. The Soviet armies conquered Slovakia (and as in the case of Poland refused to give military aid to an uprising of anti-German Slovak citizens) ; by Allied agreement the Soviets were permitted to liberate Prague; and they annexed SubCarpathian Ruthenia to the Soviet Union, an act formalized in June 1945. Communist-dominated People's Committees controlled the borderlands, and in the interior Communists had more than their share of power in the Committees' apparatus. According to SetonWatson, "The Communist Party could have seized complete power in 1945 had it so wished. It deliberately chose not to do so." In May 1945, Benes and the London Government-in-exile returned to Czechoslovakia, but stopping first at Moscow where further concessions were made to the Czechoslovak Communists whereby they were given key posts in the government. According to Prof. Curt Beck, a specialist on Czechoslovak affairs, these concessions were partly due to the realization that the Allies had already decided that Czechoslovakia would be in the Soviet military zone. 131 Agreements reached by Benes and the Communists in discussions during 1943 and 1945 formed the basis for the Kosice Program, ostensibly an agreement among members of the National Front coalition on polices to be adopted by the new postwar Czechoslovak Government. The most important features of the agreement were the creation of a National Front Coalition government and the formation of People's Committees that were to assume local and regional administrative responsibilities and functions . The Kosice program, proclaimed by the new Czechoslovak Government on March 22, 1945, restored the republic. On April 4, 1945, Benes, as President, named a new government headed by the left-wing Social Democrat Zdenek Fierlinger. The National Front which formed the government was a coalition of independent parties, consisting of the Czechoslovak Communist Parties, the Social Democrats, the National Socialists, the People's Party (Catholic) and the Slovak Democratic Party. Communists held 8 cabinet posts in the new government among which were the important Ministry of Interior (giving them control of the nation's police and security forces ), the Ministry of Agriculture, and the Ministries of Education and Information. In addition to their strength in the cabinet, the Communists controlled the People's Committees; General Ludwig Svoboda, trained in the Soviet Union, led the Army as Minister of Defense; the General Staff and its Intelligence Department were a Communist stronghold ; and in the border regions especially in areas from where the Germans had been expelled, the Communists, as Seton-Watson wrote, created "a party state within the state." According to Professor Beck, by 1947 Communists held 57 percent �132 SLOVAKIA of the chairmanships of local People's Committees, 80 percent of district People's Committees, and 100 percent of Provincial People's Committees. - Committee on the Judiciary, United States Senate, Washington, D.C., 1966. sr...ovA!K LANGUAGE LABORATORY OOUR'SE A modern language course, Slovak Language Laboratory Course, by an illustrious member of the Slovak Franciscan Order and a recognized professor of languages, Fr. Bonaventure S. Bue, O.F.M., Ph. D., is in the process of being published. This Slovak Language Course is patterned according to the modern language series of other languages prepared by Georgetown University. When put into book form it will be on par with the most modern method of teaching a language. For laboratory work, the lessons have already been correlated on tapes and can be purchased from the Slovak Franciscans, 232 South Home Ave., Pittsburgh, Pa., 15202. The 40 minute tapes of 12 lessons can be used on a tape recorder or in a language laboratory. The complete set costs $30.00. Dr. Bue, a man of many talents, has taught Slovak, French, German, and Russian in schools and colleges in Europe, Canada, and the United States. He is also the author of several books. With the Franciscan Order, he taught in Malacky, Slovakia, and received his Ph. D. from the University of Bratislava. He also studied in Munich and Cologne in Germany, and in Paris, France. He held various posts in Canada and the United States and also taught at Duquesne University and Notre Dame High School, Easton, Pa. In 1957, Dr. Bue received a Master's Degree in Political Science at the University of Pittsburgh and wrote as his thesis Slovak Nationalism. It was published by Slovak League of America in 1960. He was working extensively on the contributions Msgr. Andrew Hlinka and Msgr. Joseph Tiso made to the Slovak nation at the time of his death on April 22, 1966. Fr. Bue was not only the pastor of St. Rita's Church in Buffalo, N. Y., but found time to teach Russian at the Calasanctius College Preparatory School. His "Slovak Language Laboratory Course" will be a monument to his greatness. J.C. K. YOU'DH OONFERENCE OF THE SLOVAK LffiAGUE OF AMERICA As a representative of St. Cyril Academy for Girls, Danville, Pa., I was privileged to attend the 40th Congress of the Slovak League of America in Youngstown, Ohio, in May of 1966. The primary reason for my presence at the Congress was to participate in the Youth Conference. Previous to the conference, I was very curious just what would be on the agenda and how many socalled youths would be present. Since I was a new-comer at these affairs in connection with the Slovak League, I thought I would be a 99 % observer, but my estimated statistics had a change of course. The moderator of the Conference was Dr. Peter Hletko of Chicago, Ill., the Honorary President of the League and a recognized American-Slovak leader, whom I had met previously. Attorney Edward Behuncik, Vice President of the League from Bridgeport, Conn., prefaced the discussion with an excellent presentation on the background of the Slovaks as a whole, and their marked status and contribution to the American character. He had a wealth of reference material which he used �SLOVAKIA in his presentation and the noteworthy thing was that his sources were all other than Slovak. A question and answer period followed the initial presentation and there were many interesting topics discussed. The one question that interested me most was, "What is the difference between the Slovaks and Czechs and why don't they just conceive the idea of a Czechoslovak nationality and state?" I must admit I felt and wanted to answer the question myself since at the Academy I had learned the answers through my courses on Slovak history. I knew the many struggles and tribulations of the Slovak people for over eleven centuries and their guest for independence and a position of honor in the family of nations. I knew of their few moments of freedom and what it has meant to them. However, wise and logical answers came swiftly from the members of the panel. Attorney Behuncik was first in line to state various facts and figures from a wide range of books and writers, other than Slovak, that substantiated the Slovak's claim and cause. Fr. Andrew Pier, O.S.B., a prolific writer in this field, spoke in defense of the human rights of the Slovaks. And, the Rt. Rev. Abbot Theodore Kojis, O.S.B., Abbot of St. Andrew's Abbey, Cleveland, Ohio, concluded the responses and put a 'clincher' on the topic that was being discussed. The one who asked the question responded, "I certainly did not know all these points and I must say that I will leave this conference with a different impression and much more informed. " Truth prevailed! Before the Conference had terminated , Dr. Hletko asked if I would comment on how the youth could become more interested and participate in different activities 133 concerning the Slovaks. My response was that the initial promotion of interest must come from the home-the parents must be the ones to talk about their great heritage; they should speak the language more if possible; encourage reading the Slovak newspapers and periodicals; participate in Slovak affairs; continue practicing and cherishing the many Slovak customs ; and most of all, be proud of our ethnic identity. I then continued and mentioned my background which is a loyal Slovak one attributed to my parents. My attitude has been moulded toward the Slovak people-their language, culture, their religious, social, civic, and fraternal activities-as being one of honor and sincere dedication. Concerning my knowledge of the Slovaks, I could not help but mention St. Cyril Academy. I was just finishing my second year of the four-year course in Slovak offered by the Academy. We are not only taught the Slovak language, but we are exposed to and learn Slovak history, culture, and traditions. The famous men in Slovak history are familiar to me like Samo, Rastislav, Svatopluk, SS. Cyril and Methodius, Bernolak, Stur, Hlinka , Furdek, Murgas, Jankola, Tiso, Sidor, and a host of others. I already have experienced the fact that some of the girls who are taking Slovak at St. Cyril's are of non-Slovak families . They want to learn the language and the history because they know they will not have the opportunity at other institutions. These students, indeed, are aware of the potential in the Slovak language and culture. In summation, I repeat that in order to get the youth interested, the parents must set the example as they do for anything else that must be developed in the home. Only there can the love and in- �134 SLOVAKIA terest in the Slovak heritage begin to flourish. My attendance at the Youth Conference of the 40th Congress of the Slovak League of America was very beneficial. In my heart I wished that every youth could have witnessed and taken part in the educational session. This experience was truly one that I will never forget. - Maryagnes Krajsa, '68 St. Cyril Academy, Danville, Pennsylvania. " ... BY THEIR FRUITS YE SHA!LL KNOW THEM." In the Gospel according to St. Matthew we find the words of Our Lord, " ... by their fruit ye shall know them" (7:20). These words summarize a scientific truth. They express a Law that is evidenced in the lives of men and in the lives of nations. A nation is a group of men of psychological affinity, sharing a common heritage and common aspirations. When a nation represents a unity of men under God, to the detriment of no man, it is a vehicle for good. But when a nation covets that which belongs to its neighbors, rejecting the positive teachings of Christ, it becomes a negative vehicle with atrophy of its moral fibre as an inevitable consequence. This consequence is seen clearly by scientific observation, through objective examination of results. An illustration is provided by comparing two neighboring nations in Europe, the Czech and the Slovak. The majority of the Czechs are nominally Catholic. The Slovaks are predominantly, and devotedly, Catholic. No criticism of the Mother Church is intended by this comparison, nor is it for us to judge any man. A comparison of the moral situation in the two nations is the sole intent. The Czechs have developed an overhelming, almost psychotic, de- sire to not only dominate the Slovaks but to absorb them within an artificial entity they call "Czechoslovakia". A "Czechoslovak" nation never existed in the past, does not exist in the present, and cannot be imposed in the future. The Czechs and the Slovaks each have a different heritage and different aspirations. The Slovaks, the challenged, have maintained their faith while defending their identity. The Czechs, as the challengers, have sunk into a spiritual vacuum. In Slovakia the Church has maintained its life, even, where necessary, underground. As in the days of the catacombs, priests are ordained and bishops are consecrated, unknown to the eyes of the new Communist Caesars but known to the Omniscient eye of God. Bishop Paul Hnilica, S.J., is but one example of many Slovak shepherds who have been daily showing the devotion of the earliest disciples of Our Savior. Performing their pastoral duties at the greatest of personal risk and with the greatest of personal sacrifice, the Slovak clergy are fulfilling the Word of Christ, inspiring the Slovak people to meet the challenge which faces them. Through the example set by the Catholic majority in Slovakia the Protesttant Slovak community has also risen to the challenge, :as they share the devotion to the Slovak national heritage and to the Slovak n a ti o n a 1 aspirations. Such spiritual leaders as Bishop Hnilica transcend denominational boundaries. He is a spiritual leader in Christ for Catholic and Protestant Slovaks alike, representing true ecumenical spirit. U n f o rt u n a t e 1 y, among the Czechs one looks for this moral strength in vain. Due to their psychological obsession of attempting to destroy the Slovak national identity they have developed almost a castration complex concerning their own national herit- �SLOVAKIA age. This psychological sickness is a negation of Christianity. It has afflicted Czech Catholics and Protestants alike. Some symptoms of the illness are seen in the words and deeds of Josef Cardinal Ber an, the Czech Archbishop of Prague. Cardinal Beran calls himself a "Czechoslovak", but the Cat ho 1 i c Church in Slovakia was never, and is not now, in any way under the ecclesiastical jurisdiction of Prague. The Slovak Protestants have also rejected any administrative claims of Czech Protestants over their communities. Cardinal Beran and some of his Czech Catholic colleagues, with a number of Czech Protestant clergymen being equally cu 1 pa b 1 e, have chosen to give away their Czech national heritage in exchange for the pottage of unchristian covetousness of that which belongs to their Slovak neighbor. The illness is manifested in many ways: The same Cardinal Beran once signed a declaration stating that "Under the protection of our brother nation, Russia, a happy future is being opened to all Slavs." The only freedom Communist Russia has left the Czechs is the power to enslave the Slovaks. Is that a happy future? The same Cardinal Beran justified the forced expulsion after World War II of over three million Sudeten Germans. During this f o r c e d expulsion over 400,000 men, women and children were reported killed. Can a minister of the Gospel justify such bestiality? The same Cardinal Beran gave solemn "Te Deum" services in Prague's St. Vitus Cathedral in honor of the inauguration of Communist President Gottwald at the same time that the clergy in Slovakia were under the severest of Communist persecution and the Slovak people were fighting the Communist troops with their bare hands. Is that Christian brotherhood? 135 All of these actions by Cardinal Beran exemplify a negative thinking that is multiplied a thousandfold among his fellow Czech Catholic and Protestant clergy. It has borne its fruit. Among all Czech children only 3 % are reported to have received Baptism, the first of Christian sacraments. In Slovakia, the true Christian leadership of such as Bishop Hnilica has also borne its fruit. Approximately 98 % of all Slovak children are baptized, despite the Czech Communist persecutions. These nondenominational figures serve as one among many indices of the moral situation in the two nations. When we compare the fruits of the practice of Christianity among the Slovaks with the fruits of the m e n t a l malpractice among the Czechs we see the attitudes of many individuals projected as the concensus of a larger group. It is up to each of us, as an individual, to direct his thoughts positively_ When we do not, we abdicate our futures , as individuals and as nations. The results cannot be hidden for "by their fruits ye shall know them." - The Reverend Jon P. Speller, D.D., Scientific Prayer Ministry, New York, New York. THE OHRISTIAN OHURCH IN BOHEMIA AND SLOVAKIA When the Communists came to power in Czecho-Slovakia in 1948, there were 8.75 million Roman and 300,000 Greek Catholics in a population of 12.5 million. Since then, about one million Catholics have officially left the church, but this figure gives little idea of the actual leakage which has been caused by persecution and discrimination in every degree - and by disloyalty among the ranks of the priesthood. All church property was confiscated by the state in 1948, and the �136 SLOVAKIA church is not permitted to own anything whatever. Thus, collections taken during Mass have to be handed over to the local branch of the government department for church affairs, and only a bare minimum is returned to the priest for his own requirements and for the upkeep of the church fabric. Voluntary outside contributions are not permitted. And only "reliable" priests who have sworn an oath of loyalty to the Communist state, are allowed to hold office in parishes. Outwardly speaking, such religious life as there is, is confined to the church itself; off the premises it is simply not in evidence. R e 1 i g i o u s instruction in the schools has in practice ceased in Prague and in most towns in Bohemia, and in most of the villages as well, though it survives here and there in Slovakia. But instruction outside school is forbidden and subject to severe sanctions: this throws the whole responsibility on the parents, the majority of whom are not well qualified to give their children any substantial instruction. Any attempt from any quarter to influence young people toward religion is severly frowned on and those who are suspected of such activity or of religious learning will not receive advancement. And where would the parents find books to teach their children, when there are no religious publications? Little or nothing has been published, not even missals, since 1948; what has been issued has a strongly tendentious flavor. In 1948 there were 5,779 secular priests and 1,163 priests in religious orders; now there are about 2,500 in the whole country in 1951 about 3,000 priests were held in various degrees of confinement, from labor camps to "concentration monasteries." By 1958 the number had dropped to below 500, and in 1963 the majority were released, but have to earn their living as best they can, usually in unskilled labor, and are forbidden to work as priests. Today there are still about 15 priests in prison. There are theological students in training, though their number is of course inadequate. What weighs more heavily than numbers is the quality of the future priesthood, as there is an incredible lack of modern theological works available to them. Seminarians, together with the rest of the population, are "sheltered" from all contact with contemporary thought in the Catholic Church today, and in particular have no knowledge of the deliberations of the Vatican Council. They are held back in a nineteenth century climate of thought which has no relevance to the realities of life around them. The only religious periodical available to priesthood and laity is "The Spiritual Shepherd" which an authority on Czecho-Slovak affairs describes as "a mixture of timidity and weakness, full of self-deception and delusion." The reason for this-on the face of it, extraordinary-contrast between Poland and Czecho-Slovakia, is not hard to find. Today, owing to comparative religious indifferentism of the people which is very marked in Bohemia, less so in Slovakia, the Communist regime has no need to respect public opinion. Stella Musulin, correspondent for the London Herald and the St. Louis Review POLICE SEAROH RESIDENCE OF TWO BISHOPS Police searched the residences of two bishops in Czecho-Slovakia after they had been visited by tourists from the West, but found no "subversive material", accord- �SLOVAKIA ing to KNA, German Catholic news agency. The prelates are Auxiliary Bisshop Kajetan Matousek of Prague and Bishop Karel Otcenasek, apostolic administrator of Hradec Kralove, who had been released from confinement in 1963. KNA reported that all bishops who have been confined are under surveillance after their release. The news agency reported also that there are still 16 priests imprisoned in Czecho-Slovakia and that an unknown number of laymen are still in jail there because of their faith and religious activities. It was reported that 25 priests were imprisoned about six months ago. - (NCWC News Service ) HIGH TEENAGE DIVORCE According to a broadcast heard via Radio Prague, too many married couples, especially teenaged ones, are filing for divorce in Czecho-Slovakia. To stem the tide of divorce-seeking couples, a state commission has proposed establishing marriage advisory offices. The lack of savings and the scarcity of housing are given as the chief causes of early marriages ending in failure . In Prague, 28 % of all marriages end in divorce, while one in four goes on the rocks in the industrialized area of Northern Bohemia. In predominantly Catholic Slovakia, the divorce rate is less than 8% . - (NCWC New s Service) liN MiIDMORIAM Mother M . Pius, third Superior General of the Sisters of SS. Cyril and Methodius, who died on Sunday, May 15, 1966, was laid to rest in the community cemetery on Wednesday, May 18. Officiating at the funeral Mass was the Rt. Rev. Abbot Theodore 137 Kojis, O.S.B., M.A., Abbot of St. Andrew's Slovak Benedictine Abbey, Cleveland, Ohio. Mother M. Pius, during whose administration as Superior General of the Sisters of SS. Cyril and Methodius, St. Cyril Academy, Danville, Pa. was opened in 1922, passed away in her sleep on Sunday, May 15, at Maria Joseph Manor. Born in 1894 in Blakely, Pa., and b a p t i z e d in Holy Ghost Church, Olyphant, Pa., Mother M. Pius answered the call of Christ to follow Him in the religious life when she entered M a r y w o o d, Scranton, for the prescribed training. The Congregation of the Sisters of SS. Cyril and Methodius was only two years old at the time of her entrance and its pioneer Sisters received their religious training under the direction of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in Scranton. Mother M. Pius made her first profession of vows at Marywood in 1913. In the early struggling years of the Congregation, Mother M. Pius held important positions which she discharged with rare wisdom and charm. Despite her youth she was superior of the Jednota Home for orphans in Middletown in the early years when it also served as motherhouse for the Congregation. In 1922, shortly after the purchase of the Castle Grove estate in Danville, Mother M. Pius was elected third Superior General of the Congregation and served in that capacity for 12 years. That same year Villa Sacred Heart opened its doors as a boarding school for girls, known then as the First Catholic Slovak Girls High School. By 1930 it became necessary to expand. The beautiful St. �138 SLOVADA Cyril Academy on the hill was erected and its lofty tower has become a landmark in the montour area. During the administration of Mother M. Pius, St. Cyril Academy was accredited by the State Department of Education and its first commencement in 1926 were honored by the presence of five bishops, four of them from Slovakia. Meanwhile also the Congregation increased in membership and many new schools were opened. In the years that followed Mother M. Pius was principal and teacher in parish schools in New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Before her retirement last year Mother M. Pius was again superior at Jednota Home where she celebrated her Golden Jubilee in 1963. I Mother M. Pius was preceded in death by her sister, Sister M. I Philomena, who died at Jednota in 1920 and lies buried in the Community cemetery in Danville. She is mourned by three sisters, Mrs. Margaret Prokopovitsh and Cecile Yakubov, Washington, D.C. and Sister M. Constance, SS.C.M., music instructor at Andrean High School, Gary, Indiana, and many nieces and nephews. What Mother M. Pius has meant to the Sisters of SS. Cyril and Methodius is written not only in stone, but also, and more importantly, in the solid foundation of progress in the Congregation and in countless human hearts, both within the Community and without. Her deeds are recorded in history, the history of the Congregation, of the Church, and of the Slovak nation. May her great soul rest in peace. AS OTHERS SEE IT It was Monsignor Hlinka, who founded the Slovak People's Party and encouraged the Slovaks to strive for national recognition. Slovakia had long been submerged by foreign rule, but the spirit of the nation was preserved by the inspiring work of dedicated men. Monsignor Hlinka rose to prominence in Europe as a leading advocate of selfgovernment for Slovakia and all the other nations of Central-East Europe. The Wilsonian principle of self-determination provided a powerful stimulant to his work and for the cause of the Slovak people. It was in that spirit that he journied to Paris in 1919 with the hope of seeing President Wilson to plead the case of his people. While Monsignor Hlinka's hopes were not realized, his dedication and determination left an indelible mark on the life of the Slovak Congressman Michael nation. Feighan. The long-disputed Prague Pittsburgh Pact of May, 1918, which played a role in the creation of the Republic of Czechoslovakia after World War I, is no longer a political issue per se but the old hostility between Czechs and Slovaks, reflecting in part an alleged invalidation of the pact, continues under communism. The pact was agreed upon by representatives of the Slovak and Czech organizations in this country which met in the Moose Temple on Penn Avenue with T. G. Masaryk, who became the republic's first president. In the 47 years since the Czechoslovak Republic was proclaimed on Oct. 28, 1918, the Slovaks have �SLOVAIIA argued consistently that the terms of the pact were never fulfilled and that they have been unequaled partners in an unhappy political marriage. Of the 14 million people in this country, the Czechs outnumber the Slovaks more than two to one. But, of course, it does the Slovaks no good to complain. For now they are melded with the Czechs in the Czechoslovak Socialist Republic, which is a communist state and a full-fledged member of the Soviet bloc. And the Reds have not the slightest concern for any agreement negotiated in capitalist Pittsburgh. - Frank Hawkins PostGazete, Pittsburgh, Nov. 6, 1965. Czechs drink beer. Slovaks drink wine. And that's one of the instances where your connoisseur touring Slovakia would say, "Viva la difference!" - John F . McLeod, The Washington Daily News, June 15, 1965. It was shocking-three border gates, fences with double barbed wire, guns, brick cubicles and women in officer's uniforms checking cars. The landscape is bleak, devoid of trees, houses, cars. Prague is a gray city. The hotel where we stayed is their pride and joy-it's like a communal concentration camp. Those who protest the war against Communism should come here, and if they find it The Slovaks historically have agreeable, let them stay. - Candy looked of any Prague government Bergen, by Hedda Hopper, Daily with fishy eyes. - Ted Princiotto , News, November 16, 1965. The Plain Dealer, Cleveland, OctAfter the aborted Hungarian ober 17, 1965. Revolution of 1956, things seem to have simmered down in Russia's Zakamenny Klin, Slovakia "You took him away from us alive satelites and one could easily get . . . you have returned him to us the impression that most of the dead. The day of reckoning will anti-Communist yen to revolt has come. Then justice shall prevail." gone. The truth is that it seems quiescent only because it hasn't These were the words of a young found an outlet with any promise "Communist" at the grave of Bish- of success. op Jan Vojtassak and proved a fitIt took years to discover in the ting and dramatic climax in the West to what degree the Poles life and death of the venerated Slo- were ready to cut loose in October, vak warrior for justice, freedom, 1956, a few days before the Hunand truth. garians made their shots heard This unexpected tribute was around the world. Czechoslovakia, heard by 10,000 of Bishop Vojtas- at the time, was supposed to be sak's fellow countrymen. The youth plotting something which misfired. was supposed to list the prelate's Much later we learn that where"crimes." as the Czechs didn't make much of The Communist regime had plan- a fuss at the time, Slovak partisans ned to make the burial service raised Cain. The nation's four milquiet and private - instead, when lions Slovaks represent about one the word got out that the Slovak third of Czechoslovakia's 12 milprelate was to be buried from his lions Slavs. Slovak partisans battled Soviet native village church, the news spread like wildfire and overnight forces near Presov. Slovak partisans fought by the more than 10,000 gathered from all sides to pay their final respects to side of the Hungarian rebels. The C om mu n i s ts suppressed a national martyr who had remained unbowed to the end. - The news of all this at the time. If and Register, October 24, 1965. when the State Department ever �140 SLOVAKIA caught up with it, U. S. spokesmen - always considerate of Red sensibilities never bothered to mention it or rub it in. - Guy Richards, New York Journal-American, July 3, 1965. Mrs. Sloboda comes from Slovakia, which is the Church's stronghold in Czecho-Slovakia and which has shown the greatest resistance to the regime. There 60 per cent of the land is still in private hands, as compared to only 10 per cent in other regions. There, too, church attendance is still strong and there is an active religious tradition. Largely agricultural and mountainous, the remoteness has been an asset to the Church. A Communist functionary from Slovakia recently admitted in despair, "In Prague, they think Catholicism is finished. But in Slovakia, we see things differently. The faith is still strong there. We have to show much more tolerance to the Church. We can't work actively against it. " "You know, " Mrs. Sloboda explained to me, with an apology to her husband, "the Slovaks are quite d i f f e r e n t from the easy-going Czechs, who would rather accommodate themselves to the status quo than get into trouble. The Slovaks are toughened by the hard life in the mountains. " " Oh, yeah," protested her husband , "but don't forget how we threw the bottle-tossing hooligans out of church last Christmas, here in Prague! " Nevertheless, even in Slovakia, interest in religion is beginning to wane, and there has been a decline in church attendance among the youth. The rapid industrialization of the area will inevitably contribute to the secularization and estrangement from a predominantly peasant-orientated Catholicism. "In every village, just as in the rest of Czecho-Slovakia," said Mrs. Sloboda, "there are loudspeakers hanging over the square which are used for p r op a g a n d a purposes." - Adolph Schalk, The Sign, Decem- ber, 1965. Grim , tough, friendless Antonin Novotny of Czecho-Slovakia, detested by many Communists and by the population at large, especially in the chronically restless Slovak region, was already a ranking Party ogre in Stalin's day. He is a prime candidate for de-Stalinization at the first wrong move. Hal Lehrman, before The Committee on the Judiciary, United States Senate, 89th Congress, 1st Session. Planned extermination is facing Slovakia and other captive nations? In Slovakia all their leaders were either hanged, imprisoned, or exiled. 85,000 Slovak citizens were placed in labor and concentration camps. 20,000 known Slovaks were deported to the Soviet Union as slaves. Over 100,000 Slovak citizens of German ancestry were expelled to the Soviet Union. Over 120,000 Slovak citizens of Hungarian ancestry were expatriated. Over 600,000 Slovaks were forced to leave Slovakia and live in Bohemia and Moravia. - Alfred Korn, Jr., President, Americans to Free Captive Nations, Inc. New York, November 27, 1965. I frequently wonder what the people of the captive nations think of what the United States contemplates on doing. Do they sometimes begin to feel that we are abandoning them and that we do not care-that we want them to be subjects of the communists. There is a very interesting aspect about the Slovaks. In 1946 when the first vote was taken in Slovakia as to what type of government they should have, up in the mountain areas and in the land of the Slovaks the vote was about 65 % against the communists. They were the only group in the whole country of Czecho-Slovakia that voted against it. So I say that today you have given voice which should �SLOVAKIA be broadcast by the Voice of America. And the broadcast should be made in the Slovak language so that the Slovaks in the mountains and in the valleys will understand what is happening. We are challenged by the communists. We unhappily and unfortunately have in our midst many who say they are not a challenge to us, but the Slovaks know that they are. There is in the Old Testament in the Bible in the Book of Kings the story of the King who wanted the vineyard of one of his subjects. It is in Chapter 21 and this is how it reads: "And after these things, Naboth the Jezrahelite, who was in J ezrahel, had at that time a vineyard near the palace of Achab, the king of Samaria. And Achab the king spoke unto Naboth saying: Give me thy vineyard, that I may have me a garden of herbs, because it is near to my house, and I will give thee for it a better vineyard : or if you think it more good to thee, I will give thee the worth of it in money. And Naboth the subject said to Achab the king : The Lord forbith me that I should give the inheritance of my fathers unto thee." The Lord forbid that we should give the inheritance of our country and the United States on to the communists. And the Lord forbid the land of the Slovaks should pass unto the communists that now rule in Slovakia. - U.S. Senator Frank 141 freedom is restored to these valiant people and the other captive nations under communism. We must not only observe the historic national days on the floor of the House, but we should establish a Special Committee on Captive Nations to more forcibly bring the present plight of these unfortunate people to world attention. Another effective step the U.S. Government could take to show our interest in the Slovak people and their aspirations for freedom from communism would be lengthier and more effective broadcasts by the Voice of America which would pierce the wall of Communist propaganda and deliver the truth to the Slovak people. In recent years, Mr. Speaker, the Voice of America has cut back both its hours of broadcast in the Slovak language and the nature of these broadcasts. The VOA now has only straight news programs because of the present administration's fear of offending the Soviet Union. The Voice of America should instead be a vehicle for delivering the message of truth to the Slovak people so that they can resist the brainwashing of the constant propaganda from the tyrannical Moscow oppressors. - Edward J. Derwinski on the floor of the House of Representatives, March 14, 1966. Lausche. Mr. Speaker, today is the 27th anniversary of Slovak Independence Day, and on this historic occasion, I would like to pay tribute to the brave Slovak people who suffer today under the yoke of Communist tyranny. They are not permitted by their Red tyrants to publicly celebrate their national holiday. Therefore, we must rededicate ourselves to our efforts to see that Annual SLOVAKIA is published by the Slovak League of America, 313 Ridge Avenue, Middletown, Pennsylvania. Subscription $2.00. Editor: Dr. Joseph Pauco. �142 SLOVAXIA BOOK REVIEWS SLOVAK STUDIES III - CYRILLO-METHODIANA, Published by Slovak Institute, Rome, 1965, p. 224. The eleventh centenary of the arrival of the scholarly missionaries St. Cyril and Methodius among the Slavic tribes, called Sclavi Marahenses in Latin sources and Slovene or Sklavinoj in Eastern sources, was an occasion for Slavs to publish scores of studies in various languages. Slovaks, who claim to be among the heirs of the CyrilloMethodian tradition, were especially active on both sides of the Iron Curtain. Besides organizing huge celebrations in Rome, Canada and the U.S.A. and archeological exhibitions, Slovak scholars took part at the international Cyrillo-Methodian Conference in Salzburg, Austria, and contributed to various symposia either in Slovak or in foreign languages. The symposium under review contains contributions by Slovak scholars and writers who live in the free world. Expecting that the writings in Slovakia will necessary be subject to marxist criteria and political restriction, they undertook the task to present the Cyrillo-Methodian period to the Western scholars as they see it on the basis of Slovak pre-communist and foreign sources. The contributions written in English, French and German, deal with history (F. Hrusovsky, M. Lacko, J . Papin, A. Grebert, liturgy (M. Lacko and M. Rusnak), literature (J. M. Kirschbaum) and with the role of the CyrilloMethodian tradition in Slovak national and political life (J. M. Kirschbaum) . Since the Slovak erudities from the XVIIth century claimed great-Moravia and the activities of the scholarly missionaries for Slovaks and Moravians, the contributions in the symposium not only follow that tradition, but apparently try to substantiate the Slovak claims to the Cyrillo-Methodian heritage by compiling supporting evidence from the works of renown and less known slavists of many nations. The tendency to prove the "slovacity" of the Cyrillo-Methodian period or to defend the Slovak claims to the Great-Moravian heritage is common to all contributors to this third volume of Slovak Studies, but it is mainly the well documented account on the relations of the rulers of Great Moravia with Rome, written by the late Prof. F. Hru!iovsky, the German contribution on the ethnic composition of Great Moravia by A. Grebert and the French and English contribution by Prof. J . M. Kirschbaum on the Cyrillo-Methodian literature and tradition which may be of interest for Slavist who do not specialize in religious aspects. Contributions by Prof. M. Lacko, who is known as an expert in the Cyrillo-Methodian period and the articles by Prof. J. Papin, bishop M. Rusnak and I. Kondratovic are valuable especially from the Slovak point of view. Not all the contributions are of equal scholarly value and the volume is marked by the difficulty to edit a multi-lingual book: not only typographical errors but also linguistic deficiencies appear in the book quite frequently. This does not make, however, the volume without interest or value. Slavists might find it challenging in various aspects and by the same token worth reading. �SLOVAKIA U.3 The editors as well as the Slovak Institute and those who in other ways made the publication of the volume possible, deserve recognition for not allowing pass the 11th centenary of Slovak civilization without a written document. J. P. Jan Kollar-Slovak Poet of Panslavism, J. M. Kirschbaum, LL.D., Ph.D., Published by the Slovak Institute, Cleveland, 1966, 48pp., Ed. J . B. Rudnyc'kyj , Slavistica, LVI(56). Perhaps for the first time the ideas and their practical application in the Pan Slav movement of Jan Kollar, Slovak romantic poet and political philosopher, are presented in understandable language by the prolific historical and political writer, Dr. Joseph Kirschbaum. All students of history of the Slavic nations in central, southern and eastern Europe welcome this clear-cut view and analysis of one of the most complex characters in the Pan Slav movement in the first half of the 19th century. Kollar, the celebrated poet whose 'Slavy dcera' (Daughter of Slava) sonnets made him immortal in Slavdom, for personal and unknown reasons rejected the official central Slovak literary language of Stur and wrote in his own Slovak-Czech dialect he called 'stara slovencina' (the ancient language of the Slovaks). He was, therefore, in some respects both the forerunner of the political union of the Czechs and Slovaks who formed Czecho-Slovakia in 1918 and of the futile attempts of the Czechs to fuse the Slovak language into a synthetic Czechoslovak tongue. Nevertheless, in his day he was an outspoken champion of the Slovak colony in Budapest for many years. Although at first glance, Kollar's views on Panslavism calling for unity among all Slavs may appear to be a basis for a political union of all Slavic nations, a more careful look reveals that he regarded each to be but a tribe, nevertheless an individual ethnic entity with a right to its own language, state, etc., in a family of tribes belonging to one Slav nation! As a poet (Kollar's lyric and romantic works may be criticized from many angles by the experts), he excels in idealism, which is somewhat dimmed by the stark realism and cruelty of Slava, the goddess, who from her golden throne watches demons torturing the enemies and persecutors of the Slavs . . . a la Dante's Inferno. In Canto III of his Sonnet CX, Kollar turned prophet and a mighty good one, for he predicted the expansion of the Slavs like 'a mighty flood' and foresaw the day when the language of the Slavs would be spoken by their foes, and their sciences become manifest, as also their customs, dress and music on both sides of the Seine and the Danube. In the light of current history, we cannot, of course, rejoice in the modern Soviet imperialism that has reached the acme of Slavic power and prestige but only at the price of the enslavement of hundreds of millions of Slavs and non-Slavs, alike. Even for Kollar, who voices his wish to raise from his grave to behold the glory of the Slavs, the present would not be a glorious experience for the Slovak poet who envisioned a far different emergence of the Slavs would have sorrow and regret, not joy, in his heart were he a witness of the sad fate of Slavic nations today. �144 SLOVAKIA Dr. Kirschbaum shows that Kollar's Panslavism was hailed by the Russians, Czechs, Slovaks and the southern Slavs but was not at all acceptable to the Poles or Ukrainians who saw in it a form of Panrussianism . . . and as it has developed, they were right in their suspicions. On the national level, Kollar, writes Dr. Kirschbaum, played an important role in Slovak national revival by his linguistic theories, his poetry, publication of Slovak songs and his ideals of freedom. Undoubtedly, Jan Kollar will be the subject of many studies on the question of his political and linguistic theories, but despite efforts to make him a Czech poet because he wrote in his own pre-fabricated 'stara slovencina' medium which was his own personal invention in an attempt to arrive at a common language, and in spite of his rejection of Stu.r's central Slovak that was destined to become the official language of the Slovak nation, he was a Slovak poet in his own right. If his image as a Slovak poet is not altogether in focus, it is both because he moved in so many directions at one and the same time so that his picture is somewhat distorted, and the disturbing circumstances of his time, his condition, etc. At best, he was an erratic genius, and therefore, very difficult, if not impossible, to fully understand and appreciate. Nevertheless, his stature as a great Slovak poet continues to remain unimpaired. A. P. Frantisek Vnuk, Sedemnast' neurodnych rokov - Nacrt dejin slovenskej literatury v rokoch 1945-62, (Seventeen barren years -A Survey of Slovak Literature 1945-1962), Published by Slovak v Amerike, Middletown, Pa., 1965, p. 304, English summary. Slavists at various universities in the free world will receive in the present volume a first concise look at the postwar Slovak literature, and since there has been nothing published on the subject in English except a few articles in Slavic Studies and the anthology Linden Tree , which is in many ways a biased and unobjective presentation, the volume is longtime overdue. The English summary will make the book accessible also to those who do not read Slovak, which makes it even more welcome. The Slovak part of the book contains a rich source of information and remarkably well written aesthetic judgments on the literary value and ideological regimentation of the Slovak literature since the end of the Second World War. Vnuk places the works of Slovak poets and writers into the context of Slovakia's post-war upheavals, unprecedented persecutions for ideological deviations, censorship and social changes, and measures them against the moral and intellectual duties toward the Slovak people among whom writers and poets were always fighting for justice and national goals. The method used by the author does not follow the usual detached and impersonal ways of literary history and criticism, but it does not make this book less valuable for scholars or anyone interested in Slovak literature under Communism. On the contrary. The book presents a fresh, well written, scholarly sound and sincere look at the literary works and their authors and it is understandable that he condemned his country's deceit and desertion by her poets and writers who were always looked upon as intellectual leaders. �145 SLOVAKIA The seventeen barren years, as the author calls the post-war period in Slovak literature, are divided into four parts: The period of struggles (1945-1948), the period of the victory of socialism (19491951), the period of schematism and dogmatism , and the period of lost years (1956-1962) , In each of these periods Slovak literature was at the mercy of political commissars, who silenced the best writers and dictated literary subjects and criteria, and therefore one cannot but agree with the author that "these years will stand for a period for unheared of degradation in Slovak literary history - a veritable " temps du mepris" - with an unprecented decline in artistic values both qualitatively and quantitatively, when the writer became a stateemployed "engineer of human souls" and his standard was measured by the degree of his dedication to the political party line". (p. 259) . Since 1963, when the Slovak writers finall y dared to " rebel" against the straitjacket of regime's supervision and regimentation, Vnuk's harsh judgments were confirmed even in Slovak literary reviews, and therefore there is no reason to suspect him of "parti pris". Slovak literature was not only cut off the free world, but went also through the worst period of literary history in Slovakia and Vnuk's book intelligently mirrors all the tribulations, struggles, deficiences and intellectual dishonesty of some writers and the positive value of others. Vnuk reviewed in a short addition to his book also the literary works of the Slovak emigre writers and poets which will fill a gap in surveys of Slavic literatures in the free world. If the whole Slovak literature is a sort of "terra incognita" to many people in the West, the literary works of the Slovak emigre writers could not fare much better, though there are exceptions and in some instances Slovakia and her literature became known only through the writings of Slovak exiles. With regard to Slovakia, the author is maybe right when he says that "the 50 odd Slovak men of letters living on this side of the Iron Curtain kept the lights of Slovak culture burning while they went out in the writers' native country. This may sound emotional or sentimental, yet it is a sad truth that in the years 1950-55 there hardly appeared in Slovakia a single book worthy of reading. In those years indeed the emigre literature was the contemporary Slovak literature." The value of the volume is enhanced by a register of names, short bibliography and a brief note on the writer. It is to be regreted that the title of the book does not indicate that it is a survey of Slovak literature, but it is a minor shortcoming and can be repaired in distributing the English summary under a proper title. J . M. K irsc hbaum D ie Slow akei als Mittel europaisches Problem i n Geschichte und Gegenwart, (Slovakia as Central European Problem in the Past and Present) , Lectures at Collegium Carolinum, Verlag Robert Lerche, Mtinchen, 1965, p. 240. The prominent German institution Collegium Carolinum in Munich organized in August 1962 a series of lectures on Slovakia's past and present place in Central Europe, and published six of them in the present volume as a contribution to the research on problems of �146 SLOVAKIA Central Europe. The lectures cover over eleven centuries of Slovakia's history and while they are not of equal scholarly value, they are all shedding a new light on various periods of Slovak history, including the present one under Communism. Three of the lectures were given by Slovak intellectuals living in Western Europe: Prof. F. f>urcansky deals with Pan-Slavism and the role of Slovakia in this movement; Prof. Milan Stan. f>urica of the University of Padova gives the results of his scholarly research into the crisis of March 1939 and on the basis of documents he corrects various misconceptions about the origin of the Slovak republic; Ctibor Pokorny writes about the attitude of Slovaks towards Communism. The lectures by Prof. f>urcansky and Prof. Durica are well documented and scholarly written contributions to two controversial topics of historiography on Slovakia. Abundance of sources referred to, and logical conclusions which characterize both contributions, will perhaps help to clear at least partly the controversy and misconceptions of some Western historians. For students of Central European problems two other lectures might be of great interest: von Gogolak's lecture on Slovakia's social and constitutional history and Kurt Wessely's learned analysis of Slovakia's economic and social problems since World War I. Both authors are experts in their fields, but their contributions are bound to lead to a controversy either from the Slovak or from the Czech side. While Slovaks could be hurt by some of Gogolak's harsh judgements of their leaders in the remote or recent past, the Czechs might oppose the picture which Prof. Wessely has drawn about Slovakia's economic development under the Czech tutelage. The well documented account of the development of the national consciousness among Slovaks by Prof. Gogolak somehow contrasts in his conclusions not only with his previous works on Slovakia, but it also seems to be in clash with the requirements of scholarly impartiality. Except for a few Slovaks of the "Czechoslovak" orientation hardly any educated Slovak would leave unchallenged certain parts of Prof. Gogolak's picture of modern Slovak history. Unfortunately, this is not the place to go into detail or to show where Prof. Gogolak's lecture is marked rather by emotional than by objective analysis, and where the historian wandered into politics. While this is to be regretted, this reviewer is of the opinion that the scholarly lecture might serve on the other hand a very useful purpose, if Slovak intellectuals will properly react. The introductory lecture by Karl Bosl on the mission of Sts. Cyril and Methodius and its place in Rome's Church organization is a learned summary of the older and the most recent research into the GreatMoravian period, with some new hypotheses. Scholarly sound and without bias, the lecture will remain as a tribute from the German side to the 11th centenary of the Cyrillo-Methodian mission among the ancestors of today's Slovakia, which was commemorated in 1963 by Slovaks on both sides of the Iron Curtain. The volume was edited with great care and should be welcome as a valuable contribution to the research into and solution of the unsolved Slovak problem in Central European area. J. M. Kirschbaum �SLOVAKIA 147 National Slovak Society Almanac for the year 1966 - Narodny Americko-Slovensky Kalendar na rok 1966, Vol. 74, Pittsburgh, Pa., 240 pp., Edited by Jan Mihal. The first 70 pages of this year's National Slovak Society annual are in the English language . . . the rest in Slovak. This, then, is an edition designed for both young and old readers in one or both languages. In addition to their duties as members of the NSS Literary Committee, headed by Dr. Peter Hletko, M.D. as president, which compiled the bi-lingual almanac, all (Msgr. M. K. Mlynarovic, K. Belohlavek, John Pankuch [NSS President, and the editor, Jan Mihal] contributed informative and inspiring articles to this year's publication of the oldest Slovak fraternal group in America. Tribute is paid to Peter Rovnianek (1867-1933), NSS founder, on the eve of the centennial of his birth as a great American Slovak humanitarian. The following contributors are found in the English section: John Pankuch, Jan Mihal, Mary Burns, Dr. Peter Hletko, M.D., Dr. Stephen Hletko, DDS., Rosalie Gona, S. Ullman and Karol Kuzmany. Although a major part of the section is devoted to a review of NSS activities, particularly bowling, the rest gives the reader an idea of the possibilities of expanding the subject matter into a more serious sphere for better comprehension of vital issues in American Slovak life. While members of the NSS Literary Committee were called upon to do double duty by contributing articles to the Slovak section, too, the following writers made their contributions of interesting articles to the 1966 NSS Almanac: John Pankuch, E. Vesnin, Lado Demeter, Jozef Steller, Msgr. M. K. Mlynarovic, Dr. Peter Hletko, M.D., K. Holicsky, Peter Klas, Rev. Andrej Rolik, Dr. A. P. Slabey, 0. M. Debnarkin, A. Rybiansky, Dr. Jan Fabianek, Rosalie Gona, Stefan Hassik, Jozo Trnavcan, J. Horsky, J. T. Sulovsky, K. Belohlavek. In some respects the tone of the current Almanac is an ecumenical one, e.g., Dr. Slabey's article on Jan Hus. Hus' successful bid to reverse the 3-1 German preponderance in voting at Charles University to a domestic Czech 3-1 majority was confirmed by royal decree ... this democratic procedure is the only one that will finally bring peace and understanding between the Czech and Slovak nations, namely, the recognition of the right of the Slovak nation to self-rule, for the principle of human and natural rights to freedom is the same today as it was in Hus' time. A. P. Jednota Annual Furdek, 1966, Middletown, Pa., vol. 5, 160 pp., Joseph Krajsa, editor. Inaugurated by the late Philip A. Hrobak, editor of the Jednota weekly, five years ago in an effort to reach the younger generation of American Slovaks, the FURDEK annual is continuing under his successor, Mr. Joseph C. Krajsa. It is a worthwhile effort, inasmuch as our Slovak youth would otherwise lose all interest in its heritage because �148 SLOVAKIA the third and fourth generation no longer speaks or reads the Slovak language. The contents of the current issue cover a variety of subjects from the following writers: Bishop Andrew Grutka, D.D., Abbot Theodore Kojis, O.S.B., J. C. Krajsa, J. Pfeiffer, A. Sarisky, Dr. J. Kirschbaum, Ph.D., LL.D., Very Rev. Theodoric Zubek, O.F.M., S.T.D., C. Petrasek, J . J. Konus, A. Koto, and S. Sencik, S.J. Feature article is 'The Joe Lapchick Story' about the great basketball player and coach from Yonkers, N. Y. The ex-Celtic star and successful coach at St. John's University ranks among the greatest American Slovak athletes. Lead-off review of the Jednota's diamond jubilee in 1965 is given in capsule form by Dr. Jozef Pauco, Ph.D., author of the 560-page history of the First Catholic Slovak Union (75 rokov Prvej Katolickej Slovenskej Jednoty: 1890-1965) is supplemented by pictorial highlights of the jubilee observance, particularly the celebration in Washington, D. C. Oldtimers such as Dr. M. v_ Simko and Rev. A. Pier, O.S.B. have a number of contributions in this 5th issue of the Jednota annual, the Furdek, in the English language. A brief historical review of the Slovak Benedictines in the U. S. and the Slovak Jesuits in Canada completes the 1966 edition of the Furdek. Both foundations constitute only part of the story of the Slovak Religious Orders in the new world. Future issues of this novel publication will undoubtedly cover the history of the others, namely, the Slovak Franciscans, as well as the Sisters of SS. Cyril and Methodius, the Franciscan Sisters, the Dominican Sisters, the Benedictine Sisters, the Sisters of the Most Holy Saviour, the Consolers of the Sacred Heart, and the Vincentian Sisters. A. P. PUBLICATIONS RECEIVED Rekem John, Stefan Dubnicay - Slovak Polemist and Historian (1675-1725), Middletown, Pa., 1966, p. 80. Slovak Literature and National Consciousness before Anton Bernolcik, Jednota Printery, Middletown, Pa. 1964. Kirschbaum, J. M., Jcin Kollar-Slovak Poet of Panslavism, Stavistica No. 56, Slovak Institute, Cleveland, Ohio, 1966, p. 48. The Role of the Cyrillo-Methodian Tradition in Slovak National and Political Life, An Offprint from Slovak Studies Ill. Rome, 1965 La Litterature de la period CyrilLo-Methodienne et la Slovaquie, An Offprint from Slovak Studies III, Rome, 1965. Vnuk, Frantisek, Sedemncist' neurodnych rokov (Ncicrt slov enskej A Survey of Slovak Literature 1945-1962, literatury 1945-1962) Published by Slovak v Amerike, Middletown, Pa., p. 304, English summary, register. �SLOVAKIA 149 CONTRIIBUTORS Prof. Dr. J. M. Kirschbaum. Born in a small Slovak village on March 25, 1913 and lost his father in the First World War. Dr. J. Kirschbaum is a prominent representative of the new Slovak educated class, whose many members made a long way from the Slovak villages to European and American capitals, forei gn universities, diplomatic posts and teaching positions by their own diligence, capabilities and perseverance, fighting against many odds and staunch and unscrupulous adversaries of the Slovak cause. Educated at several European universities, Dr. Kirschbaum attained national prominence already during his university studies as leader of the Slovak student's organizations, Vice-President of the world-wide Catholic organization Pax Romana and speaker for the autonomy of Slovakia on behalf of the young Slovak generation. When only 26 years old, he was appointed by the President of the Slovak Republic and later elected to the responsible post of Secretary-General of the People's Party, founded by Msgr. A. Hlinka . After opposing the introduction of National Socialism into Slovakia, he was ousted in 1940 from Slovak politics and for 18 months kept in military service. In 1941 he was, however, back in public life and, as the youngest head of diplomatic mission, he served his country in Switzerland as Charge d'Affaires of the Slovak Republic. In that capacity he represented Slovakia until the end of the war, fighting relentlessly for Slovakia's right to independence and against the false propaganda of the Czech exiles and their anti-Slovak aspirations. After the war Dr. Kirschbaum very soon became one of the leading personalities of the Slovak movement for a free and independent Slovakia . He moved to Canada , for a short time to the United States and again to Canada , where he dedicated his time and energy to teaching at Canadian Universities writing and fighting for the Slovak cause. Besides a book in Slovak Nas boj o samostatnost' Slovenska, Dr. Kirschbaum published in exile the first scholarly English book on political history and cultural background of Slovakia under the title: Slovakia - Nation at the Crossroads of Central Europe (New York, 1960) . The book was r ~viewed by the foremost academic periodicals in England, U.S.A., Canada and Europe and mostly favorably received by the critics. On cultural problems Dr. Kirschbaum published a series of studies in French and English, four of them (on Bernolak, St11r, Safarik and Kollar) were published in the series Slavistica, edited by the known slavist Prof. J . B. Rudnyckyj from the University of Manitoba. His essays on Slovak language and literature were published in French and English first by University periodicals and later in offprint form . His political writings appeared in English, French , German and Spanish. Altogether Dr. Kirschbaum published 15 writings in foreign languages either in book form or as reprints, and contributed larger articles to Canadian Slavonic Papers (Univ. of Toronto) , Etudes slaves et esteuropeennes (Univ. of Montreal ), Rivista de Estudios politicos (Madrid) , Slovakia (Middletown, Pa.), Slowakei (Munich, Germany). Most ( Cleveland, Ohio) , to various symposia, encyclopedias and newspapers. All the writings of Dr. Kirschbaum are marked, according to the critics, by clarity of style, logic, scholarly objectivity and solid knowledge as well as his �150 SLOVAKIA firm belief in the rightness and victory of the Slovak cause. Once an excellent student of internat• ional law and political science, Dr. Kirschbaum turned in exile to his• tory and culture of his country and Central Europe and defends the right of the Slovak people to independence on account of their old culture and civilization. He presents Slovakia to the free world in a new light and always within a new, democratic organization of Central Europe. For his uncompromising stand towards those who tried or try to deny equal rights to the Slovak people, Dr. Kirsch b a u m was persecuted already during his uni• versity years. A Czech rector of the University of Bratislava refus• ed to give him, for political reasons, the doctor's diploma, even though Kirschbaum finished all his exams with excellent results. The Germans turned against the young Secretary-General as soon as they noticed that he opposed German interference in Slovak politics, and Berlin asked the Slovak Government not only to remove Dr. Kirschbaum from Slovak politics, but his name was not supposed to appear in any newspaper. "If it does", wrote the German Ambassador to Slovakia in 1940, "I shall ask to forbid the publication of the newspaper." ialist newspapers. A new smear campaign was organized against Dr. Kirschbaum when he moved to the United States. The most un• scrupulous and immoral campaign was, however, unleashed against him by Communist Prague and some Czech exiles in Canada dur· ing the Spring and Summer of 1962. In all those smear campaigns, not only in serious Slovak circles, but also the authorities of the countries he lived in, clergy and many newspapers and politicians were on the side of Dr. Kirschbaum, and he was fully vindicated. munist adversaries of the Slovak struggle for independence and de• mocracy turned, however, against Dr. Kirschbaum, especially after the Second World War. Even though he spent the war years in neutral Switzerland and was known to oppose Nazism, the Communist government of Prague requested his extradition from Switzerland. When the Swiss Government refused , the Czech diplomats and propagandists tried to compromise Dr. Kirschbaum by publishing smear and ludicrous accusations in the Swiss Communist and Soc• and Methodius, whose motherhouse is in Danville, Pennsylvania, was a graduate of St. Cyril Academy and obtained her B.A. degree from Marywood College, Scranton, Pa. , and her M.A. from Villanova University, Villanova, Pa. She is the author of two books : Dr. Kirschbaum is married to Magdalena Danihel, daughter of the late Slovak politician and member of Parliament Stefan Danihel, has four children of whom two graduated at Canadian universities and one of them, Stanislav, works on his Ph.D. at the Sorbon• ne, Paris, on scholarship. Dr. Kirschbaum has been since the war leading figure of the Slovak Nat• ional Council Abroad, Slovak Li• beration Council, member of many Slovak cultural and civic organiz. ations in the U.S.A. and Canada, member or officer of leading social clubs and academic organizat• ions and editorial boards. Martina Tybor, Si ster M., B.A., M.A. , of the Sisters of SS. Cyril The furor of the Czech and Com• SS. Cyril and Methodius, the Glory of the Slav s, for young adults, and SS. Cyril and Methodius , Apostles of Great Moravia, for children. She has done outstanding work in Slo• vak-English translations, notably of Slovak classic poetry. Her own poems have appeared in Spirit, �SLOVAKIA publication of the National Catholic Poetry Society. Her odes, written for various Jubilee occasions, have appeared in Fialky, St. Cyril Academy annual. At present Sister M. Martina is head of the English department at Andrean High School, Gary, Indiana. Zatko, James J., Ph.D .., Rev., received an M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of Notre Dame. Under sponsorship of Ford Fellowships he studied at Harvard in 1954-1955 and at the Catholic University of Lublin in 1958. He was also the recipient of an Association of Middle Eastern Studies Fellowship in 1962. He is assistant professor of history at the University of Notre Dame. His book Descent Into Darkness - The Destruction of the Roman Catholic Church in Russia 1917-1923, was published by Notre Dame University. Joseph Pauco, born in 1914 in Slovakia. At the Slovak University in Bratislava he received his Ph.D. in 1942. A journalist by profession, he worked with the influential daily SLOVAK from 1938 to 1945, serving as editor-in-chief from 1942 to 1945. In 1945 fled with his wife and son to Austria, then to West Germany; and finally made his way to New York City in 1950. J. Pauco is serving since 1950 as assistant editor of the weekly JEDNOTA and from 1964 he is the publisher of the oldest Slovak newspaper in this country: SLOVAK V AMERIKE. He is serving for third term as the secretary of the Slovak League of America. J. Pauco is associated with American Academy of Political and Social Science, with Institute of Ethnic Studies at Georgetown University, is a member of the Slovak Institute in Cleveland, 0. 151 and of the Slovak Writers and Artists Association in the USA. He is the author of some 1000 articles, published in Slovakia and in the USA. Dr. Joseph Pauco is the author of these books and studies: .Cudovychova u sturovcov (Stur's Movement - Popular Education ). Matica slovenska. Turciansky Sv. Martin, 1943. Pp. 151. Co po komunizme? (After Communism What?) . Jednota , Middletown, Pa., 1952. Pp. 29. Dr. Jozef Tiso o sebe (Dr. Joseph Tiso About Himself) . Slovensky Katolicky Sokol, Passaic, N. J., 1952. Pp. 359. (Ed.) Tisov odkaz (Tiso's Message). Jednota. Middletown, Pa., 1953. Pp. 89. Stefan Furdek a slovenske prist'ahovalectvo ( Stefan Furdek and Slovak Immigration) . Jednota, Middletown, Pa., 1955. Pp. 190. Slovaci a komunizmus (The Slovaks and Communism) . Rev. Jan Lach. Whiting, Ind., 1957. Pp. 318. Pod zastavou krest'anskej demokracie (Under the Banner of the Christian Democracy) . Slovenski krest'anski demokrati v Spojenych Statoch. Middletown, Pa., 1957. Pp. 30. Slovenskd re hol'a Sestier sv. Cyrila a Metoda (Slovak Order of the Sisters of Ss. Cyril and Methodius) . Slovensky .Zensky Spolok Sv. Anny. Wyoming Valley, Pa., 1957. Pp. 32. Unconquerables. Vantage Press, New York, N. Y., 1958. Pp. 225. Matus Jankola - knaz a narodovec (Matus Jankola - A Priest and Patriot) . Rad Sestier sv. Cyrila a Metoda. Danville, Pa., 1959. Pp. 174. Literarny Almanach Slovaka v Amerike (Literary Almanac of the " Slovak in America") . Middletown, Pa., 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966. Pp. 160 each, last one pp. 168. (Ed.) �152 SLOVAKIA Christian Slovakia Under ComDr. Victor R. Greene, Professor munism. The Slovak Catholic Fede- of American History at the Kan- ration. Valparaiso, Indiana, 1959. sas State University, Manhattan, Pp. 31. Kansas, received his B.A. degree Pamiatke Jozefa Cigra Hronske- from the University of Harvard in ho (In Memoriam Jozef Ciger 1955; his M.A. degree from the Hronsky) . Literarny Almanach Slo- University of Rochester in 1960; vaka v Amerike. Middletown, Pa., and his Ph.D. from the University of Pennsylvania in 1963. His dis1960. Pp. 46. (Ed.) sertation for his Ph.D. was: A HisLaicky apostol Martin Kopunek tory of East European Immigrants (Lay Apostle - Martin Kop(mek). in the Anthracite Area before Vychodna oblast' Sdruzenia Slo- 1903. It is a study of the contribvenskych Katolikov. Bethlehem, ution Slovaks and others made to Pa., 1961. Pp. 67 (Ed.) the unions in the coal fields and Karol Sidor - politik, novinar, the aid to President Johnny Mitspisovatel' (Karol Sidor - Politi- chell and the United Mine Workers cian, Newspaperman, and Writer). of America. Dr. Greene in his Literarny Almanach Slovaka v thesis elaborates that it was beAmerike. Middletown, Pa., 1962. cause of the loyalty and sacrifice of Slovak mine workers that the Pp. 148 (Ed.) union was permanently establishPat'desiatnik Dr. Jozef Kirsched in the hard coal fields. baum (Dr. Jozef Kirschbaum In his present research, ProfesFifty Years Old). Literarny Almanach Slovaka v Amerike. Middle- sor Greene is making a study of the origins of Slovak and East town, Pa., 1963. Pp. 171. (Ed.) European American self-consciousFlight to Wonderland. Robert ness and why by World War I Speller and Sons, New York, N. Y., every Slovak immigrant realized 1963. Pp. 334. such a strong feeling of his ethnic 75 rokov Prvej Katolickej Slo- heritage. Dr. Greene, who · has learned to venskej Jednoty (75 Years of the First Catholic Slovak Union). Prva read and understand Slovak, is Katolicka Slovenska Jednota, Cle- familiar with the cultural and hisveland, 0., 1965. Pp. 560 & XIV. torical material available at the Jankola Library in Danville, Pa., 80 pages of pictures. the Slovak Institute Library in Slovakia. Slovak League of AmerCleveland, Ohio, and the facilities ica. Middletown, Pa., 1965, 1966. Pp. in Pittsburgh, Pa. and Chicago, 160. (Ed.) Illinois. Joseph R . Kristofik received his B.S. in Science from the University of Pittsburgh in 1949. His education includes several years at the United States Merchant Marine Academy in Kings · Point, N. Y., and at the Detroit College of Law. Mr. Kristofik is presently the Slovak Democratic Chairman for the State of Michigan with the Michigan Democratic Nationalities Division. At its 40th Convention at Youngstown, Ohio, he was elected to the executive committee of the Slovak League of America. Tino Berko was born in Slovakia, fled to the West in 1952. He studied philosophy and the history of music and art at Munich University; is a writer and lecturer; resides in Munich, Germany. Very Rev . Theodoric J. Zubek, O.F.M., S.T.D., Slovak by birth, American by adoption, is presently Delegate Provincial of the Franciscans of the Most Holy Savior Commissariat, popularly known as the Slovak Franciscans. �SLOVAKIA He resides at the motherhouse of the Commissariat, Holy Family Friary, 232 S. Home Avenue, Pittsburgh, Penna. 15202. 153 jects were published during this time in various Slovak periodicals, such as "Serafinsky svet" (The Seraphic World), "Slovensky ucitel'" (The Slovak Teacher), "Smer" Father Theodoric was born in ( Direction), and "Nova praca " Malacky, Slovakia, April 4, 1914, (New Work) . and came to the United States on February 21, 1952; he became an This activity came to an end on American citizen on June 5, 1957. April 13, 1950, when the ComHe received his primary education munist government of Czecho-Sloin the schools of his native Ma- vakia supressed all monasteries. lacky while his secondary studies Father Theodoric was confined were taken at the Gymnasium of with his Franciscan confreres in Bratislava, 1925-1929, and Skalica, the concentration monastery of 1930-1934, in Slovakia. He entered Svaty Benadik nad Hronom. After the Franciscan Order in 1929 and escaping from the concentration made his novitiate in Trnava. He monastery, he remained in hiding took his theological studies at the in Slovakia until February 1951, Seminaries in Zagreb, Croatia, and when he secretly crossed the borin his native Slovakia at Brati- der into Austria. In February, slava. He was ordained to the 1952, he joined his Slovak Amepriesthood in Bratislava on June rican brethren of the Most Holy 26, 1938. After his ordination, Fa- Savior Commissariat, the American ther Theodoric began his studies foundation of the mother province for the doctorate in sacred theo- in Slovakia. logy at the Catholic University of After a short sojourn in TrauFribourg, Switzerland. On October 28, 1940, the Fribourg University ger, Penna., Father Theodoric was conferred on him the degree of stationed for seven years at the Doctor of Sacred Theology with Franciscan parish of SS. Cyril and Methodius in Clifton, New Jersey. the mark "magna cum laude". From 1956 to 1960 he taught SacUpon his return to his home- red Theology at the Newark and land and Franciscan Province in Jersey City divisions of Seton Hall Slovakia, Father Theodoric was University. In 1960 he was named named to the faculty of the Fran- pastor of the Franciscan parish of ciscan Theological Seminary at 2i- St. Rita in Buffalo, N. York, where lina in 1941, a post he held until he stayed till 1964. In 1961, he 1950. During this time he also serv- became Councillor to the Delegate ed at intervals as the Rector of Provincial of the Most Holy Savthe seminary, a Definitor of the ior Commissariat, and in 1964 the Franciscan Province, and Guard- Delegate Provincial of the said ian of the Franciscan Friary in Commissariat. 2ilina. In 1942, he published his doctoral thesis, "Joseph II and the In America, Father Zubek freFriars Minor in Slovakia". In 1945, quently spoke on the persecuted he translated E. Neubert's "Mon Church in Slovakia to various ideal Jesus, fils de Marie" (Moj groups in Slovak and American ideal Jezis, Syn Mariin) into Slo- parishes. He made an appearance vak. With Father Celestin Lepa- before the House Committee on cek, O.F.M., he co-authored a book Un-American Activities conceron the Assumption of the BL Vir- ning the operations of the Comgin, "Nanebevzata" (Mary Assum- munists in Slovakia. In 1956, his ed into Heaven), published in scholarly and well-documented 1947. Numerous articles of his on book on the systematic persecutboth theological and ascetical sub- ion of the Church in Slovakia was �154 SLOVAKIA published by Rev. John Lach. It is entitled "The Church of Silence in Slovakia". Since 1954 he began to contribute articles to leading national Catholic magazines such as "The Homiletic and Pastoral Review", "The American Ecclesiastical Review", "The Jurist, Unitas", "The Catholic Educator" and "The Marian Era". In these articles, he dealt with a variety of subjects, such as, the Communist persecution of the Church in Slovakia and other lands, the theory of Darwin, the morality of nuclear warfare, the possibility of living creatures on other planets, the Blessed Mother and Vatican II. Some of these articles attracted wide attention. In addition, he has contributed articles to such Slovak papers and magazines as "Most" (The Bridge ), "Dobry Pastier" (The Good Shepherd), "Jednota" (The Union), "Katolicky Sokol" (The Catholic Sokol) , "Slovak v Amerike" (The Slovak in America), "Kanadsky Slovak" (The Canadian Slovak) and "Literarny almanach Slovaka v Amerike" (The Literary Almanac of the Slovak in America) . He is a regular writer for the Slovak Franciscan Magazine "Listy sv. Franfilka" (The Leaflets of St. Francis) , for which he served as editor from 1958 to 1962. In 1963 he published a booklet entitled "The Slovak Bishops - Martyrs of Christ", and in 1965, " Rozjimania o tajomstvach sv. ruzenca" (Meditations on the Mysteries of the Holy Rosary) . The Commissariat of the Most Holy Savior, headed presently by Father Theodoric, has fifty members stationed in five monasteries and two parishes. be appropriate to present the views of an American university graduate of Slovak descent. Very Rev. Msgr. John Rekem, S.T .D. , Born December 13, 1917 in Trencianska Tepla, Msgr. John Rekem receited his early education in Trencin rand Nitra. For his philosophical and theological studies he ,w ent to Olomouc in Moravia. This was followed by four years at the Bratislava Istropolitana University. He was ordained in 1941 and two years later he received his doctorate in Sacred Theology. As curate he served in Hricove, Vel'ke Chlievany, Trencin, Pruske, and Varin; in the last named parish he was also administrator. In 1945 he was imprisoned by the Communists for almost eight months in a concentration camp in Trencin. He was released by an order of the People's court (No. T. 29/ 45) in December 1945. Two years later his name was registered for the so-called September liquidations, but he emigrated to Austria, leaving Slovakia on the feast of Our Mother of Sorrows, September 15, 1947. In Salzburg he was spiritual director of the Slovak Catholic refugees, for whom he established the Federation of Slovak Catholics and organized ia series of eight retreats in various cities of Austria. He was spiritual advisor of the League of Slovak Catholic Students in Exile. At home and abro,ad he h e l d Suzanna Mikula is a graduate of membership in leading Slovak or- the University of Detroit, specializing in history of Europe. Since last year not only Slovaks but also slavists of various countries commemorated the 150th birthday of L'udovit Stur, we thought it would ganizations: Society of St. Adalbert and its Literary Division; Matica Slovenska at home and abroad; the First Catholic Slovak Union; Society of Slovak Catholic Intellec- �155 SLOVAKIA tuals in Rome; and for a time he was a member of the Slovak National Council in Exile and of the Liberiation Oommittee. Msgr. Rekem crune to Winnipeg, Canada, in 1949, where he established a Slovak Catholic parish. With the help of his ever-faithful parishioners he built a church, a rectory and a hall in 1952, which were free of debt by 1965. Active in Canadi an public life he has long been associated with the New Canadians Council and the Citizenship Council. He served as chaplain to the Fourth Degree Assembly Tache, St. Boniface, Manitoba, in 1958. At present he is a member and a faithful friar of the Miles McDonnell Fourth Degree Assembly in Winnipeg. In Trencin he was co-editor of Trencan, 1942-1945. He contributed articles to: Slovak, Slovenska Pravda; Trencan; Misijne Hlasy; the Misijny Kalendar of the Society of the Divine Word. He was a contributor also to the periodicals: Smer; 1 Kultura; Duchovny Pastier; Katolicke Kazne; Nova Praca. In Amer- ica his works have appeared in Jednota; Zenska Jednota; Sloven- sky Katolicky Sokol; Slovak v Amerike; Slovenska Obrana; Slo-vaki a; Kalendar Jednota; Literarny Almanach; Rim; Hlasy z Rima; Ave Maria; Kanadsky Slovak; Most; etc. In Canada he wrote for the Manitoba Ensign; Western Sunday Visitor; Sunday Herald; St. Joseph's Residence News. In Winni- peg in 1949 he compiled and issued an English syndicated news and information service twice a week for the local English press. Many of his releases on the Slovaks were printed in the Ensign, Winnipeg Free Press, Winnipeg Citizen, and W i nnipeg Tribune. He is the author of twenty-five short studies on the history of Slovak cultural events of the past, and noteworthy and scholarly works depicting the evolution and growth of the Slovak language. He is a member of the Slovak Institute of Cleveland and th e Bernolak Foundation, and serves as a committee member in each. He was elevated to the rank of Monsignor on March 11, 1964 by His Holiness, Pope Paul VI and is now resident pastor of the Church of the Visitation in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. WHO'S WHO AMONG SLOVAIKiS ]N U.S.A. Rt. Rev. Msgr. Francis J. Dubosh, tion in June to September, 1916, P . A ., was born in Cleveland, Ohio, on September 27, 1890, a son of Charles and Mary Dubosh. There are no close surviving relatives, except for cousins in Cleveland, Pittsburgh, and New York. He was ordained on June 3, 1916 at St. John's Cathedral by the Most Rev. John P. Farrelly. He was in the last class to be ordained which received its complete seminary training at Old St. Mary's Seminary on 1800 Lakeside. Assignments: - From ordina- on temporary assignments; September, 1916, Assistant at St. Wendelin Parish, Cleveland, Ohio; December, 1917, Pastor, Holy Name Parish, Youngstown, Ohio; February, 1922, Pastor, Our Lady of Mercy Parish, Cleveland, 0 hi o; October, 1927, Pastor, SS. Cyril and Methodius Church, Lakewood, Ohio. Positions: - Named a Domestic Prelate with the rank of Rt. Rev. Msgr., on November 11, 1934 the first American-Slovak priest in the United States so honored; October 16, 1955, given rank of �156 SLOVAKIA Protonotary Apostolic - also the first American-Slovak Msgr. in the United States so honored; 19341938, Diocesan Prosynodal Judge; 1938 to date, Diocesan Consultor; 1952 to date, Diocesan Cemetery Board; and 1944-1951, Diocesan Buildin g Commission. Extra parochial and diocesan accomplishments:-Supreme Chaplain of the First Catholic Slovak Union (Jednota), 1932-1937 ; President of the Slovak League of America, 1943-1945; Member of Executive Board of Slovak League of America since 1945; President of the Slovak Catholic Federation of America, 1937-1938; one of the founders of: - Cleveland Slovak Radio Club, Slovak Professional and Businessmen's Association, member of Executive Committee to establish Slovak Culture Garden in Cleveland, Ohio, and instrumental in establishing SS. Cyril and Methodius Parish in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, in 1935; chairman of fund-raising committee for the establishment of Benedictine High School, Cleveland, Ohio; and worked with Catholic Resettlement Council for placing displaced persons in Diocese of Cleveland after post-war years. John Sabol is executive secretary of the First Catholic Slovak Union of the U.S.A. To Slovaks the First Catholic Slovak Union is familiarly known as "Jednota." That means union. Sabol is "Mr. Jednota" to the Jednotars. He has been executive secretary for 40 years. Previously, he served s e v e n years as supreme auditor. Said he: "This has been my career. " Sabol, son of a railroad section hand forman, was born in a shanty in Hillsboro, Pa., on part of what is now the Pennsylvania Turnpike. He received most of his schooling at Lyndora, Pa. At 15 he carried water when the Ft. Wheel Works was built. Later, he was a railroad car builder at McKees Rocks, Pa. He studied accounting at night at Duquesne University, became auditor for the society and was elected secretary in 1926. Sabol and his wife, Elizabeth, had f o u r children: Mrs. Helen Wells of Barberton, O.; Mrs. Joan Lang; Betty, deceased, and John J., a Medical Doctor. Judge John J . Sirotnak, born in Olyphant, Pa., October 12, 1901, of parents Michael and Susanna Sirotnak. Moved to Throop, Pa., in 1903, where he attended public schools and was graduated in June 1917. Worked in coal mines from 1917 to 1919. Attended Mansfield State Teachers' College, Sept. 1919, and graduated in 1921. He taught in Borough Schools of Throop 1921- 1928. Resigned as principal of the Jefferson School to enter University of Illinois in 1928, where he obtained his B. A. degree in 1930 and his Law Degree in 1932. Successfully completed Bar examination on October 24, 1932 and has practiced law in Scranton, Pa. , since. County Solicitor of Lackawanna County Institution District from 1938 to 1960, the first Slovak Attorney to be so honored. General Counsel of the First Catholic Slovak Union from 1944 to 1960. Judge Orphans' Court of Lackawanna County since June 17, 1960, Wife: Susan. Sons: Joseph and John, Medical Doctor and Attorney-at-Law. Member of Executive Committee of the Slovak League of America for several years. �157 SLOVAKIA 'DHE SLOVAK INSTITUTE ]N OI.,EVEILAIN1D, OHIO A cultural society, known as ibhe Slovruk Institute, was foll'l1ded an Ma:roh 4, 1952. Oha,rter memibers of the organization ,w ere: Rt. Rev. Abbot 'Dheodore G. Kojis, O.S.B., iPres,ident, Rev. Mrkulas Sprilil'c, !Rev. Andrej Pir, O.S.iB. , Dr. Fra,ncis Hriusovsky, Dr. Jozef Oindk, and Karol Strmen. The ,President named iDr. Hvusovsky, eminent Slovaik historian, as tJhe fiTst DiTector of the Institute. One of the first duties of tihe .:Institute was ito assume care of tJhe Slovak lilbrary anid museum estalblished at St. Andrew's AJbbey by the coordinated eflforts of the Matica Sioveniska, w'hich donll!ted 1.hrundreds of invaJluable hodkis to the Clevela,nd Slova:ks dUTing the ,M. S. delegation'1s visit to the United States in 1935, and 1:Jhe Slovaik League of Ameriica, which founded 1:Jhe obeginnin1gs of the &lova:k Museum at the Abbey in the Spring of 1943. Besides f'l.Ulfilling its rp rimary function of be1ng a centre of cultural endeavO'I'S for the :Silovalks in America, and t>he free world, the Slovalk Institute ihiais not onily preserved many SlovaJk 'books in i1Js ,Iilbrary but has pulJliShed a 'OJU1JI1iber of wo11k's of its own, notably, tlhe !history of Slovaik Religious institutions in America lb y the laite Dr. Francis Hrusovsky (died on Sept. 9, 1956). In Rome an affiliate of 1:Jhe Slovaik Inis titute wais established a num1ber of yearis ago. lbs main punpose is to sponsor religious a,nd cultura:l ipulblicaitionrs in the free world. The Roman tbranoh of the origin8.!l Olev~land foundation maintains olose contruct wiitJh the American parent orgainization which was ori ginally est8.!blished to carry on bhe work of the Slovaik naition's Matica Slovenska tlhait was swppr~ssed by the communist regime in tlhe ,postwar era. Another ibrancih of t h e Institute is in MuniC'h, Ge11many. Perhrups the most rpopuilar work of tJhe Slovak lnstitwte was the 1publitc1ation of a detailed mrurp of Slovrukia under the direction ()(f Dr. Hrusovsky. Mem1bershilp in the Slovark Institute reaiohes around the world, for leaiding Sfovalk writers and poets, as well. as cultural wor.kers, have been enrolled in this unique American association for tihe Slovarks in the free wonM. A:11 iing,uiries rubout Slovark history and culbure are to be arddressed to: Slovark Institute, 2900 Eia'St Boulevard, Cleveland, Ohio. 1 �158 SLOVAKIA The Slovak League of America - is an AMERICAN INSTITUTION; it was organized May 26, 1907, at Cleveland, 0., by the Rev. Stephen Furdek; is a CULTURAL and CIVIC organi2:ation of Americans of Slovak descent; is interested primarily in promoting the welfare and security of the United States of America; represents an overwhelming majority of organized Americans of Slovak descent; actively affiliated with it are the largest Slovak fraternals, religious organizations, Slovak Clubs and Slovak civic organizations in the United States; is dedicated to American Democracy, the American way of life, and encourages Americans of Slovak descent to be loyal and alert citizens of America; it urges and aids Slovak emigrants to become U. S. citizens by publishing appropriate manuals and brochures in Slovak and English; is dedicated to works of charity, materially and morally aids Slovaks, here and abroad, who may be in need of such aid; it supports the American Red Cross, United Fund Campaigns and other American charitable projects; wants to help Americans of Slovak descent in American political life, in business or professions, in social standing, and along educational lines; through its Ladies Auxiliary, the "VCIELKY" (Bees) , sponsors Slovak cultural displays, concerts, lectures, art exhibits, folk festivals, social evenings, etc. Our aim is to have a "Hive" of our "Vcielky" in every large Slovak community; promotes a better understanding and appreciation of the Slovak nation, its history, culture, traditions, achievements and its long, hard struggle for freedom and independence; firmly believes in the American principle of self-determination of all nations, the inherent and God-given right of every nation, whether large or small, to freedom and independence, the right of every nation to freely choose its own form of government and freely elect persons of its own choice by whom it shall be governed; �SLOVAKIA - 159 condemns and unequivocally opposes all forms of tyranny, every form of totalitarian political system. The Slovak League of America has always recognized the Godless philosophy of materialistic Communism for the dread evil and conspiracy against free humanity that it is, as the political system which threatens mankind with utter enslavement and, therefore, has fought resolutely against it in and out of season and, today, is still determined to fight against it with all the means at its command until the dread plague of Communism is wiped off the face of the earth. firmly believes that the national existence and welfare of the Slovak nation can best be safeguarded by the Slovaks themselves in their own independent Slovak Republic; as a Christian and democratic organization, is resolutely against the domination and exploitation of the Slovak nation by any other nation or political state; the Slovaks did not want to be ruled over by the Magyars and, today, do not want to be subservient to the Czech nation ; heartily commends all efforts of our governmental and other organs to ferret out and unmask all Communists and fellow travellers, as well as all persons and or ganizations who wittingly or unwittingly give aid and comfort to the conspiracy of Communism promoted by t he Soviet Union; stands for :honesty, integrity, industry and justice in government. Join the Local Assembly in your town or contact the Secretary of the Slovak League. Membership dues are only $1.50 per year. Gentlemen : I ----------------- - -------------------- ------Address --------------------- - ----------- - ----Town ----------------------- - ---------- -- ----Desire to join SLOVAK LEAGUE OF AMERICA Endosed find check $---------- �]60 SLOVAKIA Contents The Slovak Language and its Place Among the Slavic Languages - J. M. Kirschbaum - 1 Father of American Slovaks - Sister M. Martina Tybor, 25 SS.C.M. - James J. Zatko, Ph.D. - Slovaks in the U.S. A. - 41 American Slovaks and the Beginning of Czecho-Slovakia - Joseph Pauco, Ph.D. - 63 Joseph R. Kristofik - The Slovak Image - 76 " Sons of Hunkies: Men with a Past?"-Victor R. Greene A Glimpse of Gothic Slovakia Heroic Slovak Bishop - O.F.M. - Tino Berko - Mikula, B.A. - Victim of Communism - Suzanna Dr. John Rekem - 124 Current Issues As Others See It - Contributors - T. J. Zubek, 104 Martin Szentivanyi, S.J. - Book Reviews - 87 99 Eudovit Stur and the Panslavic Movement - 138 142 149 Who's Who Among Slovaks in U. S. A. The Slovak Institute in Cleveland, Ohio The Slovak League of America - 158 155 157 80 116 �PRI NTI D IN U.S. A. JIDN OTA PlllN TER Y, MID DLli TOW N, PA. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource 1966, Vol. 16 Description An account of the resource Vol. 16 (No. 39), 1966. Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available The Slovak League of America Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1966 Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document 124 SLOVAKIA CURRENT ISSUES ADDRESS of the Honorable Michael A. Feighan, United States Representative, Before the Slovak League of Ameri ca, Voyager Motel In n, Youngstown, Ohio, Sunday, May 15, 1966 I have been priviledged many times over the past decades to speak about the history of the Slovak people; to speak about the true facts behind your struggles for independence; and to speak about the present determination of Slovaks all over the world to return freedom and independence once again to their native land. My long interest in, and association with, the inspirations and the aspirations of the Slovak people has brought me to appreciate, and to respect, not only the individual Slovak, but the efforts of such organizations as represented in Slovak League of America. The Slovak,s are a people who have made a continuous struggle for national independence for over unremitting and From the Brother Saints, Cyril and Meyears. thousand one Andrew Hlinka and General Monsignor through thodius, Stefanik, the Slovak history is replete with patriots unswerving in their dedication to God, to freedom and to individual liberty. The Slovaks are a people who are more than one hundred years into the second millenium of Christianity in Slovakia. The Slovaks are a people who, even after more than one thousand years of domination, have not lost their language, their national identity, or their determination for independence; an independence which in this century, was born of democratic principles, weaned all too prematurely by the r avages of war, and all but destroyed by the tyranny of Russian Communism. Slovaks know as well as anyone else the path from freedom to oppression, the path from an independent to a captive nation, and the path from a native people to an exiled people - exiled by communist design from their own country and its inherent rights to freedom. But at the same time, they know that these paths need SLOVAKIA 125 not be irreversible. They know that the spirit of resistance to tyranny never dies. They know that dedication to freedom and justice is unfettered by geographical boundaries, national origin, race, creed, or circumstance. And it is their knowledge and faith in these ideals which has given the Slovak people the determination never to give up in their goals - as is so aptly proved by the fact that the Slovaks today continue to oppose collectivization more effectively than anyone else in the communist orbit. In this universality of conviction the Slovak League of America is strong and unyielding. And so it is today that I want especially to commend the Slovaks for their efforts to promote dedicated citizenship and to build protectors of American democracy ; for their service to this great country rin public and in private life ; for their works of charity; and for their undiminished opposition to all forms of tyranny in the world. As a large Slovak civic and cultural organization in America the Slovak League can be proud of the spiritual, cultural, social, and charitable contributions it has made to the building of our great nation. The nationally known home for orphans in Middletown, Pennsylvania stands as a tribute to the work of the First Catholic Slovak Union. Homes for the aged in various parts of the country, such as the beautiful home at Beachwood, Ohio, which is a tribute to the work of the First Catholic Slovak Ladies' Union. The internationally famous , Saints Cyril and Methodius Institute at Rome, Italy was made possible by the combined efforts of all Slovak Catholic organizations and parishes throughout the country. Bishop Andrew Grutka with the able assistance of Right Reverend Theodore Kojis and all the clergy of Slovak parishes provided inspiring leadership to create this spiritual center for the preservation of the true Slovak spirit. Churches, elementary schools, convents and high schools, too numerous to recall are future monuments to the faith of Slovaks in America. Within the past year a magnificent chapel to Our Lady of Sorrows - Patron saint of Slovakia - was dedicated in the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, in our 126 SLOVAKIA nation's capital. This stands as still another great achievement by the First Catholic Slovak Union. American Slovaks have not ignored the plights of others, but have provided a forum to urge the cause of self-determination for all peoples. Every nation has the right to chart its own destiny through self-determination. This is among the most basic American beliefs. Just as the Slovak people hav•e a dedication to the universal principles of freedom and justice - not limited just to their now oppressed native land - so I and our United States of America have a similar dedication to these same universal principles. To this end I recently introduced a resolution on the floor of the United States House of Representatives calling for the establishment of a seven member House Select Committee on Basic Human Rights and Peaceful World Order. It is all too clear that the official and organized denial of basic human rights and freedom by any government to peoples under its control creates international tensions which can prevent the development of a peaceful world order. Such suppression of national and individual identity is tied hand-in-hand with Russian imperialism, and is a matter of official policy aga,inst the many nations federated by force to the Soviet Union. Of all people, we know, that the spread of this doctrine to other lands beyond the Soviet Union has already begun, and unless it is checked, and reversed, it can well plunge the world into a holocaust. I am confident that if and when this select committee ,is established by Congress, it will provide yet another public forum to develop public opinion on an international scale that these vital issues deserve. Such a public forum will complement and up-date such work as that of the Select Committee to investigate communist aggression of the 83rd Congress, and of which I was privileged to be a member. This committee was able to document and to underscore for all the world to see, such tragic stories as the loss of Slovakia's national independence following World War II and its enslavement by imperial Russia. And such a public forum will also complement the contmued work of the Slovak League of America both here and abroad. While the evil hand of Russian Communism continues its attempts to destroy the very spirit of Saints Cyril and Methodius and to reduce the Slovak people to a state of SLOVAKIA 127 complete servility, the Slovak people refuse to surr,ender that which, over a thousand years, they have continued to fight for - their spirit of independence, of justice and of freedom. To help this spirit in Slovakia, I am also directing my efforts not only just toward expanding the public forum against communistic tyranny, but also toward expanding the coverage of the Voice of America broadcasts in news and information to the Slovaks living under this communist tyranny. It is my hope to see a Slovak desk established in the Voice of America and to thus improve and increase the effectiveness of this communication behind the Iron Curtain. I hav,e been working toward that goal for some years and will not cease my efforts until it is won. In this way, we as a nation can more effectively demonstrate our encouragement and support for the Slovaks now living under virtual foreign occupation in their native land. For I am convinced that one of the best ways to demonstrate friendship for the people of any foreign country is to speak to them in their own language, to recognize their cultural values and to encourage them in their just aspirations for self-government. The God-fearing people of the free world will not fail in this our struggle to preserve human freedom and to erase despotic slavery. We shall not fail in restoring individual liberty and self-determination to a peaceful world. We shall not fail for we shall not falter in our efforts until our goals are won - and so long as a Slovak is alive anywhere in the world, I know that the spirit of Saints Cyril and Methodius shall prevail. To this I add my personal conviction that as the free world approaches these goals, the Slovak nation will once again join the independent and free nations of the world. SIWVAKS HAVE HIGH More than 70 languages are listDEJGREE IN EDUCATION ed. The fi "ures range all the way A 38-page report on the mother tongue of the 9,738,155 persons listed as foreign born in the 1960 Census has just been published by the U.S. Bureau of the Census. The study is based on a question as to what language was spoken in his home before an immigrant came to the United States. from 16 persons whose mother tongue was Tibetan to over a million persons each for those reporting English, German or Italian. A breakdown on the basis of the areas within the United States shows that nearly half of the total foreign born here reside in the northeast part of the country, SLOVAKIA 128 nearly a 1/4 in the north central states, 10% in the south and 20 % in the west. Other tables show age and the number of years in school for different groups. Schooling completed by the foreign born shows that the English speaking and Japanese had the highest degree of education with an average of about 10 years of school for each. Scandinavian and German along with Chinese, Rumanian , SLOVAK, Yiddish and Arabic all range in the eight year category. While essentiall y statistical , the Report contains valuable information for those interested iFI or working with nationalit y or ethnic groups. It is on sale by the Superintendent of Documen ts, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402, for 35 cents a copy. - American Council for Nationalities Service Release. NATION .ALISiM To many people, here in the United States, Nationali sm is an ugly word. These people are either ashamed of their national origin or ridicule others for trying to retain the language , customs and traditions that were brought to this country by their forefathe rs. It is true that there are many people today, who can not honestly claim one national origin or the other. Because the marriages of their ancestors were between many different nationalit ies, they may be a mixture of four, five, six, or more nationalit ies and can not truly say they are one or the other. Of these people I do not speak, but in some cases these same persons will not be tolerant of another who knows his national origin and is proud of it. The percentag e of people who have come here to the United States and know what their national origin is, but deny it, is very small. However the children of these people are the main offend- ers, by not taking pride in their nationalit y. As an example, I would like to take the Slovak people. When the Slovak people first started to come to the United States, they were at a disadvant age because they did not know English like some of the other people who migrated here from other European countries which were English speaking. Because of this they found it hard to secure jobs and places to live. At that time there was no television or radio to cover the persecuti on these people endured, both mental and physical. They did not have any organizat ions boycottin g or protesting for them. These people proved themselve s in their place of employm ent by their ability to work and produce. They rented apartmen ts, kept a clean house, spent their money wisely and supported their church. Their accomplishments are many but unsung, because Slovakia and its' people was not well known because it was and still is a nation that is living under foreign rule and tyranny. I have had the experienc e of meeting many young people with Slovak names. Some are college students, ordinary workers and people in profession s. They say "My parents are Slovak or my father is Slovak, but I am an American, not a Slovak." Another excuse for denying their origin is that they say being called a Slovak is putting them in a "ghetto". These and other excuses are all meaningle ss. America is a land made up of many nationalit ies, so in order to be a good American you must be proud of your nationality which helped to build this country. The real American s are the American Indians and there is even doubt as to where they migrated from. The term "ghetto" has been misused in recent years and now is a good excuse for those who are ashamed of their nationality. The term is really being used by those who are too lazy to im- 129 SLOVAKIA prove their own conditions where they now live, and then, try to move elsewhere. Being proud of your Slovak customs, folksongs, language, newspapers, etc., is not to be classified as being in a "ghetto". Rather, it is being a good American in the true sense of the word. The meals, customs, and culture of many lands have gone into making America great. Why shouldn't the Slovaks, who have contributed a lot to America, and continue to do so be proud of themselves. Other groups have their parades and celebrate their saints and hero days'. They are not ashamed to say "I am Irish, Italian or other." Why then are some of the Slovak People tongue-tied, so that they flounder around for every excuse, rather than saying with pride and dignity, "I am an American Slovak!!" We are not trying to prove that we are better than anyone else, but it is about time that some people recognize the fact that we are just as good as another and there is nothing to be ashamed of. If you are weak kneed and ashamed because some donkey is ignorant enough to ridicule you, then you aren't worth much as a Slovak or an American. My father told me that his brother, my late uncle, Rev. John Kuba~ek, pastor of Most Holy Trinity Church in Yonkers, used to say this about those who were ashamed of being known as a Slovak, "It's a poor bird who dirtys his own nest." Think about this and you will see its meaning. The parents of those attending our Slovak schools should insist that Slovak be taught and taught well enough so that the pupil can carry on a conversation by the time he finishes eighth grade. In too many cases our Slovak people give in to the non-Slovaks of the parish , who voice their objections to this. This is a good case where we can be strong. It was our an- cestors hard earned money that built these schools. I am sure that if the diocese ruled that every pupil had to learn Spanish or French, e very o n e would jump. Let's jump and make sure our children in Slovak schools learn to SPEAK Slovak and not just memorize a few words. All of the above ties into our hope that someday Slovakia will be free . When this happens there will be many Slovaks who will come to this country. Will they have to go through the sarrie hardships that the early Slovak immigrants did? What is worse yet, will they have to suffer because their own Slovak brethren here in the United States are too lazy to teach and learn the Slovak language and keep up the customs? If for no other reason, this should be a motive for us to keep our spirit alive, so that we may help our people when the time comes to adjust to the United States and find employment and housing. This can only be done by waking up now. Let's not commit national suicide!! Steve Kubasek, Jr. St. Procopius College Lisle, Illinois Ll!MITED GAINS SOORED IN RENEWED DRINE FOR SLOVAK INDEJPENiDENCE Slovak national aspirations have been staging a come-back in the <".:SSR. This upsurge is not the work of individual writers. It is now supported by higher ranking party functionaries. The impetus for vocalizing these strivings which aim at complete equality with the Czechs, was the 150th birthday of :Cudovit Stur, a man honored in his native land not only as an opponent of Hungarian supremacy but as the father of the Slovak literary language, consummation of which made the separat- 130 SLOVAKIA ion of the Slovaks from the Czechs complete. For the first time well-known personalities like the former land governor Gustav Husak (sentenced to life imprisonment in 1954 as a "bourgeois nationalist" but rehabilitated in 1962) and the historian Daniel Rapant, publicly presented theses condemning the ideas of Marx and Engels from 1848 although these opinions of the fathers of socialism have actually been tabu thus far in all Communist countries. Husak, to whom the Prague government had several times offered a ministerial post in recent years, now accused Marx of having assumed a position of Hungarian nationalism and - without any more profound knowledge of the revolution of 1848 - of having developed an anti-Slovak attitude in which his "German arrogance" was a determining factor. Apart from Prague's and Moscow's still expected reply, Budapest will also have something to say, inasmuch as Rapant described the Kossuth revolution as "tyranny, and not a struggle for internationalism and emancipation". The various articles in Slovak newspapers commemorating Stur ended with the unequivocal demand for genuine equality of the Slovaks with the Czechs. The writer, Vladimir Minac, expressed the thought that if Czech-Slovak coexistence were considered historically necessary, the fate of both peoples must be seen in its "truly dramatic form". Husak even went so far as to call for the creation of state institutions designed to protect the Slovaks - who make up but one-third of the entire population - against "oppression by the privileged and hegemonist nation". About a month after the Stur jubilee the effects of Slovak unrest began to be noticeable. The Prague parliament approved a re- solution providing for the Slovak National Council in Bratislava " in cooperation with the other parliamentary bodies" to concentrate their efforts on increasing Slovak participation in the overall development of the CSSR. Although the Czechs could not bring themselves to empower the Slovak National Council with the competency it once held, they did concede to a certain amount of codetermination of the Slovaks on all-state level. It is to be realized by establishing closer contact in the future between the committees of the Prague National Assembly and the Bratislava National Council. The Slovak land governor, Michal Chudik, in a frank talk before the Prague parliament, pointed out that there were people among the Czechs who saw in the Slovak National Council only a " binding link" betweeen Prague and Bratislava that simply complicated the situation, while among the Slovaks, he claimed, there were trends toward a federalization of the CSSR. Although allying himself with neither of these trends, Chudik obviously felt the centralistic threat emanating from Prague to be the greater danger. This feeling prompted him to say to the Czech side that the Slovak National Council would henceforth appear as the representative of the "Slovak people's independence" and perform within Slovakia the functions of an all-state administrative body. Chudik's criticism that the National Council had so far not succeeded in fulfilling its "norm-establishing" function, was recently supported by an almost revolutionary move on the part of the Slovaks. The juridicial commission of the Bratislava National Council drafted a law proposing the introduction of so-called cooperative apartments. To date there has been SLOVAKIA only home construction of the state and cooperative type, or building permits for single family houses with limited dwelling space. This new measure would allow ownership of dwellings even in buildings housing several families. They are designed for later sale, including right to inheritance or other type legal transfer to others for tenancy. There would also be opportunity for older dwellings to pass into private ownership. w. o. A STUDY OF ~HiE COMMUNIST PARTY By the end of the war, the Soviet Union and its Communist allies had gained virtually de facto control of Czechoslovakia. The Soviet armies conquered Slovakia (and as in the case of Poland refused to give military aid to an uprising of anti-German Slovak citizens) ; by Allied agreement the Soviets were permitted to liberate Prague; and they annexed SubCarpathian Ruthenia to the Soviet Union, an act formalized in June 1945. Communist-dominated People's Committees controlled the borderlands, and in the interior Communists had more than their share of power in the Committees' apparatus. According to SetonWatson, "The Communist Party could have seized complete power in 1945 had it so wished. It deliberately chose not to do so." In May 1945, Benes and the London Government-in-exile returned to Czechoslovakia, but stopping first at Moscow where further concessions were made to the Czechoslovak Communists whereby they were given key posts in the government. According to Prof. Curt Beck, a specialist on Czechoslovak affairs, these concessions were partly due to the realization that the Allies had already decided that Czechoslovakia would be in the Soviet military zone. 131 Agreements reached by Benes and the Communists in discussions during 1943 and 1945 formed the basis for the Kosice Program, ostensibly an agreement among members of the National Front coalition on polices to be adopted by the new postwar Czechoslovak Government. The most important features of the agreement were the creation of a National Front Coalition government and the formation of People's Committees that were to assume local and regional administrative responsibilities and functions . The Kosice program, proclaimed by the new Czechoslovak Government on March 22, 1945, restored the republic. On April 4, 1945, Benes, as President, named a new government headed by the left-wing Social Democrat Zdenek Fierlinger. The National Front which formed the government was a coalition of independent parties, consisting of the Czechoslovak Communist Parties, the Social Democrats, the National Socialists, the People's Party (Catholic) and the Slovak Democratic Party. Communists held 8 cabinet posts in the new government among which were the important Ministry of Interior (giving them control of the nation's police and security forces ), the Ministry of Agriculture, and the Ministries of Education and Information. In addition to their strength in the cabinet, the Communists controlled the People's Committees; General Ludwig Svoboda, trained in the Soviet Union, led the Army as Minister of Defense; the General Staff and its Intelligence Department were a Communist stronghold ; and in the border regions especially in areas from where the Germans had been expelled, the Communists, as Seton-Watson wrote, created "a party state within the state." According to Professor Beck, by 1947 Communists held 57 percent 132 SLOVAKIA of the chairmanships of local People's Committees, 80 percent of district People's Committees, and 100 percent of Provincial People's Committees. - Committee on the Judiciary, United States Senate, Washington, D.C., 1966. sr...ovA!K LANGUAGE LABORATORY OOUR'SE A modern language course, Slovak Language Laboratory Course, by an illustrious member of the Slovak Franciscan Order and a recognized professor of languages, Fr. Bonaventure S. Bue, O.F.M., Ph. D., is in the process of being published. This Slovak Language Course is patterned according to the modern language series of other languages prepared by Georgetown University. When put into book form it will be on par with the most modern method of teaching a language. For laboratory work, the lessons have already been correlated on tapes and can be purchased from the Slovak Franciscans, 232 South Home Ave., Pittsburgh, Pa., 15202. The 40 minute tapes of 12 lessons can be used on a tape recorder or in a language laboratory. The complete set costs $30.00. Dr. Bue, a man of many talents, has taught Slovak, French, German, and Russian in schools and colleges in Europe, Canada, and the United States. He is also the author of several books. With the Franciscan Order, he taught in Malacky, Slovakia, and received his Ph. D. from the University of Bratislava. He also studied in Munich and Cologne in Germany, and in Paris, France. He held various posts in Canada and the United States and also taught at Duquesne University and Notre Dame High School, Easton, Pa. In 1957, Dr. Bue received a Master's Degree in Political Science at the University of Pittsburgh and wrote as his thesis Slovak Nationalism. It was published by Slovak League of America in 1960. He was working extensively on the contributions Msgr. Andrew Hlinka and Msgr. Joseph Tiso made to the Slovak nation at the time of his death on April 22, 1966. Fr. Bue was not only the pastor of St. Rita's Church in Buffalo, N. Y., but found time to teach Russian at the Calasanctius College Preparatory School. His "Slovak Language Laboratory Course" will be a monument to his greatness. J.C. K. YOU'DH OONFERENCE OF THE SLOVAK LffiAGUE OF AMERICA As a representative of St. Cyril Academy for Girls, Danville, Pa., I was privileged to attend the 40th Congress of the Slovak League of America in Youngstown, Ohio, in May of 1966. The primary reason for my presence at the Congress was to participate in the Youth Conference. Previous to the conference, I was very curious just what would be on the agenda and how many socalled youths would be present. Since I was a new-comer at these affairs in connection with the Slovak League, I thought I would be a 99 % observer, but my estimated statistics had a change of course. The moderator of the Conference was Dr. Peter Hletko of Chicago, Ill., the Honorary President of the League and a recognized American-Slovak leader, whom I had met previously. Attorney Edward Behuncik, Vice President of the League from Bridgeport, Conn., prefaced the discussion with an excellent presentation on the background of the Slovaks as a whole, and their marked status and contribution to the American character. He had a wealth of reference material which he used SLOVAKIA in his presentation and the noteworthy thing was that his sources were all other than Slovak. A question and answer period followed the initial presentation and there were many interesting topics discussed. The one question that interested me most was, "What is the difference between the Slovaks and Czechs and why don't they just conceive the idea of a Czechoslovak nationality and state?" I must admit I felt and wanted to answer the question myself since at the Academy I had learned the answers through my courses on Slovak history. I knew the many struggles and tribulations of the Slovak people for over eleven centuries and their guest for independence and a position of honor in the family of nations. I knew of their few moments of freedom and what it has meant to them. However, wise and logical answers came swiftly from the members of the panel. Attorney Behuncik was first in line to state various facts and figures from a wide range of books and writers, other than Slovak, that substantiated the Slovak's claim and cause. Fr. Andrew Pier, O.S.B., a prolific writer in this field, spoke in defense of the human rights of the Slovaks. And, the Rt. Rev. Abbot Theodore Kojis, O.S.B., Abbot of St. Andrew's Abbey, Cleveland, Ohio, concluded the responses and put a 'clincher' on the topic that was being discussed. The one who asked the question responded, "I certainly did not know all these points and I must say that I will leave this conference with a different impression and much more informed. " Truth prevailed! Before the Conference had terminated , Dr. Hletko asked if I would comment on how the youth could become more interested and participate in different activities 133 concerning the Slovaks. My response was that the initial promotion of interest must come from the home-the parents must be the ones to talk about their great heritage; they should speak the language more if possible; encourage reading the Slovak newspapers and periodicals; participate in Slovak affairs; continue practicing and cherishing the many Slovak customs ; and most of all, be proud of our ethnic identity. I then continued and mentioned my background which is a loyal Slovak one attributed to my parents. My attitude has been moulded toward the Slovak people-their language, culture, their religious, social, civic, and fraternal activities-as being one of honor and sincere dedication. Concerning my knowledge of the Slovaks, I could not help but mention St. Cyril Academy. I was just finishing my second year of the four-year course in Slovak offered by the Academy. We are not only taught the Slovak language, but we are exposed to and learn Slovak history, culture, and traditions. The famous men in Slovak history are familiar to me like Samo, Rastislav, Svatopluk, SS. Cyril and Methodius, Bernolak, Stur, Hlinka , Furdek, Murgas, Jankola, Tiso, Sidor, and a host of others. I already have experienced the fact that some of the girls who are taking Slovak at St. Cyril's are of non-Slovak families . They want to learn the language and the history because they know they will not have the opportunity at other institutions. These students, indeed, are aware of the potential in the Slovak language and culture. In summation, I repeat that in order to get the youth interested, the parents must set the example as they do for anything else that must be developed in the home. Only there can the love and in- 134 SLOVAKIA terest in the Slovak heritage begin to flourish. My attendance at the Youth Conference of the 40th Congress of the Slovak League of America was very beneficial. In my heart I wished that every youth could have witnessed and taken part in the educational session. This experience was truly one that I will never forget. - Maryagnes Krajsa, '68 St. Cyril Academy, Danville, Pennsylvania. " ... BY THEIR FRUITS YE SHA!LL KNOW THEM." In the Gospel according to St. Matthew we find the words of Our Lord, " ... by their fruit ye shall know them" (7:20). These words summarize a scientific truth. They express a Law that is evidenced in the lives of men and in the lives of nations. A nation is a group of men of psychological affinity, sharing a common heritage and common aspirations. When a nation represents a unity of men under God, to the detriment of no man, it is a vehicle for good. But when a nation covets that which belongs to its neighbors, rejecting the positive teachings of Christ, it becomes a negative vehicle with atrophy of its moral fibre as an inevitable consequence. This consequence is seen clearly by scientific observation, through objective examination of results. An illustration is provided by comparing two neighboring nations in Europe, the Czech and the Slovak. The majority of the Czechs are nominally Catholic. The Slovaks are predominantly, and devotedly, Catholic. No criticism of the Mother Church is intended by this comparison, nor is it for us to judge any man. A comparison of the moral situation in the two nations is the sole intent. The Czechs have developed an overhelming, almost psychotic, de- sire to not only dominate the Slovaks but to absorb them within an artificial entity they call "Czechoslovakia". A "Czechoslovak" nation never existed in the past, does not exist in the present, and cannot be imposed in the future. The Czechs and the Slovaks each have a different heritage and different aspirations. The Slovaks, the challenged, have maintained their faith while defending their identity. The Czechs, as the challengers, have sunk into a spiritual vacuum. In Slovakia the Church has maintained its life, even, where necessary, underground. As in the days of the catacombs, priests are ordained and bishops are consecrated, unknown to the eyes of the new Communist Caesars but known to the Omniscient eye of God. Bishop Paul Hnilica, S.J., is but one example of many Slovak shepherds who have been daily showing the devotion of the earliest disciples of Our Savior. Performing their pastoral duties at the greatest of personal risk and with the greatest of personal sacrifice, the Slovak clergy are fulfilling the Word of Christ, inspiring the Slovak people to meet the challenge which faces them. Through the example set by the Catholic majority in Slovakia the Protesttant Slovak community has also risen to the challenge, :as they share the devotion to the Slovak national heritage and to the Slovak n a ti o n a 1 aspirations. Such spiritual leaders as Bishop Hnilica transcend denominational boundaries. He is a spiritual leader in Christ for Catholic and Protestant Slovaks alike, representing true ecumenical spirit. U n f o rt u n a t e 1 y, among the Czechs one looks for this moral strength in vain. Due to their psychological obsession of attempting to destroy the Slovak national identity they have developed almost a castration complex concerning their own national herit- SLOVAKIA age. This psychological sickness is a negation of Christianity. It has afflicted Czech Catholics and Protestants alike. Some symptoms of the illness are seen in the words and deeds of Josef Cardinal Ber an, the Czech Archbishop of Prague. Cardinal Beran calls himself a "Czechoslovak", but the Cat ho 1 i c Church in Slovakia was never, and is not now, in any way under the ecclesiastical jurisdiction of Prague. The Slovak Protestants have also rejected any administrative claims of Czech Protestants over their communities. Cardinal Beran and some of his Czech Catholic colleagues, with a number of Czech Protestant clergymen being equally cu 1 pa b 1 e, have chosen to give away their Czech national heritage in exchange for the pottage of unchristian covetousness of that which belongs to their Slovak neighbor. The illness is manifested in many ways: The same Cardinal Beran once signed a declaration stating that "Under the protection of our brother nation, Russia, a happy future is being opened to all Slavs." The only freedom Communist Russia has left the Czechs is the power to enslave the Slovaks. Is that a happy future? The same Cardinal Beran justified the forced expulsion after World War II of over three million Sudeten Germans. During this f o r c e d expulsion over 400,000 men, women and children were reported killed. Can a minister of the Gospel justify such bestiality? The same Cardinal Beran gave solemn "Te Deum" services in Prague's St. Vitus Cathedral in honor of the inauguration of Communist President Gottwald at the same time that the clergy in Slovakia were under the severest of Communist persecution and the Slovak people were fighting the Communist troops with their bare hands. Is that Christian brotherhood? 135 All of these actions by Cardinal Beran exemplify a negative thinking that is multiplied a thousandfold among his fellow Czech Catholic and Protestant clergy. It has borne its fruit. Among all Czech children only 3 % are reported to have received Baptism, the first of Christian sacraments. In Slovakia, the true Christian leadership of such as Bishop Hnilica has also borne its fruit. Approximately 98 % of all Slovak children are baptized, despite the Czech Communist persecutions. These nondenominational figures serve as one among many indices of the moral situation in the two nations. When we compare the fruits of the practice of Christianity among the Slovaks with the fruits of the m e n t a l malpractice among the Czechs we see the attitudes of many individuals projected as the concensus of a larger group. It is up to each of us, as an individual, to direct his thoughts positively_ When we do not, we abdicate our futures , as individuals and as nations. The results cannot be hidden for "by their fruits ye shall know them." - The Reverend Jon P. Speller, D.D., Scientific Prayer Ministry, New York, New York. THE OHRISTIAN OHURCH IN BOHEMIA AND SLOVAKIA When the Communists came to power in Czecho-Slovakia in 1948, there were 8.75 million Roman and 300,000 Greek Catholics in a population of 12.5 million. Since then, about one million Catholics have officially left the church, but this figure gives little idea of the actual leakage which has been caused by persecution and discrimination in every degree - and by disloyalty among the ranks of the priesthood. All church property was confiscated by the state in 1948, and the 136 SLOVAKIA church is not permitted to own anything whatever. Thus, collections taken during Mass have to be handed over to the local branch of the government department for church affairs, and only a bare minimum is returned to the priest for his own requirements and for the upkeep of the church fabric. Voluntary outside contributions are not permitted. And only "reliable" priests who have sworn an oath of loyalty to the Communist state, are allowed to hold office in parishes. Outwardly speaking, such religious life as there is, is confined to the church itself; off the premises it is simply not in evidence. R e 1 i g i o u s instruction in the schools has in practice ceased in Prague and in most towns in Bohemia, and in most of the villages as well, though it survives here and there in Slovakia. But instruction outside school is forbidden and subject to severe sanctions: this throws the whole responsibility on the parents, the majority of whom are not well qualified to give their children any substantial instruction. Any attempt from any quarter to influence young people toward religion is severly frowned on and those who are suspected of such activity or of religious learning will not receive advancement. And where would the parents find books to teach their children, when there are no religious publications? Little or nothing has been published, not even missals, since 1948; what has been issued has a strongly tendentious flavor. In 1948 there were 5,779 secular priests and 1,163 priests in religious orders; now there are about 2,500 in the whole country in 1951 about 3,000 priests were held in various degrees of confinement, from labor camps to "concentration monasteries." By 1958 the number had dropped to below 500, and in 1963 the majority were released, but have to earn their living as best they can, usually in unskilled labor, and are forbidden to work as priests. Today there are still about 15 priests in prison. There are theological students in training, though their number is of course inadequate. What weighs more heavily than numbers is the quality of the future priesthood, as there is an incredible lack of modern theological works available to them. Seminarians, together with the rest of the population, are "sheltered" from all contact with contemporary thought in the Catholic Church today, and in particular have no knowledge of the deliberations of the Vatican Council. They are held back in a nineteenth century climate of thought which has no relevance to the realities of life around them. The only religious periodical available to priesthood and laity is "The Spiritual Shepherd" which an authority on Czecho-Slovak affairs describes as "a mixture of timidity and weakness, full of self-deception and delusion." The reason for this-on the face of it, extraordinary-contrast between Poland and Czecho-Slovakia, is not hard to find. Today, owing to comparative religious indifferentism of the people which is very marked in Bohemia, less so in Slovakia, the Communist regime has no need to respect public opinion. Stella Musulin, correspondent for the London Herald and the St. Louis Review POLICE SEAROH RESIDENCE OF TWO BISHOPS Police searched the residences of two bishops in Czecho-Slovakia after they had been visited by tourists from the West, but found no "subversive material", accord- SLOVAKIA ing to KNA, German Catholic news agency. The prelates are Auxiliary Bisshop Kajetan Matousek of Prague and Bishop Karel Otcenasek, apostolic administrator of Hradec Kralove, who had been released from confinement in 1963. KNA reported that all bishops who have been confined are under surveillance after their release. The news agency reported also that there are still 16 priests imprisoned in Czecho-Slovakia and that an unknown number of laymen are still in jail there because of their faith and religious activities. It was reported that 25 priests were imprisoned about six months ago. - (NCWC News Service ) HIGH TEENAGE DIVORCE According to a broadcast heard via Radio Prague, too many married couples, especially teenaged ones, are filing for divorce in Czecho-Slovakia. To stem the tide of divorce-seeking couples, a state commission has proposed establishing marriage advisory offices. The lack of savings and the scarcity of housing are given as the chief causes of early marriages ending in failure . In Prague, 28 % of all marriages end in divorce, while one in four goes on the rocks in the industrialized area of Northern Bohemia. In predominantly Catholic Slovakia, the divorce rate is less than 8% . - (NCWC New s Service) liN MiIDMORIAM Mother M . Pius, third Superior General of the Sisters of SS. Cyril and Methodius, who died on Sunday, May 15, 1966, was laid to rest in the community cemetery on Wednesday, May 18. Officiating at the funeral Mass was the Rt. Rev. Abbot Theodore 137 Kojis, O.S.B., M.A., Abbot of St. Andrew's Slovak Benedictine Abbey, Cleveland, Ohio. Mother M. Pius, during whose administration as Superior General of the Sisters of SS. Cyril and Methodius, St. Cyril Academy, Danville, Pa. was opened in 1922, passed away in her sleep on Sunday, May 15, at Maria Joseph Manor. Born in 1894 in Blakely, Pa., and b a p t i z e d in Holy Ghost Church, Olyphant, Pa., Mother M. Pius answered the call of Christ to follow Him in the religious life when she entered M a r y w o o d, Scranton, for the prescribed training. The Congregation of the Sisters of SS. Cyril and Methodius was only two years old at the time of her entrance and its pioneer Sisters received their religious training under the direction of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in Scranton. Mother M. Pius made her first profession of vows at Marywood in 1913. In the early struggling years of the Congregation, Mother M. Pius held important positions which she discharged with rare wisdom and charm. Despite her youth she was superior of the Jednota Home for orphans in Middletown in the early years when it also served as motherhouse for the Congregation. In 1922, shortly after the purchase of the Castle Grove estate in Danville, Mother M. Pius was elected third Superior General of the Congregation and served in that capacity for 12 years. That same year Villa Sacred Heart opened its doors as a boarding school for girls, known then as the First Catholic Slovak Girls High School. By 1930 it became necessary to expand. The beautiful St. 138 SLOVADA Cyril Academy on the hill was erected and its lofty tower has become a landmark in the montour area. During the administration of Mother M. Pius, St. Cyril Academy was accredited by the State Department of Education and its first commencement in 1926 were honored by the presence of five bishops, four of them from Slovakia. Meanwhile also the Congregation increased in membership and many new schools were opened. In the years that followed Mother M. Pius was principal and teacher in parish schools in New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Before her retirement last year Mother M. Pius was again superior at Jednota Home where she celebrated her Golden Jubilee in 1963. I Mother M. Pius was preceded in death by her sister, Sister M. I Philomena, who died at Jednota in 1920 and lies buried in the Community cemetery in Danville. She is mourned by three sisters, Mrs. Margaret Prokopovitsh and Cecile Yakubov, Washington, D.C. and Sister M. Constance, SS.C.M., music instructor at Andrean High School, Gary, Indiana, and many nieces and nephews. What Mother M. Pius has meant to the Sisters of SS. Cyril and Methodius is written not only in stone, but also, and more importantly, in the solid foundation of progress in the Congregation and in countless human hearts, both within the Community and without. Her deeds are recorded in history, the history of the Congregation, of the Church, and of the Slovak nation. May her great soul rest in peace. AS OTHERS SEE IT It was Monsignor Hlinka, who founded the Slovak People's Party and encouraged the Slovaks to strive for national recognition. Slovakia had long been submerged by foreign rule, but the spirit of the nation was preserved by the inspiring work of dedicated men. Monsignor Hlinka rose to prominence in Europe as a leading advocate of selfgovernment for Slovakia and all the other nations of Central-East Europe. The Wilsonian principle of self-determination provided a powerful stimulant to his work and for the cause of the Slovak people. It was in that spirit that he journied to Paris in 1919 with the hope of seeing President Wilson to plead the case of his people. While Monsignor Hlinka's hopes were not realized, his dedication and determination left an indelible mark on the life of the Slovak Congressman Michael nation. Feighan. The long-disputed Prague Pittsburgh Pact of May, 1918, which played a role in the creation of the Republic of Czechoslovakia after World War I, is no longer a political issue per se but the old hostility between Czechs and Slovaks, reflecting in part an alleged invalidation of the pact, continues under communism. The pact was agreed upon by representatives of the Slovak and Czech organizations in this country which met in the Moose Temple on Penn Avenue with T. G. Masaryk, who became the republic's first president. In the 47 years since the Czechoslovak Republic was proclaimed on Oct. 28, 1918, the Slovaks have SLOVAIIA argued consistently that the terms of the pact were never fulfilled and that they have been unequaled partners in an unhappy political marriage. Of the 14 million people in this country, the Czechs outnumber the Slovaks more than two to one. But, of course, it does the Slovaks no good to complain. For now they are melded with the Czechs in the Czechoslovak Socialist Republic, which is a communist state and a full-fledged member of the Soviet bloc. And the Reds have not the slightest concern for any agreement negotiated in capitalist Pittsburgh. - Frank Hawkins PostGazete, Pittsburgh, Nov. 6, 1965. Czechs drink beer. Slovaks drink wine. And that's one of the instances where your connoisseur touring Slovakia would say, "Viva la difference!" - John F . McLeod, The Washington Daily News, June 15, 1965. It was shocking-three border gates, fences with double barbed wire, guns, brick cubicles and women in officer's uniforms checking cars. The landscape is bleak, devoid of trees, houses, cars. Prague is a gray city. The hotel where we stayed is their pride and joy-it's like a communal concentration camp. Those who protest the war against Communism should come here, and if they find it The Slovaks historically have agreeable, let them stay. - Candy looked of any Prague government Bergen, by Hedda Hopper, Daily with fishy eyes. - Ted Princiotto , News, November 16, 1965. The Plain Dealer, Cleveland, OctAfter the aborted Hungarian ober 17, 1965. Revolution of 1956, things seem to have simmered down in Russia's Zakamenny Klin, Slovakia "You took him away from us alive satelites and one could easily get . . . you have returned him to us the impression that most of the dead. The day of reckoning will anti-Communist yen to revolt has come. Then justice shall prevail." gone. The truth is that it seems quiescent only because it hasn't These were the words of a young found an outlet with any promise "Communist" at the grave of Bish- of success. op Jan Vojtassak and proved a fitIt took years to discover in the ting and dramatic climax in the West to what degree the Poles life and death of the venerated Slo- were ready to cut loose in October, vak warrior for justice, freedom, 1956, a few days before the Hunand truth. garians made their shots heard This unexpected tribute was around the world. Czechoslovakia, heard by 10,000 of Bishop Vojtas- at the time, was supposed to be sak's fellow countrymen. The youth plotting something which misfired. was supposed to list the prelate's Much later we learn that where"crimes." as the Czechs didn't make much of The Communist regime had plan- a fuss at the time, Slovak partisans ned to make the burial service raised Cain. The nation's four milquiet and private - instead, when lions Slovaks represent about one the word got out that the Slovak third of Czechoslovakia's 12 milprelate was to be buried from his lions Slavs. Slovak partisans battled Soviet native village church, the news spread like wildfire and overnight forces near Presov. Slovak partisans fought by the more than 10,000 gathered from all sides to pay their final respects to side of the Hungarian rebels. The C om mu n i s ts suppressed a national martyr who had remained unbowed to the end. - The news of all this at the time. If and Register, October 24, 1965. when the State Department ever 140 SLOVAKIA caught up with it, U. S. spokesmen - always considerate of Red sensibilities never bothered to mention it or rub it in. - Guy Richards, New York Journal-American, July 3, 1965. Mrs. Sloboda comes from Slovakia, which is the Church's stronghold in Czecho-Slovakia and which has shown the greatest resistance to the regime. There 60 per cent of the land is still in private hands, as compared to only 10 per cent in other regions. There, too, church attendance is still strong and there is an active religious tradition. Largely agricultural and mountainous, the remoteness has been an asset to the Church. A Communist functionary from Slovakia recently admitted in despair, "In Prague, they think Catholicism is finished. But in Slovakia, we see things differently. The faith is still strong there. We have to show much more tolerance to the Church. We can't work actively against it. " "You know, " Mrs. Sloboda explained to me, with an apology to her husband, "the Slovaks are quite d i f f e r e n t from the easy-going Czechs, who would rather accommodate themselves to the status quo than get into trouble. The Slovaks are toughened by the hard life in the mountains. " " Oh, yeah," protested her husband , "but don't forget how we threw the bottle-tossing hooligans out of church last Christmas, here in Prague! " Nevertheless, even in Slovakia, interest in religion is beginning to wane, and there has been a decline in church attendance among the youth. The rapid industrialization of the area will inevitably contribute to the secularization and estrangement from a predominantly peasant-orientated Catholicism. "In every village, just as in the rest of Czecho-Slovakia," said Mrs. Sloboda, "there are loudspeakers hanging over the square which are used for p r op a g a n d a purposes." - Adolph Schalk, The Sign, Decem- ber, 1965. Grim , tough, friendless Antonin Novotny of Czecho-Slovakia, detested by many Communists and by the population at large, especially in the chronically restless Slovak region, was already a ranking Party ogre in Stalin's day. He is a prime candidate for de-Stalinization at the first wrong move. Hal Lehrman, before The Committee on the Judiciary, United States Senate, 89th Congress, 1st Session. Planned extermination is facing Slovakia and other captive nations? In Slovakia all their leaders were either hanged, imprisoned, or exiled. 85,000 Slovak citizens were placed in labor and concentration camps. 20,000 known Slovaks were deported to the Soviet Union as slaves. Over 100,000 Slovak citizens of German ancestry were expelled to the Soviet Union. Over 120,000 Slovak citizens of Hungarian ancestry were expatriated. Over 600,000 Slovaks were forced to leave Slovakia and live in Bohemia and Moravia. - Alfred Korn, Jr., President, Americans to Free Captive Nations, Inc. New York, November 27, 1965. I frequently wonder what the people of the captive nations think of what the United States contemplates on doing. Do they sometimes begin to feel that we are abandoning them and that we do not care-that we want them to be subjects of the communists. There is a very interesting aspect about the Slovaks. In 1946 when the first vote was taken in Slovakia as to what type of government they should have, up in the mountain areas and in the land of the Slovaks the vote was about 65 % against the communists. They were the only group in the whole country of Czecho-Slovakia that voted against it. So I say that today you have given voice which should SLOVAKIA be broadcast by the Voice of America. And the broadcast should be made in the Slovak language so that the Slovaks in the mountains and in the valleys will understand what is happening. We are challenged by the communists. We unhappily and unfortunately have in our midst many who say they are not a challenge to us, but the Slovaks know that they are. There is in the Old Testament in the Bible in the Book of Kings the story of the King who wanted the vineyard of one of his subjects. It is in Chapter 21 and this is how it reads: "And after these things, Naboth the Jezrahelite, who was in J ezrahel, had at that time a vineyard near the palace of Achab, the king of Samaria. And Achab the king spoke unto Naboth saying: Give me thy vineyard, that I may have me a garden of herbs, because it is near to my house, and I will give thee for it a better vineyard : or if you think it more good to thee, I will give thee the worth of it in money. And Naboth the subject said to Achab the king : The Lord forbith me that I should give the inheritance of my fathers unto thee." The Lord forbid that we should give the inheritance of our country and the United States on to the communists. And the Lord forbid the land of the Slovaks should pass unto the communists that now rule in Slovakia. - U.S. Senator Frank 141 freedom is restored to these valiant people and the other captive nations under communism. We must not only observe the historic national days on the floor of the House, but we should establish a Special Committee on Captive Nations to more forcibly bring the present plight of these unfortunate people to world attention. Another effective step the U.S. Government could take to show our interest in the Slovak people and their aspirations for freedom from communism would be lengthier and more effective broadcasts by the Voice of America which would pierce the wall of Communist propaganda and deliver the truth to the Slovak people. In recent years, Mr. Speaker, the Voice of America has cut back both its hours of broadcast in the Slovak language and the nature of these broadcasts. The VOA now has only straight news programs because of the present administration's fear of offending the Soviet Union. The Voice of America should instead be a vehicle for delivering the message of truth to the Slovak people so that they can resist the brainwashing of the constant propaganda from the tyrannical Moscow oppressors. - Edward J. Derwinski on the floor of the House of Representatives, March 14, 1966. Lausche. Mr. Speaker, today is the 27th anniversary of Slovak Independence Day, and on this historic occasion, I would like to pay tribute to the brave Slovak people who suffer today under the yoke of Communist tyranny. They are not permitted by their Red tyrants to publicly celebrate their national holiday. Therefore, we must rededicate ourselves to our efforts to see that Annual SLOVAKIA is published by the Slovak League of America, 313 Ridge Avenue, Middletown, Pennsylvania. Subscription $2.00. Editor: Dr. Joseph Pauco. 142 SLOVAXIA BOOK REVIEWS SLOVAK STUDIES III - CYRILLO-METHODIANA, Published by Slovak Institute, Rome, 1965, p. 224. The eleventh centenary of the arrival of the scholarly missionaries St. Cyril and Methodius among the Slavic tribes, called Sclavi Marahenses in Latin sources and Slovene or Sklavinoj in Eastern sources, was an occasion for Slavs to publish scores of studies in various languages. Slovaks, who claim to be among the heirs of the CyrilloMethodian tradition, were especially active on both sides of the Iron Curtain. Besides organizing huge celebrations in Rome, Canada and the U.S.A. and archeological exhibitions, Slovak scholars took part at the international Cyrillo-Methodian Conference in Salzburg, Austria, and contributed to various symposia either in Slovak or in foreign languages. The symposium under review contains contributions by Slovak scholars and writers who live in the free world. Expecting that the writings in Slovakia will necessary be subject to marxist criteria and political restriction, they undertook the task to present the Cyrillo-Methodian period to the Western scholars as they see it on the basis of Slovak pre-communist and foreign sources. The contributions written in English, French and German, deal with history (F. Hrusovsky, M. Lacko, J . Papin, A. Grebert, liturgy (M. Lacko and M. Rusnak), literature (J. M. Kirschbaum) and with the role of the CyrilloMethodian tradition in Slovak national and political life (J. M. Kirschbaum) . Since the Slovak erudities from the XVIIth century claimed great-Moravia and the activities of the scholarly missionaries for Slovaks and Moravians, the contributions in the symposium not only follow that tradition, but apparently try to substantiate the Slovak claims to the Cyrillo-Methodian heritage by compiling supporting evidence from the works of renown and less known slavists of many nations. The tendency to prove the "slovacity" of the Cyrillo-Methodian period or to defend the Slovak claims to the Great-Moravian heritage is common to all contributors to this third volume of Slovak Studies, but it is mainly the well documented account on the relations of the rulers of Great Moravia with Rome, written by the late Prof. F. Hru!iovsky, the German contribution on the ethnic composition of Great Moravia by A. Grebert and the French and English contribution by Prof. J . M. Kirschbaum on the Cyrillo-Methodian literature and tradition which may be of interest for Slavist who do not specialize in religious aspects. Contributions by Prof. M. Lacko, who is known as an expert in the Cyrillo-Methodian period and the articles by Prof. J. Papin, bishop M. Rusnak and I. Kondratovic are valuable especially from the Slovak point of view. Not all the contributions are of equal scholarly value and the volume is marked by the difficulty to edit a multi-lingual book: not only typographical errors but also linguistic deficiencies appear in the book quite frequently. This does not make, however, the volume without interest or value. Slavists might find it challenging in various aspects and by the same token worth reading. SLOVAKIA U.3 The editors as well as the Slovak Institute and those who in other ways made the publication of the volume possible, deserve recognition for not allowing pass the 11th centenary of Slovak civilization without a written document. J. P. Jan Kollar-Slovak Poet of Panslavism, J. M. Kirschbaum, LL.D., Ph.D., Published by the Slovak Institute, Cleveland, 1966, 48pp., Ed. J . B. Rudnyc'kyj , Slavistica, LVI(56). Perhaps for the first time the ideas and their practical application in the Pan Slav movement of Jan Kollar, Slovak romantic poet and political philosopher, are presented in understandable language by the prolific historical and political writer, Dr. Joseph Kirschbaum. All students of history of the Slavic nations in central, southern and eastern Europe welcome this clear-cut view and analysis of one of the most complex characters in the Pan Slav movement in the first half of the 19th century. Kollar, the celebrated poet whose 'Slavy dcera' (Daughter of Slava) sonnets made him immortal in Slavdom, for personal and unknown reasons rejected the official central Slovak literary language of Stur and wrote in his own Slovak-Czech dialect he called 'stara slovencina' (the ancient language of the Slovaks). He was, therefore, in some respects both the forerunner of the political union of the Czechs and Slovaks who formed Czecho-Slovakia in 1918 and of the futile attempts of the Czechs to fuse the Slovak language into a synthetic Czechoslovak tongue. Nevertheless, in his day he was an outspoken champion of the Slovak colony in Budapest for many years. Although at first glance, Kollar's views on Panslavism calling for unity among all Slavs may appear to be a basis for a political union of all Slavic nations, a more careful look reveals that he regarded each to be but a tribe, nevertheless an individual ethnic entity with a right to its own language, state, etc., in a family of tribes belonging to one Slav nation! As a poet (Kollar's lyric and romantic works may be criticized from many angles by the experts), he excels in idealism, which is somewhat dimmed by the stark realism and cruelty of Slava, the goddess, who from her golden throne watches demons torturing the enemies and persecutors of the Slavs . . . a la Dante's Inferno. In Canto III of his Sonnet CX, Kollar turned prophet and a mighty good one, for he predicted the expansion of the Slavs like 'a mighty flood' and foresaw the day when the language of the Slavs would be spoken by their foes, and their sciences become manifest, as also their customs, dress and music on both sides of the Seine and the Danube. In the light of current history, we cannot, of course, rejoice in the modern Soviet imperialism that has reached the acme of Slavic power and prestige but only at the price of the enslavement of hundreds of millions of Slavs and non-Slavs, alike. Even for Kollar, who voices his wish to raise from his grave to behold the glory of the Slavs, the present would not be a glorious experience for the Slovak poet who envisioned a far different emergence of the Slavs would have sorrow and regret, not joy, in his heart were he a witness of the sad fate of Slavic nations today. 144 SLOVAKIA Dr. Kirschbaum shows that Kollar's Panslavism was hailed by the Russians, Czechs, Slovaks and the southern Slavs but was not at all acceptable to the Poles or Ukrainians who saw in it a form of Panrussianism . . . and as it has developed, they were right in their suspicions. On the national level, Kollar, writes Dr. Kirschbaum, played an important role in Slovak national revival by his linguistic theories, his poetry, publication of Slovak songs and his ideals of freedom. Undoubtedly, Jan Kollar will be the subject of many studies on the question of his political and linguistic theories, but despite efforts to make him a Czech poet because he wrote in his own pre-fabricated 'stara slovencina' medium which was his own personal invention in an attempt to arrive at a common language, and in spite of his rejection of Stu.r's central Slovak that was destined to become the official language of the Slovak nation, he was a Slovak poet in his own right. If his image as a Slovak poet is not altogether in focus, it is both because he moved in so many directions at one and the same time so that his picture is somewhat distorted, and the disturbing circumstances of his time, his condition, etc. At best, he was an erratic genius, and therefore, very difficult, if not impossible, to fully understand and appreciate. Nevertheless, his stature as a great Slovak poet continues to remain unimpaired. A. P. Frantisek Vnuk, Sedemnast' neurodnych rokov - Nacrt dejin slovenskej literatury v rokoch 1945-62, (Seventeen barren years -A Survey of Slovak Literature 1945-1962), Published by Slovak v Amerike, Middletown, Pa., 1965, p. 304, English summary. Slavists at various universities in the free world will receive in the present volume a first concise look at the postwar Slovak literature, and since there has been nothing published on the subject in English except a few articles in Slavic Studies and the anthology Linden Tree , which is in many ways a biased and unobjective presentation, the volume is longtime overdue. The English summary will make the book accessible also to those who do not read Slovak, which makes it even more welcome. The Slovak part of the book contains a rich source of information and remarkably well written aesthetic judgments on the literary value and ideological regimentation of the Slovak literature since the end of the Second World War. Vnuk places the works of Slovak poets and writers into the context of Slovakia's post-war upheavals, unprecedented persecutions for ideological deviations, censorship and social changes, and measures them against the moral and intellectual duties toward the Slovak people among whom writers and poets were always fighting for justice and national goals. The method used by the author does not follow the usual detached and impersonal ways of literary history and criticism, but it does not make this book less valuable for scholars or anyone interested in Slovak literature under Communism. On the contrary. The book presents a fresh, well written, scholarly sound and sincere look at the literary works and their authors and it is understandable that he condemned his country's deceit and desertion by her poets and writers who were always looked upon as intellectual leaders. 145 SLOVAKIA The seventeen barren years, as the author calls the post-war period in Slovak literature, are divided into four parts: The period of struggles (1945-1948), the period of the victory of socialism (19491951), the period of schematism and dogmatism , and the period of lost years (1956-1962) , In each of these periods Slovak literature was at the mercy of political commissars, who silenced the best writers and dictated literary subjects and criteria, and therefore one cannot but agree with the author that "these years will stand for a period for unheared of degradation in Slovak literary history - a veritable " temps du mepris" - with an unprecented decline in artistic values both qualitatively and quantitatively, when the writer became a stateemployed "engineer of human souls" and his standard was measured by the degree of his dedication to the political party line". (p. 259) . Since 1963, when the Slovak writers finall y dared to " rebel" against the straitjacket of regime's supervision and regimentation, Vnuk's harsh judgments were confirmed even in Slovak literary reviews, and therefore there is no reason to suspect him of "parti pris". Slovak literature was not only cut off the free world, but went also through the worst period of literary history in Slovakia and Vnuk's book intelligently mirrors all the tribulations, struggles, deficiences and intellectual dishonesty of some writers and the positive value of others. Vnuk reviewed in a short addition to his book also the literary works of the Slovak emigre writers and poets which will fill a gap in surveys of Slavic literatures in the free world. If the whole Slovak literature is a sort of "terra incognita" to many people in the West, the literary works of the Slovak emigre writers could not fare much better, though there are exceptions and in some instances Slovakia and her literature became known only through the writings of Slovak exiles. With regard to Slovakia, the author is maybe right when he says that "the 50 odd Slovak men of letters living on this side of the Iron Curtain kept the lights of Slovak culture burning while they went out in the writers' native country. This may sound emotional or sentimental, yet it is a sad truth that in the years 1950-55 there hardly appeared in Slovakia a single book worthy of reading. In those years indeed the emigre literature was the contemporary Slovak literature." The value of the volume is enhanced by a register of names, short bibliography and a brief note on the writer. It is to be regreted that the title of the book does not indicate that it is a survey of Slovak literature, but it is a minor shortcoming and can be repaired in distributing the English summary under a proper title. J . M. K irsc hbaum D ie Slow akei als Mittel europaisches Problem i n Geschichte und Gegenwart, (Slovakia as Central European Problem in the Past and Present) , Lectures at Collegium Carolinum, Verlag Robert Lerche, Mtinchen, 1965, p. 240. The prominent German institution Collegium Carolinum in Munich organized in August 1962 a series of lectures on Slovakia's past and present place in Central Europe, and published six of them in the present volume as a contribution to the research on problems of 146 SLOVAKIA Central Europe. The lectures cover over eleven centuries of Slovakia's history and while they are not of equal scholarly value, they are all shedding a new light on various periods of Slovak history, including the present one under Communism. Three of the lectures were given by Slovak intellectuals living in Western Europe: Prof. F. f>urcansky deals with Pan-Slavism and the role of Slovakia in this movement; Prof. Milan Stan. f>urica of the University of Padova gives the results of his scholarly research into the crisis of March 1939 and on the basis of documents he corrects various misconceptions about the origin of the Slovak republic; Ctibor Pokorny writes about the attitude of Slovaks towards Communism. The lectures by Prof. f>urcansky and Prof. Durica are well documented and scholarly written contributions to two controversial topics of historiography on Slovakia. Abundance of sources referred to, and logical conclusions which characterize both contributions, will perhaps help to clear at least partly the controversy and misconceptions of some Western historians. For students of Central European problems two other lectures might be of great interest: von Gogolak's lecture on Slovakia's social and constitutional history and Kurt Wessely's learned analysis of Slovakia's economic and social problems since World War I. Both authors are experts in their fields, but their contributions are bound to lead to a controversy either from the Slovak or from the Czech side. While Slovaks could be hurt by some of Gogolak's harsh judgements of their leaders in the remote or recent past, the Czechs might oppose the picture which Prof. Wessely has drawn about Slovakia's economic development under the Czech tutelage. The well documented account of the development of the national consciousness among Slovaks by Prof. Gogolak somehow contrasts in his conclusions not only with his previous works on Slovakia, but it also seems to be in clash with the requirements of scholarly impartiality. Except for a few Slovaks of the "Czechoslovak" orientation hardly any educated Slovak would leave unchallenged certain parts of Prof. Gogolak's picture of modern Slovak history. Unfortunately, this is not the place to go into detail or to show where Prof. Gogolak's lecture is marked rather by emotional than by objective analysis, and where the historian wandered into politics. While this is to be regretted, this reviewer is of the opinion that the scholarly lecture might serve on the other hand a very useful purpose, if Slovak intellectuals will properly react. The introductory lecture by Karl Bosl on the mission of Sts. Cyril and Methodius and its place in Rome's Church organization is a learned summary of the older and the most recent research into the GreatMoravian period, with some new hypotheses. Scholarly sound and without bias, the lecture will remain as a tribute from the German side to the 11th centenary of the Cyrillo-Methodian mission among the ancestors of today's Slovakia, which was commemorated in 1963 by Slovaks on both sides of the Iron Curtain. The volume was edited with great care and should be welcome as a valuable contribution to the research into and solution of the unsolved Slovak problem in Central European area. J. M. Kirschbaum SLOVAKIA 147 National Slovak Society Almanac for the year 1966 - Narodny Americko-Slovensky Kalendar na rok 1966, Vol. 74, Pittsburgh, Pa., 240 pp., Edited by Jan Mihal. The first 70 pages of this year's National Slovak Society annual are in the English language . . . the rest in Slovak. This, then, is an edition designed for both young and old readers in one or both languages. In addition to their duties as members of the NSS Literary Committee, headed by Dr. Peter Hletko, M.D. as president, which compiled the bi-lingual almanac, all (Msgr. M. K. Mlynarovic, K. Belohlavek, John Pankuch [NSS President, and the editor, Jan Mihal] contributed informative and inspiring articles to this year's publication of the oldest Slovak fraternal group in America. Tribute is paid to Peter Rovnianek (1867-1933), NSS founder, on the eve of the centennial of his birth as a great American Slovak humanitarian. The following contributors are found in the English section: John Pankuch, Jan Mihal, Mary Burns, Dr. Peter Hletko, M.D., Dr. Stephen Hletko, DDS., Rosalie Gona, S. Ullman and Karol Kuzmany. Although a major part of the section is devoted to a review of NSS activities, particularly bowling, the rest gives the reader an idea of the possibilities of expanding the subject matter into a more serious sphere for better comprehension of vital issues in American Slovak life. While members of the NSS Literary Committee were called upon to do double duty by contributing articles to the Slovak section, too, the following writers made their contributions of interesting articles to the 1966 NSS Almanac: John Pankuch, E. Vesnin, Lado Demeter, Jozef Steller, Msgr. M. K. Mlynarovic, Dr. Peter Hletko, M.D., K. Holicsky, Peter Klas, Rev. Andrej Rolik, Dr. A. P. Slabey, 0. M. Debnarkin, A. Rybiansky, Dr. Jan Fabianek, Rosalie Gona, Stefan Hassik, Jozo Trnavcan, J. Horsky, J. T. Sulovsky, K. Belohlavek. In some respects the tone of the current Almanac is an ecumenical one, e.g., Dr. Slabey's article on Jan Hus. Hus' successful bid to reverse the 3-1 German preponderance in voting at Charles University to a domestic Czech 3-1 majority was confirmed by royal decree ... this democratic procedure is the only one that will finally bring peace and understanding between the Czech and Slovak nations, namely, the recognition of the right of the Slovak nation to self-rule, for the principle of human and natural rights to freedom is the same today as it was in Hus' time. A. P. Jednota Annual Furdek, 1966, Middletown, Pa., vol. 5, 160 pp., Joseph Krajsa, editor. Inaugurated by the late Philip A. Hrobak, editor of the Jednota weekly, five years ago in an effort to reach the younger generation of American Slovaks, the FURDEK annual is continuing under his successor, Mr. Joseph C. Krajsa. It is a worthwhile effort, inasmuch as our Slovak youth would otherwise lose all interest in its heritage because 148 SLOVAKIA the third and fourth generation no longer speaks or reads the Slovak language. The contents of the current issue cover a variety of subjects from the following writers: Bishop Andrew Grutka, D.D., Abbot Theodore Kojis, O.S.B., J. C. Krajsa, J. Pfeiffer, A. Sarisky, Dr. J. Kirschbaum, Ph.D., LL.D., Very Rev. Theodoric Zubek, O.F.M., S.T.D., C. Petrasek, J . J. Konus, A. Koto, and S. Sencik, S.J. Feature article is 'The Joe Lapchick Story' about the great basketball player and coach from Yonkers, N. Y. The ex-Celtic star and successful coach at St. John's University ranks among the greatest American Slovak athletes. Lead-off review of the Jednota's diamond jubilee in 1965 is given in capsule form by Dr. Jozef Pauco, Ph.D., author of the 560-page history of the First Catholic Slovak Union (75 rokov Prvej Katolickej Slovenskej Jednoty: 1890-1965) is supplemented by pictorial highlights of the jubilee observance, particularly the celebration in Washington, D. C. Oldtimers such as Dr. M. v_ Simko and Rev. A. Pier, O.S.B. have a number of contributions in this 5th issue of the Jednota annual, the Furdek, in the English language. A brief historical review of the Slovak Benedictines in the U. S. and the Slovak Jesuits in Canada completes the 1966 edition of the Furdek. Both foundations constitute only part of the story of the Slovak Religious Orders in the new world. Future issues of this novel publication will undoubtedly cover the history of the others, namely, the Slovak Franciscans, as well as the Sisters of SS. Cyril and Methodius, the Franciscan Sisters, the Dominican Sisters, the Benedictine Sisters, the Sisters of the Most Holy Saviour, the Consolers of the Sacred Heart, and the Vincentian Sisters. A. P. PUBLICATIONS RECEIVED Rekem John, Stefan Dubnicay - Slovak Polemist and Historian (1675-1725), Middletown, Pa., 1966, p. 80. Slovak Literature and National Consciousness before Anton Bernolcik, Jednota Printery, Middletown, Pa. 1964. Kirschbaum, J. M., Jcin Kollar-Slovak Poet of Panslavism, Stavistica No. 56, Slovak Institute, Cleveland, Ohio, 1966, p. 48. The Role of the Cyrillo-Methodian Tradition in Slovak National and Political Life, An Offprint from Slovak Studies Ill. Rome, 1965 La Litterature de la period CyrilLo-Methodienne et la Slovaquie, An Offprint from Slovak Studies III, Rome, 1965. Vnuk, Frantisek, Sedemncist' neurodnych rokov (Ncicrt slov enskej A Survey of Slovak Literature 1945-1962, literatury 1945-1962) Published by Slovak v Amerike, Middletown, Pa., p. 304, English summary, register. SLOVAKIA 149 CONTRIIBUTORS Prof. Dr. J. M. Kirschbaum. Born in a small Slovak village on March 25, 1913 and lost his father in the First World War. Dr. J. Kirschbaum is a prominent representative of the new Slovak educated class, whose many members made a long way from the Slovak villages to European and American capitals, forei gn universities, diplomatic posts and teaching positions by their own diligence, capabilities and perseverance, fighting against many odds and staunch and unscrupulous adversaries of the Slovak cause. Educated at several European universities, Dr. Kirschbaum attained national prominence already during his university studies as leader of the Slovak student's organizations, Vice-President of the world-wide Catholic organization Pax Romana and speaker for the autonomy of Slovakia on behalf of the young Slovak generation. When only 26 years old, he was appointed by the President of the Slovak Republic and later elected to the responsible post of Secretary-General of the People's Party, founded by Msgr. A. Hlinka . After opposing the introduction of National Socialism into Slovakia, he was ousted in 1940 from Slovak politics and for 18 months kept in military service. In 1941 he was, however, back in public life and, as the youngest head of diplomatic mission, he served his country in Switzerland as Charge d'Affaires of the Slovak Republic. In that capacity he represented Slovakia until the end of the war, fighting relentlessly for Slovakia's right to independence and against the false propaganda of the Czech exiles and their anti-Slovak aspirations. After the war Dr. Kirschbaum very soon became one of the leading personalities of the Slovak movement for a free and independent Slovakia . He moved to Canada , for a short time to the United States and again to Canada , where he dedicated his time and energy to teaching at Canadian Universities writing and fighting for the Slovak cause. Besides a book in Slovak Nas boj o samostatnost' Slovenska, Dr. Kirschbaum published in exile the first scholarly English book on political history and cultural background of Slovakia under the title: Slovakia - Nation at the Crossroads of Central Europe (New York, 1960) . The book was r ~viewed by the foremost academic periodicals in England, U.S.A., Canada and Europe and mostly favorably received by the critics. On cultural problems Dr. Kirschbaum published a series of studies in French and English, four of them (on Bernolak, St11r, Safarik and Kollar) were published in the series Slavistica, edited by the known slavist Prof. J . B. Rudnyckyj from the University of Manitoba. His essays on Slovak language and literature were published in French and English first by University periodicals and later in offprint form . His political writings appeared in English, French , German and Spanish. Altogether Dr. Kirschbaum published 15 writings in foreign languages either in book form or as reprints, and contributed larger articles to Canadian Slavonic Papers (Univ. of Toronto) , Etudes slaves et esteuropeennes (Univ. of Montreal ), Rivista de Estudios politicos (Madrid) , Slovakia (Middletown, Pa.), Slowakei (Munich, Germany). Most ( Cleveland, Ohio) , to various symposia, encyclopedias and newspapers. All the writings of Dr. Kirschbaum are marked, according to the critics, by clarity of style, logic, scholarly objectivity and solid knowledge as well as his 150 SLOVAKIA firm belief in the rightness and victory of the Slovak cause. Once an excellent student of internat• ional law and political science, Dr. Kirschbaum turned in exile to his• tory and culture of his country and Central Europe and defends the right of the Slovak people to independence on account of their old culture and civilization. He presents Slovakia to the free world in a new light and always within a new, democratic organization of Central Europe. For his uncompromising stand towards those who tried or try to deny equal rights to the Slovak people, Dr. Kirsch b a u m was persecuted already during his uni• versity years. A Czech rector of the University of Bratislava refus• ed to give him, for political reasons, the doctor's diploma, even though Kirschbaum finished all his exams with excellent results. The Germans turned against the young Secretary-General as soon as they noticed that he opposed German interference in Slovak politics, and Berlin asked the Slovak Government not only to remove Dr. Kirschbaum from Slovak politics, but his name was not supposed to appear in any newspaper. "If it does", wrote the German Ambassador to Slovakia in 1940, "I shall ask to forbid the publication of the newspaper." ialist newspapers. A new smear campaign was organized against Dr. Kirschbaum when he moved to the United States. The most un• scrupulous and immoral campaign was, however, unleashed against him by Communist Prague and some Czech exiles in Canada dur· ing the Spring and Summer of 1962. In all those smear campaigns, not only in serious Slovak circles, but also the authorities of the countries he lived in, clergy and many newspapers and politicians were on the side of Dr. Kirschbaum, and he was fully vindicated. munist adversaries of the Slovak struggle for independence and de• mocracy turned, however, against Dr. Kirschbaum, especially after the Second World War. Even though he spent the war years in neutral Switzerland and was known to oppose Nazism, the Communist government of Prague requested his extradition from Switzerland. When the Swiss Government refused , the Czech diplomats and propagandists tried to compromise Dr. Kirschbaum by publishing smear and ludicrous accusations in the Swiss Communist and Soc• and Methodius, whose motherhouse is in Danville, Pennsylvania, was a graduate of St. Cyril Academy and obtained her B.A. degree from Marywood College, Scranton, Pa. , and her M.A. from Villanova University, Villanova, Pa. She is the author of two books : Dr. Kirschbaum is married to Magdalena Danihel, daughter of the late Slovak politician and member of Parliament Stefan Danihel, has four children of whom two graduated at Canadian universities and one of them, Stanislav, works on his Ph.D. at the Sorbon• ne, Paris, on scholarship. Dr. Kirschbaum has been since the war leading figure of the Slovak Nat• ional Council Abroad, Slovak Li• beration Council, member of many Slovak cultural and civic organiz. ations in the U.S.A. and Canada, member or officer of leading social clubs and academic organizat• ions and editorial boards. Martina Tybor, Si ster M., B.A., M.A. , of the Sisters of SS. Cyril The furor of the Czech and Com• SS. Cyril and Methodius, the Glory of the Slav s, for young adults, and SS. Cyril and Methodius , Apostles of Great Moravia, for children. She has done outstanding work in Slo• vak-English translations, notably of Slovak classic poetry. Her own poems have appeared in Spirit, SLOVAKIA publication of the National Catholic Poetry Society. Her odes, written for various Jubilee occasions, have appeared in Fialky, St. Cyril Academy annual. At present Sister M. Martina is head of the English department at Andrean High School, Gary, Indiana. Zatko, James J., Ph.D .., Rev., received an M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of Notre Dame. Under sponsorship of Ford Fellowships he studied at Harvard in 1954-1955 and at the Catholic University of Lublin in 1958. He was also the recipient of an Association of Middle Eastern Studies Fellowship in 1962. He is assistant professor of history at the University of Notre Dame. His book Descent Into Darkness - The Destruction of the Roman Catholic Church in Russia 1917-1923, was published by Notre Dame University. Joseph Pauco, born in 1914 in Slovakia. At the Slovak University in Bratislava he received his Ph.D. in 1942. A journalist by profession, he worked with the influential daily SLOVAK from 1938 to 1945, serving as editor-in-chief from 1942 to 1945. In 1945 fled with his wife and son to Austria, then to West Germany; and finally made his way to New York City in 1950. J. Pauco is serving since 1950 as assistant editor of the weekly JEDNOTA and from 1964 he is the publisher of the oldest Slovak newspaper in this country: SLOVAK V AMERIKE. He is serving for third term as the secretary of the Slovak League of America. J. Pauco is associated with American Academy of Political and Social Science, with Institute of Ethnic Studies at Georgetown University, is a member of the Slovak Institute in Cleveland, 0. 151 and of the Slovak Writers and Artists Association in the USA. He is the author of some 1000 articles, published in Slovakia and in the USA. Dr. Joseph Pauco is the author of these books and studies: .Cudovychova u sturovcov (Stur's Movement - Popular Education ). Matica slovenska. Turciansky Sv. Martin, 1943. Pp. 151. Co po komunizme? (After Communism What?) . Jednota , Middletown, Pa., 1952. Pp. 29. Dr. Jozef Tiso o sebe (Dr. Joseph Tiso About Himself) . Slovensky Katolicky Sokol, Passaic, N. J., 1952. Pp. 359. (Ed.) Tisov odkaz (Tiso's Message). Jednota. Middletown, Pa., 1953. Pp. 89. Stefan Furdek a slovenske prist'ahovalectvo ( Stefan Furdek and Slovak Immigration) . Jednota, Middletown, Pa., 1955. Pp. 190. Slovaci a komunizmus (The Slovaks and Communism) . Rev. Jan Lach. Whiting, Ind., 1957. Pp. 318. Pod zastavou krest'anskej demokracie (Under the Banner of the Christian Democracy) . Slovenski krest'anski demokrati v Spojenych Statoch. Middletown, Pa., 1957. Pp. 30. Slovenskd re hol'a Sestier sv. Cyrila a Metoda (Slovak Order of the Sisters of Ss. Cyril and Methodius) . Slovensky .Zensky Spolok Sv. Anny. Wyoming Valley, Pa., 1957. Pp. 32. Unconquerables. Vantage Press, New York, N. Y., 1958. Pp. 225. Matus Jankola - knaz a narodovec (Matus Jankola - A Priest and Patriot) . Rad Sestier sv. Cyrila a Metoda. Danville, Pa., 1959. Pp. 174. Literarny Almanach Slovaka v Amerike (Literary Almanac of the " Slovak in America") . Middletown, Pa., 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966. Pp. 160 each, last one pp. 168. (Ed.) 152 SLOVAKIA Christian Slovakia Under ComDr. Victor R. Greene, Professor munism. The Slovak Catholic Fede- of American History at the Kan- ration. Valparaiso, Indiana, 1959. sas State University, Manhattan, Pp. 31. Kansas, received his B.A. degree Pamiatke Jozefa Cigra Hronske- from the University of Harvard in ho (In Memoriam Jozef Ciger 1955; his M.A. degree from the Hronsky) . Literarny Almanach Slo- University of Rochester in 1960; vaka v Amerike. Middletown, Pa., and his Ph.D. from the University of Pennsylvania in 1963. His dis1960. Pp. 46. (Ed.) sertation for his Ph.D. was: A HisLaicky apostol Martin Kopunek tory of East European Immigrants (Lay Apostle - Martin Kop(mek). in the Anthracite Area before Vychodna oblast' Sdruzenia Slo- 1903. It is a study of the contribvenskych Katolikov. Bethlehem, ution Slovaks and others made to Pa., 1961. Pp. 67 (Ed.) the unions in the coal fields and Karol Sidor - politik, novinar, the aid to President Johnny Mitspisovatel' (Karol Sidor - Politi- chell and the United Mine Workers cian, Newspaperman, and Writer). of America. Dr. Greene in his Literarny Almanach Slovaka v thesis elaborates that it was beAmerike. Middletown, Pa., 1962. cause of the loyalty and sacrifice of Slovak mine workers that the Pp. 148 (Ed.) union was permanently establishPat'desiatnik Dr. Jozef Kirsched in the hard coal fields. baum (Dr. Jozef Kirschbaum In his present research, ProfesFifty Years Old). Literarny Almanach Slovaka v Amerike. Middle- sor Greene is making a study of the origins of Slovak and East town, Pa., 1963. Pp. 171. (Ed.) European American self-consciousFlight to Wonderland. Robert ness and why by World War I Speller and Sons, New York, N. Y., every Slovak immigrant realized 1963. Pp. 334. such a strong feeling of his ethnic 75 rokov Prvej Katolickej Slo- heritage. Dr. Greene, who · has learned to venskej Jednoty (75 Years of the First Catholic Slovak Union). Prva read and understand Slovak, is Katolicka Slovenska Jednota, Cle- familiar with the cultural and hisveland, 0., 1965. Pp. 560 & XIV. torical material available at the Jankola Library in Danville, Pa., 80 pages of pictures. the Slovak Institute Library in Slovakia. Slovak League of AmerCleveland, Ohio, and the facilities ica. Middletown, Pa., 1965, 1966. Pp. in Pittsburgh, Pa. and Chicago, 160. (Ed.) Illinois. Joseph R . Kristofik received his B.S. in Science from the University of Pittsburgh in 1949. His education includes several years at the United States Merchant Marine Academy in Kings · Point, N. Y., and at the Detroit College of Law. Mr. Kristofik is presently the Slovak Democratic Chairman for the State of Michigan with the Michigan Democratic Nationalities Division. At its 40th Convention at Youngstown, Ohio, he was elected to the executive committee of the Slovak League of America. Tino Berko was born in Slovakia, fled to the West in 1952. He studied philosophy and the history of music and art at Munich University; is a writer and lecturer; resides in Munich, Germany. Very Rev . Theodoric J. Zubek, O.F.M., S.T.D., Slovak by birth, American by adoption, is presently Delegate Provincial of the Franciscans of the Most Holy Savior Commissariat, popularly known as the Slovak Franciscans. SLOVAKIA He resides at the motherhouse of the Commissariat, Holy Family Friary, 232 S. Home Avenue, Pittsburgh, Penna. 15202. 153 jects were published during this time in various Slovak periodicals, such as "Serafinsky svet" (The Seraphic World), "Slovensky ucitel'" (The Slovak Teacher), "Smer" Father Theodoric was born in ( Direction), and "Nova praca " Malacky, Slovakia, April 4, 1914, (New Work) . and came to the United States on February 21, 1952; he became an This activity came to an end on American citizen on June 5, 1957. April 13, 1950, when the ComHe received his primary education munist government of Czecho-Sloin the schools of his native Ma- vakia supressed all monasteries. lacky while his secondary studies Father Theodoric was confined were taken at the Gymnasium of with his Franciscan confreres in Bratislava, 1925-1929, and Skalica, the concentration monastery of 1930-1934, in Slovakia. He entered Svaty Benadik nad Hronom. After the Franciscan Order in 1929 and escaping from the concentration made his novitiate in Trnava. He monastery, he remained in hiding took his theological studies at the in Slovakia until February 1951, Seminaries in Zagreb, Croatia, and when he secretly crossed the borin his native Slovakia at Brati- der into Austria. In February, slava. He was ordained to the 1952, he joined his Slovak Amepriesthood in Bratislava on June rican brethren of the Most Holy 26, 1938. After his ordination, Fa- Savior Commissariat, the American ther Theodoric began his studies foundation of the mother province for the doctorate in sacred theo- in Slovakia. logy at the Catholic University of After a short sojourn in TrauFribourg, Switzerland. On October 28, 1940, the Fribourg University ger, Penna., Father Theodoric was conferred on him the degree of stationed for seven years at the Doctor of Sacred Theology with Franciscan parish of SS. Cyril and Methodius in Clifton, New Jersey. the mark "magna cum laude". From 1956 to 1960 he taught SacUpon his return to his home- red Theology at the Newark and land and Franciscan Province in Jersey City divisions of Seton Hall Slovakia, Father Theodoric was University. In 1960 he was named named to the faculty of the Fran- pastor of the Franciscan parish of ciscan Theological Seminary at 2i- St. Rita in Buffalo, N. York, where lina in 1941, a post he held until he stayed till 1964. In 1961, he 1950. During this time he also serv- became Councillor to the Delegate ed at intervals as the Rector of Provincial of the Most Holy Savthe seminary, a Definitor of the ior Commissariat, and in 1964 the Franciscan Province, and Guard- Delegate Provincial of the said ian of the Franciscan Friary in Commissariat. 2ilina. In 1942, he published his doctoral thesis, "Joseph II and the In America, Father Zubek freFriars Minor in Slovakia". In 1945, quently spoke on the persecuted he translated E. Neubert's "Mon Church in Slovakia to various ideal Jesus, fils de Marie" (Moj groups in Slovak and American ideal Jezis, Syn Mariin) into Slo- parishes. He made an appearance vak. With Father Celestin Lepa- before the House Committee on cek, O.F.M., he co-authored a book Un-American Activities conceron the Assumption of the BL Vir- ning the operations of the Comgin, "Nanebevzata" (Mary Assum- munists in Slovakia. In 1956, his ed into Heaven), published in scholarly and well-documented 1947. Numerous articles of his on book on the systematic persecutboth theological and ascetical sub- ion of the Church in Slovakia was 154 SLOVAKIA published by Rev. John Lach. It is entitled "The Church of Silence in Slovakia". Since 1954 he began to contribute articles to leading national Catholic magazines such as "The Homiletic and Pastoral Review", "The American Ecclesiastical Review", "The Jurist, Unitas", "The Catholic Educator" and "The Marian Era". In these articles, he dealt with a variety of subjects, such as, the Communist persecution of the Church in Slovakia and other lands, the theory of Darwin, the morality of nuclear warfare, the possibility of living creatures on other planets, the Blessed Mother and Vatican II. Some of these articles attracted wide attention. In addition, he has contributed articles to such Slovak papers and magazines as "Most" (The Bridge ), "Dobry Pastier" (The Good Shepherd), "Jednota" (The Union), "Katolicky Sokol" (The Catholic Sokol) , "Slovak v Amerike" (The Slovak in America), "Kanadsky Slovak" (The Canadian Slovak) and "Literarny almanach Slovaka v Amerike" (The Literary Almanac of the Slovak in America) . He is a regular writer for the Slovak Franciscan Magazine "Listy sv. Franfilka" (The Leaflets of St. Francis) , for which he served as editor from 1958 to 1962. In 1963 he published a booklet entitled "The Slovak Bishops - Martyrs of Christ", and in 1965, " Rozjimania o tajomstvach sv. ruzenca" (Meditations on the Mysteries of the Holy Rosary) . The Commissariat of the Most Holy Savior, headed presently by Father Theodoric, has fifty members stationed in five monasteries and two parishes. be appropriate to present the views of an American university graduate of Slovak descent. Very Rev. Msgr. John Rekem, S.T .D. , Born December 13, 1917 in Trencianska Tepla, Msgr. John Rekem receited his early education in Trencin rand Nitra. For his philosophical and theological studies he ,w ent to Olomouc in Moravia. This was followed by four years at the Bratislava Istropolitana University. He was ordained in 1941 and two years later he received his doctorate in Sacred Theology. As curate he served in Hricove, Vel'ke Chlievany, Trencin, Pruske, and Varin; in the last named parish he was also administrator. In 1945 he was imprisoned by the Communists for almost eight months in a concentration camp in Trencin. He was released by an order of the People's court (No. T. 29/ 45) in December 1945. Two years later his name was registered for the so-called September liquidations, but he emigrated to Austria, leaving Slovakia on the feast of Our Mother of Sorrows, September 15, 1947. In Salzburg he was spiritual director of the Slovak Catholic refugees, for whom he established the Federation of Slovak Catholics and organized ia series of eight retreats in various cities of Austria. He was spiritual advisor of the League of Slovak Catholic Students in Exile. At home and abro,ad he h e l d Suzanna Mikula is a graduate of membership in leading Slovak or- the University of Detroit, specializing in history of Europe. Since last year not only Slovaks but also slavists of various countries commemorated the 150th birthday of L'udovit Stur, we thought it would ganizations: Society of St. Adalbert and its Literary Division; Matica Slovenska at home and abroad; the First Catholic Slovak Union; Society of Slovak Catholic Intellec- 155 SLOVAKIA tuals in Rome; and for a time he was a member of the Slovak National Council in Exile and of the Liberiation Oommittee. Msgr. Rekem crune to Winnipeg, Canada, in 1949, where he established a Slovak Catholic parish. With the help of his ever-faithful parishioners he built a church, a rectory and a hall in 1952, which were free of debt by 1965. Active in Canadi an public life he has long been associated with the New Canadians Council and the Citizenship Council. He served as chaplain to the Fourth Degree Assembly Tache, St. Boniface, Manitoba, in 1958. At present he is a member and a faithful friar of the Miles McDonnell Fourth Degree Assembly in Winnipeg. In Trencin he was co-editor of Trencan, 1942-1945. He contributed articles to: Slovak, Slovenska Pravda; Trencan; Misijne Hlasy; the Misijny Kalendar of the Society of the Divine Word. He was a contributor also to the periodicals: Smer; 1 Kultura; Duchovny Pastier; Katolicke Kazne; Nova Praca. In Amer- ica his works have appeared in Jednota; Zenska Jednota; Sloven- sky Katolicky Sokol; Slovak v Amerike; Slovenska Obrana; Slo-vaki a; Kalendar Jednota; Literarny Almanach; Rim; Hlasy z Rima; Ave Maria; Kanadsky Slovak; Most; etc. In Canada he wrote for the Manitoba Ensign; Western Sunday Visitor; Sunday Herald; St. Joseph's Residence News. In Winni- peg in 1949 he compiled and issued an English syndicated news and information service twice a week for the local English press. Many of his releases on the Slovaks were printed in the Ensign, Winnipeg Free Press, Winnipeg Citizen, and W i nnipeg Tribune. He is the author of twenty-five short studies on the history of Slovak cultural events of the past, and noteworthy and scholarly works depicting the evolution and growth of the Slovak language. He is a member of the Slovak Institute of Cleveland and th e Bernolak Foundation, and serves as a committee member in each. He was elevated to the rank of Monsignor on March 11, 1964 by His Holiness, Pope Paul VI and is now resident pastor of the Church of the Visitation in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. WHO'S WHO AMONG SLOVAIKiS ]N U.S.A. Rt. Rev. Msgr. Francis J. Dubosh, tion in June to September, 1916, P . A ., was born in Cleveland, Ohio, on September 27, 1890, a son of Charles and Mary Dubosh. There are no close surviving relatives, except for cousins in Cleveland, Pittsburgh, and New York. He was ordained on June 3, 1916 at St. John's Cathedral by the Most Rev. John P. Farrelly. He was in the last class to be ordained which received its complete seminary training at Old St. Mary's Seminary on 1800 Lakeside. Assignments: - From ordina- on temporary assignments; September, 1916, Assistant at St. Wendelin Parish, Cleveland, Ohio; December, 1917, Pastor, Holy Name Parish, Youngstown, Ohio; February, 1922, Pastor, Our Lady of Mercy Parish, Cleveland, 0 hi o; October, 1927, Pastor, SS. Cyril and Methodius Church, Lakewood, Ohio. Positions: - Named a Domestic Prelate with the rank of Rt. Rev. Msgr., on November 11, 1934 the first American-Slovak priest in the United States so honored; October 16, 1955, given rank of 156 SLOVAKIA Protonotary Apostolic - also the first American-Slovak Msgr. in the United States so honored; 19341938, Diocesan Prosynodal Judge; 1938 to date, Diocesan Consultor; 1952 to date, Diocesan Cemetery Board; and 1944-1951, Diocesan Buildin g Commission. Extra parochial and diocesan accomplishments:-Supreme Chaplain of the First Catholic Slovak Union (Jednota), 1932-1937 ; President of the Slovak League of America, 1943-1945; Member of Executive Board of Slovak League of America since 1945; President of the Slovak Catholic Federation of America, 1937-1938; one of the founders of: - Cleveland Slovak Radio Club, Slovak Professional and Businessmen's Association, member of Executive Committee to establish Slovak Culture Garden in Cleveland, Ohio, and instrumental in establishing SS. Cyril and Methodius Parish in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, in 1935; chairman of fund-raising committee for the establishment of Benedictine High School, Cleveland, Ohio; and worked with Catholic Resettlement Council for placing displaced persons in Diocese of Cleveland after post-war years. John Sabol is executive secretary of the First Catholic Slovak Union of the U.S.A. To Slovaks the First Catholic Slovak Union is familiarly known as "Jednota." That means union. Sabol is "Mr. Jednota" to the Jednotars. He has been executive secretary for 40 years. Previously, he served s e v e n years as supreme auditor. Said he: "This has been my career. " Sabol, son of a railroad section hand forman, was born in a shanty in Hillsboro, Pa., on part of what is now the Pennsylvania Turnpike. He received most of his schooling at Lyndora, Pa. At 15 he carried water when the Ft. Wheel Works was built. Later, he was a railroad car builder at McKees Rocks, Pa. He studied accounting at night at Duquesne University, became auditor for the society and was elected secretary in 1926. Sabol and his wife, Elizabeth, had f o u r children: Mrs. Helen Wells of Barberton, O.; Mrs. Joan Lang; Betty, deceased, and John J., a Medical Doctor. Judge John J . Sirotnak, born in Olyphant, Pa., October 12, 1901, of parents Michael and Susanna Sirotnak. Moved to Throop, Pa., in 1903, where he attended public schools and was graduated in June 1917. Worked in coal mines from 1917 to 1919. Attended Mansfield State Teachers' College, Sept. 1919, and graduated in 1921. He taught in Borough Schools of Throop 1921- 1928. Resigned as principal of the Jefferson School to enter University of Illinois in 1928, where he obtained his B. A. degree in 1930 and his Law Degree in 1932. Successfully completed Bar examination on October 24, 1932 and has practiced law in Scranton, Pa. , since. County Solicitor of Lackawanna County Institution District from 1938 to 1960, the first Slovak Attorney to be so honored. General Counsel of the First Catholic Slovak Union from 1944 to 1960. Judge Orphans' Court of Lackawanna County since June 17, 1960, Wife: Susan. Sons: Joseph and John, Medical Doctor and Attorney-at-Law. Member of Executive Committee of the Slovak League of America for several years. 157 SLOVAKIA 'DHE SLOVAK INSTITUTE ]N OI.,EVEILAIN1D, OHIO A cultural society, known as ibhe Slovruk Institute, was foll'l1ded an Ma:roh 4, 1952. Oha,rter memibers of the organization ,w ere: Rt. Rev. Abbot 'Dheodore G. Kojis, O.S.B., iPres,ident, Rev. Mrkulas Sprilil'c, !Rev. Andrej Pir, O.S.iB. , Dr. Fra,ncis Hriusovsky, Dr. Jozef Oindk, and Karol Strmen. The ,President named iDr. Hvusovsky, eminent Slovaik historian, as tJhe fiTst DiTector of the Institute. One of the first duties of tihe .:Institute was ito assume care of tJhe Slovak lilbrary anid museum estalblished at St. Andrew's AJbbey by the coordinated eflforts of the Matica Sioveniska, w'hich donll!ted 1.hrundreds of invaJluable hodkis to the Clevela,nd Slova:ks dUTing the ,M. S. delegation'1s visit to the United States in 1935, and 1:Jhe Slovaik League of Ameriica, which founded 1:Jhe obeginnin1gs of the &lova:k Museum at the Abbey in the Spring of 1943. Besides f'l.Ulfilling its rp rimary function of be1ng a centre of cultural endeavO'I'S for the :Silovalks in America, and t>he free world, the Slovalk Institute ihiais not onily preserved many SlovaJk 'books in i1Js ,Iilbrary but has pulJliShed a 'OJU1JI1iber of wo11k's of its own, notably, tlhe !history of Slovaik Religious institutions in America lb y the laite Dr. Francis Hrusovsky (died on Sept. 9, 1956). In Rome an affiliate of 1:Jhe Slovaik Inis titute wais established a num1ber of yearis ago. lbs main punpose is to sponsor religious a,nd cultura:l ipulblicaitionrs in the free world. The Roman tbranoh of the origin8.!l Olev~land foundation maintains olose contruct wiitJh the American parent orgainization which was ori ginally est8.!blished to carry on bhe work of the Slovaik naition's Matica Slovenska tlhait was swppr~ssed by the communist regime in tlhe ,postwar era. Another ibrancih of t h e Institute is in MuniC'h, Ge11many. Perhrups the most rpopuilar work of tJhe Slovak lnstitwte was the 1publitc1ation of a detailed mrurp of Slovrukia under the direction ()(f Dr. Hrusovsky. Mem1bershilp in the Slovark Institute reaiohes around the world, for leaiding Sfovalk writers and poets, as well. as cultural wor.kers, have been enrolled in this unique American association for tihe Slovarks in the free wonM. A:11 iing,uiries rubout Slovark history and culbure are to be arddressed to: Slovark Institute, 2900 Eia'St Boulevard, Cleveland, Ohio. 1 158 SLOVAKIA The Slovak League of America - is an AMERICAN INSTITUTION; it was organized May 26, 1907, at Cleveland, 0., by the Rev. Stephen Furdek; is a CULTURAL and CIVIC organi2:ation of Americans of Slovak descent; is interested primarily in promoting the welfare and security of the United States of America; represents an overwhelming majority of organized Americans of Slovak descent; actively affiliated with it are the largest Slovak fraternals, religious organizations, Slovak Clubs and Slovak civic organizations in the United States; is dedicated to American Democracy, the American way of life, and encourages Americans of Slovak descent to be loyal and alert citizens of America; it urges and aids Slovak emigrants to become U. S. citizens by publishing appropriate manuals and brochures in Slovak and English; is dedicated to works of charity, materially and morally aids Slovaks, here and abroad, who may be in need of such aid; it supports the American Red Cross, United Fund Campaigns and other American charitable projects; wants to help Americans of Slovak descent in American political life, in business or professions, in social standing, and along educational lines; through its Ladies Auxiliary, the "VCIELKY" (Bees) , sponsors Slovak cultural displays, concerts, lectures, art exhibits, folk festivals, social evenings, etc. Our aim is to have a "Hive" of our "Vcielky" in every large Slovak community; promotes a better understanding and appreciation of the Slovak nation, its history, culture, traditions, achievements and its long, hard struggle for freedom and independence; firmly believes in the American principle of self-determination of all nations, the inherent and God-given right of every nation, whether large or small, to freedom and independence, the right of every nation to freely choose its own form of government and freely elect persons of its own choice by whom it shall be governed; SLOVAKIA - 159 condemns and unequivocally opposes all forms of tyranny, every form of totalitarian political system. The Slovak League of America has always recognized the Godless philosophy of materialistic Communism for the dread evil and conspiracy against free humanity that it is, as the political system which threatens mankind with utter enslavement and, therefore, has fought resolutely against it in and out of season and, today, is still determined to fight against it with all the means at its command until the dread plague of Communism is wiped off the face of the earth. firmly believes that the national existence and welfare of the Slovak nation can best be safeguarded by the Slovaks themselves in their own independent Slovak Republic; as a Christian and democratic organization, is resolutely against the domination and exploitation of the Slovak nation by any other nation or political state; the Slovaks did not want to be ruled over by the Magyars and, today, do not want to be subservient to the Czech nation ; heartily commends all efforts of our governmental and other organs to ferret out and unmask all Communists and fellow travellers, as well as all persons and or ganizations who wittingly or unwittingly give aid and comfort to the conspiracy of Communism promoted by t he Soviet Union; stands for :honesty, integrity, industry and justice in government. Join the Local Assembly in your town or contact the Secretary of the Slovak League. Membership dues are only $1.50 per year. Gentlemen : I ----------------- - -------------------- ------Address --------------------- - ----------- - ----Town ----------------------- - ---------- -- ----Desire to join SLOVAK LEAGUE OF AMERICA Endosed find check $---------- ]60 SLOVAKIA Contents The Slovak Language and its Place Among the Slavic Languages - J. M. Kirschbaum - 1 Father of American Slovaks - Sister M. Martina Tybor, 25 SS.C.M. - James J. Zatko, Ph.D. - Slovaks in the U.S. A. - 41 American Slovaks and the Beginning of Czecho-Slovakia - Joseph Pauco, Ph.D. - 63 Joseph R. Kristofik - The Slovak Image - 76 " Sons of Hunkies: Men with a Past?"-Victor R. Greene A Glimpse of Gothic Slovakia Heroic Slovak Bishop - O.F.M. - Tino Berko - Mikula, B.A. - Victim of Communism - Suzanna Dr. John Rekem - 124 Current Issues As Others See It - Contributors - T. J. Zubek, 104 Martin Szentivanyi, S.J. - Book Reviews - 87 99 Eudovit Stur and the Panslavic Movement - 138 142 149 Who's Who Among Slovaks in U. S. A. The Slovak Institute in Cleveland, Ohio The Slovak League of America - 158 155 157 80 116 PRI NTI D IN U.S. A. JIDN OTA PlllN TER Y, MID DLli TOW N, PA.  Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Back Matter, Slovakia, Vol. 16 (No. 39) Description An account of the resource includes Current Issues; As Others See It; Book Reviews; Contributors; Who’s Who Among Slovaks in U.S.A.; The Slovak Institute in Cleveland, Ohio; The Slovak League of America Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1966 https://slovakia.wordsofpassage.net/files/original/dd0f7cadc26f8f926b7874ebae07a808.pdf b26c6539621de46f28dc10f06ce5d47e PDF Text Text 178 SLOVAKIA CURRENT ISSUES PRESIDENT DR. JOSEPH TISO They died because they dared, and their daring was in behalf of the Slovak nation in whose behalf they dedicated their lives and fortunes. Slova1k leaders dared to proclaim Sloviak independence in the early spring of 1939 and they succeeded in establishing the Slov,a k Republic, which soon received official diiplomatic recognition by the countries of Europe--induding Germany, Russia, France, Great Britain, Spain, and Italy. Founded in the days of peace-six months before the outbreak of World War II-the Slovak State was destined to flounder in the days of peace after the war in the summer of 1945. Thus, through no fault of its own, the Slovak Republic vanished because of the dictates of those who came disguised as liberators. Its destruction was actually, therefore, the end result of postwar dictatorship. Prime victims of postwar revenge at the hands of the commlllllist coalition in Moscow, Prague and Bratislava were President Tiso and his government officials who had guided the Slovak Republic safely through the storms of World War II, only to have the Slovak Ship of State torpedoed treacherously and dishonorably by the 'liberators'. The Captain went down heroically with his Ship, as did many of his loyal colleagues. Their names are indelibly emblazoned on the glorious pages of Slovak history. Nothing can erase their golden memories from the minds and hearts of their countrymen. Slovak exiles scattered throughout the free world willingly bear witness in behalf of the Slovak Republic. Their testimony shows how grave a:nd injustice was inflicted upon the Slovak people and its government by the so-called liberators of World War II. The only way to correct this act of gross injustice to a freedom-loving people. the Slovaks,. is the restoration of their own independent self-governing state. No one can denv the ever-present reality of religious �SLOVAKIA 179 and political suppression of the Sloviaiks. How long a free world -can tolerate this situation is beyond comprehension, but it somehow indicates the moral bankruptcy of our age when so much injustice, oppression and persecution against so many goes on unchallenged in our times. Rev. Andrew Pir, O.S.B. CLERGY WITH MORAL BLEMISH USED AS COMMUNIST TOOL The conclave of the"peace priests" in Prague has ended. Two active government ministers made very clear the desire of the Communist regime to open negotiations with the Vatican on a modus vivendi between church and state. Although contacts were made with Rome as far back as the last phase of Vatican II, they ran aground due to the failure to reach agreement on several questions. The final note of discord was the appearance of two Slovak bishops-in-exile, Hnilica and Rusnak, which caused keen resentment in Prague, since the two dignitaries openly demanded that the Council plenum brand Communism as the " scourge of the 20th century". Moreover, the three Council fathers from the cSSR did not contradict them. The agreement which the Vatican has meantime con- eluded with Hungary and Yugoslavia, and the relaxation perceptible in its relationship to R um an i a, is causing Prague to fear that Czecho-Slovakia could some day become the victim of isolation. That fear prompted Minister of Education, Hajek to use the forum of the "peace priests" conference to make an offer of reconciliation to the Vatican, in which he appealed to the Pope for "realism". What is probably meant, is that Rome should reward with the title of bishop, those persons who, in the fifties, were installed in office by the Communists as general vicars, although most of them were Communist underlings, not daring to protest again the anti-church discrimination or the imprisonment of their own bishops who were incarcerated without benefit of fair trial. The Holy See, well aware �180 SLOVAKIA of the precarious position of the Prague government, is in no hurry to take Prague up on its offer, especially as the agreement between Hungary and the C h u r c h has not brought the desired results. The bishops installed there proved too ineffective, and consequently were unable to broaden the Church's sphere of operation. Hence the Vatican has chosen to wait and see how the agreement with Yugoslavia - made against the wishes of the bishops there - turns out, before it takes on a new risk with Prague. Informed circles know that one of the conditions for negotiations with the Czech government would be the removal of the governmentempowered persons in all dioceses who, as laymen, are in possession of the episcopal seal, while the vicars, inst a 11 e d simultaneous ly, ( drawn from the ranks of the "peace priests") would have to restrict themselves to a figure-head function in the various parishes. Prague would be willing, if these "peace priests" were to be given official status as bishops, thereby assuring a further Communist hold on the Church. The top echelon "peace priests", it should be noted, have "moral shortcomings", such as having broken their vow of celibacy and caused scandal among their congregations . Priests of this kind are always open to blackmail by the Communist Party, hoping as it does that eventual Vatican approval of such "poor specimens" may lead many of the religious-min ded to desert the church. Heading the "peace priests" is Minister of Health Plojhar, who was excommunica ted some years ago and is hated not only by his co-religionists but even by the Communist Party. An example of this dislike for Plojhar is seen in a resolution drawn up last spring in Olomouc by that city's school of medicine, appealing to Prague's Central Committee to remove Plojhar from his ministerial post on the grounds of being "not qualified" and having recourse to "Stalinist methods of operations". The attempt was, of course, unsuccessful, since President Novotny still needs his faithful henchman to keep the clergy "under control". Plojhar's power has only come to light in the past weeks, with the return of the two "neutral" Slovak bishops, Lazik and Necsey, who had �SLOVAKIA been in Rome for a long papal audience and were forced immediately upon their arrival at the Prague airport, to report to the general secretary of the "peace priests",one Mr. Benes. Prior to that, C a r d i n a 1 Konig, of Vienna, also had an audience with the Pope and reported to him on his impressions gained during a visit to Slovakia in September. According to his story, the bishops there are still under heavy emotional pressure, and after Konig's return to Austria they were immediately put through a thorough-going cross-examination by the secret police as to their conversations with the Viennese cardinal. It is also common knowledge that 181 the Prague "Ecclesiastical Office" forbade the reading of a pastoral letter at the beginning of the school year because it drew the attention of the faithful to the opportunity, under the constitution, for their children to get religious instruction. Should further proof of the Communist regime's hostility toward the church be desired, it can be seen in the fact that in the CSSR Gnly 35 new priests are ordained annually, compared with 300 before the war. The difficulties placed in the path of young people desiring to study theology today show more clearly than anything else that state-church coexistence is still a long way off. w.o. AS OTHERS SEE IT "Slovakia has always been a land of plenty, but never a land of long peace. Its people have been attacked from all sides. They have known the dread of encirclement and destruction by enemies who have looked with covetous eyes upon the Slovak rich land of the Danube Valley. "For more than 1,000 years, since the time St. Cyril and Methodius brought Christianity to the land of the Slovaks, it has been looked on as the birthplace of Christianity in Eastern Europe. In 830 the first Christian church was erected, in Nitra. It still stands today in Slo- vakia, if the Communists have not destroyed it. It is thus understandable that the Christian world witnesses the plight of the Slovak people today with deep concern. We pray that the Slovak people will soon attain their freedom from Soviet totalitarianism. "Nothing can be more harrowing to American citizens of Slovak birth, whose relatives still live in Slovakia, than the knowledge that their original homeland remains enslaved. Their heartstrings long to see them free. "Yet, beneath the iron rule of Slovakia's enslavement, the Slovak �182 SLOVAKIA spirit of independence still struggles against oppression. Under the very eyes of the Kremlin's agents, insurgents spread through the countryside ... "We who enjoy the freedom of the West have a sober lesson to learn from the unfortunate peoples of Slovakia who live under the Communist reign of terror. They have shown us that even in the darkest hours, the love of liberty need not die. Let us hope that the Slovaks are not resisting in vain, that with our help they shall one day be able to live in the atmosphere of freedom and dignity which is the right of all human beings . .. "American citizens of S 1 ova k descent and backround who are carrying on this vigorous battle against communism deserve the plaudits and continued support of all who believe in democracy." Extension of remarks of Honorable Hubert H. Humphrey of Minnesota in the Senate of the United States, Wednesday, April 1, 1953. "Hebrew, Latin, and Greek were the only languages approved for use in the liturgical services of the 9th century. SS. Cyril and Methodius authored and popularized a translation in the Slavonic language, at that time the vernacula r of the Slovaks, Croats, Bulgarians, Moravians, Serbians and Bohemians which is still in use today. They were pioneers centuries before Vatican II authorized the vernacular for all nations." - Rev. Paschal Boland, O.S.B. , S.T.D. "The great Christian historical background of the Slovak nation fitted well in this new country of ours. You may at times have found the task arduous but you can always tell you are on the rigth road if it is upgrade. " It is evident that the seed of Christianity planted in Slovakia more then a thousand years ago had a great influence on all citizens of central and eastern Europe radiating from what was then Great Moravia. It is a great credit to your nation that you have not only maintained the advantages derived from the teachings of the two great saints who evangelized your country but you have enriched a great many by furthering the cause of Christianity in a manner contagious to all other nations surrounding yours. " - Paul Tardif, M .P., Ottawa, Canada "So nationalistic are the Slovaks that they resent and deplore the official spelling of the name of that country. They would have it hyphenated - Czecho-Slovakia - to earn both separation and capitalization. Though they are blood relatives of the Czechs and speak a related language, they are militantly protective of their individuality and nationalism ... "Freedom loving peoples can admire the tenacity of the Slovaks. Slovakia, settled by the Slovaks _in the early middle ages, was dommated by invading Magyars for almost a thousand years. The Magyars who invaded that country in the year 906 forced the Slovaks to submit to cultural and political dominance. "But the Slovaks clung tenaciously and with bravery to their own ways, their own cultures and their own language and preserved them during a very long period when a lesser people would have been assimilated or destroyed as an entity. Pe ace loving, they have been exposed through all of history to wars, revolutions, and dissentions. It is little wonder that they fled their conquered land, where Slovakia was part of Hungary until 1918 ... "One does not willingly mistake a Czech for a Slovak nor a Slovak for a Czech because, despite kinship, both peoples have great pride in �SLOVAKIA their own. The political marriage of the Czechs with the Slovaks in the creation of Czechoslovakia is not a truly happy one. A militant Slovak once said, 'The Slovaks are neither Czechs nor Czechoslovakians, but Slovaks who intend to r e m a i n Slovaks' . . . the Slovaks have no real voice in the (Prague) government ... " - Charlie House, The Milwaukee Journal, December 11, 1966. "Despite their domination by the Soviets and their inferior relationship to their Czech neighbors, the Slovaks are a fiercely nationalistic people who make the most of their own language in their little corner of the Tatra mountains, having had to connive and struggle and die in order to keep their national identity alive. The Devin Fortress, west of the city, rising hundreds of feet above the Danube, is today a center of formal and informal activity as well as a tourist attraction. An amphitheater has been cut out of the slope of the hill running down to a stage platform on the shore of the Danube. In the ruins of this fortress, which N a p o l e o n had blown up in a moment of pique, the Slovak revolutionaries of the middle 1800s, led by I.:udovit Stur, used to gather in secret to sing national songs, to inflame each other to national consciousness, and adopted poetical Slovak names to knit them to their ideal of a free land of their own. Leaving the historic fort so closely identified with the freedom movement of the 19th century, we drove along a double barbed-wire fence separated by a raked 20-foot noman's-land, the 'Iron Cuvtain' dividing the unfree from the free world. "Today one could sense beneath the surface tension of life in a regulated society the sturdy stuborness of previous generations in a similar societal prison. The Czechs continue to distrust the Slovaks, even in the government and enforcement 183 of the Socialist regime. Though the Slovak youth serve in the army in numbers disproportionate to their population (Slovaks number about 25 percent), fewer than 1 percent of their number are officers. Though Socialist slogans adorn every square, red stars top factories and schools, and pictures of Communist le a d er s occupy the walls of public offices. I heard only one woman use the term 'Comrade,' and she was a petty government worker whose job no doubt depended on the use of the right terms. "As unyielding as their national consciousness is the Christian composition of Slovakia. The country is about 80 percent Roman Catholic and about 10 percent Lutheran. (Prior to the Counter-Reformation in the 17th century the ratio was reversed.) This historic division has not been healed completely in the past three centuries ... "And yet the almost total Christian composition of Slovakia has left its mark on the people in various ways. M o r a I i t y is on a higher level, the crime rate is lower, the home more respected than in some of the neighboring countries . . . "I sensed a feeling of resignation on the part of older people. They seemed to have lost trust in any power outside their own, with perhaps the exception of spiritual power. The United Nations is helpless to liberate them." - Rev. Jaroslav Vajda, Editor, This Day, St. Louis, Mo. "In Czecho-Slovakia, Yugoslavia, Hungary and every land under communist dictatorship re 1 i g ion is being put to death." - John Cardinal Heenan of Westminster. "Czecho-Slovakia's communist regime has refused to compromise on other points, especially those involving the 1949 law which restricts the Church. This law gives the government the right to judge the �184 SLOVAKIA qualifications of priests, to prevent a priest from performing his duties, to install pastors and chaplains, to check Church finances, and to hamper the activity of the Church in many other matters." - NCWC News Service, Washington, D.C. miration and respect for the fine inborn qualities of the Slovaks, especially their fighting spirit in defense of ideals and principles which are akin to those of our Confederation." - Paul M. Deac, Executive Vice President. "In this diocese 20 priests die each year; only two new ones have been ordained. Active parish priests average 66 years old. One can accurately judge exactly when there will be no priests here. This is why we constantly pray that God will give His Church liberty before we get too old. " - A priest-worker from Czecho-Slovakia, Petrusblatt, Berlin. "(But) the Czech's most important espionage work is done for the Russians. The Czechs usually surpass the Russians in the quality of 'semi-overt' agents such as accredited diplomats, trade representatives, and journalists, many of whom double as intelligence operatives ... "The Czechoslovak Intelligence Service's work on Cyprus is a good example of how the Czechs serve the Russians. Politics in Cyprus involves a melange of Greek Cypriots, Turkish Cypriots, Communists, non-Communists, Greeks, and Turks. In this complex situation, the Russians must tread cautiously because there are so many toes that can easily be stepped on. In the summer of 1963, before the civil war broke out between Greek and Turkish Cypriots, the Czech embassy in the Cypriot capital of Nicosia was staffed by only three full-time career dtplomats. Today, 32 Czech foreign-service officers are attached to the embassy along with numerous trade representatives, journalists, airline officials, and undefined 'visitors'. This is true also at other Czech embassies in the Middle East." -Leo Heiman. The National Observer, March 13, 1967. " ... the Slovak government, under the reign of Msgr Tiso, did for the Jews what no other statesman dared to do in the Europe controlled by Hitler. During that time, no less than 85 % of Slovakia's Jews were saved from extermination." - J. T. Ryan, Jr., The Tablet, Brooklyn, N. Y. "Father Tiso, as he was best known to his countrymen, was hung for his failure to submit the Slovak nation to Communist ideology after that country had been taken over by the Soviets following World War II. Slovak Independence had been declared in March 1939 and Father Tiso was elected first president by an overwhelming majority in October of that year." - Webster (Mass.) Time, March 22, 1967. "When the American and English films are shown (in Slovakia), the hall is filled with people, mostly younger folks. But when the Russian or Czech films are shown, just a handful of people show up." (Gary, Indiana ) Post-Tribune. "Now you of the second, third, and fourth generations must keep up the faith , customs, and traditions of your forefathers here in this country and for the hope of your opressed people in Slovakia . . Don't abandon any of the past, rather draw on it to preserve the "National Confederation of Amer- treasures of your strong faith, your ican Ethnic Groups have a deep ad- culture, your language, and civic �SLOVAKIA 185 pride handed down by your fore- ism and that complete freedom f at hers." - Most Rev. Joseph and liberty are not evident in their McShea, Bishop of Allentown. home 1 and. " - George Romney, Governor of the State of Michigan. "The Slovaks in America have Jong demonstrated their deep and "Memorandum adopted by the abiding loyalties toward this na- 40th Congress of the Slovak League tion's institutions and ideals. They of America is an absolutely splenhave f o s t e re d brotherhood and did statement of the right of selfshown strong moral conviction for determination pledged in the Atlanmany years in their adopted coun- tic Charter as it applies to the try. Captive Nation Slovakia_ It is also " It is sad to note that their be- a model statement for all the other loved native country is still shack- Captive Nations. " - Prof. A . J . led under the bonds of totalitarian- App, Ph.D ., LaSalle College. CONTRIBUTOR S DR. FRANCIS HRUSOVSKY (September 7, 1903 September 9, 1956) Slovakia's eminent historian who was the first to complete a history of the Slovak people and their historic homeland over a span of 15 centuries, Dr. Francis Hrusovsky, was born in Dolne Lovcice, Trnava district, Slovakia. His historical studies took him to Cracow in Poland and Praha in Bohemia. Upon his return home he was named director of the famed KlMtor nad Znievom private school for young men on the junior college level. Here from 1931 to 1945 he established a nationwide reiputation of an excellent educator and administrator as the school prepared hundreds of young Slovaks for successful careers in life. His fame won for him a seat in the Slovak parliament and a professorship at the University of Bratislava_ He was also a member of the board of directors in the Matica Slovenska (Slovak Institute) in Turciansky Sv_ Martin. After World War II he spent two years in historical research in Rome before going to America. In exile because of the postwar communist regime in his native country, he became actively occupied in Slovak affairs designed primarily to keep the hope of liberation alive. Accordingly, he was elected president of the Slovak National Council Abroad upon the death of Karol Sidor in 1953. In Cleveland, Ohio, with Abbot Theodore Kojis, O.S.B. of St. Andrew's Abbey he established the Slovak Institute in 1952 and became its first director_ Moreover, he was a teacher of the Slovak language, literature and history at Benedictine High School from 1947 to 1956, editor of the Slovenske Noviny weekly from 1949 to 1952, a regular speaker on the Cleveland Slovak radio program sponsored by the Cleveland Slovak Radio Club, and the recording secretary of the Slovak League of America. Shortly before his premature death at 53 he completed a history of the Slovak Religious Orders in America ( Slovenske re hole v Amerike). He was also the author of a number of other historical works and many articles for Slovak periodicals. Surviving is his widow, Mrs. Adele Hrusovsky. �186 SLOVAK.IA CONSTANTINE CULEN (February 26, 1904 April 7, 1964) Sixty years marked the span of life for the renowned Constantine Culen, Slovak journalist, publicist, author of 35 books and many political, historical and literary articles, and above all, one of Slovakia's leading patriots whose career in life was to serve his Slovak people with loyalty and devotion until his death. A native of Brodske in western Slovakia, Culen completed his education in Skalica. Then for a short while he was employed in the insurance business in Bratislava before receiving appointment to a position in the railways department. Soon, however, he plunged into the journalistic field in which he was destined to remain for the rest of his extremely active life. Acquaintance with the American Slovaks came firsthand when he came to the U.S. with the delegation of the Matica Slovenska in 1936. It was this visit that inspired him to write a history of the American Slovaks that won for him a national award in 1942. He was also made a Knight of the Order of Prince Pribina. Moreover, his popularity won for him election to the Slovak parliament in 1938. Culen's escape to freedom from his communist-ru led homeland af. ter World War II was followed by the editorship of the Kanadsky Slovak weekly from 1949 to 1956. As director of the Slovak Institute in Cleveland he served for two years before going to New York City where he died after suffering from an ailment for several years. Surviving are his wife, daughter and grandchildre n. Praha but interrupted his studies for a doctorate because of the urgency of the times when the Slovaks needed a leader in their struggle for autonomy inside Czecho-Slovakia. As Hlinka's righthand man, Sidor's dynamic leadership inspired the Slovak nation to carry on its fight for self-government until victory in the fall of 1938. His fearless defense of the rights of the Slovak nation was especially effective in his role as editor of the popular siovak daily in Bratislava and as member of the parliament in Praha. Because of his uncompromis ing stand in behalf of the Slovak nation, he was imprisoned by the Czech centralist regime, which only increased his great popularity at home. When the Slovak Republic was established in the spring of 1939 Sidor was named Minister of Interior but was soon afterwards sent to the Vatican as the representative of the newly-establi shed Slovak state. Here he remained until the end of the war in 1945. His most notable work is recorded in Sidor's book, Sest' rokov pri Vatikane, but only his intimate friends discovered that he had spent himself and his personal fortune (modest by any standards) in taking care of thousands of refugees who came to him for help. In exile from his native homeland , Sidor, though broken in health, continued his activity in behalf of the liberation of his communist-ruled postwar Slovakia which was forced back into the Czecho-Slovak Republic after World War II. He remained president of the Slovak National Council Abroad until his premature death at 52 in KAROL SIDOR Montreal, Que., Canada. Surviving (July 16,1901 - October 20,1953) are his widow, Mrs. Angela Sidor, Karol Sidor, a native of Ruzom- 4 sons, 2 daughters and grandberok, Slovakia, studied law in children. �SLOVAKIA NICHOLAS SPRINC (November 30, 1914 Rev. Mikulas Sprinc, a teacher of modern languages (French, Spanish) and Latin at Borromeo Seminary, Wickliffe, Ohio, finds time to edit the influential cultural S 1 o v a k quarterly, M O ST (Bridge). A priest, poet and patriot, Father Sprinc is known throughout the free world as a fearless defender of the Slovak nation's rights to freedom, self-government and statehood. A native of Krompachy, Spis district, Slovakia, Father Sprinc was a priest in the Spis diocese of the immortal Bishop Jan Vojtassak. His escape to freedom from his postwar communist-ruled S 1 o v a k i a brought him to America. After more than a decade as teacher of Latin, French and Spanish at Benedictine High School in Cleveland he was named to the faculty at Borromeo Seminary and College of the diocese. Father Sprinc received his master's degree in French literature from Western Reserve University. 187 FRANCIS VNUK (April 8, 1926 - ) A native son of Slovakia who was born in Veresvar (Cerveny Hradok, near Zlate Mor av c e), Francis Vnuk at 41 is perhaps the most promising versatile writer of the young generation of Slovaks. He interrupted his mining engineering studies in Ostrava to escape to freedom in 1949. The youthful Slovak emigrant spent two years in a foundry in Australia before enrolling at the Institute of Technology of South Australia. Upon completing his course in metallurgy he became a mernber of the faculty there and continued graduate studies in Physics and Mathematics. Then in his spare time he pursued special studies in political science and history at the University of Adelaide from 1955 to 1960. A decade ago Vnuk's name began appearing in the Jednota and Slovak v Amerike as the author of stimulating historical and literary reviews. Since then he has been the s o u r c e of a never-ending s tr ea m of informative, critical works. The torrent of an invigorating current of words has continued in three languages (Slovak, German and English). His views are based solidly, on facts, presenting them in a vigorous, sparing-no-punches style. His contributions have aroused great interest and merit serious analysis. Primarily a poet he has, nevertheless, written works in prose, notably, K slobodnym pobreziam (To the Shores of Freedom) and has edited several worth w hi 1 e publications, eg., Nadej vit'azna (Triumphant Hope), Sviity Andrej Svorad {a biography of St. Andrew Svorad), Slovenska Republika (Slovak Republic) and Slovenska Liga (1947). He is the author of several volumes of poems, among them His books: Neuveritel'ne sprisaTvarou proti slnku (Facing the hanie (Inc red i b 1 e Conspiracy) , Sun), Mladost' orla (The Youth of Middletown, Pa., 1964; Sedemnast' the Eagle), Oci moje putnice (The neurodnych r o k o v (Seventeen Eyes My Pilgrims) and others. He Barren Years), Middletown, Pa., is a chapter member of the Slovak I 1965, and Slovakia's Six Eventful Institute in Cleveland, Ohio. Months, Rome, 1964. �SLOVAKIA 188 REV. ANDREW PfR, O.S.B. (December 26, 1909 - ) A native of Blandburg, Pennsylvania, he completed his elementary and high school education in the local public schols and enrolled at St. Procopius College, Lisle, Illinois, in the fall of 1926. He worked for two years for Harbison Walker Refractories Company (headquarters in Pittsburgh, Pa.) in his home town before becoming a Benedictine monk in 1930. Since 1931, he has been a teacher of History, English, Slovak, Christian Instruction, Civics, Sociology and other courses at Benedictine High School in Cleveland, Ohio. He was ordained in 1937 and received a master's degree in history from Western Reserve University in 1943. radio talks on the Slovak radio program sponsored by the Cleveland Slovak Radio Club, he makes no secret of his pride of ancestry. He is an American Slovak whose love of our common sacred heritage of faith and freedom is in the proper perspective. MARYAGNES KRAJSA At the age of 17, this young student at St. Cyril's Academy, Danville, Pa., has shown an interest in writing about the history, culture and personalities of Slovaks. She was born in Allentown, Pa., and is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph C. Krajsa, now living in Middletown, Pa. Her father is the Editor of the Catholic weekly, JEDNOTA. Maryagnes Krajsa had an article appear in the Jed not a Annual FURDEK-1967; wrote an analogy of Slovakia's Hlinka and Rome's Cicero; and this spring won first prize in an essay contest on Slovak Culture and Heritage sponsored by the Slovak Catholic Federation of America. Inspired from early youth by his father and friends who were active in the Slovak League of America and the Slovak Catholic Federation, Father Pir has maintained a lifelong interest in the history of the Slovak nation and its emigrants to America. As a member of a number of Slovak fraternal organiAbout the other contributors see zations, co-editor of the Ave Maria last year's edition of Slovakia. magazine, a contributor of articles and a writer of feature columns in several Slovak periodicals the past three decades, director of the Slovak Institute, this youthful Benedictine priest considers himself fortunate to have been associated with many leading Slovak personaAnnual StOV AKIA is publities in the course of his busy life. Perhaps this is another reason for hts willingness to indulge himself in his spare time in a number of translations, among them the translation of the history of the Slovak nation and its historic homeland (Slovenske dejiny) by Dr. Francis Hrusovsky. For this issue of Slovakia, he translated Hrusovsky's, l'.:ulen's, Sidor's and Sprinc's studies. In his articles and occasional lished by the Slovak League of America, 313 Ridge Avenue, Middletown, Pennsylvania. Subscription $2.00. Editor: Dr. Joseph Paufo. �SLOVAKIA BOOK 189 REVIEWS Slovak Literature in the New Catholic Encyclopedia (McGraw-Hill ), 15 vol. , 15,300 p. , 7,500 ill. Price $550.00. After seven years of work by hundreds of scholars the Catholic University of America published 15 volumes of The New Catholic Encyclopedia which will replace the Catholic Encyclopedia of 19071915. The new work has been received by critics as a masterpiece and favorable recensions were published even by non-Catholic press. Accustomed to misrepresentations of Slovakia, of its history and literature in American encyclopedias and symposia, we are agreeably surprised that the editors of The New Catholic Encyclopedia looked for contributors who would avoid old cliches and treat the subject without bias and prejudice. This is at least our impression about the presentation of the Slovak language and literature as well as of individual Slovak writers. The contributions on these subjects were written by professor J . M. Kirschbaum , who for several years lectured on Slovak literature, history and culture at the Department of Slavic Studies, at the University of Montreal, and delivered numerous addresses on the prominent Slovak poets and philologists at the Congresses of the Canadian Association of Slavists. The accounts on Slovak language as well as on Slovak literature in the Encyclopedia are marked by his knowledge of the subject, clear formulations and a genuine attempt at an unbiased presentation of the Slovak cultural past. According to the rules, only the writers who are no more alive, have been included in the Encyclopedia. The editors also determined the size of articles and the number of poets and writers to be included. As a result, there is an account on the Slovak language and literature which presents the development of the Slovak language and literature , their place among Slavic languages and literatures and their main characteristics. Without arguing with misconceptions, Dr. Kirschbaum presented Slovak literature and language in an objective light and put into the 3000 words, he was allowed to write, as much basic information as possible. It is perhaps for the first time that any Encyclopedia published an account on Slovak language and literature with such impartiality and without fundamental errors. Separately are treated in some 2000 words the following writers : Anton Bernolak, Jan Holly. ~udovit Stur, Andrej Sladkovic, P. 0 . Hviezdoslav, S. H. Vajansky, Martin Kukucin and J. C. Hronsky. In a concise form and selected vocabulary Dr. Kirschbaum presented each of these writers and their main works with references to Slovak, German, English and French sources. Selection of bibliography for the Slovak language and literature seems to be also good and comprehensive. The contributions were written over four years ago and therefore some books, especially F . Vnuk's work on Slovak post-World War II literature are missing. Slovak writers in exile are also mentioned, but only in proportion to the Slovak literature as a whole. Who had a glance at the articles on Slovakia in other American or European encyclopedias, will certainly welcome prof. Kirschbaum's contribution on Slovak literature and language in The New Catholic Encyclopedia. It is not only comprehensive, but also without the usual bias with which Slovakia has been presented to the World by non-Slovak J . Pauco scholars. �190 SLOVAKIA Jozef Pauco, Literarny Almanach Slovaka v Amerike 1967 (Literary Almanac of the Slovak in America). Middletown, Pa., pp. 254. The 1967 Literarny Almanach, published by ,the Slovak v Amerike under the editorship of Dr. Joseph Pauco, may be compared to a door which opens into the surprisingly broad field of recent Slovak literary and cultural production in the free world. Already a fleeting glance from the threshold reveals that the field is marvelously fertile and productive, exhibiting a wealth and variety of blooms, colorful in their diversity, charming in their beauty, and attractive in their composition. What is most striking about this flourishing garden is that one encounters here both the producer and the finished product. The garden is portioned off into three areas, the smallest of which is labeled " A Glance at Slovak Literary Creativity in the Free World." Competent authors here present a panoramic view of the conditions under which Slovak culture has expressed itself in recent years in the fields of literature, religion, the arts and nationalism. Poignant in the extreme are the observations of Dr. Joseph Kirschoaum, which are by no means limited in their application to the literary phase of which he writes. The author points out that in fleeing from Slovakia her sons were indeed escaping from hostile forces enveloping their country. But many of them were unable to find refuge even in the West, which was bound especially in those years by political if not friendly ties with their enemies. The Slovaks in exile became marked men. Their enemies, Czech agents in particular, missed no opportunity to make life miserable for them. Doors were closed against them . They experienced harassment, suspicion, false accusations, smear campaigns, denunciations, and outright cruelty and injustice. The marvel is that they were able to accomplish anything at all. Moreover, a distressing lack of research facilities created special difficulties for them and they had no means or very limited ones for the publication of their works. Yet within the past 20 years they have succeeded in catching the ear of the world. Never before, we are told , has the truth about Slovakia been propagated so widely in all the major languages of rthe world. These Slovak writers have become the voice of Slovakia, its conscience and its truest defenders. The second portion of the garden is labeled " Communications from Authors and Poets." In this area the writers show some of their harvestings. Their proven talent is exemplified here in well-constructed, warmly human stories and in lyrics, epigrams, and narrative poems in which the authors reveal their thoughts and share their hopes and yearnings with the reader. The last and by far the largest portion of the garden is marked "Representatives of Slovak Cultural Creativity." Upon entering this area the r eader finds himself in the company of literary scores of eminently distinguished persons, all highly educated, scholarly, and compertent in their respective fields. One beholds them almost with awe- the kind of awe experienced by those who were privileged in 1963 to paiiticipate in the week-long centennial celebrations of the SS. Cyril and Methodius Jubilee in Rome. From the four quarters of the globe Slovaks had assembled in the heart of Christendom to pay tribute to their apostles. In that noble company one recognized prelates and priests, statesmen, writers, artists, missionaries, all of them heroes and leaders, many of whom had for God and country suffered agony, �SLOVAKIA 191 torture, family separation, exile, imprisonment, persecution, starvation, homelessness. To see these people, to meet and talk with them, to be associated with them in prayer was an honor. Something of the same kind of impression is created by the Almanach. Here we not only see this band of leaders, gathered from all the continents of the world, but we are accorded the privilege of a formal introduction to each one by name and, I might add, by pseudonym. In the vicissitudes of flight, exile and adjustment, some of them h&ve assumed a whole series of pseudonyms, interesting to trace and identify. Now we are meeting them, as it were, face to face. We come to know when and where they were born, where they received their education, the manner in which they devote their energies on behalf of Slovakia, how they fared in its downfall, how they wandered from country to country, where they finally settled in the hope of earning a living. Above all, we are informed of the prodigious amount of writing they did "in the interests of truth" in the fields of religion, the arts, history, politics, science and industry. Representative among many in their respective fields are Charles Strmen, poet; Joseph !>uris, musician; Joseph Satin, artist; Michael Gerdelan, novelist; Dr. Joseph A. Mikus, diplomat; Dr. Stanislaus Meciar, literary critic; Eugene Urban, librarian ; Dr. Ferdinand t,urcansky, statesman; Rudolph Petrak, opera singer; Dr. Bonaventure Bue, O.F.M., linguist; Dr. Ivan A. Getting, scientist; Dr. Stephen Polakovic, philosopher; Stephen B. Roman, industrialist; Rudolph Kalencik, businessman; Philip A. Hrobak, journalist; Frico Motoska, sculptor; Rev. Jaroslav J. Vajda, translator; Jaroslav J. Pelikan, Protestant theologian; Boris Gaspar, illustrator; Rev. Julius Gasparik, composer; Francis Vnuk, metallurgist; Dr. Francis Hrusovsky, historian; Felix S. Gula, achitect; Dr. Joseph Stojkovic, physician; Rev. Louis Luzbetak, S.V.D., anthropologist; John Fabianek, biologist; John M. Dafcik, film critic; Mary Michna, pianist; Dr. Francis Zeman, biblical scholar; Dr. Heinrich Bartek, philologist. The list is merely typical; it was by no means easy to omit other names in each category. A survey of the list of works of these men is quite overwhelming. Indeed, if all the books, monographs, articles, works of art, music, paintings, sculpture, scientific studies produced by this group of professionals, were brought together into one collection, the resulting library would be precious beyond measure. In the preface to the Almanach, the renowned poet, Andrej .Zarnov, states that this listing of Slovak intellectuals and writers and the compilation of their representative works is long overdue. One is in for a surprise, he says, because the survey is remarkably revealing and the result tremendously inspiring. A final word from the editor is contained in the Epilogue. Dr. Pauco writes in substance: "It is an honor for us to place this Almanach in the hands of Slovaks wherever they may be. Like its predecessors it has its roots in a genuine love for and intense interest in the flowering of Slovak culture1in a free world. "In its compilation two circumstances brought us uncommon joy: 1) Whereas Americans regard a 10% response to a questionnaire as notably successful, our effort brought an overwhelming 95% response. 2) We have in effect produced here the nucleus of a Who's Who �192 SLOVAKIA Among the Slovaks, an undertaking long recognized as both desirable and necessary. "The two persons responsible for the compilation of personal data for the WHO'S WHO were the editor and, separated from him in faraway Australia, Francis Vnuk, who tackled this gigantic task with truly marvelous zeal and initiative. "In conducting the survey all religious and political dividing lines were disregarded. Beginners and veterans alike were invited to make themselves known, provided they had made some contribution to the treasury of Slovak self-identity and national consciousness." " Our aim," continues Dr. Pauco, "was to bear indisputable histurical witness to the native ability, resourcefulness, talent, energy and aspirations of the Slovaks in a free world; to the wholesomeness and durability of their Slovak culture; and to their determination to cling to and fight for their rights. Indeed, one can pose the question: If this is the output of men living in adverse circumstances, what would it have been in circumstances ideally set up in a free and independent Slovakia?" This ALMAN ACH, therefore, is a manifestation of Slovak talent and Slovak genius, yes, and a confrontation with Slovakia's indomitable courage. Sister M . Tarcisia Gregorovic, SS.C.M. Kalendar Jednota 1967: The 70th edition of the Jednota annual in the Slovak language. Jednota Press, 1967; 232 pp., Middletown, Pa. Ed. By Jozef C. Krajsa. Although the current Jednota annual follows the traditional pattern, it is an up-to-date publication that contains a variety of articles of interest to a wide circle of readers even outside the Jednota membership. Featured in this volume are John Sabol, supreme secretary, who by reason of his many years of devoted service merits the coveted title of 'Mr. Jednota,' and the late Jozef Rusek, who was editor of the Jednota weekly for more than three decades. Moreover, the ecumenical spirit is quite in evidence in the articles about Martin Razus by J. Dend'ur and Svetozar Hurban Vajansky by J . Bor. Many photos from Jednota affairs and Slovak life in general add to the attraction of a highly readable edition. Perhaps the most historical of the articles is the analysis of the view of communistic historians toward the Slovak Republic (1939-1945) by Jozef Kirschbaum, LL.D., Ph.D. As customary, the extensive list of addresses of Slovak clergy and Religious is a valuable asset, but it needs to be A . P. revised and supplemented. Jednota Annual Furdek 1967: This current edition published by the First Catholic Slovak Union, Middletown, Pa., in the English language continues to fulfill its original purpose, ie., to reach the younger set inside and outside the Jednota family. (Jednota Press, Middletown, Pa., 1967, 192 pp.) True to its design, namely, to arouse the interest of the youth, the Furdek features a striking pictorial review of the last year's Jednota college scholarship winners. The articles are, however, of general interest to people interested in American Slovak activities. No doubt the panel of biographies introduced by the editor, Joseph C. Krajsa, �SLOVAKIA 193 promises to inspire a complete series of life sketches of American Slovak leaders in various fields of activity throughout the country. We have something to look forward to next year and in the years to come. A. P, Diamond Jubilee Issue. Published by the 2ivena, Pittsburgh, Pa. Edited by Maria Mravec. 128 pp. in the Slovak language, brief supplements in English. Zivena Beneficial Society of the U.S.A . ( 1891 -1966) - This unusual volume follows an informal and original pattern but is historically valuable for its contents that cover a period of 75 years in the life of this fraternal organization for American Slovak women (also a minority of male members). Brief histories of various assemblies greatly enhance the overall value of the volume. Tributes paid to the founders and prominent leaders of the organization give us a true picture of the 2ivena family in our American Slovak fraternal life. A .P. Ncirodny A mericko -Slov ensky KALEND A R 1967 : 75th edition of the official annual published by the National Slovak Society of the U.S. of America, Pittsburgh, Pa., 224 pp. , 153 pp. in the Slovak language, 48 pp. in English and the rest advertizing. Ed. by Jan Mihal. Dedicated to the memory of Peter P . Rovnianek, founder of the NSS, this oldest of Slovak annuals in America, seeks to convey the old and new spirit of the American Slovak life : a) ,t he old, by recalling the inspiring leadership of our Slovak pioneers who organized our fraternal societies, b) the new, by peering into the future in an ecumenical mood to grasp the spirit of a new age. There are perhaps a number of controversial subjects touched upon here and there, but the spirit of Christian charity bids us to treat these in the spirit of the new ecumenism in an effort to arrive at a common understanding in the hope of Slovak unity that will help our Slovak nation win its struggle against the forces of evil let loose upon the hallowed land of Slovak forefathers. Here in a free land we must cherish our freedom not only in words but in deeds, and we can do no better than follow the shining example of Slovak pioneers who blazed a trail for us to follow, particularly in Slovak fraternal organizations in America. A . P. 1967 - Zi on Calendar: A jubilee issue marking the 450th anniversary of the Reformation. 160 pp. Published by the Slovak Zion Synod of the Lutheran Church in America. Edited by Rev. John Kalny, Rev. John Kovacik and Rev. John Adam. Kalendcir Sion - Although Martin Luther is naturally the centerpiece of this volume in Slovak (80 pp.) and English (50 pp.) , advertizing 30 pp, the history of the Slovak Lutheran parishes is of special interest to those of Slovak origin. The history, too, of Dr. Jozef M. Hurban with accompanying pictures to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the birth of this great 19th century Slovak patriot and religious leader is of great interest to all Slovaks, here or in Slovakia. The names of Slovak Lutheran parishes and their pastors in America are invaluable to the �194 SLOVAKlA historian in search of facts and statistics for a complete history of the Slovaks in America. A. P. Bohemia, Yearbook of the Collegium Carolinum, Munich, Vol. 6, Robert Lerche Verlag, Munich, 1964, DM 45. Die Slowakei als mitteleuropiiisches Problem in Geschichte und Gegenwart. Papers delivered at a symposium of the Collegium Carolinum in Mtinchen-Grtinwald, V. 1 to 3. August 1962. Verlag Robert Lerche, Munich 1965, 235 pp., DM 22.- (cloth bound) DM 19.(cardboard). The Collegium Carolinum, research center on the Bohemian countries, has again published two new volumes: the Bohemia Yearbook (Volume 6) and the papers delivered at a symposium of the Collegium in August 1962 in Grunwald near Munich on "Slovakia as a Central European Problem in Past and Present. " Because of the wealth of material and research findings the Bohemia Yearbooks are not only well-known but practically indispensable to readers especially interested in history. Once again it is difficult to select from the large number of treatises and book reviews a representative extract and although they would deserve mention, lack of space makes it impossible to include all the papers under review. Heribert Sturm, known not only to the people of Eger as an indefatigable researcher of his home area, examined - in a paper delivered in May 1964 in Nuremberg - the mutual relationships between Eger, Nuremberg and Prague in the high and late medieval periods. Also contained herein is Friedrich Prinz' lecture of January 1965 on Bohemia's historical problems between 1848 and 1918 plus his important confrontation of ideology and reality in the national controversy on both sides. By reading and rethinking the issues presented, one spontaneously feels grateful to the publisher for letting important words become printed witnesses to the efforts on behalf of historic trnth and reality. The same might be said of the talks on the Slovak question. Milan Stanislav Durica's contribution on "Slovakia during the March Crisis of 1939" offers valuable new material toward destroying the "Slovak legend": only undifferentiated, black-white presentations of " contemporary history" could and can see Slovakia as a stolid ally of National Socialist Greater Germany. To the historian prone to weigh and balance his material, this work offers a dovetailed mosaic of alliance under international law, ideological (partial) aversion, and power-political weighing of interests. One can only hope that Durica's voluminous tome: "La Slovacchia e le sue relazioni politiche con la Germania 1938-1945" (Padua 1964, lire 4,000) will soon be available in translation. A number of these works should, however, be made available for broader circles, especially the youth. The Collegium Carolinum has assumed the task of "objectively fostering the tradition of the venerable Charles University .. . for the young." One could visualize in connection with the youth organizations well-suited to the task, such as the Sudeten German Youth and the German Youth of the East, a series of publications that would present the selected works of this kind at a price within reach, in greater number. Fritz Peter Habel �SLOVAKIA 195 DO ·N ' T CO U NT US OUT! A COUNTRY WHICH YOU MAY NOT KNOW SLOVAK I A (18,921 square miles, population 4,400,000) is a separate country and the SLOVAK NATION is an individual member of the European family of nations. Though Slovakia lies in the very center of Europe, its name is not heard of in the world. The reason for that is the fate of this country which, for ages, has not been able to emerge in history under its own name, and is not even today an independent country on the map of Europe. The SLOVAKS occupied this country at the end of the 4th century, when it belonged to no one. The ancestors of the Slovak people attached to this country the destiny of all the succeeding Slovak generations, who in turn, established their claim to this land by the1 fact that during their more than thousand year history they never deserted or renounced it. Out of the tiny Slovak principalities a united Slovak State came into existence already in the first half of the 9th century. It was the first organized state in Central Europe. By the year 830 during the reign of Prince Pribina, a Christian church was standing in the ancient home of the Slovak princes of Nitra. It was the first Christian church in the entire territory of the western Slavs. The King Svatopluk (870-894), whom contemporary sources consider "the most glorious of the Slavonic rulers almost as mighty as an emperor" e.lQtended his domain to include the neighboring Czech and Polish tribes. He waged successful wars against his Western neighbors, maintained diplomatic relations and concluded diplomatic peace treaties with neighboring rulers, and safeguarded the independent status of his country. By the end of the 10th century, after the Danube basin was invaded by the Magyars, Slovakia lost the conditions necessary for independent development. Sometime around the year 1000 it became a part of the Hungarian State. A great and glorious chapter of Slovak history was ended, but neither its inspiring memory, nor the right of the Slovak nation to liberty and independence, ever faded. The addition into the heritage Slovaks did not enter the Hungarian State empty-handed. In to the territory of their own country, the Slovaks brought budding Hungarian State their entire material and spiritual and they became a participant in this new phase of history. For a century and a half (from 1540 until the end of the 17th century) Slovakia served as a bastion in the bulwark that defended Christian Europe against the danger from the East-against the attacks of the Turks. The new ideas which later, under the slogan "Liberty, Equality and Fraiternity," resulted in the French Revolution, made their way into the Danube basin and affected also the nations of that region, Slovak �196 SLOVAKIA national consciousness developed and, under the pressure of the subjugation exerted upon the Slovaks by the Magyars, became strongly rooted in Slovak life itself. Soon the Slovaks began to cultivate their own language. Anton Bernolak, in the year 1787 wrote a grammar of literary Slovak. In the year 1843, under I.!udovit Stur, who was the cultural and political leader of his generation, definitive rules of Slovak grammar were established and these became the instrument of an independent literature. In the spring of 1861 the Slovaks called a general assembly to Turciansky Sv. Martin where the prominent attorney Stefan Marko Daxner formulated Slovak policy in the comprehensive Memorandum of the Slovak Nation. Pointing to the conditions which had developed in Hungary, they asked that the Slovak nation be recognized by a special edict, that Slovakia constitute a distinctive administrative unit in Hungary, and that the Slovak people in their own territory be given the right to develop their own life without restriction. The Magyars opposed the petitions of the Slovak nation. They outlawed the assembling Slovaks and treated their political leaders as traitors. When World War I was nearing its end, the leaders of ,t he Slovaks saw that the military defeat of the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy would give them the opportunity to attain the goals they were not able to achieve in Hungary. Slovaks took a stand for the right of self-determination On May 30, 1918, representatives of the Slovak League of America met with representatives of Czech organizations and with the President of the Czecho-Slovak National Council, T. G. Masaryk, in Pittsburgh, Pa., and drew up an agreement which guaranteed political and cultural autonomy to Slovakia in the new common State. The Slovaks in the homeland met on October 30, 1918, in Turciansky Sv. Martin, where they organized a Slovak National Council and in separate declaration proclaimed that the Slovaks once and for all were separating themselves from Hungary and were of their own accord joining the Czecho-Slovak State. The Slovak people welcomed the Czecho-Slovak Republic with open joy and sincere hope. But the relaitionship between the Slovak and Czech nations was dimmed :&om the very beginning of their union. On May 4, 1919, the outstanding representative of the Slovaks in the Czecho-Slovak National Council, general Milan Rastislav Stefanik, was murdered by a secret order of the Prague Government. But the most important reason why the early enthusiasm of the Slovaks ended in rapid and complete disillusionment was that the Czechs were trying to build the Czecho-Slovak Republic on the same kind of foundation which the Magyars had laid for the creation of an united greater Hungary. The President of the Hungarian Government, Stephen Tisza, declared: "There is no Slovak nation ... " The President of Czecho-Slovakia, T. G. Masaryk, said the same. Magyarization was replaced with Czechization, and the undemocratic centralization by Budapest with the undemocratic centralization by Prague. Slovakia was treated as a colony of the Czechs. �SLOVAKIA 197 Rev. Andrej Hlinka, a fearless political fighter of the Slovaks during the Hungarian regime, renewed the relentless struggle for the honor and rights of his own nation. The policy of his Slovak People's Party was based on the Pittsburgh Agreement. It was drawn up and signed by the President of the Czecho-Slovak Republic, T. G. Masaryk, who later declared iit null and void. The disappointed Slovaks united themselves in the predominantly Catholic Slovak People's Party, led by A. Hlinka, and in the Slovak National Party, which had a majority of Lutheran members, headed by Martin Razus, a leading Slovak poet whom the Slovaks called the '' conscience of .the Slovak nation." The Czechs, like the Magyars, did not want to give up their imperialistic plans for Slovakia until they were forced to under the pressure of the international developments. The Czecho-Slovak Republic, preparing to celebrate its 20th anniversary, found itself in the midst of a serious internal crisis and was shaken to its foundations by strong German pressure. After the Allies of the Czecho-Slovak Government dis-associated themselves from the policy of President Benes, the days of Czecho-Slovakia came to an end. Circumstances left .the Slovaks no choice but to shift for themselves. After a great manifestation in Bratislava, on June 5, 1938, where a delegation of the Slovak League of America, led by its president Dr. Peter Hletko, brought along the original of the Pittsburgh Pact, after lengthy and fruitless consultations with representatives of the Prague regime, the Executive Committee of the Slovak People's Party met in 2ilina, on the 6th of October, 1938, and suggested that all power in Slovakia be seized by the Slovaks. This resolution of the Slovak People's Party was accepted and approved in all its parts by delegates of all the remaining non-leftist Slovak parties. According to the declaration of Slovak autonomy, elections for seats in the Slovak Parliament were held as early as December 18, 1938. The Slovak Parliament, elected according to the decree of Slovak autonomy, was called into extraordinary session by the President of the Czecho-Slovak Republic, Dr. Emil Hacha, and on March 14, 1939, it dedared Slovakia an independent and self-gov erning state by unanimous resoh.1,tion. This step was the only refuge for Slovakia against the storm threatening 1t in the tense international situation. The independent State of Slovakia was recognized either de jure or de facto by 27 nations. These states included great powers and small countries, neutrals as well as belligerents in the Second World War. On October 26, 1939, Dr. Jozef Tiso was elected the first president of the Slovak Republic and was recognized by the Slovak nation as the successor of the 9th-century Slovak princes. After six years, a great and glorious chapter of Slovak history was ended. On the heels of the Soviet army's divisions and their unspeakable atrocities, came Dr. Eduard Benes with the government of a resurrected Czecho-Slovak Republic. The Slovak nation arrived, against its will and contrary to all the principles of natural and selfdetermining rights, at a position in which it did not care to live at any price, with nothing but slavery staring it in the face . �SLOVAKIA 198 The Slovak nation became a victim of revenge because it waged to declare and to build its own state. The execution of the President of Slovak Republic, Dr. Jozef Tiso, on April 18, 1947, was the condemnation of whole Slovak people. The gallows on which Dr. Jozef Tiso and' the other representatives of the Slovak Republic died a martyr's death, and the time bomb which killed the prominent exilefighter of Slovakia, Matu~ Cernak, in Munich on June 5, 1955, stand above the chasm whica once and for all obliterated any form of Czecho-Slovak state. The spirit and form of the Communist people's democracy are foreign , repulsive and unacceptable to the Slovak nation. With persistent and remarkable consistency, the Slovaks are rejecting everything that the government of Czecho-Slovakia, as a servant of Moscow, is forcing upon them. And they are defending and fighting with heroic courage everything that feeds and strengthens their own life. They will never surrender their claim to a free life in their own state, but insist on an independent position in the great family of nations in Europe. The struggle for this goal is led not just by the Slovak nation behind the Iron Curtain, but by its members in the free world. The Slovaks, through the Slovak League of America, do not cease to call for FREEDOM and INDEPENDENCE for SLOVAKIA . SLOVAK STATE - A DREAM OF THOUSAND YEARS Atty. John F. Spacek March 14, 1939. A thousand years old Slovak dream of self-government realized on this date. The yearnings, wishes and prayers of a courageous people were answered on this date. Slovaks - the " Irish of Central Europe" as they are often called, joined the family of nations. Their freedom, cultural identity, free expression of thought were now a political reality. Let us, for a brief moment, go into history, to the year 1938 and trace the birth and growth of the Slovak state. It was at this time that the avarious eyes of Hitler cast themselves upon the Sudetenland ; his demands were to assimilate the Sudeten Germans into the Third Reich. Fearing the advent of a war the English and the French recommended appeasing Hitler by agreeing to his demands. However, at this time, it was not only -the German that was avarious. The Pole and the Magyar also cast their eyes on Slovakia. It was at this time, it must be remembered, that the thought and dream of an independent Slovakia was nurtured. Faced with the possibility of total digestion by the German and occupation by the Magyar and/or Pole, a decision by Father Dr. Tiso had to be made. It must be remembered that the decision was made reluctantly, since the original intention of those in power was to participate with the Czechs as a part of a federated state of Czechs and Slovaks. This, �SLOVAKIA 199 however, could not be. Condition in the Czecho-Slovakia deteriorated to a point where total occupation by the German army was inevitable. Pressed by the demands of Hitler, the fear of Czech duplicity (again), a fear of occupation by the Magyars together with the centuries old dream of self-government, Slovakia was born. The birth of the Slovak Republic did not come without fanfare. Diplomatic recognition and relations were exchanged by almost every European power, including seventeen (17) who fought on the side of allies or were neutral. Congratulatory notes and wishes were received from every corner of the globe. A constitution was formed. A memorable document embodying every .p rinciple of Christian Law and social justice. A representative. government was adopted. A house consisting of one representative for every 20,000 people. It became a haven for Jews escaping from Poland. Pro-German functionaries were dismissed from office. It became known as a "Christian Oasis" in a Nazi desert - and the "Ireland of Central Europe". However, this dream, this yearning and desire for self-govern• ment was not to last. It became apparent that a Russian occupation was eminent. Various efforts were made to prevent a destruction of the country by the ravages of war and to continue their freedom thereafter. However, communist infiltrators and traitors were not to permit a free Slovakia, causing distrust, turmoils and disorder. The communists now took hold of the country not by the rule of law, but by the rule of force, not by self-determination, but by fear. In history's haste to re-establish Czecho-Slovakia and with a generous assistance of communists and combined with total disregard to the Slovaks' own destiny, the control over Slovakia was once more moved back to Prague. The 1000 years' dream ended after six years. Six years of what? Six years of freedom from fear, freedom from want, six years of economic and cultural development, and of educational advances beyond anyone's dream. - And it ended. It was a dream worth fighting for. It is for this dream that the Slovak League of America exists and continues in the struggle for self-determination and the cause of Slovak freedom. Some historians will criticize this short-lived Slovak Republic for accepting some measure of assistance from the Germans. I say to these: "You are naive . .. From whom was this freedom that had been so long sought to come? From the Russians? The Czechs? The Magyars? What other course was open?" If we criticize Father Tiso, should we not also criticize De Valera of Ireland and Gandhi of India and many others? This struggle is mankind's struggle for self-determination. family of nations at the United Nations began with a handful result of the rights of mankind to determine their own destiny. the family has grown. Has not the philosophy of the Slovaks proven to be correct? The as a And been �200 SLOVAKIA Contents American Democracy and Slovak Life - Hrusovsky - Dr. Francis 1 Constantine Beginnings of The Slovak League of America - Culen - 18 The Slovak League of America and the Slovak Nation's Struggle for Autonomy - Karol Sidor - 29 Slovak League of America and Independent Slovakia - Mikulas Sprinc - 63 Under Dynamic Leadership Peter V. Rovnianek - Sister M. Martina, SS.C.M. - F . Vnuk - A Poet in Exile - Prof. Dr. F . Durcansky - The Slovaks in America - J.M. Kirschbaum - P . V. Rovnianek - 181 As Others See It - 185 189 A Country Which You May Not Know Slovak State - Atty. John F . Spacek - 153 161 178 Current Issues - Book Reviews - 144 Maryagnes Krajsa - Andrej Hlinka - Contributors - Joseph Pauco, Ph.D. - 195 198 173 104 137 �PRI NTI D IN U.S. A. JIDN OTA PlllN TER Y, MID DLli TOW N, PA. � 178 SLOVAKIA CURRENT ISSUES PRESIDENT DR. JOSEPH TISO They died because they dared, and their daring was in behalf of the Slovak nation in whose behalf they dedicated their lives and fortunes. Slova1k leaders dared to proclaim Sloviak independence in the early spring of 1939 and they succeeded in establishing the Slov,a k Republic, which soon received official diiplomatic recognition by the countries of Europe--induding Germany, Russia, France, Great Britain, Spain, and Italy. Founded in the days of peace-six months before the outbreak of World War II-the Slovak State was destined to flounder in the days of peace after the war in the summer of 1945. Thus, through no fault of its own, the Slovak Republic vanished because of the dictates of those who came disguised as liberators. Its destruction was actually, therefore, the end result of postwar dictatorship. Prime victims of postwar revenge at the hands of the commlllllist coalition in Moscow, Prague and Bratislava were President Tiso and his government officials who had guided the Slovak Republic safely through the storms of World War II, only to have the Slovak Ship of State torpedoed treacherously and dishonorably by the 'liberators'. The Captain went down heroically with his Ship, as did many of his loyal colleagues. Their names are indelibly emblazoned on the glorious pages of Slovak history. Nothing can erase their golden memories from the minds and hearts of their countrymen. Slovak exiles scattered throughout the free world willingly bear witness in behalf of the Slovak Republic. Their testimony shows how grave a:nd injustice was inflicted upon the Slovak people and its government by the so-called liberators of World War II. The only way to correct this act of gross injustice to a freedom-loving people. the Slovaks,. is the restoration of their own independent self-governing state. No one can denv the ever-present reality of religious �SLOVAKIA 179 and political suppression of the Sloviaiks. How long a free world -can tolerate this situation is beyond comprehension, but it somehow indicates the moral bankruptcy of our age when so much injustice, oppression and persecution against so many goes on unchallenged in our times. Rev. Andrew Pir, O.S.B. CLERGY WITH MORAL BLEMISH USED AS COMMUNIST TOOL The conclave of the"peace priests" in Prague has ended. Two active government ministers made very clear the desire of the Communist regime to open negotiations with the Vatican on a modus vivendi between church and state. Although contacts were made with Rome as far back as the last phase of Vatican II, they ran aground due to the failure to reach agreement on several questions. The final note of discord was the appearance of two Slovak bishops-in-exile, Hnilica and Rusnak, which caused keen resentment in Prague, since the two dignitaries openly demanded that the Council plenum brand Communism as the " scourge of the 20th century". Moreover, the three Council fathers from the cSSR did not contradict them. The agreement which the Vatican has meantime con- eluded with Hungary and Yugoslavia, and the relaxation perceptible in its relationship to R um an i a, is causing Prague to fear that Czecho-Slovakia could some day become the victim of isolation. That fear prompted Minister of Education, Hajek to use the forum of the "peace priests" conference to make an offer of reconciliation to the Vatican, in which he appealed to the Pope for "realism". What is probably meant, is that Rome should reward with the title of bishop, those persons who, in the fifties, were installed in office by the Communists as general vicars, although most of them were Communist underlings, not daring to protest again the anti-church discrimination or the imprisonment of their own bishops who were incarcerated without benefit of fair trial. The Holy See, well aware �180 SLOVAKIA of the precarious position of the Prague government, is in no hurry to take Prague up on its offer, especially as the agreement between Hungary and the C h u r c h has not brought the desired results. The bishops installed there proved too ineffective, and consequently were unable to broaden the Church's sphere of operation. Hence the Vatican has chosen to wait and see how the agreement with Yugoslavia - made against the wishes of the bishops there - turns out, before it takes on a new risk with Prague. Informed circles know that one of the conditions for negotiations with the Czech government would be the removal of the governmentempowered persons in all dioceses who, as laymen, are in possession of the episcopal seal, while the vicars, inst a 11 e d simultaneous ly, ( drawn from the ranks of the "peace priests") would have to restrict themselves to a figure-head function in the various parishes. Prague would be willing, if these "peace priests" were to be given official status as bishops, thereby assuring a further Communist hold on the Church. The top echelon "peace priests", it should be noted, have "moral shortcomings", such as having broken their vow of celibacy and caused scandal among their congregations . Priests of this kind are always open to blackmail by the Communist Party, hoping as it does that eventual Vatican approval of such "poor specimens" may lead many of the religious-min ded to desert the church. Heading the "peace priests" is Minister of Health Plojhar, who was excommunica ted some years ago and is hated not only by his co-religionists but even by the Communist Party. An example of this dislike for Plojhar is seen in a resolution drawn up last spring in Olomouc by that city's school of medicine, appealing to Prague's Central Committee to remove Plojhar from his ministerial post on the grounds of being "not qualified" and having recourse to "Stalinist methods of operations". The attempt was, of course, unsuccessful, since President Novotny still needs his faithful henchman to keep the clergy "under control". Plojhar's power has only come to light in the past weeks, with the return of the two "neutral" Slovak bishops, Lazik and Necsey, who had �SLOVAKIA been in Rome for a long papal audience and were forced immediately upon their arrival at the Prague airport, to report to the general secretary of the "peace priests",one Mr. Benes. Prior to that, C a r d i n a 1 Konig, of Vienna, also had an audience with the Pope and reported to him on his impressions gained during a visit to Slovakia in September. According to his story, the bishops there are still under heavy emotional pressure, and after Konig's return to Austria they were immediately put through a thorough-going cross-examination by the secret police as to their conversations with the Viennese cardinal. It is also common knowledge that 181 the Prague "Ecclesiastical Office" forbade the reading of a pastoral letter at the beginning of the school year because it drew the attention of the faithful to the opportunity, under the constitution, for their children to get religious instruction. Should further proof of the Communist regime's hostility toward the church be desired, it can be seen in the fact that in the CSSR Gnly 35 new priests are ordained annually, compared with 300 before the war. The difficulties placed in the path of young people desiring to study theology today show more clearly than anything else that state-church coexistence is still a long way off. w.o. AS OTHERS SEE IT "Slovakia has always been a land of plenty, but never a land of long peace. Its people have been attacked from all sides. They have known the dread of encirclement and destruction by enemies who have looked with covetous eyes upon the Slovak rich land of the Danube Valley. "For more than 1,000 years, since the time St. Cyril and Methodius brought Christianity to the land of the Slovaks, it has been looked on as the birthplace of Christianity in Eastern Europe. In 830 the first Christian church was erected, in Nitra. It still stands today in Slo- vakia, if the Communists have not destroyed it. It is thus understandable that the Christian world witnesses the plight of the Slovak people today with deep concern. We pray that the Slovak people will soon attain their freedom from Soviet totalitarianism. "Nothing can be more harrowing to American citizens of Slovak birth, whose relatives still live in Slovakia, than the knowledge that their original homeland remains enslaved. Their heartstrings long to see them free. "Yet, beneath the iron rule of Slovakia's enslavement, the Slovak �182 SLOVAKIA spirit of independence still struggles against oppression. Under the very eyes of the Kremlin's agents, insurgents spread through the countryside ... "We who enjoy the freedom of the West have a sober lesson to learn from the unfortunate peoples of Slovakia who live under the Communist reign of terror. They have shown us that even in the darkest hours, the love of liberty need not die. Let us hope that the Slovaks are not resisting in vain, that with our help they shall one day be able to live in the atmosphere of freedom and dignity which is the right of all human beings . .. "American citizens of S 1 ova k descent and backround who are carrying on this vigorous battle against communism deserve the plaudits and continued support of all who believe in democracy." Extension of remarks of Honorable Hubert H. Humphrey of Minnesota in the Senate of the United States, Wednesday, April 1, 1953. "Hebrew, Latin, and Greek were the only languages approved for use in the liturgical services of the 9th century. SS. Cyril and Methodius authored and popularized a translation in the Slavonic language, at that time the vernacula r of the Slovaks, Croats, Bulgarians, Moravians, Serbians and Bohemians which is still in use today. They were pioneers centuries before Vatican II authorized the vernacular for all nations." - Rev. Paschal Boland, O.S.B. , S.T.D. "The great Christian historical background of the Slovak nation fitted well in this new country of ours. You may at times have found the task arduous but you can always tell you are on the rigth road if it is upgrade. " It is evident that the seed of Christianity planted in Slovakia more then a thousand years ago had a great influence on all citizens of central and eastern Europe radiating from what was then Great Moravia. It is a great credit to your nation that you have not only maintained the advantages derived from the teachings of the two great saints who evangelized your country but you have enriched a great many by furthering the cause of Christianity in a manner contagious to all other nations surrounding yours. " - Paul Tardif, M .P., Ottawa, Canada "So nationalistic are the Slovaks that they resent and deplore the official spelling of the name of that country. They would have it hyphenated - Czecho-Slovakia - to earn both separation and capitalization. Though they are blood relatives of the Czechs and speak a related language, they are militantly protective of their individuality and nationalism ... "Freedom loving peoples can admire the tenacity of the Slovaks. Slovakia, settled by the Slovaks _in the early middle ages, was dommated by invading Magyars for almost a thousand years. The Magyars who invaded that country in the year 906 forced the Slovaks to submit to cultural and political dominance. "But the Slovaks clung tenaciously and with bravery to their own ways, their own cultures and their own language and preserved them during a very long period when a lesser people would have been assimilated or destroyed as an entity. Pe ace loving, they have been exposed through all of history to wars, revolutions, and dissentions. It is little wonder that they fled their conquered land, where Slovakia was part of Hungary until 1918 ... "One does not willingly mistake a Czech for a Slovak nor a Slovak for a Czech because, despite kinship, both peoples have great pride in �SLOVAKIA their own. The political marriage of the Czechs with the Slovaks in the creation of Czechoslovakia is not a truly happy one. A militant Slovak once said, 'The Slovaks are neither Czechs nor Czechoslovakians, but Slovaks who intend to r e m a i n Slovaks' . . . the Slovaks have no real voice in the (Prague) government ... " - Charlie House, The Milwaukee Journal, December 11, 1966. "Despite their domination by the Soviets and their inferior relationship to their Czech neighbors, the Slovaks are a fiercely nationalistic people who make the most of their own language in their little corner of the Tatra mountains, having had to connive and struggle and die in order to keep their national identity alive. The Devin Fortress, west of the city, rising hundreds of feet above the Danube, is today a center of formal and informal activity as well as a tourist attraction. An amphitheater has been cut out of the slope of the hill running down to a stage platform on the shore of the Danube. In the ruins of this fortress, which N a p o l e o n had blown up in a moment of pique, the Slovak revolutionaries of the middle 1800s, led by I.:udovit Stur, used to gather in secret to sing national songs, to inflame each other to national consciousness, and adopted poetical Slovak names to knit them to their ideal of a free land of their own. Leaving the historic fort so closely identified with the freedom movement of the 19th century, we drove along a double barbed-wire fence separated by a raked 20-foot noman's-land, the 'Iron Cuvtain' dividing the unfree from the free world. "Today one could sense beneath the surface tension of life in a regulated society the sturdy stuborness of previous generations in a similar societal prison. The Czechs continue to distrust the Slovaks, even in the government and enforcement 183 of the Socialist regime. Though the Slovak youth serve in the army in numbers disproportionate to their population (Slovaks number about 25 percent), fewer than 1 percent of their number are officers. Though Socialist slogans adorn every square, red stars top factories and schools, and pictures of Communist le a d er s occupy the walls of public offices. I heard only one woman use the term 'Comrade,' and she was a petty government worker whose job no doubt depended on the use of the right terms. "As unyielding as their national consciousness is the Christian composition of Slovakia. The country is about 80 percent Roman Catholic and about 10 percent Lutheran. (Prior to the Counter-Reformation in the 17th century the ratio was reversed.) This historic division has not been healed completely in the past three centuries ... "And yet the almost total Christian composition of Slovakia has left its mark on the people in various ways. M o r a I i t y is on a higher level, the crime rate is lower, the home more respected than in some of the neighboring countries . . . "I sensed a feeling of resignation on the part of older people. They seemed to have lost trust in any power outside their own, with perhaps the exception of spiritual power. The United Nations is helpless to liberate them." - Rev. Jaroslav Vajda, Editor, This Day, St. Louis, Mo. "In Czecho-Slovakia, Yugoslavia, Hungary and every land under communist dictatorship re 1 i g ion is being put to death." - John Cardinal Heenan of Westminster. "Czecho-Slovakia's communist regime has refused to compromise on other points, especially those involving the 1949 law which restricts the Church. This law gives the government the right to judge the �184 SLOVAKIA qualifications of priests, to prevent a priest from performing his duties, to install pastors and chaplains, to check Church finances, and to hamper the activity of the Church in many other matters." - NCWC News Service, Washington, D.C. miration and respect for the fine inborn qualities of the Slovaks, especially their fighting spirit in defense of ideals and principles which are akin to those of our Confederation." - Paul M. Deac, Executive Vice President. "In this diocese 20 priests die each year; only two new ones have been ordained. Active parish priests average 66 years old. One can accurately judge exactly when there will be no priests here. This is why we constantly pray that God will give His Church liberty before we get too old. " - A priest-worker from Czecho-Slovakia, Petrusblatt, Berlin. "(But) the Czech's most important espionage work is done for the Russians. The Czechs usually surpass the Russians in the quality of 'semi-overt' agents such as accredited diplomats, trade representatives, and journalists, many of whom double as intelligence operatives ... "The Czechoslovak Intelligence Service's work on Cyprus is a good example of how the Czechs serve the Russians. Politics in Cyprus involves a melange of Greek Cypriots, Turkish Cypriots, Communists, non-Communists, Greeks, and Turks. In this complex situation, the Russians must tread cautiously because there are so many toes that can easily be stepped on. In the summer of 1963, before the civil war broke out between Greek and Turkish Cypriots, the Czech embassy in the Cypriot capital of Nicosia was staffed by only three full-time career dtplomats. Today, 32 Czech foreign-service officers are attached to the embassy along with numerous trade representatives, journalists, airline officials, and undefined 'visitors'. This is true also at other Czech embassies in the Middle East." -Leo Heiman. The National Observer, March 13, 1967. " ... the Slovak government, under the reign of Msgr Tiso, did for the Jews what no other statesman dared to do in the Europe controlled by Hitler. During that time, no less than 85 % of Slovakia's Jews were saved from extermination." - J. T. Ryan, Jr., The Tablet, Brooklyn, N. Y. "Father Tiso, as he was best known to his countrymen, was hung for his failure to submit the Slovak nation to Communist ideology after that country had been taken over by the Soviets following World War II. Slovak Independence had been declared in March 1939 and Father Tiso was elected first president by an overwhelming majority in October of that year." - Webster (Mass.) Time, March 22, 1967. "When the American and English films are shown (in Slovakia), the hall is filled with people, mostly younger folks. But when the Russian or Czech films are shown, just a handful of people show up." (Gary, Indiana ) Post-Tribune. "Now you of the second, third, and fourth generations must keep up the faith , customs, and traditions of your forefathers here in this country and for the hope of your opressed people in Slovakia . . Don't abandon any of the past, rather draw on it to preserve the "National Confederation of Amer- treasures of your strong faith, your ican Ethnic Groups have a deep ad- culture, your language, and civic �SLOVAKIA 185 pride handed down by your fore- ism and that complete freedom f at hers." - Most Rev. Joseph and liberty are not evident in their McShea, Bishop of Allentown. home 1 and. " - George Romney, Governor of the State of Michigan. "The Slovaks in America have Jong demonstrated their deep and "Memorandum adopted by the abiding loyalties toward this na- 40th Congress of the Slovak League tion's institutions and ideals. They of America is an absolutely splenhave f o s t e re d brotherhood and did statement of the right of selfshown strong moral conviction for determination pledged in the Atlanmany years in their adopted coun- tic Charter as it applies to the try. Captive Nation Slovakia_ It is also " It is sad to note that their be- a model statement for all the other loved native country is still shack- Captive Nations. " - Prof. A . J . led under the bonds of totalitarian- App, Ph.D ., LaSalle College. CONTRIBUTOR S DR. FRANCIS HRUSOVSKY (September 7, 1903 September 9, 1956) Slovakia's eminent historian who was the first to complete a history of the Slovak people and their historic homeland over a span of 15 centuries, Dr. Francis Hrusovsky, was born in Dolne Lovcice, Trnava district, Slovakia. His historical studies took him to Cracow in Poland and Praha in Bohemia. Upon his return home he was named director of the famed KlMtor nad Znievom private school for young men on the junior college level. Here from 1931 to 1945 he established a nationwide reiputation of an excellent educator and administrator as the school prepared hundreds of young Slovaks for successful careers in life. His fame won for him a seat in the Slovak parliament and a professorship at the University of Bratislava_ He was also a member of the board of directors in the Matica Slovenska (Slovak Institute) in Turciansky Sv_ Martin. After World War II he spent two years in historical research in Rome before going to America. In exile because of the postwar communist regime in his native country, he became actively occupied in Slovak affairs designed primarily to keep the hope of liberation alive. Accordingly, he was elected president of the Slovak National Council Abroad upon the death of Karol Sidor in 1953. In Cleveland, Ohio, with Abbot Theodore Kojis, O.S.B. of St. Andrew's Abbey he established the Slovak Institute in 1952 and became its first director_ Moreover, he was a teacher of the Slovak language, literature and history at Benedictine High School from 1947 to 1956, editor of the Slovenske Noviny weekly from 1949 to 1952, a regular speaker on the Cleveland Slovak radio program sponsored by the Cleveland Slovak Radio Club, and the recording secretary of the Slovak League of America. Shortly before his premature death at 53 he completed a history of the Slovak Religious Orders in America ( Slovenske re hole v Amerike). He was also the author of a number of other historical works and many articles for Slovak periodicals. Surviving is his widow, Mrs. Adele Hrusovsky. �186 SLOVAK.IA CONSTANTINE CULEN (February 26, 1904 April 7, 1964) Sixty years marked the span of life for the renowned Constantine Culen, Slovak journalist, publicist, author of 35 books and many political, historical and literary articles, and above all, one of Slovakia's leading patriots whose career in life was to serve his Slovak people with loyalty and devotion until his death. A native of Brodske in western Slovakia, Culen completed his education in Skalica. Then for a short while he was employed in the insurance business in Bratislava before receiving appointment to a position in the railways department. Soon, however, he plunged into the journalistic field in which he was destined to remain for the rest of his extremely active life. Acquaintance with the American Slovaks came firsthand when he came to the U.S. with the delegation of the Matica Slovenska in 1936. It was this visit that inspired him to write a history of the American Slovaks that won for him a national award in 1942. He was also made a Knight of the Order of Prince Pribina. Moreover, his popularity won for him election to the Slovak parliament in 1938. Culen's escape to freedom from his communist-ru led homeland af. ter World War II was followed by the editorship of the Kanadsky Slovak weekly from 1949 to 1956. As director of the Slovak Institute in Cleveland he served for two years before going to New York City where he died after suffering from an ailment for several years. Surviving are his wife, daughter and grandchildre n. Praha but interrupted his studies for a doctorate because of the urgency of the times when the Slovaks needed a leader in their struggle for autonomy inside Czecho-Slovakia. As Hlinka's righthand man, Sidor's dynamic leadership inspired the Slovak nation to carry on its fight for self-government until victory in the fall of 1938. His fearless defense of the rights of the Slovak nation was especially effective in his role as editor of the popular siovak daily in Bratislava and as member of the parliament in Praha. Because of his uncompromis ing stand in behalf of the Slovak nation, he was imprisoned by the Czech centralist regime, which only increased his great popularity at home. When the Slovak Republic was established in the spring of 1939 Sidor was named Minister of Interior but was soon afterwards sent to the Vatican as the representative of the newly-establi shed Slovak state. Here he remained until the end of the war in 1945. His most notable work is recorded in Sidor's book, Sest' rokov pri Vatikane, but only his intimate friends discovered that he had spent himself and his personal fortune (modest by any standards) in taking care of thousands of refugees who came to him for help. In exile from his native homeland , Sidor, though broken in health, continued his activity in behalf of the liberation of his communist-ruled postwar Slovakia which was forced back into the Czecho-Slovak Republic after World War II. He remained president of the Slovak National Council Abroad until his premature death at 52 in KAROL SIDOR Montreal, Que., Canada. Surviving (July 16,1901 - October 20,1953) are his widow, Mrs. Angela Sidor, Karol Sidor, a native of Ruzom- 4 sons, 2 daughters and grandberok, Slovakia, studied law in children. �SLOVAKIA NICHOLAS SPRINC (November 30, 1914 Rev. Mikulas Sprinc, a teacher of modern languages (French, Spanish) and Latin at Borromeo Seminary, Wickliffe, Ohio, finds time to edit the influential cultural S 1 o v a k quarterly, M O ST (Bridge). A priest, poet and patriot, Father Sprinc is known throughout the free world as a fearless defender of the Slovak nation's rights to freedom, self-government and statehood. A native of Krompachy, Spis district, Slovakia, Father Sprinc was a priest in the Spis diocese of the immortal Bishop Jan Vojtassak. His escape to freedom from his postwar communist-ruled S 1 o v a k i a brought him to America. After more than a decade as teacher of Latin, French and Spanish at Benedictine High School in Cleveland he was named to the faculty at Borromeo Seminary and College of the diocese. Father Sprinc received his master's degree in French literature from Western Reserve University. 187 FRANCIS VNUK (April 8, 1926 - ) A native son of Slovakia who was born in Veresvar (Cerveny Hradok, near Zlate Mor av c e), Francis Vnuk at 41 is perhaps the most promising versatile writer of the young generation of Slovaks. He interrupted his mining engineering studies in Ostrava to escape to freedom in 1949. The youthful Slovak emigrant spent two years in a foundry in Australia before enrolling at the Institute of Technology of South Australia. Upon completing his course in metallurgy he became a mernber of the faculty there and continued graduate studies in Physics and Mathematics. Then in his spare time he pursued special studies in political science and history at the University of Adelaide from 1955 to 1960. A decade ago Vnuk's name began appearing in the Jednota and Slovak v Amerike as the author of stimulating historical and literary reviews. Since then he has been the s o u r c e of a never-ending s tr ea m of informative, critical works. The torrent of an invigorating current of words has continued in three languages (Slovak, German and English). His views are based solidly, on facts, presenting them in a vigorous, sparing-no-punches style. His contributions have aroused great interest and merit serious analysis. Primarily a poet he has, nevertheless, written works in prose, notably, K slobodnym pobreziam (To the Shores of Freedom) and has edited several worth w hi 1 e publications, eg., Nadej vit'azna (Triumphant Hope), Sviity Andrej Svorad {a biography of St. Andrew Svorad), Slovenska Republika (Slovak Republic) and Slovenska Liga (1947). He is the author of several volumes of poems, among them His books: Neuveritel'ne sprisaTvarou proti slnku (Facing the hanie (Inc red i b 1 e Conspiracy) , Sun), Mladost' orla (The Youth of Middletown, Pa., 1964; Sedemnast' the Eagle), Oci moje putnice (The neurodnych r o k o v (Seventeen Eyes My Pilgrims) and others. He Barren Years), Middletown, Pa., is a chapter member of the Slovak I 1965, and Slovakia's Six Eventful Institute in Cleveland, Ohio. Months, Rome, 1964. �SLOVAKIA 188 REV. ANDREW PfR, O.S.B. (December 26, 1909 - ) A native of Blandburg, Pennsylvania, he completed his elementary and high school education in the local public schols and enrolled at St. Procopius College, Lisle, Illinois, in the fall of 1926. He worked for two years for Harbison Walker Refractories Company (headquarters in Pittsburgh, Pa.) in his home town before becoming a Benedictine monk in 1930. Since 1931, he has been a teacher of History, English, Slovak, Christian Instruction, Civics, Sociology and other courses at Benedictine High School in Cleveland, Ohio. He was ordained in 1937 and received a master's degree in history from Western Reserve University in 1943. radio talks on the Slovak radio program sponsored by the Cleveland Slovak Radio Club, he makes no secret of his pride of ancestry. He is an American Slovak whose love of our common sacred heritage of faith and freedom is in the proper perspective. MARYAGNES KRAJSA At the age of 17, this young student at St. Cyril's Academy, Danville, Pa., has shown an interest in writing about the history, culture and personalities of Slovaks. She was born in Allentown, Pa., and is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph C. Krajsa, now living in Middletown, Pa. Her father is the Editor of the Catholic weekly, JEDNOTA. Maryagnes Krajsa had an article appear in the Jed not a Annual FURDEK-1967; wrote an analogy of Slovakia's Hlinka and Rome's Cicero; and this spring won first prize in an essay contest on Slovak Culture and Heritage sponsored by the Slovak Catholic Federation of America. Inspired from early youth by his father and friends who were active in the Slovak League of America and the Slovak Catholic Federation, Father Pir has maintained a lifelong interest in the history of the Slovak nation and its emigrants to America. As a member of a number of Slovak fraternal organiAbout the other contributors see zations, co-editor of the Ave Maria last year's edition of Slovakia. magazine, a contributor of articles and a writer of feature columns in several Slovak periodicals the past three decades, director of the Slovak Institute, this youthful Benedictine priest considers himself fortunate to have been associated with many leading Slovak personaAnnual StOV AKIA is publities in the course of his busy life. Perhaps this is another reason for hts willingness to indulge himself in his spare time in a number of translations, among them the translation of the history of the Slovak nation and its historic homeland (Slovenske dejiny) by Dr. Francis Hrusovsky. For this issue of Slovakia, he translated Hrusovsky's, l'.:ulen's, Sidor's and Sprinc's studies. In his articles and occasional lished by the Slovak League of America, 313 Ridge Avenue, Middletown, Pennsylvania. Subscription $2.00. Editor: Dr. Joseph Paufo. �SLOVAKIA BOOK 189 REVIEWS Slovak Literature in the New Catholic Encyclopedia (McGraw-Hill ), 15 vol. , 15,300 p. , 7,500 ill. Price $550.00. After seven years of work by hundreds of scholars the Catholic University of America published 15 volumes of The New Catholic Encyclopedia which will replace the Catholic Encyclopedia of 19071915. The new work has been received by critics as a masterpiece and favorable recensions were published even by non-Catholic press. Accustomed to misrepresentations of Slovakia, of its history and literature in American encyclopedias and symposia, we are agreeably surprised that the editors of The New Catholic Encyclopedia looked for contributors who would avoid old cliches and treat the subject without bias and prejudice. This is at least our impression about the presentation of the Slovak language and literature as well as of individual Slovak writers. The contributions on these subjects were written by professor J . M. Kirschbaum , who for several years lectured on Slovak literature, history and culture at the Department of Slavic Studies, at the University of Montreal, and delivered numerous addresses on the prominent Slovak poets and philologists at the Congresses of the Canadian Association of Slavists. The accounts on Slovak language as well as on Slovak literature in the Encyclopedia are marked by his knowledge of the subject, clear formulations and a genuine attempt at an unbiased presentation of the Slovak cultural past. According to the rules, only the writers who are no more alive, have been included in the Encyclopedia. The editors also determined the size of articles and the number of poets and writers to be included. As a result, there is an account on the Slovak language and literature which presents the development of the Slovak language and literature , their place among Slavic languages and literatures and their main characteristics. Without arguing with misconceptions, Dr. Kirschbaum presented Slovak literature and language in an objective light and put into the 3000 words, he was allowed to write, as much basic information as possible. It is perhaps for the first time that any Encyclopedia published an account on Slovak language and literature with such impartiality and without fundamental errors. Separately are treated in some 2000 words the following writers : Anton Bernolak, Jan Holly. ~udovit Stur, Andrej Sladkovic, P. 0 . Hviezdoslav, S. H. Vajansky, Martin Kukucin and J. C. Hronsky. In a concise form and selected vocabulary Dr. Kirschbaum presented each of these writers and their main works with references to Slovak, German, English and French sources. Selection of bibliography for the Slovak language and literature seems to be also good and comprehensive. The contributions were written over four years ago and therefore some books, especially F . Vnuk's work on Slovak post-World War II literature are missing. Slovak writers in exile are also mentioned, but only in proportion to the Slovak literature as a whole. Who had a glance at the articles on Slovakia in other American or European encyclopedias, will certainly welcome prof. Kirschbaum's contribution on Slovak literature and language in The New Catholic Encyclopedia. It is not only comprehensive, but also without the usual bias with which Slovakia has been presented to the World by non-Slovak J . Pauco scholars. �190 SLOVAKIA Jozef Pauco, Literarny Almanach Slovaka v Amerike 1967 (Literary Almanac of the Slovak in America). Middletown, Pa., pp. 254. The 1967 Literarny Almanach, published by ,the Slovak v Amerike under the editorship of Dr. Joseph Pauco, may be compared to a door which opens into the surprisingly broad field of recent Slovak literary and cultural production in the free world. Already a fleeting glance from the threshold reveals that the field is marvelously fertile and productive, exhibiting a wealth and variety of blooms, colorful in their diversity, charming in their beauty, and attractive in their composition. What is most striking about this flourishing garden is that one encounters here both the producer and the finished product. The garden is portioned off into three areas, the smallest of which is labeled " A Glance at Slovak Literary Creativity in the Free World." Competent authors here present a panoramic view of the conditions under which Slovak culture has expressed itself in recent years in the fields of literature, religion, the arts and nationalism. Poignant in the extreme are the observations of Dr. Joseph Kirschoaum, which are by no means limited in their application to the literary phase of which he writes. The author points out that in fleeing from Slovakia her sons were indeed escaping from hostile forces enveloping their country. But many of them were unable to find refuge even in the West, which was bound especially in those years by political if not friendly ties with their enemies. The Slovaks in exile became marked men. Their enemies, Czech agents in particular, missed no opportunity to make life miserable for them. Doors were closed against them . They experienced harassment, suspicion, false accusations, smear campaigns, denunciations, and outright cruelty and injustice. The marvel is that they were able to accomplish anything at all. Moreover, a distressing lack of research facilities created special difficulties for them and they had no means or very limited ones for the publication of their works. Yet within the past 20 years they have succeeded in catching the ear of the world. Never before, we are told , has the truth about Slovakia been propagated so widely in all the major languages of rthe world. These Slovak writers have become the voice of Slovakia, its conscience and its truest defenders. The second portion of the garden is labeled " Communications from Authors and Poets." In this area the writers show some of their harvestings. Their proven talent is exemplified here in well-constructed, warmly human stories and in lyrics, epigrams, and narrative poems in which the authors reveal their thoughts and share their hopes and yearnings with the reader. The last and by far the largest portion of the garden is marked "Representatives of Slovak Cultural Creativity." Upon entering this area the r eader finds himself in the company of literary scores of eminently distinguished persons, all highly educated, scholarly, and compertent in their respective fields. One beholds them almost with awe- the kind of awe experienced by those who were privileged in 1963 to paiiticipate in the week-long centennial celebrations of the SS. Cyril and Methodius Jubilee in Rome. From the four quarters of the globe Slovaks had assembled in the heart of Christendom to pay tribute to their apostles. In that noble company one recognized prelates and priests, statesmen, writers, artists, missionaries, all of them heroes and leaders, many of whom had for God and country suffered agony, �SLOVAKIA 191 torture, family separation, exile, imprisonment, persecution, starvation, homelessness. To see these people, to meet and talk with them, to be associated with them in prayer was an honor. Something of the same kind of impression is created by the Almanach. Here we not only see this band of leaders, gathered from all the continents of the world, but we are accorded the privilege of a formal introduction to each one by name and, I might add, by pseudonym. In the vicissitudes of flight, exile and adjustment, some of them h&ve assumed a whole series of pseudonyms, interesting to trace and identify. Now we are meeting them, as it were, face to face. We come to know when and where they were born, where they received their education, the manner in which they devote their energies on behalf of Slovakia, how they fared in its downfall, how they wandered from country to country, where they finally settled in the hope of earning a living. Above all, we are informed of the prodigious amount of writing they did "in the interests of truth" in the fields of religion, the arts, history, politics, science and industry. Representative among many in their respective fields are Charles Strmen, poet; Joseph !>uris, musician; Joseph Satin, artist; Michael Gerdelan, novelist; Dr. Joseph A. Mikus, diplomat; Dr. Stanislaus Meciar, literary critic; Eugene Urban, librarian ; Dr. Ferdinand t,urcansky, statesman; Rudolph Petrak, opera singer; Dr. Bonaventure Bue, O.F.M., linguist; Dr. Ivan A. Getting, scientist; Dr. Stephen Polakovic, philosopher; Stephen B. Roman, industrialist; Rudolph Kalencik, businessman; Philip A. Hrobak, journalist; Frico Motoska, sculptor; Rev. Jaroslav J. Vajda, translator; Jaroslav J. Pelikan, Protestant theologian; Boris Gaspar, illustrator; Rev. Julius Gasparik, composer; Francis Vnuk, metallurgist; Dr. Francis Hrusovsky, historian; Felix S. Gula, achitect; Dr. Joseph Stojkovic, physician; Rev. Louis Luzbetak, S.V.D., anthropologist; John Fabianek, biologist; John M. Dafcik, film critic; Mary Michna, pianist; Dr. Francis Zeman, biblical scholar; Dr. Heinrich Bartek, philologist. The list is merely typical; it was by no means easy to omit other names in each category. A survey of the list of works of these men is quite overwhelming. Indeed, if all the books, monographs, articles, works of art, music, paintings, sculpture, scientific studies produced by this group of professionals, were brought together into one collection, the resulting library would be precious beyond measure. In the preface to the Almanach, the renowned poet, Andrej .Zarnov, states that this listing of Slovak intellectuals and writers and the compilation of their representative works is long overdue. One is in for a surprise, he says, because the survey is remarkably revealing and the result tremendously inspiring. A final word from the editor is contained in the Epilogue. Dr. Pauco writes in substance: "It is an honor for us to place this Almanach in the hands of Slovaks wherever they may be. Like its predecessors it has its roots in a genuine love for and intense interest in the flowering of Slovak culture1in a free world. "In its compilation two circumstances brought us uncommon joy: 1) Whereas Americans regard a 10% response to a questionnaire as notably successful, our effort brought an overwhelming 95% response. 2) We have in effect produced here the nucleus of a Who's Who �192 SLOVAKIA Among the Slovaks, an undertaking long recognized as both desirable and necessary. "The two persons responsible for the compilation of personal data for the WHO'S WHO were the editor and, separated from him in faraway Australia, Francis Vnuk, who tackled this gigantic task with truly marvelous zeal and initiative. "In conducting the survey all religious and political dividing lines were disregarded. Beginners and veterans alike were invited to make themselves known, provided they had made some contribution to the treasury of Slovak self-identity and national consciousness." " Our aim," continues Dr. Pauco, "was to bear indisputable histurical witness to the native ability, resourcefulness, talent, energy and aspirations of the Slovaks in a free world; to the wholesomeness and durability of their Slovak culture; and to their determination to cling to and fight for their rights. Indeed, one can pose the question: If this is the output of men living in adverse circumstances, what would it have been in circumstances ideally set up in a free and independent Slovakia?" This ALMAN ACH, therefore, is a manifestation of Slovak talent and Slovak genius, yes, and a confrontation with Slovakia's indomitable courage. Sister M . Tarcisia Gregorovic, SS.C.M. Kalendar Jednota 1967: The 70th edition of the Jednota annual in the Slovak language. Jednota Press, 1967; 232 pp., Middletown, Pa. Ed. By Jozef C. Krajsa. Although the current Jednota annual follows the traditional pattern, it is an up-to-date publication that contains a variety of articles of interest to a wide circle of readers even outside the Jednota membership. Featured in this volume are John Sabol, supreme secretary, who by reason of his many years of devoted service merits the coveted title of 'Mr. Jednota,' and the late Jozef Rusek, who was editor of the Jednota weekly for more than three decades. Moreover, the ecumenical spirit is quite in evidence in the articles about Martin Razus by J. Dend'ur and Svetozar Hurban Vajansky by J . Bor. Many photos from Jednota affairs and Slovak life in general add to the attraction of a highly readable edition. Perhaps the most historical of the articles is the analysis of the view of communistic historians toward the Slovak Republic (1939-1945) by Jozef Kirschbaum, LL.D., Ph.D. As customary, the extensive list of addresses of Slovak clergy and Religious is a valuable asset, but it needs to be A . P. revised and supplemented. Jednota Annual Furdek 1967: This current edition published by the First Catholic Slovak Union, Middletown, Pa., in the English language continues to fulfill its original purpose, ie., to reach the younger set inside and outside the Jednota family. (Jednota Press, Middletown, Pa., 1967, 192 pp.) True to its design, namely, to arouse the interest of the youth, the Furdek features a striking pictorial review of the last year's Jednota college scholarship winners. The articles are, however, of general interest to people interested in American Slovak activities. No doubt the panel of biographies introduced by the editor, Joseph C. Krajsa, �SLOVAKIA 193 promises to inspire a complete series of life sketches of American Slovak leaders in various fields of activity throughout the country. We have something to look forward to next year and in the years to come. A. P, Diamond Jubilee Issue. Published by the 2ivena, Pittsburgh, Pa. Edited by Maria Mravec. 128 pp. in the Slovak language, brief supplements in English. Zivena Beneficial Society of the U.S.A . ( 1891 -1966) - This unusual volume follows an informal and original pattern but is historically valuable for its contents that cover a period of 75 years in the life of this fraternal organization for American Slovak women (also a minority of male members). Brief histories of various assemblies greatly enhance the overall value of the volume. Tributes paid to the founders and prominent leaders of the organization give us a true picture of the 2ivena family in our American Slovak fraternal life. A .P. Ncirodny A mericko -Slov ensky KALEND A R 1967 : 75th edition of the official annual published by the National Slovak Society of the U.S. of America, Pittsburgh, Pa., 224 pp. , 153 pp. in the Slovak language, 48 pp. in English and the rest advertizing. Ed. by Jan Mihal. Dedicated to the memory of Peter P . Rovnianek, founder of the NSS, this oldest of Slovak annuals in America, seeks to convey the old and new spirit of the American Slovak life : a) ,t he old, by recalling the inspiring leadership of our Slovak pioneers who organized our fraternal societies, b) the new, by peering into the future in an ecumenical mood to grasp the spirit of a new age. There are perhaps a number of controversial subjects touched upon here and there, but the spirit of Christian charity bids us to treat these in the spirit of the new ecumenism in an effort to arrive at a common understanding in the hope of Slovak unity that will help our Slovak nation win its struggle against the forces of evil let loose upon the hallowed land of Slovak forefathers. Here in a free land we must cherish our freedom not only in words but in deeds, and we can do no better than follow the shining example of Slovak pioneers who blazed a trail for us to follow, particularly in Slovak fraternal organizations in America. A . P. 1967 - Zi on Calendar: A jubilee issue marking the 450th anniversary of the Reformation. 160 pp. Published by the Slovak Zion Synod of the Lutheran Church in America. Edited by Rev. John Kalny, Rev. John Kovacik and Rev. John Adam. Kalendcir Sion - Although Martin Luther is naturally the centerpiece of this volume in Slovak (80 pp.) and English (50 pp.) , advertizing 30 pp, the history of the Slovak Lutheran parishes is of special interest to those of Slovak origin. The history, too, of Dr. Jozef M. Hurban with accompanying pictures to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the birth of this great 19th century Slovak patriot and religious leader is of great interest to all Slovaks, here or in Slovakia. The names of Slovak Lutheran parishes and their pastors in America are invaluable to the �194 SLOVAKlA historian in search of facts and statistics for a complete history of the Slovaks in America. A. P. Bohemia, Yearbook of the Collegium Carolinum, Munich, Vol. 6, Robert Lerche Verlag, Munich, 1964, DM 45. Die Slowakei als mitteleuropiiisches Problem in Geschichte und Gegenwart. Papers delivered at a symposium of the Collegium Carolinum in Mtinchen-Grtinwald, V. 1 to 3. August 1962. Verlag Robert Lerche, Munich 1965, 235 pp., DM 22.- (cloth bound) DM 19.(cardboard). The Collegium Carolinum, research center on the Bohemian countries, has again published two new volumes: the Bohemia Yearbook (Volume 6) and the papers delivered at a symposium of the Collegium in August 1962 in Grunwald near Munich on "Slovakia as a Central European Problem in Past and Present. " Because of the wealth of material and research findings the Bohemia Yearbooks are not only well-known but practically indispensable to readers especially interested in history. Once again it is difficult to select from the large number of treatises and book reviews a representative extract and although they would deserve mention, lack of space makes it impossible to include all the papers under review. Heribert Sturm, known not only to the people of Eger as an indefatigable researcher of his home area, examined - in a paper delivered in May 1964 in Nuremberg - the mutual relationships between Eger, Nuremberg and Prague in the high and late medieval periods. Also contained herein is Friedrich Prinz' lecture of January 1965 on Bohemia's historical problems between 1848 and 1918 plus his important confrontation of ideology and reality in the national controversy on both sides. By reading and rethinking the issues presented, one spontaneously feels grateful to the publisher for letting important words become printed witnesses to the efforts on behalf of historic trnth and reality. The same might be said of the talks on the Slovak question. Milan Stanislav Durica's contribution on "Slovakia during the March Crisis of 1939" offers valuable new material toward destroying the "Slovak legend": only undifferentiated, black-white presentations of " contemporary history" could and can see Slovakia as a stolid ally of National Socialist Greater Germany. To the historian prone to weigh and balance his material, this work offers a dovetailed mosaic of alliance under international law, ideological (partial) aversion, and power-political weighing of interests. One can only hope that Durica's voluminous tome: "La Slovacchia e le sue relazioni politiche con la Germania 1938-1945" (Padua 1964, lire 4,000) will soon be available in translation. A number of these works should, however, be made available for broader circles, especially the youth. The Collegium Carolinum has assumed the task of "objectively fostering the tradition of the venerable Charles University .. . for the young." One could visualize in connection with the youth organizations well-suited to the task, such as the Sudeten German Youth and the German Youth of the East, a series of publications that would present the selected works of this kind at a price within reach, in greater number. Fritz Peter Habel �SLOVAKIA 195 DO ·N ' T CO U NT US OUT! A COUNTRY WHICH YOU MAY NOT KNOW SLOVAK I A (18,921 square miles, population 4,400,000) is a separate country and the SLOVAK NATION is an individual member of the European family of nations. Though Slovakia lies in the very center of Europe, its name is not heard of in the world. The reason for that is the fate of this country which, for ages, has not been able to emerge in history under its own name, and is not even today an independent country on the map of Europe. The SLOVAKS occupied this country at the end of the 4th century, when it belonged to no one. The ancestors of the Slovak people attached to this country the destiny of all the succeeding Slovak generations, who in turn, established their claim to this land by the1 fact that during their more than thousand year history they never deserted or renounced it. Out of the tiny Slovak principalities a united Slovak State came into existence already in the first half of the 9th century. It was the first organized state in Central Europe. By the year 830 during the reign of Prince Pribina, a Christian church was standing in the ancient home of the Slovak princes of Nitra. It was the first Christian church in the entire territory of the western Slavs. The King Svatopluk (870-894), whom contemporary sources consider "the most glorious of the Slavonic rulers almost as mighty as an emperor" e.lQtended his domain to include the neighboring Czech and Polish tribes. He waged successful wars against his Western neighbors, maintained diplomatic relations and concluded diplomatic peace treaties with neighboring rulers, and safeguarded the independent status of his country. By the end of the 10th century, after the Danube basin was invaded by the Magyars, Slovakia lost the conditions necessary for independent development. Sometime around the year 1000 it became a part of the Hungarian State. A great and glorious chapter of Slovak history was ended, but neither its inspiring memory, nor the right of the Slovak nation to liberty and independence, ever faded. The addition into the heritage Slovaks did not enter the Hungarian State empty-handed. In to the territory of their own country, the Slovaks brought budding Hungarian State their entire material and spiritual and they became a participant in this new phase of history. For a century and a half (from 1540 until the end of the 17th century) Slovakia served as a bastion in the bulwark that defended Christian Europe against the danger from the East-against the attacks of the Turks. The new ideas which later, under the slogan "Liberty, Equality and Fraiternity," resulted in the French Revolution, made their way into the Danube basin and affected also the nations of that region, Slovak �196 SLOVAKIA national consciousness developed and, under the pressure of the subjugation exerted upon the Slovaks by the Magyars, became strongly rooted in Slovak life itself. Soon the Slovaks began to cultivate their own language. Anton Bernolak, in the year 1787 wrote a grammar of literary Slovak. In the year 1843, under I.!udovit Stur, who was the cultural and political leader of his generation, definitive rules of Slovak grammar were established and these became the instrument of an independent literature. In the spring of 1861 the Slovaks called a general assembly to Turciansky Sv. Martin where the prominent attorney Stefan Marko Daxner formulated Slovak policy in the comprehensive Memorandum of the Slovak Nation. Pointing to the conditions which had developed in Hungary, they asked that the Slovak nation be recognized by a special edict, that Slovakia constitute a distinctive administrative unit in Hungary, and that the Slovak people in their own territory be given the right to develop their own life without restriction. The Magyars opposed the petitions of the Slovak nation. They outlawed the assembling Slovaks and treated their political leaders as traitors. When World War I was nearing its end, the leaders of ,t he Slovaks saw that the military defeat of the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy would give them the opportunity to attain the goals they were not able to achieve in Hungary. Slovaks took a stand for the right of self-determination On May 30, 1918, representatives of the Slovak League of America met with representatives of Czech organizations and with the President of the Czecho-Slovak National Council, T. G. Masaryk, in Pittsburgh, Pa., and drew up an agreement which guaranteed political and cultural autonomy to Slovakia in the new common State. The Slovaks in the homeland met on October 30, 1918, in Turciansky Sv. Martin, where they organized a Slovak National Council and in separate declaration proclaimed that the Slovaks once and for all were separating themselves from Hungary and were of their own accord joining the Czecho-Slovak State. The Slovak people welcomed the Czecho-Slovak Republic with open joy and sincere hope. But the relaitionship between the Slovak and Czech nations was dimmed :&om the very beginning of their union. On May 4, 1919, the outstanding representative of the Slovaks in the Czecho-Slovak National Council, general Milan Rastislav Stefanik, was murdered by a secret order of the Prague Government. But the most important reason why the early enthusiasm of the Slovaks ended in rapid and complete disillusionment was that the Czechs were trying to build the Czecho-Slovak Republic on the same kind of foundation which the Magyars had laid for the creation of an united greater Hungary. The President of the Hungarian Government, Stephen Tisza, declared: "There is no Slovak nation ... " The President of Czecho-Slovakia, T. G. Masaryk, said the same. Magyarization was replaced with Czechization, and the undemocratic centralization by Budapest with the undemocratic centralization by Prague. Slovakia was treated as a colony of the Czechs. �SLOVAKIA 197 Rev. Andrej Hlinka, a fearless political fighter of the Slovaks during the Hungarian regime, renewed the relentless struggle for the honor and rights of his own nation. The policy of his Slovak People's Party was based on the Pittsburgh Agreement. It was drawn up and signed by the President of the Czecho-Slovak Republic, T. G. Masaryk, who later declared iit null and void. The disappointed Slovaks united themselves in the predominantly Catholic Slovak People's Party, led by A. Hlinka, and in the Slovak National Party, which had a majority of Lutheran members, headed by Martin Razus, a leading Slovak poet whom the Slovaks called the '' conscience of .the Slovak nation." The Czechs, like the Magyars, did not want to give up their imperialistic plans for Slovakia until they were forced to under the pressure of the international developments. The Czecho-Slovak Republic, preparing to celebrate its 20th anniversary, found itself in the midst of a serious internal crisis and was shaken to its foundations by strong German pressure. After the Allies of the Czecho-Slovak Government dis-associated themselves from the policy of President Benes, the days of Czecho-Slovakia came to an end. Circumstances left .the Slovaks no choice but to shift for themselves. After a great manifestation in Bratislava, on June 5, 1938, where a delegation of the Slovak League of America, led by its president Dr. Peter Hletko, brought along the original of the Pittsburgh Pact, after lengthy and fruitless consultations with representatives of the Prague regime, the Executive Committee of the Slovak People's Party met in 2ilina, on the 6th of October, 1938, and suggested that all power in Slovakia be seized by the Slovaks. This resolution of the Slovak People's Party was accepted and approved in all its parts by delegates of all the remaining non-leftist Slovak parties. According to the declaration of Slovak autonomy, elections for seats in the Slovak Parliament were held as early as December 18, 1938. The Slovak Parliament, elected according to the decree of Slovak autonomy, was called into extraordinary session by the President of the Czecho-Slovak Republic, Dr. Emil Hacha, and on March 14, 1939, it dedared Slovakia an independent and self-gov erning state by unanimous resoh.1,tion. This step was the only refuge for Slovakia against the storm threatening 1t in the tense international situation. The independent State of Slovakia was recognized either de jure or de facto by 27 nations. These states included great powers and small countries, neutrals as well as belligerents in the Second World War. On October 26, 1939, Dr. Jozef Tiso was elected the first president of the Slovak Republic and was recognized by the Slovak nation as the successor of the 9th-century Slovak princes. After six years, a great and glorious chapter of Slovak history was ended. On the heels of the Soviet army's divisions and their unspeakable atrocities, came Dr. Eduard Benes with the government of a resurrected Czecho-Slovak Republic. The Slovak nation arrived, against its will and contrary to all the principles of natural and selfdetermining rights, at a position in which it did not care to live at any price, with nothing but slavery staring it in the face . �SLOVAKIA 198 The Slovak nation became a victim of revenge because it waged to declare and to build its own state. The execution of the President of Slovak Republic, Dr. Jozef Tiso, on April 18, 1947, was the condemnation of whole Slovak people. The gallows on which Dr. Jozef Tiso and' the other representatives of the Slovak Republic died a martyr's death, and the time bomb which killed the prominent exilefighter of Slovakia, Matu~ Cernak, in Munich on June 5, 1955, stand above the chasm whica once and for all obliterated any form of Czecho-Slovak state. The spirit and form of the Communist people's democracy are foreign , repulsive and unacceptable to the Slovak nation. With persistent and remarkable consistency, the Slovaks are rejecting everything that the government of Czecho-Slovakia, as a servant of Moscow, is forcing upon them. And they are defending and fighting with heroic courage everything that feeds and strengthens their own life. They will never surrender their claim to a free life in their own state, but insist on an independent position in the great family of nations in Europe. The struggle for this goal is led not just by the Slovak nation behind the Iron Curtain, but by its members in the free world. The Slovaks, through the Slovak League of America, do not cease to call for FREEDOM and INDEPENDENCE for SLOVAKIA . SLOVAK STATE - A DREAM OF THOUSAND YEARS Atty. John F. Spacek March 14, 1939. A thousand years old Slovak dream of self-government realized on this date. The yearnings, wishes and prayers of a courageous people were answered on this date. Slovaks - the " Irish of Central Europe" as they are often called, joined the family of nations. Their freedom, cultural identity, free expression of thought were now a political reality. Let us, for a brief moment, go into history, to the year 1938 and trace the birth and growth of the Slovak state. It was at this time that the avarious eyes of Hitler cast themselves upon the Sudetenland ; his demands were to assimilate the Sudeten Germans into the Third Reich. Fearing the advent of a war the English and the French recommended appeasing Hitler by agreeing to his demands. However, at this time, it was not only -the German that was avarious. The Pole and the Magyar also cast their eyes on Slovakia. It was at this time, it must be remembered, that the thought and dream of an independent Slovakia was nurtured. Faced with the possibility of total digestion by the German and occupation by the Magyar and/or Pole, a decision by Father Dr. Tiso had to be made. It must be remembered that the decision was made reluctantly, since the original intention of those in power was to participate with the Czechs as a part of a federated state of Czechs and Slovaks. This, �SLOVAKIA 199 however, could not be. Condition in the Czecho-Slovakia deteriorated to a point where total occupation by the German army was inevitable. Pressed by the demands of Hitler, the fear of Czech duplicity (again), a fear of occupation by the Magyars together with the centuries old dream of self-government, Slovakia was born. The birth of the Slovak Republic did not come without fanfare. Diplomatic recognition and relations were exchanged by almost every European power, including seventeen (17) who fought on the side of allies or were neutral. Congratulatory notes and wishes were received from every corner of the globe. A constitution was formed. A memorable document embodying every .p rinciple of Christian Law and social justice. A representative. government was adopted. A house consisting of one representative for every 20,000 people. It became a haven for Jews escaping from Poland. Pro-German functionaries were dismissed from office. It became known as a "Christian Oasis" in a Nazi desert - and the "Ireland of Central Europe". However, this dream, this yearning and desire for self-govern• ment was not to last. It became apparent that a Russian occupation was eminent. Various efforts were made to prevent a destruction of the country by the ravages of war and to continue their freedom thereafter. However, communist infiltrators and traitors were not to permit a free Slovakia, causing distrust, turmoils and disorder. The communists now took hold of the country not by the rule of law, but by the rule of force, not by self-determination, but by fear. In history's haste to re-establish Czecho-Slovakia and with a generous assistance of communists and combined with total disregard to the Slovaks' own destiny, the control over Slovakia was once more moved back to Prague. The 1000 years' dream ended after six years. Six years of what? Six years of freedom from fear, freedom from want, six years of economic and cultural development, and of educational advances beyond anyone's dream. - And it ended. It was a dream worth fighting for. It is for this dream that the Slovak League of America exists and continues in the struggle for self-determination and the cause of Slovak freedom. Some historians will criticize this short-lived Slovak Republic for accepting some measure of assistance from the Germans. I say to these: "You are naive . .. From whom was this freedom that had been so long sought to come? From the Russians? The Czechs? The Magyars? What other course was open?" If we criticize Father Tiso, should we not also criticize De Valera of Ireland and Gandhi of India and many others? This struggle is mankind's struggle for self-determination. family of nations at the United Nations began with a handful result of the rights of mankind to determine their own destiny. the family has grown. Has not the philosophy of the Slovaks proven to be correct? The as a And been �200 SLOVAKIA Contents American Democracy and Slovak Life - Hrusovsky - Dr. Francis 1 Constantine Beginnings of The Slovak League of America - Culen - 18 The Slovak League of America and the Slovak Nation's Struggle for Autonomy - Karol Sidor - 29 Slovak League of America and Independent Slovakia - Mikulas Sprinc - 63 Under Dynamic Leadership Peter V. Rovnianek - Sister M. Martina, SS.C.M. - F . Vnuk - A Poet in Exile - Prof. Dr. F . Durcansky - The Slovaks in America - J.M. Kirschbaum - P . V. Rovnianek - 181 As Others See It - 185 189 A Country Which You May Not Know Slovak State - Atty. John F . Spacek - 153 161 178 Current Issues - Book Reviews - 144 Maryagnes Krajsa - Andrej Hlinka - Contributors - Joseph Pauco, Ph.D. - 195 198 173 104 137 �PRI NTI D IN U.S. A. JIDN OTA PlllN TER Y, MID DLli TOW N, PA. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource 1967, Vol. 17 Description An account of the resource Special Issue: Sixty Years of the Slovak League of America Vol. 17 (No. 40), 1967. Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available The Slovak League of America Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1967 Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document 178 SLOVAKIA CURRENT ISSUES PRESIDENT DR. JOSEPH TISO They died because they dared, and their daring was in behalf of the Slovak nation in whose behalf they dedicated their lives and fortunes. Slova1k leaders dared to proclaim Sloviak independence in the early spring of 1939 and they succeeded in establishing the Slov,a k Republic, which soon received official diiplomatic recognition by the countries of Europe--induding Germany, Russia, France, Great Britain, Spain, and Italy. Founded in the days of peace-six months before the outbreak of World War II-the Slovak State was destined to flounder in the days of peace after the war in the summer of 1945. Thus, through no fault of its own, the Slovak Republic vanished because of the dictates of those who came disguised as liberators. Its destruction was actually, therefore, the end result of postwar dictatorship. Prime victims of postwar revenge at the hands of the commlllllist coalition in Moscow, Prague and Bratislava were President Tiso and his government officials who had guided the Slovak Republic safely through the storms of World War II, only to have the Slovak Ship of State torpedoed treacherously and dishonorably by the 'liberators'. The Captain went down heroically with his Ship, as did many of his loyal colleagues. Their names are indelibly emblazoned on the glorious pages of Slovak history. Nothing can erase their golden memories from the minds and hearts of their countrymen. Slovak exiles scattered throughout the free world willingly bear witness in behalf of the Slovak Republic. Their testimony shows how grave a:nd injustice was inflicted upon the Slovak people and its government by the so-called liberators of World War II. The only way to correct this act of gross injustice to a freedom-loving people. the Slovaks,. is the restoration of their own independent self-governing state. No one can denv the ever-present reality of religious SLOVAKIA 179 and political suppression of the Sloviaiks. How long a free world -can tolerate this situation is beyond comprehension, but it somehow indicates the moral bankruptcy of our age when so much injustice, oppression and persecution against so many goes on unchallenged in our times. Rev. Andrew Pir, O.S.B. CLERGY WITH MORAL BLEMISH USED AS COMMUNIST TOOL The conclave of the"peace priests" in Prague has ended. Two active government ministers made very clear the desire of the Communist regime to open negotiations with the Vatican on a modus vivendi between church and state. Although contacts were made with Rome as far back as the last phase of Vatican II, they ran aground due to the failure to reach agreement on several questions. The final note of discord was the appearance of two Slovak bishops-in-exile, Hnilica and Rusnak, which caused keen resentment in Prague, since the two dignitaries openly demanded that the Council plenum brand Communism as the " scourge of the 20th century". Moreover, the three Council fathers from the cSSR did not contradict them. The agreement which the Vatican has meantime con- eluded with Hungary and Yugoslavia, and the relaxation perceptible in its relationship to R um an i a, is causing Prague to fear that Czecho-Slovakia could some day become the victim of isolation. That fear prompted Minister of Education, Hajek to use the forum of the "peace priests" conference to make an offer of reconciliation to the Vatican, in which he appealed to the Pope for "realism". What is probably meant, is that Rome should reward with the title of bishop, those persons who, in the fifties, were installed in office by the Communists as general vicars, although most of them were Communist underlings, not daring to protest again the anti-church discrimination or the imprisonment of their own bishops who were incarcerated without benefit of fair trial. The Holy See, well aware 180 SLOVAKIA of the precarious position of the Prague government, is in no hurry to take Prague up on its offer, especially as the agreement between Hungary and the C h u r c h has not brought the desired results. The bishops installed there proved too ineffective, and consequently were unable to broaden the Church's sphere of operation. Hence the Vatican has chosen to wait and see how the agreement with Yugoslavia - made against the wishes of the bishops there - turns out, before it takes on a new risk with Prague. Informed circles know that one of the conditions for negotiations with the Czech government would be the removal of the governmentempowered persons in all dioceses who, as laymen, are in possession of the episcopal seal, while the vicars, inst a 11 e d simultaneous ly, ( drawn from the ranks of the "peace priests") would have to restrict themselves to a figure-head function in the various parishes. Prague would be willing, if these "peace priests" were to be given official status as bishops, thereby assuring a further Communist hold on the Church. The top echelon "peace priests", it should be noted, have "moral shortcomings", such as having broken their vow of celibacy and caused scandal among their congregations . Priests of this kind are always open to blackmail by the Communist Party, hoping as it does that eventual Vatican approval of such "poor specimens" may lead many of the religious-min ded to desert the church. Heading the "peace priests" is Minister of Health Plojhar, who was excommunica ted some years ago and is hated not only by his co-religionists but even by the Communist Party. An example of this dislike for Plojhar is seen in a resolution drawn up last spring in Olomouc by that city's school of medicine, appealing to Prague's Central Committee to remove Plojhar from his ministerial post on the grounds of being "not qualified" and having recourse to "Stalinist methods of operations". The attempt was, of course, unsuccessful, since President Novotny still needs his faithful henchman to keep the clergy "under control". Plojhar's power has only come to light in the past weeks, with the return of the two "neutral" Slovak bishops, Lazik and Necsey, who had SLOVAKIA been in Rome for a long papal audience and were forced immediately upon their arrival at the Prague airport, to report to the general secretary of the "peace priests",one Mr. Benes. Prior to that, C a r d i n a 1 Konig, of Vienna, also had an audience with the Pope and reported to him on his impressions gained during a visit to Slovakia in September. According to his story, the bishops there are still under heavy emotional pressure, and after Konig's return to Austria they were immediately put through a thorough-going cross-examination by the secret police as to their conversations with the Viennese cardinal. It is also common knowledge that 181 the Prague "Ecclesiastical Office" forbade the reading of a pastoral letter at the beginning of the school year because it drew the attention of the faithful to the opportunity, under the constitution, for their children to get religious instruction. Should further proof of the Communist regime's hostility toward the church be desired, it can be seen in the fact that in the CSSR Gnly 35 new priests are ordained annually, compared with 300 before the war. The difficulties placed in the path of young people desiring to study theology today show more clearly than anything else that state-church coexistence is still a long way off. w.o. AS OTHERS SEE IT "Slovakia has always been a land of plenty, but never a land of long peace. Its people have been attacked from all sides. They have known the dread of encirclement and destruction by enemies who have looked with covetous eyes upon the Slovak rich land of the Danube Valley. "For more than 1,000 years, since the time St. Cyril and Methodius brought Christianity to the land of the Slovaks, it has been looked on as the birthplace of Christianity in Eastern Europe. In 830 the first Christian church was erected, in Nitra. It still stands today in Slo- vakia, if the Communists have not destroyed it. It is thus understandable that the Christian world witnesses the plight of the Slovak people today with deep concern. We pray that the Slovak people will soon attain their freedom from Soviet totalitarianism. "Nothing can be more harrowing to American citizens of Slovak birth, whose relatives still live in Slovakia, than the knowledge that their original homeland remains enslaved. Their heartstrings long to see them free. "Yet, beneath the iron rule of Slovakia's enslavement, the Slovak 182 SLOVAKIA spirit of independence still struggles against oppression. Under the very eyes of the Kremlin's agents, insurgents spread through the countryside ... "We who enjoy the freedom of the West have a sober lesson to learn from the unfortunate peoples of Slovakia who live under the Communist reign of terror. They have shown us that even in the darkest hours, the love of liberty need not die. Let us hope that the Slovaks are not resisting in vain, that with our help they shall one day be able to live in the atmosphere of freedom and dignity which is the right of all human beings . .. "American citizens of S 1 ova k descent and backround who are carrying on this vigorous battle against communism deserve the plaudits and continued support of all who believe in democracy." Extension of remarks of Honorable Hubert H. Humphrey of Minnesota in the Senate of the United States, Wednesday, April 1, 1953. "Hebrew, Latin, and Greek were the only languages approved for use in the liturgical services of the 9th century. SS. Cyril and Methodius authored and popularized a translation in the Slavonic language, at that time the vernacula r of the Slovaks, Croats, Bulgarians, Moravians, Serbians and Bohemians which is still in use today. They were pioneers centuries before Vatican II authorized the vernacular for all nations." - Rev. Paschal Boland, O.S.B. , S.T.D. "The great Christian historical background of the Slovak nation fitted well in this new country of ours. You may at times have found the task arduous but you can always tell you are on the rigth road if it is upgrade. " It is evident that the seed of Christianity planted in Slovakia more then a thousand years ago had a great influence on all citizens of central and eastern Europe radiating from what was then Great Moravia. It is a great credit to your nation that you have not only maintained the advantages derived from the teachings of the two great saints who evangelized your country but you have enriched a great many by furthering the cause of Christianity in a manner contagious to all other nations surrounding yours. " - Paul Tardif, M .P., Ottawa, Canada "So nationalistic are the Slovaks that they resent and deplore the official spelling of the name of that country. They would have it hyphenated - Czecho-Slovakia - to earn both separation and capitalization. Though they are blood relatives of the Czechs and speak a related language, they are militantly protective of their individuality and nationalism ... "Freedom loving peoples can admire the tenacity of the Slovaks. Slovakia, settled by the Slovaks _in the early middle ages, was dommated by invading Magyars for almost a thousand years. The Magyars who invaded that country in the year 906 forced the Slovaks to submit to cultural and political dominance. "But the Slovaks clung tenaciously and with bravery to their own ways, their own cultures and their own language and preserved them during a very long period when a lesser people would have been assimilated or destroyed as an entity. Pe ace loving, they have been exposed through all of history to wars, revolutions, and dissentions. It is little wonder that they fled their conquered land, where Slovakia was part of Hungary until 1918 ... "One does not willingly mistake a Czech for a Slovak nor a Slovak for a Czech because, despite kinship, both peoples have great pride in SLOVAKIA their own. The political marriage of the Czechs with the Slovaks in the creation of Czechoslovakia is not a truly happy one. A militant Slovak once said, 'The Slovaks are neither Czechs nor Czechoslovakians, but Slovaks who intend to r e m a i n Slovaks' . . . the Slovaks have no real voice in the (Prague) government ... " - Charlie House, The Milwaukee Journal, December 11, 1966. "Despite their domination by the Soviets and their inferior relationship to their Czech neighbors, the Slovaks are a fiercely nationalistic people who make the most of their own language in their little corner of the Tatra mountains, having had to connive and struggle and die in order to keep their national identity alive. The Devin Fortress, west of the city, rising hundreds of feet above the Danube, is today a center of formal and informal activity as well as a tourist attraction. An amphitheater has been cut out of the slope of the hill running down to a stage platform on the shore of the Danube. In the ruins of this fortress, which N a p o l e o n had blown up in a moment of pique, the Slovak revolutionaries of the middle 1800s, led by I.:udovit Stur, used to gather in secret to sing national songs, to inflame each other to national consciousness, and adopted poetical Slovak names to knit them to their ideal of a free land of their own. Leaving the historic fort so closely identified with the freedom movement of the 19th century, we drove along a double barbed-wire fence separated by a raked 20-foot noman's-land, the 'Iron Cuvtain' dividing the unfree from the free world. "Today one could sense beneath the surface tension of life in a regulated society the sturdy stuborness of previous generations in a similar societal prison. The Czechs continue to distrust the Slovaks, even in the government and enforcement 183 of the Socialist regime. Though the Slovak youth serve in the army in numbers disproportionate to their population (Slovaks number about 25 percent), fewer than 1 percent of their number are officers. Though Socialist slogans adorn every square, red stars top factories and schools, and pictures of Communist le a d er s occupy the walls of public offices. I heard only one woman use the term 'Comrade,' and she was a petty government worker whose job no doubt depended on the use of the right terms. "As unyielding as their national consciousness is the Christian composition of Slovakia. The country is about 80 percent Roman Catholic and about 10 percent Lutheran. (Prior to the Counter-Reformation in the 17th century the ratio was reversed.) This historic division has not been healed completely in the past three centuries ... "And yet the almost total Christian composition of Slovakia has left its mark on the people in various ways. M o r a I i t y is on a higher level, the crime rate is lower, the home more respected than in some of the neighboring countries . . . "I sensed a feeling of resignation on the part of older people. They seemed to have lost trust in any power outside their own, with perhaps the exception of spiritual power. The United Nations is helpless to liberate them." - Rev. Jaroslav Vajda, Editor, This Day, St. Louis, Mo. "In Czecho-Slovakia, Yugoslavia, Hungary and every land under communist dictatorship re 1 i g ion is being put to death." - John Cardinal Heenan of Westminster. "Czecho-Slovakia's communist regime has refused to compromise on other points, especially those involving the 1949 law which restricts the Church. This law gives the government the right to judge the 184 SLOVAKIA qualifications of priests, to prevent a priest from performing his duties, to install pastors and chaplains, to check Church finances, and to hamper the activity of the Church in many other matters." - NCWC News Service, Washington, D.C. miration and respect for the fine inborn qualities of the Slovaks, especially their fighting spirit in defense of ideals and principles which are akin to those of our Confederation." - Paul M. Deac, Executive Vice President. "In this diocese 20 priests die each year; only two new ones have been ordained. Active parish priests average 66 years old. One can accurately judge exactly when there will be no priests here. This is why we constantly pray that God will give His Church liberty before we get too old. " - A priest-worker from Czecho-Slovakia, Petrusblatt, Berlin. "(But) the Czech's most important espionage work is done for the Russians. The Czechs usually surpass the Russians in the quality of 'semi-overt' agents such as accredited diplomats, trade representatives, and journalists, many of whom double as intelligence operatives ... "The Czechoslovak Intelligence Service's work on Cyprus is a good example of how the Czechs serve the Russians. Politics in Cyprus involves a melange of Greek Cypriots, Turkish Cypriots, Communists, non-Communists, Greeks, and Turks. In this complex situation, the Russians must tread cautiously because there are so many toes that can easily be stepped on. In the summer of 1963, before the civil war broke out between Greek and Turkish Cypriots, the Czech embassy in the Cypriot capital of Nicosia was staffed by only three full-time career dtplomats. Today, 32 Czech foreign-service officers are attached to the embassy along with numerous trade representatives, journalists, airline officials, and undefined 'visitors'. This is true also at other Czech embassies in the Middle East." -Leo Heiman. The National Observer, March 13, 1967. " ... the Slovak government, under the reign of Msgr Tiso, did for the Jews what no other statesman dared to do in the Europe controlled by Hitler. During that time, no less than 85 % of Slovakia's Jews were saved from extermination." - J. T. Ryan, Jr., The Tablet, Brooklyn, N. Y. "Father Tiso, as he was best known to his countrymen, was hung for his failure to submit the Slovak nation to Communist ideology after that country had been taken over by the Soviets following World War II. Slovak Independence had been declared in March 1939 and Father Tiso was elected first president by an overwhelming majority in October of that year." - Webster (Mass.) Time, March 22, 1967. "When the American and English films are shown (in Slovakia), the hall is filled with people, mostly younger folks. But when the Russian or Czech films are shown, just a handful of people show up." (Gary, Indiana ) Post-Tribune. "Now you of the second, third, and fourth generations must keep up the faith , customs, and traditions of your forefathers here in this country and for the hope of your opressed people in Slovakia . . Don't abandon any of the past, rather draw on it to preserve the "National Confederation of Amer- treasures of your strong faith, your ican Ethnic Groups have a deep ad- culture, your language, and civic SLOVAKIA 185 pride handed down by your fore- ism and that complete freedom f at hers." - Most Rev. Joseph and liberty are not evident in their McShea, Bishop of Allentown. home 1 and. " - George Romney, Governor of the State of Michigan. "The Slovaks in America have Jong demonstrated their deep and "Memorandum adopted by the abiding loyalties toward this na- 40th Congress of the Slovak League tion's institutions and ideals. They of America is an absolutely splenhave f o s t e re d brotherhood and did statement of the right of selfshown strong moral conviction for determination pledged in the Atlanmany years in their adopted coun- tic Charter as it applies to the try. Captive Nation Slovakia_ It is also " It is sad to note that their be- a model statement for all the other loved native country is still shack- Captive Nations. " - Prof. A . J . led under the bonds of totalitarian- App, Ph.D ., LaSalle College. CONTRIBUTOR S DR. FRANCIS HRUSOVSKY (September 7, 1903 September 9, 1956) Slovakia's eminent historian who was the first to complete a history of the Slovak people and their historic homeland over a span of 15 centuries, Dr. Francis Hrusovsky, was born in Dolne Lovcice, Trnava district, Slovakia. His historical studies took him to Cracow in Poland and Praha in Bohemia. Upon his return home he was named director of the famed KlMtor nad Znievom private school for young men on the junior college level. Here from 1931 to 1945 he established a nationwide reiputation of an excellent educator and administrator as the school prepared hundreds of young Slovaks for successful careers in life. His fame won for him a seat in the Slovak parliament and a professorship at the University of Bratislava_ He was also a member of the board of directors in the Matica Slovenska (Slovak Institute) in Turciansky Sv_ Martin. After World War II he spent two years in historical research in Rome before going to America. In exile because of the postwar communist regime in his native country, he became actively occupied in Slovak affairs designed primarily to keep the hope of liberation alive. Accordingly, he was elected president of the Slovak National Council Abroad upon the death of Karol Sidor in 1953. In Cleveland, Ohio, with Abbot Theodore Kojis, O.S.B. of St. Andrew's Abbey he established the Slovak Institute in 1952 and became its first director_ Moreover, he was a teacher of the Slovak language, literature and history at Benedictine High School from 1947 to 1956, editor of the Slovenske Noviny weekly from 1949 to 1952, a regular speaker on the Cleveland Slovak radio program sponsored by the Cleveland Slovak Radio Club, and the recording secretary of the Slovak League of America. Shortly before his premature death at 53 he completed a history of the Slovak Religious Orders in America ( Slovenske re hole v Amerike). He was also the author of a number of other historical works and many articles for Slovak periodicals. Surviving is his widow, Mrs. Adele Hrusovsky. 186 SLOVAK.IA CONSTANTINE CULEN (February 26, 1904 April 7, 1964) Sixty years marked the span of life for the renowned Constantine Culen, Slovak journalist, publicist, author of 35 books and many political, historical and literary articles, and above all, one of Slovakia's leading patriots whose career in life was to serve his Slovak people with loyalty and devotion until his death. A native of Brodske in western Slovakia, Culen completed his education in Skalica. Then for a short while he was employed in the insurance business in Bratislava before receiving appointment to a position in the railways department. Soon, however, he plunged into the journalistic field in which he was destined to remain for the rest of his extremely active life. Acquaintance with the American Slovaks came firsthand when he came to the U.S. with the delegation of the Matica Slovenska in 1936. It was this visit that inspired him to write a history of the American Slovaks that won for him a national award in 1942. He was also made a Knight of the Order of Prince Pribina. Moreover, his popularity won for him election to the Slovak parliament in 1938. Culen's escape to freedom from his communist-ru led homeland af. ter World War II was followed by the editorship of the Kanadsky Slovak weekly from 1949 to 1956. As director of the Slovak Institute in Cleveland he served for two years before going to New York City where he died after suffering from an ailment for several years. Surviving are his wife, daughter and grandchildre n. Praha but interrupted his studies for a doctorate because of the urgency of the times when the Slovaks needed a leader in their struggle for autonomy inside Czecho-Slovakia. As Hlinka's righthand man, Sidor's dynamic leadership inspired the Slovak nation to carry on its fight for self-government until victory in the fall of 1938. His fearless defense of the rights of the Slovak nation was especially effective in his role as editor of the popular siovak daily in Bratislava and as member of the parliament in Praha. Because of his uncompromis ing stand in behalf of the Slovak nation, he was imprisoned by the Czech centralist regime, which only increased his great popularity at home. When the Slovak Republic was established in the spring of 1939 Sidor was named Minister of Interior but was soon afterwards sent to the Vatican as the representative of the newly-establi shed Slovak state. Here he remained until the end of the war in 1945. His most notable work is recorded in Sidor's book, Sest' rokov pri Vatikane, but only his intimate friends discovered that he had spent himself and his personal fortune (modest by any standards) in taking care of thousands of refugees who came to him for help. In exile from his native homeland , Sidor, though broken in health, continued his activity in behalf of the liberation of his communist-ruled postwar Slovakia which was forced back into the Czecho-Slovak Republic after World War II. He remained president of the Slovak National Council Abroad until his premature death at 52 in KAROL SIDOR Montreal, Que., Canada. Surviving (July 16,1901 - October 20,1953) are his widow, Mrs. Angela Sidor, Karol Sidor, a native of Ruzom- 4 sons, 2 daughters and grandberok, Slovakia, studied law in children. SLOVAKIA NICHOLAS SPRINC (November 30, 1914 Rev. Mikulas Sprinc, a teacher of modern languages (French, Spanish) and Latin at Borromeo Seminary, Wickliffe, Ohio, finds time to edit the influential cultural S 1 o v a k quarterly, M O ST (Bridge). A priest, poet and patriot, Father Sprinc is known throughout the free world as a fearless defender of the Slovak nation's rights to freedom, self-government and statehood. A native of Krompachy, Spis district, Slovakia, Father Sprinc was a priest in the Spis diocese of the immortal Bishop Jan Vojtassak. His escape to freedom from his postwar communist-ruled S 1 o v a k i a brought him to America. After more than a decade as teacher of Latin, French and Spanish at Benedictine High School in Cleveland he was named to the faculty at Borromeo Seminary and College of the diocese. Father Sprinc received his master's degree in French literature from Western Reserve University. 187 FRANCIS VNUK (April 8, 1926 - ) A native son of Slovakia who was born in Veresvar (Cerveny Hradok, near Zlate Mor av c e), Francis Vnuk at 41 is perhaps the most promising versatile writer of the young generation of Slovaks. He interrupted his mining engineering studies in Ostrava to escape to freedom in 1949. The youthful Slovak emigrant spent two years in a foundry in Australia before enrolling at the Institute of Technology of South Australia. Upon completing his course in metallurgy he became a mernber of the faculty there and continued graduate studies in Physics and Mathematics. Then in his spare time he pursued special studies in political science and history at the University of Adelaide from 1955 to 1960. A decade ago Vnuk's name began appearing in the Jednota and Slovak v Amerike as the author of stimulating historical and literary reviews. Since then he has been the s o u r c e of a never-ending s tr ea m of informative, critical works. The torrent of an invigorating current of words has continued in three languages (Slovak, German and English). His views are based solidly, on facts, presenting them in a vigorous, sparing-no-punches style. His contributions have aroused great interest and merit serious analysis. Primarily a poet he has, nevertheless, written works in prose, notably, K slobodnym pobreziam (To the Shores of Freedom) and has edited several worth w hi 1 e publications, eg., Nadej vit'azna (Triumphant Hope), Sviity Andrej Svorad {a biography of St. Andrew Svorad), Slovenska Republika (Slovak Republic) and Slovenska Liga (1947). He is the author of several volumes of poems, among them His books: Neuveritel'ne sprisaTvarou proti slnku (Facing the hanie (Inc red i b 1 e Conspiracy) , Sun), Mladost' orla (The Youth of Middletown, Pa., 1964; Sedemnast' the Eagle), Oci moje putnice (The neurodnych r o k o v (Seventeen Eyes My Pilgrims) and others. He Barren Years), Middletown, Pa., is a chapter member of the Slovak I 1965, and Slovakia's Six Eventful Institute in Cleveland, Ohio. Months, Rome, 1964. SLOVAKIA 188 REV. ANDREW PfR, O.S.B. (December 26, 1909 - ) A native of Blandburg, Pennsylvania, he completed his elementary and high school education in the local public schols and enrolled at St. Procopius College, Lisle, Illinois, in the fall of 1926. He worked for two years for Harbison Walker Refractories Company (headquarters in Pittsburgh, Pa.) in his home town before becoming a Benedictine monk in 1930. Since 1931, he has been a teacher of History, English, Slovak, Christian Instruction, Civics, Sociology and other courses at Benedictine High School in Cleveland, Ohio. He was ordained in 1937 and received a master's degree in history from Western Reserve University in 1943. radio talks on the Slovak radio program sponsored by the Cleveland Slovak Radio Club, he makes no secret of his pride of ancestry. He is an American Slovak whose love of our common sacred heritage of faith and freedom is in the proper perspective. MARYAGNES KRAJSA At the age of 17, this young student at St. Cyril's Academy, Danville, Pa., has shown an interest in writing about the history, culture and personalities of Slovaks. She was born in Allentown, Pa., and is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph C. Krajsa, now living in Middletown, Pa. Her father is the Editor of the Catholic weekly, JEDNOTA. Maryagnes Krajsa had an article appear in the Jed not a Annual FURDEK-1967; wrote an analogy of Slovakia's Hlinka and Rome's Cicero; and this spring won first prize in an essay contest on Slovak Culture and Heritage sponsored by the Slovak Catholic Federation of America. Inspired from early youth by his father and friends who were active in the Slovak League of America and the Slovak Catholic Federation, Father Pir has maintained a lifelong interest in the history of the Slovak nation and its emigrants to America. As a member of a number of Slovak fraternal organiAbout the other contributors see zations, co-editor of the Ave Maria last year's edition of Slovakia. magazine, a contributor of articles and a writer of feature columns in several Slovak periodicals the past three decades, director of the Slovak Institute, this youthful Benedictine priest considers himself fortunate to have been associated with many leading Slovak personaAnnual StOV AKIA is publities in the course of his busy life. Perhaps this is another reason for hts willingness to indulge himself in his spare time in a number of translations, among them the translation of the history of the Slovak nation and its historic homeland (Slovenske dejiny) by Dr. Francis Hrusovsky. For this issue of Slovakia, he translated Hrusovsky's, l'.:ulen's, Sidor's and Sprinc's studies. In his articles and occasional lished by the Slovak League of America, 313 Ridge Avenue, Middletown, Pennsylvania. Subscription $2.00. Editor: Dr. Joseph Paufo. SLOVAKIA BOOK 189 REVIEWS Slovak Literature in the New Catholic Encyclopedia (McGraw-Hill ), 15 vol. , 15,300 p. , 7,500 ill. Price $550.00. After seven years of work by hundreds of scholars the Catholic University of America published 15 volumes of The New Catholic Encyclopedia which will replace the Catholic Encyclopedia of 19071915. The new work has been received by critics as a masterpiece and favorable recensions were published even by non-Catholic press. Accustomed to misrepresentations of Slovakia, of its history and literature in American encyclopedias and symposia, we are agreeably surprised that the editors of The New Catholic Encyclopedia looked for contributors who would avoid old cliches and treat the subject without bias and prejudice. This is at least our impression about the presentation of the Slovak language and literature as well as of individual Slovak writers. The contributions on these subjects were written by professor J . M. Kirschbaum , who for several years lectured on Slovak literature, history and culture at the Department of Slavic Studies, at the University of Montreal, and delivered numerous addresses on the prominent Slovak poets and philologists at the Congresses of the Canadian Association of Slavists. The accounts on Slovak language as well as on Slovak literature in the Encyclopedia are marked by his knowledge of the subject, clear formulations and a genuine attempt at an unbiased presentation of the Slovak cultural past. According to the rules, only the writers who are no more alive, have been included in the Encyclopedia. The editors also determined the size of articles and the number of poets and writers to be included. As a result, there is an account on the Slovak language and literature which presents the development of the Slovak language and literature , their place among Slavic languages and literatures and their main characteristics. Without arguing with misconceptions, Dr. Kirschbaum presented Slovak literature and language in an objective light and put into the 3000 words, he was allowed to write, as much basic information as possible. It is perhaps for the first time that any Encyclopedia published an account on Slovak language and literature with such impartiality and without fundamental errors. Separately are treated in some 2000 words the following writers : Anton Bernolak, Jan Holly. ~udovit Stur, Andrej Sladkovic, P. 0 . Hviezdoslav, S. H. Vajansky, Martin Kukucin and J. C. Hronsky. In a concise form and selected vocabulary Dr. Kirschbaum presented each of these writers and their main works with references to Slovak, German, English and French sources. Selection of bibliography for the Slovak language and literature seems to be also good and comprehensive. The contributions were written over four years ago and therefore some books, especially F . Vnuk's work on Slovak post-World War II literature are missing. Slovak writers in exile are also mentioned, but only in proportion to the Slovak literature as a whole. Who had a glance at the articles on Slovakia in other American or European encyclopedias, will certainly welcome prof. Kirschbaum's contribution on Slovak literature and language in The New Catholic Encyclopedia. It is not only comprehensive, but also without the usual bias with which Slovakia has been presented to the World by non-Slovak J . Pauco scholars. 190 SLOVAKIA Jozef Pauco, Literarny Almanach Slovaka v Amerike 1967 (Literary Almanac of the Slovak in America). Middletown, Pa., pp. 254. The 1967 Literarny Almanach, published by ,the Slovak v Amerike under the editorship of Dr. Joseph Pauco, may be compared to a door which opens into the surprisingly broad field of recent Slovak literary and cultural production in the free world. Already a fleeting glance from the threshold reveals that the field is marvelously fertile and productive, exhibiting a wealth and variety of blooms, colorful in their diversity, charming in their beauty, and attractive in their composition. What is most striking about this flourishing garden is that one encounters here both the producer and the finished product. The garden is portioned off into three areas, the smallest of which is labeled " A Glance at Slovak Literary Creativity in the Free World." Competent authors here present a panoramic view of the conditions under which Slovak culture has expressed itself in recent years in the fields of literature, religion, the arts and nationalism. Poignant in the extreme are the observations of Dr. Joseph Kirschoaum, which are by no means limited in their application to the literary phase of which he writes. The author points out that in fleeing from Slovakia her sons were indeed escaping from hostile forces enveloping their country. But many of them were unable to find refuge even in the West, which was bound especially in those years by political if not friendly ties with their enemies. The Slovaks in exile became marked men. Their enemies, Czech agents in particular, missed no opportunity to make life miserable for them. Doors were closed against them . They experienced harassment, suspicion, false accusations, smear campaigns, denunciations, and outright cruelty and injustice. The marvel is that they were able to accomplish anything at all. Moreover, a distressing lack of research facilities created special difficulties for them and they had no means or very limited ones for the publication of their works. Yet within the past 20 years they have succeeded in catching the ear of the world. Never before, we are told , has the truth about Slovakia been propagated so widely in all the major languages of rthe world. These Slovak writers have become the voice of Slovakia, its conscience and its truest defenders. The second portion of the garden is labeled " Communications from Authors and Poets." In this area the writers show some of their harvestings. Their proven talent is exemplified here in well-constructed, warmly human stories and in lyrics, epigrams, and narrative poems in which the authors reveal their thoughts and share their hopes and yearnings with the reader. The last and by far the largest portion of the garden is marked "Representatives of Slovak Cultural Creativity." Upon entering this area the r eader finds himself in the company of literary scores of eminently distinguished persons, all highly educated, scholarly, and compertent in their respective fields. One beholds them almost with awe- the kind of awe experienced by those who were privileged in 1963 to paiiticipate in the week-long centennial celebrations of the SS. Cyril and Methodius Jubilee in Rome. From the four quarters of the globe Slovaks had assembled in the heart of Christendom to pay tribute to their apostles. In that noble company one recognized prelates and priests, statesmen, writers, artists, missionaries, all of them heroes and leaders, many of whom had for God and country suffered agony, SLOVAKIA 191 torture, family separation, exile, imprisonment, persecution, starvation, homelessness. To see these people, to meet and talk with them, to be associated with them in prayer was an honor. Something of the same kind of impression is created by the Almanach. Here we not only see this band of leaders, gathered from all the continents of the world, but we are accorded the privilege of a formal introduction to each one by name and, I might add, by pseudonym. In the vicissitudes of flight, exile and adjustment, some of them h&ve assumed a whole series of pseudonyms, interesting to trace and identify. Now we are meeting them, as it were, face to face. We come to know when and where they were born, where they received their education, the manner in which they devote their energies on behalf of Slovakia, how they fared in its downfall, how they wandered from country to country, where they finally settled in the hope of earning a living. Above all, we are informed of the prodigious amount of writing they did "in the interests of truth" in the fields of religion, the arts, history, politics, science and industry. Representative among many in their respective fields are Charles Strmen, poet; Joseph !>uris, musician; Joseph Satin, artist; Michael Gerdelan, novelist; Dr. Joseph A. Mikus, diplomat; Dr. Stanislaus Meciar, literary critic; Eugene Urban, librarian ; Dr. Ferdinand t,urcansky, statesman; Rudolph Petrak, opera singer; Dr. Bonaventure Bue, O.F.M., linguist; Dr. Ivan A. Getting, scientist; Dr. Stephen Polakovic, philosopher; Stephen B. Roman, industrialist; Rudolph Kalencik, businessman; Philip A. Hrobak, journalist; Frico Motoska, sculptor; Rev. Jaroslav J. Vajda, translator; Jaroslav J. Pelikan, Protestant theologian; Boris Gaspar, illustrator; Rev. Julius Gasparik, composer; Francis Vnuk, metallurgist; Dr. Francis Hrusovsky, historian; Felix S. Gula, achitect; Dr. Joseph Stojkovic, physician; Rev. Louis Luzbetak, S.V.D., anthropologist; John Fabianek, biologist; John M. Dafcik, film critic; Mary Michna, pianist; Dr. Francis Zeman, biblical scholar; Dr. Heinrich Bartek, philologist. The list is merely typical; it was by no means easy to omit other names in each category. A survey of the list of works of these men is quite overwhelming. Indeed, if all the books, monographs, articles, works of art, music, paintings, sculpture, scientific studies produced by this group of professionals, were brought together into one collection, the resulting library would be precious beyond measure. In the preface to the Almanach, the renowned poet, Andrej .Zarnov, states that this listing of Slovak intellectuals and writers and the compilation of their representative works is long overdue. One is in for a surprise, he says, because the survey is remarkably revealing and the result tremendously inspiring. A final word from the editor is contained in the Epilogue. Dr. Pauco writes in substance: "It is an honor for us to place this Almanach in the hands of Slovaks wherever they may be. Like its predecessors it has its roots in a genuine love for and intense interest in the flowering of Slovak culture1in a free world. "In its compilation two circumstances brought us uncommon joy: 1) Whereas Americans regard a 10% response to a questionnaire as notably successful, our effort brought an overwhelming 95% response. 2) We have in effect produced here the nucleus of a Who's Who 192 SLOVAKIA Among the Slovaks, an undertaking long recognized as both desirable and necessary. "The two persons responsible for the compilation of personal data for the WHO'S WHO were the editor and, separated from him in faraway Australia, Francis Vnuk, who tackled this gigantic task with truly marvelous zeal and initiative. "In conducting the survey all religious and political dividing lines were disregarded. Beginners and veterans alike were invited to make themselves known, provided they had made some contribution to the treasury of Slovak self-identity and national consciousness." " Our aim," continues Dr. Pauco, "was to bear indisputable histurical witness to the native ability, resourcefulness, talent, energy and aspirations of the Slovaks in a free world; to the wholesomeness and durability of their Slovak culture; and to their determination to cling to and fight for their rights. Indeed, one can pose the question: If this is the output of men living in adverse circumstances, what would it have been in circumstances ideally set up in a free and independent Slovakia?" This ALMAN ACH, therefore, is a manifestation of Slovak talent and Slovak genius, yes, and a confrontation with Slovakia's indomitable courage. Sister M . Tarcisia Gregorovic, SS.C.M. Kalendar Jednota 1967: The 70th edition of the Jednota annual in the Slovak language. Jednota Press, 1967; 232 pp., Middletown, Pa. Ed. By Jozef C. Krajsa. Although the current Jednota annual follows the traditional pattern, it is an up-to-date publication that contains a variety of articles of interest to a wide circle of readers even outside the Jednota membership. Featured in this volume are John Sabol, supreme secretary, who by reason of his many years of devoted service merits the coveted title of 'Mr. Jednota,' and the late Jozef Rusek, who was editor of the Jednota weekly for more than three decades. Moreover, the ecumenical spirit is quite in evidence in the articles about Martin Razus by J. Dend'ur and Svetozar Hurban Vajansky by J . Bor. Many photos from Jednota affairs and Slovak life in general add to the attraction of a highly readable edition. Perhaps the most historical of the articles is the analysis of the view of communistic historians toward the Slovak Republic (1939-1945) by Jozef Kirschbaum, LL.D., Ph.D. As customary, the extensive list of addresses of Slovak clergy and Religious is a valuable asset, but it needs to be A . P. revised and supplemented. Jednota Annual Furdek 1967: This current edition published by the First Catholic Slovak Union, Middletown, Pa., in the English language continues to fulfill its original purpose, ie., to reach the younger set inside and outside the Jednota family. (Jednota Press, Middletown, Pa., 1967, 192 pp.) True to its design, namely, to arouse the interest of the youth, the Furdek features a striking pictorial review of the last year's Jednota college scholarship winners. The articles are, however, of general interest to people interested in American Slovak activities. No doubt the panel of biographies introduced by the editor, Joseph C. Krajsa, SLOVAKIA 193 promises to inspire a complete series of life sketches of American Slovak leaders in various fields of activity throughout the country. We have something to look forward to next year and in the years to come. A. P, Diamond Jubilee Issue. Published by the 2ivena, Pittsburgh, Pa. Edited by Maria Mravec. 128 pp. in the Slovak language, brief supplements in English. Zivena Beneficial Society of the U.S.A . ( 1891 -1966) - This unusual volume follows an informal and original pattern but is historically valuable for its contents that cover a period of 75 years in the life of this fraternal organization for American Slovak women (also a minority of male members). Brief histories of various assemblies greatly enhance the overall value of the volume. Tributes paid to the founders and prominent leaders of the organization give us a true picture of the 2ivena family in our American Slovak fraternal life. A .P. Ncirodny A mericko -Slov ensky KALEND A R 1967 : 75th edition of the official annual published by the National Slovak Society of the U.S. of America, Pittsburgh, Pa., 224 pp. , 153 pp. in the Slovak language, 48 pp. in English and the rest advertizing. Ed. by Jan Mihal. Dedicated to the memory of Peter P . Rovnianek, founder of the NSS, this oldest of Slovak annuals in America, seeks to convey the old and new spirit of the American Slovak life : a) ,t he old, by recalling the inspiring leadership of our Slovak pioneers who organized our fraternal societies, b) the new, by peering into the future in an ecumenical mood to grasp the spirit of a new age. There are perhaps a number of controversial subjects touched upon here and there, but the spirit of Christian charity bids us to treat these in the spirit of the new ecumenism in an effort to arrive at a common understanding in the hope of Slovak unity that will help our Slovak nation win its struggle against the forces of evil let loose upon the hallowed land of Slovak forefathers. Here in a free land we must cherish our freedom not only in words but in deeds, and we can do no better than follow the shining example of Slovak pioneers who blazed a trail for us to follow, particularly in Slovak fraternal organizations in America. A . P. 1967 - Zi on Calendar: A jubilee issue marking the 450th anniversary of the Reformation. 160 pp. Published by the Slovak Zion Synod of the Lutheran Church in America. Edited by Rev. John Kalny, Rev. John Kovacik and Rev. John Adam. Kalendcir Sion - Although Martin Luther is naturally the centerpiece of this volume in Slovak (80 pp.) and English (50 pp.) , advertizing 30 pp, the history of the Slovak Lutheran parishes is of special interest to those of Slovak origin. The history, too, of Dr. Jozef M. Hurban with accompanying pictures to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the birth of this great 19th century Slovak patriot and religious leader is of great interest to all Slovaks, here or in Slovakia. The names of Slovak Lutheran parishes and their pastors in America are invaluable to the 194 SLOVAKlA historian in search of facts and statistics for a complete history of the Slovaks in America. A. P. Bohemia, Yearbook of the Collegium Carolinum, Munich, Vol. 6, Robert Lerche Verlag, Munich, 1964, DM 45. Die Slowakei als mitteleuropiiisches Problem in Geschichte und Gegenwart. Papers delivered at a symposium of the Collegium Carolinum in Mtinchen-Grtinwald, V. 1 to 3. August 1962. Verlag Robert Lerche, Munich 1965, 235 pp., DM 22.- (cloth bound) DM 19.(cardboard). The Collegium Carolinum, research center on the Bohemian countries, has again published two new volumes: the Bohemia Yearbook (Volume 6) and the papers delivered at a symposium of the Collegium in August 1962 in Grunwald near Munich on "Slovakia as a Central European Problem in Past and Present. " Because of the wealth of material and research findings the Bohemia Yearbooks are not only well-known but practically indispensable to readers especially interested in history. Once again it is difficult to select from the large number of treatises and book reviews a representative extract and although they would deserve mention, lack of space makes it impossible to include all the papers under review. Heribert Sturm, known not only to the people of Eger as an indefatigable researcher of his home area, examined - in a paper delivered in May 1964 in Nuremberg - the mutual relationships between Eger, Nuremberg and Prague in the high and late medieval periods. Also contained herein is Friedrich Prinz' lecture of January 1965 on Bohemia's historical problems between 1848 and 1918 plus his important confrontation of ideology and reality in the national controversy on both sides. By reading and rethinking the issues presented, one spontaneously feels grateful to the publisher for letting important words become printed witnesses to the efforts on behalf of historic trnth and reality. The same might be said of the talks on the Slovak question. Milan Stanislav Durica's contribution on "Slovakia during the March Crisis of 1939" offers valuable new material toward destroying the "Slovak legend": only undifferentiated, black-white presentations of " contemporary history" could and can see Slovakia as a stolid ally of National Socialist Greater Germany. To the historian prone to weigh and balance his material, this work offers a dovetailed mosaic of alliance under international law, ideological (partial) aversion, and power-political weighing of interests. One can only hope that Durica's voluminous tome: "La Slovacchia e le sue relazioni politiche con la Germania 1938-1945" (Padua 1964, lire 4,000) will soon be available in translation. A number of these works should, however, be made available for broader circles, especially the youth. The Collegium Carolinum has assumed the task of "objectively fostering the tradition of the venerable Charles University .. . for the young." One could visualize in connection with the youth organizations well-suited to the task, such as the Sudeten German Youth and the German Youth of the East, a series of publications that would present the selected works of this kind at a price within reach, in greater number. Fritz Peter Habel SLOVAKIA 195 DO ·N ' T CO U NT US OUT! A COUNTRY WHICH YOU MAY NOT KNOW SLOVAK I A (18,921 square miles, population 4,400,000) is a separate country and the SLOVAK NATION is an individual member of the European family of nations. Though Slovakia lies in the very center of Europe, its name is not heard of in the world. The reason for that is the fate of this country which, for ages, has not been able to emerge in history under its own name, and is not even today an independent country on the map of Europe. The SLOVAKS occupied this country at the end of the 4th century, when it belonged to no one. The ancestors of the Slovak people attached to this country the destiny of all the succeeding Slovak generations, who in turn, established their claim to this land by the1 fact that during their more than thousand year history they never deserted or renounced it. Out of the tiny Slovak principalities a united Slovak State came into existence already in the first half of the 9th century. It was the first organized state in Central Europe. By the year 830 during the reign of Prince Pribina, a Christian church was standing in the ancient home of the Slovak princes of Nitra. It was the first Christian church in the entire territory of the western Slavs. The King Svatopluk (870-894), whom contemporary sources consider "the most glorious of the Slavonic rulers almost as mighty as an emperor" e.lQtended his domain to include the neighboring Czech and Polish tribes. He waged successful wars against his Western neighbors, maintained diplomatic relations and concluded diplomatic peace treaties with neighboring rulers, and safeguarded the independent status of his country. By the end of the 10th century, after the Danube basin was invaded by the Magyars, Slovakia lost the conditions necessary for independent development. Sometime around the year 1000 it became a part of the Hungarian State. A great and glorious chapter of Slovak history was ended, but neither its inspiring memory, nor the right of the Slovak nation to liberty and independence, ever faded. The addition into the heritage Slovaks did not enter the Hungarian State empty-handed. In to the territory of their own country, the Slovaks brought budding Hungarian State their entire material and spiritual and they became a participant in this new phase of history. For a century and a half (from 1540 until the end of the 17th century) Slovakia served as a bastion in the bulwark that defended Christian Europe against the danger from the East-against the attacks of the Turks. The new ideas which later, under the slogan "Liberty, Equality and Fraiternity," resulted in the French Revolution, made their way into the Danube basin and affected also the nations of that region, Slovak 196 SLOVAKIA national consciousness developed and, under the pressure of the subjugation exerted upon the Slovaks by the Magyars, became strongly rooted in Slovak life itself. Soon the Slovaks began to cultivate their own language. Anton Bernolak, in the year 1787 wrote a grammar of literary Slovak. In the year 1843, under I.!udovit Stur, who was the cultural and political leader of his generation, definitive rules of Slovak grammar were established and these became the instrument of an independent literature. In the spring of 1861 the Slovaks called a general assembly to Turciansky Sv. Martin where the prominent attorney Stefan Marko Daxner formulated Slovak policy in the comprehensive Memorandum of the Slovak Nation. Pointing to the conditions which had developed in Hungary, they asked that the Slovak nation be recognized by a special edict, that Slovakia constitute a distinctive administrative unit in Hungary, and that the Slovak people in their own territory be given the right to develop their own life without restriction. The Magyars opposed the petitions of the Slovak nation. They outlawed the assembling Slovaks and treated their political leaders as traitors. When World War I was nearing its end, the leaders of ,t he Slovaks saw that the military defeat of the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy would give them the opportunity to attain the goals they were not able to achieve in Hungary. Slovaks took a stand for the right of self-determination On May 30, 1918, representatives of the Slovak League of America met with representatives of Czech organizations and with the President of the Czecho-Slovak National Council, T. G. Masaryk, in Pittsburgh, Pa., and drew up an agreement which guaranteed political and cultural autonomy to Slovakia in the new common State. The Slovaks in the homeland met on October 30, 1918, in Turciansky Sv. Martin, where they organized a Slovak National Council and in separate declaration proclaimed that the Slovaks once and for all were separating themselves from Hungary and were of their own accord joining the Czecho-Slovak State. The Slovak people welcomed the Czecho-Slovak Republic with open joy and sincere hope. But the relaitionship between the Slovak and Czech nations was dimmed :&om the very beginning of their union. On May 4, 1919, the outstanding representative of the Slovaks in the Czecho-Slovak National Council, general Milan Rastislav Stefanik, was murdered by a secret order of the Prague Government. But the most important reason why the early enthusiasm of the Slovaks ended in rapid and complete disillusionment was that the Czechs were trying to build the Czecho-Slovak Republic on the same kind of foundation which the Magyars had laid for the creation of an united greater Hungary. The President of the Hungarian Government, Stephen Tisza, declared: "There is no Slovak nation ... " The President of Czecho-Slovakia, T. G. Masaryk, said the same. Magyarization was replaced with Czechization, and the undemocratic centralization by Budapest with the undemocratic centralization by Prague. Slovakia was treated as a colony of the Czechs. SLOVAKIA 197 Rev. Andrej Hlinka, a fearless political fighter of the Slovaks during the Hungarian regime, renewed the relentless struggle for the honor and rights of his own nation. The policy of his Slovak People's Party was based on the Pittsburgh Agreement. It was drawn up and signed by the President of the Czecho-Slovak Republic, T. G. Masaryk, who later declared iit null and void. The disappointed Slovaks united themselves in the predominantly Catholic Slovak People's Party, led by A. Hlinka, and in the Slovak National Party, which had a majority of Lutheran members, headed by Martin Razus, a leading Slovak poet whom the Slovaks called the '' conscience of .the Slovak nation." The Czechs, like the Magyars, did not want to give up their imperialistic plans for Slovakia until they were forced to under the pressure of the international developments. The Czecho-Slovak Republic, preparing to celebrate its 20th anniversary, found itself in the midst of a serious internal crisis and was shaken to its foundations by strong German pressure. After the Allies of the Czecho-Slovak Government dis-associated themselves from the policy of President Benes, the days of Czecho-Slovakia came to an end. Circumstances left .the Slovaks no choice but to shift for themselves. After a great manifestation in Bratislava, on June 5, 1938, where a delegation of the Slovak League of America, led by its president Dr. Peter Hletko, brought along the original of the Pittsburgh Pact, after lengthy and fruitless consultations with representatives of the Prague regime, the Executive Committee of the Slovak People's Party met in 2ilina, on the 6th of October, 1938, and suggested that all power in Slovakia be seized by the Slovaks. This resolution of the Slovak People's Party was accepted and approved in all its parts by delegates of all the remaining non-leftist Slovak parties. According to the declaration of Slovak autonomy, elections for seats in the Slovak Parliament were held as early as December 18, 1938. The Slovak Parliament, elected according to the decree of Slovak autonomy, was called into extraordinary session by the President of the Czecho-Slovak Republic, Dr. Emil Hacha, and on March 14, 1939, it dedared Slovakia an independent and self-gov erning state by unanimous resoh.1,tion. This step was the only refuge for Slovakia against the storm threatening 1t in the tense international situation. The independent State of Slovakia was recognized either de jure or de facto by 27 nations. These states included great powers and small countries, neutrals as well as belligerents in the Second World War. On October 26, 1939, Dr. Jozef Tiso was elected the first president of the Slovak Republic and was recognized by the Slovak nation as the successor of the 9th-century Slovak princes. After six years, a great and glorious chapter of Slovak history was ended. On the heels of the Soviet army's divisions and their unspeakable atrocities, came Dr. Eduard Benes with the government of a resurrected Czecho-Slovak Republic. The Slovak nation arrived, against its will and contrary to all the principles of natural and selfdetermining rights, at a position in which it did not care to live at any price, with nothing but slavery staring it in the face . SLOVAKIA 198 The Slovak nation became a victim of revenge because it waged to declare and to build its own state. The execution of the President of Slovak Republic, Dr. Jozef Tiso, on April 18, 1947, was the condemnation of whole Slovak people. The gallows on which Dr. Jozef Tiso and' the other representatives of the Slovak Republic died a martyr's death, and the time bomb which killed the prominent exilefighter of Slovakia, Matu~ Cernak, in Munich on June 5, 1955, stand above the chasm whica once and for all obliterated any form of Czecho-Slovak state. The spirit and form of the Communist people's democracy are foreign , repulsive and unacceptable to the Slovak nation. With persistent and remarkable consistency, the Slovaks are rejecting everything that the government of Czecho-Slovakia, as a servant of Moscow, is forcing upon them. And they are defending and fighting with heroic courage everything that feeds and strengthens their own life. They will never surrender their claim to a free life in their own state, but insist on an independent position in the great family of nations in Europe. The struggle for this goal is led not just by the Slovak nation behind the Iron Curtain, but by its members in the free world. The Slovaks, through the Slovak League of America, do not cease to call for FREEDOM and INDEPENDENCE for SLOVAKIA . SLOVAK STATE - A DREAM OF THOUSAND YEARS Atty. John F. Spacek March 14, 1939. A thousand years old Slovak dream of self-government realized on this date. The yearnings, wishes and prayers of a courageous people were answered on this date. Slovaks - the " Irish of Central Europe" as they are often called, joined the family of nations. Their freedom, cultural identity, free expression of thought were now a political reality. Let us, for a brief moment, go into history, to the year 1938 and trace the birth and growth of the Slovak state. It was at this time that the avarious eyes of Hitler cast themselves upon the Sudetenland ; his demands were to assimilate the Sudeten Germans into the Third Reich. Fearing the advent of a war the English and the French recommended appeasing Hitler by agreeing to his demands. However, at this time, it was not only -the German that was avarious. The Pole and the Magyar also cast their eyes on Slovakia. It was at this time, it must be remembered, that the thought and dream of an independent Slovakia was nurtured. Faced with the possibility of total digestion by the German and occupation by the Magyar and/or Pole, a decision by Father Dr. Tiso had to be made. It must be remembered that the decision was made reluctantly, since the original intention of those in power was to participate with the Czechs as a part of a federated state of Czechs and Slovaks. This, SLOVAKIA 199 however, could not be. Condition in the Czecho-Slovakia deteriorated to a point where total occupation by the German army was inevitable. Pressed by the demands of Hitler, the fear of Czech duplicity (again), a fear of occupation by the Magyars together with the centuries old dream of self-government, Slovakia was born. The birth of the Slovak Republic did not come without fanfare. Diplomatic recognition and relations were exchanged by almost every European power, including seventeen (17) who fought on the side of allies or were neutral. Congratulatory notes and wishes were received from every corner of the globe. A constitution was formed. A memorable document embodying every .p rinciple of Christian Law and social justice. A representative. government was adopted. A house consisting of one representative for every 20,000 people. It became a haven for Jews escaping from Poland. Pro-German functionaries were dismissed from office. It became known as a "Christian Oasis" in a Nazi desert - and the "Ireland of Central Europe". However, this dream, this yearning and desire for self-govern• ment was not to last. It became apparent that a Russian occupation was eminent. Various efforts were made to prevent a destruction of the country by the ravages of war and to continue their freedom thereafter. However, communist infiltrators and traitors were not to permit a free Slovakia, causing distrust, turmoils and disorder. The communists now took hold of the country not by the rule of law, but by the rule of force, not by self-determination, but by fear. In history's haste to re-establish Czecho-Slovakia and with a generous assistance of communists and combined with total disregard to the Slovaks' own destiny, the control over Slovakia was once more moved back to Prague. The 1000 years' dream ended after six years. Six years of what? Six years of freedom from fear, freedom from want, six years of economic and cultural development, and of educational advances beyond anyone's dream. - And it ended. It was a dream worth fighting for. It is for this dream that the Slovak League of America exists and continues in the struggle for self-determination and the cause of Slovak freedom. Some historians will criticize this short-lived Slovak Republic for accepting some measure of assistance from the Germans. I say to these: "You are naive . .. From whom was this freedom that had been so long sought to come? From the Russians? The Czechs? The Magyars? What other course was open?" If we criticize Father Tiso, should we not also criticize De Valera of Ireland and Gandhi of India and many others? This struggle is mankind's struggle for self-determination. family of nations at the United Nations began with a handful result of the rights of mankind to determine their own destiny. the family has grown. Has not the philosophy of the Slovaks proven to be correct? The as a And been 200 SLOVAKIA Contents American Democracy and Slovak Life - Hrusovsky - Dr. Francis 1 Constantine Beginnings of The Slovak League of America - Culen - 18 The Slovak League of America and the Slovak Nation's Struggle for Autonomy - Karol Sidor - 29 Slovak League of America and Independent Slovakia - Mikulas Sprinc - 63 Under Dynamic Leadership Peter V. Rovnianek - Sister M. Martina, SS.C.M. - F . Vnuk - A Poet in Exile - Prof. Dr. F . Durcansky - The Slovaks in America - J.M. Kirschbaum - P . V. Rovnianek - 181 As Others See It - 185 189 A Country Which You May Not Know Slovak State - Atty. John F . Spacek - 153 161 178 Current Issues - Book Reviews - 144 Maryagnes Krajsa - Andrej Hlinka - Contributors - Joseph Pauco, Ph.D. - 195 198 173 104 137 PRI NTI D IN U.S. A. JIDN OTA PlllN TER Y, MID DLli TOW N, PA.  Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Back Matter, Slovakia, Vol. 17 (No. 40) Description An account of the resource includes Current Issues; As Others See It; Contributors; Book Reviews; A Country Which You May Not Know; Slovak State - A Dream of Thousand Years Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1967 https://slovakia.wordsofpassage.net/files/original/c00456f49ea86471f4238ddb5960ed04.pdf dd07e75783228ba1f24d8c537611d79d PDF Text Text 132 SLOVAK.IA CURRENT ISSUES MANIFESTO OF THE SLOVAK LEAGUE OF AMERICA Americans of Slovak descent have always expressed their loyalty to the United States of America, in harmony with their traditional effort of preserving peace and order and helping to strengthen the principles for which our democracy stands. A very large segment of the Slovak nation is thankful to Almighty God for having found a home in this our free and great republic, not only because we can freely express our private views and wishes, but also because we can speak freely in behalf of a nation which has so many times looked upon the Slovaks in the United States as their only hope for freedom and salvation. A great milestone in the life of Americans of Slovak descel'lt was the signing of the Pittsburgh Pact on May 30, 1918 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania where the Slovak League of America, representing the Slovaks in the United States, met with their Czech counterparts under the leadership of Thomas G. Masaryk. The basis of the Pittsburgh Pact lies in this assertion: "Slovakia shall have her own administration, her own- assembly, and her own courts." This was the result of the spirit of self-determination which started at the initiative of the United States. In this spirit not only American Slovaks, but the Slovaks in Slovakia demanded their right to a free nation, and sincerely desired to reach an agreement with the Czech nation, with whom, according to the Pittsburgh Pact, they were to live in a federation. It is a historical fact that it was not the fault of the Slovaks that the spirit and letter of the Pittsburgh Pact was realized only at the end of 1938, when there was no longer any possibility of even a federation for the Slovak and Czech peoples. The European and world political forces dictated a new development, which neither the Slovaks nor Czechs could influence. The only chance presented to the Slovaks was to look for new approaches and opportunities to preserve their own Slovak entity. This salvation was �SLOVAKIA 133 found, though the Slovak nation as well as the Slovak people in the United States had hoped that this salvation would have come from the west, and especially from the United States. After the second world war Slovaks found themselves under the domination of communism and Czechs. Again as in the case of the Pittsburgh Pact, Prague leaders did not keep their word and the principle of self-determin ation was not realized in Slovakia. On the contrary, this principle of self-determin ation was oppressed not only by the Czechs, but by the Soviets as well, who mercilessly stopped any attempt and expression for a free and democratic way of life. Remembering with reverence and admiration our predecessors who signed this historical document in Pittsburgh, we must express our position on this occassion, the 50th Anniversary of the Pittsburgh Pact, negotiated by the Slovak League and those American-Slo vak organizations who joined her in the furtherance of this Slovak objective. To the question asked here in the United States and in Slovakia, "What is the position of Americans of Slovak descent concerning Slovakia today?", the following is our response : -The principles of justice, freedom, and democracy as represented by American thinking and action are sacred and untouchable to the Slovak League of America -The welfare, security, and preservation of the future of the United States is our utmost objective -No sacrifice is too large when the very foundations of American institutional life are involved, as well as the security of private ownership. The spread of the good name of the United States in word, but especially in deed, in the press and by example is primary with the Slovak League -Bearing in mind that the Slovak nation was, is, and always will be an ally of the west, and especially the United States, giving America almost half her sons and daughters and, ..:._Following and closely scrutinizing the developments in Slovakia, and knowing that freedom is a gift from God, The Slovak League of America endorses the highest right of the Slovak nation, and requests for �134 SLOVAKIA Slovakia an independent Slovak Republic, which government and judical system will be chosen by the Slovak people in a free and democratic election. In this behalf, so help us God! February 26, 1968 Stephen J. Tkach, President D r. Joseph Pauco, Secretary Executive Committee: Rt. Rev. Theodore Koji s, O.S.B . John A . Sabol Joseph Prusa Joseph Kristofik SLOVAK POLITICS "Give us this day our daily bread" in the Lord's Prayer was explained by Andrej H 1 ink a as politics! Why? Because in that petition our economic needs are implied and since we cannot presume to impose upon Divine Providence to rain down Manna from the heavens above, we must work for our daily bread. But when this demands superhuman effort because of foreign exploitation of the country one inhabits, then the inhabitants must do something about it . . . and they must become involved in politics. Such were the circumstances in Hlinka's time when Czech c a r p e tbaggers and their allies exploited the Slovaks ( as the Magyars had done before them ) that the Slovak priest in the role of a good shepherd sought to protect his flock from being fleeced by alien interlopers and thieves, and the same need exists today, for the Prague central government controls the national economy in Slovakia. Visitors to Expo 67 were amazed to note the small number of Slovak personnel in Montreal's pavilion that represented Czecho-Slovakia. The ratio was quite accurately estimated at 5 or 6 to 1. This is gross injustice to the Slovak nation when one considers there are approximately 5 million Slovaks and 9 million Czechs. These two nations constitute 90 % of the population of the c-SSR, ie., �SLOVAKIA Czecho-Slovak Socialist Republic (the 10 % represents Magyar, Polish, German, Gypsy and Jewish people. N.B. More than 3 million Germans were expelled from the Sudeten lands and some 700,000 Ruthenes were annexed in the eastern area of Czecho-S 1 o v a k i a by the U.S.S.R. in the Carpatho-Rusin region). The same discrimination against the Slovaks by the Czech ruling regime is being shown in Slovakia where the great majority of official government personnel and industrial management is preponderantly n o n-Slovak. Moreover, the Czechs hold 90 % of the number of army 135 officers from the top to the bottom! These facts which indicate what a death-grip the Czech regime has on Slovakia economically and militarily fully justify the Slovaks in their determination to free themselves from foreign rule, and if we consider that they are deprived of religious freedom, too, American Slovaks cannot help but extend a helping hand to oppressed brethren beyond the seas. We are in sympathy with their cause, and for that reason individually and collectively we, too, are determined to do something about it, even if it means we must go into politics! A . P. U.S. IMMIGRATION PATTERN TO CHANGE JULY 1 On July 1, 1968, the United States will put into effect a new immigration system. In place of the old national origins quotas, visas will be issued without regard to the immigrant's birthplace or nationality on a world-wide, first-come first-served basis, according to a series of preferences established by the law of October 3, 1965. However, not more than 20,000 immigration visas may be issued in any one year to the natives of any Eastern Hemisphere country (Europe, Asia and Africa ), and not more than 170,000 visas may be issued in any year to immigrants from all Eastern Hemisphere countries. Excluded from these totals will be the immediate relatives of American citizens, that is, their spouses, children or parents. Also, on July 1, a numerical limitation, 120,000 a year, will be placed for the first time on immigration from the W e s t e r n Hemisphere (South and Central America, Mexico and Canada). As in the Eastern Hemisphere, this. �136 SLOVAKIA limitation will not apply to the immediate relatives of American citizens. The 20,000 ceiling applicable to individual countries in the Eastern Hemisphere will not apply to Western Hemisphere countries. Not more than 200 visas may be issued in any year to the natives of a colony or dependent area. How is this new system likely to affect immigration to the United States? Numerically, it is not likely to result in any pronounced change. In the five years preceding enactment of the October 3, 1965 law, immigration averaged 290,062 a year; in the following two, the average was 342,506. Since the demand for visas in both Eastern and Western Hemispheres is expected to exceed the totals permitted (170,000 a nd 120,000 respectively) and :since the number of immigrants exempt from numerical limitation has been running around 40,000 a year (not counting the natives of Western Hemisphere countries), it seems likely that under the new system immigration will be approximately 330,000, or a third of a million, a year. It is certain, however, that the ethnic composition of immigration to the United States will be different. Countries which had small quotas but long waiting lists will be sending far more immigrants than those which formerly had 1 a r g e quotas such as Great Britain, Germany and Ireland. The U.S. Visa Office estimates that in the Eastern Hemisphere the countries sending the largest number of immigrants in the year beginning July 1 will be Italy, Greece, Portugal, China and the Philippines. With immigration on a world-wide basis, what is important for the would-be immigrant is that he get on the waiting list in his country as early as possible. Even if he does, his chances of coming to the United States are slight, unless he qualifies for one of the seven categories entitled to preference. These seven categories or preferences and the number of visas to which each is entitled are as follows: 1. Unmarried s o n s and daughters of U.S . citizens. 34,000 (20 percent of the 170,000 total) 2. Spouses and unmarried sons and daughters of aliens lawfully admitted for permanent residence. 34,000 (20 percent) plus numbers unused by First Preference 3. Members of the professions, and scientists and �SLOVAKIA artists of exceptional ability. 17,000 (10 percent) 4. Married sons and daughters of U.S. citizens. 17 ,000 (10 percent) plus numbers unused by higher preferences 5. Brothers and sisters of U.S. citizens. 40,800 (24 percent) plus numbers unused by higher preferences 6. Skilled and unskilled workers in occupations for which labor is in short supply in the U.S. 17,000 (10 percent ) 7. Refugees. 10,200 (6 percent) ( These preferences apply to all E a s t e r n Hemisphere countries. They do not apply to the Western Hemisphere, where for the present at least there are no preferences.) The foregoing system of selection puts principal emphasis on family relationships. The Visa Office estimates that the 85,000 visas available for first, second, and fourth preference immigrants in the year beginning July 1, 1968, will be more than enough to meet the demand in those categories. In contrast, it expects the third, fifth and sixth preferences to be greatly oversubscribed, so that there will be a substantial waiting list for brothers 137 and sisters of United States citizens (fifth preference), members of the professions (third preference), and skilled and unskilled aliens (sixth preference). The fifth preference is entitled to any unused numbers from the four earlier preferences. Unlike the relative preferences, the third and sixth preference are limited to the numbers assigned them. The Visa Office anticipates that on June 30, 1968, there will be a backlog or waiting list for the third preference of some 48,000 . Since only 17,000 numbers a year are available for this category, the backlog and waiting period will increase. This is also true for the sixth preference, skilled and unskilled aliens in short supply. For the fifth preference the Visa Office estimates a backlog on June 30, 1968, of 194,000. This is expected to decrease to 179,200, but that will still mean a substantial waiting time. At present some aliens in countries with large or not fully used quotas have been getting visas as nonpreference immigrants, even though they could qualify for the ,third or sixth preference. But this will not be true after June 30, 1968, when visa issuance goes on a world-wide �SLOVAKIA basis. Such persons, natives, for example, of such countries as Great Britain, Germany, Ireland, Sweden, Norway, if they are not sure of getting their v i s a s before July 1, should apply at once for preference, in order to avoid being at the end of the waiting list. In some countries, I t a 1 y for example, where the demand for the first five preferences will bring visa issuance to 20,000, there will be no sixth preference visas. As a r e s u 1 t of the new world-wide system, few, if any, visas will be available for nonpreference immigrants from Eastern Hemisphere countries after the national origins quotas are abolished on June 30, 1968. The demand for fifth and sixth preferences is so large that no numbers are expected to be left for nonpreference immigrants, except for any unused seventh preference numbers, and then only in countries in which preference demand does not exceed 20,000. Further, all nonpreference immigrants, as well as those within preference categories 3 and 6 and all W e s t e r n Hemisphere immigrants except immediate relatives, must obtain a "labor clearance" before receiving a visa. This is a certification from the Department of Labor that they will not displace American workers and that their admission will not have an adverse effect on the wages and working conditions of workers here. This provision, whatever its merit in protecting American labor, operates to prevent, or at least make more difficult, the admission of the nonpreference or "new seed" immigrant - that is, the kind of immigrant who in earlier years constituted the bulk of our immigration and contributed so much to the building of the United States. A VISIT TO SLOVAKIA An American Slovak of the younger generation recently returned from a brief visit to Slovakia. What he experienced and observed during his sojourn in the land of his forefathers I hereby report at his personal request. He did not wish to reveal his name because of fear that the ruling regime might take reprisals against relatives and friends. "I was in Slovakia. Like many others from America I went only for a short stay. �SLOVAKIA 139 I saw the natural wonders of the land of my late parents. The three weeks that I spent there will never fade from my memory. Morever, r put down my impressions in my diary. their serious discussions about world affairs. Their minds, I could readily see, were involved in problems of the universe even at their tender age ranging from thirteen to seventeen. That the Slovak nation is deeply religious, open-hearted, hospitable, industrious, healthy and vigorous, honest and dignified, r learned at first hand. Slovak youth particularly, despite some weaknesses excesses and handicaps, i~ on the whole simply beautiful alert and alive wholeso~e and fully con~ scious of its national heritage I noted that both the boy~ and girls are obsessed by desire to learn. They are respectful to their elders, which is an ancient national trait and tradition. Their behavior was correspondingly very good. Their curiosity about what's happening in the rest of the world was simply astounding. I had the opportunity to observe this on my journey eastward via train. During the entire journey, I noticed groups of teen-agers huddled together over newspapers and periodicals. Their comments were both intelligent and stimulating. I have a good knowledge of the Slovak language and hence I could not help but appreciate their conversation, as well as Naturally, neither economically nor socially could they be compared with conditions in America. Their living standards. are far below th~s~ of our high standard, of hvmg. B':1t the people don t seem to mmd very much. The new ge~eratioi:1', alth~ugh inte:ested m the fmer thmgs of life, on the mater~al side, app~ar to be well adJusted to their present status while planning a ~etter future through educatlon and hard work. We who live in America know what the Slovaks desire more than anything in this world, namely, their freedom from foreign rule. There is no question that they do not enjoy either political or religious liberty. Anyone who has eyes to see and ears to hear cannot miss this obvious lack of local and national freedom or personal 1 i be rt y as we know it in America. The Slovaks bear a double yoke: a) Czech overrule b) Communist oppression. The regime is 'Czechoslovak' in theory and practice, and therefore, anti-Slovak, and communistic, hence �140 SLOVAKIA atheistic-in both cases expressly and extremely so. Slovak people, however, in spite of the above noted burdens they are forced to bear, have such native strength and stamina that they are making progress in industry, literature and culture, if not in politics. They are holding fast to the faith of their fathers. I was moved to tears when attending Mass in a number of churches. The voices of both young and old blended in a sacred symphony that was an outer manifestation of their deep and abiding faith. In the last twenty years the Slovaks have suffered much for their faith. Many died unsung martyrs because they refused to abandon their religious beliefs. This, I am firmly convinced assures the future national destiny of the Slovak people, for the blood of their martyrs and the constancy of countless confessors of the faith constitute an inexhaustible stream of living waters for generations to come. Eventually, the godless, not the Godly, will be overcome. In closing my remarks, I wish to leave this message: Do not fear the outcome. The Slovaks at home are not afraid. They are steadfast immovable in their faith. But pray, as our persecuted brethren in Slovakia pray constantly, that the day of their deliverance may come soon. That the day of liberation will come, there is no doubt in their minds. They look forward with anticipation to the day when once again, after a quarter of a century, they will guide the destiny of their country as free men under God." This is the way our young American fellow Slovak described his visit to Slovakia. We, who cherish our noble heritage of Christian faith and f r e e d o m in this great land of 1 i be rt y, welcome these realistic observations and reactions as unmistakable signs of the future, for a nation with such spirit and a wholesome outlook on life must certainly emerge triumphant after suffering an ordeal by fire in our tragic age of man's inhumanity to man. Slovakia with a glorious past now awaits the dawn of an even more glorious era. May God in His goodness and mercy grant the beginning of a new age of freedom and peace for the Slovak nation in our time. A. P. Annual SL O VA KI A is published by the Slovak League of America, 313 Ridge Avenue, Middletown, Pennsylvania. Subscription $2.00. Editor: Dr. Joseph Pauco. �SLOVAKIA 141 JUST THE TRUTH ... PLEASE In the February 18, 1968, tions of the country which edition of The New York had traditionally figured as Times Magazine, Mr. Ed- the bulwark of democracy, mund Stillman presented les- the total vote for the Comsons on "The Fall of Czecho- munist-left Socialist coalition slovakia." Because I witnes- was a solid 55.76 per cent. sed the Communist take-over Only in agrarian and conof the country 20 years ago, servative S 1 ova k i a were I would like to make a few these proportions reversed." r e m a r k s on the article I would like to express my (pages 34-46) to correct some thanks for this truthful comfacts . ment. On May 26, 1946, I was elecIf not for the Czech majorted as a member of Parlia- ity, Czecho-Slovakia would be ment in Prague by a 92.3 % with the· west today. We Slomajority for the Slovak De- vaks are proud of our "primocratic Party. The night mitivism" against Communbefore the election the Com- ism, which was defeated in munists organized my kid- the 1946 election in Slovakia. napping to the USSR which Mr. Stillman mentioned a bordered my native district so-called "Czechoslovak naof Sobrance. My electoral tion" which doesn't e x i s t. district was along the "first" The Czech nation in in CzeIron Curtain. cho and the Slovak nation is Mr. Stillman called this in Slovakia with their own district " ... the more back- languages. I agree with the ward region of Slovakia to statement that on Wednesthe east . . .", and " .. . the day, February 25, "The ArchCzechs despised the Slovaks bishop of Prague called on as primitives or traitors." I the nation to support the was proud to be an educator Constitution." Ar ch bishop and a Superintendent of Beran called only on the Schools in Slovakia. Czechs. The Slovak Catholics The writer has given full never belonged with Prague credit to the Czechs for the but were d i r e c t 1 y under fall of Czecho-Slovakia into Rome. For their resistance to the Soviet block. He was the Communist doctrine, right when he stated that "In SIX of the NINE Slovak Bohemia and Moravia, the Catholic bishops DIED in industrialized western por- prisons. �142 SLOVAKIA Also, it was mentioned that Czecho-Slovakia at that time " ... was a practicing democracy." I would not agree because I was the ONLY MEMBER of Parliament in Prague in 1947 who denounced the brutality of the Communistheaded secret police who were torturing innocent Slovaks in Bratislava prisons. For that speech during the Communist coup d'etat in February of 1948, I was charged with treason and managed to survive o:r:tly by escap- ing to the West. Enclosed is a translation of that parliamentary speech. We Slovaks, as the Czechs say, are traitors, but the Czechs had "human rights and honor" when they sold Czecho-Slovakia and with it us Slovaks behind the Iron Curtain. There can be no doubt why in the USA I am carrying on the mission for a free Slovakia which cannot be dominated and sold-out by the Czechs in the future. Stefan Blasko IDEALS OF 'DHE SLOVAK NATION I think the story, the traditions and the honoc of the Slovak people is one of the most glorious stories in history. It is hard to find a story of any people who for more than one thousand years were deprived of liberty, nationality, and subjected to national and religious persecution. The Slovaks have given all the world a lesson in what i,t means to be devoted to ideals. During the crucial period of their history, these brothers, sisters, and children of thait noble race came to our United States which has ever been a sanctuary and a home O'f persecuted people. With this thought I have many recollections of the past and of that beautiful country of Slovakia from which you or your ancestors have come. It was my privilege in the happy days of peace to know your country and the character of your people, for I went to school for five yeairs with many of the boys from that country, some of whom have come to be priests here in our United States. I know the thoughts that fill your minds today of the disaster, injustice, the tyranny, the oppression, the cruelty that has come over an injured Europe that we once knew, for Europe was a great mother of America ... and I know how you feel because I feel the same. You and I must show our sympathy and give our help in every way possible to those naitions thart g,ave us birth and our birth rights. Our happiness is saddened by the thought of our persecuted brethren in Europe. We associate ourselves with them in prayer, also in determination to do everyithing in our power to alleviate their suffering. We express sympathy to those who suffered persecution foc justice's sake asking Almighty God to give them grace to carry on - Francis Cardinal Spellman in the practice of their faith. �SLOVAKIA 143 BOOK REVIEWS MORE A BOU T D R. Dr. Jozef Tiso-President of the Slovak Republic. In commemoration of the 20th anniversary of his death at the hands of the enemies of Slovak Independence. By Fr. Vnuk. Publishers: Association of Australian Slov aks. P . Gerdelan, Orbis Printing and Publishing Co., PTy ., Ltd., Sydney, 1967. An unprepossessing volume of a meager fifty pages, this important work by a prolific Slovak writer, however, is a clear, concise, factual account of the life of a Slovak leader who died on the gallows: for his faith, for his Slovak nation, for the Christian country of Slovakia in the heart of Europe. Msgr. Tiso, a Catholic priest, represented his people's ancient faith of more than a thousand years' tradition . .AJ; a spiritual leader he was, therefore a symbol of the religious background and heritage that began with SS. Cyril and Methodius in the 9th century A.D. As a political figure he was more than a politician-he was a shepherd of his flock, i.e. , the Slovak people, a revered chieftain of his clan, and a statesman whose vision, courage and leadership guided the newly independent Slovak Republic safely through the dark days of World War II. By the very nature of its brevity, the modest volume leaves much to be desired in the way of a more detailed, and consequently a more thorough review and analysis of events that are merely touched upon. Nevertheless, for one who is acquainted with the history of Slovakia, the book can well serve as a good manual for a series of talks JOZE F T IS0 and even as a logical and chronological framework for a later edition of greater proportions. Moreover, the historical background to the modern emergence of the Slovak nation and its independent state is quite adequate for those to whom the material is entirely new. What puzzles people in the western world is the presence of members of the clergy in politics. Although there is no valid reason why they, as citizens, should be excluded from the political stage, their clerical status automatically does exclude them in the minds of most people. This in spite of the fact that the American Congress from the very beginning has traditionally attracted numerous Protestant clergymen and their membership was never seriously questioned. Be that as it may, the author explains that the need for leaders in Slovakia necessiated the 'participation and involvement,' to borrow a really modern phrase, of dynamic priests who answered the call to duty for the public welfare but considered it not only a privilege but an obligation to serve the interests of religion whenever the Church was under attack, as certainly was the case after World War I when atheistic, communistic and anti-clerical elements joined forces against the Church in Slovakia. In this matter, as in others, Vnuk's work is well documented. Tiso's early political ventures were not always successful. Thus, his policy of coalition with the Czechs ended in fiasco. In 1927 he persuaded Hlinka to abandon his basic policy of opposition to the �144 SLOVAKIA Prague central regime and join the government in an attempt to secure more recognition for the Slovaks. In about two years Hlinka's Slovak People's Party resumed its uncompromising stand because the Slovaks became convinced that the Czechs were determined to maintain their position of domination over Slovakia. Dr. V. Tuka paid for the 'noble experiment' by being framed and sentenced to a 15-yr. prison sentence on charges of treason. This was a foreshadowing of the reprisals that were to cost him his life, as well as the lives of President Tiso and many stalwart Slovaks after World War II. Again in the presidential election of 1935 when President Masaryk resigned at the age of 85, Dr. Tiso negotiated with Dr. Benes whose candidacy was closely challenged in the race for the presidency, and gave him full support upon Dr. Benes' promise that if he were elected Slovakia would get autonomy in a year. The Slovaks were deceived by the new president, who, like his illustrious predecessor, failed to keep his word of honor. So once again the Slovaks were duped. In .!~merica they had given full support t0 Masaryk during World War I after he had signed the Pittsburgh Pact guaranteeing the Slovaks naticnal selfgovernment or autonomy. . . in Slovakia they were the deciding factors in Benes' succes;,ful bid for the presidency . . . and in both cases they were victimized. In the unrelenting drive for selfgovernment in Slovakia, Martin Razus, a Protestant clergyman :md writer, with his National Party became faithful allies of Andrej Hlinka. Even in the Slovak Agrarian Party the spirit of autonomy became more . and more apparent after the election of Dr. Benes. Upon the death of Hlinka on August 16, 1938, on the eve of the Munich crisis, leadership of the Slovak People's Party passed on to Dr. Tiso. The problem of self-government or autonomy for Slovakia was suddenly resolved by the Czech centralist regime in Prague in the fall of that year. A matter that had dragged on for a score of years was finally settled in less than two months because of the immediacy of the situation brought on the swift rush of events that threatened the disruption of the CzechoSlovak Republic. Even at that later date it was the united demand of all Slovak political parties (with the exception of two small factions, the Communists and the Social Democrats) at 2ilina, Slovakia, that actually prodded the Czech government to take action. Slovak autonomy was a reality at last! Bratislava became the center of the newly-established Slovak autonomous government. Almost immediately a crisis ensued as Germany annexed the Sudeten lands in Bohemia and Hungary made insistent demands on southern Slovak territorial lands. Dr. Tiso staunchly defended the Slovak cause as premier but despite his attempt to modify the excessive claims of the Magyars at Komarno, a German-Italian commission (headed by Von Ribbentrop and Count Ciano) decided arbitrarily to cede 4,000 square miles of southern Slovakia with a population of a million (considerably more than a third of whom were outspoken Slovaks and the rest mostly Magyarized Slovaks) to Hungary by the unjust award of the Vienna Verdict of November 2, 1938. Visibly shaken by the injustice of the Vienna declaration by which the Slovaks lost a full 20 % of their �SLOVAKIA historic lands and people on the Slovak-Magyar border, the new autonomous government in Slovakia, however, faced the future with courage and determination and proceeded to consolidate its political forces. Accordingly, all political parties were united into a single party of Slovak national unity. Under its banner the Slovaks elected 63 members to the Slovak parliament in the national elections in December of that fateful year. Undaunted by the seriousness of the events that saw the new autonomous government come into power, the Slovak parliament assembled in Bratislava on January 18, 1939. Dr. Tiso gave the keynote address in which he emphasized that Christian ideology was fundamental to the structure and spirit of the Slovak self-governing state in the Czecho-Slovak Republic. Moreover, he steered a middle course in the turbulent stream of events that moved a group of young ardent Slovak nationalists to push the Slovak ship of state directly towards the shores of complete national freedom and independence. In Prague the central government became alarmed at this turn of events and made March 9, 1939 a fatal decision, namely, to occupy Slovakia by force. Prague ordered Czech troops to seize military control of Slovakia and declared martial law. Simultaneously with the dispatching of army units to Slovakia the dismissal of Dr. Tiso as Slovak premier was announced. Karol Sidor was named his successor. When Germany's offer to discuss the situation with Sidor met with a rebuff, Dr. Tiso was urged by party leaders to go to Berlin for a conference. He went to the German 145 capital on March 13, conferred with both Von Ribbentrop and Hitler and was told that if the Slovaks refused to declare their national independence, their country would be divided between Hungary and Poland. The Magyars had already taken 1/5 of Slovak territory at the end of the previous year. Faced with this dilemma, the Slovak parliament on March 14, 1939, voted unanimously for the declaration of Slovak independence. Although Dr. Tiso was the acknowledged head of the Slovak Peoples' Party after Hlinka's death, and the premier of the Slovak autonomous government inside CzechoSlovakia, it was not until October 26 of that year that the Slovak parliament officially and unanimously elected him president of the newlyestablished Slovak State. What type of a man was Tiso? Everyone is naturally curious to know the answer. Physically, he was a heavy-set man with broad shoulders, a striking face and imposing head, of more than average height. He moved graciously and walked with dignity. In keeping with his physical appearance he was a big man intellectually. Yet, he was not a cold and calculating man but a man with a ready smile, a sparkle in his blue eyes, and a warmth that radiated from his fatherly personality. He especially loved children and was a beloved pastor in his parish at Banovce which he administered to the end of his presidency of the Slovak Republic. Pazmaneum University and Seminary in Vienna graduated Dr. Jozef Tiso with high honors in studies of philosophy and theology. As a preacher and speaker he commanded attention by the sheer power of logic, as well as by his strong, resonant baritone voice that could �146 SLOVAKIA reach Jisterners at the fringes of a large crowd or audience. He differed from the eloquent Hlinka, whose passionate, impetuous oratory and silver-toned tenor voice moved his hearers to cheers of adulation. Tiso, a moderate rather than an impetuous man, sought to carry out policies of his party in a quiet, yet forceful and persevering manner. At heart, however, he remained a profoundly simple, sincere and humble priest who though president of the country took time out quite regularly to attend to parochial duties in his beloved Banovce parish on weekends. President Tiso preached, baptized and offered up Mass the same as any devoted pastor of a typical Slovak parish. Undoubtedly, a further clue to his personality is his own personal adjustment to his position as president. At no time did he approve of any secret servicemen to accompany him for security measures. He walked the streets of Bratislava daily . . . and unattended. He made frequent trips throughout the country unattended, i.e., without police escort. Such was his personal courage and trust in the people whom he loved and served, and who not only respected but loved him in return. German interference in internal Slovak politics was kept at minimum although at the express orders from Berlin, Vnuk declares, Dr. :i')urcansky and others were dismissed from high posts in order to make way for a Germanophile group led by V. Tuka and A. Mach. Jews in Slovakia remained unmolested until March, 1943, when the Ministry of Interior, in compliance with German orders, began their deportation. By August of the same year, however, this ceased entirely because of disturbing re- ports and rumors that the Germans were exterminating all Jews in concentration camps_ From that date until the end of the conflict in 1945, the Jews were protected by law as special wards of the Slovak state and shielded by thousands of Slovaks privately. At least 80% of Slovak Jews were saved in this way. An insidious conspiracy that flared up into a revolt in August of 1944 against the Slovak Republic was instigated by a coalition of communists and Czechoslovak partisan factions, and bolstered by Soviet parachutists, in the northern hills of the country in the Banska Bystrica region. Although summarily put down with the aid of a small German division in less than six weeks, the revolution cost the Slovaks some 30,000 lives (mostly civilians caught in the line of fire) and the destruction of a score of villages and towns, strategic railways, tunnels, <bridges and roads. It was a rebellion staged by totally irresponsible elements in the country and supported by a number of high officers who were guilty of treason ... and all guilty of a crime that resulted in the ruthless and useless destruction of many innocent lives of men, women and children. Invasion of Slovakia by the onrushing Soviet forces came in the East at the beginning of the new year of 1945. By May 1, Slovakia was overrun by three Soviet armies that showed no mercy to the Slovaks whose towns they pillaged from one end of the country to the other. The victorious troops wrote a tragic chapter of rape, murder and ravage in this era of the socalled 'liberation' of World War II. Meanwhile, at the very last minute members of the Tiso government crossed into Austria. Before �SLOVAKIA the war ended officially, President Tiso and members of his government were turned over to the Czech forces by U.S. Army to whom Dr. Tiso had voluntary surrendered. He was put into chains (actually), taken to Prague and led through the streets of the Czech capital, then to Bratislava, to await trial 'for treason' and as 'war criminal'. Their doom was a foregone conclusion. Dr. Benes and his colleagues, who thirsted for revenge, would see to it that they would hang. Wherever Communists seize power, it is common knowledge, they seek to intrench themselves firmly by a reign of terror. They pursue a policy of inprisonment, torture and death to instill terror into the hearts of people everywhere in order to paralyze all efforts of opposition. So it happened in Slovakia. Thousands were marched off to prison on the slightest pretext or for no reason at all. Before long, the clergy and Religious were destined to feel the brunt of persecution as the postwar atheistic communist regime consolidated its power to an absolute degree. The Church became a prime target of the new rule that pulled no punches in its relentless drive to absolute political control of the country. The final disposition of President Tiso was an open secret. A coalition of Dr. Benes and his reprisal-minded clique in Prague with the communists sealed the fate of the stellar Slovak statesman. His trial for the sake of appearances dragged on through four months from December 1946 to March 1947 in an all out effort to discredit the Slovak president, the Slovak Republic and aspirations of the Slovak nation to statehood. Highly censored reports were is- 147 sued to the press . . . all radio coverage was strictly 'edited.' It became quite obvious that his enemies and the foes of Slovak freedom were determined to destroy him. None was more intransigent than Dr. Benes. Assurances that Dr. Tiso would be granted political amnesty in the event of a verdict of death proved to be h o 11 o w phrases. In the final showdown following the official pronouncement of death by hanging on charges of 'treason' neither Dr. Benes nor the 17 members of a special government panel of high officials relented in their attitude, they upheld the verdict of the court. President Tiso was executed at dawn on April 18, 1947. Witnesses of the execution of President Tiso testify that he was calm throughout the ordeal. He walked quietly and prayerfully to his death on the gallows. Even the official news dispatches confirmed this report of the last hours of Msgr. Tiso. News of the execution of the Slovak president deeply stirred his fellow countrymen everywhere. His grave in a Bratislava cemetery became a national shrine overnight. Thousands rushed to place flowers on his last resting place ... not for long however, for the body of the Slovak nation's martyr was exhumed, taken away and cremated and his ashes scattered in an unknown place lest Tiso's grave, or even his ashes, become a memorial for a grief-stricken nation. This, the government shamelessly admitted, was what prompted its decision to remove the body forever for fear that a permanent national shrine should be erected to the memory of President Tiso in Slovakia. After a score of years of Czech- �148 SLOVAKIA communist rule over Slovakia resistance to political oppression and religious persecution is as strong as ever. The memory of the vengeful postwar policies emanating from Prague produced a permanent cleavage between the Czechs and Slovaks. The author, as all loyal Slovaks believe, declares the death of Tiso completely and irreparably severed the ties between the Czechs and Slovaks for a permanent sta,t e. Experience of 20 years of Czech rule from the centralist Prague after World War I and another score of years of Czecho-communist oppression and ruthless religious persecution directed from the Czech capital has touched the lives of appiioximately 5 million Slovaks in their historic homeland and another 5 million Slovaks scattered around the world. These have vowed to keep faith with their honored dead not to rest until Slovakia is once more free and independent, and a Slovak state restored to its rightful place in the family of free nations of the world. Final evaluation of the impact of Dr. Tiso's personality and the influence under the most adverse circumstances imaginable must await the verdict of future historians. They will be able to view his time in its proper perspective, weigh all the factors involved and present the facts dispassionately and justly in the light of genuine evidence. The 'rise and fall' (to borrow a popular phrase) of President Tiso and the Slovak Republic will then be viewed in its proper setting and will be adjudged according to just merits. Postwar condemnation of Tiso and his government in the Slovak Republic will be erased as an unjust stigma of disgrace for which Czech foes of Slovak freedom are responsible. Having done nothing themselves to save their country from Nazi occupation, they vented their rage on the great Slovak leader who dared to lead his people towards national freedom and independence when the rest of Europe was on the verge of a war of revenge, fratricidal slaughter and genocide. Destruction of the Slovak Republic and the execution of its president and members of the Slovak government was meant to be the death knell of the Slovak nation's aspirations to freedom and statehood. This was not to be the final verdict nor the final destiny of the Slovak nation. The Slovaks are convinced their fate under God is not oblivion but survival, and a glolious revival of life in their own independent national state. Fr. Andrew Pir, O.S.B. SLOVAKS BYPASSED BY CZECHS IN INFLUENCE ON WILSON By Prof. Aitstin J. App, Ph.D ., LaSalle College The book, I mmigrants' Influen- President Wilson between 1917 and ce on Wilson's Peace Policies, edit- 1920 in shaping the disastrous ed by Prof. Joseph P. O'Grady, LaSalle College, written by various scholars, and published by .the University Press, Lexington, Kentucky (309 pages, $8.50 ) throws much light en the pressures exerted upon peace treaties of Versailles and St. Germain. Since these led to World War II and subsequent enslavement of all the countries carved out of the Austro-Hungarian empire, history must judge those �SLOVAKIA 149 treaties as calamities for Europe University, suggests that there and the world. were about 700,000 Slovak immigThe book shows that the Ger- rants in America during World man-Americans were too cowed to War I. The estimates for the Carinfluence the peace, though their patho-Ruthenians run all the way disillusionment with the Versail- from 6,299 to 500,000. Prof. Mamatey reports: les Treaty influenced the rejection of the Treaty by Congress. The "Whether or not it was due to British were enormously influen- the support of the American Slotial in getting the U.S. into war vaks, American officials never and later in checkmating the Irish questioned Masaryk's and Benes's wish for self-determination for Ire- right to speak for the Slovaks" land. The Zionists were enormously (p. 239). influential in preventing a separate The Slovak League of America , peace treaty with Turkey, securing formed in 1907, drafted a memothe dismemberment of the Turkish randum in July 1914, envisioning empire, and through the Balfour "only Slovak administrative and Declaration achieving the gradual cultural autonomy in Hungary, not take-over of Palestine. The Aust- independence or unity with the rians and the Hungarians, like the Czechs in a Czechoslovak state" German-Americans, had practically (p. 232). And until May, 1918, "no no influence on Wilson. The Yugo- Slovak expression of a desire for slav's had much, but not as much independence and union with Czeas the Italians. The Poles got prac- choslovakia was known abroad" tically everything they wanted, and (p. 238). so did the Czechs. However, in October, 1915, in The Czechs, through Masaryk and Cleveland, "the Bohemian National Benes, who were extremely shrewd Alliance and the Slovak League of and ruthless diplomatic operators, America agreed upon the 'Clevesucceeded in getting their aspira- land Pact,' which envisioned the estions considered as identical to tablishment of 'independence' and those of tlie Slovaks and Ruthen- 'union of the Czech and Slovak peoians. This induced Wilson to favor ples in a federal union of states the formation of Czecho-Slovakia, with full national autonomy for in which the Czechs had the hege- Slovakia" (p. 233 ). mony, and the promised autonomy By May, 1918, President Wilson for the Slovaks and Ruthenians, as endorsed the policy of breaking up well as that for the Sudeten-Ger- Austria-Hungary and encouraging mans, was recognized in word but the independence of all component violated in fact. nationalities. On May 30-31, 1918, Suggesting the importance in the peacemaking of these nationalities is the fact that three chapters are devoted to them: "The Czechs" by Otakar Odlozilik, "The Slovaks and Carpatho-Ruthenians" by Victor S. Mamatey, and "The Mid-European Union" by Arthur J. May, the three comprising pages 204-271. Prof. Mamatey, of Florida State in Pittsburgh the Bohemian National Alliance, the Federation of Czech Catholics, and the Slovak League of America endorsed a program drafted by Masaryk of the organization of Czechoslovakia. In it "Slovakia was to have her own administration and courts, for which Slovak would be the official language" (p. 237). Albert Mama- �150 SLOVAKIA tey had got inser,ted into Masaryk's draft Slovakia's desire for a "Diet." This Pittsburgh Pact was signed by Masaryk in Washington on November 14, 1918. According to these provisions, but as interpreted to the peacemakers by Masaryk and Benes, the Czecho-Slovak Republic was formed. Into it the three odd million Sudeten Germans were forced against their express will, and the assurance of autonomy given to the Slovaks and to the Carpatho-Ruthenians were "not fully implemented by the Czechoslovak government." Prof. Mamatey writes of "the unfulfilled promise of Slovak autonomy" (p. 249) . The book, of course, does not go beyond 1920, and therefore does not touch upon the tragedies that by 1945 had thrown all these unhappy peoples under the communistic tyranny. But the book as a whole and the three chapters dealing with Czecho-Slovakia help one understand the catastrophe of World War II and after-and suggest to the honest and wise what must be done to set things right. This includes granting the principle of self-determination as fully to the Slovaks as to the Czechs! Slovak Studies V. Historica 3. Slovak Institute, Cleve land-Rome, 1965, p. 268. Like its four predecessors, Slovak Studies V , Historica 3, is a boom to scholars and Slavists alike. Valuable in documentation, the contributions definitely enhance the growing English literature on Slovakia. The SS. Cyril and Methodius Institute in Rome can rightfully take pride in this 1967 publication. Among the contents in the current volume are research papers on Slovakia's Church history, cultural achievements, World War II political significance and linguistic eminence. Each learned discussion gives evidence of painstaking care and adherence to a factual, accurate account. Accompanied and supplemented by numerous documents in the original language, selective bibliographies, appendices, maps and footnotes , a total of six outstanding presentations combine to make this fifth volume of Slovak Studies truly remarkable. Taken topically, three essays deal with the development of Christianity among the Slovaks. Father Ernest Bouydosh, O.M.I., of Canada devotes a considerable portion of the volume to an analysis of "The Quadrennial Reports of the Archbishop of Strigonia to Rome." Introducing the "ad limina" reports found in the archives of the Sacred Congregation of the Council, the author examines the state of the Church in Hungary from the Tridentine era. "The historical value of these reports," writes Father Buoydosh, "lies in the fact that they are first hand documents reflecting the spiritual life of the dioceses, an aspect too often neglected in our historiography. Some of these reports also have an exceptional demographic value." The reports, printed in the original language in which they were sent to Rome, span three centuries, beginning chronologically from August 15, 1598 and ending March 5, 1827. Next follows an informative monograph on the Camaldulese Hermitage, known as the Red Monastery, from the gifted pen of a Jesuit scholar, Dr. Michael Lacko of Rome. Making extensive use of the documents preserved in the Hermitage of Frascati near Rome, the Archives of the Greek-Catholic �SLOVAKIA Bishopric of Presov, and the Vatican Archives, Dr. Lacko has reconstructed a fascinating portrait of the evolution of religious life in Slovakia. He traces the beginnings of the Camaldulese Hermitage (Red Monastery) in Nitra, Slovakia, to the Monte Corono Hermitage of Central Italy. Of special interest is the work of Father Romuald Hadbavny, a Slovak hermit of such a Red Monastery in Spis County. An acknowledged scholar, he compiled a Latin-Slovak dictionary in 1763 which is still extant in manuscript form. He was also the first translator of Sacred Scripture into the Slovak language. His work is known today as "the Camaldulese Bible." Interestingly enough, Dr. Lacko notes nationalistic tendencies among the hermits, who early in the eighteenth century were already yearning for national hermitages. Vicissitudes of the era proved detrimental to the Red Monastery. For several centuries now it no longer functions according to its original purpose. Recently it has been restored as a museum and tourist attraction. It is in observance of this event that Father Lacko has favored the readers of Slovak Studies V with the present account. An impressive array of Latin documents (pp. 112-203), June 28, 1691 to 1781 amply demonstrate his thorough research in this field . A short discussion on "Slovak Greek-Catholics in America" blends well with the above. Mr. George Polak of West Liberty State College analyzes a chapter of Cyril Korolevskij's biography of the Metropolitan Andrew Szeptyckyj. While generously praising the work in general, Mr. Polak seems to take umbrage at the author's confusion concerning Slovak Greek-Catholics. Perhaps rightly so. A biographer is 151 in a broad sense of the term an historian; as such, it is essential that he presents accurate, precise information. To identify the Slovaks of the Byzantine-Slavonic Rite as the "Ruthenians from Sub-Carpathia" or the Slovaks from Eastern Slovakia as "Slavs from SubCarpathia" is both misleading and ethnically untrue. In "a noted authority on the Eastern Church and a Catholic priest of the Byzantine-Slavonic Rite," even though he is a native of France, such discrepancies are deplorable. Mr. Polak's argument would seem to be well taken and his point of view valid. Invaluable to an adequate understanding of the eighteen month interval of Slovak history between March, 1939 and August, 1940, is the "Collapse of the Czecho-Slovakia in Vatican Documentation." As a responsible historian, Frantisek Vnuk, the author, views these months in the light of the documents, eleven in number, found among the Vatican Published Archives, as crucial for Central Europe. His pithy observations substantiated by eye witness accounts of reliable authors, focus the events in proper perspective. His criticisms are well worth noting. An Appendix contains all eleven documents in the original Italian. Linguistically, William S. Patala's contribution to this volume is illuminating. "A Class in Twelve Slavic Languages," though brief in content, is rich in suggestions and ideas. Father Patala of the Steubenville Diocese describes a three year course which he taught with "appreciable success." How he managed to teach twelve related languages in one class period per week makes delightful reading. The author's imaginative approach to the teaching of languages, warmly �152 SLOVAKIA endorsed by the once prominent Slavist of Columbia, Dr. A. P. Coleman, deserves further experimentation. A dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Librarianship of Marywood College, Scranton, Pennsylvania by Sister M . Emma Hvozdovic, SS.C.M., is deservedly included in Slovak Studies V. Sister M. Emma's "History and Accomplishments of the Society of Saint Adalbert, Trnava, Slovakia" is the inspiring record of Catholic Slovakia's effort to preserve and cultivate its Cyril-Methodian heritage in the face of contrary forces. In 1870 Father Andrew Radlinsky founded the St. Adalbert Society (the name of SS. Cyril and Methodius would not have been permitted in its title) to publish Catholic books and periodicals, to encourage the arts, and to promote Catholic Slovak culture in general. Through the years it succeeded in placing in the hands of the people several editions of the Bible and at least 14 editions of the famous family prayerbook Nabozne Vylevy. It made available for church use the official Slovak Catholic hymnal and the official Slovak Catholic Common Book of Prayer. It provided for its membership, which extended beyond Slovakia, a wealth of reading material on every vital subject. It sowed the good seed. Today, if Communism is rampant in Slovakia, what else can one say, but that "an enemy hath done this." Written in a smooth and engaging style, the dissertation is based entirely upon Slovak sources and contains a selective bibliography. Its publication in Slovak Studies V is most timely in view of the approaching centenary of the founding of the society. One cannot help contrasting the former years of plenty with the present "winter over the land," when the Society's hands are tied and the people are crying for the Word of God, for Bibles, prayer-books, catechisms, hymnals. May God hasten the day when we shall witness again the fulfillment of the promise, "Happy those who hunger and thirst for what is right: they shall be satisfied." So much for the plus side of Historica 3. On the minus side one must warn the reader to expect frequent typographical errors which mar one's pleasure in perusing the excellent features. Also, it seems unfortunate, at least to this writer, to find so many precious docu-ments left in their original language, Latin, Italian, French. While scholars the world over are generally proficient with one or more foreign tongues, Latin documents are for the most part a closed book to American students. Strangely enough, only one of the contributors, Frantisek Vnuk of Australia, has seen fit to recognize this problem realistically. He has translated all documents used throughout his essay, leaving them in the original only at the end of his work. This surely makes his contribution of greater value to students than it would have been otherwise. Since the· volume is obviously intended for English-speaking readers, it would have been wise to consider this element. Considered as a whole, however, Slovak Studies V is distinctly notable addition to any library. Sister M. Ev angela Lubek, SS.C.M. Jorg K. Hoensch: Die Slowakei und Hitler's Ostpolitik (Hlinkas Slowakische Volkspartei zwischen Autonomie und Separation 1938-1939). Bohlau Verlag, Koln-Graz, 1965, p. 390. �SLOVAKIA While there have been several scholarly books in English on recent history of Slovakia (J. A. Mikus, J. M. Kirschbaum, L. G. Oddo, K. Glasser, M. G. Voytko, F. Vnuk), in the German language literature dealing with Slovak problems is surprisingly scarce. The above volume attracted attention of the academic publications in Europe and since it brings some new aspects and new evaluation of the problems of Central Europe we have decided to review it. J. K. Hoensch's book is a well documented treatise of the crucial period of Slovakia's modern history: October 1938-March 1939. The declaration of Slovakia's independence in the intricate international situation of 1939 has been subject to controversial interpretations and although this book is abundant with references to sources in several languages, it will be hardly the last word. There is a clear tendency of the writer to avoid adopting either the Czech interpretation or the Slovak thesis that Slovakia had no other choice and cannot be blamed for applying the right to self-determination just because Germany made it possible. The door to the German Drang nach Osten was open at the Munich Conference and the peoples of the Danubian basin accepted the agreement of the four European Great Powers, who prepared the stage for the ensuing drama. This being clear, the writer examined the policy of the largest Slovak party-the Hlinka's Slovak Populist Party-and tried to find out if, when, and to what extent, Slovaks were involved in helping the Germans march towards the East. In comparison with other writers on this subject, Hoensch was in a privileged position of having the 153 access to the diplomatic archives of Germany and also to archives and sources of the Communist Czecho-Slovakia and Poland. On the other hand, his German ancestry, although he was brought up in Slovakia, may have been responsible for a certain bias which is evident particularly in some conclusions in the introduction to his work. Hoensch found a willing tool for German political concepts only in a group of the so-called radicals in the Slovak Populist Party, whose organ, according to him, was the bi-monthly Nastup, which, can hardly be substantiated as historically true. In addition, Hoensch came with a list of names of persons who either had nothing to do with the publication, because they were still in highschool, or belonged to the radical wing of the Party, but at the time of Tuka's imprisonment by Prague (Tuka was condemned, 1929, on "flimsy evidence" according to Macartney and other British historians to 15 years imprisonment for subversive activities), they had no connection whatsoever with Germany and were known as polonophiles. Except for Alexander Mach and Karol Murgas none of the persons mentioned by Hoensch belonged to Tuka's circle and actually could not be active in politics in 1938 because of their age or because of their studies at foreign universities, one even at the St. Cyr military academy in Paris (J. Stasko) . On the other hand, Nastup certainly had nothing to do with Tuka after his release from prison in 1938. This faux pas could seriously damage Hoensch's work, because he repeatedly used the names and therefore it was hardly an oversight. It would not, however, be �154 SLOVAKIA fair to discard the book for this error,, even if it is hard to explain how it occurred. Hoensch accumulated a great deal of information on Slovak politics in a period which decided the fate of Slovakia during and after the Second World War. He also .tried to evaluate the policy of the Slovak Populist Party and of individual politicians with much less bias than it has been done by Czech or Western historians who adopted the Czech point of view. Nevertheless, he apparently let his feelings influence his judgement when he wrote about certain Slovak politicians like Dr. F. f>urcansky, for instance, who was one of the strongest personalities in Slovak politics but for his opposition to German pressure was ousted already in 1940 together with the editor in chief of Nastup and the publication was banned. Hoensch used profusely also materials published by the Communist historians in Slovakia and some of his conclusions are undoubtedly influenced by their works. His general evaluation of Slovak efforts for an independent policy and his sympathetic attitude towards Slovakia's desire to emancipate herself from any foreign rule, infuriated, however, the communist critics. They first hailed the work in Kuiturny zivot, but later in Historicky casopis disagreed with his approach to the Slovak question as well as with his rather objective evaluation of the basic policy and the role of the Hlinka's Party in Slovak political life before the Second World War, as well as in the first years of the Slovak Republic. Slovak scholars and politicians should deal with this book in detail, because it offers a first class opportunity for correcting many misconceptions and biased views which the adversaries of Slovakia's striving for independence smuggled into the Western historiography. J . M . Kirschbaum Slovenska otcina, III. zviizok. Zostavil: Jan Elias. Vydal: 0. Frantisek Fuga, Hamilton, Ont., Canada, 1967. 432 p. This, the third and final volume of SLOVENSKA OTCINA, like its preceding issues, is an anthology of formal and informal articles and poems, interspersed with numerous pictures and some maps, all aimed at recapturing in print the rich heritage of life in Slovakia_ In this third volume, it is the western counties of Slovakia which are featured. The same format and style as that of the preceding volumes dealing with the eastern and central "zupy" is retained. The articles again have been culled from interested contributors-in this case, one hundred Slovak men and women: intellectuals, professionals, politicians, non-professionals, of various educational background, social milieux, political affiliations, and religious convictions. The names of these contributors are co.Rveniently listed in the back of the volume, with a brief comment of a personal nature, but no article or page reference is given. The literary contributions in turn have been capably edited by the following-Prof. Dr. Jozef M. Kirschbaum: Bratislava; Prof. Ing. Frantisek Vnuk: Tekov ; Draga Paucova: Nitra ; Imrich Stolarik: Trencin; Jan Elias: Komarno. The net result is a smooth-reading chronicle of the times and places dearest to the heart of the Slovak people. The book is more than a description and travel account of �SLOVAKIA Slovakia on a narrative of its social life and customs. Almost unconsciously it breathes the soul, the spirit, the life of the nation which transcends all boundaries. The first part of this last volume contains valuable assorted articles on life related to times in the Slovak Republic period. Fittingly, the volume is dedicated to Msgr. Jozef Tiso, the first and only President of the Republic, whose picture is imprinted on the cover. The articles bearing on Tiso are mainly of the personal ty.pe, e.g., Tiso--clovek; Tiso-milovnik deti; prezidentova matka; Tisovo mesto. They are valuable vignettes for future biographers of the President-Martyr. Other significant articles found in this first section include facsimiles of the stamps issued during the period of the Slovak Republic and of citizenship papers, passport records, and other legal documents. Accounts of the status of education-both higher and rural, of the thriving tobacco and sugar industries, and of the banks of the Republic keep before the reader's mind the degree of successful cultural and economic pursuits of the Republic period. A very concise resume of Independent Slovakia, its formation and treacherous overthrow, keep the political sentiments of the people in perspective. The high cultural attainments of the Slovak people are reflected in two accounts. One gives the status of Matica Slovenska in exile today; the other tells of the activities of Svoradov, a once active bulwark of Slovak intelligentsia. By way of exception, three articles rooted on American soil are found in this first section. They are concerned with the Benedictine Abbey in Cleveland, 0 ., the Sisters of SS. Cyril and Methodius in Danville, Pa. , and the Daughters of 155 the Most Holy Redeemer in Gary, Ind. It may be concluded that the editors felt each of these institutes reflected the ideals of the Slovak Republic and are, or will be, instrumental in its rebirth. Each of the five following sections begins with a detailed map of the area. Unfortunately, the map reproductions in this third volume are not as clear as those in the preceding volumes. The Confucius proverb stated at the beginning of volume I, "Jeden obrazok ma taku cenu ako 1000 slov" ("A picture is worth 1000 words.") is, however, verified throughout the volumes. Especially enriching are those pictures directly related to the article. On the other hand, the irregular inclusion of authors' photographs, some formal and some informal, distracts somewhat from the material at hand. The articles themselves are unevenly distributed-20 on Bratislava, 5 on Komarno, 24 on Nitra, 11 on Tekov, and 31 on Trencin-a matter of no surprise, however, because of the unequal geographic distribution of city life in the various counties and the centralization of historical and cultural activities in Bratislava, Nitra, and Trencin. In each section, the history of the region comes alive mainly through small everyday accounts of the writers' remembrances of their own or their parents' experriences in the homeland region. As in the other two volumes, an effort again has been made by the editors to maintain a balance of articles representative of historical significance and notable personages in each area. For example, the Bratislava section has articles alluding to the archeological findings in Bratislava dated 2000 B.C.; to the famous Franciscan church in �156 SLOVAKIA Malacky; to the universities of Trnava; and brief essays on Konstantin Culen and Kral' Svatopluk, all of which nicely link the present with the past. The Komarno section has an article describing its museum and the county's historical significance in regard to Magyar influence. The Nitra section fittingly includes accounts of its royal and religious heritage enshrined in its castles and churches. The Tekov section enlightens the reader on its "Cantus Catholici" (1655), its pilgrimage site of Sv. Bei'iadik, its historic site of "Hronsky Svaty Kriz, and its mint at Kremnica. The Trencin section tells of the cave of Sv. Andrej Svorad, the birthplaces of Dr. Jozef Tiso in Vel'ka Bytca and ~udovit ~tur in Uhrovec, and the "Drotar" choir composed of natives from two hamlets in Trencin. The numberless essays not mentioned here are not less interesting or significant. Many of them give not only deep insight into the character, talents, and virtues of the Slovak people, but also provide explanation from concrete examples for the strained, and at times, hostile relationships between the Slovaks and the Czechs, between the Slovaks and the Magyars, and even among the Slovak people themselves. They each ring with a sincere tone which escapes chauvinism and marks this work as one stamped with loyalty, devotion, and real, hardly romantic, remembrances of a ruptured "free" homeland. The trilogy ends with a brief tracing of the history of SLOVENSKA OTCINA on a map, a call to its readers in the free world to champion the cause of freedom for the Slovak nation, and a wish that the articles within the three volumes, covering twenty Slovak counties or "zupy," contributed by 200 Slovak men and women, will help keep alive in the readers' minds and hearts the "fatherland " until that day when the Slovak Republic will rise again. Typical of the Slovak people, it concludes with a prayer to the Almighty Father and to the Mother of Seven SorrowsPatroness of Slovakia, for aid in the self-sacrificing work entailed in securing this just cause. The completed volumes are indeed a tribute to the faith, devotion, and self-sacrifice of its general publisher, 0. Frantisek Fuga, S.T.L., of Canada; general editor, Jan Elias; and contributors drawn from every rank of Slovak emigrants. The v,o lumes proclaim their single desire to keep before the world first-hand knowledge and a true image of the civilized, cultured Slovak people whose fatherland's name SLOVAKIA is already relegated to second place on maps, and whose official language is ever gradually being replaced by the use of Czech words, e.g., as illustrated on a 1962 Bratislava calendar in volume three, p. 218. The three volumes of the excellent series, SLOVENSKA OTCINA, are a "must" for every institution or private home with any Slovak connection, including public libraries and higher institutes of learning. In the older generation of Slovak birth, they will surely stir up fond related memories; in the younger, a rightful pride in their ancestry. Even non-Slovak people studying the language or second and third generation Slovaks who have lost speaking fluency but who still umlerstand the language can be motiviated to read the conversational type articles. A teacher of social studies, in particular, should find the material reliable source background. The books, in effect, evince the �SLOVAKIA Slovak people's " passion for freedom"-freedom of country and freedom of religion. The character, the talents, the virtues, the sufferings under exploitation, and the dreams of the Slovak people should arouse in the reader a response to hope, work, and pray that the contents of these volumes will serve as 157 a means of restoring to the Slovaks their rightful cherished dreams of freedom-soon, before the forces in Communist-controlled, Czech dominated Slovakia wipe out its smoldering embers. Then the efforts of the publisher and staff will not have been in vain. Sr. M. Raymund Horvath, SS.C.M. TWO PUBLICATIONS ON THE PRESIDENT DR. J. TISO Vnuk, F., Dr. Jozef Tiso - President of the Slovak Republic, (The Association of Australian Slovaks, Sydney) , 1967, 50 p. ill. Durica, M. S., Die Slowakische Politik 1938/ 39 im Lichte der Staatslehre Tisos (Slovak Policy 1938/ 39 in the Light of Tiso's Political Thought), (Emil Semmel Verlag, Bonn) , 1967, 49 p. summarizJ.ng Dr. Tiso's achievements, his role in the struggle of the Slovak people for equality of rights in Czecho-Slovakia and finally for national independence in the troubled period before and during the Second World War, to his mar tyr's death. In the sub-title of his work, Prof. Vnuk mentions that it was published "In commemoration of the twentieth anniversary of his (Dr. Tiso's) death at the hands of his enemies of Slovak independence", but it is not a current commemorative booklet. The author gives the reader in a nutshell, a serious anci well-documented analysis not only of Dr. Tiso's political life-struggle, but also an excellent survey of Slovak politics and of the treacheries and perfidy of the adversaries of Slovak independence. The booklet is divided into 15 chapters and also includes several photographs and a map of Slova- The twentieth anniversary of President Tiso's execution by the communists with Dr. Benes as an eager accomplice, prompted the Slovak political refugees in the Free World to write many articles on Dr. Tiso and his courageous struggle. In book form, the above studies by prominent young Slovak scholars were published and both deserve to be carefully read. Prof. Vnuk's booklet is a wellbalanced and well-written presentation of Dr. Tiso and of his political career to the democratic world. After writing hundreds of articles and two books on political and cul- * Neuveritel'ne sprisahanie (An Incredible Conspiracy), (Literartural topics from modern Slovak ny Almanach Slovaka v Amerike, history,* Vnuk was one of the best Middletown, Pa.), 1964. qualified persons to seriously tackle with the subject. He displayed a Sedemruist' neurodnych rokov, <:onsiderable knowledge of foreign (Nacrt slovenskej literatury v and domestic sources on the crucrokooh 1945-62) (An outline of ial years of Slovakia's modern hisSlovak literature in 1945-62) , tory in all his writings and used it ( Slovak v Amerike, Middletown, with skill and good judgment in Pa.), 1965. �158 SLOVAKIA kia. There could hardly be a better concised presentation of "the case of Tiso", as it has been done by Vnuk. In equally sober and scholarly manner is written also Prof. M. S. !>urica's analysis of Slovak politics "in the light of Tiso's political thought and teaching". Both !>urica and Vnu.k belong to the younger generation of Slovak scholars in the Free World and while they lived in Slovakia during the crucial years of her history, they were too young to be involved personally in politics, which is undoubtedly an advantage. Nobody can seriously accuse them of speaking "pro domo sua", as the adversaries of Slovakia's aspirations for freedom used to do with regard to other Slovak writers on political subjects. !>urica also has a thorough preparation for his work and is equipped with probably the best knowledge of German and other European diplomatic sources on Slovakia, as his Italian book and numerous studies in other languages indicate.** The present publication is actually his lecture at the FriedrichWilhems-Universitat in Bonn to the students of all Faculties on June 12, 1967. Like Vnuk, !>urica also gives first a survey of Slovak history to make his subject more intelligible to his listeners. Then he speaks about the political thought (he uses the word Lehre-teaching) of Dr. Tiso and about the crisis of 1938/ 39. The·r e are all the elements of a serious scholarly paper in !>urica's publication, and it presents Dr. Tiso and Slovak politics to the Western world in an objective light, fighting only indirectly all the distortions and political propaganda which was spread by the communists and non-communists who adopted Czech and anti-Slovak conceptions about modern Slovak history. It would be only recommendable to make the lecture available in the English language, in which some scholars still rely on tendencious literature and rarely make their own research of original sources. The publication is enhanced by a bibliography of select works on Slovakia. J . M . Kirschbaum ** See my review of his book La Slovacchia e le sue relazioni politiche con la Germania 1938-1945, in Slavic and East European Studies, Vol. X, 1-2, p.69-70. Studia H istorica Slovaka IV - Vydavatel'stvo Slovenskej Akademie Vi ed, Bratislava, 1966. Multi-li ngual, 290 p . The thaw behind the Iron Curtain reached Czecho-Slovakia later than the other satelite countries, but the results of the little freedom which the intellectuals have been allowed, becomes slowly apparent in several fields of cultural endeavor. Historiography is one of these fields and the volume under the review indicates that the intellectual climate is changing. For a long time not only poets and writers, but also historians, linguists and scholars in general were forced by the regime to accept Marxist theories and criteria and to be a political tool of the communist party. In historiography this was evident in all works dealing not only with the recent history of Slovakia, but the Marxist interpretation with strong political overtones was applied even to the early centuries and Middle Ages of the Slovak historical development. In the most distorted way was treated especially the period of the �SLOVAKIA Slovak Republic, the events of the Second World War, and the role of the Communist party in Slovakia since 1918 and particularly since 1944. A few books and symposia published since 1965 would indicate that this Marxist period of historiography is over. Historians, panelists and researchers are coming with views and interpretations which are much closer to the historical truths and objectivity. In the volume under the review this new trend is apparent mainly in K. Rebro's "Attempts at a rightful solution of the Slovak national question in the revolutionary years 1848-49" and Zd. Holotikova's "The Slovak Question and Czechoslovak Communist Party in pre-Munich Czechoslovakia." While the first contribution is free of the tendency to present the Slovak past as a part of "Czechoslovak" political development and views the events as an expression of the Slovak people to achieve Slovak national goals and equality of treatment with other component parts of the Habsburg Empire, the second contribution is free to a great degree of various myths which penetrated Slovak historiography with regard to the role of the Communist Party in pre-War Czecho-Slovakia. The Communist Party in Slovakia was a conglomerate of national minorities with strong preponderance of Hungarians, Czechs ( even Gottwald lived in Slovakia) and 159 others. Slovaks were not only in minority, but until 1930 did not have Slovak leadership. Only the return of Slovak students from Prague (among them Clementis, Novomesky, Ponican, Va.mos, Okaly, etc.) gave the communist movement in Slovakia some Slovak flavour. As for program, the party had none which can be interpreted as considering particular Slovak problems and national aspirations, except for linguistic rights. Communists of Slovak origin were led by Czechs and nolens-volens subscribed to the "Czechoslovak" conception and while they fought in Spain or wanted to solve problems of the world, they had little time for specific Slovak questions, and not much understanding for the struggle in which the majority of the Slovak people were involved. Holotikova still tries to explain, embellish and interpret the historical facts in favour of the Communists, but it is necessary to admit that she comes close to the historical truth and her courage and intellectual honesty are evident in many parts of her treatise. The contributions are published in German, English and French, and there is an apparent improvement in the translations in comparison with the previous volumes. The volume has for Western historians certain value, but cannot still be accepted without necessary cautiousness. J . M. Kirschbaum TAK SME SA POZNALI Tak sme sa poznali. Dr. Jozef Pauco. gaging title TAK SME SA POZNAPublished by Slovak v Amerike, LI (So Have We Known One Middletown, Pa., 1967, 281 p. Illus- Another) can be expected to entrations. compass mulUple and varied per- Dr. Joseph Pauco's MEMOIRS, sonal contacts as well as deep inwhich he has issued under the en- sight, broad vision and a skillful �160 SLOVAKIA pen. The author is a scholar, a man of the people, an editor, a journalist, a lecturer, a politician. The era he portrays was at once shatteringly disruptive and marvelously formative in its application to Central Europe and specifically to Slovakia. The men who played the leading roles in the drama of the Slovak Republic (1939-1945) were true to human nature: some giants, some midgets, some heroes, some traitors. The MEMOIRS acquire merit and authenticity from the position and the qualifications of the author. Dr. Pauco is a man whose roots rest deep in the common people. He was born in Slovakia in 1914. His father had died in the war, and so the first influences that left their mark on him came from his mother. This typical Slovak woman loved truth, right, freedom; she admired and vigorously supported the leaders who represented these qualities in government and society. The author's family, his village, his neighbors were poor in material possessions, but they were thoroughbreds in honor, dignity, integrity, courage. Dr. Pauco is a scholar, with a doctorate from Bratislava University, possessing specialized knowledge of Slovak history in its various ramifications and competent to interpret current events and human motives and aspirations. From his student days he manifested a predilection for journalism and contributed regularly to student publications and eventually also to the public press. In 1938 he served as editor of the young people's energetic Nastup. The following year he became editor of the People's Party daily, Slovenska Pravda, and in 1940 he was promoted to the staff of the Party's daily, Slovak, and became its editor in 1942. By his own account, Dr. Pauco was from childhood interested also in public speaking. He studied and admired Hlinka and Tiso, Hrusovsky and Mederly as much for their "platforms" as for their superlative ability to hold an audience spellbound. As a young student he participated in debates and panels and soon became known as a capable orator. Throughout his life he has delivered hundreds of lectures both in Europe and in America on subjects ranging from Slovak nationalism to party politics, from Slovak religious history to language. Dr. Pauco was a politician in the sense that he participated in civic movements and campaigns for human rights, and as a journalist, lecturer and editor he took a stand on political and party issues consonant with his convictions. In Tak sme sa poznali, Dr. Pauco describes his encounters with persons at the helm of the Slovak Republic, whose names are known to every Slovak. Who has not heard of Dr. Jozef Tiso, Andrej Hlinka, Karol Sidor, Frantisek Hrusovsky, Jozef Kirschbaum, Ferdinand !>urcansky, Vojtech Tuka, Sano Mach, Konstantin Culen, Andrej .Zarnov? The list is long. Some of the author's encounters with these men were casual, others in the line of duty. Some were friendly, some disappointing, others bristled with conflict. They began in the author's impressionable childhood, gained momentum in his student days at Svoradov and reached their climax when he was editor of Slovak and a leader of the People's Party. The impact of these encounters perhaps loses some of its potency for American Slovaks, to whom the system of Slovak government, the g e o g r a p h i c a 1 setting, details, �SLOVAKIA 161 of Slovak history and intricacies of however, hoping to curry German the Slovak position are not tho- favor, were bent on deporting and roughly familiar. One would like to exterminating the Jews. They sucknow more; one would like to ask ceeded in passing the infamous questions. But the personalities Jewish Codex, which however Tiso that emerge are superb. managed somewhat to mitigate by Some interesting sidelights on the inclusion of the clause permitcontroversial problems can be ting the President and other oftrailed throughout the book. Take ficers to intervene and prevent the the Jewish question, for example. deportation of any Jew allegedly There were always some Jews on essential to the nation•s welfare. It the staff of the Slovak. They con- is estimated that in this way Presitinued at their posts even after the dent Tiso saved the lives of some laws against them became extreme, 9000 Jews. being saved from deportation by At Tiso's trial Archbishop Kmet' the "urgency" clause with which ko testified that the President did President Tiso had managed to off- not sign the Jewish Codex, that he set the inhumanity of a cruel law. in fact repudiated it. And the ConThere was in Slovakia a certain ference of Slovak Bishops declared "garnitura," a set headed by Prime that Tiso was so incensed at the Minister Vojtech Tuka, which passing of the Jewish Codex that favored collaboration with the he was prepared to resign from ofNazis in the full sense of the term fice. Only the thought that he and which pressed for the exter- might yet save the situation from mination of the Jews. Strongly op- becoming worse, and because the posing him were Tiso and his fol- Jews themselves pleaded with him lowers in the People's Party, the did he decide to remain at his broad masses, who upheld God's post. law and the human rights of ever y From this book the impression individual, not excepting the Jews. grows that " true" Slovaks were In his propaganda tactics Tuka is- not so much anti-German, antisued a newspaper in which he Czech, anti-Communist, anti-Socialscornfully labeled Tiso and his fol- ist, as they were altogether wholelowers "white Jews" and "half heartedly, singlemindedly, unreJews" because of their protective servedly Slovak. Their pro-Slovak stand in favor of the Jews. On the aspirations cast out and left no room other hand, Minister Sano Mach, for any negative elements. Such who was Tuka's faithful henchman, genuine patriotism and true nais nevertheless known to have re- tionalism is God-given in the natusisted Nazi pressure for sterner ral law, as expressed by President laws against the Jews in Slovakia Tiso in his last statement to the and to have personally intervened nation : " 'For God and nation' is a in saving many Jewish lives. positive command of God, Who inIndeed Dr. Pauco presents the stituted it as the natural law and "case of the Jews in Slovakia" with planted it in the heart of the nagreat fidelity and impartial objec- tion and in the heart of its every tivity. The Slovak President did all member." in his power to protect the Jews. The Slovak Republic was born The Slovak State opposed the per- and its direction chartered under secution of the Jews. Certain ele- the most searing circumstances. ments in the Slovak government, Within it men's souls were tested. �162 SLOVAKIA Some good men, who had served the State, while it lasted, with admirable loyalty and devotedness, failed Slovakia in her greatest hour of crisis in 1945 and thereafter. Dr. Pauco speaks sadly of these, for their greatest injury was their own personal ,p erfidy. Not all men can be heroes, but all men can be true. In the drama of the Slovak Republic, heroes predominated. The reader can only marvel at the integrity, the competence, the singleminded purpose, the energetic pursuit of an ideal, the perserverance of these men. The author does not hesitate to declare that had they been in the service of a world power, they would have become internationally renowned figures . Slovakia is rightly proud of them. What was the situation in Slovakia? Her most valiant warrior, Andrej Hlinka, who had weathered years of stormy resistance to Magyar oppression and had actively challenged a Czech so-called democratic regime for 20 years, had died on the eve of the proclamation of the Slovak Republic. In the realization of its bid for independence Slovakia now found itself on the international stage, thrust there by Hitler, and the unrehearsed performance of the drama which ensued taxed the leaders to the utmost. Yet in every forward step they invoked the law and adhered steadfastly to Christian principles despite pressures that nearly crushed them. Who were the leaders? Older men. Seasoned politicians like President Jozef Tiso, Jozef Buday, Ferdis Juriga, Jozef Srobar; younger men, who had acquired some experience in government and public affairs, like Karol Sidor, Frantisek Hrusovsky, Karol Mederly, Pavol Oplustil, Konsto Culen, Tido Gaspar, Andrej ~arnov; and the very young, fresh from the universities, like Jozef Kirschbaum, Ferdinand 1'.lurcansky, and Dr. Jozef Pauco himself. Dr. Jozef Pauco is proud of his generation and the achievements they accumulated to their credit in that stirring time. Their enthusiasm and tireless energy were phenomenal. The older men relied on them, encouraged them, supported them , and excused their inevitable mistakes in favor of the obvious and sincere love of their nation which motiviated them. Dr. Pauco's book is his answer to the oft-repeated question: "How well did you know N.N?" Each encounter, each portrayal is penetrating, engrossing, and vividly alive. As a sampling of the author's method, let me sketch - all too briefly, however, -Dr. Pauco's encounters with the key figure, President Jozef Tiso. How did he come to know Dr. Tiso? First of all. by hearsay. From his mother, who referred to this remarkable priest as a gift from heaven to the Slovak people. From a casual reference of Tiso's bishop who described the pastor of Banovce as an exceptional priest. Pauco's first view of Tiso was at a political rally in Nitra when he was still too young to understand the speaker's words; but was deeply impressed by his manner of speaking, his gestures, his voice, and the reaction of the crowds. Tiso was indeed a remarkable man: what his mother used to tell him was true. His whole being responded to the magnetism and charm of Tiso. His second encounter with Tiso also occurred in historic Nitra in the year of its Christian Jubilee 1933. Slovak youth was there, bursting with enthusiasm, alert for action. Somehow Paufo found him- �SLOVAKIA self in the youthful vanguard around the speaker's tribune. The first to address the vast crowds was Dr. Tiso, who directed his stirring words on the significance of the occasion mainly to the young. His words came out in a series of questions which the audience punctuated with loud bursts of cheering: "Can a nation which embraced Christianity 1100 years ago be an unknown quantity? Does not such a nation possess the attributes of culture? Can such a nation repudiate its past history? Shall such a nation grovel before slave drivers? Has not such a nation the right vigorously and categorically to demand the same natural rights to self-identity as any of its neighbors?" There was no end to the questions. 163 party leaders. Pauco concludes that Tiso's articles were every bit as "subversive" as Hlinka's and Sidor's, but they lacked certain explosive words which the censors, using their dictionaries perhaps, obviously watched for. Pauco further opines that Tiso's erudition and style were beyond the grasp of the censors and their command of the language. But they made their mark in the hearts of the people. Pauco's first actual, person-toperson meeting with Tiso came as the result of a lecture engagemet at a school headed by Tiso. In a friendly chat that passed from personal to political and national topics, Pauco was happy to note the absence of any patronizing or censorious postures. On the contrary, Tiso conveyed complete confidence in his guest as a speaker and evinced an honest respect for his personal views. Dr. Pauco mentions that he had here an opportunity for the first time to observe Andrej Hlinka as a spectator in the audience. Hlinka applauded more vigorously than A meeting that stands out as the young people themselves and unique for Dr. Pauco was his preover and over called out "Na sla- sentation of greetings in the name vu," in praise of Tiso. of the Slovak Catholic Students Federation to Dr. Jozef Tiso on the Nevertheless, as Dr. Pauco notes, occasion of the declaration of SloHlinka and Tiso were two divervakia's independence on March 14, gent personalities. In his discourses 1939. It was brief and straight from Hlinka aroused the people as with the heart: "God help you, Sir Prime fire. Tiso's words were more pro- Minister." found , each one carrying its weight. There were other meetings with Tiso, literally hun<lreds of them , Dr. Pauco quotes a friend's reafter Pauco became editor of the mark that paragraphs from HlinSlovak. The Slovak was Tiso's newska's and Sidor's articles in the parpaper, yet he never dictated to its ty press were much oftener deeditor. He was satisfied that it was leted by the Czech censors and faithful to the People's Party, to their columns showed many more its ideals, to Christian statesmanwhite spaces than did those of ship and Christian principles in Tiso. Pauco looked into this ingeneral. His one word of advice teresting observation. He pulled out was, "Hold fast to the Slovak line." the old issues of various newspapers, including uncensored copies, President Tiso visited the editor's and compared the texts of these office regularly once a week and �164 SLOVAKIA The name of Dr. Tiso appears throughout Tak sme sa poznali. The men portrayed in its pages were either for or against the Slovak State, which is another way of saying they were either with Tiso Dr. Pauco presents the substance or against him. of many of these meetings. They President Tiso had his enemies, constitute a remarkable and authentic dossier of Tiso's policies, his ob- and they were not only the Gerjectives, and his views on perplex- mans. They included men in the ing situations, on government of- government, headed by Prime Minficials , on history and world affairs, ister Vojtech Tuka. Dr. Pauco carefully differentiates between Presiincluding America. dent, the government and the SloPages are written about Tiso's vak State. How the Slovak State identification and contact with the managed to come into existence, common people, both as President assume responsibility for its welland as a pastor of Banovce. People being and development and actualhad free access to him always. In ly achieve a high standard of operatheir visits throughout the country, tion despite pressures from within towns and villages, Tiso and his out and opposition and challenges representatives were a cc o rd e d from within, this is the account one honors from the people utterly de- reads with admiration in Dr. voted to them. And Tiso took every Pauco's book. occasion to instruct the people on But Dr. Tiso was not merely optitheir duties to the state, and they responded with the utmost generos- mistic for the fate of the Slovak ity. Well-known is the people's sup- Republic; he had the highest trust port of the national economy and in God's Providence for it. We retheir generous offering of all their echo that trust and believe firmly gold jewelry to supply the neces- that Dr. Pauco's book will be one sary gold backing for the banks in of the means God will use to acquaint the world with the truth the first months of the Republic. about Slovakia and to lead it to Tough realist that he was known acknowledge Slovakia's right to to be, Tiso rarely exhibited the self-government and to guarantee deep and abiding affection he felt it to her. for the Slovak masses. Yet on ocTAK SME SA POZN ALI is a casion he allowed himself to be carried away by his feelings. Dr. tremendously vital book. In rePauco recalls the graceful gesture counting his experiences in the Sloof hands extended to a crowd of vak Republic - "All of which he one hundred thousand Slovak citi- saw, part of which he was" - Dr. zens assembled before the National Pauco has written authentic hisTheatre and Tiso's moving words tory. As such it will live and addressed to them: "Nation of flourish . Sister M. Tarcisia, SS.C.M mine, I love you." oftener. Similarly Tiso's office was open at all times to Pauco. All he had to do was make an appointment with Tiso 's secretary ; rarely did he have to wait. �SLOVAKliA 165 OON'TIRIBU'DIONS ON SLOVAKIA IN THE S'YM:POSID1M BOHEMIA Gogolak, L. von, "T. G. Masaryks slowakische und ungarlandische Politik" (Masaryk's Slovak and Hungarian Policy), Munich, 1963. Vol. IV, p. 174-227. Hoensch, J. K. , "Die Grundlagen des Programms der Slowakischen Volkspartei vor 1938 (The Basis of the Programme of the Slovak Populist Party before 1938), Munich, 1960, Vol. VII, p. 320-356. ceptable. As far as Masaryk's influence on Slovak politics before 1918 is concerned, Professor Gogolak's conclusions seem to be, however, less acceptable. It seems that he adopted the Czech view which always exaggerated Masaryk's influence on Slovakia before 1918, and even more exaggerated the role of the "Hlasists," who before 1918 were either students or their influence was very limited. On the other hand, Prof. Gogolak appears to be emotionally biased towards the Slovak nationalist group and especially toward Andrej Hlinka and his Party, which this reviewer mentioned also previously.* The group around "Hlas" became a political force only after 1918 when Masaryk divided among them political and economic power, regardless of their capabilities, age and influence in Slovakia. On the other hand , Vajansky, Skultety and the nationalist group of Turciansky (not Turcansky) Sv. Martin represented thinking of a large segment of Slovak population whatever we can say of their ideas. But Professor Gogolak, consciously or not, forgot to mention another group which was in-between, or close to the group in Turciansky Sv. Martin, and the only one represented in Budapest as a result of the elections: the Catholics Skycak, Juriga, Hlinka and the intellectuals around "Tovarysstvo," led by Oswald, to whom originally belonged also Gregor Tajovsky, erroneously called medical doctor by Gogolak. While reviewing another very well-written treatise on Slo- Bohemia is actually an annual (Jahrlmch) of the Colegium Carolinum in Munich for the problems of the Czech lands (Bohemia in Latin), but in recent years we could find in this well-edited symposium several contributions dealing with Slovak political topics. The above contributions are among those which should not escape analysis and some critical comments on the Slovak side, because they are basically valuable and of high academic standards. Professor Gogolak, whose previous studies made him one of the best experts on Slovakia in German language, deals with a controversial subject of Masaryk's origin and his influence on Slovak politics before 1918. Masaryk is, according to Gogolak, of Slovak background or in other words a Slovak from the ethnic point of view, but assimilated with the Czechs as Kosuth and Petofi did with Hungarians. He had first a German education and became Czech in his adult age, but his Slovak origin haunted him and therefore he wanted Slovaks to follow his footsteps: to assimilate with Czechs. This is, in a nutshell, Gogolak's thesis, supported by a thorough re- * See Slavic and East-European search and references to works in Studies (Universite de Montreal) , several languages, and it seems ac- Vol. XII, 1, p. 63. �166 SLOVAKIA vak politics by Professor Gogolak, I mentioned that he can be surprisingly objective when he speaks about the Magyarization, but he seems to have an emotional prejudice against those who later were organized in the Hlinka's party and his writings indicate a "favourable bias," when he speaks about Slovak "Czechoslovaks," especially about Hodza , Derer, Ivanka , Stefanek and others, and about their role in Slovakia before 1918. This is to be regretted because rarely anyone displayed such a thorough knowledge of literature on Slovakia in several languages and could penetrate even into the political climate in Slovakia and mentality of the Slovak people as Professor Gogolak did. to be regretted that he repeats some self-evident errors (for instance persons in Tuka's group who never belonged there). The programme and policy of the Hlinka's Slovak Populist Party is presented by Hoensch in Bohemia even less objectively than in his book, since many explanations of the background of Slovak politics, which we find in the book, are missing in the contribution to Bohemia. The adversaries of the Slovak aspirations for freedom and self-rule can, therefore , misuse again his study as they did with his book, which was recently thoroughly analyzed on the Slovak side by Professor Frantisek Vnuk. ** Because there is nothing new in H-0ensch's contribution which we could not find in his book, we refer the reader to the above mentioned reviews and express regrets that Dr. Hoensch's well-documented studies on Slovakia are not free of bias and that he did not avoid being influenced by the Czech and communist sources in his conclusions about the policy of Hlinka's Slovak Populist Party. J . M. Kirschbaum The contribution by Jorg K. Hoensch seems to be a re-written chapter of his b<Wk Die Slowakei und Hitlers Ostpolitik (Hlinkas Slowakische Volkspartei zwischen Autonomie und Separation 19381939) which was reviewed by this reviewer in the quarterly Slowakei (Vol. IV, No. 2, p. 58-64) and commented on it in Slavic and East European Studies (Vol. XII, 1, p. 61) . Since Dr. Hoensch's book was ** See L iterarny Almanach Slovaka published in 1965 and his contribu- v Amerike for 1968, (Middletown, tion under review in 1967, it is Pa.) p. 21-45. SLOVAKS IN CANADA Kirschbaum, J.M., Slovaks in Canada, (Canadian Ethnic Press Association of Ontario), Toronto, 1967, XVI- 480 pp. Bibliography, Index, Illustrations. The present book by Prof. Joseph Kirschbaum is more than a true and conscienious report about the happenings to the Slovaks in Canada. It is a bi-continental report on the destiny of one of the oldest nations in Central Europe, a report on the struggle for a survival both in the old homeland and in Canada. The book itself shared the adventures of overcoming the obstacles to its survival i. e. to its publication; the same ones and coming from the very same groups which were and are at the origin of the fact that the Slovaks are denied to live a �SLOVAiaA free way of life in their own homeland. It is amazing to see to what degree the moral awareness for the human dignity can be blinded and muzzled even in the free Western world by a flood of propaganda, accepted without any criticism and without any desire to find out what the facts really are; in the present case, what the real facts are with regard to the Slovaks. From this point of view this book is much more than a book of History. It is a true History indeed, yet at the same time, and by the fact of being a true History, it is an appeal to the moral conscience of the Western world to recognize the due right of the Slovaks for a free life, even if there are no more of them than 4.5 million in Slovakia. There are about 65,000 Canadians of Slovak origin and well over one million of them in the U.S.A. The social, economic, religious and cultural history of the Slovak immigrant is basically nothing less than a profound human plea for a free life, it is a cry for freedom. Are many people ready to listen to it? Those who do not want to be disturbed in their more or less comfortable ideological pew-should put this book aside. However, if someone is inclined to risk his "mauvaise conscience" with regard to this particular case, he will get his reward both for Canada and for a people that do not ask to be judged on the merits of the facts. In this case you are going to be witness of the story that can accomplish the human craving for freedom and you will feel proud to be a member of a nation where only the freedom is the limit to the human energy. Dr. Kirschbaum gives us a thor- 167 ough and stimulating history and analysis of the life of Slovak Canadians, beginning with the first settlers in the West during the 1880's to the political refugees who fled their native land at the end of the Second World War, unwilling to accept foreign domination and Communist regime in Slovakia. The author has left few stones unturned in his research; he visited the places where Slovak Canadians live and where many died; talked to the organizers of Slovak religious and social organizations, and read their press, which in a period of 57 years has numbered 17 newspapers and 13 cultural and religious periodicals. The author also explains at some length the reasons which led Slovaks to organize themselves in associations, thus giving us an insight into the ways an immigrant group was able to adapt in a country where language and custom barriers were not the only obstacles to overcome. In time, most of these obstacles were not only overcome, but Slovak Canadians were able to make very worthy contributions to the arts and sciences as well as to the economic development of Canada. These contributions are discussed in the second of a new two-part definition of the concept of intergration which is analyzed at some length. Dr. Kirschbaum is particularly qualified to convey the story of the Slovak group in Canada to other Canadians and to link it to its origin in the old country. A Slovak European, he arrived with his family to Canada 19 years ago via several years of traveling and studying in Italy, France, Switzerland and other European countries. He participated in many fields of the Canadian life; from economy, �168 SWVAK1A social, religious, ethnic, to cultural and in particular in the University life, as former Professor at the Universite de Montreal, and lecturer at the University of Ottawa and the University of Toronto. One has to fully agree with the author's remark in his Preface that, "The story which the book tells about Slovaks in Canada is the saga of a small group of people in a new land who preserved their identity and achieved success against many odds. Many aspects of their history can apply to several other ethnic groups, particularly to those who came to Canada from the territories of the former Austro-Hungarian Empire: Poles, Slovenes, Croats, Czechs (Bohemians), and also some Ukrainians (Galicians). Basically it is a simple story without heroic deeds, but not without the courage and perseverance which brought final success. A great deal of that success is due to the democratic institutions of Canada to the tolerance of its people and the abundant resources of the land; but the main factor was the human element: a healthy and hard working people and their will to struggle and succeed, to prosper and create a better future culturally, religiously and econo- mically. The reader may conclude for himself how well they achieved these aims." Furthermore, many will also agree "Whatever happens, the purpose of this book will have been served if the second and third generations of Slovak Canaclians remember their origin and become aware of the reasons which brought Slovaks to Canada, their difficult beginnings, their successful struggles, and their contributions to Canadian life. It is also hoped that this book will serve historians in their accounts of the different aspects of Canadian history." The book makes a considerable contribution to the knowledge of Canada for all Canadians who are desirous to know their country better. It is primarily directed to the second generation Slovak Canadians and to the English speaking Canadians, but the French speaking Canadians also can get a glimpse into the contents of the book through the extensive French resume. At the same time the book is a sincere undertaking in the service of freedom and human dignity of man applied to the dramatic case of the Slovak people. Charles Murin THE SLOVAK LEAGUE OF AMERICA through its Ladies Auxiliary, the "VCIELKY" (Bees), sponsors Slovak cultural displays. concerts, lectures, art exhibits, folk festjvals, social evenings, etc. Our aim is to have a "Hive" of our "Vcielky" in every large Slovak community. �169 SLOVAKIA AS OTHERS SEE IT "The Free world knows the methods used by the Soviets when they aggressed and through milittary might, enslaved Poland, Slo• vakia, Lithuania, Romania, Hungary, and all the peoples in the Bal• kan nations' area. The Soviets, under Stalin and Khruschev, not only enslaved the people remaining in their homeland but deported millions into the wilds of Siberia to work and die in slave labor camps." (Congressman Ray J. Madden). "Freedom and job opportunity, and the promise of an honest day's wages for an honest day's work, brought our forefathers from Rumania and Slovakia, and from the other European countries, to the shores of America. Many of you came to this country, and through honest labor and toil, you achieved personal s u c c e s s, and if not wealth, certainly well being. The churches, the schools, the many other institutions, and the neat and well kept neighborhoods in the Slovak communities, are the fruits of the labors of many Slovaks who toiled long and hard in the coal mines of Pennsylvania, the steel mills of Ohio and Indiana, and on the railroads which connected in• dustry to the markets. Indeed, as an industrious people, the Slovaks have achieved a respected and honorable place among the nationality and ethnic peoples of this country." - Ralph S. Locher, former mayor of the City of Cleve• land, Ohio "True, ever since the founding of the state in 1918 there have been conflicts between Czechs and Slovaks. The Slovaks resented Czech supremacy ... "The Czech-Slovak dispute centered around the interpretation of the Czechoslovak nation-whether Czechs and Slovaks are one or two nations. The dispute has long been decided in favor of the second interpretation. Czechs and Slovaks Stephen are two nations. " Borsody, The New York Times "Traditional rivalry between the Czech and Slovak nationalities forms the backdrop for charges that Slovakia was being neglected in economic development projects. "And most of the writers who have criticized the government were Slovaks, including Ladislav Mnacko who defected to Israel last August in protest against the regime's strict pro-Arab stand in the Middle East war. - ( Associated Press) Evening News, Harrisburg, Pa. "The Czech Communist Party has been plagued by several fundamental problems-one of them a Slovak demand for more autonomy and broader economic opportunity." ( CA AP-Reuter ) The N ewcastie Sun "Some students of this country (Czecho-Slovakia ) believe the Slovakian drive for national autonomy is the key liberalizing factor. An embryonic parliamentarism is de• veloping as committees of the Na• tional Assembly, no longer a Sovietstyle rubber stamp, mend Govern• ment bills." (Philadelphia Inquir• er.) "A key factor in the downfall of Czecho-Slovakia's Antonin Novotny, a Stalinist Czech, was the opposition of the Slovaks ... it seems obvious that Czech preponderance �170 SLOVAK'.llA would never allow a Slovak to exercise more than limited control." (Richard Eder, The New York Times) the citizens of our country by contributing to a better understanding and appreciation of Slovak tradition, has made a significant mark on our culture. I wish you "In November, Mr. Dubcek led many more years of success in an attack on the Novotny leader- these endeavors." - Senator Robert ship, charging that the Prague F. Kennedy (N.Y.) regime had slighted Slovakia not only in term of economic develop"It is a pleasure to send greetment, but also in political terms." ings to the Slovak League of Amer(David Binder, The New York ica. One of the great strengths of Times) the United States is the cultural and historical diversity of its peo"And of course, the Slovaks are ple. The preservation of the unique still not happy with the orders they heritage of the Slovak people enget from Prague: Communist or riches the whole community." not, they would like to have a state Senator Clifford P. Case (N.J.) of their own ... "The Czechs, however, did not "Americans of Slovak descent even budge. Their Russian rulers have contributed to every sector easily forestalled any Czech action of our national life. Their dedica- by releasing Czech food reserves tion to democracy has been proven to Czech consumers. The East Euro- over and over again. They have had pean saying is: 'The Czechs opened a mighty impact on our cultural their mouths not to protest but to and political life, and I salute The eat.' The Czechs themselves add: Slovak League of America on this 'The Russians kept us quiet by occasion." - Senator Harrison A. stuffing our mouths with our own Williams, Jr. (N.J.) Czech sausage'." (Dr. Albert Parry, The [San Diego, Calif.] Union) "The Slovak League of America has rendered an important service "To the Slovaks, headed by Pre- in keeping alive the culture and mier Jozef Lenart, Novotny repre- traditions of the Slovak people in sents the old tradition of Czech America. It has alway emphasized domination and denial of full equal- the blessings of freedom and deity." - The New York Times mocracy." - Charles S. Joelson, "You (The Chicago Tribune) (N.J.) Member of Congress printed that I was a Czech. My "Congratulations to the Slovak mother was furious. She got out League of America and their enthe maps and wants to prove that deavors to preserve the historical we're Slovaks, not Czechs." (Jim background of their homeland. Valek, head foot-ball coach at Uni"One project I would like to unversity of Illinois.) dertake is to make a Bibliography "I am very pleased to salute the of all worthwhile publications Slovak League of America on its covering history, literature, music 60th Anniversary. Americans of and art because it is over twentySlovak origin have contributed as five years since anything was pubmuch as any group to the greatness lished in Slovakia by a free society. of our nation, and your organiza- The Congressional Library can tion, promating the welfare of all probably be very helpful in this �SLOVAKIA 171 project and might be able to do it through Slovakia, which for cenfor you." - Edward E. Patten turies belonged to Hungary. The Slovak language had a renaissance, (N.J.), Member of Congress thousands of folksongs and tales "The Slovak people over the cen- were gathered and given literary turies have given numerous evid- form . ences of their unquestionable de"This work was done by the sire for freedom . Catholic clergy and the village "The many thousands of Amerteachers. The priests also stood icans of Slovak descent have made with the people in their struggles great c o n tr i bu ti o n s in many with the Hungarians, Czechs, nazis spheres to the development and and communists. growth of our country. And the "The natural center of all Slofierce love of freedom which they vak life was the local church, its brought with them from their clergy, the sacraments; in short, motherland has strengthened Amerthe Christian faith in its Catholic ica's own fabric of freedom. form." - Rune P . Thuringer, NC "I wish the Slovak League of News Service America many more decades of patriotic, civic, and cultural activ"Several heads of Church deanity." - Senator Thomas J. Dodd eries in Czecho-Slovakia have been (Conn.) summoned or visited by security police to answer questions about "It is a pleasure to send warm greetings and heartiest congratula- priests who are not active in the tions to the Officers and Members peace priest movement, which supof The Slovak League of America ports that nation's communist as you celebrate your 60th Anniver- regime. The interrogations, according to KNA, German Catholic news sary. agency, also centered on those "Your organization is to be commended for its notable contribu- priests who have been relieved of tions to the economic and social their priestly duties by the govern1ife of our state and perpetuating ment and who are working in agrithe great tradition and heritage of cultural and industrial jobs. Some the Slovak culture which has great- of them are allegedly performing ly enriched the American society. pastoral functions in secret." "I send my best wishes to all NCWC News Service, Washington, present for a most enjoyable D.C. evening and continuing years of "Copies of Pope Paul Vi's encycsuccess in all of your fine en- lical On the Development of PeoSenator Jacob K . ples, as well as copies of his appeal deavors." Javits (N.Y.) for a world Day of Peace, have "Slovak League of America is in- been returned to Vienna by officterested in promoting better under- ials of the Czecho-Slovak post ofstanding and appreciation of the fice system. "Stamped 'Not permitted in the Slovak nation, its history, cultural Czecho-Slovak Socialist Republic' traditions and struggle for freedom." (The Evening News, Harris- by Czech officials, the materials had been mailed to Catholic pubburg, Pa.) lications and individuals in Czecho"During the last century, a Slovakia," according to KNA, the strong nationalist movement went German Catholic news service �172 SLOVA.KilA in that communist-ruled country (Czecho-Slovakia) many Catholic priests and a number of bishops are still in jail or confinement." - (Sunday News, New York, N.Y.) "At present, the Czech law permits workers, students and church groups to hold meetings in the open without notifying the police in advance. Now the authorities propose a regulation that will require religious processions, including funeral corteges from the church to the cemetery, to be announced three days in advance." NC News Service "At present, priests in CzechoSlovakia are all but suffocated under a mountain of petty government restrictions. These include such detailed regulations that a pastor has to get specific government approval for a nearby priest to come and say Mass or hear Confessions." - (NCWC News Service, Washington, D.C.) "With regard to institutional problems, the talks between the Vatican and the Czecho-Slovakian government will have to consider the following points in order of importance: -"Bishops: Of the dioceses (six Slovakian, two Moravian, four Bohemian), only four (three Slovakian and one Bohemian) have a bishop. The ether seven are governed by vicars capitular. That is the most important problem. -"The seminaries. We have only two major seminaries: at Litomerice for Bohemia and Moravia and at Bratislava for Slovakia. This year 80 students were ad• mitted at Litomerice and 95 at Bratislava. There were more candidates than that. Continuing at that rate, we will in 10 years have half as many priests as we have today. -"The religious education of children. The situation is particularly bad in the cities. In Prague, for example, onl)' 700 children are enrolled in catechism classes. Religion is taught in state schools only to children between the ages of seven and 13. In the villages, the situation is much better. At present, I estimate that in Slovakia, a tradition,ally Catholic country like Poland, 80 per cent of the children of Catholic parents are enrolled in catechism classes, in Moravia 50 per cent and in Bohemia 20 per cent. This situation is not very different from that of pre-war days. "In all, of the 14 million inhabitants of Czecho-Slovakia, 60 per cent are Catholics, 10 per cent are Protestants, and 30 per cent are atheists. Among the Catholics, 34 per cent in Slovakia and 15 per cent in Bohemia are practicing. -"Another problem is working priests. At present we estimate that there are 1,500 ecclesiasticsof whom 80 per cent are Religious -who have non-religious jobs. In 1966, a total of 300 received the government's authorization to take up their ministry again. "Religious orders and congregations do not always have the right to accept novices." - Czech Bishop Frantisek Tomasek * THE SLOVAK LEAGUE OF AMERICA stands for honesty, intergrity, industry and justice in government. �SLOVAKIA 173 CONTRIBUTOR S Hletko, Peter Paul M.D., physician-surgeon; (semi-retired); med. examiner of many insurance Co's ; born June 26, 1902 in Chicago, Ill.; son of Martin and Catherine (Hargas) Hletko; educated, St. Michael's School (1908-1915), Chicago, St. Procopius Academy and College, Lisle, Ill. (1915-1919) and (191921); De Paul Univ., Chicago (192123, B.Sc. in Chem. 1923) ; Loyola University, Chicago, (M.D. 1927); Resident Staff (interne) Cook County Hosp., Chicago (1927-1928); instructor in clinical neurology Loyola U. Medical School (193135); wed Anna E . Remijas in 1938; led Slovak League of America delegation to Czecho-Slovakia in 1938 in behalf of Pittsburgh Pact recognition; pres. Slovak League of America (1935-1939) and (1963-64); Hon. President and member of Exec. Committee of Slovak League (1938-1965); vice-pres. Slovak Cath. Federation of America (1934); Supr. Med. Examiner, Slovak Cath. Sokol (1927-1964) ; Hon. Med. Examiner (emeritus), and Member of Exec. Comm. Slovak Cath. Sokol; Supr. Med. Examiner Nat. Slovak Society (1934-39); secretary, Supreme Court of Nat. Slovak Society ( 1926-1934); organizer and 1st pres. 'Club Furdek' (Cath. Slovak Cultural Society, Chicago) 1929; member Amer. Med. Assoc., Ill. Med. Assoc. and Chicago Medical Assoc. since 1929; med. examiner of Municipal Court and Law Dept. Benefit and Pension Fund, Chicago, ( 1936-61); President, Gage Park Savings & Loan Assn., Chicago, since 1935. Author: "The Slovaks and the Pittsburgh Pact" (published by Slovak Catholic Federation - 1934); wrote "lskry" - reprint of satiro-comic column in the Osad- ne Hlasy (Slovak Parish News), 1931 ; edited the "Catholic Slovak Sokol Cook-Book," 1964; contrib. editor, Osadne Hlasy (Chicago Parish News, 1927-63); editor "Jaro," English supplement to "Jednota", 1927-36. Editor, 'Chicagsky Dennik' (Chicago Slovak Daily News) , 192627. Democrat. Hobbies: Books, philately, pinochle. Home: Warrenville, Ill. Office : 2740 W. 55th St. Chicago, Illinois 60632 Emerentia Petr<isek, Mother M., B.A., M.A., of the Sisters of SS. Cyril and Methodius, Pennsy1vania. Danville, Born in Sugar Notch, Pennsylvania. Member of Holy Rosary Slovak Parish, Ashley. Elementary grades in local public school and St. Leo Parochial School, Ashley. B.A. and M.A., Marywood College, Scranton, Pa. Among the first aspirants to the newly founded Congregation of Slovak Sisters of SS. Cyril and Methodius. One of the founding teachers of the First Catholic Slovak Gi,rls' High School, now St. Cyril Academy, Danville, Pa. Founder of the St. Cyril Academy annual Fialky, and for long years its moderator, Mother M. Emerentia guided young writers and trained them in skills which have since borne fruit in college research papers and creative writing on the part of SCA alumnae. Professor of Slovak at St. Cyril Academy and Marywood College, Mother M. Emerentia compiled Ucebnica slovenskej reci (1929) and Steps in Elementary Slovak (1949), �174 SLOVAK1A a text which is being continuously revised and supplemented. For several years she has been conducting a Correspondence Course for the Sisters teaching in parish schools. She has issued several editions of Slovak songs and hymnbooks for use in Slovak parish schools. Most recently under her direction have been issued Slovak hymns in translation : Bethlehem Carols and Alleluia. (1967) Mother M. Emerentia has written the history of the Congregation of the Sisters of SS. Cyril and Methodius, portions of which have appeared from time to time in various Slovak publications, including the Fialky . In 1959 an abridged edition, entitled, Brief History of the Sisters of SS. Cyril and Methodius Told in Fiv e Decades, appeared serially in the Jednota and also in the Danville News. A limited num- ber of copies were printed. Frank Bandar was born on November 13, 1917 in Cejkov, Slovakia. He attended the elementary school there ; went to high school in Michalovce and graduated in 1940 in Ko~ice; and then went on to major in Economics at the University of Budapest. His studies were interrupted for political reasons and the war. During that time, he was a member of the Slovak University Students of the Hungary Club and a member of the United Slovak Party of Hungary. After some temporary employment, in 1948 he attempted to finish his studies in Prague, but did not pass the communist screening. He was imprisoned for a few months for political reasons. In 1949 he escaped to West Germany and in the same year emigrated to Canada. In 1956 he received his B.A. Degree in Economics from Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario. In 1965 he emigrated to the United States and became a Research Economist at Columbia University. In September, 1967 he was awarded his M.A. Degree in Economics at the University of New York. As fourth Superior General of the Congregation of the Sisters of SS. Cyril and Methodius, Mother M. Emerentia supervised the errection of the beautiful chapel of SS. Cyril and Methodius at Villa Sacred Heart, Danville, Pa. Known far and wide as an architectural About Dr. Joseph Kirschbaum gem , it is a Slovak treasure house and Sister M. Martina Tybor, SS. in its stained glass windows and its C.M., see Slovakia 1966; about Sisr eligious symbolism. ter M. Evangela Lubek, SS. C.M., At present, as a retired teacher, Mother M . Emerentia is occupied in various Community duties and continuing a life-long interest in Slovak- language, education, history, and literature. She operates a Slovak Book Department, disseminating Slovak publications nationwide, and keeping in touch with all cultural movements affecting Slovak interests. see Slovakia 1965, and about Fr. Andrew Pir, 0 .S.B., see Slovakia 1967. Sister M . Raymund Horvath, SS. C.M. and Sister M. Tarcisia, SS. C.M., are teaching at the St. Cyril Academy, Danville, Pa. Dr. Charles Murin is a Professor of Philosophy at the University of Montreal. �SLOVAKliA 175 SLOVAKIA is published annual]~· by the Rlovak League of Ameriea, a cultural and civic federation of Americans of Slovak descent. One of the purposes of SLOYAKJA is to promote a better understanding and. appreeiatio11 of the Slovak nation and. its long struggle for freedom and. independence. As Americans, membel'S of the Rlonlk League of Ameriea fi1·mly believe that the SloYak nation, just as all nations, has an inherent and God-given right to freedom and independence. They are dedicated to the cause of the .American way of life, Slovak freedom and world peaee and are determined to oppose the plague of Conmmnism and all other totalitarian politic-al s:;·stems. Subscription to SloYakia $2.00 per year in the "C".S.A. - $3.00 elsewhere. Send subscriptions to: SLOVAKIA 313 Ridge Avenue Middletown, Pa. 17057 �176 SLOVAKIA Contents An Agreement Which Was Never Realized - Tkach - Stephen J . 1 The Slovaks and The Pittsburgh Pact - Peter P. Hletko M.D. -5 Jednota and The Sisters of SS. Cyril and Methodius - M. Emerentia Petra§ek, SS.C.M. The Slovak Press in Canada - 55 J. M. Kirschbaum, Ph.D. - Economic Discrimination Against Slovakia - - Mother 78 Frank Bandor 109 First Slovak Newspapermen in America - Tybor, SS.C.M. Current Issues - 132 Book Reviews - 143 As Others See It Contributors - Sister M. Martina 121 169 173 Photographic Copy of Original Pittsburgh Pact - 4 �PRI NTI D IN U.S. A. JIDN OTA PlllN TER Y, MID DLli TOW N, PA. � 132 SLOVAK.IA CURRENT ISSUES MANIFESTO OF THE SLOVAK LEAGUE OF AMERICA Americans of Slovak descent have always expressed their loyalty to the United States of America, in harmony with their traditional effort of preserving peace and order and helping to strengthen the principles for which our democracy stands. A very large segment of the Slovak nation is thankful to Almighty God for having found a home in this our free and great republic, not only because we can freely express our private views and wishes, but also because we can speak freely in behalf of a nation which has so many times looked upon the Slovaks in the United States as their only hope for freedom and salvation. A great milestone in the life of Americans of Slovak descel'lt was the signing of the Pittsburgh Pact on May 30, 1918 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania where the Slovak League of America, representing the Slovaks in the United States, met with their Czech counterparts under the leadership of Thomas G. Masaryk. The basis of the Pittsburgh Pact lies in this assertion: "Slovakia shall have her own administration, her own- assembly, and her own courts." This was the result of the spirit of self-determination which started at the initiative of the United States. In this spirit not only American Slovaks, but the Slovaks in Slovakia demanded their right to a free nation, and sincerely desired to reach an agreement with the Czech nation, with whom, according to the Pittsburgh Pact, they were to live in a federation. It is a historical fact that it was not the fault of the Slovaks that the spirit and letter of the Pittsburgh Pact was realized only at the end of 1938, when there was no longer any possibility of even a federation for the Slovak and Czech peoples. The European and world political forces dictated a new development, which neither the Slovaks nor Czechs could influence. The only chance presented to the Slovaks was to look for new approaches and opportunities to preserve their own Slovak entity. This salvation was �SLOVAKIA 133 found, though the Slovak nation as well as the Slovak people in the United States had hoped that this salvation would have come from the west, and especially from the United States. After the second world war Slovaks found themselves under the domination of communism and Czechs. Again as in the case of the Pittsburgh Pact, Prague leaders did not keep their word and the principle of self-determin ation was not realized in Slovakia. On the contrary, this principle of self-determin ation was oppressed not only by the Czechs, but by the Soviets as well, who mercilessly stopped any attempt and expression for a free and democratic way of life. Remembering with reverence and admiration our predecessors who signed this historical document in Pittsburgh, we must express our position on this occassion, the 50th Anniversary of the Pittsburgh Pact, negotiated by the Slovak League and those American-Slo vak organizations who joined her in the furtherance of this Slovak objective. To the question asked here in the United States and in Slovakia, "What is the position of Americans of Slovak descent concerning Slovakia today?", the following is our response : -The principles of justice, freedom, and democracy as represented by American thinking and action are sacred and untouchable to the Slovak League of America -The welfare, security, and preservation of the future of the United States is our utmost objective -No sacrifice is too large when the very foundations of American institutional life are involved, as well as the security of private ownership. The spread of the good name of the United States in word, but especially in deed, in the press and by example is primary with the Slovak League -Bearing in mind that the Slovak nation was, is, and always will be an ally of the west, and especially the United States, giving America almost half her sons and daughters and, ..:._Following and closely scrutinizing the developments in Slovakia, and knowing that freedom is a gift from God, The Slovak League of America endorses the highest right of the Slovak nation, and requests for �134 SLOVAKIA Slovakia an independent Slovak Republic, which government and judical system will be chosen by the Slovak people in a free and democratic election. In this behalf, so help us God! February 26, 1968 Stephen J. Tkach, President D r. Joseph Pauco, Secretary Executive Committee: Rt. Rev. Theodore Koji s, O.S.B . John A . Sabol Joseph Prusa Joseph Kristofik SLOVAK POLITICS "Give us this day our daily bread" in the Lord's Prayer was explained by Andrej H 1 ink a as politics! Why? Because in that petition our economic needs are implied and since we cannot presume to impose upon Divine Providence to rain down Manna from the heavens above, we must work for our daily bread. But when this demands superhuman effort because of foreign exploitation of the country one inhabits, then the inhabitants must do something about it . . . and they must become involved in politics. Such were the circumstances in Hlinka's time when Czech c a r p e tbaggers and their allies exploited the Slovaks ( as the Magyars had done before them ) that the Slovak priest in the role of a good shepherd sought to protect his flock from being fleeced by alien interlopers and thieves, and the same need exists today, for the Prague central government controls the national economy in Slovakia. Visitors to Expo 67 were amazed to note the small number of Slovak personnel in Montreal's pavilion that represented Czecho-Slovakia. The ratio was quite accurately estimated at 5 or 6 to 1. This is gross injustice to the Slovak nation when one considers there are approximately 5 million Slovaks and 9 million Czechs. These two nations constitute 90 % of the population of the c-SSR, ie., �SLOVAKIA Czecho-Slovak Socialist Republic (the 10 % represents Magyar, Polish, German, Gypsy and Jewish people. N.B. More than 3 million Germans were expelled from the Sudeten lands and some 700,000 Ruthenes were annexed in the eastern area of Czecho-S 1 o v a k i a by the U.S.S.R. in the Carpatho-Rusin region). The same discrimination against the Slovaks by the Czech ruling regime is being shown in Slovakia where the great majority of official government personnel and industrial management is preponderantly n o n-Slovak. Moreover, the Czechs hold 90 % of the number of army 135 officers from the top to the bottom! These facts which indicate what a death-grip the Czech regime has on Slovakia economically and militarily fully justify the Slovaks in their determination to free themselves from foreign rule, and if we consider that they are deprived of religious freedom, too, American Slovaks cannot help but extend a helping hand to oppressed brethren beyond the seas. We are in sympathy with their cause, and for that reason individually and collectively we, too, are determined to do something about it, even if it means we must go into politics! A . P. U.S. IMMIGRATION PATTERN TO CHANGE JULY 1 On July 1, 1968, the United States will put into effect a new immigration system. In place of the old national origins quotas, visas will be issued without regard to the immigrant's birthplace or nationality on a world-wide, first-come first-served basis, according to a series of preferences established by the law of October 3, 1965. However, not more than 20,000 immigration visas may be issued in any one year to the natives of any Eastern Hemisphere country (Europe, Asia and Africa ), and not more than 170,000 visas may be issued in any year to immigrants from all Eastern Hemisphere countries. Excluded from these totals will be the immediate relatives of American citizens, that is, their spouses, children or parents. Also, on July 1, a numerical limitation, 120,000 a year, will be placed for the first time on immigration from the W e s t e r n Hemisphere (South and Central America, Mexico and Canada). As in the Eastern Hemisphere, this. �136 SLOVAKIA limitation will not apply to the immediate relatives of American citizens. The 20,000 ceiling applicable to individual countries in the Eastern Hemisphere will not apply to Western Hemisphere countries. Not more than 200 visas may be issued in any year to the natives of a colony or dependent area. How is this new system likely to affect immigration to the United States? Numerically, it is not likely to result in any pronounced change. In the five years preceding enactment of the October 3, 1965 law, immigration averaged 290,062 a year; in the following two, the average was 342,506. Since the demand for visas in both Eastern and Western Hemispheres is expected to exceed the totals permitted (170,000 a nd 120,000 respectively) and :since the number of immigrants exempt from numerical limitation has been running around 40,000 a year (not counting the natives of Western Hemisphere countries), it seems likely that under the new system immigration will be approximately 330,000, or a third of a million, a year. It is certain, however, that the ethnic composition of immigration to the United States will be different. Countries which had small quotas but long waiting lists will be sending far more immigrants than those which formerly had 1 a r g e quotas such as Great Britain, Germany and Ireland. The U.S. Visa Office estimates that in the Eastern Hemisphere the countries sending the largest number of immigrants in the year beginning July 1 will be Italy, Greece, Portugal, China and the Philippines. With immigration on a world-wide basis, what is important for the would-be immigrant is that he get on the waiting list in his country as early as possible. Even if he does, his chances of coming to the United States are slight, unless he qualifies for one of the seven categories entitled to preference. These seven categories or preferences and the number of visas to which each is entitled are as follows: 1. Unmarried s o n s and daughters of U.S . citizens. 34,000 (20 percent of the 170,000 total) 2. Spouses and unmarried sons and daughters of aliens lawfully admitted for permanent residence. 34,000 (20 percent) plus numbers unused by First Preference 3. Members of the professions, and scientists and �SLOVAKIA artists of exceptional ability. 17,000 (10 percent) 4. Married sons and daughters of U.S. citizens. 17 ,000 (10 percent) plus numbers unused by higher preferences 5. Brothers and sisters of U.S. citizens. 40,800 (24 percent) plus numbers unused by higher preferences 6. Skilled and unskilled workers in occupations for which labor is in short supply in the U.S. 17,000 (10 percent ) 7. Refugees. 10,200 (6 percent) ( These preferences apply to all E a s t e r n Hemisphere countries. They do not apply to the Western Hemisphere, where for the present at least there are no preferences.) The foregoing system of selection puts principal emphasis on family relationships. The Visa Office estimates that the 85,000 visas available for first, second, and fourth preference immigrants in the year beginning July 1, 1968, will be more than enough to meet the demand in those categories. In contrast, it expects the third, fifth and sixth preferences to be greatly oversubscribed, so that there will be a substantial waiting list for brothers 137 and sisters of United States citizens (fifth preference), members of the professions (third preference), and skilled and unskilled aliens (sixth preference). The fifth preference is entitled to any unused numbers from the four earlier preferences. Unlike the relative preferences, the third and sixth preference are limited to the numbers assigned them. The Visa Office anticipates that on June 30, 1968, there will be a backlog or waiting list for the third preference of some 48,000 . Since only 17,000 numbers a year are available for this category, the backlog and waiting period will increase. This is also true for the sixth preference, skilled and unskilled aliens in short supply. For the fifth preference the Visa Office estimates a backlog on June 30, 1968, of 194,000. This is expected to decrease to 179,200, but that will still mean a substantial waiting time. At present some aliens in countries with large or not fully used quotas have been getting visas as nonpreference immigrants, even though they could qualify for the ,third or sixth preference. But this will not be true after June 30, 1968, when visa issuance goes on a world-wide �SLOVAKIA basis. Such persons, natives, for example, of such countries as Great Britain, Germany, Ireland, Sweden, Norway, if they are not sure of getting their v i s a s before July 1, should apply at once for preference, in order to avoid being at the end of the waiting list. In some countries, I t a 1 y for example, where the demand for the first five preferences will bring visa issuance to 20,000, there will be no sixth preference visas. As a r e s u 1 t of the new world-wide system, few, if any, visas will be available for nonpreference immigrants from Eastern Hemisphere countries after the national origins quotas are abolished on June 30, 1968. The demand for fifth and sixth preferences is so large that no numbers are expected to be left for nonpreference immigrants, except for any unused seventh preference numbers, and then only in countries in which preference demand does not exceed 20,000. Further, all nonpreference immigrants, as well as those within preference categories 3 and 6 and all W e s t e r n Hemisphere immigrants except immediate relatives, must obtain a "labor clearance" before receiving a visa. This is a certification from the Department of Labor that they will not displace American workers and that their admission will not have an adverse effect on the wages and working conditions of workers here. This provision, whatever its merit in protecting American labor, operates to prevent, or at least make more difficult, the admission of the nonpreference or "new seed" immigrant - that is, the kind of immigrant who in earlier years constituted the bulk of our immigration and contributed so much to the building of the United States. A VISIT TO SLOVAKIA An American Slovak of the younger generation recently returned from a brief visit to Slovakia. What he experienced and observed during his sojourn in the land of his forefathers I hereby report at his personal request. He did not wish to reveal his name because of fear that the ruling regime might take reprisals against relatives and friends. "I was in Slovakia. Like many others from America I went only for a short stay. �SLOVAKIA 139 I saw the natural wonders of the land of my late parents. The three weeks that I spent there will never fade from my memory. Morever, r put down my impressions in my diary. their serious discussions about world affairs. Their minds, I could readily see, were involved in problems of the universe even at their tender age ranging from thirteen to seventeen. That the Slovak nation is deeply religious, open-hearted, hospitable, industrious, healthy and vigorous, honest and dignified, r learned at first hand. Slovak youth particularly, despite some weaknesses excesses and handicaps, i~ on the whole simply beautiful alert and alive wholeso~e and fully con~ scious of its national heritage I noted that both the boy~ and girls are obsessed by desire to learn. They are respectful to their elders, which is an ancient national trait and tradition. Their behavior was correspondingly very good. Their curiosity about what's happening in the rest of the world was simply astounding. I had the opportunity to observe this on my journey eastward via train. During the entire journey, I noticed groups of teen-agers huddled together over newspapers and periodicals. Their comments were both intelligent and stimulating. I have a good knowledge of the Slovak language and hence I could not help but appreciate their conversation, as well as Naturally, neither economically nor socially could they be compared with conditions in America. Their living standards. are far below th~s~ of our high standard, of hvmg. B':1t the people don t seem to mmd very much. The new ge~eratioi:1', alth~ugh inte:ested m the fmer thmgs of life, on the mater~al side, app~ar to be well adJusted to their present status while planning a ~etter future through educatlon and hard work. We who live in America know what the Slovaks desire more than anything in this world, namely, their freedom from foreign rule. There is no question that they do not enjoy either political or religious liberty. Anyone who has eyes to see and ears to hear cannot miss this obvious lack of local and national freedom or personal 1 i be rt y as we know it in America. The Slovaks bear a double yoke: a) Czech overrule b) Communist oppression. The regime is 'Czechoslovak' in theory and practice, and therefore, anti-Slovak, and communistic, hence �140 SLOVAKIA atheistic-in both cases expressly and extremely so. Slovak people, however, in spite of the above noted burdens they are forced to bear, have such native strength and stamina that they are making progress in industry, literature and culture, if not in politics. They are holding fast to the faith of their fathers. I was moved to tears when attending Mass in a number of churches. The voices of both young and old blended in a sacred symphony that was an outer manifestation of their deep and abiding faith. In the last twenty years the Slovaks have suffered much for their faith. Many died unsung martyrs because they refused to abandon their religious beliefs. This, I am firmly convinced assures the future national destiny of the Slovak people, for the blood of their martyrs and the constancy of countless confessors of the faith constitute an inexhaustible stream of living waters for generations to come. Eventually, the godless, not the Godly, will be overcome. In closing my remarks, I wish to leave this message: Do not fear the outcome. The Slovaks at home are not afraid. They are steadfast immovable in their faith. But pray, as our persecuted brethren in Slovakia pray constantly, that the day of their deliverance may come soon. That the day of liberation will come, there is no doubt in their minds. They look forward with anticipation to the day when once again, after a quarter of a century, they will guide the destiny of their country as free men under God." This is the way our young American fellow Slovak described his visit to Slovakia. We, who cherish our noble heritage of Christian faith and f r e e d o m in this great land of 1 i be rt y, welcome these realistic observations and reactions as unmistakable signs of the future, for a nation with such spirit and a wholesome outlook on life must certainly emerge triumphant after suffering an ordeal by fire in our tragic age of man's inhumanity to man. Slovakia with a glorious past now awaits the dawn of an even more glorious era. May God in His goodness and mercy grant the beginning of a new age of freedom and peace for the Slovak nation in our time. A. P. Annual SL O VA KI A is published by the Slovak League of America, 313 Ridge Avenue, Middletown, Pennsylvania. Subscription $2.00. Editor: Dr. Joseph Pauco. �SLOVAKIA 141 JUST THE TRUTH ... PLEASE In the February 18, 1968, tions of the country which edition of The New York had traditionally figured as Times Magazine, Mr. Ed- the bulwark of democracy, mund Stillman presented les- the total vote for the Comsons on "The Fall of Czecho- munist-left Socialist coalition slovakia." Because I witnes- was a solid 55.76 per cent. sed the Communist take-over Only in agrarian and conof the country 20 years ago, servative S 1 ova k i a were I would like to make a few these proportions reversed." r e m a r k s on the article I would like to express my (pages 34-46) to correct some thanks for this truthful comfacts . ment. On May 26, 1946, I was elecIf not for the Czech majorted as a member of Parlia- ity, Czecho-Slovakia would be ment in Prague by a 92.3 % with the· west today. We Slomajority for the Slovak De- vaks are proud of our "primocratic Party. The night mitivism" against Communbefore the election the Com- ism, which was defeated in munists organized my kid- the 1946 election in Slovakia. napping to the USSR which Mr. Stillman mentioned a bordered my native district so-called "Czechoslovak naof Sobrance. My electoral tion" which doesn't e x i s t. district was along the "first" The Czech nation in in CzeIron Curtain. cho and the Slovak nation is Mr. Stillman called this in Slovakia with their own district " ... the more back- languages. I agree with the ward region of Slovakia to statement that on Wednesthe east . . .", and " .. . the day, February 25, "The ArchCzechs despised the Slovaks bishop of Prague called on as primitives or traitors." I the nation to support the was proud to be an educator Constitution." Ar ch bishop and a Superintendent of Beran called only on the Schools in Slovakia. Czechs. The Slovak Catholics The writer has given full never belonged with Prague credit to the Czechs for the but were d i r e c t 1 y under fall of Czecho-Slovakia into Rome. For their resistance to the Soviet block. He was the Communist doctrine, right when he stated that "In SIX of the NINE Slovak Bohemia and Moravia, the Catholic bishops DIED in industrialized western por- prisons. �142 SLOVAKIA Also, it was mentioned that Czecho-Slovakia at that time " ... was a practicing democracy." I would not agree because I was the ONLY MEMBER of Parliament in Prague in 1947 who denounced the brutality of the Communistheaded secret police who were torturing innocent Slovaks in Bratislava prisons. For that speech during the Communist coup d'etat in February of 1948, I was charged with treason and managed to survive o:r:tly by escap- ing to the West. Enclosed is a translation of that parliamentary speech. We Slovaks, as the Czechs say, are traitors, but the Czechs had "human rights and honor" when they sold Czecho-Slovakia and with it us Slovaks behind the Iron Curtain. There can be no doubt why in the USA I am carrying on the mission for a free Slovakia which cannot be dominated and sold-out by the Czechs in the future. Stefan Blasko IDEALS OF 'DHE SLOVAK NATION I think the story, the traditions and the honoc of the Slovak people is one of the most glorious stories in history. It is hard to find a story of any people who for more than one thousand years were deprived of liberty, nationality, and subjected to national and religious persecution. The Slovaks have given all the world a lesson in what i,t means to be devoted to ideals. During the crucial period of their history, these brothers, sisters, and children of thait noble race came to our United States which has ever been a sanctuary and a home O'f persecuted people. With this thought I have many recollections of the past and of that beautiful country of Slovakia from which you or your ancestors have come. It was my privilege in the happy days of peace to know your country and the character of your people, for I went to school for five yeairs with many of the boys from that country, some of whom have come to be priests here in our United States. I know the thoughts that fill your minds today of the disaster, injustice, the tyranny, the oppression, the cruelty that has come over an injured Europe that we once knew, for Europe was a great mother of America ... and I know how you feel because I feel the same. You and I must show our sympathy and give our help in every way possible to those naitions thart g,ave us birth and our birth rights. Our happiness is saddened by the thought of our persecuted brethren in Europe. We associate ourselves with them in prayer, also in determination to do everyithing in our power to alleviate their suffering. We express sympathy to those who suffered persecution foc justice's sake asking Almighty God to give them grace to carry on - Francis Cardinal Spellman in the practice of their faith. �SLOVAKIA 143 BOOK REVIEWS MORE A BOU T D R. Dr. Jozef Tiso-President of the Slovak Republic. In commemoration of the 20th anniversary of his death at the hands of the enemies of Slovak Independence. By Fr. Vnuk. Publishers: Association of Australian Slov aks. P . Gerdelan, Orbis Printing and Publishing Co., PTy ., Ltd., Sydney, 1967. An unprepossessing volume of a meager fifty pages, this important work by a prolific Slovak writer, however, is a clear, concise, factual account of the life of a Slovak leader who died on the gallows: for his faith, for his Slovak nation, for the Christian country of Slovakia in the heart of Europe. Msgr. Tiso, a Catholic priest, represented his people's ancient faith of more than a thousand years' tradition . .AJ; a spiritual leader he was, therefore a symbol of the religious background and heritage that began with SS. Cyril and Methodius in the 9th century A.D. As a political figure he was more than a politician-he was a shepherd of his flock, i.e. , the Slovak people, a revered chieftain of his clan, and a statesman whose vision, courage and leadership guided the newly independent Slovak Republic safely through the dark days of World War II. By the very nature of its brevity, the modest volume leaves much to be desired in the way of a more detailed, and consequently a more thorough review and analysis of events that are merely touched upon. Nevertheless, for one who is acquainted with the history of Slovakia, the book can well serve as a good manual for a series of talks JOZE F T IS0 and even as a logical and chronological framework for a later edition of greater proportions. Moreover, the historical background to the modern emergence of the Slovak nation and its independent state is quite adequate for those to whom the material is entirely new. What puzzles people in the western world is the presence of members of the clergy in politics. Although there is no valid reason why they, as citizens, should be excluded from the political stage, their clerical status automatically does exclude them in the minds of most people. This in spite of the fact that the American Congress from the very beginning has traditionally attracted numerous Protestant clergymen and their membership was never seriously questioned. Be that as it may, the author explains that the need for leaders in Slovakia necessiated the 'participation and involvement,' to borrow a really modern phrase, of dynamic priests who answered the call to duty for the public welfare but considered it not only a privilege but an obligation to serve the interests of religion whenever the Church was under attack, as certainly was the case after World War I when atheistic, communistic and anti-clerical elements joined forces against the Church in Slovakia. In this matter, as in others, Vnuk's work is well documented. Tiso's early political ventures were not always successful. Thus, his policy of coalition with the Czechs ended in fiasco. In 1927 he persuaded Hlinka to abandon his basic policy of opposition to the �144 SLOVAKIA Prague central regime and join the government in an attempt to secure more recognition for the Slovaks. In about two years Hlinka's Slovak People's Party resumed its uncompromising stand because the Slovaks became convinced that the Czechs were determined to maintain their position of domination over Slovakia. Dr. V. Tuka paid for the 'noble experiment' by being framed and sentenced to a 15-yr. prison sentence on charges of treason. This was a foreshadowing of the reprisals that were to cost him his life, as well as the lives of President Tiso and many stalwart Slovaks after World War II. Again in the presidential election of 1935 when President Masaryk resigned at the age of 85, Dr. Tiso negotiated with Dr. Benes whose candidacy was closely challenged in the race for the presidency, and gave him full support upon Dr. Benes' promise that if he were elected Slovakia would get autonomy in a year. The Slovaks were deceived by the new president, who, like his illustrious predecessor, failed to keep his word of honor. So once again the Slovaks were duped. In .!~merica they had given full support t0 Masaryk during World War I after he had signed the Pittsburgh Pact guaranteeing the Slovaks naticnal selfgovernment or autonomy. . . in Slovakia they were the deciding factors in Benes' succes;,ful bid for the presidency . . . and in both cases they were victimized. In the unrelenting drive for selfgovernment in Slovakia, Martin Razus, a Protestant clergyman :md writer, with his National Party became faithful allies of Andrej Hlinka. Even in the Slovak Agrarian Party the spirit of autonomy became more . and more apparent after the election of Dr. Benes. Upon the death of Hlinka on August 16, 1938, on the eve of the Munich crisis, leadership of the Slovak People's Party passed on to Dr. Tiso. The problem of self-government or autonomy for Slovakia was suddenly resolved by the Czech centralist regime in Prague in the fall of that year. A matter that had dragged on for a score of years was finally settled in less than two months because of the immediacy of the situation brought on the swift rush of events that threatened the disruption of the CzechoSlovak Republic. Even at that later date it was the united demand of all Slovak political parties (with the exception of two small factions, the Communists and the Social Democrats) at 2ilina, Slovakia, that actually prodded the Czech government to take action. Slovak autonomy was a reality at last! Bratislava became the center of the newly-established Slovak autonomous government. Almost immediately a crisis ensued as Germany annexed the Sudeten lands in Bohemia and Hungary made insistent demands on southern Slovak territorial lands. Dr. Tiso staunchly defended the Slovak cause as premier but despite his attempt to modify the excessive claims of the Magyars at Komarno, a German-Italian commission (headed by Von Ribbentrop and Count Ciano) decided arbitrarily to cede 4,000 square miles of southern Slovakia with a population of a million (considerably more than a third of whom were outspoken Slovaks and the rest mostly Magyarized Slovaks) to Hungary by the unjust award of the Vienna Verdict of November 2, 1938. Visibly shaken by the injustice of the Vienna declaration by which the Slovaks lost a full 20 % of their �SLOVAKIA historic lands and people on the Slovak-Magyar border, the new autonomous government in Slovakia, however, faced the future with courage and determination and proceeded to consolidate its political forces. Accordingly, all political parties were united into a single party of Slovak national unity. Under its banner the Slovaks elected 63 members to the Slovak parliament in the national elections in December of that fateful year. Undaunted by the seriousness of the events that saw the new autonomous government come into power, the Slovak parliament assembled in Bratislava on January 18, 1939. Dr. Tiso gave the keynote address in which he emphasized that Christian ideology was fundamental to the structure and spirit of the Slovak self-governing state in the Czecho-Slovak Republic. Moreover, he steered a middle course in the turbulent stream of events that moved a group of young ardent Slovak nationalists to push the Slovak ship of state directly towards the shores of complete national freedom and independence. In Prague the central government became alarmed at this turn of events and made March 9, 1939 a fatal decision, namely, to occupy Slovakia by force. Prague ordered Czech troops to seize military control of Slovakia and declared martial law. Simultaneously with the dispatching of army units to Slovakia the dismissal of Dr. Tiso as Slovak premier was announced. Karol Sidor was named his successor. When Germany's offer to discuss the situation with Sidor met with a rebuff, Dr. Tiso was urged by party leaders to go to Berlin for a conference. He went to the German 145 capital on March 13, conferred with both Von Ribbentrop and Hitler and was told that if the Slovaks refused to declare their national independence, their country would be divided between Hungary and Poland. The Magyars had already taken 1/5 of Slovak territory at the end of the previous year. Faced with this dilemma, the Slovak parliament on March 14, 1939, voted unanimously for the declaration of Slovak independence. Although Dr. Tiso was the acknowledged head of the Slovak Peoples' Party after Hlinka's death, and the premier of the Slovak autonomous government inside CzechoSlovakia, it was not until October 26 of that year that the Slovak parliament officially and unanimously elected him president of the newlyestablished Slovak State. What type of a man was Tiso? Everyone is naturally curious to know the answer. Physically, he was a heavy-set man with broad shoulders, a striking face and imposing head, of more than average height. He moved graciously and walked with dignity. In keeping with his physical appearance he was a big man intellectually. Yet, he was not a cold and calculating man but a man with a ready smile, a sparkle in his blue eyes, and a warmth that radiated from his fatherly personality. He especially loved children and was a beloved pastor in his parish at Banovce which he administered to the end of his presidency of the Slovak Republic. Pazmaneum University and Seminary in Vienna graduated Dr. Jozef Tiso with high honors in studies of philosophy and theology. As a preacher and speaker he commanded attention by the sheer power of logic, as well as by his strong, resonant baritone voice that could �146 SLOVAKIA reach Jisterners at the fringes of a large crowd or audience. He differed from the eloquent Hlinka, whose passionate, impetuous oratory and silver-toned tenor voice moved his hearers to cheers of adulation. Tiso, a moderate rather than an impetuous man, sought to carry out policies of his party in a quiet, yet forceful and persevering manner. At heart, however, he remained a profoundly simple, sincere and humble priest who though president of the country took time out quite regularly to attend to parochial duties in his beloved Banovce parish on weekends. President Tiso preached, baptized and offered up Mass the same as any devoted pastor of a typical Slovak parish. Undoubtedly, a further clue to his personality is his own personal adjustment to his position as president. At no time did he approve of any secret servicemen to accompany him for security measures. He walked the streets of Bratislava daily . . . and unattended. He made frequent trips throughout the country unattended, i.e., without police escort. Such was his personal courage and trust in the people whom he loved and served, and who not only respected but loved him in return. German interference in internal Slovak politics was kept at minimum although at the express orders from Berlin, Vnuk declares, Dr. :i')urcansky and others were dismissed from high posts in order to make way for a Germanophile group led by V. Tuka and A. Mach. Jews in Slovakia remained unmolested until March, 1943, when the Ministry of Interior, in compliance with German orders, began their deportation. By August of the same year, however, this ceased entirely because of disturbing re- ports and rumors that the Germans were exterminating all Jews in concentration camps_ From that date until the end of the conflict in 1945, the Jews were protected by law as special wards of the Slovak state and shielded by thousands of Slovaks privately. At least 80% of Slovak Jews were saved in this way. An insidious conspiracy that flared up into a revolt in August of 1944 against the Slovak Republic was instigated by a coalition of communists and Czechoslovak partisan factions, and bolstered by Soviet parachutists, in the northern hills of the country in the Banska Bystrica region. Although summarily put down with the aid of a small German division in less than six weeks, the revolution cost the Slovaks some 30,000 lives (mostly civilians caught in the line of fire) and the destruction of a score of villages and towns, strategic railways, tunnels, <bridges and roads. It was a rebellion staged by totally irresponsible elements in the country and supported by a number of high officers who were guilty of treason ... and all guilty of a crime that resulted in the ruthless and useless destruction of many innocent lives of men, women and children. Invasion of Slovakia by the onrushing Soviet forces came in the East at the beginning of the new year of 1945. By May 1, Slovakia was overrun by three Soviet armies that showed no mercy to the Slovaks whose towns they pillaged from one end of the country to the other. The victorious troops wrote a tragic chapter of rape, murder and ravage in this era of the socalled 'liberation' of World War II. Meanwhile, at the very last minute members of the Tiso government crossed into Austria. Before �SLOVAKIA the war ended officially, President Tiso and members of his government were turned over to the Czech forces by U.S. Army to whom Dr. Tiso had voluntary surrendered. He was put into chains (actually), taken to Prague and led through the streets of the Czech capital, then to Bratislava, to await trial 'for treason' and as 'war criminal'. Their doom was a foregone conclusion. Dr. Benes and his colleagues, who thirsted for revenge, would see to it that they would hang. Wherever Communists seize power, it is common knowledge, they seek to intrench themselves firmly by a reign of terror. They pursue a policy of inprisonment, torture and death to instill terror into the hearts of people everywhere in order to paralyze all efforts of opposition. So it happened in Slovakia. Thousands were marched off to prison on the slightest pretext or for no reason at all. Before long, the clergy and Religious were destined to feel the brunt of persecution as the postwar atheistic communist regime consolidated its power to an absolute degree. The Church became a prime target of the new rule that pulled no punches in its relentless drive to absolute political control of the country. The final disposition of President Tiso was an open secret. A coalition of Dr. Benes and his reprisal-minded clique in Prague with the communists sealed the fate of the stellar Slovak statesman. His trial for the sake of appearances dragged on through four months from December 1946 to March 1947 in an all out effort to discredit the Slovak president, the Slovak Republic and aspirations of the Slovak nation to statehood. Highly censored reports were is- 147 sued to the press . . . all radio coverage was strictly 'edited.' It became quite obvious that his enemies and the foes of Slovak freedom were determined to destroy him. None was more intransigent than Dr. Benes. Assurances that Dr. Tiso would be granted political amnesty in the event of a verdict of death proved to be h o 11 o w phrases. In the final showdown following the official pronouncement of death by hanging on charges of 'treason' neither Dr. Benes nor the 17 members of a special government panel of high officials relented in their attitude, they upheld the verdict of the court. President Tiso was executed at dawn on April 18, 1947. Witnesses of the execution of President Tiso testify that he was calm throughout the ordeal. He walked quietly and prayerfully to his death on the gallows. Even the official news dispatches confirmed this report of the last hours of Msgr. Tiso. News of the execution of the Slovak president deeply stirred his fellow countrymen everywhere. His grave in a Bratislava cemetery became a national shrine overnight. Thousands rushed to place flowers on his last resting place ... not for long however, for the body of the Slovak nation's martyr was exhumed, taken away and cremated and his ashes scattered in an unknown place lest Tiso's grave, or even his ashes, become a memorial for a grief-stricken nation. This, the government shamelessly admitted, was what prompted its decision to remove the body forever for fear that a permanent national shrine should be erected to the memory of President Tiso in Slovakia. After a score of years of Czech- �148 SLOVAKIA communist rule over Slovakia resistance to political oppression and religious persecution is as strong as ever. The memory of the vengeful postwar policies emanating from Prague produced a permanent cleavage between the Czechs and Slovaks. The author, as all loyal Slovaks believe, declares the death of Tiso completely and irreparably severed the ties between the Czechs and Slovaks for a permanent sta,t e. Experience of 20 years of Czech rule from the centralist Prague after World War I and another score of years of Czecho-communist oppression and ruthless religious persecution directed from the Czech capital has touched the lives of appiioximately 5 million Slovaks in their historic homeland and another 5 million Slovaks scattered around the world. These have vowed to keep faith with their honored dead not to rest until Slovakia is once more free and independent, and a Slovak state restored to its rightful place in the family of free nations of the world. Final evaluation of the impact of Dr. Tiso's personality and the influence under the most adverse circumstances imaginable must await the verdict of future historians. They will be able to view his time in its proper perspective, weigh all the factors involved and present the facts dispassionately and justly in the light of genuine evidence. The 'rise and fall' (to borrow a popular phrase) of President Tiso and the Slovak Republic will then be viewed in its proper setting and will be adjudged according to just merits. Postwar condemnation of Tiso and his government in the Slovak Republic will be erased as an unjust stigma of disgrace for which Czech foes of Slovak freedom are responsible. Having done nothing themselves to save their country from Nazi occupation, they vented their rage on the great Slovak leader who dared to lead his people towards national freedom and independence when the rest of Europe was on the verge of a war of revenge, fratricidal slaughter and genocide. Destruction of the Slovak Republic and the execution of its president and members of the Slovak government was meant to be the death knell of the Slovak nation's aspirations to freedom and statehood. This was not to be the final verdict nor the final destiny of the Slovak nation. The Slovaks are convinced their fate under God is not oblivion but survival, and a glolious revival of life in their own independent national state. Fr. Andrew Pir, O.S.B. SLOVAKS BYPASSED BY CZECHS IN INFLUENCE ON WILSON By Prof. Aitstin J. App, Ph.D ., LaSalle College The book, I mmigrants' Influen- President Wilson between 1917 and ce on Wilson's Peace Policies, edit- 1920 in shaping the disastrous ed by Prof. Joseph P. O'Grady, LaSalle College, written by various scholars, and published by .the University Press, Lexington, Kentucky (309 pages, $8.50 ) throws much light en the pressures exerted upon peace treaties of Versailles and St. Germain. Since these led to World War II and subsequent enslavement of all the countries carved out of the Austro-Hungarian empire, history must judge those �SLOVAKIA 149 treaties as calamities for Europe University, suggests that there and the world. were about 700,000 Slovak immigThe book shows that the Ger- rants in America during World man-Americans were too cowed to War I. The estimates for the Carinfluence the peace, though their patho-Ruthenians run all the way disillusionment with the Versail- from 6,299 to 500,000. Prof. Mamatey reports: les Treaty influenced the rejection of the Treaty by Congress. The "Whether or not it was due to British were enormously influen- the support of the American Slotial in getting the U.S. into war vaks, American officials never and later in checkmating the Irish questioned Masaryk's and Benes's wish for self-determination for Ire- right to speak for the Slovaks" land. The Zionists were enormously (p. 239). influential in preventing a separate The Slovak League of America , peace treaty with Turkey, securing formed in 1907, drafted a memothe dismemberment of the Turkish randum in July 1914, envisioning empire, and through the Balfour "only Slovak administrative and Declaration achieving the gradual cultural autonomy in Hungary, not take-over of Palestine. The Aust- independence or unity with the rians and the Hungarians, like the Czechs in a Czechoslovak state" German-Americans, had practically (p. 232). And until May, 1918, "no no influence on Wilson. The Yugo- Slovak expression of a desire for slav's had much, but not as much independence and union with Czeas the Italians. The Poles got prac- choslovakia was known abroad" tically everything they wanted, and (p. 238). so did the Czechs. However, in October, 1915, in The Czechs, through Masaryk and Cleveland, "the Bohemian National Benes, who were extremely shrewd Alliance and the Slovak League of and ruthless diplomatic operators, America agreed upon the 'Clevesucceeded in getting their aspira- land Pact,' which envisioned the estions considered as identical to tablishment of 'independence' and those of tlie Slovaks and Ruthen- 'union of the Czech and Slovak peoians. This induced Wilson to favor ples in a federal union of states the formation of Czecho-Slovakia, with full national autonomy for in which the Czechs had the hege- Slovakia" (p. 233 ). mony, and the promised autonomy By May, 1918, President Wilson for the Slovaks and Ruthenians, as endorsed the policy of breaking up well as that for the Sudeten-Ger- Austria-Hungary and encouraging mans, was recognized in word but the independence of all component violated in fact. nationalities. On May 30-31, 1918, Suggesting the importance in the peacemaking of these nationalities is the fact that three chapters are devoted to them: "The Czechs" by Otakar Odlozilik, "The Slovaks and Carpatho-Ruthenians" by Victor S. Mamatey, and "The Mid-European Union" by Arthur J. May, the three comprising pages 204-271. Prof. Mamatey, of Florida State in Pittsburgh the Bohemian National Alliance, the Federation of Czech Catholics, and the Slovak League of America endorsed a program drafted by Masaryk of the organization of Czechoslovakia. In it "Slovakia was to have her own administration and courts, for which Slovak would be the official language" (p. 237). Albert Mama- �150 SLOVAKIA tey had got inser,ted into Masaryk's draft Slovakia's desire for a "Diet." This Pittsburgh Pact was signed by Masaryk in Washington on November 14, 1918. According to these provisions, but as interpreted to the peacemakers by Masaryk and Benes, the Czecho-Slovak Republic was formed. Into it the three odd million Sudeten Germans were forced against their express will, and the assurance of autonomy given to the Slovaks and to the Carpatho-Ruthenians were "not fully implemented by the Czechoslovak government." Prof. Mamatey writes of "the unfulfilled promise of Slovak autonomy" (p. 249) . The book, of course, does not go beyond 1920, and therefore does not touch upon the tragedies that by 1945 had thrown all these unhappy peoples under the communistic tyranny. But the book as a whole and the three chapters dealing with Czecho-Slovakia help one understand the catastrophe of World War II and after-and suggest to the honest and wise what must be done to set things right. This includes granting the principle of self-determination as fully to the Slovaks as to the Czechs! Slovak Studies V. Historica 3. Slovak Institute, Cleve land-Rome, 1965, p. 268. Like its four predecessors, Slovak Studies V , Historica 3, is a boom to scholars and Slavists alike. Valuable in documentation, the contributions definitely enhance the growing English literature on Slovakia. The SS. Cyril and Methodius Institute in Rome can rightfully take pride in this 1967 publication. Among the contents in the current volume are research papers on Slovakia's Church history, cultural achievements, World War II political significance and linguistic eminence. Each learned discussion gives evidence of painstaking care and adherence to a factual, accurate account. Accompanied and supplemented by numerous documents in the original language, selective bibliographies, appendices, maps and footnotes , a total of six outstanding presentations combine to make this fifth volume of Slovak Studies truly remarkable. Taken topically, three essays deal with the development of Christianity among the Slovaks. Father Ernest Bouydosh, O.M.I., of Canada devotes a considerable portion of the volume to an analysis of "The Quadrennial Reports of the Archbishop of Strigonia to Rome." Introducing the "ad limina" reports found in the archives of the Sacred Congregation of the Council, the author examines the state of the Church in Hungary from the Tridentine era. "The historical value of these reports," writes Father Buoydosh, "lies in the fact that they are first hand documents reflecting the spiritual life of the dioceses, an aspect too often neglected in our historiography. Some of these reports also have an exceptional demographic value." The reports, printed in the original language in which they were sent to Rome, span three centuries, beginning chronologically from August 15, 1598 and ending March 5, 1827. Next follows an informative monograph on the Camaldulese Hermitage, known as the Red Monastery, from the gifted pen of a Jesuit scholar, Dr. Michael Lacko of Rome. Making extensive use of the documents preserved in the Hermitage of Frascati near Rome, the Archives of the Greek-Catholic �SLOVAKIA Bishopric of Presov, and the Vatican Archives, Dr. Lacko has reconstructed a fascinating portrait of the evolution of religious life in Slovakia. He traces the beginnings of the Camaldulese Hermitage (Red Monastery) in Nitra, Slovakia, to the Monte Corono Hermitage of Central Italy. Of special interest is the work of Father Romuald Hadbavny, a Slovak hermit of such a Red Monastery in Spis County. An acknowledged scholar, he compiled a Latin-Slovak dictionary in 1763 which is still extant in manuscript form. He was also the first translator of Sacred Scripture into the Slovak language. His work is known today as "the Camaldulese Bible." Interestingly enough, Dr. Lacko notes nationalistic tendencies among the hermits, who early in the eighteenth century were already yearning for national hermitages. Vicissitudes of the era proved detrimental to the Red Monastery. For several centuries now it no longer functions according to its original purpose. Recently it has been restored as a museum and tourist attraction. It is in observance of this event that Father Lacko has favored the readers of Slovak Studies V with the present account. An impressive array of Latin documents (pp. 112-203), June 28, 1691 to 1781 amply demonstrate his thorough research in this field . A short discussion on "Slovak Greek-Catholics in America" blends well with the above. Mr. George Polak of West Liberty State College analyzes a chapter of Cyril Korolevskij's biography of the Metropolitan Andrew Szeptyckyj. While generously praising the work in general, Mr. Polak seems to take umbrage at the author's confusion concerning Slovak Greek-Catholics. Perhaps rightly so. A biographer is 151 in a broad sense of the term an historian; as such, it is essential that he presents accurate, precise information. To identify the Slovaks of the Byzantine-Slavonic Rite as the "Ruthenians from Sub-Carpathia" or the Slovaks from Eastern Slovakia as "Slavs from SubCarpathia" is both misleading and ethnically untrue. In "a noted authority on the Eastern Church and a Catholic priest of the Byzantine-Slavonic Rite," even though he is a native of France, such discrepancies are deplorable. Mr. Polak's argument would seem to be well taken and his point of view valid. Invaluable to an adequate understanding of the eighteen month interval of Slovak history between March, 1939 and August, 1940, is the "Collapse of the Czecho-Slovakia in Vatican Documentation." As a responsible historian, Frantisek Vnuk, the author, views these months in the light of the documents, eleven in number, found among the Vatican Published Archives, as crucial for Central Europe. His pithy observations substantiated by eye witness accounts of reliable authors, focus the events in proper perspective. His criticisms are well worth noting. An Appendix contains all eleven documents in the original Italian. Linguistically, William S. Patala's contribution to this volume is illuminating. "A Class in Twelve Slavic Languages," though brief in content, is rich in suggestions and ideas. Father Patala of the Steubenville Diocese describes a three year course which he taught with "appreciable success." How he managed to teach twelve related languages in one class period per week makes delightful reading. The author's imaginative approach to the teaching of languages, warmly �152 SLOVAKIA endorsed by the once prominent Slavist of Columbia, Dr. A. P. Coleman, deserves further experimentation. A dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Librarianship of Marywood College, Scranton, Pennsylvania by Sister M . Emma Hvozdovic, SS.C.M., is deservedly included in Slovak Studies V. Sister M. Emma's "History and Accomplishments of the Society of Saint Adalbert, Trnava, Slovakia" is the inspiring record of Catholic Slovakia's effort to preserve and cultivate its Cyril-Methodian heritage in the face of contrary forces. In 1870 Father Andrew Radlinsky founded the St. Adalbert Society (the name of SS. Cyril and Methodius would not have been permitted in its title) to publish Catholic books and periodicals, to encourage the arts, and to promote Catholic Slovak culture in general. Through the years it succeeded in placing in the hands of the people several editions of the Bible and at least 14 editions of the famous family prayerbook Nabozne Vylevy. It made available for church use the official Slovak Catholic hymnal and the official Slovak Catholic Common Book of Prayer. It provided for its membership, which extended beyond Slovakia, a wealth of reading material on every vital subject. It sowed the good seed. Today, if Communism is rampant in Slovakia, what else can one say, but that "an enemy hath done this." Written in a smooth and engaging style, the dissertation is based entirely upon Slovak sources and contains a selective bibliography. Its publication in Slovak Studies V is most timely in view of the approaching centenary of the founding of the society. One cannot help contrasting the former years of plenty with the present "winter over the land," when the Society's hands are tied and the people are crying for the Word of God, for Bibles, prayer-books, catechisms, hymnals. May God hasten the day when we shall witness again the fulfillment of the promise, "Happy those who hunger and thirst for what is right: they shall be satisfied." So much for the plus side of Historica 3. On the minus side one must warn the reader to expect frequent typographical errors which mar one's pleasure in perusing the excellent features. Also, it seems unfortunate, at least to this writer, to find so many precious docu-ments left in their original language, Latin, Italian, French. While scholars the world over are generally proficient with one or more foreign tongues, Latin documents are for the most part a closed book to American students. Strangely enough, only one of the contributors, Frantisek Vnuk of Australia, has seen fit to recognize this problem realistically. He has translated all documents used throughout his essay, leaving them in the original only at the end of his work. This surely makes his contribution of greater value to students than it would have been otherwise. Since the· volume is obviously intended for English-speaking readers, it would have been wise to consider this element. Considered as a whole, however, Slovak Studies V is distinctly notable addition to any library. Sister M. Ev angela Lubek, SS.C.M. Jorg K. Hoensch: Die Slowakei und Hitler's Ostpolitik (Hlinkas Slowakische Volkspartei zwischen Autonomie und Separation 1938-1939). Bohlau Verlag, Koln-Graz, 1965, p. 390. �SLOVAKIA While there have been several scholarly books in English on recent history of Slovakia (J. A. Mikus, J. M. Kirschbaum, L. G. Oddo, K. Glasser, M. G. Voytko, F. Vnuk), in the German language literature dealing with Slovak problems is surprisingly scarce. The above volume attracted attention of the academic publications in Europe and since it brings some new aspects and new evaluation of the problems of Central Europe we have decided to review it. J. K. Hoensch's book is a well documented treatise of the crucial period of Slovakia's modern history: October 1938-March 1939. The declaration of Slovakia's independence in the intricate international situation of 1939 has been subject to controversial interpretations and although this book is abundant with references to sources in several languages, it will be hardly the last word. There is a clear tendency of the writer to avoid adopting either the Czech interpretation or the Slovak thesis that Slovakia had no other choice and cannot be blamed for applying the right to self-determination just because Germany made it possible. The door to the German Drang nach Osten was open at the Munich Conference and the peoples of the Danubian basin accepted the agreement of the four European Great Powers, who prepared the stage for the ensuing drama. This being clear, the writer examined the policy of the largest Slovak party-the Hlinka's Slovak Populist Party-and tried to find out if, when, and to what extent, Slovaks were involved in helping the Germans march towards the East. In comparison with other writers on this subject, Hoensch was in a privileged position of having the 153 access to the diplomatic archives of Germany and also to archives and sources of the Communist Czecho-Slovakia and Poland. On the other hand, his German ancestry, although he was brought up in Slovakia, may have been responsible for a certain bias which is evident particularly in some conclusions in the introduction to his work. Hoensch found a willing tool for German political concepts only in a group of the so-called radicals in the Slovak Populist Party, whose organ, according to him, was the bi-monthly Nastup, which, can hardly be substantiated as historically true. In addition, Hoensch came with a list of names of persons who either had nothing to do with the publication, because they were still in highschool, or belonged to the radical wing of the Party, but at the time of Tuka's imprisonment by Prague (Tuka was condemned, 1929, on "flimsy evidence" according to Macartney and other British historians to 15 years imprisonment for subversive activities), they had no connection whatsoever with Germany and were known as polonophiles. Except for Alexander Mach and Karol Murgas none of the persons mentioned by Hoensch belonged to Tuka's circle and actually could not be active in politics in 1938 because of their age or because of their studies at foreign universities, one even at the St. Cyr military academy in Paris (J. Stasko) . On the other hand, Nastup certainly had nothing to do with Tuka after his release from prison in 1938. This faux pas could seriously damage Hoensch's work, because he repeatedly used the names and therefore it was hardly an oversight. It would not, however, be �154 SLOVAKIA fair to discard the book for this error,, even if it is hard to explain how it occurred. Hoensch accumulated a great deal of information on Slovak politics in a period which decided the fate of Slovakia during and after the Second World War. He also .tried to evaluate the policy of the Slovak Populist Party and of individual politicians with much less bias than it has been done by Czech or Western historians who adopted the Czech point of view. Nevertheless, he apparently let his feelings influence his judgement when he wrote about certain Slovak politicians like Dr. F. f>urcansky, for instance, who was one of the strongest personalities in Slovak politics but for his opposition to German pressure was ousted already in 1940 together with the editor in chief of Nastup and the publication was banned. Hoensch used profusely also materials published by the Communist historians in Slovakia and some of his conclusions are undoubtedly influenced by their works. His general evaluation of Slovak efforts for an independent policy and his sympathetic attitude towards Slovakia's desire to emancipate herself from any foreign rule, infuriated, however, the communist critics. They first hailed the work in Kuiturny zivot, but later in Historicky casopis disagreed with his approach to the Slovak question as well as with his rather objective evaluation of the basic policy and the role of the Hlinka's Party in Slovak political life before the Second World War, as well as in the first years of the Slovak Republic. Slovak scholars and politicians should deal with this book in detail, because it offers a first class opportunity for correcting many misconceptions and biased views which the adversaries of Slovakia's striving for independence smuggled into the Western historiography. J . M . Kirschbaum Slovenska otcina, III. zviizok. Zostavil: Jan Elias. Vydal: 0. Frantisek Fuga, Hamilton, Ont., Canada, 1967. 432 p. This, the third and final volume of SLOVENSKA OTCINA, like its preceding issues, is an anthology of formal and informal articles and poems, interspersed with numerous pictures and some maps, all aimed at recapturing in print the rich heritage of life in Slovakia_ In this third volume, it is the western counties of Slovakia which are featured. The same format and style as that of the preceding volumes dealing with the eastern and central "zupy" is retained. The articles again have been culled from interested contributors-in this case, one hundred Slovak men and women: intellectuals, professionals, politicians, non-professionals, of various educational background, social milieux, political affiliations, and religious convictions. The names of these contributors are co.Rveniently listed in the back of the volume, with a brief comment of a personal nature, but no article or page reference is given. The literary contributions in turn have been capably edited by the following-Prof. Dr. Jozef M. Kirschbaum: Bratislava; Prof. Ing. Frantisek Vnuk: Tekov ; Draga Paucova: Nitra ; Imrich Stolarik: Trencin; Jan Elias: Komarno. The net result is a smooth-reading chronicle of the times and places dearest to the heart of the Slovak people. The book is more than a description and travel account of �SLOVAKIA Slovakia on a narrative of its social life and customs. Almost unconsciously it breathes the soul, the spirit, the life of the nation which transcends all boundaries. The first part of this last volume contains valuable assorted articles on life related to times in the Slovak Republic period. Fittingly, the volume is dedicated to Msgr. Jozef Tiso, the first and only President of the Republic, whose picture is imprinted on the cover. The articles bearing on Tiso are mainly of the personal ty.pe, e.g., Tiso--clovek; Tiso-milovnik deti; prezidentova matka; Tisovo mesto. They are valuable vignettes for future biographers of the President-Martyr. Other significant articles found in this first section include facsimiles of the stamps issued during the period of the Slovak Republic and of citizenship papers, passport records, and other legal documents. Accounts of the status of education-both higher and rural, of the thriving tobacco and sugar industries, and of the banks of the Republic keep before the reader's mind the degree of successful cultural and economic pursuits of the Republic period. A very concise resume of Independent Slovakia, its formation and treacherous overthrow, keep the political sentiments of the people in perspective. The high cultural attainments of the Slovak people are reflected in two accounts. One gives the status of Matica Slovenska in exile today; the other tells of the activities of Svoradov, a once active bulwark of Slovak intelligentsia. By way of exception, three articles rooted on American soil are found in this first section. They are concerned with the Benedictine Abbey in Cleveland, 0 ., the Sisters of SS. Cyril and Methodius in Danville, Pa. , and the Daughters of 155 the Most Holy Redeemer in Gary, Ind. It may be concluded that the editors felt each of these institutes reflected the ideals of the Slovak Republic and are, or will be, instrumental in its rebirth. Each of the five following sections begins with a detailed map of the area. Unfortunately, the map reproductions in this third volume are not as clear as those in the preceding volumes. The Confucius proverb stated at the beginning of volume I, "Jeden obrazok ma taku cenu ako 1000 slov" ("A picture is worth 1000 words.") is, however, verified throughout the volumes. Especially enriching are those pictures directly related to the article. On the other hand, the irregular inclusion of authors' photographs, some formal and some informal, distracts somewhat from the material at hand. The articles themselves are unevenly distributed-20 on Bratislava, 5 on Komarno, 24 on Nitra, 11 on Tekov, and 31 on Trencin-a matter of no surprise, however, because of the unequal geographic distribution of city life in the various counties and the centralization of historical and cultural activities in Bratislava, Nitra, and Trencin. In each section, the history of the region comes alive mainly through small everyday accounts of the writers' remembrances of their own or their parents' experriences in the homeland region. As in the other two volumes, an effort again has been made by the editors to maintain a balance of articles representative of historical significance and notable personages in each area. For example, the Bratislava section has articles alluding to the archeological findings in Bratislava dated 2000 B.C.; to the famous Franciscan church in �156 SLOVAKIA Malacky; to the universities of Trnava; and brief essays on Konstantin Culen and Kral' Svatopluk, all of which nicely link the present with the past. The Komarno section has an article describing its museum and the county's historical significance in regard to Magyar influence. The Nitra section fittingly includes accounts of its royal and religious heritage enshrined in its castles and churches. The Tekov section enlightens the reader on its "Cantus Catholici" (1655), its pilgrimage site of Sv. Bei'iadik, its historic site of "Hronsky Svaty Kriz, and its mint at Kremnica. The Trencin section tells of the cave of Sv. Andrej Svorad, the birthplaces of Dr. Jozef Tiso in Vel'ka Bytca and ~udovit ~tur in Uhrovec, and the "Drotar" choir composed of natives from two hamlets in Trencin. The numberless essays not mentioned here are not less interesting or significant. Many of them give not only deep insight into the character, talents, and virtues of the Slovak people, but also provide explanation from concrete examples for the strained, and at times, hostile relationships between the Slovaks and the Czechs, between the Slovaks and the Magyars, and even among the Slovak people themselves. They each ring with a sincere tone which escapes chauvinism and marks this work as one stamped with loyalty, devotion, and real, hardly romantic, remembrances of a ruptured "free" homeland. The trilogy ends with a brief tracing of the history of SLOVENSKA OTCINA on a map, a call to its readers in the free world to champion the cause of freedom for the Slovak nation, and a wish that the articles within the three volumes, covering twenty Slovak counties or "zupy," contributed by 200 Slovak men and women, will help keep alive in the readers' minds and hearts the "fatherland " until that day when the Slovak Republic will rise again. Typical of the Slovak people, it concludes with a prayer to the Almighty Father and to the Mother of Seven SorrowsPatroness of Slovakia, for aid in the self-sacrificing work entailed in securing this just cause. The completed volumes are indeed a tribute to the faith, devotion, and self-sacrifice of its general publisher, 0. Frantisek Fuga, S.T.L., of Canada; general editor, Jan Elias; and contributors drawn from every rank of Slovak emigrants. The v,o lumes proclaim their single desire to keep before the world first-hand knowledge and a true image of the civilized, cultured Slovak people whose fatherland's name SLOVAKIA is already relegated to second place on maps, and whose official language is ever gradually being replaced by the use of Czech words, e.g., as illustrated on a 1962 Bratislava calendar in volume three, p. 218. The three volumes of the excellent series, SLOVENSKA OTCINA, are a "must" for every institution or private home with any Slovak connection, including public libraries and higher institutes of learning. In the older generation of Slovak birth, they will surely stir up fond related memories; in the younger, a rightful pride in their ancestry. Even non-Slovak people studying the language or second and third generation Slovaks who have lost speaking fluency but who still umlerstand the language can be motiviated to read the conversational type articles. A teacher of social studies, in particular, should find the material reliable source background. The books, in effect, evince the �SLOVAKIA Slovak people's " passion for freedom"-freedom of country and freedom of religion. The character, the talents, the virtues, the sufferings under exploitation, and the dreams of the Slovak people should arouse in the reader a response to hope, work, and pray that the contents of these volumes will serve as 157 a means of restoring to the Slovaks their rightful cherished dreams of freedom-soon, before the forces in Communist-controlled, Czech dominated Slovakia wipe out its smoldering embers. Then the efforts of the publisher and staff will not have been in vain. Sr. M. Raymund Horvath, SS.C.M. TWO PUBLICATIONS ON THE PRESIDENT DR. J. TISO Vnuk, F., Dr. Jozef Tiso - President of the Slovak Republic, (The Association of Australian Slovaks, Sydney) , 1967, 50 p. ill. Durica, M. S., Die Slowakische Politik 1938/ 39 im Lichte der Staatslehre Tisos (Slovak Policy 1938/ 39 in the Light of Tiso's Political Thought), (Emil Semmel Verlag, Bonn) , 1967, 49 p. summarizJ.ng Dr. Tiso's achievements, his role in the struggle of the Slovak people for equality of rights in Czecho-Slovakia and finally for national independence in the troubled period before and during the Second World War, to his mar tyr's death. In the sub-title of his work, Prof. Vnuk mentions that it was published "In commemoration of the twentieth anniversary of his (Dr. Tiso's) death at the hands of his enemies of Slovak independence", but it is not a current commemorative booklet. The author gives the reader in a nutshell, a serious anci well-documented analysis not only of Dr. Tiso's political life-struggle, but also an excellent survey of Slovak politics and of the treacheries and perfidy of the adversaries of Slovak independence. The booklet is divided into 15 chapters and also includes several photographs and a map of Slova- The twentieth anniversary of President Tiso's execution by the communists with Dr. Benes as an eager accomplice, prompted the Slovak political refugees in the Free World to write many articles on Dr. Tiso and his courageous struggle. In book form, the above studies by prominent young Slovak scholars were published and both deserve to be carefully read. Prof. Vnuk's booklet is a wellbalanced and well-written presentation of Dr. Tiso and of his political career to the democratic world. After writing hundreds of articles and two books on political and cul- * Neuveritel'ne sprisahanie (An Incredible Conspiracy), (Literartural topics from modern Slovak ny Almanach Slovaka v Amerike, history,* Vnuk was one of the best Middletown, Pa.), 1964. qualified persons to seriously tackle with the subject. He displayed a Sedemruist' neurodnych rokov, <:onsiderable knowledge of foreign (Nacrt slovenskej literatury v and domestic sources on the crucrokooh 1945-62) (An outline of ial years of Slovakia's modern hisSlovak literature in 1945-62) , tory in all his writings and used it ( Slovak v Amerike, Middletown, with skill and good judgment in Pa.), 1965. �158 SLOVAKIA kia. There could hardly be a better concised presentation of "the case of Tiso", as it has been done by Vnuk. In equally sober and scholarly manner is written also Prof. M. S. !>urica's analysis of Slovak politics "in the light of Tiso's political thought and teaching". Both !>urica and Vnu.k belong to the younger generation of Slovak scholars in the Free World and while they lived in Slovakia during the crucial years of her history, they were too young to be involved personally in politics, which is undoubtedly an advantage. Nobody can seriously accuse them of speaking "pro domo sua", as the adversaries of Slovakia's aspirations for freedom used to do with regard to other Slovak writers on political subjects. !>urica also has a thorough preparation for his work and is equipped with probably the best knowledge of German and other European diplomatic sources on Slovakia, as his Italian book and numerous studies in other languages indicate.** The present publication is actually his lecture at the FriedrichWilhems-Universitat in Bonn to the students of all Faculties on June 12, 1967. Like Vnuk, !>urica also gives first a survey of Slovak history to make his subject more intelligible to his listeners. Then he speaks about the political thought (he uses the word Lehre-teaching) of Dr. Tiso and about the crisis of 1938/ 39. The·r e are all the elements of a serious scholarly paper in !>urica's publication, and it presents Dr. Tiso and Slovak politics to the Western world in an objective light, fighting only indirectly all the distortions and political propaganda which was spread by the communists and non-communists who adopted Czech and anti-Slovak conceptions about modern Slovak history. It would be only recommendable to make the lecture available in the English language, in which some scholars still rely on tendencious literature and rarely make their own research of original sources. The publication is enhanced by a bibliography of select works on Slovakia. J . M . Kirschbaum ** See my review of his book La Slovacchia e le sue relazioni politiche con la Germania 1938-1945, in Slavic and East European Studies, Vol. X, 1-2, p.69-70. Studia H istorica Slovaka IV - Vydavatel'stvo Slovenskej Akademie Vi ed, Bratislava, 1966. Multi-li ngual, 290 p . The thaw behind the Iron Curtain reached Czecho-Slovakia later than the other satelite countries, but the results of the little freedom which the intellectuals have been allowed, becomes slowly apparent in several fields of cultural endeavor. Historiography is one of these fields and the volume under the review indicates that the intellectual climate is changing. For a long time not only poets and writers, but also historians, linguists and scholars in general were forced by the regime to accept Marxist theories and criteria and to be a political tool of the communist party. In historiography this was evident in all works dealing not only with the recent history of Slovakia, but the Marxist interpretation with strong political overtones was applied even to the early centuries and Middle Ages of the Slovak historical development. In the most distorted way was treated especially the period of the �SLOVAKIA Slovak Republic, the events of the Second World War, and the role of the Communist party in Slovakia since 1918 and particularly since 1944. A few books and symposia published since 1965 would indicate that this Marxist period of historiography is over. Historians, panelists and researchers are coming with views and interpretations which are much closer to the historical truths and objectivity. In the volume under the review this new trend is apparent mainly in K. Rebro's "Attempts at a rightful solution of the Slovak national question in the revolutionary years 1848-49" and Zd. Holotikova's "The Slovak Question and Czechoslovak Communist Party in pre-Munich Czechoslovakia." While the first contribution is free of the tendency to present the Slovak past as a part of "Czechoslovak" political development and views the events as an expression of the Slovak people to achieve Slovak national goals and equality of treatment with other component parts of the Habsburg Empire, the second contribution is free to a great degree of various myths which penetrated Slovak historiography with regard to the role of the Communist Party in pre-War Czecho-Slovakia. The Communist Party in Slovakia was a conglomerate of national minorities with strong preponderance of Hungarians, Czechs ( even Gottwald lived in Slovakia) and 159 others. Slovaks were not only in minority, but until 1930 did not have Slovak leadership. Only the return of Slovak students from Prague (among them Clementis, Novomesky, Ponican, Va.mos, Okaly, etc.) gave the communist movement in Slovakia some Slovak flavour. As for program, the party had none which can be interpreted as considering particular Slovak problems and national aspirations, except for linguistic rights. Communists of Slovak origin were led by Czechs and nolens-volens subscribed to the "Czechoslovak" conception and while they fought in Spain or wanted to solve problems of the world, they had little time for specific Slovak questions, and not much understanding for the struggle in which the majority of the Slovak people were involved. Holotikova still tries to explain, embellish and interpret the historical facts in favour of the Communists, but it is necessary to admit that she comes close to the historical truth and her courage and intellectual honesty are evident in many parts of her treatise. The contributions are published in German, English and French, and there is an apparent improvement in the translations in comparison with the previous volumes. The volume has for Western historians certain value, but cannot still be accepted without necessary cautiousness. J . M. Kirschbaum TAK SME SA POZNALI Tak sme sa poznali. Dr. Jozef Pauco. gaging title TAK SME SA POZNAPublished by Slovak v Amerike, LI (So Have We Known One Middletown, Pa., 1967, 281 p. Illus- Another) can be expected to entrations. compass mulUple and varied per- Dr. Joseph Pauco's MEMOIRS, sonal contacts as well as deep inwhich he has issued under the en- sight, broad vision and a skillful �160 SLOVAKIA pen. The author is a scholar, a man of the people, an editor, a journalist, a lecturer, a politician. The era he portrays was at once shatteringly disruptive and marvelously formative in its application to Central Europe and specifically to Slovakia. The men who played the leading roles in the drama of the Slovak Republic (1939-1945) were true to human nature: some giants, some midgets, some heroes, some traitors. The MEMOIRS acquire merit and authenticity from the position and the qualifications of the author. Dr. Pauco is a man whose roots rest deep in the common people. He was born in Slovakia in 1914. His father had died in the war, and so the first influences that left their mark on him came from his mother. This typical Slovak woman loved truth, right, freedom; she admired and vigorously supported the leaders who represented these qualities in government and society. The author's family, his village, his neighbors were poor in material possessions, but they were thoroughbreds in honor, dignity, integrity, courage. Dr. Pauco is a scholar, with a doctorate from Bratislava University, possessing specialized knowledge of Slovak history in its various ramifications and competent to interpret current events and human motives and aspirations. From his student days he manifested a predilection for journalism and contributed regularly to student publications and eventually also to the public press. In 1938 he served as editor of the young people's energetic Nastup. The following year he became editor of the People's Party daily, Slovenska Pravda, and in 1940 he was promoted to the staff of the Party's daily, Slovak, and became its editor in 1942. By his own account, Dr. Pauco was from childhood interested also in public speaking. He studied and admired Hlinka and Tiso, Hrusovsky and Mederly as much for their "platforms" as for their superlative ability to hold an audience spellbound. As a young student he participated in debates and panels and soon became known as a capable orator. Throughout his life he has delivered hundreds of lectures both in Europe and in America on subjects ranging from Slovak nationalism to party politics, from Slovak religious history to language. Dr. Pauco was a politician in the sense that he participated in civic movements and campaigns for human rights, and as a journalist, lecturer and editor he took a stand on political and party issues consonant with his convictions. In Tak sme sa poznali, Dr. Pauco describes his encounters with persons at the helm of the Slovak Republic, whose names are known to every Slovak. Who has not heard of Dr. Jozef Tiso, Andrej Hlinka, Karol Sidor, Frantisek Hrusovsky, Jozef Kirschbaum, Ferdinand !>urcansky, Vojtech Tuka, Sano Mach, Konstantin Culen, Andrej .Zarnov? The list is long. Some of the author's encounters with these men were casual, others in the line of duty. Some were friendly, some disappointing, others bristled with conflict. They began in the author's impressionable childhood, gained momentum in his student days at Svoradov and reached their climax when he was editor of Slovak and a leader of the People's Party. The impact of these encounters perhaps loses some of its potency for American Slovaks, to whom the system of Slovak government, the g e o g r a p h i c a 1 setting, details, �SLOVAKIA 161 of Slovak history and intricacies of however, hoping to curry German the Slovak position are not tho- favor, were bent on deporting and roughly familiar. One would like to exterminating the Jews. They sucknow more; one would like to ask ceeded in passing the infamous questions. But the personalities Jewish Codex, which however Tiso that emerge are superb. managed somewhat to mitigate by Some interesting sidelights on the inclusion of the clause permitcontroversial problems can be ting the President and other oftrailed throughout the book. Take ficers to intervene and prevent the the Jewish question, for example. deportation of any Jew allegedly There were always some Jews on essential to the nation•s welfare. It the staff of the Slovak. They con- is estimated that in this way Presitinued at their posts even after the dent Tiso saved the lives of some laws against them became extreme, 9000 Jews. being saved from deportation by At Tiso's trial Archbishop Kmet' the "urgency" clause with which ko testified that the President did President Tiso had managed to off- not sign the Jewish Codex, that he set the inhumanity of a cruel law. in fact repudiated it. And the ConThere was in Slovakia a certain ference of Slovak Bishops declared "garnitura," a set headed by Prime that Tiso was so incensed at the Minister Vojtech Tuka, which passing of the Jewish Codex that favored collaboration with the he was prepared to resign from ofNazis in the full sense of the term fice. Only the thought that he and which pressed for the exter- might yet save the situation from mination of the Jews. Strongly op- becoming worse, and because the posing him were Tiso and his fol- Jews themselves pleaded with him lowers in the People's Party, the did he decide to remain at his broad masses, who upheld God's post. law and the human rights of ever y From this book the impression individual, not excepting the Jews. grows that " true" Slovaks were In his propaganda tactics Tuka is- not so much anti-German, antisued a newspaper in which he Czech, anti-Communist, anti-Socialscornfully labeled Tiso and his fol- ist, as they were altogether wholelowers "white Jews" and "half heartedly, singlemindedly, unreJews" because of their protective servedly Slovak. Their pro-Slovak stand in favor of the Jews. On the aspirations cast out and left no room other hand, Minister Sano Mach, for any negative elements. Such who was Tuka's faithful henchman, genuine patriotism and true nais nevertheless known to have re- tionalism is God-given in the natusisted Nazi pressure for sterner ral law, as expressed by President laws against the Jews in Slovakia Tiso in his last statement to the and to have personally intervened nation : " 'For God and nation' is a in saving many Jewish lives. positive command of God, Who inIndeed Dr. Pauco presents the stituted it as the natural law and "case of the Jews in Slovakia" with planted it in the heart of the nagreat fidelity and impartial objec- tion and in the heart of its every tivity. The Slovak President did all member." in his power to protect the Jews. The Slovak Republic was born The Slovak State opposed the per- and its direction chartered under secution of the Jews. Certain ele- the most searing circumstances. ments in the Slovak government, Within it men's souls were tested. �162 SLOVAKIA Some good men, who had served the State, while it lasted, with admirable loyalty and devotedness, failed Slovakia in her greatest hour of crisis in 1945 and thereafter. Dr. Pauco speaks sadly of these, for their greatest injury was their own personal ,p erfidy. Not all men can be heroes, but all men can be true. In the drama of the Slovak Republic, heroes predominated. The reader can only marvel at the integrity, the competence, the singleminded purpose, the energetic pursuit of an ideal, the perserverance of these men. The author does not hesitate to declare that had they been in the service of a world power, they would have become internationally renowned figures . Slovakia is rightly proud of them. What was the situation in Slovakia? Her most valiant warrior, Andrej Hlinka, who had weathered years of stormy resistance to Magyar oppression and had actively challenged a Czech so-called democratic regime for 20 years, had died on the eve of the proclamation of the Slovak Republic. In the realization of its bid for independence Slovakia now found itself on the international stage, thrust there by Hitler, and the unrehearsed performance of the drama which ensued taxed the leaders to the utmost. Yet in every forward step they invoked the law and adhered steadfastly to Christian principles despite pressures that nearly crushed them. Who were the leaders? Older men. Seasoned politicians like President Jozef Tiso, Jozef Buday, Ferdis Juriga, Jozef Srobar; younger men, who had acquired some experience in government and public affairs, like Karol Sidor, Frantisek Hrusovsky, Karol Mederly, Pavol Oplustil, Konsto Culen, Tido Gaspar, Andrej ~arnov; and the very young, fresh from the universities, like Jozef Kirschbaum, Ferdinand 1'.lurcansky, and Dr. Jozef Pauco himself. Dr. Jozef Pauco is proud of his generation and the achievements they accumulated to their credit in that stirring time. Their enthusiasm and tireless energy were phenomenal. The older men relied on them, encouraged them, supported them , and excused their inevitable mistakes in favor of the obvious and sincere love of their nation which motiviated them. Dr. Pauco's book is his answer to the oft-repeated question: "How well did you know N.N?" Each encounter, each portrayal is penetrating, engrossing, and vividly alive. As a sampling of the author's method, let me sketch - all too briefly, however, -Dr. Pauco's encounters with the key figure, President Jozef Tiso. How did he come to know Dr. Tiso? First of all. by hearsay. From his mother, who referred to this remarkable priest as a gift from heaven to the Slovak people. From a casual reference of Tiso's bishop who described the pastor of Banovce as an exceptional priest. Pauco's first view of Tiso was at a political rally in Nitra when he was still too young to understand the speaker's words; but was deeply impressed by his manner of speaking, his gestures, his voice, and the reaction of the crowds. Tiso was indeed a remarkable man: what his mother used to tell him was true. His whole being responded to the magnetism and charm of Tiso. His second encounter with Tiso also occurred in historic Nitra in the year of its Christian Jubilee 1933. Slovak youth was there, bursting with enthusiasm, alert for action. Somehow Paufo found him- �SLOVAKIA self in the youthful vanguard around the speaker's tribune. The first to address the vast crowds was Dr. Tiso, who directed his stirring words on the significance of the occasion mainly to the young. His words came out in a series of questions which the audience punctuated with loud bursts of cheering: "Can a nation which embraced Christianity 1100 years ago be an unknown quantity? Does not such a nation possess the attributes of culture? Can such a nation repudiate its past history? Shall such a nation grovel before slave drivers? Has not such a nation the right vigorously and categorically to demand the same natural rights to self-identity as any of its neighbors?" There was no end to the questions. 163 party leaders. Pauco concludes that Tiso's articles were every bit as "subversive" as Hlinka's and Sidor's, but they lacked certain explosive words which the censors, using their dictionaries perhaps, obviously watched for. Pauco further opines that Tiso's erudition and style were beyond the grasp of the censors and their command of the language. But they made their mark in the hearts of the people. Pauco's first actual, person-toperson meeting with Tiso came as the result of a lecture engagemet at a school headed by Tiso. In a friendly chat that passed from personal to political and national topics, Pauco was happy to note the absence of any patronizing or censorious postures. On the contrary, Tiso conveyed complete confidence in his guest as a speaker and evinced an honest respect for his personal views. Dr. Pauco mentions that he had here an opportunity for the first time to observe Andrej Hlinka as a spectator in the audience. Hlinka applauded more vigorously than A meeting that stands out as the young people themselves and unique for Dr. Pauco was his preover and over called out "Na sla- sentation of greetings in the name vu," in praise of Tiso. of the Slovak Catholic Students Federation to Dr. Jozef Tiso on the Nevertheless, as Dr. Pauco notes, occasion of the declaration of SloHlinka and Tiso were two divervakia's independence on March 14, gent personalities. In his discourses 1939. It was brief and straight from Hlinka aroused the people as with the heart: "God help you, Sir Prime fire. Tiso's words were more pro- Minister." found , each one carrying its weight. There were other meetings with Tiso, literally hun<lreds of them , Dr. Pauco quotes a friend's reafter Pauco became editor of the mark that paragraphs from HlinSlovak. The Slovak was Tiso's newska's and Sidor's articles in the parpaper, yet he never dictated to its ty press were much oftener deeditor. He was satisfied that it was leted by the Czech censors and faithful to the People's Party, to their columns showed many more its ideals, to Christian statesmanwhite spaces than did those of ship and Christian principles in Tiso. Pauco looked into this ingeneral. His one word of advice teresting observation. He pulled out was, "Hold fast to the Slovak line." the old issues of various newspapers, including uncensored copies, President Tiso visited the editor's and compared the texts of these office regularly once a week and �164 SLOVAKIA The name of Dr. Tiso appears throughout Tak sme sa poznali. The men portrayed in its pages were either for or against the Slovak State, which is another way of saying they were either with Tiso Dr. Pauco presents the substance or against him. of many of these meetings. They President Tiso had his enemies, constitute a remarkable and authentic dossier of Tiso's policies, his ob- and they were not only the Gerjectives, and his views on perplex- mans. They included men in the ing situations, on government of- government, headed by Prime Minficials , on history and world affairs, ister Vojtech Tuka. Dr. Pauco carefully differentiates between Presiincluding America. dent, the government and the SloPages are written about Tiso's vak State. How the Slovak State identification and contact with the managed to come into existence, common people, both as President assume responsibility for its welland as a pastor of Banovce. People being and development and actualhad free access to him always. In ly achieve a high standard of operatheir visits throughout the country, tion despite pressures from within towns and villages, Tiso and his out and opposition and challenges representatives were a cc o rd e d from within, this is the account one honors from the people utterly de- reads with admiration in Dr. voted to them. And Tiso took every Pauco's book. occasion to instruct the people on But Dr. Tiso was not merely optitheir duties to the state, and they responded with the utmost generos- mistic for the fate of the Slovak ity. Well-known is the people's sup- Republic; he had the highest trust port of the national economy and in God's Providence for it. We retheir generous offering of all their echo that trust and believe firmly gold jewelry to supply the neces- that Dr. Pauco's book will be one sary gold backing for the banks in of the means God will use to acquaint the world with the truth the first months of the Republic. about Slovakia and to lead it to Tough realist that he was known acknowledge Slovakia's right to to be, Tiso rarely exhibited the self-government and to guarantee deep and abiding affection he felt it to her. for the Slovak masses. Yet on ocTAK SME SA POZN ALI is a casion he allowed himself to be carried away by his feelings. Dr. tremendously vital book. In rePauco recalls the graceful gesture counting his experiences in the Sloof hands extended to a crowd of vak Republic - "All of which he one hundred thousand Slovak citi- saw, part of which he was" - Dr. zens assembled before the National Pauco has written authentic hisTheatre and Tiso's moving words tory. As such it will live and addressed to them: "Nation of flourish . Sister M. Tarcisia, SS.C.M mine, I love you." oftener. Similarly Tiso's office was open at all times to Pauco. All he had to do was make an appointment with Tiso 's secretary ; rarely did he have to wait. �SLOVAKliA 165 OON'TIRIBU'DIONS ON SLOVAKIA IN THE S'YM:POSID1M BOHEMIA Gogolak, L. von, "T. G. Masaryks slowakische und ungarlandische Politik" (Masaryk's Slovak and Hungarian Policy), Munich, 1963. Vol. IV, p. 174-227. Hoensch, J. K. , "Die Grundlagen des Programms der Slowakischen Volkspartei vor 1938 (The Basis of the Programme of the Slovak Populist Party before 1938), Munich, 1960, Vol. VII, p. 320-356. ceptable. As far as Masaryk's influence on Slovak politics before 1918 is concerned, Professor Gogolak's conclusions seem to be, however, less acceptable. It seems that he adopted the Czech view which always exaggerated Masaryk's influence on Slovakia before 1918, and even more exaggerated the role of the "Hlasists," who before 1918 were either students or their influence was very limited. On the other hand, Prof. Gogolak appears to be emotionally biased towards the Slovak nationalist group and especially toward Andrej Hlinka and his Party, which this reviewer mentioned also previously.* The group around "Hlas" became a political force only after 1918 when Masaryk divided among them political and economic power, regardless of their capabilities, age and influence in Slovakia. On the other hand , Vajansky, Skultety and the nationalist group of Turciansky (not Turcansky) Sv. Martin represented thinking of a large segment of Slovak population whatever we can say of their ideas. But Professor Gogolak, consciously or not, forgot to mention another group which was in-between, or close to the group in Turciansky Sv. Martin, and the only one represented in Budapest as a result of the elections: the Catholics Skycak, Juriga, Hlinka and the intellectuals around "Tovarysstvo," led by Oswald, to whom originally belonged also Gregor Tajovsky, erroneously called medical doctor by Gogolak. While reviewing another very well-written treatise on Slo- Bohemia is actually an annual (Jahrlmch) of the Colegium Carolinum in Munich for the problems of the Czech lands (Bohemia in Latin), but in recent years we could find in this well-edited symposium several contributions dealing with Slovak political topics. The above contributions are among those which should not escape analysis and some critical comments on the Slovak side, because they are basically valuable and of high academic standards. Professor Gogolak, whose previous studies made him one of the best experts on Slovakia in German language, deals with a controversial subject of Masaryk's origin and his influence on Slovak politics before 1918. Masaryk is, according to Gogolak, of Slovak background or in other words a Slovak from the ethnic point of view, but assimilated with the Czechs as Kosuth and Petofi did with Hungarians. He had first a German education and became Czech in his adult age, but his Slovak origin haunted him and therefore he wanted Slovaks to follow his footsteps: to assimilate with Czechs. This is, in a nutshell, Gogolak's thesis, supported by a thorough re- * See Slavic and East-European search and references to works in Studies (Universite de Montreal) , several languages, and it seems ac- Vol. XII, 1, p. 63. �166 SLOVAKIA vak politics by Professor Gogolak, I mentioned that he can be surprisingly objective when he speaks about the Magyarization, but he seems to have an emotional prejudice against those who later were organized in the Hlinka's party and his writings indicate a "favourable bias," when he speaks about Slovak "Czechoslovaks," especially about Hodza , Derer, Ivanka , Stefanek and others, and about their role in Slovakia before 1918. This is to be regretted because rarely anyone displayed such a thorough knowledge of literature on Slovakia in several languages and could penetrate even into the political climate in Slovakia and mentality of the Slovak people as Professor Gogolak did. to be regretted that he repeats some self-evident errors (for instance persons in Tuka's group who never belonged there). The programme and policy of the Hlinka's Slovak Populist Party is presented by Hoensch in Bohemia even less objectively than in his book, since many explanations of the background of Slovak politics, which we find in the book, are missing in the contribution to Bohemia. The adversaries of the Slovak aspirations for freedom and self-rule can, therefore , misuse again his study as they did with his book, which was recently thoroughly analyzed on the Slovak side by Professor Frantisek Vnuk. ** Because there is nothing new in H-0ensch's contribution which we could not find in his book, we refer the reader to the above mentioned reviews and express regrets that Dr. Hoensch's well-documented studies on Slovakia are not free of bias and that he did not avoid being influenced by the Czech and communist sources in his conclusions about the policy of Hlinka's Slovak Populist Party. J . M. Kirschbaum The contribution by Jorg K. Hoensch seems to be a re-written chapter of his b<Wk Die Slowakei und Hitlers Ostpolitik (Hlinkas Slowakische Volkspartei zwischen Autonomie und Separation 19381939) which was reviewed by this reviewer in the quarterly Slowakei (Vol. IV, No. 2, p. 58-64) and commented on it in Slavic and East European Studies (Vol. XII, 1, p. 61) . Since Dr. Hoensch's book was ** See L iterarny Almanach Slovaka published in 1965 and his contribu- v Amerike for 1968, (Middletown, tion under review in 1967, it is Pa.) p. 21-45. SLOVAKS IN CANADA Kirschbaum, J.M., Slovaks in Canada, (Canadian Ethnic Press Association of Ontario), Toronto, 1967, XVI- 480 pp. Bibliography, Index, Illustrations. The present book by Prof. Joseph Kirschbaum is more than a true and conscienious report about the happenings to the Slovaks in Canada. It is a bi-continental report on the destiny of one of the oldest nations in Central Europe, a report on the struggle for a survival both in the old homeland and in Canada. The book itself shared the adventures of overcoming the obstacles to its survival i. e. to its publication; the same ones and coming from the very same groups which were and are at the origin of the fact that the Slovaks are denied to live a �SLOVAiaA free way of life in their own homeland. It is amazing to see to what degree the moral awareness for the human dignity can be blinded and muzzled even in the free Western world by a flood of propaganda, accepted without any criticism and without any desire to find out what the facts really are; in the present case, what the real facts are with regard to the Slovaks. From this point of view this book is much more than a book of History. It is a true History indeed, yet at the same time, and by the fact of being a true History, it is an appeal to the moral conscience of the Western world to recognize the due right of the Slovaks for a free life, even if there are no more of them than 4.5 million in Slovakia. There are about 65,000 Canadians of Slovak origin and well over one million of them in the U.S.A. The social, economic, religious and cultural history of the Slovak immigrant is basically nothing less than a profound human plea for a free life, it is a cry for freedom. Are many people ready to listen to it? Those who do not want to be disturbed in their more or less comfortable ideological pew-should put this book aside. However, if someone is inclined to risk his "mauvaise conscience" with regard to this particular case, he will get his reward both for Canada and for a people that do not ask to be judged on the merits of the facts. In this case you are going to be witness of the story that can accomplish the human craving for freedom and you will feel proud to be a member of a nation where only the freedom is the limit to the human energy. Dr. Kirschbaum gives us a thor- 167 ough and stimulating history and analysis of the life of Slovak Canadians, beginning with the first settlers in the West during the 1880's to the political refugees who fled their native land at the end of the Second World War, unwilling to accept foreign domination and Communist regime in Slovakia. The author has left few stones unturned in his research; he visited the places where Slovak Canadians live and where many died; talked to the organizers of Slovak religious and social organizations, and read their press, which in a period of 57 years has numbered 17 newspapers and 13 cultural and religious periodicals. The author also explains at some length the reasons which led Slovaks to organize themselves in associations, thus giving us an insight into the ways an immigrant group was able to adapt in a country where language and custom barriers were not the only obstacles to overcome. In time, most of these obstacles were not only overcome, but Slovak Canadians were able to make very worthy contributions to the arts and sciences as well as to the economic development of Canada. These contributions are discussed in the second of a new two-part definition of the concept of intergration which is analyzed at some length. Dr. Kirschbaum is particularly qualified to convey the story of the Slovak group in Canada to other Canadians and to link it to its origin in the old country. A Slovak European, he arrived with his family to Canada 19 years ago via several years of traveling and studying in Italy, France, Switzerland and other European countries. He participated in many fields of the Canadian life; from economy, �168 SWVAK1A social, religious, ethnic, to cultural and in particular in the University life, as former Professor at the Universite de Montreal, and lecturer at the University of Ottawa and the University of Toronto. One has to fully agree with the author's remark in his Preface that, "The story which the book tells about Slovaks in Canada is the saga of a small group of people in a new land who preserved their identity and achieved success against many odds. Many aspects of their history can apply to several other ethnic groups, particularly to those who came to Canada from the territories of the former Austro-Hungarian Empire: Poles, Slovenes, Croats, Czechs (Bohemians), and also some Ukrainians (Galicians). Basically it is a simple story without heroic deeds, but not without the courage and perseverance which brought final success. A great deal of that success is due to the democratic institutions of Canada to the tolerance of its people and the abundant resources of the land; but the main factor was the human element: a healthy and hard working people and their will to struggle and succeed, to prosper and create a better future culturally, religiously and econo- mically. The reader may conclude for himself how well they achieved these aims." Furthermore, many will also agree "Whatever happens, the purpose of this book will have been served if the second and third generations of Slovak Canaclians remember their origin and become aware of the reasons which brought Slovaks to Canada, their difficult beginnings, their successful struggles, and their contributions to Canadian life. It is also hoped that this book will serve historians in their accounts of the different aspects of Canadian history." The book makes a considerable contribution to the knowledge of Canada for all Canadians who are desirous to know their country better. It is primarily directed to the second generation Slovak Canadians and to the English speaking Canadians, but the French speaking Canadians also can get a glimpse into the contents of the book through the extensive French resume. At the same time the book is a sincere undertaking in the service of freedom and human dignity of man applied to the dramatic case of the Slovak people. Charles Murin THE SLOVAK LEAGUE OF AMERICA through its Ladies Auxiliary, the "VCIELKY" (Bees), sponsors Slovak cultural displays. concerts, lectures, art exhibits, folk festjvals, social evenings, etc. Our aim is to have a "Hive" of our "Vcielky" in every large Slovak community. �169 SLOVAKIA AS OTHERS SEE IT "The Free world knows the methods used by the Soviets when they aggressed and through milittary might, enslaved Poland, Slo• vakia, Lithuania, Romania, Hungary, and all the peoples in the Bal• kan nations' area. The Soviets, under Stalin and Khruschev, not only enslaved the people remaining in their homeland but deported millions into the wilds of Siberia to work and die in slave labor camps." (Congressman Ray J. Madden). "Freedom and job opportunity, and the promise of an honest day's wages for an honest day's work, brought our forefathers from Rumania and Slovakia, and from the other European countries, to the shores of America. Many of you came to this country, and through honest labor and toil, you achieved personal s u c c e s s, and if not wealth, certainly well being. The churches, the schools, the many other institutions, and the neat and well kept neighborhoods in the Slovak communities, are the fruits of the labors of many Slovaks who toiled long and hard in the coal mines of Pennsylvania, the steel mills of Ohio and Indiana, and on the railroads which connected in• dustry to the markets. Indeed, as an industrious people, the Slovaks have achieved a respected and honorable place among the nationality and ethnic peoples of this country." - Ralph S. Locher, former mayor of the City of Cleve• land, Ohio "True, ever since the founding of the state in 1918 there have been conflicts between Czechs and Slovaks. The Slovaks resented Czech supremacy ... "The Czech-Slovak dispute centered around the interpretation of the Czechoslovak nation-whether Czechs and Slovaks are one or two nations. The dispute has long been decided in favor of the second interpretation. Czechs and Slovaks Stephen are two nations. " Borsody, The New York Times "Traditional rivalry between the Czech and Slovak nationalities forms the backdrop for charges that Slovakia was being neglected in economic development projects. "And most of the writers who have criticized the government were Slovaks, including Ladislav Mnacko who defected to Israel last August in protest against the regime's strict pro-Arab stand in the Middle East war. - ( Associated Press) Evening News, Harrisburg, Pa. "The Czech Communist Party has been plagued by several fundamental problems-one of them a Slovak demand for more autonomy and broader economic opportunity." ( CA AP-Reuter ) The N ewcastie Sun "Some students of this country (Czecho-Slovakia ) believe the Slovakian drive for national autonomy is the key liberalizing factor. An embryonic parliamentarism is de• veloping as committees of the Na• tional Assembly, no longer a Sovietstyle rubber stamp, mend Govern• ment bills." (Philadelphia Inquir• er.) "A key factor in the downfall of Czecho-Slovakia's Antonin Novotny, a Stalinist Czech, was the opposition of the Slovaks ... it seems obvious that Czech preponderance �170 SLOVAK'.llA would never allow a Slovak to exercise more than limited control." (Richard Eder, The New York Times) the citizens of our country by contributing to a better understanding and appreciation of Slovak tradition, has made a significant mark on our culture. I wish you "In November, Mr. Dubcek led many more years of success in an attack on the Novotny leader- these endeavors." - Senator Robert ship, charging that the Prague F. Kennedy (N.Y.) regime had slighted Slovakia not only in term of economic develop"It is a pleasure to send greetment, but also in political terms." ings to the Slovak League of Amer(David Binder, The New York ica. One of the great strengths of Times) the United States is the cultural and historical diversity of its peo"And of course, the Slovaks are ple. The preservation of the unique still not happy with the orders they heritage of the Slovak people enget from Prague: Communist or riches the whole community." not, they would like to have a state Senator Clifford P. Case (N.J.) of their own ... "The Czechs, however, did not "Americans of Slovak descent even budge. Their Russian rulers have contributed to every sector easily forestalled any Czech action of our national life. Their dedica- by releasing Czech food reserves tion to democracy has been proven to Czech consumers. The East Euro- over and over again. They have had pean saying is: 'The Czechs opened a mighty impact on our cultural their mouths not to protest but to and political life, and I salute The eat.' The Czechs themselves add: Slovak League of America on this 'The Russians kept us quiet by occasion." - Senator Harrison A. stuffing our mouths with our own Williams, Jr. (N.J.) Czech sausage'." (Dr. Albert Parry, The [San Diego, Calif.] Union) "The Slovak League of America has rendered an important service "To the Slovaks, headed by Pre- in keeping alive the culture and mier Jozef Lenart, Novotny repre- traditions of the Slovak people in sents the old tradition of Czech America. It has alway emphasized domination and denial of full equal- the blessings of freedom and deity." - The New York Times mocracy." - Charles S. Joelson, "You (The Chicago Tribune) (N.J.) Member of Congress printed that I was a Czech. My "Congratulations to the Slovak mother was furious. She got out League of America and their enthe maps and wants to prove that deavors to preserve the historical we're Slovaks, not Czechs." (Jim background of their homeland. Valek, head foot-ball coach at Uni"One project I would like to unversity of Illinois.) dertake is to make a Bibliography "I am very pleased to salute the of all worthwhile publications Slovak League of America on its covering history, literature, music 60th Anniversary. Americans of and art because it is over twentySlovak origin have contributed as five years since anything was pubmuch as any group to the greatness lished in Slovakia by a free society. of our nation, and your organiza- The Congressional Library can tion, promating the welfare of all probably be very helpful in this �SLOVAKIA 171 project and might be able to do it through Slovakia, which for cenfor you." - Edward E. Patten turies belonged to Hungary. The Slovak language had a renaissance, (N.J.), Member of Congress thousands of folksongs and tales "The Slovak people over the cen- were gathered and given literary turies have given numerous evid- form . ences of their unquestionable de"This work was done by the sire for freedom . Catholic clergy and the village "The many thousands of Amerteachers. The priests also stood icans of Slovak descent have made with the people in their struggles great c o n tr i bu ti o n s in many with the Hungarians, Czechs, nazis spheres to the development and and communists. growth of our country. And the "The natural center of all Slofierce love of freedom which they vak life was the local church, its brought with them from their clergy, the sacraments; in short, motherland has strengthened Amerthe Christian faith in its Catholic ica's own fabric of freedom. form." - Rune P . Thuringer, NC "I wish the Slovak League of News Service America many more decades of patriotic, civic, and cultural activ"Several heads of Church deanity." - Senator Thomas J. Dodd eries in Czecho-Slovakia have been (Conn.) summoned or visited by security police to answer questions about "It is a pleasure to send warm greetings and heartiest congratula- priests who are not active in the tions to the Officers and Members peace priest movement, which supof The Slovak League of America ports that nation's communist as you celebrate your 60th Anniver- regime. The interrogations, according to KNA, German Catholic news sary. agency, also centered on those "Your organization is to be commended for its notable contribu- priests who have been relieved of tions to the economic and social their priestly duties by the govern1ife of our state and perpetuating ment and who are working in agrithe great tradition and heritage of cultural and industrial jobs. Some the Slovak culture which has great- of them are allegedly performing ly enriched the American society. pastoral functions in secret." "I send my best wishes to all NCWC News Service, Washington, present for a most enjoyable D.C. evening and continuing years of "Copies of Pope Paul Vi's encycsuccess in all of your fine en- lical On the Development of PeoSenator Jacob K . ples, as well as copies of his appeal deavors." Javits (N.Y.) for a world Day of Peace, have "Slovak League of America is in- been returned to Vienna by officterested in promoting better under- ials of the Czecho-Slovak post ofstanding and appreciation of the fice system. "Stamped 'Not permitted in the Slovak nation, its history, cultural Czecho-Slovak Socialist Republic' traditions and struggle for freedom." (The Evening News, Harris- by Czech officials, the materials had been mailed to Catholic pubburg, Pa.) lications and individuals in Czecho"During the last century, a Slovakia," according to KNA, the strong nationalist movement went German Catholic news service �172 SLOVA.KilA in that communist-ruled country (Czecho-Slovakia) many Catholic priests and a number of bishops are still in jail or confinement." - (Sunday News, New York, N.Y.) "At present, the Czech law permits workers, students and church groups to hold meetings in the open without notifying the police in advance. Now the authorities propose a regulation that will require religious processions, including funeral corteges from the church to the cemetery, to be announced three days in advance." NC News Service "At present, priests in CzechoSlovakia are all but suffocated under a mountain of petty government restrictions. These include such detailed regulations that a pastor has to get specific government approval for a nearby priest to come and say Mass or hear Confessions." - (NCWC News Service, Washington, D.C.) "With regard to institutional problems, the talks between the Vatican and the Czecho-Slovakian government will have to consider the following points in order of importance: -"Bishops: Of the dioceses (six Slovakian, two Moravian, four Bohemian), only four (three Slovakian and one Bohemian) have a bishop. The ether seven are governed by vicars capitular. That is the most important problem. -"The seminaries. We have only two major seminaries: at Litomerice for Bohemia and Moravia and at Bratislava for Slovakia. This year 80 students were ad• mitted at Litomerice and 95 at Bratislava. There were more candidates than that. Continuing at that rate, we will in 10 years have half as many priests as we have today. -"The religious education of children. The situation is particularly bad in the cities. In Prague, for example, onl)' 700 children are enrolled in catechism classes. Religion is taught in state schools only to children between the ages of seven and 13. In the villages, the situation is much better. At present, I estimate that in Slovakia, a tradition,ally Catholic country like Poland, 80 per cent of the children of Catholic parents are enrolled in catechism classes, in Moravia 50 per cent and in Bohemia 20 per cent. This situation is not very different from that of pre-war days. "In all, of the 14 million inhabitants of Czecho-Slovakia, 60 per cent are Catholics, 10 per cent are Protestants, and 30 per cent are atheists. Among the Catholics, 34 per cent in Slovakia and 15 per cent in Bohemia are practicing. -"Another problem is working priests. At present we estimate that there are 1,500 ecclesiasticsof whom 80 per cent are Religious -who have non-religious jobs. In 1966, a total of 300 received the government's authorization to take up their ministry again. "Religious orders and congregations do not always have the right to accept novices." - Czech Bishop Frantisek Tomasek * THE SLOVAK LEAGUE OF AMERICA stands for honesty, intergrity, industry and justice in government. �SLOVAKIA 173 CONTRIBUTOR S Hletko, Peter Paul M.D., physician-surgeon; (semi-retired); med. examiner of many insurance Co's ; born June 26, 1902 in Chicago, Ill.; son of Martin and Catherine (Hargas) Hletko; educated, St. Michael's School (1908-1915), Chicago, St. Procopius Academy and College, Lisle, Ill. (1915-1919) and (191921); De Paul Univ., Chicago (192123, B.Sc. in Chem. 1923) ; Loyola University, Chicago, (M.D. 1927); Resident Staff (interne) Cook County Hosp., Chicago (1927-1928); instructor in clinical neurology Loyola U. Medical School (193135); wed Anna E . Remijas in 1938; led Slovak League of America delegation to Czecho-Slovakia in 1938 in behalf of Pittsburgh Pact recognition; pres. Slovak League of America (1935-1939) and (1963-64); Hon. President and member of Exec. Committee of Slovak League (1938-1965); vice-pres. Slovak Cath. Federation of America (1934); Supr. Med. Examiner, Slovak Cath. Sokol (1927-1964) ; Hon. Med. Examiner (emeritus), and Member of Exec. Comm. Slovak Cath. Sokol; Supr. Med. Examiner Nat. Slovak Society (1934-39); secretary, Supreme Court of Nat. Slovak Society ( 1926-1934); organizer and 1st pres. 'Club Furdek' (Cath. Slovak Cultural Society, Chicago) 1929; member Amer. Med. Assoc., Ill. Med. Assoc. and Chicago Medical Assoc. since 1929; med. examiner of Municipal Court and Law Dept. Benefit and Pension Fund, Chicago, ( 1936-61); President, Gage Park Savings & Loan Assn., Chicago, since 1935. Author: "The Slovaks and the Pittsburgh Pact" (published by Slovak Catholic Federation - 1934); wrote "lskry" - reprint of satiro-comic column in the Osad- ne Hlasy (Slovak Parish News), 1931 ; edited the "Catholic Slovak Sokol Cook-Book," 1964; contrib. editor, Osadne Hlasy (Chicago Parish News, 1927-63); editor "Jaro," English supplement to "Jednota", 1927-36. Editor, 'Chicagsky Dennik' (Chicago Slovak Daily News) , 192627. Democrat. Hobbies: Books, philately, pinochle. Home: Warrenville, Ill. Office : 2740 W. 55th St. Chicago, Illinois 60632 Emerentia Petr<isek, Mother M., B.A., M.A., of the Sisters of SS. Cyril and Methodius, Pennsy1vania. Danville, Born in Sugar Notch, Pennsylvania. Member of Holy Rosary Slovak Parish, Ashley. Elementary grades in local public school and St. Leo Parochial School, Ashley. B.A. and M.A., Marywood College, Scranton, Pa. Among the first aspirants to the newly founded Congregation of Slovak Sisters of SS. Cyril and Methodius. One of the founding teachers of the First Catholic Slovak Gi,rls' High School, now St. Cyril Academy, Danville, Pa. Founder of the St. Cyril Academy annual Fialky, and for long years its moderator, Mother M. Emerentia guided young writers and trained them in skills which have since borne fruit in college research papers and creative writing on the part of SCA alumnae. Professor of Slovak at St. Cyril Academy and Marywood College, Mother M. Emerentia compiled Ucebnica slovenskej reci (1929) and Steps in Elementary Slovak (1949), �174 SLOVAK1A a text which is being continuously revised and supplemented. For several years she has been conducting a Correspondence Course for the Sisters teaching in parish schools. She has issued several editions of Slovak songs and hymnbooks for use in Slovak parish schools. Most recently under her direction have been issued Slovak hymns in translation : Bethlehem Carols and Alleluia. (1967) Mother M. Emerentia has written the history of the Congregation of the Sisters of SS. Cyril and Methodius, portions of which have appeared from time to time in various Slovak publications, including the Fialky . In 1959 an abridged edition, entitled, Brief History of the Sisters of SS. Cyril and Methodius Told in Fiv e Decades, appeared serially in the Jednota and also in the Danville News. A limited num- ber of copies were printed. Frank Bandar was born on November 13, 1917 in Cejkov, Slovakia. He attended the elementary school there ; went to high school in Michalovce and graduated in 1940 in Ko~ice; and then went on to major in Economics at the University of Budapest. His studies were interrupted for political reasons and the war. During that time, he was a member of the Slovak University Students of the Hungary Club and a member of the United Slovak Party of Hungary. After some temporary employment, in 1948 he attempted to finish his studies in Prague, but did not pass the communist screening. He was imprisoned for a few months for political reasons. In 1949 he escaped to West Germany and in the same year emigrated to Canada. In 1956 he received his B.A. Degree in Economics from Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario. In 1965 he emigrated to the United States and became a Research Economist at Columbia University. In September, 1967 he was awarded his M.A. Degree in Economics at the University of New York. As fourth Superior General of the Congregation of the Sisters of SS. Cyril and Methodius, Mother M. Emerentia supervised the errection of the beautiful chapel of SS. Cyril and Methodius at Villa Sacred Heart, Danville, Pa. Known far and wide as an architectural About Dr. Joseph Kirschbaum gem , it is a Slovak treasure house and Sister M. Martina Tybor, SS. in its stained glass windows and its C.M., see Slovakia 1966; about Sisr eligious symbolism. ter M. Evangela Lubek, SS. C.M., At present, as a retired teacher, Mother M . Emerentia is occupied in various Community duties and continuing a life-long interest in Slovak- language, education, history, and literature. She operates a Slovak Book Department, disseminating Slovak publications nationwide, and keeping in touch with all cultural movements affecting Slovak interests. see Slovakia 1965, and about Fr. Andrew Pir, 0 .S.B., see Slovakia 1967. Sister M . Raymund Horvath, SS. C.M. and Sister M. Tarcisia, SS. C.M., are teaching at the St. Cyril Academy, Danville, Pa. Dr. Charles Murin is a Professor of Philosophy at the University of Montreal. �SLOVAKliA 175 SLOVAKIA is published annual]~· by the Rlovak League of Ameriea, a cultural and civic federation of Americans of Slovak descent. One of the purposes of SLOYAKJA is to promote a better understanding and. appreeiatio11 of the Slovak nation and. its long struggle for freedom and. independence. As Americans, membel'S of the Rlonlk League of Ameriea fi1·mly believe that the SloYak nation, just as all nations, has an inherent and God-given right to freedom and independence. They are dedicated to the cause of the .American way of life, Slovak freedom and world peaee and are determined to oppose the plague of Conmmnism and all other totalitarian politic-al s:;·stems. Subscription to SloYakia $2.00 per year in the "C".S.A. - $3.00 elsewhere. Send subscriptions to: SLOVAKIA 313 Ridge Avenue Middletown, Pa. 17057 �176 SLOVAKIA Contents An Agreement Which Was Never Realized - Tkach - Stephen J . 1 The Slovaks and The Pittsburgh Pact - Peter P. Hletko M.D. -5 Jednota and The Sisters of SS. Cyril and Methodius - M. Emerentia Petra§ek, SS.C.M. The Slovak Press in Canada - 55 J. M. Kirschbaum, Ph.D. - Economic Discrimination Against Slovakia - - Mother 78 Frank Bandor 109 First Slovak Newspapermen in America - Tybor, SS.C.M. Current Issues - 132 Book Reviews - 143 As Others See It Contributors - Sister M. Martina 121 169 173 Photographic Copy of Original Pittsburgh Pact - 4 �PRI NTI D IN U.S. A. JIDN OTA PlllN TER Y, MID DLli TOW N, PA. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource 1968, Vol. 18 Description An account of the resource Vol. 18 (No. 41), 1968. Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available The Slovak League of America Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1968 Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document 132 SLOVAK.IA CURRENT ISSUES MANIFESTO OF THE SLOVAK LEAGUE OF AMERICA Americans of Slovak descent have always expressed their loyalty to the United States of America, in harmony with their traditional effort of preserving peace and order and helping to strengthen the principles for which our democracy stands. A very large segment of the Slovak nation is thankful to Almighty God for having found a home in this our free and great republic, not only because we can freely express our private views and wishes, but also because we can speak freely in behalf of a nation which has so many times looked upon the Slovaks in the United States as their only hope for freedom and salvation. A great milestone in the life of Americans of Slovak descel'lt was the signing of the Pittsburgh Pact on May 30, 1918 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania where the Slovak League of America, representing the Slovaks in the United States, met with their Czech counterparts under the leadership of Thomas G. Masaryk. The basis of the Pittsburgh Pact lies in this assertion: "Slovakia shall have her own administration, her own- assembly, and her own courts." This was the result of the spirit of self-determination which started at the initiative of the United States. In this spirit not only American Slovaks, but the Slovaks in Slovakia demanded their right to a free nation, and sincerely desired to reach an agreement with the Czech nation, with whom, according to the Pittsburgh Pact, they were to live in a federation. It is a historical fact that it was not the fault of the Slovaks that the spirit and letter of the Pittsburgh Pact was realized only at the end of 1938, when there was no longer any possibility of even a federation for the Slovak and Czech peoples. The European and world political forces dictated a new development, which neither the Slovaks nor Czechs could influence. The only chance presented to the Slovaks was to look for new approaches and opportunities to preserve their own Slovak entity. This salvation was SLOVAKIA 133 found, though the Slovak nation as well as the Slovak people in the United States had hoped that this salvation would have come from the west, and especially from the United States. After the second world war Slovaks found themselves under the domination of communism and Czechs. Again as in the case of the Pittsburgh Pact, Prague leaders did not keep their word and the principle of self-determin ation was not realized in Slovakia. On the contrary, this principle of self-determin ation was oppressed not only by the Czechs, but by the Soviets as well, who mercilessly stopped any attempt and expression for a free and democratic way of life. Remembering with reverence and admiration our predecessors who signed this historical document in Pittsburgh, we must express our position on this occassion, the 50th Anniversary of the Pittsburgh Pact, negotiated by the Slovak League and those American-Slo vak organizations who joined her in the furtherance of this Slovak objective. To the question asked here in the United States and in Slovakia, "What is the position of Americans of Slovak descent concerning Slovakia today?", the following is our response : -The principles of justice, freedom, and democracy as represented by American thinking and action are sacred and untouchable to the Slovak League of America -The welfare, security, and preservation of the future of the United States is our utmost objective -No sacrifice is too large when the very foundations of American institutional life are involved, as well as the security of private ownership. The spread of the good name of the United States in word, but especially in deed, in the press and by example is primary with the Slovak League -Bearing in mind that the Slovak nation was, is, and always will be an ally of the west, and especially the United States, giving America almost half her sons and daughters and, ..:._Following and closely scrutinizing the developments in Slovakia, and knowing that freedom is a gift from God, The Slovak League of America endorses the highest right of the Slovak nation, and requests for 134 SLOVAKIA Slovakia an independent Slovak Republic, which government and judical system will be chosen by the Slovak people in a free and democratic election. In this behalf, so help us God! February 26, 1968 Stephen J. Tkach, President D r. Joseph Pauco, Secretary Executive Committee: Rt. Rev. Theodore Koji s, O.S.B . John A . Sabol Joseph Prusa Joseph Kristofik SLOVAK POLITICS "Give us this day our daily bread" in the Lord's Prayer was explained by Andrej H 1 ink a as politics! Why? Because in that petition our economic needs are implied and since we cannot presume to impose upon Divine Providence to rain down Manna from the heavens above, we must work for our daily bread. But when this demands superhuman effort because of foreign exploitation of the country one inhabits, then the inhabitants must do something about it . . . and they must become involved in politics. Such were the circumstances in Hlinka's time when Czech c a r p e tbaggers and their allies exploited the Slovaks ( as the Magyars had done before them ) that the Slovak priest in the role of a good shepherd sought to protect his flock from being fleeced by alien interlopers and thieves, and the same need exists today, for the Prague central government controls the national economy in Slovakia. Visitors to Expo 67 were amazed to note the small number of Slovak personnel in Montreal's pavilion that represented Czecho-Slovakia. The ratio was quite accurately estimated at 5 or 6 to 1. This is gross injustice to the Slovak nation when one considers there are approximately 5 million Slovaks and 9 million Czechs. These two nations constitute 90 % of the population of the c-SSR, ie., SLOVAKIA Czecho-Slovak Socialist Republic (the 10 % represents Magyar, Polish, German, Gypsy and Jewish people. N.B. More than 3 million Germans were expelled from the Sudeten lands and some 700,000 Ruthenes were annexed in the eastern area of Czecho-S 1 o v a k i a by the U.S.S.R. in the Carpatho-Rusin region). The same discrimination against the Slovaks by the Czech ruling regime is being shown in Slovakia where the great majority of official government personnel and industrial management is preponderantly n o n-Slovak. Moreover, the Czechs hold 90 % of the number of army 135 officers from the top to the bottom! These facts which indicate what a death-grip the Czech regime has on Slovakia economically and militarily fully justify the Slovaks in their determination to free themselves from foreign rule, and if we consider that they are deprived of religious freedom, too, American Slovaks cannot help but extend a helping hand to oppressed brethren beyond the seas. We are in sympathy with their cause, and for that reason individually and collectively we, too, are determined to do something about it, even if it means we must go into politics! A . P. U.S. IMMIGRATION PATTERN TO CHANGE JULY 1 On July 1, 1968, the United States will put into effect a new immigration system. In place of the old national origins quotas, visas will be issued without regard to the immigrant's birthplace or nationality on a world-wide, first-come first-served basis, according to a series of preferences established by the law of October 3, 1965. However, not more than 20,000 immigration visas may be issued in any one year to the natives of any Eastern Hemisphere country (Europe, Asia and Africa ), and not more than 170,000 visas may be issued in any year to immigrants from all Eastern Hemisphere countries. Excluded from these totals will be the immediate relatives of American citizens, that is, their spouses, children or parents. Also, on July 1, a numerical limitation, 120,000 a year, will be placed for the first time on immigration from the W e s t e r n Hemisphere (South and Central America, Mexico and Canada). As in the Eastern Hemisphere, this. 136 SLOVAKIA limitation will not apply to the immediate relatives of American citizens. The 20,000 ceiling applicable to individual countries in the Eastern Hemisphere will not apply to Western Hemisphere countries. Not more than 200 visas may be issued in any year to the natives of a colony or dependent area. How is this new system likely to affect immigration to the United States? Numerically, it is not likely to result in any pronounced change. In the five years preceding enactment of the October 3, 1965 law, immigration averaged 290,062 a year; in the following two, the average was 342,506. Since the demand for visas in both Eastern and Western Hemispheres is expected to exceed the totals permitted (170,000 a nd 120,000 respectively) and :since the number of immigrants exempt from numerical limitation has been running around 40,000 a year (not counting the natives of Western Hemisphere countries), it seems likely that under the new system immigration will be approximately 330,000, or a third of a million, a year. It is certain, however, that the ethnic composition of immigration to the United States will be different. Countries which had small quotas but long waiting lists will be sending far more immigrants than those which formerly had 1 a r g e quotas such as Great Britain, Germany and Ireland. The U.S. Visa Office estimates that in the Eastern Hemisphere the countries sending the largest number of immigrants in the year beginning July 1 will be Italy, Greece, Portugal, China and the Philippines. With immigration on a world-wide basis, what is important for the would-be immigrant is that he get on the waiting list in his country as early as possible. Even if he does, his chances of coming to the United States are slight, unless he qualifies for one of the seven categories entitled to preference. These seven categories or preferences and the number of visas to which each is entitled are as follows: 1. Unmarried s o n s and daughters of U.S . citizens. 34,000 (20 percent of the 170,000 total) 2. Spouses and unmarried sons and daughters of aliens lawfully admitted for permanent residence. 34,000 (20 percent) plus numbers unused by First Preference 3. Members of the professions, and scientists and SLOVAKIA artists of exceptional ability. 17,000 (10 percent) 4. Married sons and daughters of U.S. citizens. 17 ,000 (10 percent) plus numbers unused by higher preferences 5. Brothers and sisters of U.S. citizens. 40,800 (24 percent) plus numbers unused by higher preferences 6. Skilled and unskilled workers in occupations for which labor is in short supply in the U.S. 17,000 (10 percent ) 7. Refugees. 10,200 (6 percent) ( These preferences apply to all E a s t e r n Hemisphere countries. They do not apply to the Western Hemisphere, where for the present at least there are no preferences.) The foregoing system of selection puts principal emphasis on family relationships. The Visa Office estimates that the 85,000 visas available for first, second, and fourth preference immigrants in the year beginning July 1, 1968, will be more than enough to meet the demand in those categories. In contrast, it expects the third, fifth and sixth preferences to be greatly oversubscribed, so that there will be a substantial waiting list for brothers 137 and sisters of United States citizens (fifth preference), members of the professions (third preference), and skilled and unskilled aliens (sixth preference). The fifth preference is entitled to any unused numbers from the four earlier preferences. Unlike the relative preferences, the third and sixth preference are limited to the numbers assigned them. The Visa Office anticipates that on June 30, 1968, there will be a backlog or waiting list for the third preference of some 48,000 . Since only 17,000 numbers a year are available for this category, the backlog and waiting period will increase. This is also true for the sixth preference, skilled and unskilled aliens in short supply. For the fifth preference the Visa Office estimates a backlog on June 30, 1968, of 194,000. This is expected to decrease to 179,200, but that will still mean a substantial waiting time. At present some aliens in countries with large or not fully used quotas have been getting visas as nonpreference immigrants, even though they could qualify for the ,third or sixth preference. But this will not be true after June 30, 1968, when visa issuance goes on a world-wide SLOVAKIA basis. Such persons, natives, for example, of such countries as Great Britain, Germany, Ireland, Sweden, Norway, if they are not sure of getting their v i s a s before July 1, should apply at once for preference, in order to avoid being at the end of the waiting list. In some countries, I t a 1 y for example, where the demand for the first five preferences will bring visa issuance to 20,000, there will be no sixth preference visas. As a r e s u 1 t of the new world-wide system, few, if any, visas will be available for nonpreference immigrants from Eastern Hemisphere countries after the national origins quotas are abolished on June 30, 1968. The demand for fifth and sixth preferences is so large that no numbers are expected to be left for nonpreference immigrants, except for any unused seventh preference numbers, and then only in countries in which preference demand does not exceed 20,000. Further, all nonpreference immigrants, as well as those within preference categories 3 and 6 and all W e s t e r n Hemisphere immigrants except immediate relatives, must obtain a "labor clearance" before receiving a visa. This is a certification from the Department of Labor that they will not displace American workers and that their admission will not have an adverse effect on the wages and working conditions of workers here. This provision, whatever its merit in protecting American labor, operates to prevent, or at least make more difficult, the admission of the nonpreference or "new seed" immigrant - that is, the kind of immigrant who in earlier years constituted the bulk of our immigration and contributed so much to the building of the United States. A VISIT TO SLOVAKIA An American Slovak of the younger generation recently returned from a brief visit to Slovakia. What he experienced and observed during his sojourn in the land of his forefathers I hereby report at his personal request. He did not wish to reveal his name because of fear that the ruling regime might take reprisals against relatives and friends. "I was in Slovakia. Like many others from America I went only for a short stay. SLOVAKIA 139 I saw the natural wonders of the land of my late parents. The three weeks that I spent there will never fade from my memory. Morever, r put down my impressions in my diary. their serious discussions about world affairs. Their minds, I could readily see, were involved in problems of the universe even at their tender age ranging from thirteen to seventeen. That the Slovak nation is deeply religious, open-hearted, hospitable, industrious, healthy and vigorous, honest and dignified, r learned at first hand. Slovak youth particularly, despite some weaknesses excesses and handicaps, i~ on the whole simply beautiful alert and alive wholeso~e and fully con~ scious of its national heritage I noted that both the boy~ and girls are obsessed by desire to learn. They are respectful to their elders, which is an ancient national trait and tradition. Their behavior was correspondingly very good. Their curiosity about what's happening in the rest of the world was simply astounding. I had the opportunity to observe this on my journey eastward via train. During the entire journey, I noticed groups of teen-agers huddled together over newspapers and periodicals. Their comments were both intelligent and stimulating. I have a good knowledge of the Slovak language and hence I could not help but appreciate their conversation, as well as Naturally, neither economically nor socially could they be compared with conditions in America. Their living standards. are far below th~s~ of our high standard, of hvmg. B':1t the people don t seem to mmd very much. The new ge~eratioi:1', alth~ugh inte:ested m the fmer thmgs of life, on the mater~al side, app~ar to be well adJusted to their present status while planning a ~etter future through educatlon and hard work. We who live in America know what the Slovaks desire more than anything in this world, namely, their freedom from foreign rule. There is no question that they do not enjoy either political or religious liberty. Anyone who has eyes to see and ears to hear cannot miss this obvious lack of local and national freedom or personal 1 i be rt y as we know it in America. The Slovaks bear a double yoke: a) Czech overrule b) Communist oppression. The regime is 'Czechoslovak' in theory and practice, and therefore, anti-Slovak, and communistic, hence 140 SLOVAKIA atheistic-in both cases expressly and extremely so. Slovak people, however, in spite of the above noted burdens they are forced to bear, have such native strength and stamina that they are making progress in industry, literature and culture, if not in politics. They are holding fast to the faith of their fathers. I was moved to tears when attending Mass in a number of churches. The voices of both young and old blended in a sacred symphony that was an outer manifestation of their deep and abiding faith. In the last twenty years the Slovaks have suffered much for their faith. Many died unsung martyrs because they refused to abandon their religious beliefs. This, I am firmly convinced assures the future national destiny of the Slovak people, for the blood of their martyrs and the constancy of countless confessors of the faith constitute an inexhaustible stream of living waters for generations to come. Eventually, the godless, not the Godly, will be overcome. In closing my remarks, I wish to leave this message: Do not fear the outcome. The Slovaks at home are not afraid. They are steadfast immovable in their faith. But pray, as our persecuted brethren in Slovakia pray constantly, that the day of their deliverance may come soon. That the day of liberation will come, there is no doubt in their minds. They look forward with anticipation to the day when once again, after a quarter of a century, they will guide the destiny of their country as free men under God." This is the way our young American fellow Slovak described his visit to Slovakia. We, who cherish our noble heritage of Christian faith and f r e e d o m in this great land of 1 i be rt y, welcome these realistic observations and reactions as unmistakable signs of the future, for a nation with such spirit and a wholesome outlook on life must certainly emerge triumphant after suffering an ordeal by fire in our tragic age of man's inhumanity to man. Slovakia with a glorious past now awaits the dawn of an even more glorious era. May God in His goodness and mercy grant the beginning of a new age of freedom and peace for the Slovak nation in our time. A. P. Annual SL O VA KI A is published by the Slovak League of America, 313 Ridge Avenue, Middletown, Pennsylvania. Subscription $2.00. Editor: Dr. Joseph Pauco. SLOVAKIA 141 JUST THE TRUTH ... PLEASE In the February 18, 1968, tions of the country which edition of The New York had traditionally figured as Times Magazine, Mr. Ed- the bulwark of democracy, mund Stillman presented les- the total vote for the Comsons on "The Fall of Czecho- munist-left Socialist coalition slovakia." Because I witnes- was a solid 55.76 per cent. sed the Communist take-over Only in agrarian and conof the country 20 years ago, servative S 1 ova k i a were I would like to make a few these proportions reversed." r e m a r k s on the article I would like to express my (pages 34-46) to correct some thanks for this truthful comfacts . ment. On May 26, 1946, I was elecIf not for the Czech majorted as a member of Parlia- ity, Czecho-Slovakia would be ment in Prague by a 92.3 % with the· west today. We Slomajority for the Slovak De- vaks are proud of our "primocratic Party. The night mitivism" against Communbefore the election the Com- ism, which was defeated in munists organized my kid- the 1946 election in Slovakia. napping to the USSR which Mr. Stillman mentioned a bordered my native district so-called "Czechoslovak naof Sobrance. My electoral tion" which doesn't e x i s t. district was along the "first" The Czech nation in in CzeIron Curtain. cho and the Slovak nation is Mr. Stillman called this in Slovakia with their own district " ... the more back- languages. I agree with the ward region of Slovakia to statement that on Wednesthe east . . .", and " .. . the day, February 25, "The ArchCzechs despised the Slovaks bishop of Prague called on as primitives or traitors." I the nation to support the was proud to be an educator Constitution." Ar ch bishop and a Superintendent of Beran called only on the Schools in Slovakia. Czechs. The Slovak Catholics The writer has given full never belonged with Prague credit to the Czechs for the but were d i r e c t 1 y under fall of Czecho-Slovakia into Rome. For their resistance to the Soviet block. He was the Communist doctrine, right when he stated that "In SIX of the NINE Slovak Bohemia and Moravia, the Catholic bishops DIED in industrialized western por- prisons. 142 SLOVAKIA Also, it was mentioned that Czecho-Slovakia at that time " ... was a practicing democracy." I would not agree because I was the ONLY MEMBER of Parliament in Prague in 1947 who denounced the brutality of the Communistheaded secret police who were torturing innocent Slovaks in Bratislava prisons. For that speech during the Communist coup d'etat in February of 1948, I was charged with treason and managed to survive o:r:tly by escap- ing to the West. Enclosed is a translation of that parliamentary speech. We Slovaks, as the Czechs say, are traitors, but the Czechs had "human rights and honor" when they sold Czecho-Slovakia and with it us Slovaks behind the Iron Curtain. There can be no doubt why in the USA I am carrying on the mission for a free Slovakia which cannot be dominated and sold-out by the Czechs in the future. Stefan Blasko IDEALS OF 'DHE SLOVAK NATION I think the story, the traditions and the honoc of the Slovak people is one of the most glorious stories in history. It is hard to find a story of any people who for more than one thousand years were deprived of liberty, nationality, and subjected to national and religious persecution. The Slovaks have given all the world a lesson in what i,t means to be devoted to ideals. During the crucial period of their history, these brothers, sisters, and children of thait noble race came to our United States which has ever been a sanctuary and a home O'f persecuted people. With this thought I have many recollections of the past and of that beautiful country of Slovakia from which you or your ancestors have come. It was my privilege in the happy days of peace to know your country and the character of your people, for I went to school for five yeairs with many of the boys from that country, some of whom have come to be priests here in our United States. I know the thoughts that fill your minds today of the disaster, injustice, the tyranny, the oppression, the cruelty that has come over an injured Europe that we once knew, for Europe was a great mother of America ... and I know how you feel because I feel the same. You and I must show our sympathy and give our help in every way possible to those naitions thart g,ave us birth and our birth rights. Our happiness is saddened by the thought of our persecuted brethren in Europe. We associate ourselves with them in prayer, also in determination to do everyithing in our power to alleviate their suffering. We express sympathy to those who suffered persecution foc justice's sake asking Almighty God to give them grace to carry on - Francis Cardinal Spellman in the practice of their faith. SLOVAKIA 143 BOOK REVIEWS MORE A BOU T D R. Dr. Jozef Tiso-President of the Slovak Republic. In commemoration of the 20th anniversary of his death at the hands of the enemies of Slovak Independence. By Fr. Vnuk. Publishers: Association of Australian Slov aks. P . Gerdelan, Orbis Printing and Publishing Co., PTy ., Ltd., Sydney, 1967. An unprepossessing volume of a meager fifty pages, this important work by a prolific Slovak writer, however, is a clear, concise, factual account of the life of a Slovak leader who died on the gallows: for his faith, for his Slovak nation, for the Christian country of Slovakia in the heart of Europe. Msgr. Tiso, a Catholic priest, represented his people's ancient faith of more than a thousand years' tradition . .AJ; a spiritual leader he was, therefore a symbol of the religious background and heritage that began with SS. Cyril and Methodius in the 9th century A.D. As a political figure he was more than a politician-he was a shepherd of his flock, i.e. , the Slovak people, a revered chieftain of his clan, and a statesman whose vision, courage and leadership guided the newly independent Slovak Republic safely through the dark days of World War II. By the very nature of its brevity, the modest volume leaves much to be desired in the way of a more detailed, and consequently a more thorough review and analysis of events that are merely touched upon. Nevertheless, for one who is acquainted with the history of Slovakia, the book can well serve as a good manual for a series of talks JOZE F T IS0 and even as a logical and chronological framework for a later edition of greater proportions. Moreover, the historical background to the modern emergence of the Slovak nation and its independent state is quite adequate for those to whom the material is entirely new. What puzzles people in the western world is the presence of members of the clergy in politics. Although there is no valid reason why they, as citizens, should be excluded from the political stage, their clerical status automatically does exclude them in the minds of most people. This in spite of the fact that the American Congress from the very beginning has traditionally attracted numerous Protestant clergymen and their membership was never seriously questioned. Be that as it may, the author explains that the need for leaders in Slovakia necessiated the 'participation and involvement,' to borrow a really modern phrase, of dynamic priests who answered the call to duty for the public welfare but considered it not only a privilege but an obligation to serve the interests of religion whenever the Church was under attack, as certainly was the case after World War I when atheistic, communistic and anti-clerical elements joined forces against the Church in Slovakia. In this matter, as in others, Vnuk's work is well documented. Tiso's early political ventures were not always successful. Thus, his policy of coalition with the Czechs ended in fiasco. In 1927 he persuaded Hlinka to abandon his basic policy of opposition to the 144 SLOVAKIA Prague central regime and join the government in an attempt to secure more recognition for the Slovaks. In about two years Hlinka's Slovak People's Party resumed its uncompromising stand because the Slovaks became convinced that the Czechs were determined to maintain their position of domination over Slovakia. Dr. V. Tuka paid for the 'noble experiment' by being framed and sentenced to a 15-yr. prison sentence on charges of treason. This was a foreshadowing of the reprisals that were to cost him his life, as well as the lives of President Tiso and many stalwart Slovaks after World War II. Again in the presidential election of 1935 when President Masaryk resigned at the age of 85, Dr. Tiso negotiated with Dr. Benes whose candidacy was closely challenged in the race for the presidency, and gave him full support upon Dr. Benes' promise that if he were elected Slovakia would get autonomy in a year. The Slovaks were deceived by the new president, who, like his illustrious predecessor, failed to keep his word of honor. So once again the Slovaks were duped. In .!~merica they had given full support t0 Masaryk during World War I after he had signed the Pittsburgh Pact guaranteeing the Slovaks naticnal selfgovernment or autonomy. . . in Slovakia they were the deciding factors in Benes' succes;,ful bid for the presidency . . . and in both cases they were victimized. In the unrelenting drive for selfgovernment in Slovakia, Martin Razus, a Protestant clergyman :md writer, with his National Party became faithful allies of Andrej Hlinka. Even in the Slovak Agrarian Party the spirit of autonomy became more . and more apparent after the election of Dr. Benes. Upon the death of Hlinka on August 16, 1938, on the eve of the Munich crisis, leadership of the Slovak People's Party passed on to Dr. Tiso. The problem of self-government or autonomy for Slovakia was suddenly resolved by the Czech centralist regime in Prague in the fall of that year. A matter that had dragged on for a score of years was finally settled in less than two months because of the immediacy of the situation brought on the swift rush of events that threatened the disruption of the CzechoSlovak Republic. Even at that later date it was the united demand of all Slovak political parties (with the exception of two small factions, the Communists and the Social Democrats) at 2ilina, Slovakia, that actually prodded the Czech government to take action. Slovak autonomy was a reality at last! Bratislava became the center of the newly-established Slovak autonomous government. Almost immediately a crisis ensued as Germany annexed the Sudeten lands in Bohemia and Hungary made insistent demands on southern Slovak territorial lands. Dr. Tiso staunchly defended the Slovak cause as premier but despite his attempt to modify the excessive claims of the Magyars at Komarno, a German-Italian commission (headed by Von Ribbentrop and Count Ciano) decided arbitrarily to cede 4,000 square miles of southern Slovakia with a population of a million (considerably more than a third of whom were outspoken Slovaks and the rest mostly Magyarized Slovaks) to Hungary by the unjust award of the Vienna Verdict of November 2, 1938. Visibly shaken by the injustice of the Vienna declaration by which the Slovaks lost a full 20 % of their SLOVAKIA historic lands and people on the Slovak-Magyar border, the new autonomous government in Slovakia, however, faced the future with courage and determination and proceeded to consolidate its political forces. Accordingly, all political parties were united into a single party of Slovak national unity. Under its banner the Slovaks elected 63 members to the Slovak parliament in the national elections in December of that fateful year. Undaunted by the seriousness of the events that saw the new autonomous government come into power, the Slovak parliament assembled in Bratislava on January 18, 1939. Dr. Tiso gave the keynote address in which he emphasized that Christian ideology was fundamental to the structure and spirit of the Slovak self-governing state in the Czecho-Slovak Republic. Moreover, he steered a middle course in the turbulent stream of events that moved a group of young ardent Slovak nationalists to push the Slovak ship of state directly towards the shores of complete national freedom and independence. In Prague the central government became alarmed at this turn of events and made March 9, 1939 a fatal decision, namely, to occupy Slovakia by force. Prague ordered Czech troops to seize military control of Slovakia and declared martial law. Simultaneously with the dispatching of army units to Slovakia the dismissal of Dr. Tiso as Slovak premier was announced. Karol Sidor was named his successor. When Germany's offer to discuss the situation with Sidor met with a rebuff, Dr. Tiso was urged by party leaders to go to Berlin for a conference. He went to the German 145 capital on March 13, conferred with both Von Ribbentrop and Hitler and was told that if the Slovaks refused to declare their national independence, their country would be divided between Hungary and Poland. The Magyars had already taken 1/5 of Slovak territory at the end of the previous year. Faced with this dilemma, the Slovak parliament on March 14, 1939, voted unanimously for the declaration of Slovak independence. Although Dr. Tiso was the acknowledged head of the Slovak Peoples' Party after Hlinka's death, and the premier of the Slovak autonomous government inside CzechoSlovakia, it was not until October 26 of that year that the Slovak parliament officially and unanimously elected him president of the newlyestablished Slovak State. What type of a man was Tiso? Everyone is naturally curious to know the answer. Physically, he was a heavy-set man with broad shoulders, a striking face and imposing head, of more than average height. He moved graciously and walked with dignity. In keeping with his physical appearance he was a big man intellectually. Yet, he was not a cold and calculating man but a man with a ready smile, a sparkle in his blue eyes, and a warmth that radiated from his fatherly personality. He especially loved children and was a beloved pastor in his parish at Banovce which he administered to the end of his presidency of the Slovak Republic. Pazmaneum University and Seminary in Vienna graduated Dr. Jozef Tiso with high honors in studies of philosophy and theology. As a preacher and speaker he commanded attention by the sheer power of logic, as well as by his strong, resonant baritone voice that could 146 SLOVAKIA reach Jisterners at the fringes of a large crowd or audience. He differed from the eloquent Hlinka, whose passionate, impetuous oratory and silver-toned tenor voice moved his hearers to cheers of adulation. Tiso, a moderate rather than an impetuous man, sought to carry out policies of his party in a quiet, yet forceful and persevering manner. At heart, however, he remained a profoundly simple, sincere and humble priest who though president of the country took time out quite regularly to attend to parochial duties in his beloved Banovce parish on weekends. President Tiso preached, baptized and offered up Mass the same as any devoted pastor of a typical Slovak parish. Undoubtedly, a further clue to his personality is his own personal adjustment to his position as president. At no time did he approve of any secret servicemen to accompany him for security measures. He walked the streets of Bratislava daily . . . and unattended. He made frequent trips throughout the country unattended, i.e., without police escort. Such was his personal courage and trust in the people whom he loved and served, and who not only respected but loved him in return. German interference in internal Slovak politics was kept at minimum although at the express orders from Berlin, Vnuk declares, Dr. :i')urcansky and others were dismissed from high posts in order to make way for a Germanophile group led by V. Tuka and A. Mach. Jews in Slovakia remained unmolested until March, 1943, when the Ministry of Interior, in compliance with German orders, began their deportation. By August of the same year, however, this ceased entirely because of disturbing re- ports and rumors that the Germans were exterminating all Jews in concentration camps_ From that date until the end of the conflict in 1945, the Jews were protected by law as special wards of the Slovak state and shielded by thousands of Slovaks privately. At least 80% of Slovak Jews were saved in this way. An insidious conspiracy that flared up into a revolt in August of 1944 against the Slovak Republic was instigated by a coalition of communists and Czechoslovak partisan factions, and bolstered by Soviet parachutists, in the northern hills of the country in the Banska Bystrica region. Although summarily put down with the aid of a small German division in less than six weeks, the revolution cost the Slovaks some 30,000 lives (mostly civilians caught in the line of fire) and the destruction of a score of villages and towns, strategic railways, tunnels, <bridges and roads. It was a rebellion staged by totally irresponsible elements in the country and supported by a number of high officers who were guilty of treason ... and all guilty of a crime that resulted in the ruthless and useless destruction of many innocent lives of men, women and children. Invasion of Slovakia by the onrushing Soviet forces came in the East at the beginning of the new year of 1945. By May 1, Slovakia was overrun by three Soviet armies that showed no mercy to the Slovaks whose towns they pillaged from one end of the country to the other. The victorious troops wrote a tragic chapter of rape, murder and ravage in this era of the socalled 'liberation' of World War II. Meanwhile, at the very last minute members of the Tiso government crossed into Austria. Before SLOVAKIA the war ended officially, President Tiso and members of his government were turned over to the Czech forces by U.S. Army to whom Dr. Tiso had voluntary surrendered. He was put into chains (actually), taken to Prague and led through the streets of the Czech capital, then to Bratislava, to await trial 'for treason' and as 'war criminal'. Their doom was a foregone conclusion. Dr. Benes and his colleagues, who thirsted for revenge, would see to it that they would hang. Wherever Communists seize power, it is common knowledge, they seek to intrench themselves firmly by a reign of terror. They pursue a policy of inprisonment, torture and death to instill terror into the hearts of people everywhere in order to paralyze all efforts of opposition. So it happened in Slovakia. Thousands were marched off to prison on the slightest pretext or for no reason at all. Before long, the clergy and Religious were destined to feel the brunt of persecution as the postwar atheistic communist regime consolidated its power to an absolute degree. The Church became a prime target of the new rule that pulled no punches in its relentless drive to absolute political control of the country. The final disposition of President Tiso was an open secret. A coalition of Dr. Benes and his reprisal-minded clique in Prague with the communists sealed the fate of the stellar Slovak statesman. His trial for the sake of appearances dragged on through four months from December 1946 to March 1947 in an all out effort to discredit the Slovak president, the Slovak Republic and aspirations of the Slovak nation to statehood. Highly censored reports were is- 147 sued to the press . . . all radio coverage was strictly 'edited.' It became quite obvious that his enemies and the foes of Slovak freedom were determined to destroy him. None was more intransigent than Dr. Benes. Assurances that Dr. Tiso would be granted political amnesty in the event of a verdict of death proved to be h o 11 o w phrases. In the final showdown following the official pronouncement of death by hanging on charges of 'treason' neither Dr. Benes nor the 17 members of a special government panel of high officials relented in their attitude, they upheld the verdict of the court. President Tiso was executed at dawn on April 18, 1947. Witnesses of the execution of President Tiso testify that he was calm throughout the ordeal. He walked quietly and prayerfully to his death on the gallows. Even the official news dispatches confirmed this report of the last hours of Msgr. Tiso. News of the execution of the Slovak president deeply stirred his fellow countrymen everywhere. His grave in a Bratislava cemetery became a national shrine overnight. Thousands rushed to place flowers on his last resting place ... not for long however, for the body of the Slovak nation's martyr was exhumed, taken away and cremated and his ashes scattered in an unknown place lest Tiso's grave, or even his ashes, become a memorial for a grief-stricken nation. This, the government shamelessly admitted, was what prompted its decision to remove the body forever for fear that a permanent national shrine should be erected to the memory of President Tiso in Slovakia. After a score of years of Czech- 148 SLOVAKIA communist rule over Slovakia resistance to political oppression and religious persecution is as strong as ever. The memory of the vengeful postwar policies emanating from Prague produced a permanent cleavage between the Czechs and Slovaks. The author, as all loyal Slovaks believe, declares the death of Tiso completely and irreparably severed the ties between the Czechs and Slovaks for a permanent sta,t e. Experience of 20 years of Czech rule from the centralist Prague after World War I and another score of years of Czecho-communist oppression and ruthless religious persecution directed from the Czech capital has touched the lives of appiioximately 5 million Slovaks in their historic homeland and another 5 million Slovaks scattered around the world. These have vowed to keep faith with their honored dead not to rest until Slovakia is once more free and independent, and a Slovak state restored to its rightful place in the family of free nations of the world. Final evaluation of the impact of Dr. Tiso's personality and the influence under the most adverse circumstances imaginable must await the verdict of future historians. They will be able to view his time in its proper perspective, weigh all the factors involved and present the facts dispassionately and justly in the light of genuine evidence. The 'rise and fall' (to borrow a popular phrase) of President Tiso and the Slovak Republic will then be viewed in its proper setting and will be adjudged according to just merits. Postwar condemnation of Tiso and his government in the Slovak Republic will be erased as an unjust stigma of disgrace for which Czech foes of Slovak freedom are responsible. Having done nothing themselves to save their country from Nazi occupation, they vented their rage on the great Slovak leader who dared to lead his people towards national freedom and independence when the rest of Europe was on the verge of a war of revenge, fratricidal slaughter and genocide. Destruction of the Slovak Republic and the execution of its president and members of the Slovak government was meant to be the death knell of the Slovak nation's aspirations to freedom and statehood. This was not to be the final verdict nor the final destiny of the Slovak nation. The Slovaks are convinced their fate under God is not oblivion but survival, and a glolious revival of life in their own independent national state. Fr. Andrew Pir, O.S.B. SLOVAKS BYPASSED BY CZECHS IN INFLUENCE ON WILSON By Prof. Aitstin J. App, Ph.D ., LaSalle College The book, I mmigrants' Influen- President Wilson between 1917 and ce on Wilson's Peace Policies, edit- 1920 in shaping the disastrous ed by Prof. Joseph P. O'Grady, LaSalle College, written by various scholars, and published by .the University Press, Lexington, Kentucky (309 pages, $8.50 ) throws much light en the pressures exerted upon peace treaties of Versailles and St. Germain. Since these led to World War II and subsequent enslavement of all the countries carved out of the Austro-Hungarian empire, history must judge those SLOVAKIA 149 treaties as calamities for Europe University, suggests that there and the world. were about 700,000 Slovak immigThe book shows that the Ger- rants in America during World man-Americans were too cowed to War I. The estimates for the Carinfluence the peace, though their patho-Ruthenians run all the way disillusionment with the Versail- from 6,299 to 500,000. Prof. Mamatey reports: les Treaty influenced the rejection of the Treaty by Congress. The "Whether or not it was due to British were enormously influen- the support of the American Slotial in getting the U.S. into war vaks, American officials never and later in checkmating the Irish questioned Masaryk's and Benes's wish for self-determination for Ire- right to speak for the Slovaks" land. The Zionists were enormously (p. 239). influential in preventing a separate The Slovak League of America , peace treaty with Turkey, securing formed in 1907, drafted a memothe dismemberment of the Turkish randum in July 1914, envisioning empire, and through the Balfour "only Slovak administrative and Declaration achieving the gradual cultural autonomy in Hungary, not take-over of Palestine. The Aust- independence or unity with the rians and the Hungarians, like the Czechs in a Czechoslovak state" German-Americans, had practically (p. 232). And until May, 1918, "no no influence on Wilson. The Yugo- Slovak expression of a desire for slav's had much, but not as much independence and union with Czeas the Italians. The Poles got prac- choslovakia was known abroad" tically everything they wanted, and (p. 238). so did the Czechs. However, in October, 1915, in The Czechs, through Masaryk and Cleveland, "the Bohemian National Benes, who were extremely shrewd Alliance and the Slovak League of and ruthless diplomatic operators, America agreed upon the 'Clevesucceeded in getting their aspira- land Pact,' which envisioned the estions considered as identical to tablishment of 'independence' and those of tlie Slovaks and Ruthen- 'union of the Czech and Slovak peoians. This induced Wilson to favor ples in a federal union of states the formation of Czecho-Slovakia, with full national autonomy for in which the Czechs had the hege- Slovakia" (p. 233 ). mony, and the promised autonomy By May, 1918, President Wilson for the Slovaks and Ruthenians, as endorsed the policy of breaking up well as that for the Sudeten-Ger- Austria-Hungary and encouraging mans, was recognized in word but the independence of all component violated in fact. nationalities. On May 30-31, 1918, Suggesting the importance in the peacemaking of these nationalities is the fact that three chapters are devoted to them: "The Czechs" by Otakar Odlozilik, "The Slovaks and Carpatho-Ruthenians" by Victor S. Mamatey, and "The Mid-European Union" by Arthur J. May, the three comprising pages 204-271. Prof. Mamatey, of Florida State in Pittsburgh the Bohemian National Alliance, the Federation of Czech Catholics, and the Slovak League of America endorsed a program drafted by Masaryk of the organization of Czechoslovakia. In it "Slovakia was to have her own administration and courts, for which Slovak would be the official language" (p. 237). Albert Mama- 150 SLOVAKIA tey had got inser,ted into Masaryk's draft Slovakia's desire for a "Diet." This Pittsburgh Pact was signed by Masaryk in Washington on November 14, 1918. According to these provisions, but as interpreted to the peacemakers by Masaryk and Benes, the Czecho-Slovak Republic was formed. Into it the three odd million Sudeten Germans were forced against their express will, and the assurance of autonomy given to the Slovaks and to the Carpatho-Ruthenians were "not fully implemented by the Czechoslovak government." Prof. Mamatey writes of "the unfulfilled promise of Slovak autonomy" (p. 249) . The book, of course, does not go beyond 1920, and therefore does not touch upon the tragedies that by 1945 had thrown all these unhappy peoples under the communistic tyranny. But the book as a whole and the three chapters dealing with Czecho-Slovakia help one understand the catastrophe of World War II and after-and suggest to the honest and wise what must be done to set things right. This includes granting the principle of self-determination as fully to the Slovaks as to the Czechs! Slovak Studies V. Historica 3. Slovak Institute, Cleve land-Rome, 1965, p. 268. Like its four predecessors, Slovak Studies V , Historica 3, is a boom to scholars and Slavists alike. Valuable in documentation, the contributions definitely enhance the growing English literature on Slovakia. The SS. Cyril and Methodius Institute in Rome can rightfully take pride in this 1967 publication. Among the contents in the current volume are research papers on Slovakia's Church history, cultural achievements, World War II political significance and linguistic eminence. Each learned discussion gives evidence of painstaking care and adherence to a factual, accurate account. Accompanied and supplemented by numerous documents in the original language, selective bibliographies, appendices, maps and footnotes , a total of six outstanding presentations combine to make this fifth volume of Slovak Studies truly remarkable. Taken topically, three essays deal with the development of Christianity among the Slovaks. Father Ernest Bouydosh, O.M.I., of Canada devotes a considerable portion of the volume to an analysis of "The Quadrennial Reports of the Archbishop of Strigonia to Rome." Introducing the "ad limina" reports found in the archives of the Sacred Congregation of the Council, the author examines the state of the Church in Hungary from the Tridentine era. "The historical value of these reports," writes Father Buoydosh, "lies in the fact that they are first hand documents reflecting the spiritual life of the dioceses, an aspect too often neglected in our historiography. Some of these reports also have an exceptional demographic value." The reports, printed in the original language in which they were sent to Rome, span three centuries, beginning chronologically from August 15, 1598 and ending March 5, 1827. Next follows an informative monograph on the Camaldulese Hermitage, known as the Red Monastery, from the gifted pen of a Jesuit scholar, Dr. Michael Lacko of Rome. Making extensive use of the documents preserved in the Hermitage of Frascati near Rome, the Archives of the Greek-Catholic SLOVAKIA Bishopric of Presov, and the Vatican Archives, Dr. Lacko has reconstructed a fascinating portrait of the evolution of religious life in Slovakia. He traces the beginnings of the Camaldulese Hermitage (Red Monastery) in Nitra, Slovakia, to the Monte Corono Hermitage of Central Italy. Of special interest is the work of Father Romuald Hadbavny, a Slovak hermit of such a Red Monastery in Spis County. An acknowledged scholar, he compiled a Latin-Slovak dictionary in 1763 which is still extant in manuscript form. He was also the first translator of Sacred Scripture into the Slovak language. His work is known today as "the Camaldulese Bible." Interestingly enough, Dr. Lacko notes nationalistic tendencies among the hermits, who early in the eighteenth century were already yearning for national hermitages. Vicissitudes of the era proved detrimental to the Red Monastery. For several centuries now it no longer functions according to its original purpose. Recently it has been restored as a museum and tourist attraction. It is in observance of this event that Father Lacko has favored the readers of Slovak Studies V with the present account. An impressive array of Latin documents (pp. 112-203), June 28, 1691 to 1781 amply demonstrate his thorough research in this field . A short discussion on "Slovak Greek-Catholics in America" blends well with the above. Mr. George Polak of West Liberty State College analyzes a chapter of Cyril Korolevskij's biography of the Metropolitan Andrew Szeptyckyj. While generously praising the work in general, Mr. Polak seems to take umbrage at the author's confusion concerning Slovak Greek-Catholics. Perhaps rightly so. A biographer is 151 in a broad sense of the term an historian; as such, it is essential that he presents accurate, precise information. To identify the Slovaks of the Byzantine-Slavonic Rite as the "Ruthenians from Sub-Carpathia" or the Slovaks from Eastern Slovakia as "Slavs from SubCarpathia" is both misleading and ethnically untrue. In "a noted authority on the Eastern Church and a Catholic priest of the Byzantine-Slavonic Rite," even though he is a native of France, such discrepancies are deplorable. Mr. Polak's argument would seem to be well taken and his point of view valid. Invaluable to an adequate understanding of the eighteen month interval of Slovak history between March, 1939 and August, 1940, is the "Collapse of the Czecho-Slovakia in Vatican Documentation." As a responsible historian, Frantisek Vnuk, the author, views these months in the light of the documents, eleven in number, found among the Vatican Published Archives, as crucial for Central Europe. His pithy observations substantiated by eye witness accounts of reliable authors, focus the events in proper perspective. His criticisms are well worth noting. An Appendix contains all eleven documents in the original Italian. Linguistically, William S. Patala's contribution to this volume is illuminating. "A Class in Twelve Slavic Languages," though brief in content, is rich in suggestions and ideas. Father Patala of the Steubenville Diocese describes a three year course which he taught with "appreciable success." How he managed to teach twelve related languages in one class period per week makes delightful reading. The author's imaginative approach to the teaching of languages, warmly 152 SLOVAKIA endorsed by the once prominent Slavist of Columbia, Dr. A. P. Coleman, deserves further experimentation. A dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Librarianship of Marywood College, Scranton, Pennsylvania by Sister M . Emma Hvozdovic, SS.C.M., is deservedly included in Slovak Studies V. Sister M. Emma's "History and Accomplishments of the Society of Saint Adalbert, Trnava, Slovakia" is the inspiring record of Catholic Slovakia's effort to preserve and cultivate its Cyril-Methodian heritage in the face of contrary forces. In 1870 Father Andrew Radlinsky founded the St. Adalbert Society (the name of SS. Cyril and Methodius would not have been permitted in its title) to publish Catholic books and periodicals, to encourage the arts, and to promote Catholic Slovak culture in general. Through the years it succeeded in placing in the hands of the people several editions of the Bible and at least 14 editions of the famous family prayerbook Nabozne Vylevy. It made available for church use the official Slovak Catholic hymnal and the official Slovak Catholic Common Book of Prayer. It provided for its membership, which extended beyond Slovakia, a wealth of reading material on every vital subject. It sowed the good seed. Today, if Communism is rampant in Slovakia, what else can one say, but that "an enemy hath done this." Written in a smooth and engaging style, the dissertation is based entirely upon Slovak sources and contains a selective bibliography. Its publication in Slovak Studies V is most timely in view of the approaching centenary of the founding of the society. One cannot help contrasting the former years of plenty with the present "winter over the land," when the Society's hands are tied and the people are crying for the Word of God, for Bibles, prayer-books, catechisms, hymnals. May God hasten the day when we shall witness again the fulfillment of the promise, "Happy those who hunger and thirst for what is right: they shall be satisfied." So much for the plus side of Historica 3. On the minus side one must warn the reader to expect frequent typographical errors which mar one's pleasure in perusing the excellent features. Also, it seems unfortunate, at least to this writer, to find so many precious docu-ments left in their original language, Latin, Italian, French. While scholars the world over are generally proficient with one or more foreign tongues, Latin documents are for the most part a closed book to American students. Strangely enough, only one of the contributors, Frantisek Vnuk of Australia, has seen fit to recognize this problem realistically. He has translated all documents used throughout his essay, leaving them in the original only at the end of his work. This surely makes his contribution of greater value to students than it would have been otherwise. Since the· volume is obviously intended for English-speaking readers, it would have been wise to consider this element. Considered as a whole, however, Slovak Studies V is distinctly notable addition to any library. Sister M. Ev angela Lubek, SS.C.M. Jorg K. Hoensch: Die Slowakei und Hitler's Ostpolitik (Hlinkas Slowakische Volkspartei zwischen Autonomie und Separation 1938-1939). Bohlau Verlag, Koln-Graz, 1965, p. 390. SLOVAKIA While there have been several scholarly books in English on recent history of Slovakia (J. A. Mikus, J. M. Kirschbaum, L. G. Oddo, K. Glasser, M. G. Voytko, F. Vnuk), in the German language literature dealing with Slovak problems is surprisingly scarce. The above volume attracted attention of the academic publications in Europe and since it brings some new aspects and new evaluation of the problems of Central Europe we have decided to review it. J. K. Hoensch's book is a well documented treatise of the crucial period of Slovakia's modern history: October 1938-March 1939. The declaration of Slovakia's independence in the intricate international situation of 1939 has been subject to controversial interpretations and although this book is abundant with references to sources in several languages, it will be hardly the last word. There is a clear tendency of the writer to avoid adopting either the Czech interpretation or the Slovak thesis that Slovakia had no other choice and cannot be blamed for applying the right to self-determination just because Germany made it possible. The door to the German Drang nach Osten was open at the Munich Conference and the peoples of the Danubian basin accepted the agreement of the four European Great Powers, who prepared the stage for the ensuing drama. This being clear, the writer examined the policy of the largest Slovak party-the Hlinka's Slovak Populist Party-and tried to find out if, when, and to what extent, Slovaks were involved in helping the Germans march towards the East. In comparison with other writers on this subject, Hoensch was in a privileged position of having the 153 access to the diplomatic archives of Germany and also to archives and sources of the Communist Czecho-Slovakia and Poland. On the other hand, his German ancestry, although he was brought up in Slovakia, may have been responsible for a certain bias which is evident particularly in some conclusions in the introduction to his work. Hoensch found a willing tool for German political concepts only in a group of the so-called radicals in the Slovak Populist Party, whose organ, according to him, was the bi-monthly Nastup, which, can hardly be substantiated as historically true. In addition, Hoensch came with a list of names of persons who either had nothing to do with the publication, because they were still in highschool, or belonged to the radical wing of the Party, but at the time of Tuka's imprisonment by Prague (Tuka was condemned, 1929, on "flimsy evidence" according to Macartney and other British historians to 15 years imprisonment for subversive activities), they had no connection whatsoever with Germany and were known as polonophiles. Except for Alexander Mach and Karol Murgas none of the persons mentioned by Hoensch belonged to Tuka's circle and actually could not be active in politics in 1938 because of their age or because of their studies at foreign universities, one even at the St. Cyr military academy in Paris (J. Stasko) . On the other hand, Nastup certainly had nothing to do with Tuka after his release from prison in 1938. This faux pas could seriously damage Hoensch's work, because he repeatedly used the names and therefore it was hardly an oversight. It would not, however, be 154 SLOVAKIA fair to discard the book for this error,, even if it is hard to explain how it occurred. Hoensch accumulated a great deal of information on Slovak politics in a period which decided the fate of Slovakia during and after the Second World War. He also .tried to evaluate the policy of the Slovak Populist Party and of individual politicians with much less bias than it has been done by Czech or Western historians who adopted the Czech point of view. Nevertheless, he apparently let his feelings influence his judgement when he wrote about certain Slovak politicians like Dr. F. f>urcansky, for instance, who was one of the strongest personalities in Slovak politics but for his opposition to German pressure was ousted already in 1940 together with the editor in chief of Nastup and the publication was banned. Hoensch used profusely also materials published by the Communist historians in Slovakia and some of his conclusions are undoubtedly influenced by their works. His general evaluation of Slovak efforts for an independent policy and his sympathetic attitude towards Slovakia's desire to emancipate herself from any foreign rule, infuriated, however, the communist critics. They first hailed the work in Kuiturny zivot, but later in Historicky casopis disagreed with his approach to the Slovak question as well as with his rather objective evaluation of the basic policy and the role of the Hlinka's Party in Slovak political life before the Second World War, as well as in the first years of the Slovak Republic. Slovak scholars and politicians should deal with this book in detail, because it offers a first class opportunity for correcting many misconceptions and biased views which the adversaries of Slovakia's striving for independence smuggled into the Western historiography. J . M . Kirschbaum Slovenska otcina, III. zviizok. Zostavil: Jan Elias. Vydal: 0. Frantisek Fuga, Hamilton, Ont., Canada, 1967. 432 p. This, the third and final volume of SLOVENSKA OTCINA, like its preceding issues, is an anthology of formal and informal articles and poems, interspersed with numerous pictures and some maps, all aimed at recapturing in print the rich heritage of life in Slovakia_ In this third volume, it is the western counties of Slovakia which are featured. The same format and style as that of the preceding volumes dealing with the eastern and central "zupy" is retained. The articles again have been culled from interested contributors-in this case, one hundred Slovak men and women: intellectuals, professionals, politicians, non-professionals, of various educational background, social milieux, political affiliations, and religious convictions. The names of these contributors are co.Rveniently listed in the back of the volume, with a brief comment of a personal nature, but no article or page reference is given. The literary contributions in turn have been capably edited by the following-Prof. Dr. Jozef M. Kirschbaum: Bratislava; Prof. Ing. Frantisek Vnuk: Tekov ; Draga Paucova: Nitra ; Imrich Stolarik: Trencin; Jan Elias: Komarno. The net result is a smooth-reading chronicle of the times and places dearest to the heart of the Slovak people. The book is more than a description and travel account of SLOVAKIA Slovakia on a narrative of its social life and customs. Almost unconsciously it breathes the soul, the spirit, the life of the nation which transcends all boundaries. The first part of this last volume contains valuable assorted articles on life related to times in the Slovak Republic period. Fittingly, the volume is dedicated to Msgr. Jozef Tiso, the first and only President of the Republic, whose picture is imprinted on the cover. The articles bearing on Tiso are mainly of the personal ty.pe, e.g., Tiso--clovek; Tiso-milovnik deti; prezidentova matka; Tisovo mesto. They are valuable vignettes for future biographers of the President-Martyr. Other significant articles found in this first section include facsimiles of the stamps issued during the period of the Slovak Republic and of citizenship papers, passport records, and other legal documents. Accounts of the status of education-both higher and rural, of the thriving tobacco and sugar industries, and of the banks of the Republic keep before the reader's mind the degree of successful cultural and economic pursuits of the Republic period. A very concise resume of Independent Slovakia, its formation and treacherous overthrow, keep the political sentiments of the people in perspective. The high cultural attainments of the Slovak people are reflected in two accounts. One gives the status of Matica Slovenska in exile today; the other tells of the activities of Svoradov, a once active bulwark of Slovak intelligentsia. By way of exception, three articles rooted on American soil are found in this first section. They are concerned with the Benedictine Abbey in Cleveland, 0 ., the Sisters of SS. Cyril and Methodius in Danville, Pa. , and the Daughters of 155 the Most Holy Redeemer in Gary, Ind. It may be concluded that the editors felt each of these institutes reflected the ideals of the Slovak Republic and are, or will be, instrumental in its rebirth. Each of the five following sections begins with a detailed map of the area. Unfortunately, the map reproductions in this third volume are not as clear as those in the preceding volumes. The Confucius proverb stated at the beginning of volume I, "Jeden obrazok ma taku cenu ako 1000 slov" ("A picture is worth 1000 words.") is, however, verified throughout the volumes. Especially enriching are those pictures directly related to the article. On the other hand, the irregular inclusion of authors' photographs, some formal and some informal, distracts somewhat from the material at hand. The articles themselves are unevenly distributed-20 on Bratislava, 5 on Komarno, 24 on Nitra, 11 on Tekov, and 31 on Trencin-a matter of no surprise, however, because of the unequal geographic distribution of city life in the various counties and the centralization of historical and cultural activities in Bratislava, Nitra, and Trencin. In each section, the history of the region comes alive mainly through small everyday accounts of the writers' remembrances of their own or their parents' experriences in the homeland region. As in the other two volumes, an effort again has been made by the editors to maintain a balance of articles representative of historical significance and notable personages in each area. For example, the Bratislava section has articles alluding to the archeological findings in Bratislava dated 2000 B.C.; to the famous Franciscan church in 156 SLOVAKIA Malacky; to the universities of Trnava; and brief essays on Konstantin Culen and Kral' Svatopluk, all of which nicely link the present with the past. The Komarno section has an article describing its museum and the county's historical significance in regard to Magyar influence. The Nitra section fittingly includes accounts of its royal and religious heritage enshrined in its castles and churches. The Tekov section enlightens the reader on its "Cantus Catholici" (1655), its pilgrimage site of Sv. Bei'iadik, its historic site of "Hronsky Svaty Kriz, and its mint at Kremnica. The Trencin section tells of the cave of Sv. Andrej Svorad, the birthplaces of Dr. Jozef Tiso in Vel'ka Bytca and ~udovit ~tur in Uhrovec, and the "Drotar" choir composed of natives from two hamlets in Trencin. The numberless essays not mentioned here are not less interesting or significant. Many of them give not only deep insight into the character, talents, and virtues of the Slovak people, but also provide explanation from concrete examples for the strained, and at times, hostile relationships between the Slovaks and the Czechs, between the Slovaks and the Magyars, and even among the Slovak people themselves. They each ring with a sincere tone which escapes chauvinism and marks this work as one stamped with loyalty, devotion, and real, hardly romantic, remembrances of a ruptured "free" homeland. The trilogy ends with a brief tracing of the history of SLOVENSKA OTCINA on a map, a call to its readers in the free world to champion the cause of freedom for the Slovak nation, and a wish that the articles within the three volumes, covering twenty Slovak counties or "zupy," contributed by 200 Slovak men and women, will help keep alive in the readers' minds and hearts the "fatherland " until that day when the Slovak Republic will rise again. Typical of the Slovak people, it concludes with a prayer to the Almighty Father and to the Mother of Seven SorrowsPatroness of Slovakia, for aid in the self-sacrificing work entailed in securing this just cause. The completed volumes are indeed a tribute to the faith, devotion, and self-sacrifice of its general publisher, 0. Frantisek Fuga, S.T.L., of Canada; general editor, Jan Elias; and contributors drawn from every rank of Slovak emigrants. The v,o lumes proclaim their single desire to keep before the world first-hand knowledge and a true image of the civilized, cultured Slovak people whose fatherland's name SLOVAKIA is already relegated to second place on maps, and whose official language is ever gradually being replaced by the use of Czech words, e.g., as illustrated on a 1962 Bratislava calendar in volume three, p. 218. The three volumes of the excellent series, SLOVENSKA OTCINA, are a "must" for every institution or private home with any Slovak connection, including public libraries and higher institutes of learning. In the older generation of Slovak birth, they will surely stir up fond related memories; in the younger, a rightful pride in their ancestry. Even non-Slovak people studying the language or second and third generation Slovaks who have lost speaking fluency but who still umlerstand the language can be motiviated to read the conversational type articles. A teacher of social studies, in particular, should find the material reliable source background. The books, in effect, evince the SLOVAKIA Slovak people's " passion for freedom"-freedom of country and freedom of religion. The character, the talents, the virtues, the sufferings under exploitation, and the dreams of the Slovak people should arouse in the reader a response to hope, work, and pray that the contents of these volumes will serve as 157 a means of restoring to the Slovaks their rightful cherished dreams of freedom-soon, before the forces in Communist-controlled, Czech dominated Slovakia wipe out its smoldering embers. Then the efforts of the publisher and staff will not have been in vain. Sr. M. Raymund Horvath, SS.C.M. TWO PUBLICATIONS ON THE PRESIDENT DR. J. TISO Vnuk, F., Dr. Jozef Tiso - President of the Slovak Republic, (The Association of Australian Slovaks, Sydney) , 1967, 50 p. ill. Durica, M. S., Die Slowakische Politik 1938/ 39 im Lichte der Staatslehre Tisos (Slovak Policy 1938/ 39 in the Light of Tiso's Political Thought), (Emil Semmel Verlag, Bonn) , 1967, 49 p. summarizJ.ng Dr. Tiso's achievements, his role in the struggle of the Slovak people for equality of rights in Czecho-Slovakia and finally for national independence in the troubled period before and during the Second World War, to his mar tyr's death. In the sub-title of his work, Prof. Vnuk mentions that it was published "In commemoration of the twentieth anniversary of his (Dr. Tiso's) death at the hands of his enemies of Slovak independence", but it is not a current commemorative booklet. The author gives the reader in a nutshell, a serious anci well-documented analysis not only of Dr. Tiso's political life-struggle, but also an excellent survey of Slovak politics and of the treacheries and perfidy of the adversaries of Slovak independence. The booklet is divided into 15 chapters and also includes several photographs and a map of Slova- The twentieth anniversary of President Tiso's execution by the communists with Dr. Benes as an eager accomplice, prompted the Slovak political refugees in the Free World to write many articles on Dr. Tiso and his courageous struggle. In book form, the above studies by prominent young Slovak scholars were published and both deserve to be carefully read. Prof. Vnuk's booklet is a wellbalanced and well-written presentation of Dr. Tiso and of his political career to the democratic world. After writing hundreds of articles and two books on political and cul- * Neuveritel'ne sprisahanie (An Incredible Conspiracy), (Literartural topics from modern Slovak ny Almanach Slovaka v Amerike, history,* Vnuk was one of the best Middletown, Pa.), 1964. qualified persons to seriously tackle with the subject. He displayed a Sedemruist' neurodnych rokov, <:onsiderable knowledge of foreign (Nacrt slovenskej literatury v and domestic sources on the crucrokooh 1945-62) (An outline of ial years of Slovakia's modern hisSlovak literature in 1945-62) , tory in all his writings and used it ( Slovak v Amerike, Middletown, with skill and good judgment in Pa.), 1965. 158 SLOVAKIA kia. There could hardly be a better concised presentation of "the case of Tiso", as it has been done by Vnuk. In equally sober and scholarly manner is written also Prof. M. S. !>urica's analysis of Slovak politics "in the light of Tiso's political thought and teaching". Both !>urica and Vnu.k belong to the younger generation of Slovak scholars in the Free World and while they lived in Slovakia during the crucial years of her history, they were too young to be involved personally in politics, which is undoubtedly an advantage. Nobody can seriously accuse them of speaking "pro domo sua", as the adversaries of Slovakia's aspirations for freedom used to do with regard to other Slovak writers on political subjects. !>urica also has a thorough preparation for his work and is equipped with probably the best knowledge of German and other European diplomatic sources on Slovakia, as his Italian book and numerous studies in other languages indicate.** The present publication is actually his lecture at the FriedrichWilhems-Universitat in Bonn to the students of all Faculties on June 12, 1967. Like Vnuk, !>urica also gives first a survey of Slovak history to make his subject more intelligible to his listeners. Then he speaks about the political thought (he uses the word Lehre-teaching) of Dr. Tiso and about the crisis of 1938/ 39. The·r e are all the elements of a serious scholarly paper in !>urica's publication, and it presents Dr. Tiso and Slovak politics to the Western world in an objective light, fighting only indirectly all the distortions and political propaganda which was spread by the communists and non-communists who adopted Czech and anti-Slovak conceptions about modern Slovak history. It would be only recommendable to make the lecture available in the English language, in which some scholars still rely on tendencious literature and rarely make their own research of original sources. The publication is enhanced by a bibliography of select works on Slovakia. J . M . Kirschbaum ** See my review of his book La Slovacchia e le sue relazioni politiche con la Germania 1938-1945, in Slavic and East European Studies, Vol. X, 1-2, p.69-70. Studia H istorica Slovaka IV - Vydavatel'stvo Slovenskej Akademie Vi ed, Bratislava, 1966. Multi-li ngual, 290 p . The thaw behind the Iron Curtain reached Czecho-Slovakia later than the other satelite countries, but the results of the little freedom which the intellectuals have been allowed, becomes slowly apparent in several fields of cultural endeavor. Historiography is one of these fields and the volume under the review indicates that the intellectual climate is changing. For a long time not only poets and writers, but also historians, linguists and scholars in general were forced by the regime to accept Marxist theories and criteria and to be a political tool of the communist party. In historiography this was evident in all works dealing not only with the recent history of Slovakia, but the Marxist interpretation with strong political overtones was applied even to the early centuries and Middle Ages of the Slovak historical development. In the most distorted way was treated especially the period of the SLOVAKIA Slovak Republic, the events of the Second World War, and the role of the Communist party in Slovakia since 1918 and particularly since 1944. A few books and symposia published since 1965 would indicate that this Marxist period of historiography is over. Historians, panelists and researchers are coming with views and interpretations which are much closer to the historical truths and objectivity. In the volume under the review this new trend is apparent mainly in K. Rebro's "Attempts at a rightful solution of the Slovak national question in the revolutionary years 1848-49" and Zd. Holotikova's "The Slovak Question and Czechoslovak Communist Party in pre-Munich Czechoslovakia." While the first contribution is free of the tendency to present the Slovak past as a part of "Czechoslovak" political development and views the events as an expression of the Slovak people to achieve Slovak national goals and equality of treatment with other component parts of the Habsburg Empire, the second contribution is free to a great degree of various myths which penetrated Slovak historiography with regard to the role of the Communist Party in pre-War Czecho-Slovakia. The Communist Party in Slovakia was a conglomerate of national minorities with strong preponderance of Hungarians, Czechs ( even Gottwald lived in Slovakia) and 159 others. Slovaks were not only in minority, but until 1930 did not have Slovak leadership. Only the return of Slovak students from Prague (among them Clementis, Novomesky, Ponican, Va.mos, Okaly, etc.) gave the communist movement in Slovakia some Slovak flavour. As for program, the party had none which can be interpreted as considering particular Slovak problems and national aspirations, except for linguistic rights. Communists of Slovak origin were led by Czechs and nolens-volens subscribed to the "Czechoslovak" conception and while they fought in Spain or wanted to solve problems of the world, they had little time for specific Slovak questions, and not much understanding for the struggle in which the majority of the Slovak people were involved. Holotikova still tries to explain, embellish and interpret the historical facts in favour of the Communists, but it is necessary to admit that she comes close to the historical truth and her courage and intellectual honesty are evident in many parts of her treatise. The contributions are published in German, English and French, and there is an apparent improvement in the translations in comparison with the previous volumes. The volume has for Western historians certain value, but cannot still be accepted without necessary cautiousness. J . M. Kirschbaum TAK SME SA POZNALI Tak sme sa poznali. Dr. Jozef Pauco. gaging title TAK SME SA POZNAPublished by Slovak v Amerike, LI (So Have We Known One Middletown, Pa., 1967, 281 p. Illus- Another) can be expected to entrations. compass mulUple and varied per- Dr. Joseph Pauco's MEMOIRS, sonal contacts as well as deep inwhich he has issued under the en- sight, broad vision and a skillful 160 SLOVAKIA pen. The author is a scholar, a man of the people, an editor, a journalist, a lecturer, a politician. The era he portrays was at once shatteringly disruptive and marvelously formative in its application to Central Europe and specifically to Slovakia. The men who played the leading roles in the drama of the Slovak Republic (1939-1945) were true to human nature: some giants, some midgets, some heroes, some traitors. The MEMOIRS acquire merit and authenticity from the position and the qualifications of the author. Dr. Pauco is a man whose roots rest deep in the common people. He was born in Slovakia in 1914. His father had died in the war, and so the first influences that left their mark on him came from his mother. This typical Slovak woman loved truth, right, freedom; she admired and vigorously supported the leaders who represented these qualities in government and society. The author's family, his village, his neighbors were poor in material possessions, but they were thoroughbreds in honor, dignity, integrity, courage. Dr. Pauco is a scholar, with a doctorate from Bratislava University, possessing specialized knowledge of Slovak history in its various ramifications and competent to interpret current events and human motives and aspirations. From his student days he manifested a predilection for journalism and contributed regularly to student publications and eventually also to the public press. In 1938 he served as editor of the young people's energetic Nastup. The following year he became editor of the People's Party daily, Slovenska Pravda, and in 1940 he was promoted to the staff of the Party's daily, Slovak, and became its editor in 1942. By his own account, Dr. Pauco was from childhood interested also in public speaking. He studied and admired Hlinka and Tiso, Hrusovsky and Mederly as much for their "platforms" as for their superlative ability to hold an audience spellbound. As a young student he participated in debates and panels and soon became known as a capable orator. Throughout his life he has delivered hundreds of lectures both in Europe and in America on subjects ranging from Slovak nationalism to party politics, from Slovak religious history to language. Dr. Pauco was a politician in the sense that he participated in civic movements and campaigns for human rights, and as a journalist, lecturer and editor he took a stand on political and party issues consonant with his convictions. In Tak sme sa poznali, Dr. Pauco describes his encounters with persons at the helm of the Slovak Republic, whose names are known to every Slovak. Who has not heard of Dr. Jozef Tiso, Andrej Hlinka, Karol Sidor, Frantisek Hrusovsky, Jozef Kirschbaum, Ferdinand !>urcansky, Vojtech Tuka, Sano Mach, Konstantin Culen, Andrej .Zarnov? The list is long. Some of the author's encounters with these men were casual, others in the line of duty. Some were friendly, some disappointing, others bristled with conflict. They began in the author's impressionable childhood, gained momentum in his student days at Svoradov and reached their climax when he was editor of Slovak and a leader of the People's Party. The impact of these encounters perhaps loses some of its potency for American Slovaks, to whom the system of Slovak government, the g e o g r a p h i c a 1 setting, details, SLOVAKIA 161 of Slovak history and intricacies of however, hoping to curry German the Slovak position are not tho- favor, were bent on deporting and roughly familiar. One would like to exterminating the Jews. They sucknow more; one would like to ask ceeded in passing the infamous questions. But the personalities Jewish Codex, which however Tiso that emerge are superb. managed somewhat to mitigate by Some interesting sidelights on the inclusion of the clause permitcontroversial problems can be ting the President and other oftrailed throughout the book. Take ficers to intervene and prevent the the Jewish question, for example. deportation of any Jew allegedly There were always some Jews on essential to the nation•s welfare. It the staff of the Slovak. They con- is estimated that in this way Presitinued at their posts even after the dent Tiso saved the lives of some laws against them became extreme, 9000 Jews. being saved from deportation by At Tiso's trial Archbishop Kmet' the "urgency" clause with which ko testified that the President did President Tiso had managed to off- not sign the Jewish Codex, that he set the inhumanity of a cruel law. in fact repudiated it. And the ConThere was in Slovakia a certain ference of Slovak Bishops declared "garnitura," a set headed by Prime that Tiso was so incensed at the Minister Vojtech Tuka, which passing of the Jewish Codex that favored collaboration with the he was prepared to resign from ofNazis in the full sense of the term fice. Only the thought that he and which pressed for the exter- might yet save the situation from mination of the Jews. Strongly op- becoming worse, and because the posing him were Tiso and his fol- Jews themselves pleaded with him lowers in the People's Party, the did he decide to remain at his broad masses, who upheld God's post. law and the human rights of ever y From this book the impression individual, not excepting the Jews. grows that " true" Slovaks were In his propaganda tactics Tuka is- not so much anti-German, antisued a newspaper in which he Czech, anti-Communist, anti-Socialscornfully labeled Tiso and his fol- ist, as they were altogether wholelowers "white Jews" and "half heartedly, singlemindedly, unreJews" because of their protective servedly Slovak. Their pro-Slovak stand in favor of the Jews. On the aspirations cast out and left no room other hand, Minister Sano Mach, for any negative elements. Such who was Tuka's faithful henchman, genuine patriotism and true nais nevertheless known to have re- tionalism is God-given in the natusisted Nazi pressure for sterner ral law, as expressed by President laws against the Jews in Slovakia Tiso in his last statement to the and to have personally intervened nation : " 'For God and nation' is a in saving many Jewish lives. positive command of God, Who inIndeed Dr. Pauco presents the stituted it as the natural law and "case of the Jews in Slovakia" with planted it in the heart of the nagreat fidelity and impartial objec- tion and in the heart of its every tivity. The Slovak President did all member." in his power to protect the Jews. The Slovak Republic was born The Slovak State opposed the per- and its direction chartered under secution of the Jews. Certain ele- the most searing circumstances. ments in the Slovak government, Within it men's souls were tested. 162 SLOVAKIA Some good men, who had served the State, while it lasted, with admirable loyalty and devotedness, failed Slovakia in her greatest hour of crisis in 1945 and thereafter. Dr. Pauco speaks sadly of these, for their greatest injury was their own personal ,p erfidy. Not all men can be heroes, but all men can be true. In the drama of the Slovak Republic, heroes predominated. The reader can only marvel at the integrity, the competence, the singleminded purpose, the energetic pursuit of an ideal, the perserverance of these men. The author does not hesitate to declare that had they been in the service of a world power, they would have become internationally renowned figures . Slovakia is rightly proud of them. What was the situation in Slovakia? Her most valiant warrior, Andrej Hlinka, who had weathered years of stormy resistance to Magyar oppression and had actively challenged a Czech so-called democratic regime for 20 years, had died on the eve of the proclamation of the Slovak Republic. In the realization of its bid for independence Slovakia now found itself on the international stage, thrust there by Hitler, and the unrehearsed performance of the drama which ensued taxed the leaders to the utmost. Yet in every forward step they invoked the law and adhered steadfastly to Christian principles despite pressures that nearly crushed them. Who were the leaders? Older men. Seasoned politicians like President Jozef Tiso, Jozef Buday, Ferdis Juriga, Jozef Srobar; younger men, who had acquired some experience in government and public affairs, like Karol Sidor, Frantisek Hrusovsky, Karol Mederly, Pavol Oplustil, Konsto Culen, Tido Gaspar, Andrej ~arnov; and the very young, fresh from the universities, like Jozef Kirschbaum, Ferdinand 1'.lurcansky, and Dr. Jozef Pauco himself. Dr. Jozef Pauco is proud of his generation and the achievements they accumulated to their credit in that stirring time. Their enthusiasm and tireless energy were phenomenal. The older men relied on them, encouraged them, supported them , and excused their inevitable mistakes in favor of the obvious and sincere love of their nation which motiviated them. Dr. Pauco's book is his answer to the oft-repeated question: "How well did you know N.N?" Each encounter, each portrayal is penetrating, engrossing, and vividly alive. As a sampling of the author's method, let me sketch - all too briefly, however, -Dr. Pauco's encounters with the key figure, President Jozef Tiso. How did he come to know Dr. Tiso? First of all. by hearsay. From his mother, who referred to this remarkable priest as a gift from heaven to the Slovak people. From a casual reference of Tiso's bishop who described the pastor of Banovce as an exceptional priest. Pauco's first view of Tiso was at a political rally in Nitra when he was still too young to understand the speaker's words; but was deeply impressed by his manner of speaking, his gestures, his voice, and the reaction of the crowds. Tiso was indeed a remarkable man: what his mother used to tell him was true. His whole being responded to the magnetism and charm of Tiso. His second encounter with Tiso also occurred in historic Nitra in the year of its Christian Jubilee 1933. Slovak youth was there, bursting with enthusiasm, alert for action. Somehow Paufo found him- SLOVAKIA self in the youthful vanguard around the speaker's tribune. The first to address the vast crowds was Dr. Tiso, who directed his stirring words on the significance of the occasion mainly to the young. His words came out in a series of questions which the audience punctuated with loud bursts of cheering: "Can a nation which embraced Christianity 1100 years ago be an unknown quantity? Does not such a nation possess the attributes of culture? Can such a nation repudiate its past history? Shall such a nation grovel before slave drivers? Has not such a nation the right vigorously and categorically to demand the same natural rights to self-identity as any of its neighbors?" There was no end to the questions. 163 party leaders. Pauco concludes that Tiso's articles were every bit as "subversive" as Hlinka's and Sidor's, but they lacked certain explosive words which the censors, using their dictionaries perhaps, obviously watched for. Pauco further opines that Tiso's erudition and style were beyond the grasp of the censors and their command of the language. But they made their mark in the hearts of the people. Pauco's first actual, person-toperson meeting with Tiso came as the result of a lecture engagemet at a school headed by Tiso. In a friendly chat that passed from personal to political and national topics, Pauco was happy to note the absence of any patronizing or censorious postures. On the contrary, Tiso conveyed complete confidence in his guest as a speaker and evinced an honest respect for his personal views. Dr. Pauco mentions that he had here an opportunity for the first time to observe Andrej Hlinka as a spectator in the audience. Hlinka applauded more vigorously than A meeting that stands out as the young people themselves and unique for Dr. Pauco was his preover and over called out "Na sla- sentation of greetings in the name vu," in praise of Tiso. of the Slovak Catholic Students Federation to Dr. Jozef Tiso on the Nevertheless, as Dr. Pauco notes, occasion of the declaration of SloHlinka and Tiso were two divervakia's independence on March 14, gent personalities. In his discourses 1939. It was brief and straight from Hlinka aroused the people as with the heart: "God help you, Sir Prime fire. Tiso's words were more pro- Minister." found , each one carrying its weight. There were other meetings with Tiso, literally hun<lreds of them , Dr. Pauco quotes a friend's reafter Pauco became editor of the mark that paragraphs from HlinSlovak. The Slovak was Tiso's newska's and Sidor's articles in the parpaper, yet he never dictated to its ty press were much oftener deeditor. He was satisfied that it was leted by the Czech censors and faithful to the People's Party, to their columns showed many more its ideals, to Christian statesmanwhite spaces than did those of ship and Christian principles in Tiso. Pauco looked into this ingeneral. His one word of advice teresting observation. He pulled out was, "Hold fast to the Slovak line." the old issues of various newspapers, including uncensored copies, President Tiso visited the editor's and compared the texts of these office regularly once a week and 164 SLOVAKIA The name of Dr. Tiso appears throughout Tak sme sa poznali. The men portrayed in its pages were either for or against the Slovak State, which is another way of saying they were either with Tiso Dr. Pauco presents the substance or against him. of many of these meetings. They President Tiso had his enemies, constitute a remarkable and authentic dossier of Tiso's policies, his ob- and they were not only the Gerjectives, and his views on perplex- mans. They included men in the ing situations, on government of- government, headed by Prime Minficials , on history and world affairs, ister Vojtech Tuka. Dr. Pauco carefully differentiates between Presiincluding America. dent, the government and the SloPages are written about Tiso's vak State. How the Slovak State identification and contact with the managed to come into existence, common people, both as President assume responsibility for its welland as a pastor of Banovce. People being and development and actualhad free access to him always. In ly achieve a high standard of operatheir visits throughout the country, tion despite pressures from within towns and villages, Tiso and his out and opposition and challenges representatives were a cc o rd e d from within, this is the account one honors from the people utterly de- reads with admiration in Dr. voted to them. And Tiso took every Pauco's book. occasion to instruct the people on But Dr. Tiso was not merely optitheir duties to the state, and they responded with the utmost generos- mistic for the fate of the Slovak ity. Well-known is the people's sup- Republic; he had the highest trust port of the national economy and in God's Providence for it. We retheir generous offering of all their echo that trust and believe firmly gold jewelry to supply the neces- that Dr. Pauco's book will be one sary gold backing for the banks in of the means God will use to acquaint the world with the truth the first months of the Republic. about Slovakia and to lead it to Tough realist that he was known acknowledge Slovakia's right to to be, Tiso rarely exhibited the self-government and to guarantee deep and abiding affection he felt it to her. for the Slovak masses. Yet on ocTAK SME SA POZN ALI is a casion he allowed himself to be carried away by his feelings. Dr. tremendously vital book. In rePauco recalls the graceful gesture counting his experiences in the Sloof hands extended to a crowd of vak Republic - "All of which he one hundred thousand Slovak citi- saw, part of which he was" - Dr. zens assembled before the National Pauco has written authentic hisTheatre and Tiso's moving words tory. As such it will live and addressed to them: "Nation of flourish . Sister M. Tarcisia, SS.C.M mine, I love you." oftener. Similarly Tiso's office was open at all times to Pauco. All he had to do was make an appointment with Tiso 's secretary ; rarely did he have to wait. SLOVAKliA 165 OON'TIRIBU'DIONS ON SLOVAKIA IN THE S'YM:POSID1M BOHEMIA Gogolak, L. von, "T. G. Masaryks slowakische und ungarlandische Politik" (Masaryk's Slovak and Hungarian Policy), Munich, 1963. Vol. IV, p. 174-227. Hoensch, J. K. , "Die Grundlagen des Programms der Slowakischen Volkspartei vor 1938 (The Basis of the Programme of the Slovak Populist Party before 1938), Munich, 1960, Vol. VII, p. 320-356. ceptable. As far as Masaryk's influence on Slovak politics before 1918 is concerned, Professor Gogolak's conclusions seem to be, however, less acceptable. It seems that he adopted the Czech view which always exaggerated Masaryk's influence on Slovakia before 1918, and even more exaggerated the role of the "Hlasists," who before 1918 were either students or their influence was very limited. On the other hand, Prof. Gogolak appears to be emotionally biased towards the Slovak nationalist group and especially toward Andrej Hlinka and his Party, which this reviewer mentioned also previously.* The group around "Hlas" became a political force only after 1918 when Masaryk divided among them political and economic power, regardless of their capabilities, age and influence in Slovakia. On the other hand , Vajansky, Skultety and the nationalist group of Turciansky (not Turcansky) Sv. Martin represented thinking of a large segment of Slovak population whatever we can say of their ideas. But Professor Gogolak, consciously or not, forgot to mention another group which was in-between, or close to the group in Turciansky Sv. Martin, and the only one represented in Budapest as a result of the elections: the Catholics Skycak, Juriga, Hlinka and the intellectuals around "Tovarysstvo," led by Oswald, to whom originally belonged also Gregor Tajovsky, erroneously called medical doctor by Gogolak. While reviewing another very well-written treatise on Slo- Bohemia is actually an annual (Jahrlmch) of the Colegium Carolinum in Munich for the problems of the Czech lands (Bohemia in Latin), but in recent years we could find in this well-edited symposium several contributions dealing with Slovak political topics. The above contributions are among those which should not escape analysis and some critical comments on the Slovak side, because they are basically valuable and of high academic standards. Professor Gogolak, whose previous studies made him one of the best experts on Slovakia in German language, deals with a controversial subject of Masaryk's origin and his influence on Slovak politics before 1918. Masaryk is, according to Gogolak, of Slovak background or in other words a Slovak from the ethnic point of view, but assimilated with the Czechs as Kosuth and Petofi did with Hungarians. He had first a German education and became Czech in his adult age, but his Slovak origin haunted him and therefore he wanted Slovaks to follow his footsteps: to assimilate with Czechs. This is, in a nutshell, Gogolak's thesis, supported by a thorough re- * See Slavic and East-European search and references to works in Studies (Universite de Montreal) , several languages, and it seems ac- Vol. XII, 1, p. 63. 166 SLOVAKIA vak politics by Professor Gogolak, I mentioned that he can be surprisingly objective when he speaks about the Magyarization, but he seems to have an emotional prejudice against those who later were organized in the Hlinka's party and his writings indicate a "favourable bias," when he speaks about Slovak "Czechoslovaks," especially about Hodza , Derer, Ivanka , Stefanek and others, and about their role in Slovakia before 1918. This is to be regretted because rarely anyone displayed such a thorough knowledge of literature on Slovakia in several languages and could penetrate even into the political climate in Slovakia and mentality of the Slovak people as Professor Gogolak did. to be regretted that he repeats some self-evident errors (for instance persons in Tuka's group who never belonged there). The programme and policy of the Hlinka's Slovak Populist Party is presented by Hoensch in Bohemia even less objectively than in his book, since many explanations of the background of Slovak politics, which we find in the book, are missing in the contribution to Bohemia. The adversaries of the Slovak aspirations for freedom and self-rule can, therefore , misuse again his study as they did with his book, which was recently thoroughly analyzed on the Slovak side by Professor Frantisek Vnuk. ** Because there is nothing new in H-0ensch's contribution which we could not find in his book, we refer the reader to the above mentioned reviews and express regrets that Dr. Hoensch's well-documented studies on Slovakia are not free of bias and that he did not avoid being influenced by the Czech and communist sources in his conclusions about the policy of Hlinka's Slovak Populist Party. J . M. Kirschbaum The contribution by Jorg K. Hoensch seems to be a re-written chapter of his b<Wk Die Slowakei und Hitlers Ostpolitik (Hlinkas Slowakische Volkspartei zwischen Autonomie und Separation 19381939) which was reviewed by this reviewer in the quarterly Slowakei (Vol. IV, No. 2, p. 58-64) and commented on it in Slavic and East European Studies (Vol. XII, 1, p. 61) . Since Dr. Hoensch's book was ** See L iterarny Almanach Slovaka published in 1965 and his contribu- v Amerike for 1968, (Middletown, tion under review in 1967, it is Pa.) p. 21-45. SLOVAKS IN CANADA Kirschbaum, J.M., Slovaks in Canada, (Canadian Ethnic Press Association of Ontario), Toronto, 1967, XVI- 480 pp. Bibliography, Index, Illustrations. The present book by Prof. Joseph Kirschbaum is more than a true and conscienious report about the happenings to the Slovaks in Canada. It is a bi-continental report on the destiny of one of the oldest nations in Central Europe, a report on the struggle for a survival both in the old homeland and in Canada. The book itself shared the adventures of overcoming the obstacles to its survival i. e. to its publication; the same ones and coming from the very same groups which were and are at the origin of the fact that the Slovaks are denied to live a SLOVAiaA free way of life in their own homeland. It is amazing to see to what degree the moral awareness for the human dignity can be blinded and muzzled even in the free Western world by a flood of propaganda, accepted without any criticism and without any desire to find out what the facts really are; in the present case, what the real facts are with regard to the Slovaks. From this point of view this book is much more than a book of History. It is a true History indeed, yet at the same time, and by the fact of being a true History, it is an appeal to the moral conscience of the Western world to recognize the due right of the Slovaks for a free life, even if there are no more of them than 4.5 million in Slovakia. There are about 65,000 Canadians of Slovak origin and well over one million of them in the U.S.A. The social, economic, religious and cultural history of the Slovak immigrant is basically nothing less than a profound human plea for a free life, it is a cry for freedom. Are many people ready to listen to it? Those who do not want to be disturbed in their more or less comfortable ideological pew-should put this book aside. However, if someone is inclined to risk his "mauvaise conscience" with regard to this particular case, he will get his reward both for Canada and for a people that do not ask to be judged on the merits of the facts. In this case you are going to be witness of the story that can accomplish the human craving for freedom and you will feel proud to be a member of a nation where only the freedom is the limit to the human energy. Dr. Kirschbaum gives us a thor- 167 ough and stimulating history and analysis of the life of Slovak Canadians, beginning with the first settlers in the West during the 1880's to the political refugees who fled their native land at the end of the Second World War, unwilling to accept foreign domination and Communist regime in Slovakia. The author has left few stones unturned in his research; he visited the places where Slovak Canadians live and where many died; talked to the organizers of Slovak religious and social organizations, and read their press, which in a period of 57 years has numbered 17 newspapers and 13 cultural and religious periodicals. The author also explains at some length the reasons which led Slovaks to organize themselves in associations, thus giving us an insight into the ways an immigrant group was able to adapt in a country where language and custom barriers were not the only obstacles to overcome. In time, most of these obstacles were not only overcome, but Slovak Canadians were able to make very worthy contributions to the arts and sciences as well as to the economic development of Canada. These contributions are discussed in the second of a new two-part definition of the concept of intergration which is analyzed at some length. Dr. Kirschbaum is particularly qualified to convey the story of the Slovak group in Canada to other Canadians and to link it to its origin in the old country. A Slovak European, he arrived with his family to Canada 19 years ago via several years of traveling and studying in Italy, France, Switzerland and other European countries. He participated in many fields of the Canadian life; from economy, 168 SWVAK1A social, religious, ethnic, to cultural and in particular in the University life, as former Professor at the Universite de Montreal, and lecturer at the University of Ottawa and the University of Toronto. One has to fully agree with the author's remark in his Preface that, "The story which the book tells about Slovaks in Canada is the saga of a small group of people in a new land who preserved their identity and achieved success against many odds. Many aspects of their history can apply to several other ethnic groups, particularly to those who came to Canada from the territories of the former Austro-Hungarian Empire: Poles, Slovenes, Croats, Czechs (Bohemians), and also some Ukrainians (Galicians). Basically it is a simple story without heroic deeds, but not without the courage and perseverance which brought final success. A great deal of that success is due to the democratic institutions of Canada to the tolerance of its people and the abundant resources of the land; but the main factor was the human element: a healthy and hard working people and their will to struggle and succeed, to prosper and create a better future culturally, religiously and econo- mically. The reader may conclude for himself how well they achieved these aims." Furthermore, many will also agree "Whatever happens, the purpose of this book will have been served if the second and third generations of Slovak Canaclians remember their origin and become aware of the reasons which brought Slovaks to Canada, their difficult beginnings, their successful struggles, and their contributions to Canadian life. It is also hoped that this book will serve historians in their accounts of the different aspects of Canadian history." The book makes a considerable contribution to the knowledge of Canada for all Canadians who are desirous to know their country better. It is primarily directed to the second generation Slovak Canadians and to the English speaking Canadians, but the French speaking Canadians also can get a glimpse into the contents of the book through the extensive French resume. At the same time the book is a sincere undertaking in the service of freedom and human dignity of man applied to the dramatic case of the Slovak people. Charles Murin THE SLOVAK LEAGUE OF AMERICA through its Ladies Auxiliary, the "VCIELKY" (Bees), sponsors Slovak cultural displays. concerts, lectures, art exhibits, folk festjvals, social evenings, etc. Our aim is to have a "Hive" of our "Vcielky" in every large Slovak community. 169 SLOVAKIA AS OTHERS SEE IT "The Free world knows the methods used by the Soviets when they aggressed and through milittary might, enslaved Poland, Slo• vakia, Lithuania, Romania, Hungary, and all the peoples in the Bal• kan nations' area. The Soviets, under Stalin and Khruschev, not only enslaved the people remaining in their homeland but deported millions into the wilds of Siberia to work and die in slave labor camps." (Congressman Ray J. Madden). "Freedom and job opportunity, and the promise of an honest day's wages for an honest day's work, brought our forefathers from Rumania and Slovakia, and from the other European countries, to the shores of America. Many of you came to this country, and through honest labor and toil, you achieved personal s u c c e s s, and if not wealth, certainly well being. The churches, the schools, the many other institutions, and the neat and well kept neighborhoods in the Slovak communities, are the fruits of the labors of many Slovaks who toiled long and hard in the coal mines of Pennsylvania, the steel mills of Ohio and Indiana, and on the railroads which connected in• dustry to the markets. Indeed, as an industrious people, the Slovaks have achieved a respected and honorable place among the nationality and ethnic peoples of this country." - Ralph S. Locher, former mayor of the City of Cleve• land, Ohio "True, ever since the founding of the state in 1918 there have been conflicts between Czechs and Slovaks. The Slovaks resented Czech supremacy ... "The Czech-Slovak dispute centered around the interpretation of the Czechoslovak nation-whether Czechs and Slovaks are one or two nations. The dispute has long been decided in favor of the second interpretation. Czechs and Slovaks Stephen are two nations. " Borsody, The New York Times "Traditional rivalry between the Czech and Slovak nationalities forms the backdrop for charges that Slovakia was being neglected in economic development projects. "And most of the writers who have criticized the government were Slovaks, including Ladislav Mnacko who defected to Israel last August in protest against the regime's strict pro-Arab stand in the Middle East war. - ( Associated Press) Evening News, Harrisburg, Pa. "The Czech Communist Party has been plagued by several fundamental problems-one of them a Slovak demand for more autonomy and broader economic opportunity." ( CA AP-Reuter ) The N ewcastie Sun "Some students of this country (Czecho-Slovakia ) believe the Slovakian drive for national autonomy is the key liberalizing factor. An embryonic parliamentarism is de• veloping as committees of the Na• tional Assembly, no longer a Sovietstyle rubber stamp, mend Govern• ment bills." (Philadelphia Inquir• er.) "A key factor in the downfall of Czecho-Slovakia's Antonin Novotny, a Stalinist Czech, was the opposition of the Slovaks ... it seems obvious that Czech preponderance 170 SLOVAK'.llA would never allow a Slovak to exercise more than limited control." (Richard Eder, The New York Times) the citizens of our country by contributing to a better understanding and appreciation of Slovak tradition, has made a significant mark on our culture. I wish you "In November, Mr. Dubcek led many more years of success in an attack on the Novotny leader- these endeavors." - Senator Robert ship, charging that the Prague F. Kennedy (N.Y.) regime had slighted Slovakia not only in term of economic develop"It is a pleasure to send greetment, but also in political terms." ings to the Slovak League of Amer(David Binder, The New York ica. One of the great strengths of Times) the United States is the cultural and historical diversity of its peo"And of course, the Slovaks are ple. The preservation of the unique still not happy with the orders they heritage of the Slovak people enget from Prague: Communist or riches the whole community." not, they would like to have a state Senator Clifford P. Case (N.J.) of their own ... "The Czechs, however, did not "Americans of Slovak descent even budge. Their Russian rulers have contributed to every sector easily forestalled any Czech action of our national life. Their dedica- by releasing Czech food reserves tion to democracy has been proven to Czech consumers. The East Euro- over and over again. They have had pean saying is: 'The Czechs opened a mighty impact on our cultural their mouths not to protest but to and political life, and I salute The eat.' The Czechs themselves add: Slovak League of America on this 'The Russians kept us quiet by occasion." - Senator Harrison A. stuffing our mouths with our own Williams, Jr. (N.J.) Czech sausage'." (Dr. Albert Parry, The [San Diego, Calif.] Union) "The Slovak League of America has rendered an important service "To the Slovaks, headed by Pre- in keeping alive the culture and mier Jozef Lenart, Novotny repre- traditions of the Slovak people in sents the old tradition of Czech America. It has alway emphasized domination and denial of full equal- the blessings of freedom and deity." - The New York Times mocracy." - Charles S. Joelson, "You (The Chicago Tribune) (N.J.) Member of Congress printed that I was a Czech. My "Congratulations to the Slovak mother was furious. She got out League of America and their enthe maps and wants to prove that deavors to preserve the historical we're Slovaks, not Czechs." (Jim background of their homeland. Valek, head foot-ball coach at Uni"One project I would like to unversity of Illinois.) dertake is to make a Bibliography "I am very pleased to salute the of all worthwhile publications Slovak League of America on its covering history, literature, music 60th Anniversary. Americans of and art because it is over twentySlovak origin have contributed as five years since anything was pubmuch as any group to the greatness lished in Slovakia by a free society. of our nation, and your organiza- The Congressional Library can tion, promating the welfare of all probably be very helpful in this SLOVAKIA 171 project and might be able to do it through Slovakia, which for cenfor you." - Edward E. Patten turies belonged to Hungary. The Slovak language had a renaissance, (N.J.), Member of Congress thousands of folksongs and tales "The Slovak people over the cen- were gathered and given literary turies have given numerous evid- form . ences of their unquestionable de"This work was done by the sire for freedom . Catholic clergy and the village "The many thousands of Amerteachers. The priests also stood icans of Slovak descent have made with the people in their struggles great c o n tr i bu ti o n s in many with the Hungarians, Czechs, nazis spheres to the development and and communists. growth of our country. And the "The natural center of all Slofierce love of freedom which they vak life was the local church, its brought with them from their clergy, the sacraments; in short, motherland has strengthened Amerthe Christian faith in its Catholic ica's own fabric of freedom. form." - Rune P . Thuringer, NC "I wish the Slovak League of News Service America many more decades of patriotic, civic, and cultural activ"Several heads of Church deanity." - Senator Thomas J. Dodd eries in Czecho-Slovakia have been (Conn.) summoned or visited by security police to answer questions about "It is a pleasure to send warm greetings and heartiest congratula- priests who are not active in the tions to the Officers and Members peace priest movement, which supof The Slovak League of America ports that nation's communist as you celebrate your 60th Anniver- regime. The interrogations, according to KNA, German Catholic news sary. agency, also centered on those "Your organization is to be commended for its notable contribu- priests who have been relieved of tions to the economic and social their priestly duties by the govern1ife of our state and perpetuating ment and who are working in agrithe great tradition and heritage of cultural and industrial jobs. Some the Slovak culture which has great- of them are allegedly performing ly enriched the American society. pastoral functions in secret." "I send my best wishes to all NCWC News Service, Washington, present for a most enjoyable D.C. evening and continuing years of "Copies of Pope Paul Vi's encycsuccess in all of your fine en- lical On the Development of PeoSenator Jacob K . ples, as well as copies of his appeal deavors." Javits (N.Y.) for a world Day of Peace, have "Slovak League of America is in- been returned to Vienna by officterested in promoting better under- ials of the Czecho-Slovak post ofstanding and appreciation of the fice system. "Stamped 'Not permitted in the Slovak nation, its history, cultural Czecho-Slovak Socialist Republic' traditions and struggle for freedom." (The Evening News, Harris- by Czech officials, the materials had been mailed to Catholic pubburg, Pa.) lications and individuals in Czecho"During the last century, a Slovakia," according to KNA, the strong nationalist movement went German Catholic news service 172 SLOVA.KilA in that communist-ruled country (Czecho-Slovakia) many Catholic priests and a number of bishops are still in jail or confinement." - (Sunday News, New York, N.Y.) "At present, the Czech law permits workers, students and church groups to hold meetings in the open without notifying the police in advance. Now the authorities propose a regulation that will require religious processions, including funeral corteges from the church to the cemetery, to be announced three days in advance." NC News Service "At present, priests in CzechoSlovakia are all but suffocated under a mountain of petty government restrictions. These include such detailed regulations that a pastor has to get specific government approval for a nearby priest to come and say Mass or hear Confessions." - (NCWC News Service, Washington, D.C.) "With regard to institutional problems, the talks between the Vatican and the Czecho-Slovakian government will have to consider the following points in order of importance: -"Bishops: Of the dioceses (six Slovakian, two Moravian, four Bohemian), only four (three Slovakian and one Bohemian) have a bishop. The ether seven are governed by vicars capitular. That is the most important problem. -"The seminaries. We have only two major seminaries: at Litomerice for Bohemia and Moravia and at Bratislava for Slovakia. This year 80 students were ad• mitted at Litomerice and 95 at Bratislava. There were more candidates than that. Continuing at that rate, we will in 10 years have half as many priests as we have today. -"The religious education of children. The situation is particularly bad in the cities. In Prague, for example, onl)' 700 children are enrolled in catechism classes. Religion is taught in state schools only to children between the ages of seven and 13. In the villages, the situation is much better. At present, I estimate that in Slovakia, a tradition,ally Catholic country like Poland, 80 per cent of the children of Catholic parents are enrolled in catechism classes, in Moravia 50 per cent and in Bohemia 20 per cent. This situation is not very different from that of pre-war days. "In all, of the 14 million inhabitants of Czecho-Slovakia, 60 per cent are Catholics, 10 per cent are Protestants, and 30 per cent are atheists. Among the Catholics, 34 per cent in Slovakia and 15 per cent in Bohemia are practicing. -"Another problem is working priests. At present we estimate that there are 1,500 ecclesiasticsof whom 80 per cent are Religious -who have non-religious jobs. In 1966, a total of 300 received the government's authorization to take up their ministry again. "Religious orders and congregations do not always have the right to accept novices." - Czech Bishop Frantisek Tomasek * THE SLOVAK LEAGUE OF AMERICA stands for honesty, intergrity, industry and justice in government. SLOVAKIA 173 CONTRIBUTOR S Hletko, Peter Paul M.D., physician-surgeon; (semi-retired); med. examiner of many insurance Co's ; born June 26, 1902 in Chicago, Ill.; son of Martin and Catherine (Hargas) Hletko; educated, St. Michael's School (1908-1915), Chicago, St. Procopius Academy and College, Lisle, Ill. (1915-1919) and (191921); De Paul Univ., Chicago (192123, B.Sc. in Chem. 1923) ; Loyola University, Chicago, (M.D. 1927); Resident Staff (interne) Cook County Hosp., Chicago (1927-1928); instructor in clinical neurology Loyola U. Medical School (193135); wed Anna E . Remijas in 1938; led Slovak League of America delegation to Czecho-Slovakia in 1938 in behalf of Pittsburgh Pact recognition; pres. Slovak League of America (1935-1939) and (1963-64); Hon. President and member of Exec. Committee of Slovak League (1938-1965); vice-pres. Slovak Cath. Federation of America (1934); Supr. Med. Examiner, Slovak Cath. Sokol (1927-1964) ; Hon. Med. Examiner (emeritus), and Member of Exec. Comm. Slovak Cath. Sokol; Supr. Med. Examiner Nat. Slovak Society (1934-39); secretary, Supreme Court of Nat. Slovak Society ( 1926-1934); organizer and 1st pres. 'Club Furdek' (Cath. Slovak Cultural Society, Chicago) 1929; member Amer. Med. Assoc., Ill. Med. Assoc. and Chicago Medical Assoc. since 1929; med. examiner of Municipal Court and Law Dept. Benefit and Pension Fund, Chicago, ( 1936-61); President, Gage Park Savings & Loan Assn., Chicago, since 1935. Author: "The Slovaks and the Pittsburgh Pact" (published by Slovak Catholic Federation - 1934); wrote "lskry" - reprint of satiro-comic column in the Osad- ne Hlasy (Slovak Parish News), 1931 ; edited the "Catholic Slovak Sokol Cook-Book," 1964; contrib. editor, Osadne Hlasy (Chicago Parish News, 1927-63); editor "Jaro," English supplement to "Jednota", 1927-36. Editor, 'Chicagsky Dennik' (Chicago Slovak Daily News) , 192627. Democrat. Hobbies: Books, philately, pinochle. Home: Warrenville, Ill. Office : 2740 W. 55th St. Chicago, Illinois 60632 Emerentia Petr<isek, Mother M., B.A., M.A., of the Sisters of SS. Cyril and Methodius, Pennsy1vania. Danville, Born in Sugar Notch, Pennsylvania. Member of Holy Rosary Slovak Parish, Ashley. Elementary grades in local public school and St. Leo Parochial School, Ashley. B.A. and M.A., Marywood College, Scranton, Pa. Among the first aspirants to the newly founded Congregation of Slovak Sisters of SS. Cyril and Methodius. One of the founding teachers of the First Catholic Slovak Gi,rls' High School, now St. Cyril Academy, Danville, Pa. Founder of the St. Cyril Academy annual Fialky, and for long years its moderator, Mother M. Emerentia guided young writers and trained them in skills which have since borne fruit in college research papers and creative writing on the part of SCA alumnae. Professor of Slovak at St. Cyril Academy and Marywood College, Mother M. Emerentia compiled Ucebnica slovenskej reci (1929) and Steps in Elementary Slovak (1949), 174 SLOVAK1A a text which is being continuously revised and supplemented. For several years she has been conducting a Correspondence Course for the Sisters teaching in parish schools. She has issued several editions of Slovak songs and hymnbooks for use in Slovak parish schools. Most recently under her direction have been issued Slovak hymns in translation : Bethlehem Carols and Alleluia. (1967) Mother M. Emerentia has written the history of the Congregation of the Sisters of SS. Cyril and Methodius, portions of which have appeared from time to time in various Slovak publications, including the Fialky . In 1959 an abridged edition, entitled, Brief History of the Sisters of SS. Cyril and Methodius Told in Fiv e Decades, appeared serially in the Jednota and also in the Danville News. A limited num- ber of copies were printed. Frank Bandar was born on November 13, 1917 in Cejkov, Slovakia. He attended the elementary school there ; went to high school in Michalovce and graduated in 1940 in Ko~ice; and then went on to major in Economics at the University of Budapest. His studies were interrupted for political reasons and the war. During that time, he was a member of the Slovak University Students of the Hungary Club and a member of the United Slovak Party of Hungary. After some temporary employment, in 1948 he attempted to finish his studies in Prague, but did not pass the communist screening. He was imprisoned for a few months for political reasons. In 1949 he escaped to West Germany and in the same year emigrated to Canada. In 1956 he received his B.A. Degree in Economics from Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario. In 1965 he emigrated to the United States and became a Research Economist at Columbia University. In September, 1967 he was awarded his M.A. Degree in Economics at the University of New York. As fourth Superior General of the Congregation of the Sisters of SS. Cyril and Methodius, Mother M. Emerentia supervised the errection of the beautiful chapel of SS. Cyril and Methodius at Villa Sacred Heart, Danville, Pa. Known far and wide as an architectural About Dr. Joseph Kirschbaum gem , it is a Slovak treasure house and Sister M. Martina Tybor, SS. in its stained glass windows and its C.M., see Slovakia 1966; about Sisr eligious symbolism. ter M. Evangela Lubek, SS. C.M., At present, as a retired teacher, Mother M . Emerentia is occupied in various Community duties and continuing a life-long interest in Slovak- language, education, history, and literature. She operates a Slovak Book Department, disseminating Slovak publications nationwide, and keeping in touch with all cultural movements affecting Slovak interests. see Slovakia 1965, and about Fr. Andrew Pir, 0 .S.B., see Slovakia 1967. Sister M . Raymund Horvath, SS. C.M. and Sister M. Tarcisia, SS. C.M., are teaching at the St. Cyril Academy, Danville, Pa. Dr. Charles Murin is a Professor of Philosophy at the University of Montreal. SLOVAKliA 175 SLOVAKIA is published annual]~· by the Rlovak League of Ameriea, a cultural and civic federation of Americans of Slovak descent. One of the purposes of SLOYAKJA is to promote a better understanding and. appreeiatio11 of the Slovak nation and. its long struggle for freedom and. independence. As Americans, membel'S of the Rlonlk League of Ameriea fi1·mly believe that the SloYak nation, just as all nations, has an inherent and God-given right to freedom and independence. They are dedicated to the cause of the .American way of life, Slovak freedom and world peaee and are determined to oppose the plague of Conmmnism and all other totalitarian politic-al s:;·stems. Subscription to SloYakia $2.00 per year in the "C".S.A. - $3.00 elsewhere. Send subscriptions to: SLOVAKIA 313 Ridge Avenue Middletown, Pa. 17057 176 SLOVAKIA Contents An Agreement Which Was Never Realized - Tkach - Stephen J . 1 The Slovaks and The Pittsburgh Pact - Peter P. Hletko M.D. -5 Jednota and The Sisters of SS. Cyril and Methodius - M. Emerentia Petra§ek, SS.C.M. The Slovak Press in Canada - 55 J. M. Kirschbaum, Ph.D. - Economic Discrimination Against Slovakia - - Mother 78 Frank Bandor 109 First Slovak Newspapermen in America - Tybor, SS.C.M. Current Issues - 132 Book Reviews - 143 As Others See It Contributors - Sister M. Martina 121 169 173 Photographic Copy of Original Pittsburgh Pact - 4 PRI NTI D IN U.S. A. JIDN OTA PlllN TER Y, MID DLli TOW N, PA.  Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Back Matter, Slovakia, Vol. 18 (No. 41) Description An account of the resource includes Current Issues; Book Reviews; As Others See It; Contributors Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1968 https://slovakia.wordsofpassage.net/files/original/dbeb3c93bba2539234eaa5a4a0e1eae5.pdf a5a29fc8e2a108bb9e390a2be106e741 PDF Text Text SLOVAKIA 179 CURRENT ISSUES STATEMENT OF THE SLOVAK LEAGUE OF AMERICA Presented by Dr. Peter P. Hletko, Honorary President and a Democrat To the Democratic Platform Committee at the International Amphitheater on Friday, August 23 , 1968. Ladies and Gentlemen: Under authorization of our National President, Edward J. Behuncik, of Stratford, Connecticut, I was privileged to be invited to appear before your important body as official spokesman of this largest of Slovak-American civic and cultural organizations. I take this means to let our views be known to you. Our purpose is to request the Democratic Party to take a clear-cut stand on assistance for the people of Slovakia to obtain their status as an independent state or at least as a partner in the federated country of CzechoSlovakia, which up to now has never been a federated country since its founding. The principles which we recommend are equally applicable to all small nations, hence can be properly included in a statement of principles such as a Democratic Platform. It is especially fitting that we present our position not merely because of recent activity in cierna and Bratislava, both located in Slovakia, but also because we can give the Democratic Party and its next administration the opportunity to show all America and the world that the American people are behind and support the efforts of the Slovaks who, in a realistic sense, are emulating our founding fathers of the American Revolution. In the past, the position of The Slovak League of America, an American organization founded at Cleveland, Ohio, in May, 1907, was frequently misplaced or purposely misinterpreted. Not withstanding its long history of patriotic devotion to this great country with thousands of Slovak-Americans serving in the Armed Forces, even as far back as Lincoln's day, and continuing even to this moment at Viet Nam, Germany, and all around the world. �SLOVAKIA Even today, with Czecho-Slovakia being led for the first time in its history by a Slovak-not a Czech, as the news media picture him-the press continues to write about the doings of the Czechs only. The Czechs are one nationality, the Slovaks another. They have a combined country, but the Czechs hold the upper hand in CzechoSlovakia. The abbreviation of Czecho-Slovakia is not Czech, but note that the democratization has been underway only since Alexander Dubcek, a Slovak, came to power in January. He is not a Czech. So, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Committee, we want to ask that our Government, if and when led by a new administration, will give our Slovak compatriots and nextof-kin what is being given by our country and other great powers to other smaller and newer nations-statehood and membership in the family of nations. Moral support of the Slovak Nationalism may well accrue to our benefit if the Slovaks continue to push for democratization and federalization, thereby weakening the strangle hold of the Soviets in Eastern Europe. The Democratic Party has a golden opportunity as the Party of the People to come out strongly in support of the Slovak right to statehood. I am certain your capable draftsmen can combine our ideas with ideas presented here by other ethnic groups to make a strong and meaningful Plank which will add stature to the Platform, give solace to suffering peoples in small nations everywhere, and, not incidently but realistically, help elect a Democratic President. The Slovaks in America have strong societies and an influential press. Therefore, I urge you to embody a Plank as we have suggested. We will do our part thru our societies and our press. Hon. Everett McKinley Dirksen Chairman Platform Committee Republican Party Fountainbleau Hotel Miami Beach, Florida Recent events in Eastern Europe may well prove the Slovak nation, in the very heart of Europe, to be the tiny spark of moral, cultural, and patriotic dynamism which �SLOVAKIA 181 will help destroy the Iron Courtain. Democratization in Czecho-Slovakia was initiated by the Slovak intellectuals through whose efforts Slovak leader Alexander Dubcek emerge in power. Dubcek and his colleagues have already shown a more human approach to Slovakia's problems by pushing a federalization of two states-Slovak and Czech. They also evidence more liberal treatment of populace. The Slovak League of America, as a civic organization, signed in 1918 known Pittsburgh Pact in which supported a federated Czecho-Slovakia. Today we like to see a confederated Central Europe with Slovakia in it as a equal partner. Seek support for these noble ideal from your great party and urge the inclusion of our position and of other ethnic groups in your Platform. Sincerely yours, Joseph Pauco, Secretary Slovak League of America July 29, 1968 SLOVAKS WILL NOT GIVE UP Low-flying jets are buzzing Bratislava as I start to write this report. Tanks and military vehicles keep streaming into the city across the Danube bridge over the street beneath my window. Now and then the burst of machinegun fire punctuates the rhythmic cheers of the crowd demonstrating in safarik Square on the corner. What began as a month of intense study in Slovak language and culture at Comenius University in a freedomtasting city came to an abrupt halt with the sudden occupation of the country by Warsaw Pact forces. Linguists from 18 countries, including Iron Curtain satellites, were gathered in the dining hall. We were told that an attempt would be made to continue the institute. Lectures would have to be held in various corners of the dormitory, it was announced, rather than in the lecture hall now completely surrounded by Russian tanks and armored vehicles. All 105 of us made a feeble attempt to resume our language study. But the instructors and scholars were too upset to concentrate. We crowded into the lounge to watch the TV set and listen to intermittent radio bulletins. �182 SLOVAKIA The occupation began late at night. Most of us had gone to sleep after a long day of lectures and a tour. The few still awake at midnight attributed the steady rumble of military vehicles to possible unusually heavy traffic over the railroad track along the Danube. The airplane noise sounded like some special activity at the airport on the eastern outskirts of the city. At 3 o'clock in the morning my next-door roommate from Pittsburgh awoke me, saying: "Get up. The Russians have occupied Bratislava." We went to our windows on both sides of the dormitory, and there below us the streets were clogged with tanks and trucks. The vehicles could move no further, so their drivers got out to smoke. We ventured out of the building before daybreak to convince ourselves that the nightmare was really happening. There were no Russian stars identifying the vehiclesjust a while stripe down the hoods-but our attempts to converse with the drivers soon revealed that they could speak nothing but Russian. Most Slovaks (and Czechs) have had to study Russian as a second language. This year they were given a choice between Russian and English, and most chose English. Using their knowledge of the invader's tongue, the people of Bratislava questioned the Russians. Most of them seemed to be very young. "Why did you occupy our country?" they asked a teenage Russian. "To help the counter revolution," he answered. "Well, have you found it?" they asked. Unable to locate even one person who would welcome the occupiers, the soldiers had little to say. "We're under orders. That's why we're here." By noon every Russian tank and vehicle was painted or chalk-marked with a swastika (some inside Russian stars) , slogans of loyalty to Dubcek and Svoboda, and "Go Home" signs in Slovak and Russian. Radio and TV stations called for a show of loyalty to the captive government in the form of a work stoppage for 2 minutes at noon and the blowing of whistles and horns. The mood of the populace seemed to have been welded �SLOVAKIA 183 by the noon-hour display of support. Down the street from the square came about 50 students. A crowd rapidly gathered behind them and soon filled the square, each corner of which was occupied by a tank. Streets leading to the square were lined with tanks parked diagonally, ready to pull out toward the square if necessary. At noon the Russian military vehicles were still moving into the city over the bridge and through safarik Square. Now they were completely stopped by the mass of nearly 1,000 people refusing to let them through. Civilian traffic was let through the mob by the police, but the police did not lift a finger to open a path for the Russian vehicles. The people cheered their police for this support. They laughed and applauded as the crowd took one of the police and kept throwing him into the air, a gesture of friendship he enjoyed immensely. Russian drivers, unable to push through the mob, eventually decided to make a U-turn and drive back over the bridge. Again, cheers from the crowd. After nearly half an hour of such diversion an armored truck came down the center of the bridge and pushed against the unyielding wall of human flesh. Determined not to play games, the crew fired the large millimeter guns of the armored car into the air, and the crowd fell back. The truck went through the crowd, and then turned back and drove into the crowd from behind, its guns firing warning volleys into the sky. As young people trew sticks and rocks at the armored car, machine guns went into action, strafing over the heads of the crowd. When the level reached about six inches above our heads, most of us ran for cover or fell to the street. As we ran, we could see the flags fall to the street. We heard afterward that two young men had been killed. Later the demonstrators reassembled in the square, drawing more bullets. This time the gunfire killed a 17-yearold girl student standing on the steps of the university administration building just behind a posted tank and anti-aircraft gun. As we were leaving the city an hour before the 8 o'clock curfew, we read the inscription a bold student had chiseled into the stone pillar of the building: "Here the Russians �184 SLOVAKIA killed a 17-year-old Slovak girl." At the base of the column lay a bouquet of flowers and a scarf the girl had worn. About 30 feet above that inscription there remained another that had already been painted on the stone face of the building before we arrived: "To be lorded over is evil, but to lord it over others is worse." The occupying forces would have done well to learn to read this expression of a united nation's will. If there had been aloofness toward the Russian "com:rades" before, the mood was now one of open disdain. "The Germans weren't as bad as this," said one of the professors. "We knew at least that they were our enemies; but these people pretended to be our friends." I asked what they would do. One said what many repeated: "We would rather die than return to the conditions before January (1968, when Dubcek began his liberalization)." As we were encouraged to flee for our own safety-for we still had a free place to go to-the people inspired us with their faith and courage. The Slovak border guards, who were still in charge of customs when we left, greeted us with smiles. They carried our luggage to the Austrian border gate. There they had a last word for us: "Tell your people we will not give up." Rev. Jaroslav Vajda, Editor of This Day THE NEW YORK DECLARATION The Slovak Liberation Council, gathered in the Americana Hotel , New York, N.Y., on October 27, 1968 in order to discuss the situation of the Slovak Nation within the Czecho-Slovak Republic in general, and under the Soviet occupation in par.ticular, has agreed upon the following statement: On May 30, 1918 the Slovak League of America on the one hand , and the Czech National Alliance with the Union of Czech Catholics on the other hand signed a document which has become known in history as the Pittsburgh Pact. It was an agreement sponsoring liberation of the Central-European lands of their members' origin. It dealit with constitutional relations to be established between these two Slav nations in the prospective Czecho-Slovak Republic. T. G. Masaryk, Chairman of the Czecho-Slovak National Council, recognized by the �SLOVAKIA 185 Allied Powers as the Czecho-Slovak Revolutionary Government, in Paris, future President of Czecho-Slovakia, had produced the draft thereof and signed it. The Pact stipulated that Slovakia would have in the new State her own administration, i.e., her own legislative, executive and judiciary branch of Government, while Foreign Affairs, Defence, Currency and Communications were supposed to be matters reserved to a common federal Government. Details of this pre-constitutional arrangement were left to be worked out, under the responsibility of the leaders of the Czecho-Slovak National Council, by the future freely elected Parliam ent of Czecho-Slovakia. As President, T. G. Masaryk ignored the commitments taken over with respect to Slovakia. A highly centralized Government was arbitrarily set up in Pflague by methods which were a mockery of a parli amentarian procedure. The self-appointed Revolutionary Government had selected, without elections a Revolutionary Assembly of 270 members, O•f whom 229 were Czechs and 41 Slovaks. This body then confirmed that self-appointed Government in office, and on February 29, 1920 adopted a unitary Constitution proposed by that Government. In that fundamental law of the new State the very name of Slovakia disappeared since the Czecho-Slova kia of the Pa,ris Peace Treaties was replaced by a linguistic barbarism, i e., Czechoslovakia. Consequently, in the period to follow, Slovakia's political destinies had not been shaped by the Slovak peo,ple, but by the Czech majority of the Prague Parliamerut. Moreover, in pursuit of a "Great Czechia" dream, the Prague Government had, before 1938, practiced denationalization and a carefully planned genocide on the Slovak nation through its persistent effort a-t cultural and linguistic assimilation thereof, and an outright persecution of the Slovaks for their national feelings. Since during all that period the Czechs had rejected either a federative reform of the State, or an autonomous status for Slovakia, the Slovaks did not see another al,ternative than to proclaim, on March 14, 1939, the Slovak Republic. With respect to economy, Slovakia was down graded to an agricultural h interland for the Czech lands, a provider of cheap raw materials and cheap labor for the Czech monopolistic industry. Regardless of what Czech and Communist historians might have affirmed after World War II, the Slovak Republic was not abandoned by a decision of the Slovak people ; it was occupied and suppressed by the Soviet Army as a consequence of the Benes-Stalin Agreement of December 12, 1943. After the restoration of Czecho-Slovakia in 1945, hundreds of thousands of Slovakia's inhabitants were resettled in the Sude<tenland of Bohemia. There, they were exposed in the name of the international solidarity of the proletariat, to the same denationalization policy as they had been befOJ"e 1938 in the name of an artifical "Czechoslovak" nation. �186 SLOVAKIA The integration of Czecho-Slovakia into the Soviet bloc as a consequence of the Trea,ty concluded in 1943 by E. Benes and J. V. Stalin, proved to be a tragic mistake. The present occupation of Czecho-Slovakia by the Soviet Union is to a great extend the result of that fatal move. For much as we condemn this brutal Soviet intervention, the primary responsibiliity for it rests upon the shoulders of those who had sold out Czecho-Slovakia's sovereignty to that Eurasiatic power. Since the Czech leadership has failed in the Czecho-Slovakia first from an aggressive policy of from that of the Soviet Union, the Slovak Liberation that the Czech statesmanship has lost its credit and its raison d' etre. past to secure Germany, then Council believes Czecho-Slovakia The Slovak Liberation Council follows with increased attention the present developments in Czecho-Slovakia and Slovakia's effort for self-expression, self-government and identity. It takes a positive attitude toward this natural trend. Yet, it is convinced that the federalization of Czecho-Slovakia comes fifty years too late . Taking into consideration all what precedes, we reaffirm our hopes for a better future of Slovakia in the following points: 1. The Slovaks are, in Central Europe, an ethnic unit that has attributes Political Science considers as constitutive of a nathe all tion: their own history, their terriitory, their language and culture, their sociological and ethnographic individuality. 2. AHer many decades of self-frustration , first within the Kingdom of Hungary, then in Czecho-Slovakia, the Slovaks are not any more willing to live in the indignity of being ruled from outside, of being politically, economically, and culturally exploited by their neighbors. In this period of decolonization in Africa and Asia, of tribal and is land states, they, too, aspire to bemoce a sovereign polirtical unit, i.e., to exercise their right to self-determinatio n . This right has been recognized to every nation in the Charter of the United Nations, in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights of 1948 as well as in the subsequent Pacts of the United Nations on Civil and Political Rights. 2nd on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights of 1966. Consequently, they feel entitled to their o-wn statehood and their own democratic institutions. 3. In this International Year of Human Rights, we believe that the future existence of Slovakia can properly be secured only in a closer European Federartion, or-until this becomes a reality-in a free partnership of Central-Europea n nations, partnership , based on the principles of equality. Dr. Ferdinand Durcansky, President, Executive Committee Dr. J. M. Kirschbaum, President, The Assembly �SLOVAKIA 187 RESOLUTION We, Slovak Americans, representing the overwhelming maj-ority of organized Americans of Slovak descent and joining with representatives of Slovak organizations of Canada and Western Europe, gathered at the Americana Hotel in New York City, the home of the United Nations, on this 27th day of October, 1968, solemnly resolve: 1 Our cultural and civic aspirations are the very same aspirations as those of the American people2 Our eleven hundred year old Christian tradition will continue to inspire and hopefully insure the free and democratic future of our kin and brethren of sad and occupied Slovakia3 As we support our federal, state and municipal authorities, we seek the support of these same sources of power to obtain for Slovakia the freedom we are so fortunate to enjoy here is our beloved United States4 With confidence in the strength of a just and peaceful world, we solicite the support-moral, intellectual, civic and governmental-of all peace loving peoples in our protests against the treacherous oppression of the Slovak people by the brutal Soviet occupation5 We commend to the United Nations organization the cause of basic Human Rights for the Slovak nation on this 20th anniversary of the laudable Declaration of Human Rights which that world organization enacted in 19486 We believe that eventual free elections in Slovakia will best express the will of the Slovak people and confidently believe that the Slovak nation will best decide her futurefor her own best interest-as an independent nation-if only given the opportunity to do so. 7 Finally, we wish these sentiments to be made widelyknown and hereby authorize the distribution of this resolution to be made to local, state, national and international authorities everywhere. Accepted unanimously by the attending members of this historic Manifestation of the Slovak organizations meeting under the auspices of The Slovak League of America. Edward J. Behuneik, President Joseph Pauco, Secretary �SLOVAKIA 188 AS OTHERS SEE IT Dear Fellow Americans of Slo- the rights of all citizens as set vale Descent: forth in the Constitution, and as I have followed the recent sup- guaranteed under the order and pression of the Slovak and Czech justice of law. The Challenges are enormous peoples by the Soviet-led invasion with great sadness. During a tragi- but they are not impossible. With cally brief period of social reform, your support we can translate our the peoples of this small but gal- ideals into living reality. I pledge lant country were able to assert myself to these ends. With very best wishes, themselves and to proceed w i t h Sincerely, the selection of their own leaders and their own path of government. Richard Nixon These natural aspirations, common to men everywhere, have b e e n New York, October 27, 1968 cruelly dashed under the heavy boot of the Soviet Union . As you reflect this evening in It gives me great pleasure to the triumphs and tragedies that address myself to you Americans have befallen the Slovak people of Slovak descent. Within the you will also realize that all Amer- borders of these United States ica, and all free men throughout your number is close to two milthe world, share your pride, your lion. Your culture and traditions concern and your indignation. It proudly fostered in Slovakia and is a bold testimony to freedom brought to this new land, and that the spirit of the S I o v a k seeded, have become part of our people, with whom you i;hare a American heritage. Your appreciacommon her i t a g e, cannot be tion and love of America is excrushed by tank or by edict. emplified by your sense of dedicaMy message is not only to the tion and patriotism dating to the two million Slovak people who are United States' fight for independcitizens of the United States. My ence. The very same independence message is to all the Slovak people and freedom so fervently sought everywhere, a people who for in Slovakia. more than 1,000 years have never No other nation of immigrants hesitated to stand up to the ag- purports to be so humble and at gressor. I pledge to you that the the same time aggravates in ANixon Administration will be dedi- merica's conscience a love of God, cated to peace. Peace at home. country and home. It is therefore And peace abroad. In our intense- of little wonder that your mother ly practical pursuit of the vision country of Slovakia has in the past of freedom we will strive for a 1000 years never waned from her strong new America. An America fight for selfdetermination . . . rewhich will flourish in the sun of gardless of the strength of the a true prosperity, rather t h a n oppressor . .. or the toll to be paystumble in the dark of inflation. ed. This struggle is particularly An America which will reaffirm courageous considering the victo- �SLOVAKIA ries attained were few and shortlived. If it is of any consolation, Slovakia and her people have been victorious in winning the respect of free men the world over. The time is now for these free men and nations to help others in attaining the same. I have already expressed this position publicly when I said that "We wish every people to be free to determine for itself its own form of Government. " America and its leaders must recognize the existence of Slovakia as a nation of four and one half million people with their own language and culture. - Message from Governor Nelson A. Rockefeller, delivered June 28, 1968. Dear Mr. E. J . Behuncik: 189 the long Christian tradition of the Slovaks. To you personally, my congratulations on the high honor Slovak Americans have bestowed on one of Connecticut's Sons - Sincerely John Dempsey, Governor of Connecticut, October 25, 1968 Despite the language of the Pittsburgh Pact, and despite the hopes of the Slovak people for national autonomy within a federa tive framework, the Slovaks have had to stuggle within Czecho-Slovakia for their national freedom. This struggle finally led to the secession of Slovakia from CzechoSlovakia in 1939 and the formation of an independent state of Slovakia until 1945, when Slovakia returned to Czecho-Slovak government. The struggle of the Slovaks for full recognition has definitely contributed to the new liberal climate of the country. In a recent article in the U. S. Information Agency's journal, Problems of Communism, the editor made this observation: The Slovaks have long considered themselves the disfranchised of the two major ethnic groups that comprise this small Central European country, and their struggle against the oppressive practices of the government in Prague, first inspired by specifically national grievances, has over the years become both the symbol and the substance of the overall struggle against the authoritarianism of the Novotny regime. The editor concludes that Slovak nationalism is "a force that more than any other has contributed to the spectacular debacle of Czechoslovak Stalinism." - Senator Rich- Please accept and extend to your associates and members my personal as we,Jl as official greetings at your manifestation. All Connecticut is appreciative of the great contributions made by the Slovak immigrants as well as Slovak Americans to the betterment of the civic, educational, cultural, economic and spiritual life in all parts of our great State. We are all hopeful that the current tragic era will soon pass and that Slovakia will be able to take her rightful place in the international family of peaceful nations. In the meantime please know that we would welcome to Connecticut all escapees from Slovakia who care to come to us just as we welcomed the Hungarian, Ukrainian, Polish and other God fearing, peace loving escapees from Soviet brutality and aggression. I am confident your manifesta- ard S. Schweiker, Congressional tion will be another landmark in Record, May 20, 1968. �190 SLOVAKIA Dear Citizens of Slovak Descent: As Mayor of The City of New York, I am honored to extend greeting to the Slovak League as well as all Slovak Americans. Your forebearers who settled here more than 80 years ago have contributed notably to the culture and economy of this City and nation. Your contributions are more than a page in this City's history. You must obviously be proud of these accomplishments as well as the heroic stand of your brothers in Slovakia who with only knuckles and spirit resisted the steel of Soviet tanks. However, tyrany cannot contain the Slovak's strong desire for freedom and self-determination. As you are proud of this spirit, so I, John Lindsay, am proud to be your Mayor. - John V. Lindsay, Mayor, October 25, 1968. It is in Slovakia- the autonomyminded eastern region of the country- that the Russians and their allies are encountering the greatest resistance to the occupation. The Moscow radio charged last week that Soviet soldiers were being fired upon in Slovakia. Bratislava newspapers reported that the Soviet Union was violating the Moscow agreement's clause on non-interference in internal affairs by arresting Slovaks. Prague also complained to the Soviet authorities last week over incidents in Slovakia involving Hungarian occupation troops. - The New York Times, September 4, 1968. "Why do Paris and Prague have their beautiful architecture?" the Slovak asked rhetorically, then answered his question. "Because of us. Because of our moutains. We stopped all the invaders here." He ran through an impressive list of tribes and nations that would have overrun the West but for the Slovaks and their fellow fighters in an arc ranging vaguely and variously from southern Poland down to Montenegro. He continued: " And in our times of greatest cruelty we had our most lyrical poetry." The Slovaks, with their national hero Janosik, the mountain Robin Hood, are romantics and proud of it. They contrast themselves with the more stolid Czechs at every possible opportunity. It was this romanticism, combined with some historical peculiarities, that made the Slovaks the leaders in Czecho-Slovakia's liberalization that began in 1962-1963. Several leading Slovak Communists had been condemned as "bourgeois nationalists" in the 1950's and imprisoned or executed. Those condemned were some of the most humane of any of the Communist 1 e a d e rs-including Vladimir Clementis, one of the intellectuals who founded the Slovak DAV nationalist and artistic movement in the 1920's- a Communist who did not hesitate to denounce the Stalin-Hitler pact and the Soviet invasion of Finland. Those who ran the Slovak party thereafter were a different breed altogether; crude, ruthless, and perhaps the greatest sin in the eyes of the intensely nationalistic Slovaks - servile to Prague. In 1962, then, the Slovaks began a campaign, first in party commissions, and later in public journals, to secure the rehabilitation of the wronged Slovak leaders, and retribution for those guilty of the purges. Middle-level Slovak party officials and Slovak Communist intellectuals, working closely at this �SLOVAKIA point, did succeed in getting partial rehabilitations. Even more important politically, they maneuvered party chief Antonin Novotny into dropping two of the chief villains of the piece, Slovak party first secretary Karel Bacilek and Czechoslovak Premier Viliam Siroky. 191 and Czechs grew more acute in the mid-1960's as well. Under Communist rule Prague had poured investments into the industtial development of Slovakia , but these diminished as the first crash programs ended and particularly as economic reform introduced greater rationality in investments as in other spheres in 1967. This meant that the Slovaks no longer had the same economic incentive to fall in with Prague's directives on other matters. The final grievance of the Slovaks against Prague-and it was far from a minor one-was Mr. Novotny himself. He had been a high party official when the Slovak leaders had been purged and had later put every stumbling block in the way of their final rehabilitation. Moreover, he made no attempt to mask his dislike of the Slovaks, and on occasion went out of his way to insult them. All of these issues worked together to keep the Slovaks in the lead in demanding changes in the old Novotny system and, as Mr. Novotny's position eroded, a change in the leader himself. It was Mr. Dubcek who precipitated the attack on Mr. Novotny last fall, and the solid Slovak opposition to the old leader was easily one of the most important forces in the antiNovotny-coalition that finally deposed him . That the Slovaks ended up in the vanguard of reform was ironic, for the Slovaks are the traditional conservatives of Czecho-Slovakia Elizabeth Pond, The Christian Science Monitor, September 24, 1968. If subsequent changes did not go anywhere near as far as many of the Slovak intellectuals hoped, still the resultant party shuffle put men in control of the Slovak party (including that newcomer as Slovak party first secretary, Alexander Dubcek) who would pursue Slovak interests rather than simply carry out Mr. Novotny's orders. By 1964, with Slovak party officials satisfied with the personnel changes for the time being and not eager to upset a system they were benefitting from , the Slovak intellectuals suddenly found themselves without the support of these officials, in their further bids for reform. Being Slovak romantics, however, they pushed ahead with more daring than their Czech colleagues, and the weekly of the Slovak Writers' Union, Kulturny 2ivot, became the leading forum for progressives from the whole country. And the Slovaks did remain united on such issue as seeking revision in the historical interpretation of the 19th-century father of Slovak nationalism , I.!udovit Stur. If this issue did not directly promote reform, it at least kept Slovak agitation alive. And the whole nationalist movement emboldened the Slovaks, politicians included , to press in 1966 for constitutional changes that would give the Slovaks more autonomy from Prague. Ten million Czechs and 4½ milEconomic issues between Slovaks lion Slovaks are · twin nations now �192 SLOVAKIA with equal status and rights in a joint federal state. The deed was finally done, after the promise of 50 years ago when the independent Czecho-Slovak republic was founded, by the signing Oct. 30, 1968 of the new constitutional law on federation. The law was adopted by the National Assembly a few days previously. It was signed at a ceremony in Bratislava, the Slovak capital, by President Svoboda, on the anniversary of a meeting in a little Slovak village in the Carpathians in 1918. At that meeting-in Turciansky Svlity Martin-the Slovak leaders of the day proclaimed their attachment to a single Czecho-Slovak state and committed the "land of the Slovaks" as part of its common territory. They did so after the promise of equality given by Tomas Masaryk, who became the new republic's first President, to the Slovak community in America prior to his return to Prague in 1918. Between the two world wars, however, "unification" was a halfhearted process which brought some gains to Slovakia, but felt it economically far behind the Czech lands and with a sense of inferiority as the "junior partner" dominated and ruled by the Czechs in Prague. The first government program after World War II sought to put things right. Slovakia was given a substantial degree of autonomy under its own National Council and other local institutions. But, after 1948, as the new Communist regime lapsed into the Stalinist "personal power" system under dictator Antonin Novotny, Slovak autonomy was quickly reduced , and finally abolished altogether. Slovak protests and national feeling were condemned as "bourgeois nationalism"; and not only the economic neglect but the resentment aroused by the Prague leader's unconcealed hostility toward the Slovaks Jed to a crisis between the two nations which was a major contributory factor to the political shake-up brought about at Eric the end of last year. B our n e, The Christian Science Monitor, October 31 , 1968. Mr. Husak has been one of the principal architects of the plan for a federalized state with semiautonomous local powers for the four million Slovaks and the ten million Czechs. Czecho-Slovakia is divided between the two ethnic and language groups much the way Belgium is between French-speaking Walloons and Dutch-speaking Flemings. The Slovak leader was born in January, 1913, at Bratislava. During World War II he became a leading member of the underground Communist movement in Slovakia and fought with the Partisans against the Nazis. In 1944 he became a member of the Presidium of the Slovak party and its vice chairman. In the immediate postwar years he was chairman of the Slovak Board of Commissioners, a position used until the Communist takeover of the country in 1948 to try to subvert the majority Democratic party. A year after the coup he was elected to the national party's Central Committee and later became head of the Slovak office for church affairs. In 1950 began his slow decline as Stalinism tightened its grip. He lost his party posts and was accused of being a bourgeois nation- �SLOVAKIA alist. In 1954 he was brought to trial for alleged bourgeois offenses and for "antistate activities" and was sentenced to life imprisonment. Six years later he was released and in June 1963, his party membership was restored. While awaiting complete rehabilitation, which came in December, 1963, he wrote a history of the Slovak uprising during the war. When Mr. Dubcek replaced Mr. Novotny, Mr. Husak was one of the first to call for complete democratization. Since January, 1968 he has been seen occasionally by Western newsmen at press conferences. Those who have watched him say he has shown a logical mind and has demonstrated an impressive mastery of his subject. A conservative Slovak patriot and intellectual, Mr. Husak is known for his toughness. "No one ," he said recently, "can determine for another nation the political representatives of that nation." A short, stout man with bushy, graying hair and small tight lips, his half-rimmed glasses give him the look of a severe teacher about ready to discipline his students. The New York Times , September 5, 1968. On the most immediate level, the Czechs and the Slovaks could not fail to rejoice at the withdrawal of scores of thousands of Warsaw Pact troops from their soil. But at the same time, by reminding them they are now committed by treaty to play host indefinitely to a sizable Russian occupation army, the sight of the departing units only served to impress upon the Czechs and Slovaks to the degree of their 193 new servitude to Moscow. And that realization was particularly poignant for the 4.4 million inhabitants of Slovakia (map ) since it came at a moment when, ostensibly, they were about to acquire more independence than they have ever before enjoyed. After a tour of occupied Slovakia, Newsweek's Eastern European bureau chief Alan Tillier cabled the following report on the current mood in the smaller of the two states that make up the Czecho-Slovak Republic: Shortly after the 'Red Army moved into Slovakia, Russian garrison commanders ordered the local citizens to remove all antiSoviet graffiti from their walls. But on a side street of the sprawling Slovakian capital of Bratislava, a slogan somehow overlooked in the great clean-up still survives. Scrawled across a wall in bold, 4foot letters is the admonition: "Slovaci, nedajme sa" ("Slovaks, stand firm " ). In the two months since the invasion, the Slovaks have done exactly that. Despite a long Slovak tradition of friendship toward Russia, local radio stations greeted the occupation with clarion calls for passive resistance-and their calls were heeded. Slovak newspapers editors continued to use the forbidden word "occupation" so consistently that some of them had to be fired at Russian insistence. And when one Soviet commander, resorting to diplomacy, challenged the local soccer team to a game, both the team and its supporters repeatedly refused to show up. LOYAL: Most important of all , Gustav Husak, the tough, chainsmoking boss of the Slovakian Communist Party, has remained unflinchingly loyal to the regime of Alexander Dubcek (who is himself a Slovak). And Husak's ex- �194 SLOVAKIA ample has been followed by his countrymen on every political level. One village leader, when asked by Soviet officers to point out the counter-revolutionaries among the 1,400 farmers and peasants in his area, could scarcely contain himself. "I told them," he recalls, "that there were none, that the country had progressed more in the past eight months under Dubcek than in the last twenty years-and that we wanted them off our land." In a sense, none of this was surprising, for resistance to foreign domination is deeply ingrained in the fabric of Slovakian life. A lovely land of rugged mountains and forests filled with deer, wild boar and partridge. Slovakia has been the pawn of stronger neighbors ever since it fell under Hungarian mastery in the tenth century. Even after World War I, when it joined the neighboring lands of Bohemia and Moravia-Silesia to form the Czecho-Slovak Republic, Slovakia, to a degree, simply changed one set of foreign rulers for another. Politically, the emotional Slovaks were treated as second-class citizens by the more phlegmatic-and more sophisticated-Czechs. INSULTS: Up to the moment he was ousted from power in January, in fact, longtime Czech Communist boss Antonin Novotny was openly disdainful of the Slovaks. He denigrated their culture. He discriminated against them in staffing government ministries and overseas diplomatic posts. In private, his references to them were personally insulting. And economically, Novotny stinted when it came to investing in Slovakia-with the result that the predominantly agricultural area continued to lag far behind its industrialized neighbors. Even after Novotny's ouster, moreover, this discriminatory state of affairs persisted. "We have a Slovak national council," one apparatchik told me , "but what can it do?" Then he answered his own question: "Determine the size of parks and issue hunting licences." Now at last, however, the Slovaks are about to become more independent of Prague. - Newsweek, November 4, 1968. When the Communists took power, Slovakia's national interests suffered even more. The reason was the traditional weakness of the Communists in Slovakia, which is largely rural. Since they had no strong support, Slovak Communist leaders leaned more on Prague. If they showed too much independence, the national Communist leadership stepped in quickly with charges of bourgeois nationalism. Dismissal, imprisonment and even execution was the result. - Donald Shanor, Pittsburgh Press, August 13, 1968. The Slovaks consider themselves the first people in central Europe to have their own state. Federation with the Czechs came in 1918. Slovaks feel the Czechs have tried to dominate the nation ever since. Detroit Free Press, Oct. 11, 1968. The time: early evening. The place: a half-empty, dimly lit bar in the Slovakian capital of Bratislava. Enter a squad of young Russia n soldiers, each with a burp gun slung over his shoulder. Within seconds, the warm hum of voices �SLOVAKIA fades away to stony silence. Nervously, the Russians invite everyone t0 "have a drink on us." Without a word, the natives stare at the ceiling. Furious at the snub, one of the intruders unslings his gun, levels it at the patrons and orders them to drink. The Slovaks hesitate. Then, one by one, they silently raise their glasses to their lips. Moments later, muttering angrily to each other about "ingratitude," the Russians stalk out of the bar. Newsweek, October 7, 1968. Despite efforts of the present liberal communist regime in Czecho-Slovakia to reverse some of the effects of the antireligious measures of the previous Stalinistline officials, progress is slow in improving the lot of some 9,000 men and women Religious. Reports received from CzechoSlovakia state that some government officials are seeking to repair the injustices done to many Religious when their orders were dissolved in 1950 and they were forced into civilian occupations. For the most part, these Religious are still forced to work as street car conductors, street cleaners, masons and public toilet cleaners. Many now are too old to do any work. In 1950, when their Religious houses were closed, many of them were jailed without trial or forced to do military service or labor as road builders and miners. A few years ago nuns were pressed into caring for the aged and sick, but their wages are con- 195 siderably below those of others doing similar work, even though the Religious must also care for older members of their communities no longer able to engage in any gainful employment. (NC News Service) There is no end of the complaints of the quarrelsome and high-spirited Slovaks against the " power-hungry Schweiks" of Prague. The era of knuckling under is finished . o more can whispered curses be heard in the cafes of Bratislava and the wine cellars of Modra. For the last three years, at least, the papers have been printing these, grievances openly. The best Slovak writers save their choicest phrases for this purpose. The major criticism is that centralist Prague deliberately and cruelly stripped the Slovakian Communists of-power in two stages. First, in July 1948 when the Prague Party Presidium summarily ordered the dissolution of the separate Slovakian Communist Party organization. Second, in the early fifties when the Stalinist purge trials decimated Bratislava's Communist elite. The Foreign Minister, Vladimir Clementis, went to the gallows and the top Slovakian functionaries -Gustav Husak, the region's political leader, Laco Novomesky and Ladislav Holdos, the poets-ended up in prison for years. Who bore responsibility for these juridical atrocities? None other than Comrade Novotny! - ATLAS, Vol. 15, No. 5. THE SLOVAK LEAGUE OF AMERICA stands for honesty, intergrity, industry and justice in government. �196 SLOVAKIA BOOK REVIEWS BOOKS ON SLOVAKIA Reviewed by J.M. KIRSCHBAUM Frarn;ois D'Orcival, Le Danube etait noir-La cause de la Slovaquie independante - (The Danube Was Black-The Cause of the Independent Slovakia), Editions de la Table Ronde, 1968, 304 p. maps, bib!. Since 1917, when Prof. E . Denis of the Sorbonne wrote the first book in French on Slovaks, there were no French historians who would have shown an interest in Slovakia. Czechoslovakia or, in its original spelling, Czecho-Slovakia, was conceived and born in Paris and French intellectuals in the inter-war period adopted Czech views and fully supported Prague's policy. Since Slovakia was considered-on the insistence of Praguean internal problem, French diplomats, historians and journalists treated or neglected it accordingly until 1939. In that year France recognized the Slovak Republic, proclaimed on March 14, 1939, first de facto by appointing a consul general in Bratislava and later also de jure. Slovakia and Slovaks became better known in France and had not the Second World War erupted in the fall of 1939, there certainly would have been books on Slovaks and Slovakia by French authors. The post-war period being again unfavourable to Slovaks under the Czech rule until last year, when Alexander Dubcek caught the imagination of the West, the second book by a French historian appeared only in 1968. The series in which this book was published is called "L'histoire contemporaine revue et corrigee" ( Contemporary history -revised and corrected) and the contents prove that it is a revised and corrected version of what West-European historians and publicists published on Slovaks and Slovakia since 1945. The author seems to be not only well informed, but he also looks with rare objectivity at the struggle of the Slovak people for justice and equality in Czecho-Slovakia and, when this proved futile, for self-government. The book covers fifty years of Slovak history. It begins with the founding of Czecho-Slovakia, but it is the period of the Slovak Republic which the author analyzed in detail and put the events into right historical perspective. There are many valuable quotations data in this book. However, the author did not use the conventional historical method, indicating sources in footnotes or at the end of chapters, and therefore the book reads as a historical novel rather than a history book. While this method is not very much in use on the American continent, in France this kind of political literature has a long tradition. The value of the book lies especially in the fact that the author was not affraid to inteprete the struggle of the Slovak people for autonomy within Czecho-Slovakia and the years of the Slovak Republic without the usual bias common to specialists in Eastern Europe, who view the Slovak problem �SLOVAKIA through Czech eyes. The main events, like the " affair Tuka", the role of the Slovak Protestants, favoured by Czechs against the Catholic majority, the Proclamation of Slovakia's independence, the struggle of President Tiso with extremists and Germans, the communist uprising and the revenge of Czechs, communists and Slovak "Czechoslovaks" on Tiso and Slovak Catholics, are put in this book in a new light for Western readers. Many quotations in the book indicate that the author is acquainted not only with diplomatic documents related to this period but also with Slovak newspapers and periodicals. He also seems to know the basic literature on Slovakia in English, listed in his bibliography. Those who read French will find this book a valuable source of information on Slovakia and a new look at the relations between the Czechs and Slovaks. The cause of Slovakia's independence found in the book for the first time an ob jective interpretation by a French writer. Ladislav Mi\acko, Die siebente Erkenntnis und AnNacht klage eines Kommunisten (The Seventh Night - Confession and Accusation of a Communist) , Verlag Fritz Molden , (WienMtinchen-Ztirich, 1968) p. 262. The brutal occupation of the "most faithful satellite"-CzechoSlovakia-by Moscow and her allies created the strongest reaction among writers, journalists and university students. The first two groups being a privileged class, were until 1963 more than loyal upporters of the Stalinist regime. In Slovakia, some of them even turned their pen against their best 197 friends and accused them of " bourgeois nationalism", but since 1963 they were in the forefront of the opposition and de-Stalinization movement. During the first 8 months of the liberalization movement, headed by Alexander Dubcek, they led the struggle for freedom of speech. for a "human face of communism" and rehabilitation of those who suffered under Novotny's regime. In some instances they were dreaming and gave to their dreams of a free , happy socialist Slovakia a poetic, visionary expression. The occupation destroyed during one night everything they believed in and dreamed about. The disillusion could not be more gloomy and many of them expressed it in verses or prose in periodicals like Kulturny zivot and ove slovo or in the daily press. Ladislav Mi\acko, who made a name for himself abroad by his Belated Reports and The Taste of Power in which he denounced the excesses of terror and injustice under Novotny's regime, expressed his disillusion, unhappiness and disappointment in this book. HP fled from Bratislava to Vienna after spending seven nights under the Russian, Hungarian and Bul garian occupation of Slovakia, and with fresh memories and in cruel disappointment he wrote his "confession and accusation". The book is fascinating reading and an interesting document on the occupation of Bratislava, as well as on the crisis which the occupation created in the minds of Slovak communist intellectuals. Mnacko reviews night by night the whole period of Communist rule in Czecho-Slovakia, paints an interesting picture of the leading politicians and their behaviour, confesses his belief in and admiration for the Russians and Communism , �198 SLOVAKIA and with deep bitterness condemns the Russians, because they destroyed his life-dream. Since Mnacko belonged not only to the privileged communist class, but was also one of the pundits of the regime, who had all doors open to the hi<ghest f u n c ,t i on a r i es, his book has a highly documentary value. Many Western specialists in Eastern Europe will find in the book an answer to the question which did not seem clear to them or which they saw through thE' eyes of official propaganda or the writings of some Czech exiled politicians. Especially the persecution in Slovakia during Novotny's regime, the systematic elimination of Slovak educated people from various positions in the public life and economic and cultural downgrading of the Slovak people finds on many pages of this book a confirmation by an eyewitness, who r e mained communist in spite of everything- that has happened to him. The book deserves to be translated into English. In style and form it is a report rather than history, but its sincerity, first-hand knowledge of the occupation and of the leaders of today's CzechoSlovakia make it an interesting document of our times and of the problems of Communism. I.;ubomir Liptak, Slovensko v 20. storoci ( Slovakia in the Twentieth Century). Vydavatel'stvo politickej literatury (Bratislava, 1968) 366 p. Samo Falt'an, Slovenska otcizka v ceskoslovensku (The Slovak Question in Czechoslovakia) , Vydavatel'stvo politickej literatury. ( Bratislava, 1968), 352 p. These two books by Slovak " Marxist" historians deal with Slo- vakia in the twentieth century. This period also attracted historians in the West (R. Seton-Watson, C. A. Macartney and Taylor in England , G. L. Oddo and Kurt Glaser in the United States) and as a result we now have several interpretation of modern Slovak history. Needless to say that there are at least three different interpretations by Slovaks themselves: 1) the Slovak patriotic school 2) the Czecho-Slovak school and 3) the marxist school. In English and other foreign languages, the first school is represented by the works of F . Hru sovsky, J . A. Mikus, J . M. Kirschbaum, Francis Vnuk, F . f>urcanskf, S. Glejdura, etc. The Czechoslovak interpretation can be found in Milan Hodza's book "Federation in Central Europe" and in J. Lettrich's "Modern History of Slovakia". The Marxist interpretation is limited to Slovak and other Slavic publications except for a few articles or summaries in English or French. Both books under review were written by the younger school of communist historians and published after the short "thaw" of last years. Therefore, in contents and language, they are quite different from books and publications produced right after the War and during the "cult of personality" period when according to Slovak marxist historians themselves: " . .. the historiography was brought to the edge of isolation because of the extreme servility of some historians to the deformations of the fifties . . . and the historians were allowed to write until recently bloodless phrases . .. and shells without contents which could not satisfy anybody, but made many people angry and hu �SLOVAKIA miliated the whole nation ... " (Nove slovo, Oct. 31, 1968). Neither Liptak's nor Falt'an's book is completely free of bias and prejudice, especially towards the Hlinka's Populist Party, but in certain respects these two books shed more objective light on the Slovak struggle for freedom and equal status with the Czechs than for instance Lettrich's book and writings by the majority of Czech intellectuals in the free world. Liptak showed some independence of judgment even before 1968 and published some studies on the period of the Slovak Republic which were close to objectivity. In his book, which also contains a sixpage English summary, he views Slovak politics from "marxist position", but he avoided misrepresentations and foul language which the communist historians used when they wrote about the Hlinka's Slovak Populist Party and the period of the Slovak Republic. The book is divided into five chapters: 1. Slovakia in Hungary; 2. Slovakia and the First World War; 3. Slovakia in Czechoslovakia -Gains and lost battles; 4. Slovakia and the Second World War; 5. On the threshold of the Present Times. For Liptak "the period of the Slovak Republic is of great importance for the emancipation of Slovak politics and national movement not only for the necessity to build many national institutions . . . The political regime of the Slovak Republic was authoritative. It was a certain compromise between the ideal of the authoritarian corporative state advocated by the state president Dr. Jozef Tiso, a state built on the principles of the social doctrine of the catholic church and between the principles of "Slovak National Socialism" striving to 199 copy the German model supported by the so-called gardistic wing in the government, by fascist organizations of the German minority in Slovakia and by representatives of Germany. Originally in comparison with other dictatorships of that time and in that part of Europe rather "liberal", the regime of the Slovak Republic gradually became stricter by pressure from outside and by its own self-development. As interesting as the chapter on the period of the Slovak Republic is Liptak's analysis of the period following the Second World War. No doubt, in interpreting the policies of the Hlinka's Slovak Populist Party and judging the regime of the Slovak Republic, Liptak is not free of prejudice and many of his interpretations and conclusions are far from being objective. His negative stand towards the period is of the same intensity as his positive and favourable stand towards the period 1945•1968, though he is at times critical and open-minded. He acknowledges that the access of the communists to power in February 1948 "had pernicious effects on Slovak autonomy". He also admits that one of the reasons for accepting the "Stalinist model" and for its "extraordinary hardness and long lasting" was "the combination of this totalitarian dictatorship with the attempt of the definite liquidation of the "Slovak question" in Czecho-Slovakia by political, physical, moral and ideal destruction of real and potential representatives of Slovak national and political thought. This can be proved by many campaigns against Slovak "bourgeois nationalists", numerous pogroms against Slovak intellectuals, the falsification of national history, tradition etc." Liptak also deals with the terror �200 SLOVAKIA and trials in Slovakia and comes to the conclusion that "the so-called "deformations" were not incidental but belonged to the system "like voting to parliamentarism"." He admits that "the power was gradually, but rather quickly concentrated from "majority to the nation" into the hands of the communists and from them into the hands of a handful of governors dependent on a foreign, non-Slovak power and a whole hierarchy of their sub-ordinates." The last chapter deals with the attempts of Slovak communists to change the system since 1963 and to give Communism a "human face. " From a communist historian it is not a bad book on Slovakia. Falt'an's book "The Slovak Question in Czechoslovakia" is focused on the Slovak problem in its ideological, economic and cultural context. Being a communist ideologist rather than a historian, he presents an analysis from the Communist point of view. Falt'an admits, as many younger Slovak communists did during the past few years, that the Communist Party of CzechoSlovakia did not have either a clear idea or a firm stand with regard to the Slovak problem. He condemns the Czech policy and ideology which attempted to deny to Slovaks their national and cultural identity and using all the power of the state tried to prove that Slovaks were but a part of a nonexistent "Czechoslovak" - in the last analysis-of a Czech nation. On the other hand, he looks with the eyes of an orthodox communist on the H1inka's Populist Party, which was involved in a fierce struggle against the "Czechoslovakist" ideology and discrimination with which Prague treated Slovakia between 1918-1938, but which was especially opposed to Communism. Being opposed to both Slovak autonomism as presented by the Hlinka Party and the Czechoslovak parties supported by a small portion of Slovak intelligentsia, handsomely paid for their services, Falt'an uses all his marxist education in dialecticts to prove that only Communist Party had the right approach and finally came with the right solution of the Slovak problem. The Hlinka's Populist Party achieved for Slovakia a federal autonomy in 1938 and for 6 years more independence and international recognition than Slovaks ever had in their long history. But the Communists were not in power and the statehood was achieved with the help of the German Reich and therefore for Falt'an this period was the "dark age" for the Slovak people. To accept help, even occupation , from Moscow, and to impose a regime of terror on the Slovak people which had nothing in common with their traditions, seems to be for Falt'an the right and the only progressive solution of the Slovak question. At the end of his book he condemns certain "errors and deformations" of the Communist Party, but the final impression of the book is that only the Communists have the medicine, and while German interference is to be condemned and those who were in power during the Slovak Republic were "traitors and collaborationists", Moscow's interference and those who obediently do what Moscow dictates, are the true Slovak patriots and representatives of the aspirations of the Slovak people. It is this "leitmotiv" of Falt'an's book which makes it a partisan ·· pamphlet rather than a historical essay. He undoubtedly is familiar with the intricacies of the Slovak question and puts the blame on �SLOVAKIA the right persons or political parties for not solving but aggravating the economic and cultural problems of Slovakia in the inter-war period, but his fanatic belief in Communism does not allow his to judge objectively the role of the Hlinka's Populist Party and even less the importance of the Slovak Republic. He condemns the Hlinka's Populist Party for achieving statehood for Slovakia in spite of his own statement that "statehood as an expression of national freedom nobody can reject and qualify as a treason on the nation" (p. 106). CzechoSlovakia was founded with the help of France and restored by the armies of the Soviet Union, which imposed her system on Slovakia. This is apparently all right with Falt'an, but receiving help from Germany and adjusting to German pressure was an unforgettable crime. Yet, even this book is more objective and written with less abu sive language than previous writings of Slovak Communist historians (Danas, Kramer, Holotik) on this subject. Its value is also enhanced by a number of documents related to the Slovak problem in Czecho-Slovakia. SLOVAK ALMANACS 1969 Literarny Almanach Slov aka v Amerike, edited by Dr. Joseph Pauco, Ph.D., published by Slovak v Amerike weekly newspaper, Middletown, Pa. 17057, 190 pp. Text exclusively in Slovak~anguage. Eight decades are spanned in the life of Slovak v Amerike, oldest Slovak newspaper in America, 201 since its first edition on December 21 , 1889 in Plymouth, Pa. The late Konsto culen compiled a history of the periodical that first moved to Phoenixville, Pa, and then in 1891 to New York City. There it was published as a weekly, a daily, semi-weekly and semi-monthly at various times until it was purchased and moved to Chicago in 1951. In 1958 Philip A. Hrobak became the publisher in Middletown, Pa. and upon his death in 1964 Dr. Jozef Pauco, Ph .D. assumed its publication. Dr. Andrej Kubina discusses the position of the Slovak language among Slavic tongues. Frantisek Vnuk reviews the national economy of Slovakia under the communist regime from 1945 to 1964. Dr. Imrich Kruzliak, Ph.D. hails the centennial of his Alma Mater, the Gymnasium in Klastor pod Znievom. He pays tribute to Dr. Frantisek Hrusovsky, Ph.D. as an outstanding educator and historian. Dr. Hrusovsky was director of the college from 1931 to 1945. A Slovak dictionary dated 1648 was discovered by Msgr. Postenyi of Slovakia, according to a feature article by Fr. B. Koltner, O.F.M. Slovak folk art (in clay products, ceramics, glass, stone, metal, wicker basket weawing, wood, textiles, leather, embroidery, plastics, architecture , clothes) and Slovak folklore (songs, ballads, dances, plays. fables, legends, and proverbs) are reviewed by Milka Rechtorisova. Gorazd Zvonicky's poems are featured . A memorable Memorandum of the Slovaks in exile is recalled by I. S. Kysucky. The de claration of September 23, 1946 in Aurolzmiinster, Austria, was addressed to the Slovak League in America with an appeal for finan- �202 SLOVAKIA cial aid and support to migrate to Kalendtir Jednota, 1969, Vol. 72. America. Edited by Joseph C. Krajsa. Pubby First Catholic Slovak lished F. Barcin's short play, Dr. Jozef Union (Prva Katolicka Slovenska Mistrik's article on Maritain's deJednota), Cleveland, 0., 232 pp., fense of the Faith, New Currents exclusively in Slovak language. in Catholic theology by the Very Rev. T. J . Zubek, O.F.M., S.T.n: , Dedication of the 72nd edition Msgr. Rekem's article on the Glagolitic alphabet, Jan Okal's com- of the annual to Jan Sabol, the mentary on an address by Father executive secretary of the Jednota Jan Lach, Marian 2iar's and A. for the past four decades, who Murin's poems, Slovak nationalism bears the proud title ( deservedly by Stefan Glejdura , Slovak culture of 'Mr. Jednota' introduces a at home and abroad by. Dr. Jozef series of reminiscenses by Msgr. Kirschbaum, The American Spirit M. K. Mlynarovic, a famous octoby Msgr. M. K. Mlynarovic, Pavo! genarian in the Slovak world. Dr. Hrtus Jurina's pair of short Kirschbaum compares the Salzburg sketches, Short stories by G. Zvo- meeting of President Tiso and Gernicky and Peter Klas, K. Strmen's man representatives in 1940 with poem, M. 2iar's vignette from life, Dubcek's fateful conference with Jan Doransky's observations from Soviet bigwigs at Cierna nad Tisou Expo 67 in Montreal, Sloboda's and last summer before the blitz inVetva's poems, a number of Dr. vasion of Czecho-Slovakia. Commemoration of the centenDilong's anecdotes, poems by M. Gerdelan and J . Doransky and a nial of a historic Slovak college short story by Michael Gerdelan (Gymnasium) in KlMtor pod Zniegive us a collection of literary con- vom recalls the era of Magyar optributions that further enrich Slo- pression of the Slovaks and cites vak library. Many of them are the achievements of the venerable gems of lasting value. The thumb- educational institution in Slovakia. The papal encyclical, "Humanae nail biographical sketches of imVitae" is explained by the Very portant personalities in Slovak world are undoubtedly of import- Rev. T. J. Zubek, O.F.M., S.T.D. Dr. ance as data for future reference. Imrich Kruzliak, Ph.D. notes the Their value is enhanced in the centennial of Bishop Stefan Moylight of the unfortunate failure ses, great Slovak patriotic prelate in the past to record such invalu- of the 19th century. Archbishop Eduard Necsey, who able information . died last summer after two decades Appreciation of this and other of his troubled episcopate in Nitra, annuals depends largely upon one's Slovakia, is eulogized by Dr. Pavo! reading knowledge of the Slovak Benuska. A number of poems by language, but a true scholar who J. Dragos-Alzbetincan are scattered wishes to capture the spirit and throughout the volume appropriessence of the Slovak nation's ately illustrated by photographs of genuine character must know the leading Slovak personalities. language well. Otherwise, he can-Contributions by Rev. Augustin not fully understand his subject Zan, Jan E. Bor, Rev. Jozef Figura, and therefore cannot hope to pur- S.D.B., Frantisek Sujansky, I. S. sue his studies adequately, parti- Kysucky and Rev. Karol Niznancularly in Slovak literature.-A. P. sky, S.D.B. deal with religious sub- �SLOVAKIA jects, the final days of World War II in Japan, Slovak Christmas customs, the varied experiences of Vajansky with gypsies in Slovakia, and Father Niznansky's treatise on the ancient philosophies of India respectively. Mother M . Emerencia Petrasek, SS.C.M. rates a tribute by Dr. Jozef Pauco, Ph.D. for her Slovak publications on the teaching of the Slovak language and her many articles that have appeared in our American Slovak newspapers and periodicals the past quarter of a century. Msgr. John Rekem , S. T. D. of Winnipeg, Canada, praises the work of the Sisters of SS. Cyril and Methodius, Danville, Pa. for their contributions to Slovak liturgical si nging in our churches and schools. Rev. Stefan Sencik, S. J., S. T. D. , of Galt, Ontario, Jozef Spetko and Peter Klas contribute stories on assorted subjects. A number of short poems by Marian Ziar are included. Msgr. Mlynarovic evaluates the work of the Slovak Catholic Federation (of which he was national president for many years) and visualizes its important work in the future as a dynamic American Slovak Society. Vincent Drobniak paints a word-picture despicting the history of the United States from 1776 to 1969. The history (accompanied by pictures) of St. Martha's Slovak Catholic parish founded by Jednota members in Leechburg, Pa. 60 years ago is timely contribution of Vincent Cibik, one of the founders. Frantisek Vnuk of Australia continues his prolific series of writings on Slovak political fortunes (and misfortunes) by hailing Dubcek as 'a decent communist.' Approximately 900 S 1 ova k priests, the Slovak religious com- 203 munities of men and women are listed. The records are generally reliable but can stand revision. On the other hand, the listing of our Slovak professionals and businessmen is wholly inadequate and needs a complete overhauling. This require much correspondence but an assignment to this work will bring good results. At the end of this annual the list of Slovak Catholic publications is up-to-date and correct in every detail. That they exist proves there are still thousands of our fellow Slovaks who consider writing and reading in the Slovak language vital to their interests in their family , social, religious and national lifu. A.P. Narodny kalendar, 1969. Published by the Narodny Slovensky Spolok, 516 Court Place, Pittsburgh, Pa. Edited by Jan Mihal, in the Slovak language, and the Almanac in English as a supplement, Vol. 77. The former on 121 pages and the later comprises 71 pages, including 22 pages of advertising. Jim Pankuch, the president of the National Slovak Society, leads off the series of articles in the 1969 edition of the NSS "Narodny Kalendar" by a review of events relating to the organization in the previous year. He includes his impressions of a visit to Slovakia in 1967. Among the highlights of his tour of the country were his visit to Stefanik's grave at Bradlo and the birthplace of Peter V. Rovnianek ( the founder of the National Slovak Society) in Dolny Hricov. Ecumenism is the title of Dr. Peter P. metko's contribution. Albert Mamatey's World War I action in behalf of the Slovak nation's liberation from Magyar rule is �204 SLOVAKIA presented by Dr. V. E . Andie. The political testament of Dr. Milan Hodfa is treated by Dr. Jozef M. Kirschbaum, Ph.D., LL.D. Rev. Andrej Rolik recalls his visit to Slovakia in 1938. Peter Klas adds a literary note by his short story, the founding of Slavia in central Florida is recorded by Karol Belohlavek, Milos K. Mlynarovic contrubutes a short story and Rev. A. Rolik pays poetic tribute to him on the occasion of his 80th birthday. Jan Pankuch, Sr. (December 16, 1869--February 28, 1952) is honored on the centennial of his birth by Karol Belohlavek's biographical sketch. An encyclopedia-dictionary in English on the Slovak nation, its language, history, literature, tradition, etc. is proposed by D. V. E. Andie. Andrej Kalnik challenges Dr. Bartek's views on the time of the first arrival of the Slovaks on the Danube. Miloslav Slavik adds his short story. The first days of the Republic of Czecho-Slovakia pass in review as seen by Andrej Rolik. A number of important centennials of Slovak patriots are listed, namely, Gejza 2ebracky, a historian, Dr. Albert Skarvan, M. D., Rev. Eduard Sandorfi, a journalist and biologist, Ferko Skycak, Slovak member of diet in Budapest and co-founder of the Slovak People's Party, Dr. Jozef Janda , a canon and religious writer, Dr. A.Krchnak, M. D., active for many years in American Slovak circles, Rev. Stefan Ivicic, active in American Slovak life, Rev. Dr. I.:udovit Okanik, a canon and Slovak representative in the Hungarian diet in Budapest, Rev. Jan Malarik, Lutheran minister, an exponent of the One World State, Rev. Dr. Metod Bella, Lutheran pastor, Slovak representative in Budapest and late in Prague, Michal Bosak, American Slovak banker, fraternal leader, philanthropist and publisher. Peter Klas's short story, Debnarkin's tribute to General Stefanik on the current 50th anniversary of his tragic death, an article on Magyar revisionism, short stories by Slavik and Horsky, Dr. Hletko's view on Stefanik's mysterious death as witnessed by eye-witnesses, a tribute to Bishop Stefan Moyses, founder of the Matica Slovenska, and Rozalia Gona 's sketch on the gypsies and anecdotes complete an annual that is rich in content and a variety of subjects. The English edition presents the highlights in the life of the National Slovak Society in 1968. An article on cancer by Dr. Peter P. Hletko, M. D., an assortment of brief articles, a short story, several features by Mary B. Burns, Dr. Stephen Hletko's tribute to the late Pete Latzo, onetime welterweight boxing champion, and a number of pages of advertising complete the 77th edition of the NSS kalendar and almanac. Both the Slovak and English sections contain numerous pictures, photographs and illustrations that give an overall view of the activities of the organization's activities in addition to the valuable material on the Slovak nation's past, much of it by contemporaries. A . P. Jednota Annual FURDEK, 1969, in English; Edited by Joseph C. Krajsa, and published by the First Catholic Slovak Union, 3289 East 55th St., Cleveland, Ohio 44127, Vol. VIII, 207 pp. The 1969 Furdek edition features woman contributions: Sister M. Martina's composite picture of a �SLOVAKIA Slovak immigrant's early experiences, Maryagnes Krajsa's comparison of Andrej Hlinka, the orator, to Cicero, Sister M. Rosamund's history of Slovak drama and Sophia Zufa's short story. The Slovak nuns are members of the SS. Cyril and Methodius Community in Danville, Pa. Dr. Michael Simko's short story, Dan Tanzone's tribute to the Jednota, a continuing series of the biographical sketches with pictures of a panel of Slovak clergy, Attorney Stephen's picture of typpical Canadians, Dr. Jozef Kirschbaum's "Hlinka and the Pittsburgh Pact" and "Slovak Literature" , Monsignor John Rekems "Glagolitic Script" article, and a brief study of postal stamps of the Slovak Republic complete a modest volume that is illustrated by a number of models wearing native Slovak dress, scenes from Slovakia and a photo panel of scholarship winners in 1968. One more volume has been added to Slovak library. It is unpretentious but its contents give us additional knowledge of the Slovak nation, as well as a view of some of the activities among American Slovaks. Dr. Kirschbaum's article on Slovak literature is timely in view of his up-to-date listing of leading contemporary Slovak writers and poets. Highlights from Slovak history (important dates) from prehistoric days to 1969 are valuable milestones in tracing the Slovak nation's history from the beginning of civilization to modern times. The Furdek series is progressively becoming a rich source of material not only for the average reader but for students interested in pursuing their studies of the Slovaks in their homeland, or anywhere in the world . A. P. 205 SLOVAKS IN CAN ADA Joseph M. Kirschbaum Slovaks in Canada. Ontario, Canada, Canadian Ethnic Press Association, c1967, XV, 468 pp. Reviewed by Sister M. Yolanda Lederleitner, SS. C. M. and Sister M. Martina Tybor, SS. C. M . A historical survey of Slovaks living anywhere outside their native Slovakia must of necessity follow a certain pattern of development. For the benefit of uninformed readers, the opening of the work must be expository-a delineation of the historic background of the Slovak people and their position within a historic perspective. Then there logically follows a record of their uprooting within the scope of the given consideration, as well as their trials and tribulations in a new environment, an evaluation of what forces worked for or against them , and an assessment of their achievements in the new land . This may sound like a simple formula but it does not create an instant product. Only he who has set himself to the task of undertaking such a work can know the labor, the demands, the exhaustion, the research, the organization, and the judicious and artistic demands made upon the author. In his book SLOVAKS IN CANADA, Dr. Joseph M. Kirschbaum has effectively met this challenge. It took years of personal interviewing, reading, and traveling as well as collecting, evaluating, and interpreting data just to provide the historical source materials that comprise the substance of this work. It had to be a labor of love or it never would have been achiev- �206 SLOVAKIA ed. The actual writing of the his• tory was another assignment, one that is in a category of its own. It is a task that Dr. Kirschbaum has satisfied very successfully, for his book reads well. It shows a com• mand of style characterized by clearness and an even tone of interest. The publication itself was subsidized quite appropriately by the Centennial Commission within the centennial year of Canadian Con• federation, 1967. It appears under the imprint of the Canadian Ethnic Press Association of Ontario. Can• ada can justifiably take pride in sponsoring this book, for it con• tributes an interesting and valuable unit to the aggregate history of Canada. Exploring the book in logical order from beginning through mid• die and on to the end , one becomes fully informed not only about the history and life of the Slovak element in Canada but about the his• torical and cultural background of the Slovak nation as well. Such a succint survey is essential to a proper appreciation of the Slo• vaks in Canada-or in any other part of the world to which they were driven by economic need , political oppression, or a multi· plicity of other implacable forces . Dr. Kirschbaum's summary of Slovak history is not expansive, for it is not the core of this book, nevertheless it is surprising how rich and informative is this first part, covering only forty.four pages. The scholarship of the author is well attested in his con• sideration of the ethnic origin of the Slovaks and their multi.faceted historic picture-eultural, political, religious and economic. And it is not superficially sketchy or a hur• ried exposition, as if it were the treatment of a subsidiary matter. It is, rather, a balanced presenta• tion of essential data, prepared by a skilled and able writer, a per• ceptive historian, an experienced teacher•lecturer. Parts 2, 3, and 4 of SLOVAKS IN CANADA graphically and in interesting fashion traces the his• tory of Slovak immigration to Can-· ada, beginning with the earliest settlers who came to the Canadian West in 1880's not from continen• ta! Europe but rather from the United States, specifically from Pennsylvania , Montana, Ohio. It is of special interest to note that the first Slovaks came to Canada in res• ponse to solicitations which were made both in the U. S. and in central Europe to attract settlers since Canada's population increase was very unsatisfactory. The vast expanses of Canada had room for millions of people and the government took the initiative to attract new.comers to its land. In this re• spect, the coming of Slovaks to Canada differs from the coming of the Slovaks to U.S. , for immigration to the U.S. was not generally by solicitation. Adverse pressures of various kinds lent support to the inducements of agents who tried to interest Slovaks to leave Austria Hungary in favor of Canada an unknown but promising new home. Dr. Kirschbaum notes the flow of Slovak immigration to Canada in three general waves : 1) the years between 1885 and World War I-the pioneer stock, often an over• flow from American quota restrictions or persons solicited by agents ; 2) the post World War I interim (1921·1939)-young, stur• dy, enterprising immigrants who came equipped with better formal education and a more vital politi• cal alertness ; 3) the post World War II years-often political re• fugees, many of them from concen• �SLOVAKIA tration camps in Italy, Austria, Germany as well as asylum seeking political leaders and displaced persons. Apparently Joseph Bellon who arrived in 1878 was the first Slovak settler in Canada. He established himself in Toronto and started a wirework factory there. But the larger clusters of Slovak immigrants did not gravitate to the Toronto area. It was the hard mining region of Canada's Western provinces with their bleak and monotonous expanses and unmercifully severe winters that became the history-making center of early Slovak life in Canada. Naturally, the early immigrants arrived without benefit of luxury travel, without commodious motel accommodations, without ready investments from which to draw instant wealth. Although an aura of adventure and high romance colors most dreams of pioneering in virgin territory, the actual grubbing in deep recesses of nineteenth century anthracite mines was a matter for stark realism in their lives. Some were not able to withstand the cruelties of hard fate but others survived the difficulties and hoped for a better future. The later interests of these early settlers were extended to farming, dairying, railroad construction work and fruit growing. And each of these occupations had its own attendant trials associated with nature and the forces of nature in Canada. It is understandable that the lives of these Slovak pioneers were committed to great physical hardships but it must not be overlooked that they were subjected to social and psychological burdens too. A man can strain and work to relieve material want but to attain acceptance and achieve athome-ness among strangers, he is 207 dependent on more than his personal efforts and assets; · to a ce1tain extent, he is at the mercy of those others in his circle of social inter-relationship with whom he should form a varitable circlet of Jove and brotherhood. But the encompassing of acceptance-or even of understanding and tolerance-was not the experience of most alien elements that came to help build a new country to its stature of greatness in economic and historic dimensions. Humiliation, ridicule, and the grossest of abuses-prejudice and exploitation-were the adverse elements against which most of the helpless minority groups had to steel their souls in order to survive in a new milieu that tended to demoralize newcomers rather than to encourage them and offer them a new life. Instead of being gunwhipped , as it were , by these forces , the strangers in a strange land had to prove the innate greatness that was in them; they had to rise superior to adversity and turn it into an instrument that would work to their good. Constancy and endurance made for increased strength ; hurts and injustice borne without rancor or despair can teach men to be sympathetic in the face of suffering, to be just in the exercise of authority and power. Out of negative and destroying powers must be drawn positive good. The alternative would be defeat. The soul learns by enduring but, admittedly, it must be a great soul to endure profitably. And so it was with the Slovaks in Canada. They were not insensitive people; they were endowed with simplicity of heart and inured to much suffering at the hands of hostile powers that had lorded over them in their homeland. They �208 SLOVAKIA did not demand the impossible; they did not deceive themselves with dreams of unreality. They mined , they broke prairie, gradually they established themselves, had their children schooled , organized benefit societies , built churches, bettered themselves-and in the course of years, they arrived. The growth of beneficial and church organizations among Slovak immigrants in Canada comprises a hjstory of its own merits, yet Dr. Kirschbaum does not slight or gloss over this subject. As a matter of fact, although cursory references are made to it in the first four parts of the book as the subject matter under consideration may require. Part 5 touches upon the sociological and psychological stimuli that often lead to organization and then points out how the very basic needs of the time made such organization imperative here. Within the space of less than fifty pages, the author surveys the social and beneficial organizations of various types that were initiated or developed by the Slovaks of Canada. Religious organizations and the Slovak press in Canada are given some suitable consideration and discussion in the book though it is understandable that in a first book on the history of Slovaks in Canada, circumscribed to 468 pages, no area deserving of notice can be studied exhaustively. Some of the materials must be limited to basic data-gathering as an initial effort that may be researched and studied in depth in subsequent work. Yet let it be made clear that this observation in no way detracts from the merits of Dr. Kfrschbaum's deserving book. The unit of study on political refugees presents a documentation of Slovak history within the post- Munich Agreement years that is sometimes distorted or bungled by inept writers or uninformed reporers of historic matter. Of course, within the scope of this work, emphasis must properly lean toward Canada's attitudes toward and opportunities open to persons displaced from Slovakia seeking asylum and new life after the catastrophic upheavals of Communist take-over in Czecho-Slovakia. The logical development af historic topics presented by Dr. Kirschbaum leads to some insights into the integration of Slovaks into Canadian life and an evaluation of their cultural and scientific contribution to the country that permitted them to find new hope and new homes. Part 9 is a French resume of the book and forms a valuable addition inasmuch as it makes some of the information accessible to foreign researchers for whom English may be a handicap and inasmuch as interested Canadians who favor French may find in this section an account that will help them to appreciate their fellow-citizens of Slovak background who also contribute some of the glory of the great Canadian mosaic among nations of a free world. Of signal historic value are the twenty-four documents that follow the body of Dr. Kirschbaum's book. Further enrichment is also provided by the lengthy bibliography and the indispensable index of names and of subjects. We who are privileged to look upon the accomplished fact of a finished project presenting to the public the aches and the trials, the hopes and the promises, the opportunities and the fulfillment up to triumph, the gifts received and the gifts given , the moral as well as the material investments made �SLOVAKIA and the dividends garnered-we are grateful to Dr. Kirschbaum whose scholarly initiative and acumen together with his indefatigable industry and talent has made this book a reality. It deserves more than one reading since it is an informative and highly interesting account of Slovak life in a new world setting. 209 In all honesty, we must admit an undenied regret that the Slovaks in the U. S. have not produced a similar or parallel history of their own to match SLOVAKS IN CANADA while at the same time we cherish a justifiable pride in Dr. Kirschbaum because he has done a good work well. SLOVAKIA is published annually by the Slovak League of America, a cultural and civic federation of Americans of Slovak descent. One of the purposes of SLOVAKIA is to promote a better understanding and appreciation of the Slovak nation and its long struggle for freedom and independence. Subscription to Slovakia $3.00 per year m the r.S.A. - $4.00 elswhere. Send subscription to: SLOVAKIA 313 Ridge A venue Middletown, Pa. 17057 �210 SLOVAKIA OUR CONTRIBUTORS Joseph M. Kirschbaum. LL. D., Ph.D. - former diplomat, university professor, historian, author of several books, Toronto, Ontario. Peter P. Hletko, M. D. - former President of the Slovak League of America, fraternalist, newspaperman, publicist, lecturer. Stephen B. Roman, LL. D. - Canadian-Slovak Industrialist, lay leader of the Slovak Catholics of the Eastern rite in Canada. Francis Hrusovsky, Ph.D. (late) - former professor at Bratislava University, prominent Slovak historian and educator; first director of the Slovak Institute in Cleveland, Ohio. Rev. Andrew Pier, 0. S. B., - newspaperman, teacher, and Director of the Slovak Institute in Cleveland, Ohio. Andrew Kubina, LL. D. - publicist living in Switzerland. Fr. Bartholomew Koltner, 0 . F. M. - Franciscan Friar in Pittsburgh, Pa. Sr. M. Martina Tybor, SS. C. M. - teacher and author, Danville, Pa. Joseph Pauco, Ph.D. - newspaperman, publicist, author of several books; Secretary of the Slovak League of America. Francis Vnuk, M.A. - historian; professor, Institute of Technology, Adelaide, Australia. Rev. Jaroslav Vajda - poet; editor, This Day, St. Louis, Mo. �211 SLOVAKIA Contents Slovakia in the struggle for liberalization and federalization 3 of Czecho-Slovakia - J.M. Kirschbaum The Slovaks of Chicago - Dr. Peter P. Hletko - The Nation with a purpose The United States of America - - Stephen B. Roman, LL. D. - This is Slovakia - 64 Francis Hrusovsky, Ph.D. - The oldest Slovak newspaper in America - O.S.B. - 74 Andrew Pier, 96 The place of Slovak among Slavic languages - Kubina, LL. D . - Andrew 99 The Slovak dictionary of 1648 - O.F. M. - 32 Fr. Bartholomew Keltner, 105 Slovak pioneers in America - Joseph Pauco, Ph.D. - 108 Fifty years of Communist party of Slovakia (1918-1968) - Francis Vnuk - 125 Current issues [Statement of the Slovak League of America (Dr. Peter P. Hletko, Joseph Pauco) - Slovaks will not give up (Rev. Jaroslav Vajda) - The New York declaration (Dr. Ferdinand :ourcansky, Dr. Joseph M. Resolution (Edward J. Behuncik, Kirschbaum) Joseph Pauco J - 179 As others see it - 188 J.M. Kirschbaum; Slovak Almanacs - A. P.; Slovaks in Canada - Sister M. Yolanda Lederleitner, SS. C. M. and Sister M. Martina Tybor, SS. C. M.) - 196 Book reviews (Books on Slovakia - ��PRI NTI D IN U.S. A. JIDN OTA PlllN TER Y, MID DLli TOW N, PA. � SLOVAKIA 179 CURRENT ISSUES STATEMENT OF THE SLOVAK LEAGUE OF AMERICA Presented by Dr. Peter P. Hletko, Honorary President and a Democrat To the Democratic Platform Committee at the International Amphitheater on Friday, August 23 , 1968. Ladies and Gentlemen: Under authorization of our National President, Edward J. Behuncik, of Stratford, Connecticut, I was privileged to be invited to appear before your important body as official spokesman of this largest of Slovak-American civic and cultural organizations. I take this means to let our views be known to you. Our purpose is to request the Democratic Party to take a clear-cut stand on assistance for the people of Slovakia to obtain their status as an independent state or at least as a partner in the federated country of CzechoSlovakia, which up to now has never been a federated country since its founding. The principles which we recommend are equally applicable to all small nations, hence can be properly included in a statement of principles such as a Democratic Platform. It is especially fitting that we present our position not merely because of recent activity in cierna and Bratislava, both located in Slovakia, but also because we can give the Democratic Party and its next administration the opportunity to show all America and the world that the American people are behind and support the efforts of the Slovaks who, in a realistic sense, are emulating our founding fathers of the American Revolution. In the past, the position of The Slovak League of America, an American organization founded at Cleveland, Ohio, in May, 1907, was frequently misplaced or purposely misinterpreted. Not withstanding its long history of patriotic devotion to this great country with thousands of Slovak-Americans serving in the Armed Forces, even as far back as Lincoln's day, and continuing even to this moment at Viet Nam, Germany, and all around the world. �SLOVAKIA Even today, with Czecho-Slovakia being led for the first time in its history by a Slovak-not a Czech, as the news media picture him-the press continues to write about the doings of the Czechs only. The Czechs are one nationality, the Slovaks another. They have a combined country, but the Czechs hold the upper hand in CzechoSlovakia. The abbreviation of Czecho-Slovakia is not Czech, but note that the democratization has been underway only since Alexander Dubcek, a Slovak, came to power in January. He is not a Czech. So, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Committee, we want to ask that our Government, if and when led by a new administration, will give our Slovak compatriots and nextof-kin what is being given by our country and other great powers to other smaller and newer nations-statehood and membership in the family of nations. Moral support of the Slovak Nationalism may well accrue to our benefit if the Slovaks continue to push for democratization and federalization, thereby weakening the strangle hold of the Soviets in Eastern Europe. The Democratic Party has a golden opportunity as the Party of the People to come out strongly in support of the Slovak right to statehood. I am certain your capable draftsmen can combine our ideas with ideas presented here by other ethnic groups to make a strong and meaningful Plank which will add stature to the Platform, give solace to suffering peoples in small nations everywhere, and, not incidently but realistically, help elect a Democratic President. The Slovaks in America have strong societies and an influential press. Therefore, I urge you to embody a Plank as we have suggested. We will do our part thru our societies and our press. Hon. Everett McKinley Dirksen Chairman Platform Committee Republican Party Fountainbleau Hotel Miami Beach, Florida Recent events in Eastern Europe may well prove the Slovak nation, in the very heart of Europe, to be the tiny spark of moral, cultural, and patriotic dynamism which �SLOVAKIA 181 will help destroy the Iron Courtain. Democratization in Czecho-Slovakia was initiated by the Slovak intellectuals through whose efforts Slovak leader Alexander Dubcek emerge in power. Dubcek and his colleagues have already shown a more human approach to Slovakia's problems by pushing a federalization of two states-Slovak and Czech. They also evidence more liberal treatment of populace. The Slovak League of America, as a civic organization, signed in 1918 known Pittsburgh Pact in which supported a federated Czecho-Slovakia. Today we like to see a confederated Central Europe with Slovakia in it as a equal partner. Seek support for these noble ideal from your great party and urge the inclusion of our position and of other ethnic groups in your Platform. Sincerely yours, Joseph Pauco, Secretary Slovak League of America July 29, 1968 SLOVAKS WILL NOT GIVE UP Low-flying jets are buzzing Bratislava as I start to write this report. Tanks and military vehicles keep streaming into the city across the Danube bridge over the street beneath my window. Now and then the burst of machinegun fire punctuates the rhythmic cheers of the crowd demonstrating in safarik Square on the corner. What began as a month of intense study in Slovak language and culture at Comenius University in a freedomtasting city came to an abrupt halt with the sudden occupation of the country by Warsaw Pact forces. Linguists from 18 countries, including Iron Curtain satellites, were gathered in the dining hall. We were told that an attempt would be made to continue the institute. Lectures would have to be held in various corners of the dormitory, it was announced, rather than in the lecture hall now completely surrounded by Russian tanks and armored vehicles. All 105 of us made a feeble attempt to resume our language study. But the instructors and scholars were too upset to concentrate. We crowded into the lounge to watch the TV set and listen to intermittent radio bulletins. �182 SLOVAKIA The occupation began late at night. Most of us had gone to sleep after a long day of lectures and a tour. The few still awake at midnight attributed the steady rumble of military vehicles to possible unusually heavy traffic over the railroad track along the Danube. The airplane noise sounded like some special activity at the airport on the eastern outskirts of the city. At 3 o'clock in the morning my next-door roommate from Pittsburgh awoke me, saying: "Get up. The Russians have occupied Bratislava." We went to our windows on both sides of the dormitory, and there below us the streets were clogged with tanks and trucks. The vehicles could move no further, so their drivers got out to smoke. We ventured out of the building before daybreak to convince ourselves that the nightmare was really happening. There were no Russian stars identifying the vehiclesjust a while stripe down the hoods-but our attempts to converse with the drivers soon revealed that they could speak nothing but Russian. Most Slovaks (and Czechs) have had to study Russian as a second language. This year they were given a choice between Russian and English, and most chose English. Using their knowledge of the invader's tongue, the people of Bratislava questioned the Russians. Most of them seemed to be very young. "Why did you occupy our country?" they asked a teenage Russian. "To help the counter revolution," he answered. "Well, have you found it?" they asked. Unable to locate even one person who would welcome the occupiers, the soldiers had little to say. "We're under orders. That's why we're here." By noon every Russian tank and vehicle was painted or chalk-marked with a swastika (some inside Russian stars) , slogans of loyalty to Dubcek and Svoboda, and "Go Home" signs in Slovak and Russian. Radio and TV stations called for a show of loyalty to the captive government in the form of a work stoppage for 2 minutes at noon and the blowing of whistles and horns. The mood of the populace seemed to have been welded �SLOVAKIA 183 by the noon-hour display of support. Down the street from the square came about 50 students. A crowd rapidly gathered behind them and soon filled the square, each corner of which was occupied by a tank. Streets leading to the square were lined with tanks parked diagonally, ready to pull out toward the square if necessary. At noon the Russian military vehicles were still moving into the city over the bridge and through safarik Square. Now they were completely stopped by the mass of nearly 1,000 people refusing to let them through. Civilian traffic was let through the mob by the police, but the police did not lift a finger to open a path for the Russian vehicles. The people cheered their police for this support. They laughed and applauded as the crowd took one of the police and kept throwing him into the air, a gesture of friendship he enjoyed immensely. Russian drivers, unable to push through the mob, eventually decided to make a U-turn and drive back over the bridge. Again, cheers from the crowd. After nearly half an hour of such diversion an armored truck came down the center of the bridge and pushed against the unyielding wall of human flesh. Determined not to play games, the crew fired the large millimeter guns of the armored car into the air, and the crowd fell back. The truck went through the crowd, and then turned back and drove into the crowd from behind, its guns firing warning volleys into the sky. As young people trew sticks and rocks at the armored car, machine guns went into action, strafing over the heads of the crowd. When the level reached about six inches above our heads, most of us ran for cover or fell to the street. As we ran, we could see the flags fall to the street. We heard afterward that two young men had been killed. Later the demonstrators reassembled in the square, drawing more bullets. This time the gunfire killed a 17-yearold girl student standing on the steps of the university administration building just behind a posted tank and anti-aircraft gun. As we were leaving the city an hour before the 8 o'clock curfew, we read the inscription a bold student had chiseled into the stone pillar of the building: "Here the Russians �184 SLOVAKIA killed a 17-year-old Slovak girl." At the base of the column lay a bouquet of flowers and a scarf the girl had worn. About 30 feet above that inscription there remained another that had already been painted on the stone face of the building before we arrived: "To be lorded over is evil, but to lord it over others is worse." The occupying forces would have done well to learn to read this expression of a united nation's will. If there had been aloofness toward the Russian "com:rades" before, the mood was now one of open disdain. "The Germans weren't as bad as this," said one of the professors. "We knew at least that they were our enemies; but these people pretended to be our friends." I asked what they would do. One said what many repeated: "We would rather die than return to the conditions before January (1968, when Dubcek began his liberalization)." As we were encouraged to flee for our own safety-for we still had a free place to go to-the people inspired us with their faith and courage. The Slovak border guards, who were still in charge of customs when we left, greeted us with smiles. They carried our luggage to the Austrian border gate. There they had a last word for us: "Tell your people we will not give up." Rev. Jaroslav Vajda, Editor of This Day THE NEW YORK DECLARATION The Slovak Liberation Council, gathered in the Americana Hotel , New York, N.Y., on October 27, 1968 in order to discuss the situation of the Slovak Nation within the Czecho-Slovak Republic in general, and under the Soviet occupation in par.ticular, has agreed upon the following statement: On May 30, 1918 the Slovak League of America on the one hand , and the Czech National Alliance with the Union of Czech Catholics on the other hand signed a document which has become known in history as the Pittsburgh Pact. It was an agreement sponsoring liberation of the Central-European lands of their members' origin. It dealit with constitutional relations to be established between these two Slav nations in the prospective Czecho-Slovak Republic. T. G. Masaryk, Chairman of the Czecho-Slovak National Council, recognized by the �SLOVAKIA 185 Allied Powers as the Czecho-Slovak Revolutionary Government, in Paris, future President of Czecho-Slovakia, had produced the draft thereof and signed it. The Pact stipulated that Slovakia would have in the new State her own administration, i.e., her own legislative, executive and judiciary branch of Government, while Foreign Affairs, Defence, Currency and Communications were supposed to be matters reserved to a common federal Government. Details of this pre-constitutional arrangement were left to be worked out, under the responsibility of the leaders of the Czecho-Slovak National Council, by the future freely elected Parliam ent of Czecho-Slovakia. As President, T. G. Masaryk ignored the commitments taken over with respect to Slovakia. A highly centralized Government was arbitrarily set up in Pflague by methods which were a mockery of a parli amentarian procedure. The self-appointed Revolutionary Government had selected, without elections a Revolutionary Assembly of 270 members, O•f whom 229 were Czechs and 41 Slovaks. This body then confirmed that self-appointed Government in office, and on February 29, 1920 adopted a unitary Constitution proposed by that Government. In that fundamental law of the new State the very name of Slovakia disappeared since the Czecho-Slova kia of the Pa,ris Peace Treaties was replaced by a linguistic barbarism, i e., Czechoslovakia. Consequently, in the period to follow, Slovakia's political destinies had not been shaped by the Slovak peo,ple, but by the Czech majority of the Prague Parliamerut. Moreover, in pursuit of a "Great Czechia" dream, the Prague Government had, before 1938, practiced denationalization and a carefully planned genocide on the Slovak nation through its persistent effort a-t cultural and linguistic assimilation thereof, and an outright persecution of the Slovaks for their national feelings. Since during all that period the Czechs had rejected either a federative reform of the State, or an autonomous status for Slovakia, the Slovaks did not see another al,ternative than to proclaim, on March 14, 1939, the Slovak Republic. With respect to economy, Slovakia was down graded to an agricultural h interland for the Czech lands, a provider of cheap raw materials and cheap labor for the Czech monopolistic industry. Regardless of what Czech and Communist historians might have affirmed after World War II, the Slovak Republic was not abandoned by a decision of the Slovak people ; it was occupied and suppressed by the Soviet Army as a consequence of the Benes-Stalin Agreement of December 12, 1943. After the restoration of Czecho-Slovakia in 1945, hundreds of thousands of Slovakia's inhabitants were resettled in the Sude<tenland of Bohemia. There, they were exposed in the name of the international solidarity of the proletariat, to the same denationalization policy as they had been befOJ"e 1938 in the name of an artifical "Czechoslovak" nation. �186 SLOVAKIA The integration of Czecho-Slovakia into the Soviet bloc as a consequence of the Trea,ty concluded in 1943 by E. Benes and J. V. Stalin, proved to be a tragic mistake. The present occupation of Czecho-Slovakia by the Soviet Union is to a great extend the result of that fatal move. For much as we condemn this brutal Soviet intervention, the primary responsibiliity for it rests upon the shoulders of those who had sold out Czecho-Slovakia's sovereignty to that Eurasiatic power. Since the Czech leadership has failed in the Czecho-Slovakia first from an aggressive policy of from that of the Soviet Union, the Slovak Liberation that the Czech statesmanship has lost its credit and its raison d' etre. past to secure Germany, then Council believes Czecho-Slovakia The Slovak Liberation Council follows with increased attention the present developments in Czecho-Slovakia and Slovakia's effort for self-expression, self-government and identity. It takes a positive attitude toward this natural trend. Yet, it is convinced that the federalization of Czecho-Slovakia comes fifty years too late . Taking into consideration all what precedes, we reaffirm our hopes for a better future of Slovakia in the following points: 1. The Slovaks are, in Central Europe, an ethnic unit that has attributes Political Science considers as constitutive of a nathe all tion: their own history, their terriitory, their language and culture, their sociological and ethnographic individuality. 2. AHer many decades of self-frustration , first within the Kingdom of Hungary, then in Czecho-Slovakia, the Slovaks are not any more willing to live in the indignity of being ruled from outside, of being politically, economically, and culturally exploited by their neighbors. In this period of decolonization in Africa and Asia, of tribal and is land states, they, too, aspire to bemoce a sovereign polirtical unit, i.e., to exercise their right to self-determinatio n . This right has been recognized to every nation in the Charter of the United Nations, in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights of 1948 as well as in the subsequent Pacts of the United Nations on Civil and Political Rights. 2nd on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights of 1966. Consequently, they feel entitled to their o-wn statehood and their own democratic institutions. 3. In this International Year of Human Rights, we believe that the future existence of Slovakia can properly be secured only in a closer European Federartion, or-until this becomes a reality-in a free partnership of Central-Europea n nations, partnership , based on the principles of equality. Dr. Ferdinand Durcansky, President, Executive Committee Dr. J. M. Kirschbaum, President, The Assembly �SLOVAKIA 187 RESOLUTION We, Slovak Americans, representing the overwhelming maj-ority of organized Americans of Slovak descent and joining with representatives of Slovak organizations of Canada and Western Europe, gathered at the Americana Hotel in New York City, the home of the United Nations, on this 27th day of October, 1968, solemnly resolve: 1 Our cultural and civic aspirations are the very same aspirations as those of the American people2 Our eleven hundred year old Christian tradition will continue to inspire and hopefully insure the free and democratic future of our kin and brethren of sad and occupied Slovakia3 As we support our federal, state and municipal authorities, we seek the support of these same sources of power to obtain for Slovakia the freedom we are so fortunate to enjoy here is our beloved United States4 With confidence in the strength of a just and peaceful world, we solicite the support-moral, intellectual, civic and governmental-of all peace loving peoples in our protests against the treacherous oppression of the Slovak people by the brutal Soviet occupation5 We commend to the United Nations organization the cause of basic Human Rights for the Slovak nation on this 20th anniversary of the laudable Declaration of Human Rights which that world organization enacted in 19486 We believe that eventual free elections in Slovakia will best express the will of the Slovak people and confidently believe that the Slovak nation will best decide her futurefor her own best interest-as an independent nation-if only given the opportunity to do so. 7 Finally, we wish these sentiments to be made widelyknown and hereby authorize the distribution of this resolution to be made to local, state, national and international authorities everywhere. Accepted unanimously by the attending members of this historic Manifestation of the Slovak organizations meeting under the auspices of The Slovak League of America. Edward J. Behuneik, President Joseph Pauco, Secretary �SLOVAKIA 188 AS OTHERS SEE IT Dear Fellow Americans of Slo- the rights of all citizens as set vale Descent: forth in the Constitution, and as I have followed the recent sup- guaranteed under the order and pression of the Slovak and Czech justice of law. The Challenges are enormous peoples by the Soviet-led invasion with great sadness. During a tragi- but they are not impossible. With cally brief period of social reform, your support we can translate our the peoples of this small but gal- ideals into living reality. I pledge lant country were able to assert myself to these ends. With very best wishes, themselves and to proceed w i t h Sincerely, the selection of their own leaders and their own path of government. Richard Nixon These natural aspirations, common to men everywhere, have b e e n New York, October 27, 1968 cruelly dashed under the heavy boot of the Soviet Union . As you reflect this evening in It gives me great pleasure to the triumphs and tragedies that address myself to you Americans have befallen the Slovak people of Slovak descent. Within the you will also realize that all Amer- borders of these United States ica, and all free men throughout your number is close to two milthe world, share your pride, your lion. Your culture and traditions concern and your indignation. It proudly fostered in Slovakia and is a bold testimony to freedom brought to this new land, and that the spirit of the S I o v a k seeded, have become part of our people, with whom you i;hare a American heritage. Your appreciacommon her i t a g e, cannot be tion and love of America is excrushed by tank or by edict. emplified by your sense of dedicaMy message is not only to the tion and patriotism dating to the two million Slovak people who are United States' fight for independcitizens of the United States. My ence. The very same independence message is to all the Slovak people and freedom so fervently sought everywhere, a people who for in Slovakia. more than 1,000 years have never No other nation of immigrants hesitated to stand up to the ag- purports to be so humble and at gressor. I pledge to you that the the same time aggravates in ANixon Administration will be dedi- merica's conscience a love of God, cated to peace. Peace at home. country and home. It is therefore And peace abroad. In our intense- of little wonder that your mother ly practical pursuit of the vision country of Slovakia has in the past of freedom we will strive for a 1000 years never waned from her strong new America. An America fight for selfdetermination . . . rewhich will flourish in the sun of gardless of the strength of the a true prosperity, rather t h a n oppressor . .. or the toll to be paystumble in the dark of inflation. ed. This struggle is particularly An America which will reaffirm courageous considering the victo- �SLOVAKIA ries attained were few and shortlived. If it is of any consolation, Slovakia and her people have been victorious in winning the respect of free men the world over. The time is now for these free men and nations to help others in attaining the same. I have already expressed this position publicly when I said that "We wish every people to be free to determine for itself its own form of Government. " America and its leaders must recognize the existence of Slovakia as a nation of four and one half million people with their own language and culture. - Message from Governor Nelson A. Rockefeller, delivered June 28, 1968. Dear Mr. E. J . Behuncik: 189 the long Christian tradition of the Slovaks. To you personally, my congratulations on the high honor Slovak Americans have bestowed on one of Connecticut's Sons - Sincerely John Dempsey, Governor of Connecticut, October 25, 1968 Despite the language of the Pittsburgh Pact, and despite the hopes of the Slovak people for national autonomy within a federa tive framework, the Slovaks have had to stuggle within Czecho-Slovakia for their national freedom. This struggle finally led to the secession of Slovakia from CzechoSlovakia in 1939 and the formation of an independent state of Slovakia until 1945, when Slovakia returned to Czecho-Slovak government. The struggle of the Slovaks for full recognition has definitely contributed to the new liberal climate of the country. In a recent article in the U. S. Information Agency's journal, Problems of Communism, the editor made this observation: The Slovaks have long considered themselves the disfranchised of the two major ethnic groups that comprise this small Central European country, and their struggle against the oppressive practices of the government in Prague, first inspired by specifically national grievances, has over the years become both the symbol and the substance of the overall struggle against the authoritarianism of the Novotny regime. The editor concludes that Slovak nationalism is "a force that more than any other has contributed to the spectacular debacle of Czechoslovak Stalinism." - Senator Rich- Please accept and extend to your associates and members my personal as we,Jl as official greetings at your manifestation. All Connecticut is appreciative of the great contributions made by the Slovak immigrants as well as Slovak Americans to the betterment of the civic, educational, cultural, economic and spiritual life in all parts of our great State. We are all hopeful that the current tragic era will soon pass and that Slovakia will be able to take her rightful place in the international family of peaceful nations. In the meantime please know that we would welcome to Connecticut all escapees from Slovakia who care to come to us just as we welcomed the Hungarian, Ukrainian, Polish and other God fearing, peace loving escapees from Soviet brutality and aggression. I am confident your manifesta- ard S. Schweiker, Congressional tion will be another landmark in Record, May 20, 1968. �190 SLOVAKIA Dear Citizens of Slovak Descent: As Mayor of The City of New York, I am honored to extend greeting to the Slovak League as well as all Slovak Americans. Your forebearers who settled here more than 80 years ago have contributed notably to the culture and economy of this City and nation. Your contributions are more than a page in this City's history. You must obviously be proud of these accomplishments as well as the heroic stand of your brothers in Slovakia who with only knuckles and spirit resisted the steel of Soviet tanks. However, tyrany cannot contain the Slovak's strong desire for freedom and self-determination. As you are proud of this spirit, so I, John Lindsay, am proud to be your Mayor. - John V. Lindsay, Mayor, October 25, 1968. It is in Slovakia- the autonomyminded eastern region of the country- that the Russians and their allies are encountering the greatest resistance to the occupation. The Moscow radio charged last week that Soviet soldiers were being fired upon in Slovakia. Bratislava newspapers reported that the Soviet Union was violating the Moscow agreement's clause on non-interference in internal affairs by arresting Slovaks. Prague also complained to the Soviet authorities last week over incidents in Slovakia involving Hungarian occupation troops. - The New York Times, September 4, 1968. "Why do Paris and Prague have their beautiful architecture?" the Slovak asked rhetorically, then answered his question. "Because of us. Because of our moutains. We stopped all the invaders here." He ran through an impressive list of tribes and nations that would have overrun the West but for the Slovaks and their fellow fighters in an arc ranging vaguely and variously from southern Poland down to Montenegro. He continued: " And in our times of greatest cruelty we had our most lyrical poetry." The Slovaks, with their national hero Janosik, the mountain Robin Hood, are romantics and proud of it. They contrast themselves with the more stolid Czechs at every possible opportunity. It was this romanticism, combined with some historical peculiarities, that made the Slovaks the leaders in Czecho-Slovakia's liberalization that began in 1962-1963. Several leading Slovak Communists had been condemned as "bourgeois nationalists" in the 1950's and imprisoned or executed. Those condemned were some of the most humane of any of the Communist 1 e a d e rs-including Vladimir Clementis, one of the intellectuals who founded the Slovak DAV nationalist and artistic movement in the 1920's- a Communist who did not hesitate to denounce the Stalin-Hitler pact and the Soviet invasion of Finland. Those who ran the Slovak party thereafter were a different breed altogether; crude, ruthless, and perhaps the greatest sin in the eyes of the intensely nationalistic Slovaks - servile to Prague. In 1962, then, the Slovaks began a campaign, first in party commissions, and later in public journals, to secure the rehabilitation of the wronged Slovak leaders, and retribution for those guilty of the purges. Middle-level Slovak party officials and Slovak Communist intellectuals, working closely at this �SLOVAKIA point, did succeed in getting partial rehabilitations. Even more important politically, they maneuvered party chief Antonin Novotny into dropping two of the chief villains of the piece, Slovak party first secretary Karel Bacilek and Czechoslovak Premier Viliam Siroky. 191 and Czechs grew more acute in the mid-1960's as well. Under Communist rule Prague had poured investments into the industtial development of Slovakia , but these diminished as the first crash programs ended and particularly as economic reform introduced greater rationality in investments as in other spheres in 1967. This meant that the Slovaks no longer had the same economic incentive to fall in with Prague's directives on other matters. The final grievance of the Slovaks against Prague-and it was far from a minor one-was Mr. Novotny himself. He had been a high party official when the Slovak leaders had been purged and had later put every stumbling block in the way of their final rehabilitation. Moreover, he made no attempt to mask his dislike of the Slovaks, and on occasion went out of his way to insult them. All of these issues worked together to keep the Slovaks in the lead in demanding changes in the old Novotny system and, as Mr. Novotny's position eroded, a change in the leader himself. It was Mr. Dubcek who precipitated the attack on Mr. Novotny last fall, and the solid Slovak opposition to the old leader was easily one of the most important forces in the antiNovotny-coalition that finally deposed him . That the Slovaks ended up in the vanguard of reform was ironic, for the Slovaks are the traditional conservatives of Czecho-Slovakia Elizabeth Pond, The Christian Science Monitor, September 24, 1968. If subsequent changes did not go anywhere near as far as many of the Slovak intellectuals hoped, still the resultant party shuffle put men in control of the Slovak party (including that newcomer as Slovak party first secretary, Alexander Dubcek) who would pursue Slovak interests rather than simply carry out Mr. Novotny's orders. By 1964, with Slovak party officials satisfied with the personnel changes for the time being and not eager to upset a system they were benefitting from , the Slovak intellectuals suddenly found themselves without the support of these officials, in their further bids for reform. Being Slovak romantics, however, they pushed ahead with more daring than their Czech colleagues, and the weekly of the Slovak Writers' Union, Kulturny 2ivot, became the leading forum for progressives from the whole country. And the Slovaks did remain united on such issue as seeking revision in the historical interpretation of the 19th-century father of Slovak nationalism , I.!udovit Stur. If this issue did not directly promote reform, it at least kept Slovak agitation alive. And the whole nationalist movement emboldened the Slovaks, politicians included , to press in 1966 for constitutional changes that would give the Slovaks more autonomy from Prague. Ten million Czechs and 4½ milEconomic issues between Slovaks lion Slovaks are · twin nations now �192 SLOVAKIA with equal status and rights in a joint federal state. The deed was finally done, after the promise of 50 years ago when the independent Czecho-Slovak republic was founded, by the signing Oct. 30, 1968 of the new constitutional law on federation. The law was adopted by the National Assembly a few days previously. It was signed at a ceremony in Bratislava, the Slovak capital, by President Svoboda, on the anniversary of a meeting in a little Slovak village in the Carpathians in 1918. At that meeting-in Turciansky Svlity Martin-the Slovak leaders of the day proclaimed their attachment to a single Czecho-Slovak state and committed the "land of the Slovaks" as part of its common territory. They did so after the promise of equality given by Tomas Masaryk, who became the new republic's first President, to the Slovak community in America prior to his return to Prague in 1918. Between the two world wars, however, "unification" was a halfhearted process which brought some gains to Slovakia, but felt it economically far behind the Czech lands and with a sense of inferiority as the "junior partner" dominated and ruled by the Czechs in Prague. The first government program after World War II sought to put things right. Slovakia was given a substantial degree of autonomy under its own National Council and other local institutions. But, after 1948, as the new Communist regime lapsed into the Stalinist "personal power" system under dictator Antonin Novotny, Slovak autonomy was quickly reduced , and finally abolished altogether. Slovak protests and national feeling were condemned as "bourgeois nationalism"; and not only the economic neglect but the resentment aroused by the Prague leader's unconcealed hostility toward the Slovaks Jed to a crisis between the two nations which was a major contributory factor to the political shake-up brought about at Eric the end of last year. B our n e, The Christian Science Monitor, October 31 , 1968. Mr. Husak has been one of the principal architects of the plan for a federalized state with semiautonomous local powers for the four million Slovaks and the ten million Czechs. Czecho-Slovakia is divided between the two ethnic and language groups much the way Belgium is between French-speaking Walloons and Dutch-speaking Flemings. The Slovak leader was born in January, 1913, at Bratislava. During World War II he became a leading member of the underground Communist movement in Slovakia and fought with the Partisans against the Nazis. In 1944 he became a member of the Presidium of the Slovak party and its vice chairman. In the immediate postwar years he was chairman of the Slovak Board of Commissioners, a position used until the Communist takeover of the country in 1948 to try to subvert the majority Democratic party. A year after the coup he was elected to the national party's Central Committee and later became head of the Slovak office for church affairs. In 1950 began his slow decline as Stalinism tightened its grip. He lost his party posts and was accused of being a bourgeois nation- �SLOVAKIA alist. In 1954 he was brought to trial for alleged bourgeois offenses and for "antistate activities" and was sentenced to life imprisonment. Six years later he was released and in June 1963, his party membership was restored. While awaiting complete rehabilitation, which came in December, 1963, he wrote a history of the Slovak uprising during the war. When Mr. Dubcek replaced Mr. Novotny, Mr. Husak was one of the first to call for complete democratization. Since January, 1968 he has been seen occasionally by Western newsmen at press conferences. Those who have watched him say he has shown a logical mind and has demonstrated an impressive mastery of his subject. A conservative Slovak patriot and intellectual, Mr. Husak is known for his toughness. "No one ," he said recently, "can determine for another nation the political representatives of that nation." A short, stout man with bushy, graying hair and small tight lips, his half-rimmed glasses give him the look of a severe teacher about ready to discipline his students. The New York Times , September 5, 1968. On the most immediate level, the Czechs and the Slovaks could not fail to rejoice at the withdrawal of scores of thousands of Warsaw Pact troops from their soil. But at the same time, by reminding them they are now committed by treaty to play host indefinitely to a sizable Russian occupation army, the sight of the departing units only served to impress upon the Czechs and Slovaks to the degree of their 193 new servitude to Moscow. And that realization was particularly poignant for the 4.4 million inhabitants of Slovakia (map ) since it came at a moment when, ostensibly, they were about to acquire more independence than they have ever before enjoyed. After a tour of occupied Slovakia, Newsweek's Eastern European bureau chief Alan Tillier cabled the following report on the current mood in the smaller of the two states that make up the Czecho-Slovak Republic: Shortly after the 'Red Army moved into Slovakia, Russian garrison commanders ordered the local citizens to remove all antiSoviet graffiti from their walls. But on a side street of the sprawling Slovakian capital of Bratislava, a slogan somehow overlooked in the great clean-up still survives. Scrawled across a wall in bold, 4foot letters is the admonition: "Slovaci, nedajme sa" ("Slovaks, stand firm " ). In the two months since the invasion, the Slovaks have done exactly that. Despite a long Slovak tradition of friendship toward Russia, local radio stations greeted the occupation with clarion calls for passive resistance-and their calls were heeded. Slovak newspapers editors continued to use the forbidden word "occupation" so consistently that some of them had to be fired at Russian insistence. And when one Soviet commander, resorting to diplomacy, challenged the local soccer team to a game, both the team and its supporters repeatedly refused to show up. LOYAL: Most important of all , Gustav Husak, the tough, chainsmoking boss of the Slovakian Communist Party, has remained unflinchingly loyal to the regime of Alexander Dubcek (who is himself a Slovak). And Husak's ex- �194 SLOVAKIA ample has been followed by his countrymen on every political level. One village leader, when asked by Soviet officers to point out the counter-revolutionaries among the 1,400 farmers and peasants in his area, could scarcely contain himself. "I told them," he recalls, "that there were none, that the country had progressed more in the past eight months under Dubcek than in the last twenty years-and that we wanted them off our land." In a sense, none of this was surprising, for resistance to foreign domination is deeply ingrained in the fabric of Slovakian life. A lovely land of rugged mountains and forests filled with deer, wild boar and partridge. Slovakia has been the pawn of stronger neighbors ever since it fell under Hungarian mastery in the tenth century. Even after World War I, when it joined the neighboring lands of Bohemia and Moravia-Silesia to form the Czecho-Slovak Republic, Slovakia, to a degree, simply changed one set of foreign rulers for another. Politically, the emotional Slovaks were treated as second-class citizens by the more phlegmatic-and more sophisticated-Czechs. INSULTS: Up to the moment he was ousted from power in January, in fact, longtime Czech Communist boss Antonin Novotny was openly disdainful of the Slovaks. He denigrated their culture. He discriminated against them in staffing government ministries and overseas diplomatic posts. In private, his references to them were personally insulting. And economically, Novotny stinted when it came to investing in Slovakia-with the result that the predominantly agricultural area continued to lag far behind its industrialized neighbors. Even after Novotny's ouster, moreover, this discriminatory state of affairs persisted. "We have a Slovak national council," one apparatchik told me , "but what can it do?" Then he answered his own question: "Determine the size of parks and issue hunting licences." Now at last, however, the Slovaks are about to become more independent of Prague. - Newsweek, November 4, 1968. When the Communists took power, Slovakia's national interests suffered even more. The reason was the traditional weakness of the Communists in Slovakia, which is largely rural. Since they had no strong support, Slovak Communist leaders leaned more on Prague. If they showed too much independence, the national Communist leadership stepped in quickly with charges of bourgeois nationalism. Dismissal, imprisonment and even execution was the result. - Donald Shanor, Pittsburgh Press, August 13, 1968. The Slovaks consider themselves the first people in central Europe to have their own state. Federation with the Czechs came in 1918. Slovaks feel the Czechs have tried to dominate the nation ever since. Detroit Free Press, Oct. 11, 1968. The time: early evening. The place: a half-empty, dimly lit bar in the Slovakian capital of Bratislava. Enter a squad of young Russia n soldiers, each with a burp gun slung over his shoulder. Within seconds, the warm hum of voices �SLOVAKIA fades away to stony silence. Nervously, the Russians invite everyone t0 "have a drink on us." Without a word, the natives stare at the ceiling. Furious at the snub, one of the intruders unslings his gun, levels it at the patrons and orders them to drink. The Slovaks hesitate. Then, one by one, they silently raise their glasses to their lips. Moments later, muttering angrily to each other about "ingratitude," the Russians stalk out of the bar. Newsweek, October 7, 1968. Despite efforts of the present liberal communist regime in Czecho-Slovakia to reverse some of the effects of the antireligious measures of the previous Stalinistline officials, progress is slow in improving the lot of some 9,000 men and women Religious. Reports received from CzechoSlovakia state that some government officials are seeking to repair the injustices done to many Religious when their orders were dissolved in 1950 and they were forced into civilian occupations. For the most part, these Religious are still forced to work as street car conductors, street cleaners, masons and public toilet cleaners. Many now are too old to do any work. In 1950, when their Religious houses were closed, many of them were jailed without trial or forced to do military service or labor as road builders and miners. A few years ago nuns were pressed into caring for the aged and sick, but their wages are con- 195 siderably below those of others doing similar work, even though the Religious must also care for older members of their communities no longer able to engage in any gainful employment. (NC News Service) There is no end of the complaints of the quarrelsome and high-spirited Slovaks against the " power-hungry Schweiks" of Prague. The era of knuckling under is finished . o more can whispered curses be heard in the cafes of Bratislava and the wine cellars of Modra. For the last three years, at least, the papers have been printing these, grievances openly. The best Slovak writers save their choicest phrases for this purpose. The major criticism is that centralist Prague deliberately and cruelly stripped the Slovakian Communists of-power in two stages. First, in July 1948 when the Prague Party Presidium summarily ordered the dissolution of the separate Slovakian Communist Party organization. Second, in the early fifties when the Stalinist purge trials decimated Bratislava's Communist elite. The Foreign Minister, Vladimir Clementis, went to the gallows and the top Slovakian functionaries -Gustav Husak, the region's political leader, Laco Novomesky and Ladislav Holdos, the poets-ended up in prison for years. Who bore responsibility for these juridical atrocities? None other than Comrade Novotny! - ATLAS, Vol. 15, No. 5. THE SLOVAK LEAGUE OF AMERICA stands for honesty, intergrity, industry and justice in government. �196 SLOVAKIA BOOK REVIEWS BOOKS ON SLOVAKIA Reviewed by J.M. KIRSCHBAUM Frarn;ois D'Orcival, Le Danube etait noir-La cause de la Slovaquie independante - (The Danube Was Black-The Cause of the Independent Slovakia), Editions de la Table Ronde, 1968, 304 p. maps, bib!. Since 1917, when Prof. E . Denis of the Sorbonne wrote the first book in French on Slovaks, there were no French historians who would have shown an interest in Slovakia. Czechoslovakia or, in its original spelling, Czecho-Slovakia, was conceived and born in Paris and French intellectuals in the inter-war period adopted Czech views and fully supported Prague's policy. Since Slovakia was considered-on the insistence of Praguean internal problem, French diplomats, historians and journalists treated or neglected it accordingly until 1939. In that year France recognized the Slovak Republic, proclaimed on March 14, 1939, first de facto by appointing a consul general in Bratislava and later also de jure. Slovakia and Slovaks became better known in France and had not the Second World War erupted in the fall of 1939, there certainly would have been books on Slovaks and Slovakia by French authors. The post-war period being again unfavourable to Slovaks under the Czech rule until last year, when Alexander Dubcek caught the imagination of the West, the second book by a French historian appeared only in 1968. The series in which this book was published is called "L'histoire contemporaine revue et corrigee" ( Contemporary history -revised and corrected) and the contents prove that it is a revised and corrected version of what West-European historians and publicists published on Slovaks and Slovakia since 1945. The author seems to be not only well informed, but he also looks with rare objectivity at the struggle of the Slovak people for justice and equality in Czecho-Slovakia and, when this proved futile, for self-government. The book covers fifty years of Slovak history. It begins with the founding of Czecho-Slovakia, but it is the period of the Slovak Republic which the author analyzed in detail and put the events into right historical perspective. There are many valuable quotations data in this book. However, the author did not use the conventional historical method, indicating sources in footnotes or at the end of chapters, and therefore the book reads as a historical novel rather than a history book. While this method is not very much in use on the American continent, in France this kind of political literature has a long tradition. The value of the book lies especially in the fact that the author was not affraid to inteprete the struggle of the Slovak people for autonomy within Czecho-Slovakia and the years of the Slovak Republic without the usual bias common to specialists in Eastern Europe, who view the Slovak problem �SLOVAKIA through Czech eyes. The main events, like the " affair Tuka", the role of the Slovak Protestants, favoured by Czechs against the Catholic majority, the Proclamation of Slovakia's independence, the struggle of President Tiso with extremists and Germans, the communist uprising and the revenge of Czechs, communists and Slovak "Czechoslovaks" on Tiso and Slovak Catholics, are put in this book in a new light for Western readers. Many quotations in the book indicate that the author is acquainted not only with diplomatic documents related to this period but also with Slovak newspapers and periodicals. He also seems to know the basic literature on Slovakia in English, listed in his bibliography. Those who read French will find this book a valuable source of information on Slovakia and a new look at the relations between the Czechs and Slovaks. The cause of Slovakia's independence found in the book for the first time an ob jective interpretation by a French writer. Ladislav Mi\acko, Die siebente Erkenntnis und AnNacht klage eines Kommunisten (The Seventh Night - Confession and Accusation of a Communist) , Verlag Fritz Molden , (WienMtinchen-Ztirich, 1968) p. 262. The brutal occupation of the "most faithful satellite"-CzechoSlovakia-by Moscow and her allies created the strongest reaction among writers, journalists and university students. The first two groups being a privileged class, were until 1963 more than loyal upporters of the Stalinist regime. In Slovakia, some of them even turned their pen against their best 197 friends and accused them of " bourgeois nationalism", but since 1963 they were in the forefront of the opposition and de-Stalinization movement. During the first 8 months of the liberalization movement, headed by Alexander Dubcek, they led the struggle for freedom of speech. for a "human face of communism" and rehabilitation of those who suffered under Novotny's regime. In some instances they were dreaming and gave to their dreams of a free , happy socialist Slovakia a poetic, visionary expression. The occupation destroyed during one night everything they believed in and dreamed about. The disillusion could not be more gloomy and many of them expressed it in verses or prose in periodicals like Kulturny zivot and ove slovo or in the daily press. Ladislav Mi\acko, who made a name for himself abroad by his Belated Reports and The Taste of Power in which he denounced the excesses of terror and injustice under Novotny's regime, expressed his disillusion, unhappiness and disappointment in this book. HP fled from Bratislava to Vienna after spending seven nights under the Russian, Hungarian and Bul garian occupation of Slovakia, and with fresh memories and in cruel disappointment he wrote his "confession and accusation". The book is fascinating reading and an interesting document on the occupation of Bratislava, as well as on the crisis which the occupation created in the minds of Slovak communist intellectuals. Mnacko reviews night by night the whole period of Communist rule in Czecho-Slovakia, paints an interesting picture of the leading politicians and their behaviour, confesses his belief in and admiration for the Russians and Communism , �198 SLOVAKIA and with deep bitterness condemns the Russians, because they destroyed his life-dream. Since Mnacko belonged not only to the privileged communist class, but was also one of the pundits of the regime, who had all doors open to the hi<ghest f u n c ,t i on a r i es, his book has a highly documentary value. Many Western specialists in Eastern Europe will find in the book an answer to the question which did not seem clear to them or which they saw through thE' eyes of official propaganda or the writings of some Czech exiled politicians. Especially the persecution in Slovakia during Novotny's regime, the systematic elimination of Slovak educated people from various positions in the public life and economic and cultural downgrading of the Slovak people finds on many pages of this book a confirmation by an eyewitness, who r e mained communist in spite of everything- that has happened to him. The book deserves to be translated into English. In style and form it is a report rather than history, but its sincerity, first-hand knowledge of the occupation and of the leaders of today's CzechoSlovakia make it an interesting document of our times and of the problems of Communism. I.;ubomir Liptak, Slovensko v 20. storoci ( Slovakia in the Twentieth Century). Vydavatel'stvo politickej literatury (Bratislava, 1968) 366 p. Samo Falt'an, Slovenska otcizka v ceskoslovensku (The Slovak Question in Czechoslovakia) , Vydavatel'stvo politickej literatury. ( Bratislava, 1968), 352 p. These two books by Slovak " Marxist" historians deal with Slo- vakia in the twentieth century. This period also attracted historians in the West (R. Seton-Watson, C. A. Macartney and Taylor in England , G. L. Oddo and Kurt Glaser in the United States) and as a result we now have several interpretation of modern Slovak history. Needless to say that there are at least three different interpretations by Slovaks themselves: 1) the Slovak patriotic school 2) the Czecho-Slovak school and 3) the marxist school. In English and other foreign languages, the first school is represented by the works of F . Hru sovsky, J . A. Mikus, J . M. Kirschbaum, Francis Vnuk, F . f>urcanskf, S. Glejdura, etc. The Czechoslovak interpretation can be found in Milan Hodza's book "Federation in Central Europe" and in J. Lettrich's "Modern History of Slovakia". The Marxist interpretation is limited to Slovak and other Slavic publications except for a few articles or summaries in English or French. Both books under review were written by the younger school of communist historians and published after the short "thaw" of last years. Therefore, in contents and language, they are quite different from books and publications produced right after the War and during the "cult of personality" period when according to Slovak marxist historians themselves: " . .. the historiography was brought to the edge of isolation because of the extreme servility of some historians to the deformations of the fifties . . . and the historians were allowed to write until recently bloodless phrases . .. and shells without contents which could not satisfy anybody, but made many people angry and hu �SLOVAKIA miliated the whole nation ... " (Nove slovo, Oct. 31, 1968). Neither Liptak's nor Falt'an's book is completely free of bias and prejudice, especially towards the Hlinka's Populist Party, but in certain respects these two books shed more objective light on the Slovak struggle for freedom and equal status with the Czechs than for instance Lettrich's book and writings by the majority of Czech intellectuals in the free world. Liptak showed some independence of judgment even before 1968 and published some studies on the period of the Slovak Republic which were close to objectivity. In his book, which also contains a sixpage English summary, he views Slovak politics from "marxist position", but he avoided misrepresentations and foul language which the communist historians used when they wrote about the Hlinka's Slovak Populist Party and the period of the Slovak Republic. The book is divided into five chapters: 1. Slovakia in Hungary; 2. Slovakia and the First World War; 3. Slovakia in Czechoslovakia -Gains and lost battles; 4. Slovakia and the Second World War; 5. On the threshold of the Present Times. For Liptak "the period of the Slovak Republic is of great importance for the emancipation of Slovak politics and national movement not only for the necessity to build many national institutions . . . The political regime of the Slovak Republic was authoritative. It was a certain compromise between the ideal of the authoritarian corporative state advocated by the state president Dr. Jozef Tiso, a state built on the principles of the social doctrine of the catholic church and between the principles of "Slovak National Socialism" striving to 199 copy the German model supported by the so-called gardistic wing in the government, by fascist organizations of the German minority in Slovakia and by representatives of Germany. Originally in comparison with other dictatorships of that time and in that part of Europe rather "liberal", the regime of the Slovak Republic gradually became stricter by pressure from outside and by its own self-development. As interesting as the chapter on the period of the Slovak Republic is Liptak's analysis of the period following the Second World War. No doubt, in interpreting the policies of the Hlinka's Slovak Populist Party and judging the regime of the Slovak Republic, Liptak is not free of prejudice and many of his interpretations and conclusions are far from being objective. His negative stand towards the period is of the same intensity as his positive and favourable stand towards the period 1945•1968, though he is at times critical and open-minded. He acknowledges that the access of the communists to power in February 1948 "had pernicious effects on Slovak autonomy". He also admits that one of the reasons for accepting the "Stalinist model" and for its "extraordinary hardness and long lasting" was "the combination of this totalitarian dictatorship with the attempt of the definite liquidation of the "Slovak question" in Czecho-Slovakia by political, physical, moral and ideal destruction of real and potential representatives of Slovak national and political thought. This can be proved by many campaigns against Slovak "bourgeois nationalists", numerous pogroms against Slovak intellectuals, the falsification of national history, tradition etc." Liptak also deals with the terror �200 SLOVAKIA and trials in Slovakia and comes to the conclusion that "the so-called "deformations" were not incidental but belonged to the system "like voting to parliamentarism"." He admits that "the power was gradually, but rather quickly concentrated from "majority to the nation" into the hands of the communists and from them into the hands of a handful of governors dependent on a foreign, non-Slovak power and a whole hierarchy of their sub-ordinates." The last chapter deals with the attempts of Slovak communists to change the system since 1963 and to give Communism a "human face. " From a communist historian it is not a bad book on Slovakia. Falt'an's book "The Slovak Question in Czechoslovakia" is focused on the Slovak problem in its ideological, economic and cultural context. Being a communist ideologist rather than a historian, he presents an analysis from the Communist point of view. Falt'an admits, as many younger Slovak communists did during the past few years, that the Communist Party of CzechoSlovakia did not have either a clear idea or a firm stand with regard to the Slovak problem. He condemns the Czech policy and ideology which attempted to deny to Slovaks their national and cultural identity and using all the power of the state tried to prove that Slovaks were but a part of a nonexistent "Czechoslovak" - in the last analysis-of a Czech nation. On the other hand, he looks with the eyes of an orthodox communist on the H1inka's Populist Party, which was involved in a fierce struggle against the "Czechoslovakist" ideology and discrimination with which Prague treated Slovakia between 1918-1938, but which was especially opposed to Communism. Being opposed to both Slovak autonomism as presented by the Hlinka Party and the Czechoslovak parties supported by a small portion of Slovak intelligentsia, handsomely paid for their services, Falt'an uses all his marxist education in dialecticts to prove that only Communist Party had the right approach and finally came with the right solution of the Slovak problem. The Hlinka's Populist Party achieved for Slovakia a federal autonomy in 1938 and for 6 years more independence and international recognition than Slovaks ever had in their long history. But the Communists were not in power and the statehood was achieved with the help of the German Reich and therefore for Falt'an this period was the "dark age" for the Slovak people. To accept help, even occupation , from Moscow, and to impose a regime of terror on the Slovak people which had nothing in common with their traditions, seems to be for Falt'an the right and the only progressive solution of the Slovak question. At the end of his book he condemns certain "errors and deformations" of the Communist Party, but the final impression of the book is that only the Communists have the medicine, and while German interference is to be condemned and those who were in power during the Slovak Republic were "traitors and collaborationists", Moscow's interference and those who obediently do what Moscow dictates, are the true Slovak patriots and representatives of the aspirations of the Slovak people. It is this "leitmotiv" of Falt'an's book which makes it a partisan ·· pamphlet rather than a historical essay. He undoubtedly is familiar with the intricacies of the Slovak question and puts the blame on �SLOVAKIA the right persons or political parties for not solving but aggravating the economic and cultural problems of Slovakia in the inter-war period, but his fanatic belief in Communism does not allow his to judge objectively the role of the Hlinka's Populist Party and even less the importance of the Slovak Republic. He condemns the Hlinka's Populist Party for achieving statehood for Slovakia in spite of his own statement that "statehood as an expression of national freedom nobody can reject and qualify as a treason on the nation" (p. 106). CzechoSlovakia was founded with the help of France and restored by the armies of the Soviet Union, which imposed her system on Slovakia. This is apparently all right with Falt'an, but receiving help from Germany and adjusting to German pressure was an unforgettable crime. Yet, even this book is more objective and written with less abu sive language than previous writings of Slovak Communist historians (Danas, Kramer, Holotik) on this subject. Its value is also enhanced by a number of documents related to the Slovak problem in Czecho-Slovakia. SLOVAK ALMANACS 1969 Literarny Almanach Slov aka v Amerike, edited by Dr. Joseph Pauco, Ph.D., published by Slovak v Amerike weekly newspaper, Middletown, Pa. 17057, 190 pp. Text exclusively in Slovak~anguage. Eight decades are spanned in the life of Slovak v Amerike, oldest Slovak newspaper in America, 201 since its first edition on December 21 , 1889 in Plymouth, Pa. The late Konsto culen compiled a history of the periodical that first moved to Phoenixville, Pa, and then in 1891 to New York City. There it was published as a weekly, a daily, semi-weekly and semi-monthly at various times until it was purchased and moved to Chicago in 1951. In 1958 Philip A. Hrobak became the publisher in Middletown, Pa. and upon his death in 1964 Dr. Jozef Pauco, Ph .D. assumed its publication. Dr. Andrej Kubina discusses the position of the Slovak language among Slavic tongues. Frantisek Vnuk reviews the national economy of Slovakia under the communist regime from 1945 to 1964. Dr. Imrich Kruzliak, Ph.D. hails the centennial of his Alma Mater, the Gymnasium in Klastor pod Znievom. He pays tribute to Dr. Frantisek Hrusovsky, Ph.D. as an outstanding educator and historian. Dr. Hrusovsky was director of the college from 1931 to 1945. A Slovak dictionary dated 1648 was discovered by Msgr. Postenyi of Slovakia, according to a feature article by Fr. B. Koltner, O.F.M. Slovak folk art (in clay products, ceramics, glass, stone, metal, wicker basket weawing, wood, textiles, leather, embroidery, plastics, architecture , clothes) and Slovak folklore (songs, ballads, dances, plays. fables, legends, and proverbs) are reviewed by Milka Rechtorisova. Gorazd Zvonicky's poems are featured . A memorable Memorandum of the Slovaks in exile is recalled by I. S. Kysucky. The de claration of September 23, 1946 in Aurolzmiinster, Austria, was addressed to the Slovak League in America with an appeal for finan- �202 SLOVAKIA cial aid and support to migrate to Kalendtir Jednota, 1969, Vol. 72. America. Edited by Joseph C. Krajsa. Pubby First Catholic Slovak lished F. Barcin's short play, Dr. Jozef Union (Prva Katolicka Slovenska Mistrik's article on Maritain's deJednota), Cleveland, 0., 232 pp., fense of the Faith, New Currents exclusively in Slovak language. in Catholic theology by the Very Rev. T. J . Zubek, O.F.M., S.T.n: , Dedication of the 72nd edition Msgr. Rekem's article on the Glagolitic alphabet, Jan Okal's com- of the annual to Jan Sabol, the mentary on an address by Father executive secretary of the Jednota Jan Lach, Marian 2iar's and A. for the past four decades, who Murin's poems, Slovak nationalism bears the proud title ( deservedly by Stefan Glejdura , Slovak culture of 'Mr. Jednota' introduces a at home and abroad by. Dr. Jozef series of reminiscenses by Msgr. Kirschbaum, The American Spirit M. K. Mlynarovic, a famous octoby Msgr. M. K. Mlynarovic, Pavo! genarian in the Slovak world. Dr. Hrtus Jurina's pair of short Kirschbaum compares the Salzburg sketches, Short stories by G. Zvo- meeting of President Tiso and Gernicky and Peter Klas, K. Strmen's man representatives in 1940 with poem, M. 2iar's vignette from life, Dubcek's fateful conference with Jan Doransky's observations from Soviet bigwigs at Cierna nad Tisou Expo 67 in Montreal, Sloboda's and last summer before the blitz inVetva's poems, a number of Dr. vasion of Czecho-Slovakia. Commemoration of the centenDilong's anecdotes, poems by M. Gerdelan and J . Doransky and a nial of a historic Slovak college short story by Michael Gerdelan (Gymnasium) in KlMtor pod Zniegive us a collection of literary con- vom recalls the era of Magyar optributions that further enrich Slo- pression of the Slovaks and cites vak library. Many of them are the achievements of the venerable gems of lasting value. The thumb- educational institution in Slovakia. The papal encyclical, "Humanae nail biographical sketches of imVitae" is explained by the Very portant personalities in Slovak world are undoubtedly of import- Rev. T. J. Zubek, O.F.M., S.T.D. Dr. ance as data for future reference. Imrich Kruzliak, Ph.D. notes the Their value is enhanced in the centennial of Bishop Stefan Moylight of the unfortunate failure ses, great Slovak patriotic prelate in the past to record such invalu- of the 19th century. Archbishop Eduard Necsey, who able information . died last summer after two decades Appreciation of this and other of his troubled episcopate in Nitra, annuals depends largely upon one's Slovakia, is eulogized by Dr. Pavo! reading knowledge of the Slovak Benuska. A number of poems by language, but a true scholar who J. Dragos-Alzbetincan are scattered wishes to capture the spirit and throughout the volume appropriessence of the Slovak nation's ately illustrated by photographs of genuine character must know the leading Slovak personalities. language well. Otherwise, he can-Contributions by Rev. Augustin not fully understand his subject Zan, Jan E. Bor, Rev. Jozef Figura, and therefore cannot hope to pur- S.D.B., Frantisek Sujansky, I. S. sue his studies adequately, parti- Kysucky and Rev. Karol Niznancularly in Slovak literature.-A. P. sky, S.D.B. deal with religious sub- �SLOVAKIA jects, the final days of World War II in Japan, Slovak Christmas customs, the varied experiences of Vajansky with gypsies in Slovakia, and Father Niznansky's treatise on the ancient philosophies of India respectively. Mother M . Emerencia Petrasek, SS.C.M. rates a tribute by Dr. Jozef Pauco, Ph.D. for her Slovak publications on the teaching of the Slovak language and her many articles that have appeared in our American Slovak newspapers and periodicals the past quarter of a century. Msgr. John Rekem , S. T. D. of Winnipeg, Canada, praises the work of the Sisters of SS. Cyril and Methodius, Danville, Pa. for their contributions to Slovak liturgical si nging in our churches and schools. Rev. Stefan Sencik, S. J., S. T. D. , of Galt, Ontario, Jozef Spetko and Peter Klas contribute stories on assorted subjects. A number of short poems by Marian Ziar are included. Msgr. Mlynarovic evaluates the work of the Slovak Catholic Federation (of which he was national president for many years) and visualizes its important work in the future as a dynamic American Slovak Society. Vincent Drobniak paints a word-picture despicting the history of the United States from 1776 to 1969. The history (accompanied by pictures) of St. Martha's Slovak Catholic parish founded by Jednota members in Leechburg, Pa. 60 years ago is timely contribution of Vincent Cibik, one of the founders. Frantisek Vnuk of Australia continues his prolific series of writings on Slovak political fortunes (and misfortunes) by hailing Dubcek as 'a decent communist.' Approximately 900 S 1 ova k priests, the Slovak religious com- 203 munities of men and women are listed. The records are generally reliable but can stand revision. On the other hand, the listing of our Slovak professionals and businessmen is wholly inadequate and needs a complete overhauling. This require much correspondence but an assignment to this work will bring good results. At the end of this annual the list of Slovak Catholic publications is up-to-date and correct in every detail. That they exist proves there are still thousands of our fellow Slovaks who consider writing and reading in the Slovak language vital to their interests in their family , social, religious and national lifu. A.P. Narodny kalendar, 1969. Published by the Narodny Slovensky Spolok, 516 Court Place, Pittsburgh, Pa. Edited by Jan Mihal, in the Slovak language, and the Almanac in English as a supplement, Vol. 77. The former on 121 pages and the later comprises 71 pages, including 22 pages of advertising. Jim Pankuch, the president of the National Slovak Society, leads off the series of articles in the 1969 edition of the NSS "Narodny Kalendar" by a review of events relating to the organization in the previous year. He includes his impressions of a visit to Slovakia in 1967. Among the highlights of his tour of the country were his visit to Stefanik's grave at Bradlo and the birthplace of Peter V. Rovnianek ( the founder of the National Slovak Society) in Dolny Hricov. Ecumenism is the title of Dr. Peter P. metko's contribution. Albert Mamatey's World War I action in behalf of the Slovak nation's liberation from Magyar rule is �204 SLOVAKIA presented by Dr. V. E . Andie. The political testament of Dr. Milan Hodfa is treated by Dr. Jozef M. Kirschbaum, Ph.D., LL.D. Rev. Andrej Rolik recalls his visit to Slovakia in 1938. Peter Klas adds a literary note by his short story, the founding of Slavia in central Florida is recorded by Karol Belohlavek, Milos K. Mlynarovic contrubutes a short story and Rev. A. Rolik pays poetic tribute to him on the occasion of his 80th birthday. Jan Pankuch, Sr. (December 16, 1869--February 28, 1952) is honored on the centennial of his birth by Karol Belohlavek's biographical sketch. An encyclopedia-dictionary in English on the Slovak nation, its language, history, literature, tradition, etc. is proposed by D. V. E. Andie. Andrej Kalnik challenges Dr. Bartek's views on the time of the first arrival of the Slovaks on the Danube. Miloslav Slavik adds his short story. The first days of the Republic of Czecho-Slovakia pass in review as seen by Andrej Rolik. A number of important centennials of Slovak patriots are listed, namely, Gejza 2ebracky, a historian, Dr. Albert Skarvan, M. D., Rev. Eduard Sandorfi, a journalist and biologist, Ferko Skycak, Slovak member of diet in Budapest and co-founder of the Slovak People's Party, Dr. Jozef Janda , a canon and religious writer, Dr. A.Krchnak, M. D., active for many years in American Slovak circles, Rev. Stefan Ivicic, active in American Slovak life, Rev. Dr. I.:udovit Okanik, a canon and Slovak representative in the Hungarian diet in Budapest, Rev. Jan Malarik, Lutheran minister, an exponent of the One World State, Rev. Dr. Metod Bella, Lutheran pastor, Slovak representative in Budapest and late in Prague, Michal Bosak, American Slovak banker, fraternal leader, philanthropist and publisher. Peter Klas's short story, Debnarkin's tribute to General Stefanik on the current 50th anniversary of his tragic death, an article on Magyar revisionism, short stories by Slavik and Horsky, Dr. Hletko's view on Stefanik's mysterious death as witnessed by eye-witnesses, a tribute to Bishop Stefan Moyses, founder of the Matica Slovenska, and Rozalia Gona 's sketch on the gypsies and anecdotes complete an annual that is rich in content and a variety of subjects. The English edition presents the highlights in the life of the National Slovak Society in 1968. An article on cancer by Dr. Peter P. Hletko, M. D., an assortment of brief articles, a short story, several features by Mary B. Burns, Dr. Stephen Hletko's tribute to the late Pete Latzo, onetime welterweight boxing champion, and a number of pages of advertising complete the 77th edition of the NSS kalendar and almanac. Both the Slovak and English sections contain numerous pictures, photographs and illustrations that give an overall view of the activities of the organization's activities in addition to the valuable material on the Slovak nation's past, much of it by contemporaries. A . P. Jednota Annual FURDEK, 1969, in English; Edited by Joseph C. Krajsa, and published by the First Catholic Slovak Union, 3289 East 55th St., Cleveland, Ohio 44127, Vol. VIII, 207 pp. The 1969 Furdek edition features woman contributions: Sister M. Martina's composite picture of a �SLOVAKIA Slovak immigrant's early experiences, Maryagnes Krajsa's comparison of Andrej Hlinka, the orator, to Cicero, Sister M. Rosamund's history of Slovak drama and Sophia Zufa's short story. The Slovak nuns are members of the SS. Cyril and Methodius Community in Danville, Pa. Dr. Michael Simko's short story, Dan Tanzone's tribute to the Jednota, a continuing series of the biographical sketches with pictures of a panel of Slovak clergy, Attorney Stephen's picture of typpical Canadians, Dr. Jozef Kirschbaum's "Hlinka and the Pittsburgh Pact" and "Slovak Literature" , Monsignor John Rekems "Glagolitic Script" article, and a brief study of postal stamps of the Slovak Republic complete a modest volume that is illustrated by a number of models wearing native Slovak dress, scenes from Slovakia and a photo panel of scholarship winners in 1968. One more volume has been added to Slovak library. It is unpretentious but its contents give us additional knowledge of the Slovak nation, as well as a view of some of the activities among American Slovaks. Dr. Kirschbaum's article on Slovak literature is timely in view of his up-to-date listing of leading contemporary Slovak writers and poets. Highlights from Slovak history (important dates) from prehistoric days to 1969 are valuable milestones in tracing the Slovak nation's history from the beginning of civilization to modern times. The Furdek series is progressively becoming a rich source of material not only for the average reader but for students interested in pursuing their studies of the Slovaks in their homeland, or anywhere in the world . A. P. 205 SLOVAKS IN CAN ADA Joseph M. Kirschbaum Slovaks in Canada. Ontario, Canada, Canadian Ethnic Press Association, c1967, XV, 468 pp. Reviewed by Sister M. Yolanda Lederleitner, SS. C. M. and Sister M. Martina Tybor, SS. C. M . A historical survey of Slovaks living anywhere outside their native Slovakia must of necessity follow a certain pattern of development. For the benefit of uninformed readers, the opening of the work must be expository-a delineation of the historic background of the Slovak people and their position within a historic perspective. Then there logically follows a record of their uprooting within the scope of the given consideration, as well as their trials and tribulations in a new environment, an evaluation of what forces worked for or against them , and an assessment of their achievements in the new land . This may sound like a simple formula but it does not create an instant product. Only he who has set himself to the task of undertaking such a work can know the labor, the demands, the exhaustion, the research, the organization, and the judicious and artistic demands made upon the author. In his book SLOVAKS IN CANADA, Dr. Joseph M. Kirschbaum has effectively met this challenge. It took years of personal interviewing, reading, and traveling as well as collecting, evaluating, and interpreting data just to provide the historical source materials that comprise the substance of this work. It had to be a labor of love or it never would have been achiev- �206 SLOVAKIA ed. The actual writing of the his• tory was another assignment, one that is in a category of its own. It is a task that Dr. Kirschbaum has satisfied very successfully, for his book reads well. It shows a com• mand of style characterized by clearness and an even tone of interest. The publication itself was subsidized quite appropriately by the Centennial Commission within the centennial year of Canadian Con• federation, 1967. It appears under the imprint of the Canadian Ethnic Press Association of Ontario. Can• ada can justifiably take pride in sponsoring this book, for it con• tributes an interesting and valuable unit to the aggregate history of Canada. Exploring the book in logical order from beginning through mid• die and on to the end , one becomes fully informed not only about the history and life of the Slovak element in Canada but about the his• torical and cultural background of the Slovak nation as well. Such a succint survey is essential to a proper appreciation of the Slo• vaks in Canada-or in any other part of the world to which they were driven by economic need , political oppression, or a multi· plicity of other implacable forces . Dr. Kirschbaum's summary of Slovak history is not expansive, for it is not the core of this book, nevertheless it is surprising how rich and informative is this first part, covering only forty.four pages. The scholarship of the author is well attested in his con• sideration of the ethnic origin of the Slovaks and their multi.faceted historic picture-eultural, political, religious and economic. And it is not superficially sketchy or a hur• ried exposition, as if it were the treatment of a subsidiary matter. It is, rather, a balanced presenta• tion of essential data, prepared by a skilled and able writer, a per• ceptive historian, an experienced teacher•lecturer. Parts 2, 3, and 4 of SLOVAKS IN CANADA graphically and in interesting fashion traces the his• tory of Slovak immigration to Can-· ada, beginning with the earliest settlers who came to the Canadian West in 1880's not from continen• ta! Europe but rather from the United States, specifically from Pennsylvania , Montana, Ohio. It is of special interest to note that the first Slovaks came to Canada in res• ponse to solicitations which were made both in the U. S. and in central Europe to attract settlers since Canada's population increase was very unsatisfactory. The vast expanses of Canada had room for millions of people and the government took the initiative to attract new.comers to its land. In this re• spect, the coming of Slovaks to Canada differs from the coming of the Slovaks to U.S. , for immigration to the U.S. was not generally by solicitation. Adverse pressures of various kinds lent support to the inducements of agents who tried to interest Slovaks to leave Austria Hungary in favor of Canada an unknown but promising new home. Dr. Kirschbaum notes the flow of Slovak immigration to Canada in three general waves : 1) the years between 1885 and World War I-the pioneer stock, often an over• flow from American quota restrictions or persons solicited by agents ; 2) the post World War I interim (1921·1939)-young, stur• dy, enterprising immigrants who came equipped with better formal education and a more vital politi• cal alertness ; 3) the post World War II years-often political re• fugees, many of them from concen• �SLOVAKIA tration camps in Italy, Austria, Germany as well as asylum seeking political leaders and displaced persons. Apparently Joseph Bellon who arrived in 1878 was the first Slovak settler in Canada. He established himself in Toronto and started a wirework factory there. But the larger clusters of Slovak immigrants did not gravitate to the Toronto area. It was the hard mining region of Canada's Western provinces with their bleak and monotonous expanses and unmercifully severe winters that became the history-making center of early Slovak life in Canada. Naturally, the early immigrants arrived without benefit of luxury travel, without commodious motel accommodations, without ready investments from which to draw instant wealth. Although an aura of adventure and high romance colors most dreams of pioneering in virgin territory, the actual grubbing in deep recesses of nineteenth century anthracite mines was a matter for stark realism in their lives. Some were not able to withstand the cruelties of hard fate but others survived the difficulties and hoped for a better future. The later interests of these early settlers were extended to farming, dairying, railroad construction work and fruit growing. And each of these occupations had its own attendant trials associated with nature and the forces of nature in Canada. It is understandable that the lives of these Slovak pioneers were committed to great physical hardships but it must not be overlooked that they were subjected to social and psychological burdens too. A man can strain and work to relieve material want but to attain acceptance and achieve athome-ness among strangers, he is 207 dependent on more than his personal efforts and assets; · to a ce1tain extent, he is at the mercy of those others in his circle of social inter-relationship with whom he should form a varitable circlet of Jove and brotherhood. But the encompassing of acceptance-or even of understanding and tolerance-was not the experience of most alien elements that came to help build a new country to its stature of greatness in economic and historic dimensions. Humiliation, ridicule, and the grossest of abuses-prejudice and exploitation-were the adverse elements against which most of the helpless minority groups had to steel their souls in order to survive in a new milieu that tended to demoralize newcomers rather than to encourage them and offer them a new life. Instead of being gunwhipped , as it were , by these forces , the strangers in a strange land had to prove the innate greatness that was in them; they had to rise superior to adversity and turn it into an instrument that would work to their good. Constancy and endurance made for increased strength ; hurts and injustice borne without rancor or despair can teach men to be sympathetic in the face of suffering, to be just in the exercise of authority and power. Out of negative and destroying powers must be drawn positive good. The alternative would be defeat. The soul learns by enduring but, admittedly, it must be a great soul to endure profitably. And so it was with the Slovaks in Canada. They were not insensitive people; they were endowed with simplicity of heart and inured to much suffering at the hands of hostile powers that had lorded over them in their homeland. They �208 SLOVAKIA did not demand the impossible; they did not deceive themselves with dreams of unreality. They mined , they broke prairie, gradually they established themselves, had their children schooled , organized benefit societies , built churches, bettered themselves-and in the course of years, they arrived. The growth of beneficial and church organizations among Slovak immigrants in Canada comprises a hjstory of its own merits, yet Dr. Kirschbaum does not slight or gloss over this subject. As a matter of fact, although cursory references are made to it in the first four parts of the book as the subject matter under consideration may require. Part 5 touches upon the sociological and psychological stimuli that often lead to organization and then points out how the very basic needs of the time made such organization imperative here. Within the space of less than fifty pages, the author surveys the social and beneficial organizations of various types that were initiated or developed by the Slovaks of Canada. Religious organizations and the Slovak press in Canada are given some suitable consideration and discussion in the book though it is understandable that in a first book on the history of Slovaks in Canada, circumscribed to 468 pages, no area deserving of notice can be studied exhaustively. Some of the materials must be limited to basic data-gathering as an initial effort that may be researched and studied in depth in subsequent work. Yet let it be made clear that this observation in no way detracts from the merits of Dr. Kfrschbaum's deserving book. The unit of study on political refugees presents a documentation of Slovak history within the post- Munich Agreement years that is sometimes distorted or bungled by inept writers or uninformed reporers of historic matter. Of course, within the scope of this work, emphasis must properly lean toward Canada's attitudes toward and opportunities open to persons displaced from Slovakia seeking asylum and new life after the catastrophic upheavals of Communist take-over in Czecho-Slovakia. The logical development af historic topics presented by Dr. Kirschbaum leads to some insights into the integration of Slovaks into Canadian life and an evaluation of their cultural and scientific contribution to the country that permitted them to find new hope and new homes. Part 9 is a French resume of the book and forms a valuable addition inasmuch as it makes some of the information accessible to foreign researchers for whom English may be a handicap and inasmuch as interested Canadians who favor French may find in this section an account that will help them to appreciate their fellow-citizens of Slovak background who also contribute some of the glory of the great Canadian mosaic among nations of a free world. Of signal historic value are the twenty-four documents that follow the body of Dr. Kirschbaum's book. Further enrichment is also provided by the lengthy bibliography and the indispensable index of names and of subjects. We who are privileged to look upon the accomplished fact of a finished project presenting to the public the aches and the trials, the hopes and the promises, the opportunities and the fulfillment up to triumph, the gifts received and the gifts given , the moral as well as the material investments made �SLOVAKIA and the dividends garnered-we are grateful to Dr. Kirschbaum whose scholarly initiative and acumen together with his indefatigable industry and talent has made this book a reality. It deserves more than one reading since it is an informative and highly interesting account of Slovak life in a new world setting. 209 In all honesty, we must admit an undenied regret that the Slovaks in the U. S. have not produced a similar or parallel history of their own to match SLOVAKS IN CANADA while at the same time we cherish a justifiable pride in Dr. Kirschbaum because he has done a good work well. SLOVAKIA is published annually by the Slovak League of America, a cultural and civic federation of Americans of Slovak descent. One of the purposes of SLOVAKIA is to promote a better understanding and appreciation of the Slovak nation and its long struggle for freedom and independence. Subscription to Slovakia $3.00 per year m the r.S.A. - $4.00 elswhere. Send subscription to: SLOVAKIA 313 Ridge A venue Middletown, Pa. 17057 �210 SLOVAKIA OUR CONTRIBUTORS Joseph M. Kirschbaum. LL. D., Ph.D. - former diplomat, university professor, historian, author of several books, Toronto, Ontario. Peter P. Hletko, M. D. - former President of the Slovak League of America, fraternalist, newspaperman, publicist, lecturer. Stephen B. Roman, LL. D. - Canadian-Slovak Industrialist, lay leader of the Slovak Catholics of the Eastern rite in Canada. Francis Hrusovsky, Ph.D. (late) - former professor at Bratislava University, prominent Slovak historian and educator; first director of the Slovak Institute in Cleveland, Ohio. Rev. Andrew Pier, 0. S. B., - newspaperman, teacher, and Director of the Slovak Institute in Cleveland, Ohio. Andrew Kubina, LL. D. - publicist living in Switzerland. Fr. Bartholomew Koltner, 0 . F. M. - Franciscan Friar in Pittsburgh, Pa. Sr. M. Martina Tybor, SS. C. M. - teacher and author, Danville, Pa. Joseph Pauco, Ph.D. - newspaperman, publicist, author of several books; Secretary of the Slovak League of America. Francis Vnuk, M.A. - historian; professor, Institute of Technology, Adelaide, Australia. Rev. Jaroslav Vajda - poet; editor, This Day, St. Louis, Mo. �211 SLOVAKIA Contents Slovakia in the struggle for liberalization and federalization 3 of Czecho-Slovakia - J.M. Kirschbaum The Slovaks of Chicago - Dr. Peter P. Hletko - The Nation with a purpose The United States of America - - Stephen B. Roman, LL. D. - This is Slovakia - 64 Francis Hrusovsky, Ph.D. - The oldest Slovak newspaper in America - O.S.B. - 74 Andrew Pier, 96 The place of Slovak among Slavic languages - Kubina, LL. D . - Andrew 99 The Slovak dictionary of 1648 - O.F. M. - 32 Fr. Bartholomew Keltner, 105 Slovak pioneers in America - Joseph Pauco, Ph.D. - 108 Fifty years of Communist party of Slovakia (1918-1968) - Francis Vnuk - 125 Current issues [Statement of the Slovak League of America (Dr. Peter P. Hletko, Joseph Pauco) - Slovaks will not give up (Rev. Jaroslav Vajda) - The New York declaration (Dr. Ferdinand :ourcansky, Dr. Joseph M. Resolution (Edward J. Behuncik, Kirschbaum) Joseph Pauco J - 179 As others see it - 188 J.M. Kirschbaum; Slovak Almanacs - A. P.; Slovaks in Canada - Sister M. Yolanda Lederleitner, SS. C. M. and Sister M. Martina Tybor, SS. C. M.) - 196 Book reviews (Books on Slovakia - ��PRI NTI D IN U.S. A. JIDN OTA PlllN TER Y, MID DLli TOW N, PA. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource 1969, Vol. 19 Description An account of the resource Vol. 19 (No. 42), 1969. Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available The Slovak League of America Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1969 Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document SLOVAKIA 179 CURRENT ISSUES STATEMENT OF THE SLOVAK LEAGUE OF AMERICA Presented by Dr. Peter P. Hletko, Honorary President and a Democrat To the Democratic Platform Committee at the International Amphitheater on Friday, August 23 , 1968. Ladies and Gentlemen: Under authorization of our National President, Edward J. Behuncik, of Stratford, Connecticut, I was privileged to be invited to appear before your important body as official spokesman of this largest of Slovak-American civic and cultural organizations. I take this means to let our views be known to you. Our purpose is to request the Democratic Party to take a clear-cut stand on assistance for the people of Slovakia to obtain their status as an independent state or at least as a partner in the federated country of CzechoSlovakia, which up to now has never been a federated country since its founding. The principles which we recommend are equally applicable to all small nations, hence can be properly included in a statement of principles such as a Democratic Platform. It is especially fitting that we present our position not merely because of recent activity in cierna and Bratislava, both located in Slovakia, but also because we can give the Democratic Party and its next administration the opportunity to show all America and the world that the American people are behind and support the efforts of the Slovaks who, in a realistic sense, are emulating our founding fathers of the American Revolution. In the past, the position of The Slovak League of America, an American organization founded at Cleveland, Ohio, in May, 1907, was frequently misplaced or purposely misinterpreted. Not withstanding its long history of patriotic devotion to this great country with thousands of Slovak-Americans serving in the Armed Forces, even as far back as Lincoln's day, and continuing even to this moment at Viet Nam, Germany, and all around the world. SLOVAKIA Even today, with Czecho-Slovakia being led for the first time in its history by a Slovak-not a Czech, as the news media picture him-the press continues to write about the doings of the Czechs only. The Czechs are one nationality, the Slovaks another. They have a combined country, but the Czechs hold the upper hand in CzechoSlovakia. The abbreviation of Czecho-Slovakia is not Czech, but note that the democratization has been underway only since Alexander Dubcek, a Slovak, came to power in January. He is not a Czech. So, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Committee, we want to ask that our Government, if and when led by a new administration, will give our Slovak compatriots and nextof-kin what is being given by our country and other great powers to other smaller and newer nations-statehood and membership in the family of nations. Moral support of the Slovak Nationalism may well accrue to our benefit if the Slovaks continue to push for democratization and federalization, thereby weakening the strangle hold of the Soviets in Eastern Europe. The Democratic Party has a golden opportunity as the Party of the People to come out strongly in support of the Slovak right to statehood. I am certain your capable draftsmen can combine our ideas with ideas presented here by other ethnic groups to make a strong and meaningful Plank which will add stature to the Platform, give solace to suffering peoples in small nations everywhere, and, not incidently but realistically, help elect a Democratic President. The Slovaks in America have strong societies and an influential press. Therefore, I urge you to embody a Plank as we have suggested. We will do our part thru our societies and our press. Hon. Everett McKinley Dirksen Chairman Platform Committee Republican Party Fountainbleau Hotel Miami Beach, Florida Recent events in Eastern Europe may well prove the Slovak nation, in the very heart of Europe, to be the tiny spark of moral, cultural, and patriotic dynamism which SLOVAKIA 181 will help destroy the Iron Courtain. Democratization in Czecho-Slovakia was initiated by the Slovak intellectuals through whose efforts Slovak leader Alexander Dubcek emerge in power. Dubcek and his colleagues have already shown a more human approach to Slovakia's problems by pushing a federalization of two states-Slovak and Czech. They also evidence more liberal treatment of populace. The Slovak League of America, as a civic organization, signed in 1918 known Pittsburgh Pact in which supported a federated Czecho-Slovakia. Today we like to see a confederated Central Europe with Slovakia in it as a equal partner. Seek support for these noble ideal from your great party and urge the inclusion of our position and of other ethnic groups in your Platform. Sincerely yours, Joseph Pauco, Secretary Slovak League of America July 29, 1968 SLOVAKS WILL NOT GIVE UP Low-flying jets are buzzing Bratislava as I start to write this report. Tanks and military vehicles keep streaming into the city across the Danube bridge over the street beneath my window. Now and then the burst of machinegun fire punctuates the rhythmic cheers of the crowd demonstrating in safarik Square on the corner. What began as a month of intense study in Slovak language and culture at Comenius University in a freedomtasting city came to an abrupt halt with the sudden occupation of the country by Warsaw Pact forces. Linguists from 18 countries, including Iron Curtain satellites, were gathered in the dining hall. We were told that an attempt would be made to continue the institute. Lectures would have to be held in various corners of the dormitory, it was announced, rather than in the lecture hall now completely surrounded by Russian tanks and armored vehicles. All 105 of us made a feeble attempt to resume our language study. But the instructors and scholars were too upset to concentrate. We crowded into the lounge to watch the TV set and listen to intermittent radio bulletins. 182 SLOVAKIA The occupation began late at night. Most of us had gone to sleep after a long day of lectures and a tour. The few still awake at midnight attributed the steady rumble of military vehicles to possible unusually heavy traffic over the railroad track along the Danube. The airplane noise sounded like some special activity at the airport on the eastern outskirts of the city. At 3 o'clock in the morning my next-door roommate from Pittsburgh awoke me, saying: "Get up. The Russians have occupied Bratislava." We went to our windows on both sides of the dormitory, and there below us the streets were clogged with tanks and trucks. The vehicles could move no further, so their drivers got out to smoke. We ventured out of the building before daybreak to convince ourselves that the nightmare was really happening. There were no Russian stars identifying the vehiclesjust a while stripe down the hoods-but our attempts to converse with the drivers soon revealed that they could speak nothing but Russian. Most Slovaks (and Czechs) have had to study Russian as a second language. This year they were given a choice between Russian and English, and most chose English. Using their knowledge of the invader's tongue, the people of Bratislava questioned the Russians. Most of them seemed to be very young. "Why did you occupy our country?" they asked a teenage Russian. "To help the counter revolution," he answered. "Well, have you found it?" they asked. Unable to locate even one person who would welcome the occupiers, the soldiers had little to say. "We're under orders. That's why we're here." By noon every Russian tank and vehicle was painted or chalk-marked with a swastika (some inside Russian stars) , slogans of loyalty to Dubcek and Svoboda, and "Go Home" signs in Slovak and Russian. Radio and TV stations called for a show of loyalty to the captive government in the form of a work stoppage for 2 minutes at noon and the blowing of whistles and horns. The mood of the populace seemed to have been welded SLOVAKIA 183 by the noon-hour display of support. Down the street from the square came about 50 students. A crowd rapidly gathered behind them and soon filled the square, each corner of which was occupied by a tank. Streets leading to the square were lined with tanks parked diagonally, ready to pull out toward the square if necessary. At noon the Russian military vehicles were still moving into the city over the bridge and through safarik Square. Now they were completely stopped by the mass of nearly 1,000 people refusing to let them through. Civilian traffic was let through the mob by the police, but the police did not lift a finger to open a path for the Russian vehicles. The people cheered their police for this support. They laughed and applauded as the crowd took one of the police and kept throwing him into the air, a gesture of friendship he enjoyed immensely. Russian drivers, unable to push through the mob, eventually decided to make a U-turn and drive back over the bridge. Again, cheers from the crowd. After nearly half an hour of such diversion an armored truck came down the center of the bridge and pushed against the unyielding wall of human flesh. Determined not to play games, the crew fired the large millimeter guns of the armored car into the air, and the crowd fell back. The truck went through the crowd, and then turned back and drove into the crowd from behind, its guns firing warning volleys into the sky. As young people trew sticks and rocks at the armored car, machine guns went into action, strafing over the heads of the crowd. When the level reached about six inches above our heads, most of us ran for cover or fell to the street. As we ran, we could see the flags fall to the street. We heard afterward that two young men had been killed. Later the demonstrators reassembled in the square, drawing more bullets. This time the gunfire killed a 17-yearold girl student standing on the steps of the university administration building just behind a posted tank and anti-aircraft gun. As we were leaving the city an hour before the 8 o'clock curfew, we read the inscription a bold student had chiseled into the stone pillar of the building: "Here the Russians 184 SLOVAKIA killed a 17-year-old Slovak girl." At the base of the column lay a bouquet of flowers and a scarf the girl had worn. About 30 feet above that inscription there remained another that had already been painted on the stone face of the building before we arrived: "To be lorded over is evil, but to lord it over others is worse." The occupying forces would have done well to learn to read this expression of a united nation's will. If there had been aloofness toward the Russian "com:rades" before, the mood was now one of open disdain. "The Germans weren't as bad as this," said one of the professors. "We knew at least that they were our enemies; but these people pretended to be our friends." I asked what they would do. One said what many repeated: "We would rather die than return to the conditions before January (1968, when Dubcek began his liberalization)." As we were encouraged to flee for our own safety-for we still had a free place to go to-the people inspired us with their faith and courage. The Slovak border guards, who were still in charge of customs when we left, greeted us with smiles. They carried our luggage to the Austrian border gate. There they had a last word for us: "Tell your people we will not give up." Rev. Jaroslav Vajda, Editor of This Day THE NEW YORK DECLARATION The Slovak Liberation Council, gathered in the Americana Hotel , New York, N.Y., on October 27, 1968 in order to discuss the situation of the Slovak Nation within the Czecho-Slovak Republic in general, and under the Soviet occupation in par.ticular, has agreed upon the following statement: On May 30, 1918 the Slovak League of America on the one hand , and the Czech National Alliance with the Union of Czech Catholics on the other hand signed a document which has become known in history as the Pittsburgh Pact. It was an agreement sponsoring liberation of the Central-European lands of their members' origin. It dealit with constitutional relations to be established between these two Slav nations in the prospective Czecho-Slovak Republic. T. G. Masaryk, Chairman of the Czecho-Slovak National Council, recognized by the SLOVAKIA 185 Allied Powers as the Czecho-Slovak Revolutionary Government, in Paris, future President of Czecho-Slovakia, had produced the draft thereof and signed it. The Pact stipulated that Slovakia would have in the new State her own administration, i.e., her own legislative, executive and judiciary branch of Government, while Foreign Affairs, Defence, Currency and Communications were supposed to be matters reserved to a common federal Government. Details of this pre-constitutional arrangement were left to be worked out, under the responsibility of the leaders of the Czecho-Slovak National Council, by the future freely elected Parliam ent of Czecho-Slovakia. As President, T. G. Masaryk ignored the commitments taken over with respect to Slovakia. A highly centralized Government was arbitrarily set up in Pflague by methods which were a mockery of a parli amentarian procedure. The self-appointed Revolutionary Government had selected, without elections a Revolutionary Assembly of 270 members, O•f whom 229 were Czechs and 41 Slovaks. This body then confirmed that self-appointed Government in office, and on February 29, 1920 adopted a unitary Constitution proposed by that Government. In that fundamental law of the new State the very name of Slovakia disappeared since the Czecho-Slova kia of the Pa,ris Peace Treaties was replaced by a linguistic barbarism, i e., Czechoslovakia. Consequently, in the period to follow, Slovakia's political destinies had not been shaped by the Slovak peo,ple, but by the Czech majority of the Prague Parliamerut. Moreover, in pursuit of a "Great Czechia" dream, the Prague Government had, before 1938, practiced denationalization and a carefully planned genocide on the Slovak nation through its persistent effort a-t cultural and linguistic assimilation thereof, and an outright persecution of the Slovaks for their national feelings. Since during all that period the Czechs had rejected either a federative reform of the State, or an autonomous status for Slovakia, the Slovaks did not see another al,ternative than to proclaim, on March 14, 1939, the Slovak Republic. With respect to economy, Slovakia was down graded to an agricultural h interland for the Czech lands, a provider of cheap raw materials and cheap labor for the Czech monopolistic industry. Regardless of what Czech and Communist historians might have affirmed after World War II, the Slovak Republic was not abandoned by a decision of the Slovak people ; it was occupied and suppressed by the Soviet Army as a consequence of the Benes-Stalin Agreement of December 12, 1943. After the restoration of Czecho-Slovakia in 1945, hundreds of thousands of Slovakia's inhabitants were resettled in the Sude<tenland of Bohemia. There, they were exposed in the name of the international solidarity of the proletariat, to the same denationalization policy as they had been befOJ"e 1938 in the name of an artifical "Czechoslovak" nation. 186 SLOVAKIA The integration of Czecho-Slovakia into the Soviet bloc as a consequence of the Trea,ty concluded in 1943 by E. Benes and J. V. Stalin, proved to be a tragic mistake. The present occupation of Czecho-Slovakia by the Soviet Union is to a great extend the result of that fatal move. For much as we condemn this brutal Soviet intervention, the primary responsibiliity for it rests upon the shoulders of those who had sold out Czecho-Slovakia's sovereignty to that Eurasiatic power. Since the Czech leadership has failed in the Czecho-Slovakia first from an aggressive policy of from that of the Soviet Union, the Slovak Liberation that the Czech statesmanship has lost its credit and its raison d' etre. past to secure Germany, then Council believes Czecho-Slovakia The Slovak Liberation Council follows with increased attention the present developments in Czecho-Slovakia and Slovakia's effort for self-expression, self-government and identity. It takes a positive attitude toward this natural trend. Yet, it is convinced that the federalization of Czecho-Slovakia comes fifty years too late . Taking into consideration all what precedes, we reaffirm our hopes for a better future of Slovakia in the following points: 1. The Slovaks are, in Central Europe, an ethnic unit that has attributes Political Science considers as constitutive of a nathe all tion: their own history, their terriitory, their language and culture, their sociological and ethnographic individuality. 2. AHer many decades of self-frustration , first within the Kingdom of Hungary, then in Czecho-Slovakia, the Slovaks are not any more willing to live in the indignity of being ruled from outside, of being politically, economically, and culturally exploited by their neighbors. In this period of decolonization in Africa and Asia, of tribal and is land states, they, too, aspire to bemoce a sovereign polirtical unit, i.e., to exercise their right to self-determinatio n . This right has been recognized to every nation in the Charter of the United Nations, in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights of 1948 as well as in the subsequent Pacts of the United Nations on Civil and Political Rights. 2nd on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights of 1966. Consequently, they feel entitled to their o-wn statehood and their own democratic institutions. 3. In this International Year of Human Rights, we believe that the future existence of Slovakia can properly be secured only in a closer European Federartion, or-until this becomes a reality-in a free partnership of Central-Europea n nations, partnership , based on the principles of equality. Dr. Ferdinand Durcansky, President, Executive Committee Dr. J. M. Kirschbaum, President, The Assembly SLOVAKIA 187 RESOLUTION We, Slovak Americans, representing the overwhelming maj-ority of organized Americans of Slovak descent and joining with representatives of Slovak organizations of Canada and Western Europe, gathered at the Americana Hotel in New York City, the home of the United Nations, on this 27th day of October, 1968, solemnly resolve: 1 Our cultural and civic aspirations are the very same aspirations as those of the American people2 Our eleven hundred year old Christian tradition will continue to inspire and hopefully insure the free and democratic future of our kin and brethren of sad and occupied Slovakia3 As we support our federal, state and municipal authorities, we seek the support of these same sources of power to obtain for Slovakia the freedom we are so fortunate to enjoy here is our beloved United States4 With confidence in the strength of a just and peaceful world, we solicite the support-moral, intellectual, civic and governmental-of all peace loving peoples in our protests against the treacherous oppression of the Slovak people by the brutal Soviet occupation5 We commend to the United Nations organization the cause of basic Human Rights for the Slovak nation on this 20th anniversary of the laudable Declaration of Human Rights which that world organization enacted in 19486 We believe that eventual free elections in Slovakia will best express the will of the Slovak people and confidently believe that the Slovak nation will best decide her futurefor her own best interest-as an independent nation-if only given the opportunity to do so. 7 Finally, we wish these sentiments to be made widelyknown and hereby authorize the distribution of this resolution to be made to local, state, national and international authorities everywhere. Accepted unanimously by the attending members of this historic Manifestation of the Slovak organizations meeting under the auspices of The Slovak League of America. Edward J. Behuneik, President Joseph Pauco, Secretary SLOVAKIA 188 AS OTHERS SEE IT Dear Fellow Americans of Slo- the rights of all citizens as set vale Descent: forth in the Constitution, and as I have followed the recent sup- guaranteed under the order and pression of the Slovak and Czech justice of law. The Challenges are enormous peoples by the Soviet-led invasion with great sadness. During a tragi- but they are not impossible. With cally brief period of social reform, your support we can translate our the peoples of this small but gal- ideals into living reality. I pledge lant country were able to assert myself to these ends. With very best wishes, themselves and to proceed w i t h Sincerely, the selection of their own leaders and their own path of government. Richard Nixon These natural aspirations, common to men everywhere, have b e e n New York, October 27, 1968 cruelly dashed under the heavy boot of the Soviet Union . As you reflect this evening in It gives me great pleasure to the triumphs and tragedies that address myself to you Americans have befallen the Slovak people of Slovak descent. Within the you will also realize that all Amer- borders of these United States ica, and all free men throughout your number is close to two milthe world, share your pride, your lion. Your culture and traditions concern and your indignation. It proudly fostered in Slovakia and is a bold testimony to freedom brought to this new land, and that the spirit of the S I o v a k seeded, have become part of our people, with whom you i;hare a American heritage. Your appreciacommon her i t a g e, cannot be tion and love of America is excrushed by tank or by edict. emplified by your sense of dedicaMy message is not only to the tion and patriotism dating to the two million Slovak people who are United States' fight for independcitizens of the United States. My ence. The very same independence message is to all the Slovak people and freedom so fervently sought everywhere, a people who for in Slovakia. more than 1,000 years have never No other nation of immigrants hesitated to stand up to the ag- purports to be so humble and at gressor. I pledge to you that the the same time aggravates in ANixon Administration will be dedi- merica's conscience a love of God, cated to peace. Peace at home. country and home. It is therefore And peace abroad. In our intense- of little wonder that your mother ly practical pursuit of the vision country of Slovakia has in the past of freedom we will strive for a 1000 years never waned from her strong new America. An America fight for selfdetermination . . . rewhich will flourish in the sun of gardless of the strength of the a true prosperity, rather t h a n oppressor . .. or the toll to be paystumble in the dark of inflation. ed. This struggle is particularly An America which will reaffirm courageous considering the victo- SLOVAKIA ries attained were few and shortlived. If it is of any consolation, Slovakia and her people have been victorious in winning the respect of free men the world over. The time is now for these free men and nations to help others in attaining the same. I have already expressed this position publicly when I said that "We wish every people to be free to determine for itself its own form of Government. " America and its leaders must recognize the existence of Slovakia as a nation of four and one half million people with their own language and culture. - Message from Governor Nelson A. Rockefeller, delivered June 28, 1968. Dear Mr. E. J . Behuncik: 189 the long Christian tradition of the Slovaks. To you personally, my congratulations on the high honor Slovak Americans have bestowed on one of Connecticut's Sons - Sincerely John Dempsey, Governor of Connecticut, October 25, 1968 Despite the language of the Pittsburgh Pact, and despite the hopes of the Slovak people for national autonomy within a federa tive framework, the Slovaks have had to stuggle within Czecho-Slovakia for their national freedom. This struggle finally led to the secession of Slovakia from CzechoSlovakia in 1939 and the formation of an independent state of Slovakia until 1945, when Slovakia returned to Czecho-Slovak government. The struggle of the Slovaks for full recognition has definitely contributed to the new liberal climate of the country. In a recent article in the U. S. Information Agency's journal, Problems of Communism, the editor made this observation: The Slovaks have long considered themselves the disfranchised of the two major ethnic groups that comprise this small Central European country, and their struggle against the oppressive practices of the government in Prague, first inspired by specifically national grievances, has over the years become both the symbol and the substance of the overall struggle against the authoritarianism of the Novotny regime. The editor concludes that Slovak nationalism is "a force that more than any other has contributed to the spectacular debacle of Czechoslovak Stalinism." - Senator Rich- Please accept and extend to your associates and members my personal as we,Jl as official greetings at your manifestation. All Connecticut is appreciative of the great contributions made by the Slovak immigrants as well as Slovak Americans to the betterment of the civic, educational, cultural, economic and spiritual life in all parts of our great State. We are all hopeful that the current tragic era will soon pass and that Slovakia will be able to take her rightful place in the international family of peaceful nations. In the meantime please know that we would welcome to Connecticut all escapees from Slovakia who care to come to us just as we welcomed the Hungarian, Ukrainian, Polish and other God fearing, peace loving escapees from Soviet brutality and aggression. I am confident your manifesta- ard S. Schweiker, Congressional tion will be another landmark in Record, May 20, 1968. 190 SLOVAKIA Dear Citizens of Slovak Descent: As Mayor of The City of New York, I am honored to extend greeting to the Slovak League as well as all Slovak Americans. Your forebearers who settled here more than 80 years ago have contributed notably to the culture and economy of this City and nation. Your contributions are more than a page in this City's history. You must obviously be proud of these accomplishments as well as the heroic stand of your brothers in Slovakia who with only knuckles and spirit resisted the steel of Soviet tanks. However, tyrany cannot contain the Slovak's strong desire for freedom and self-determination. As you are proud of this spirit, so I, John Lindsay, am proud to be your Mayor. - John V. Lindsay, Mayor, October 25, 1968. It is in Slovakia- the autonomyminded eastern region of the country- that the Russians and their allies are encountering the greatest resistance to the occupation. The Moscow radio charged last week that Soviet soldiers were being fired upon in Slovakia. Bratislava newspapers reported that the Soviet Union was violating the Moscow agreement's clause on non-interference in internal affairs by arresting Slovaks. Prague also complained to the Soviet authorities last week over incidents in Slovakia involving Hungarian occupation troops. - The New York Times, September 4, 1968. "Why do Paris and Prague have their beautiful architecture?" the Slovak asked rhetorically, then answered his question. "Because of us. Because of our moutains. We stopped all the invaders here." He ran through an impressive list of tribes and nations that would have overrun the West but for the Slovaks and their fellow fighters in an arc ranging vaguely and variously from southern Poland down to Montenegro. He continued: " And in our times of greatest cruelty we had our most lyrical poetry." The Slovaks, with their national hero Janosik, the mountain Robin Hood, are romantics and proud of it. They contrast themselves with the more stolid Czechs at every possible opportunity. It was this romanticism, combined with some historical peculiarities, that made the Slovaks the leaders in Czecho-Slovakia's liberalization that began in 1962-1963. Several leading Slovak Communists had been condemned as "bourgeois nationalists" in the 1950's and imprisoned or executed. Those condemned were some of the most humane of any of the Communist 1 e a d e rs-including Vladimir Clementis, one of the intellectuals who founded the Slovak DAV nationalist and artistic movement in the 1920's- a Communist who did not hesitate to denounce the Stalin-Hitler pact and the Soviet invasion of Finland. Those who ran the Slovak party thereafter were a different breed altogether; crude, ruthless, and perhaps the greatest sin in the eyes of the intensely nationalistic Slovaks - servile to Prague. In 1962, then, the Slovaks began a campaign, first in party commissions, and later in public journals, to secure the rehabilitation of the wronged Slovak leaders, and retribution for those guilty of the purges. Middle-level Slovak party officials and Slovak Communist intellectuals, working closely at this SLOVAKIA point, did succeed in getting partial rehabilitations. Even more important politically, they maneuvered party chief Antonin Novotny into dropping two of the chief villains of the piece, Slovak party first secretary Karel Bacilek and Czechoslovak Premier Viliam Siroky. 191 and Czechs grew more acute in the mid-1960's as well. Under Communist rule Prague had poured investments into the industtial development of Slovakia , but these diminished as the first crash programs ended and particularly as economic reform introduced greater rationality in investments as in other spheres in 1967. This meant that the Slovaks no longer had the same economic incentive to fall in with Prague's directives on other matters. The final grievance of the Slovaks against Prague-and it was far from a minor one-was Mr. Novotny himself. He had been a high party official when the Slovak leaders had been purged and had later put every stumbling block in the way of their final rehabilitation. Moreover, he made no attempt to mask his dislike of the Slovaks, and on occasion went out of his way to insult them. All of these issues worked together to keep the Slovaks in the lead in demanding changes in the old Novotny system and, as Mr. Novotny's position eroded, a change in the leader himself. It was Mr. Dubcek who precipitated the attack on Mr. Novotny last fall, and the solid Slovak opposition to the old leader was easily one of the most important forces in the antiNovotny-coalition that finally deposed him . That the Slovaks ended up in the vanguard of reform was ironic, for the Slovaks are the traditional conservatives of Czecho-Slovakia Elizabeth Pond, The Christian Science Monitor, September 24, 1968. If subsequent changes did not go anywhere near as far as many of the Slovak intellectuals hoped, still the resultant party shuffle put men in control of the Slovak party (including that newcomer as Slovak party first secretary, Alexander Dubcek) who would pursue Slovak interests rather than simply carry out Mr. Novotny's orders. By 1964, with Slovak party officials satisfied with the personnel changes for the time being and not eager to upset a system they were benefitting from , the Slovak intellectuals suddenly found themselves without the support of these officials, in their further bids for reform. Being Slovak romantics, however, they pushed ahead with more daring than their Czech colleagues, and the weekly of the Slovak Writers' Union, Kulturny 2ivot, became the leading forum for progressives from the whole country. And the Slovaks did remain united on such issue as seeking revision in the historical interpretation of the 19th-century father of Slovak nationalism , I.!udovit Stur. If this issue did not directly promote reform, it at least kept Slovak agitation alive. And the whole nationalist movement emboldened the Slovaks, politicians included , to press in 1966 for constitutional changes that would give the Slovaks more autonomy from Prague. Ten million Czechs and 4½ milEconomic issues between Slovaks lion Slovaks are · twin nations now 192 SLOVAKIA with equal status and rights in a joint federal state. The deed was finally done, after the promise of 50 years ago when the independent Czecho-Slovak republic was founded, by the signing Oct. 30, 1968 of the new constitutional law on federation. The law was adopted by the National Assembly a few days previously. It was signed at a ceremony in Bratislava, the Slovak capital, by President Svoboda, on the anniversary of a meeting in a little Slovak village in the Carpathians in 1918. At that meeting-in Turciansky Svlity Martin-the Slovak leaders of the day proclaimed their attachment to a single Czecho-Slovak state and committed the "land of the Slovaks" as part of its common territory. They did so after the promise of equality given by Tomas Masaryk, who became the new republic's first President, to the Slovak community in America prior to his return to Prague in 1918. Between the two world wars, however, "unification" was a halfhearted process which brought some gains to Slovakia, but felt it economically far behind the Czech lands and with a sense of inferiority as the "junior partner" dominated and ruled by the Czechs in Prague. The first government program after World War II sought to put things right. Slovakia was given a substantial degree of autonomy under its own National Council and other local institutions. But, after 1948, as the new Communist regime lapsed into the Stalinist "personal power" system under dictator Antonin Novotny, Slovak autonomy was quickly reduced , and finally abolished altogether. Slovak protests and national feeling were condemned as "bourgeois nationalism"; and not only the economic neglect but the resentment aroused by the Prague leader's unconcealed hostility toward the Slovaks Jed to a crisis between the two nations which was a major contributory factor to the political shake-up brought about at Eric the end of last year. B our n e, The Christian Science Monitor, October 31 , 1968. Mr. Husak has been one of the principal architects of the plan for a federalized state with semiautonomous local powers for the four million Slovaks and the ten million Czechs. Czecho-Slovakia is divided between the two ethnic and language groups much the way Belgium is between French-speaking Walloons and Dutch-speaking Flemings. The Slovak leader was born in January, 1913, at Bratislava. During World War II he became a leading member of the underground Communist movement in Slovakia and fought with the Partisans against the Nazis. In 1944 he became a member of the Presidium of the Slovak party and its vice chairman. In the immediate postwar years he was chairman of the Slovak Board of Commissioners, a position used until the Communist takeover of the country in 1948 to try to subvert the majority Democratic party. A year after the coup he was elected to the national party's Central Committee and later became head of the Slovak office for church affairs. In 1950 began his slow decline as Stalinism tightened its grip. He lost his party posts and was accused of being a bourgeois nation- SLOVAKIA alist. In 1954 he was brought to trial for alleged bourgeois offenses and for "antistate activities" and was sentenced to life imprisonment. Six years later he was released and in June 1963, his party membership was restored. While awaiting complete rehabilitation, which came in December, 1963, he wrote a history of the Slovak uprising during the war. When Mr. Dubcek replaced Mr. Novotny, Mr. Husak was one of the first to call for complete democratization. Since January, 1968 he has been seen occasionally by Western newsmen at press conferences. Those who have watched him say he has shown a logical mind and has demonstrated an impressive mastery of his subject. A conservative Slovak patriot and intellectual, Mr. Husak is known for his toughness. "No one ," he said recently, "can determine for another nation the political representatives of that nation." A short, stout man with bushy, graying hair and small tight lips, his half-rimmed glasses give him the look of a severe teacher about ready to discipline his students. The New York Times , September 5, 1968. On the most immediate level, the Czechs and the Slovaks could not fail to rejoice at the withdrawal of scores of thousands of Warsaw Pact troops from their soil. But at the same time, by reminding them they are now committed by treaty to play host indefinitely to a sizable Russian occupation army, the sight of the departing units only served to impress upon the Czechs and Slovaks to the degree of their 193 new servitude to Moscow. And that realization was particularly poignant for the 4.4 million inhabitants of Slovakia (map ) since it came at a moment when, ostensibly, they were about to acquire more independence than they have ever before enjoyed. After a tour of occupied Slovakia, Newsweek's Eastern European bureau chief Alan Tillier cabled the following report on the current mood in the smaller of the two states that make up the Czecho-Slovak Republic: Shortly after the 'Red Army moved into Slovakia, Russian garrison commanders ordered the local citizens to remove all antiSoviet graffiti from their walls. But on a side street of the sprawling Slovakian capital of Bratislava, a slogan somehow overlooked in the great clean-up still survives. Scrawled across a wall in bold, 4foot letters is the admonition: "Slovaci, nedajme sa" ("Slovaks, stand firm " ). In the two months since the invasion, the Slovaks have done exactly that. Despite a long Slovak tradition of friendship toward Russia, local radio stations greeted the occupation with clarion calls for passive resistance-and their calls were heeded. Slovak newspapers editors continued to use the forbidden word "occupation" so consistently that some of them had to be fired at Russian insistence. And when one Soviet commander, resorting to diplomacy, challenged the local soccer team to a game, both the team and its supporters repeatedly refused to show up. LOYAL: Most important of all , Gustav Husak, the tough, chainsmoking boss of the Slovakian Communist Party, has remained unflinchingly loyal to the regime of Alexander Dubcek (who is himself a Slovak). And Husak's ex- 194 SLOVAKIA ample has been followed by his countrymen on every political level. One village leader, when asked by Soviet officers to point out the counter-revolutionaries among the 1,400 farmers and peasants in his area, could scarcely contain himself. "I told them," he recalls, "that there were none, that the country had progressed more in the past eight months under Dubcek than in the last twenty years-and that we wanted them off our land." In a sense, none of this was surprising, for resistance to foreign domination is deeply ingrained in the fabric of Slovakian life. A lovely land of rugged mountains and forests filled with deer, wild boar and partridge. Slovakia has been the pawn of stronger neighbors ever since it fell under Hungarian mastery in the tenth century. Even after World War I, when it joined the neighboring lands of Bohemia and Moravia-Silesia to form the Czecho-Slovak Republic, Slovakia, to a degree, simply changed one set of foreign rulers for another. Politically, the emotional Slovaks were treated as second-class citizens by the more phlegmatic-and more sophisticated-Czechs. INSULTS: Up to the moment he was ousted from power in January, in fact, longtime Czech Communist boss Antonin Novotny was openly disdainful of the Slovaks. He denigrated their culture. He discriminated against them in staffing government ministries and overseas diplomatic posts. In private, his references to them were personally insulting. And economically, Novotny stinted when it came to investing in Slovakia-with the result that the predominantly agricultural area continued to lag far behind its industrialized neighbors. Even after Novotny's ouster, moreover, this discriminatory state of affairs persisted. "We have a Slovak national council," one apparatchik told me , "but what can it do?" Then he answered his own question: "Determine the size of parks and issue hunting licences." Now at last, however, the Slovaks are about to become more independent of Prague. - Newsweek, November 4, 1968. When the Communists took power, Slovakia's national interests suffered even more. The reason was the traditional weakness of the Communists in Slovakia, which is largely rural. Since they had no strong support, Slovak Communist leaders leaned more on Prague. If they showed too much independence, the national Communist leadership stepped in quickly with charges of bourgeois nationalism. Dismissal, imprisonment and even execution was the result. - Donald Shanor, Pittsburgh Press, August 13, 1968. The Slovaks consider themselves the first people in central Europe to have their own state. Federation with the Czechs came in 1918. Slovaks feel the Czechs have tried to dominate the nation ever since. Detroit Free Press, Oct. 11, 1968. The time: early evening. The place: a half-empty, dimly lit bar in the Slovakian capital of Bratislava. Enter a squad of young Russia n soldiers, each with a burp gun slung over his shoulder. Within seconds, the warm hum of voices SLOVAKIA fades away to stony silence. Nervously, the Russians invite everyone t0 "have a drink on us." Without a word, the natives stare at the ceiling. Furious at the snub, one of the intruders unslings his gun, levels it at the patrons and orders them to drink. The Slovaks hesitate. Then, one by one, they silently raise their glasses to their lips. Moments later, muttering angrily to each other about "ingratitude," the Russians stalk out of the bar. Newsweek, October 7, 1968. Despite efforts of the present liberal communist regime in Czecho-Slovakia to reverse some of the effects of the antireligious measures of the previous Stalinistline officials, progress is slow in improving the lot of some 9,000 men and women Religious. Reports received from CzechoSlovakia state that some government officials are seeking to repair the injustices done to many Religious when their orders were dissolved in 1950 and they were forced into civilian occupations. For the most part, these Religious are still forced to work as street car conductors, street cleaners, masons and public toilet cleaners. Many now are too old to do any work. In 1950, when their Religious houses were closed, many of them were jailed without trial or forced to do military service or labor as road builders and miners. A few years ago nuns were pressed into caring for the aged and sick, but their wages are con- 195 siderably below those of others doing similar work, even though the Religious must also care for older members of their communities no longer able to engage in any gainful employment. (NC News Service) There is no end of the complaints of the quarrelsome and high-spirited Slovaks against the " power-hungry Schweiks" of Prague. The era of knuckling under is finished . o more can whispered curses be heard in the cafes of Bratislava and the wine cellars of Modra. For the last three years, at least, the papers have been printing these, grievances openly. The best Slovak writers save their choicest phrases for this purpose. The major criticism is that centralist Prague deliberately and cruelly stripped the Slovakian Communists of-power in two stages. First, in July 1948 when the Prague Party Presidium summarily ordered the dissolution of the separate Slovakian Communist Party organization. Second, in the early fifties when the Stalinist purge trials decimated Bratislava's Communist elite. The Foreign Minister, Vladimir Clementis, went to the gallows and the top Slovakian functionaries -Gustav Husak, the region's political leader, Laco Novomesky and Ladislav Holdos, the poets-ended up in prison for years. Who bore responsibility for these juridical atrocities? None other than Comrade Novotny! - ATLAS, Vol. 15, No. 5. THE SLOVAK LEAGUE OF AMERICA stands for honesty, intergrity, industry and justice in government. 196 SLOVAKIA BOOK REVIEWS BOOKS ON SLOVAKIA Reviewed by J.M. KIRSCHBAUM Frarn;ois D'Orcival, Le Danube etait noir-La cause de la Slovaquie independante - (The Danube Was Black-The Cause of the Independent Slovakia), Editions de la Table Ronde, 1968, 304 p. maps, bib!. Since 1917, when Prof. E . Denis of the Sorbonne wrote the first book in French on Slovaks, there were no French historians who would have shown an interest in Slovakia. Czechoslovakia or, in its original spelling, Czecho-Slovakia, was conceived and born in Paris and French intellectuals in the inter-war period adopted Czech views and fully supported Prague's policy. Since Slovakia was considered-on the insistence of Praguean internal problem, French diplomats, historians and journalists treated or neglected it accordingly until 1939. In that year France recognized the Slovak Republic, proclaimed on March 14, 1939, first de facto by appointing a consul general in Bratislava and later also de jure. Slovakia and Slovaks became better known in France and had not the Second World War erupted in the fall of 1939, there certainly would have been books on Slovaks and Slovakia by French authors. The post-war period being again unfavourable to Slovaks under the Czech rule until last year, when Alexander Dubcek caught the imagination of the West, the second book by a French historian appeared only in 1968. The series in which this book was published is called "L'histoire contemporaine revue et corrigee" ( Contemporary history -revised and corrected) and the contents prove that it is a revised and corrected version of what West-European historians and publicists published on Slovaks and Slovakia since 1945. The author seems to be not only well informed, but he also looks with rare objectivity at the struggle of the Slovak people for justice and equality in Czecho-Slovakia and, when this proved futile, for self-government. The book covers fifty years of Slovak history. It begins with the founding of Czecho-Slovakia, but it is the period of the Slovak Republic which the author analyzed in detail and put the events into right historical perspective. There are many valuable quotations data in this book. However, the author did not use the conventional historical method, indicating sources in footnotes or at the end of chapters, and therefore the book reads as a historical novel rather than a history book. While this method is not very much in use on the American continent, in France this kind of political literature has a long tradition. The value of the book lies especially in the fact that the author was not affraid to inteprete the struggle of the Slovak people for autonomy within Czecho-Slovakia and the years of the Slovak Republic without the usual bias common to specialists in Eastern Europe, who view the Slovak problem SLOVAKIA through Czech eyes. The main events, like the " affair Tuka", the role of the Slovak Protestants, favoured by Czechs against the Catholic majority, the Proclamation of Slovakia's independence, the struggle of President Tiso with extremists and Germans, the communist uprising and the revenge of Czechs, communists and Slovak "Czechoslovaks" on Tiso and Slovak Catholics, are put in this book in a new light for Western readers. Many quotations in the book indicate that the author is acquainted not only with diplomatic documents related to this period but also with Slovak newspapers and periodicals. He also seems to know the basic literature on Slovakia in English, listed in his bibliography. Those who read French will find this book a valuable source of information on Slovakia and a new look at the relations between the Czechs and Slovaks. The cause of Slovakia's independence found in the book for the first time an ob jective interpretation by a French writer. Ladislav Mi\acko, Die siebente Erkenntnis und AnNacht klage eines Kommunisten (The Seventh Night - Confession and Accusation of a Communist) , Verlag Fritz Molden , (WienMtinchen-Ztirich, 1968) p. 262. The brutal occupation of the "most faithful satellite"-CzechoSlovakia-by Moscow and her allies created the strongest reaction among writers, journalists and university students. The first two groups being a privileged class, were until 1963 more than loyal upporters of the Stalinist regime. In Slovakia, some of them even turned their pen against their best 197 friends and accused them of " bourgeois nationalism", but since 1963 they were in the forefront of the opposition and de-Stalinization movement. During the first 8 months of the liberalization movement, headed by Alexander Dubcek, they led the struggle for freedom of speech. for a "human face of communism" and rehabilitation of those who suffered under Novotny's regime. In some instances they were dreaming and gave to their dreams of a free , happy socialist Slovakia a poetic, visionary expression. The occupation destroyed during one night everything they believed in and dreamed about. The disillusion could not be more gloomy and many of them expressed it in verses or prose in periodicals like Kulturny zivot and ove slovo or in the daily press. Ladislav Mi\acko, who made a name for himself abroad by his Belated Reports and The Taste of Power in which he denounced the excesses of terror and injustice under Novotny's regime, expressed his disillusion, unhappiness and disappointment in this book. HP fled from Bratislava to Vienna after spending seven nights under the Russian, Hungarian and Bul garian occupation of Slovakia, and with fresh memories and in cruel disappointment he wrote his "confession and accusation". The book is fascinating reading and an interesting document on the occupation of Bratislava, as well as on the crisis which the occupation created in the minds of Slovak communist intellectuals. Mnacko reviews night by night the whole period of Communist rule in Czecho-Slovakia, paints an interesting picture of the leading politicians and their behaviour, confesses his belief in and admiration for the Russians and Communism , 198 SLOVAKIA and with deep bitterness condemns the Russians, because they destroyed his life-dream. Since Mnacko belonged not only to the privileged communist class, but was also one of the pundits of the regime, who had all doors open to the hi<ghest f u n c ,t i on a r i es, his book has a highly documentary value. Many Western specialists in Eastern Europe will find in the book an answer to the question which did not seem clear to them or which they saw through thE' eyes of official propaganda or the writings of some Czech exiled politicians. Especially the persecution in Slovakia during Novotny's regime, the systematic elimination of Slovak educated people from various positions in the public life and economic and cultural downgrading of the Slovak people finds on many pages of this book a confirmation by an eyewitness, who r e mained communist in spite of everything- that has happened to him. The book deserves to be translated into English. In style and form it is a report rather than history, but its sincerity, first-hand knowledge of the occupation and of the leaders of today's CzechoSlovakia make it an interesting document of our times and of the problems of Communism. I.;ubomir Liptak, Slovensko v 20. storoci ( Slovakia in the Twentieth Century). Vydavatel'stvo politickej literatury (Bratislava, 1968) 366 p. Samo Falt'an, Slovenska otcizka v ceskoslovensku (The Slovak Question in Czechoslovakia) , Vydavatel'stvo politickej literatury. ( Bratislava, 1968), 352 p. These two books by Slovak " Marxist" historians deal with Slo- vakia in the twentieth century. This period also attracted historians in the West (R. Seton-Watson, C. A. Macartney and Taylor in England , G. L. Oddo and Kurt Glaser in the United States) and as a result we now have several interpretation of modern Slovak history. Needless to say that there are at least three different interpretations by Slovaks themselves: 1) the Slovak patriotic school 2) the Czecho-Slovak school and 3) the marxist school. In English and other foreign languages, the first school is represented by the works of F . Hru sovsky, J . A. Mikus, J . M. Kirschbaum, Francis Vnuk, F . f>urcanskf, S. Glejdura, etc. The Czechoslovak interpretation can be found in Milan Hodza's book "Federation in Central Europe" and in J. Lettrich's "Modern History of Slovakia". The Marxist interpretation is limited to Slovak and other Slavic publications except for a few articles or summaries in English or French. Both books under review were written by the younger school of communist historians and published after the short "thaw" of last years. Therefore, in contents and language, they are quite different from books and publications produced right after the War and during the "cult of personality" period when according to Slovak marxist historians themselves: " . .. the historiography was brought to the edge of isolation because of the extreme servility of some historians to the deformations of the fifties . . . and the historians were allowed to write until recently bloodless phrases . .. and shells without contents which could not satisfy anybody, but made many people angry and hu SLOVAKIA miliated the whole nation ... " (Nove slovo, Oct. 31, 1968). Neither Liptak's nor Falt'an's book is completely free of bias and prejudice, especially towards the Hlinka's Populist Party, but in certain respects these two books shed more objective light on the Slovak struggle for freedom and equal status with the Czechs than for instance Lettrich's book and writings by the majority of Czech intellectuals in the free world. Liptak showed some independence of judgment even before 1968 and published some studies on the period of the Slovak Republic which were close to objectivity. In his book, which also contains a sixpage English summary, he views Slovak politics from "marxist position", but he avoided misrepresentations and foul language which the communist historians used when they wrote about the Hlinka's Slovak Populist Party and the period of the Slovak Republic. The book is divided into five chapters: 1. Slovakia in Hungary; 2. Slovakia and the First World War; 3. Slovakia in Czechoslovakia -Gains and lost battles; 4. Slovakia and the Second World War; 5. On the threshold of the Present Times. For Liptak "the period of the Slovak Republic is of great importance for the emancipation of Slovak politics and national movement not only for the necessity to build many national institutions . . . The political regime of the Slovak Republic was authoritative. It was a certain compromise between the ideal of the authoritarian corporative state advocated by the state president Dr. Jozef Tiso, a state built on the principles of the social doctrine of the catholic church and between the principles of "Slovak National Socialism" striving to 199 copy the German model supported by the so-called gardistic wing in the government, by fascist organizations of the German minority in Slovakia and by representatives of Germany. Originally in comparison with other dictatorships of that time and in that part of Europe rather "liberal", the regime of the Slovak Republic gradually became stricter by pressure from outside and by its own self-development. As interesting as the chapter on the period of the Slovak Republic is Liptak's analysis of the period following the Second World War. No doubt, in interpreting the policies of the Hlinka's Slovak Populist Party and judging the regime of the Slovak Republic, Liptak is not free of prejudice and many of his interpretations and conclusions are far from being objective. His negative stand towards the period is of the same intensity as his positive and favourable stand towards the period 1945•1968, though he is at times critical and open-minded. He acknowledges that the access of the communists to power in February 1948 "had pernicious effects on Slovak autonomy". He also admits that one of the reasons for accepting the "Stalinist model" and for its "extraordinary hardness and long lasting" was "the combination of this totalitarian dictatorship with the attempt of the definite liquidation of the "Slovak question" in Czecho-Slovakia by political, physical, moral and ideal destruction of real and potential representatives of Slovak national and political thought. This can be proved by many campaigns against Slovak "bourgeois nationalists", numerous pogroms against Slovak intellectuals, the falsification of national history, tradition etc." Liptak also deals with the terror 200 SLOVAKIA and trials in Slovakia and comes to the conclusion that "the so-called "deformations" were not incidental but belonged to the system "like voting to parliamentarism"." He admits that "the power was gradually, but rather quickly concentrated from "majority to the nation" into the hands of the communists and from them into the hands of a handful of governors dependent on a foreign, non-Slovak power and a whole hierarchy of their sub-ordinates." The last chapter deals with the attempts of Slovak communists to change the system since 1963 and to give Communism a "human face. " From a communist historian it is not a bad book on Slovakia. Falt'an's book "The Slovak Question in Czechoslovakia" is focused on the Slovak problem in its ideological, economic and cultural context. Being a communist ideologist rather than a historian, he presents an analysis from the Communist point of view. Falt'an admits, as many younger Slovak communists did during the past few years, that the Communist Party of CzechoSlovakia did not have either a clear idea or a firm stand with regard to the Slovak problem. He condemns the Czech policy and ideology which attempted to deny to Slovaks their national and cultural identity and using all the power of the state tried to prove that Slovaks were but a part of a nonexistent "Czechoslovak" - in the last analysis-of a Czech nation. On the other hand, he looks with the eyes of an orthodox communist on the H1inka's Populist Party, which was involved in a fierce struggle against the "Czechoslovakist" ideology and discrimination with which Prague treated Slovakia between 1918-1938, but which was especially opposed to Communism. Being opposed to both Slovak autonomism as presented by the Hlinka Party and the Czechoslovak parties supported by a small portion of Slovak intelligentsia, handsomely paid for their services, Falt'an uses all his marxist education in dialecticts to prove that only Communist Party had the right approach and finally came with the right solution of the Slovak problem. The Hlinka's Populist Party achieved for Slovakia a federal autonomy in 1938 and for 6 years more independence and international recognition than Slovaks ever had in their long history. But the Communists were not in power and the statehood was achieved with the help of the German Reich and therefore for Falt'an this period was the "dark age" for the Slovak people. To accept help, even occupation , from Moscow, and to impose a regime of terror on the Slovak people which had nothing in common with their traditions, seems to be for Falt'an the right and the only progressive solution of the Slovak question. At the end of his book he condemns certain "errors and deformations" of the Communist Party, but the final impression of the book is that only the Communists have the medicine, and while German interference is to be condemned and those who were in power during the Slovak Republic were "traitors and collaborationists", Moscow's interference and those who obediently do what Moscow dictates, are the true Slovak patriots and representatives of the aspirations of the Slovak people. It is this "leitmotiv" of Falt'an's book which makes it a partisan ·· pamphlet rather than a historical essay. He undoubtedly is familiar with the intricacies of the Slovak question and puts the blame on SLOVAKIA the right persons or political parties for not solving but aggravating the economic and cultural problems of Slovakia in the inter-war period, but his fanatic belief in Communism does not allow his to judge objectively the role of the Hlinka's Populist Party and even less the importance of the Slovak Republic. He condemns the Hlinka's Populist Party for achieving statehood for Slovakia in spite of his own statement that "statehood as an expression of national freedom nobody can reject and qualify as a treason on the nation" (p. 106). CzechoSlovakia was founded with the help of France and restored by the armies of the Soviet Union, which imposed her system on Slovakia. This is apparently all right with Falt'an, but receiving help from Germany and adjusting to German pressure was an unforgettable crime. Yet, even this book is more objective and written with less abu sive language than previous writings of Slovak Communist historians (Danas, Kramer, Holotik) on this subject. Its value is also enhanced by a number of documents related to the Slovak problem in Czecho-Slovakia. SLOVAK ALMANACS 1969 Literarny Almanach Slov aka v Amerike, edited by Dr. Joseph Pauco, Ph.D., published by Slovak v Amerike weekly newspaper, Middletown, Pa. 17057, 190 pp. Text exclusively in Slovak~anguage. Eight decades are spanned in the life of Slovak v Amerike, oldest Slovak newspaper in America, 201 since its first edition on December 21 , 1889 in Plymouth, Pa. The late Konsto culen compiled a history of the periodical that first moved to Phoenixville, Pa, and then in 1891 to New York City. There it was published as a weekly, a daily, semi-weekly and semi-monthly at various times until it was purchased and moved to Chicago in 1951. In 1958 Philip A. Hrobak became the publisher in Middletown, Pa. and upon his death in 1964 Dr. Jozef Pauco, Ph .D. assumed its publication. Dr. Andrej Kubina discusses the position of the Slovak language among Slavic tongues. Frantisek Vnuk reviews the national economy of Slovakia under the communist regime from 1945 to 1964. Dr. Imrich Kruzliak, Ph.D. hails the centennial of his Alma Mater, the Gymnasium in Klastor pod Znievom. He pays tribute to Dr. Frantisek Hrusovsky, Ph.D. as an outstanding educator and historian. Dr. Hrusovsky was director of the college from 1931 to 1945. A Slovak dictionary dated 1648 was discovered by Msgr. Postenyi of Slovakia, according to a feature article by Fr. B. Koltner, O.F.M. Slovak folk art (in clay products, ceramics, glass, stone, metal, wicker basket weawing, wood, textiles, leather, embroidery, plastics, architecture , clothes) and Slovak folklore (songs, ballads, dances, plays. fables, legends, and proverbs) are reviewed by Milka Rechtorisova. Gorazd Zvonicky's poems are featured . A memorable Memorandum of the Slovaks in exile is recalled by I. S. Kysucky. The de claration of September 23, 1946 in Aurolzmiinster, Austria, was addressed to the Slovak League in America with an appeal for finan- 202 SLOVAKIA cial aid and support to migrate to Kalendtir Jednota, 1969, Vol. 72. America. Edited by Joseph C. Krajsa. Pubby First Catholic Slovak lished F. Barcin's short play, Dr. Jozef Union (Prva Katolicka Slovenska Mistrik's article on Maritain's deJednota), Cleveland, 0., 232 pp., fense of the Faith, New Currents exclusively in Slovak language. in Catholic theology by the Very Rev. T. J . Zubek, O.F.M., S.T.n: , Dedication of the 72nd edition Msgr. Rekem's article on the Glagolitic alphabet, Jan Okal's com- of the annual to Jan Sabol, the mentary on an address by Father executive secretary of the Jednota Jan Lach, Marian 2iar's and A. for the past four decades, who Murin's poems, Slovak nationalism bears the proud title ( deservedly by Stefan Glejdura , Slovak culture of 'Mr. Jednota' introduces a at home and abroad by. Dr. Jozef series of reminiscenses by Msgr. Kirschbaum, The American Spirit M. K. Mlynarovic, a famous octoby Msgr. M. K. Mlynarovic, Pavo! genarian in the Slovak world. Dr. Hrtus Jurina's pair of short Kirschbaum compares the Salzburg sketches, Short stories by G. Zvo- meeting of President Tiso and Gernicky and Peter Klas, K. Strmen's man representatives in 1940 with poem, M. 2iar's vignette from life, Dubcek's fateful conference with Jan Doransky's observations from Soviet bigwigs at Cierna nad Tisou Expo 67 in Montreal, Sloboda's and last summer before the blitz inVetva's poems, a number of Dr. vasion of Czecho-Slovakia. Commemoration of the centenDilong's anecdotes, poems by M. Gerdelan and J . Doransky and a nial of a historic Slovak college short story by Michael Gerdelan (Gymnasium) in KlMtor pod Zniegive us a collection of literary con- vom recalls the era of Magyar optributions that further enrich Slo- pression of the Slovaks and cites vak library. Many of them are the achievements of the venerable gems of lasting value. The thumb- educational institution in Slovakia. The papal encyclical, "Humanae nail biographical sketches of imVitae" is explained by the Very portant personalities in Slovak world are undoubtedly of import- Rev. T. J. Zubek, O.F.M., S.T.D. Dr. ance as data for future reference. Imrich Kruzliak, Ph.D. notes the Their value is enhanced in the centennial of Bishop Stefan Moylight of the unfortunate failure ses, great Slovak patriotic prelate in the past to record such invalu- of the 19th century. Archbishop Eduard Necsey, who able information . died last summer after two decades Appreciation of this and other of his troubled episcopate in Nitra, annuals depends largely upon one's Slovakia, is eulogized by Dr. Pavo! reading knowledge of the Slovak Benuska. A number of poems by language, but a true scholar who J. Dragos-Alzbetincan are scattered wishes to capture the spirit and throughout the volume appropriessence of the Slovak nation's ately illustrated by photographs of genuine character must know the leading Slovak personalities. language well. Otherwise, he can-Contributions by Rev. Augustin not fully understand his subject Zan, Jan E. Bor, Rev. Jozef Figura, and therefore cannot hope to pur- S.D.B., Frantisek Sujansky, I. S. sue his studies adequately, parti- Kysucky and Rev. Karol Niznancularly in Slovak literature.-A. P. sky, S.D.B. deal with religious sub- SLOVAKIA jects, the final days of World War II in Japan, Slovak Christmas customs, the varied experiences of Vajansky with gypsies in Slovakia, and Father Niznansky's treatise on the ancient philosophies of India respectively. Mother M . Emerencia Petrasek, SS.C.M. rates a tribute by Dr. Jozef Pauco, Ph.D. for her Slovak publications on the teaching of the Slovak language and her many articles that have appeared in our American Slovak newspapers and periodicals the past quarter of a century. Msgr. John Rekem , S. T. D. of Winnipeg, Canada, praises the work of the Sisters of SS. Cyril and Methodius, Danville, Pa. for their contributions to Slovak liturgical si nging in our churches and schools. Rev. Stefan Sencik, S. J., S. T. D. , of Galt, Ontario, Jozef Spetko and Peter Klas contribute stories on assorted subjects. A number of short poems by Marian Ziar are included. Msgr. Mlynarovic evaluates the work of the Slovak Catholic Federation (of which he was national president for many years) and visualizes its important work in the future as a dynamic American Slovak Society. Vincent Drobniak paints a word-picture despicting the history of the United States from 1776 to 1969. The history (accompanied by pictures) of St. Martha's Slovak Catholic parish founded by Jednota members in Leechburg, Pa. 60 years ago is timely contribution of Vincent Cibik, one of the founders. Frantisek Vnuk of Australia continues his prolific series of writings on Slovak political fortunes (and misfortunes) by hailing Dubcek as 'a decent communist.' Approximately 900 S 1 ova k priests, the Slovak religious com- 203 munities of men and women are listed. The records are generally reliable but can stand revision. On the other hand, the listing of our Slovak professionals and businessmen is wholly inadequate and needs a complete overhauling. This require much correspondence but an assignment to this work will bring good results. At the end of this annual the list of Slovak Catholic publications is up-to-date and correct in every detail. That they exist proves there are still thousands of our fellow Slovaks who consider writing and reading in the Slovak language vital to their interests in their family , social, religious and national lifu. A.P. Narodny kalendar, 1969. Published by the Narodny Slovensky Spolok, 516 Court Place, Pittsburgh, Pa. Edited by Jan Mihal, in the Slovak language, and the Almanac in English as a supplement, Vol. 77. The former on 121 pages and the later comprises 71 pages, including 22 pages of advertising. Jim Pankuch, the president of the National Slovak Society, leads off the series of articles in the 1969 edition of the NSS "Narodny Kalendar" by a review of events relating to the organization in the previous year. He includes his impressions of a visit to Slovakia in 1967. Among the highlights of his tour of the country were his visit to Stefanik's grave at Bradlo and the birthplace of Peter V. Rovnianek ( the founder of the National Slovak Society) in Dolny Hricov. Ecumenism is the title of Dr. Peter P. metko's contribution. Albert Mamatey's World War I action in behalf of the Slovak nation's liberation from Magyar rule is 204 SLOVAKIA presented by Dr. V. E . Andie. The political testament of Dr. Milan Hodfa is treated by Dr. Jozef M. Kirschbaum, Ph.D., LL.D. Rev. Andrej Rolik recalls his visit to Slovakia in 1938. Peter Klas adds a literary note by his short story, the founding of Slavia in central Florida is recorded by Karol Belohlavek, Milos K. Mlynarovic contrubutes a short story and Rev. A. Rolik pays poetic tribute to him on the occasion of his 80th birthday. Jan Pankuch, Sr. (December 16, 1869--February 28, 1952) is honored on the centennial of his birth by Karol Belohlavek's biographical sketch. An encyclopedia-dictionary in English on the Slovak nation, its language, history, literature, tradition, etc. is proposed by D. V. E. Andie. Andrej Kalnik challenges Dr. Bartek's views on the time of the first arrival of the Slovaks on the Danube. Miloslav Slavik adds his short story. The first days of the Republic of Czecho-Slovakia pass in review as seen by Andrej Rolik. A number of important centennials of Slovak patriots are listed, namely, Gejza 2ebracky, a historian, Dr. Albert Skarvan, M. D., Rev. Eduard Sandorfi, a journalist and biologist, Ferko Skycak, Slovak member of diet in Budapest and co-founder of the Slovak People's Party, Dr. Jozef Janda , a canon and religious writer, Dr. A.Krchnak, M. D., active for many years in American Slovak circles, Rev. Stefan Ivicic, active in American Slovak life, Rev. Dr. I.:udovit Okanik, a canon and Slovak representative in the Hungarian diet in Budapest, Rev. Jan Malarik, Lutheran minister, an exponent of the One World State, Rev. Dr. Metod Bella, Lutheran pastor, Slovak representative in Budapest and late in Prague, Michal Bosak, American Slovak banker, fraternal leader, philanthropist and publisher. Peter Klas's short story, Debnarkin's tribute to General Stefanik on the current 50th anniversary of his tragic death, an article on Magyar revisionism, short stories by Slavik and Horsky, Dr. Hletko's view on Stefanik's mysterious death as witnessed by eye-witnesses, a tribute to Bishop Stefan Moyses, founder of the Matica Slovenska, and Rozalia Gona 's sketch on the gypsies and anecdotes complete an annual that is rich in content and a variety of subjects. The English edition presents the highlights in the life of the National Slovak Society in 1968. An article on cancer by Dr. Peter P. Hletko, M. D., an assortment of brief articles, a short story, several features by Mary B. Burns, Dr. Stephen Hletko's tribute to the late Pete Latzo, onetime welterweight boxing champion, and a number of pages of advertising complete the 77th edition of the NSS kalendar and almanac. Both the Slovak and English sections contain numerous pictures, photographs and illustrations that give an overall view of the activities of the organization's activities in addition to the valuable material on the Slovak nation's past, much of it by contemporaries. A . P. Jednota Annual FURDEK, 1969, in English; Edited by Joseph C. Krajsa, and published by the First Catholic Slovak Union, 3289 East 55th St., Cleveland, Ohio 44127, Vol. VIII, 207 pp. The 1969 Furdek edition features woman contributions: Sister M. Martina's composite picture of a SLOVAKIA Slovak immigrant's early experiences, Maryagnes Krajsa's comparison of Andrej Hlinka, the orator, to Cicero, Sister M. Rosamund's history of Slovak drama and Sophia Zufa's short story. The Slovak nuns are members of the SS. Cyril and Methodius Community in Danville, Pa. Dr. Michael Simko's short story, Dan Tanzone's tribute to the Jednota, a continuing series of the biographical sketches with pictures of a panel of Slovak clergy, Attorney Stephen's picture of typpical Canadians, Dr. Jozef Kirschbaum's "Hlinka and the Pittsburgh Pact" and "Slovak Literature" , Monsignor John Rekems "Glagolitic Script" article, and a brief study of postal stamps of the Slovak Republic complete a modest volume that is illustrated by a number of models wearing native Slovak dress, scenes from Slovakia and a photo panel of scholarship winners in 1968. One more volume has been added to Slovak library. It is unpretentious but its contents give us additional knowledge of the Slovak nation, as well as a view of some of the activities among American Slovaks. Dr. Kirschbaum's article on Slovak literature is timely in view of his up-to-date listing of leading contemporary Slovak writers and poets. Highlights from Slovak history (important dates) from prehistoric days to 1969 are valuable milestones in tracing the Slovak nation's history from the beginning of civilization to modern times. The Furdek series is progressively becoming a rich source of material not only for the average reader but for students interested in pursuing their studies of the Slovaks in their homeland, or anywhere in the world . A. P. 205 SLOVAKS IN CAN ADA Joseph M. Kirschbaum Slovaks in Canada. Ontario, Canada, Canadian Ethnic Press Association, c1967, XV, 468 pp. Reviewed by Sister M. Yolanda Lederleitner, SS. C. M. and Sister M. Martina Tybor, SS. C. M . A historical survey of Slovaks living anywhere outside their native Slovakia must of necessity follow a certain pattern of development. For the benefit of uninformed readers, the opening of the work must be expository-a delineation of the historic background of the Slovak people and their position within a historic perspective. Then there logically follows a record of their uprooting within the scope of the given consideration, as well as their trials and tribulations in a new environment, an evaluation of what forces worked for or against them , and an assessment of their achievements in the new land . This may sound like a simple formula but it does not create an instant product. Only he who has set himself to the task of undertaking such a work can know the labor, the demands, the exhaustion, the research, the organization, and the judicious and artistic demands made upon the author. In his book SLOVAKS IN CANADA, Dr. Joseph M. Kirschbaum has effectively met this challenge. It took years of personal interviewing, reading, and traveling as well as collecting, evaluating, and interpreting data just to provide the historical source materials that comprise the substance of this work. It had to be a labor of love or it never would have been achiev- 206 SLOVAKIA ed. The actual writing of the his• tory was another assignment, one that is in a category of its own. It is a task that Dr. Kirschbaum has satisfied very successfully, for his book reads well. It shows a com• mand of style characterized by clearness and an even tone of interest. The publication itself was subsidized quite appropriately by the Centennial Commission within the centennial year of Canadian Con• federation, 1967. It appears under the imprint of the Canadian Ethnic Press Association of Ontario. Can• ada can justifiably take pride in sponsoring this book, for it con• tributes an interesting and valuable unit to the aggregate history of Canada. Exploring the book in logical order from beginning through mid• die and on to the end , one becomes fully informed not only about the history and life of the Slovak element in Canada but about the his• torical and cultural background of the Slovak nation as well. Such a succint survey is essential to a proper appreciation of the Slo• vaks in Canada-or in any other part of the world to which they were driven by economic need , political oppression, or a multi· plicity of other implacable forces . Dr. Kirschbaum's summary of Slovak history is not expansive, for it is not the core of this book, nevertheless it is surprising how rich and informative is this first part, covering only forty.four pages. The scholarship of the author is well attested in his con• sideration of the ethnic origin of the Slovaks and their multi.faceted historic picture-eultural, political, religious and economic. And it is not superficially sketchy or a hur• ried exposition, as if it were the treatment of a subsidiary matter. It is, rather, a balanced presenta• tion of essential data, prepared by a skilled and able writer, a per• ceptive historian, an experienced teacher•lecturer. Parts 2, 3, and 4 of SLOVAKS IN CANADA graphically and in interesting fashion traces the his• tory of Slovak immigration to Can-· ada, beginning with the earliest settlers who came to the Canadian West in 1880's not from continen• ta! Europe but rather from the United States, specifically from Pennsylvania , Montana, Ohio. It is of special interest to note that the first Slovaks came to Canada in res• ponse to solicitations which were made both in the U. S. and in central Europe to attract settlers since Canada's population increase was very unsatisfactory. The vast expanses of Canada had room for millions of people and the government took the initiative to attract new.comers to its land. In this re• spect, the coming of Slovaks to Canada differs from the coming of the Slovaks to U.S. , for immigration to the U.S. was not generally by solicitation. Adverse pressures of various kinds lent support to the inducements of agents who tried to interest Slovaks to leave Austria Hungary in favor of Canada an unknown but promising new home. Dr. Kirschbaum notes the flow of Slovak immigration to Canada in three general waves : 1) the years between 1885 and World War I-the pioneer stock, often an over• flow from American quota restrictions or persons solicited by agents ; 2) the post World War I interim (1921·1939)-young, stur• dy, enterprising immigrants who came equipped with better formal education and a more vital politi• cal alertness ; 3) the post World War II years-often political re• fugees, many of them from concen• SLOVAKIA tration camps in Italy, Austria, Germany as well as asylum seeking political leaders and displaced persons. Apparently Joseph Bellon who arrived in 1878 was the first Slovak settler in Canada. He established himself in Toronto and started a wirework factory there. But the larger clusters of Slovak immigrants did not gravitate to the Toronto area. It was the hard mining region of Canada's Western provinces with their bleak and monotonous expanses and unmercifully severe winters that became the history-making center of early Slovak life in Canada. Naturally, the early immigrants arrived without benefit of luxury travel, without commodious motel accommodations, without ready investments from which to draw instant wealth. Although an aura of adventure and high romance colors most dreams of pioneering in virgin territory, the actual grubbing in deep recesses of nineteenth century anthracite mines was a matter for stark realism in their lives. Some were not able to withstand the cruelties of hard fate but others survived the difficulties and hoped for a better future. The later interests of these early settlers were extended to farming, dairying, railroad construction work and fruit growing. And each of these occupations had its own attendant trials associated with nature and the forces of nature in Canada. It is understandable that the lives of these Slovak pioneers were committed to great physical hardships but it must not be overlooked that they were subjected to social and psychological burdens too. A man can strain and work to relieve material want but to attain acceptance and achieve athome-ness among strangers, he is 207 dependent on more than his personal efforts and assets; · to a ce1tain extent, he is at the mercy of those others in his circle of social inter-relationship with whom he should form a varitable circlet of Jove and brotherhood. But the encompassing of acceptance-or even of understanding and tolerance-was not the experience of most alien elements that came to help build a new country to its stature of greatness in economic and historic dimensions. Humiliation, ridicule, and the grossest of abuses-prejudice and exploitation-were the adverse elements against which most of the helpless minority groups had to steel their souls in order to survive in a new milieu that tended to demoralize newcomers rather than to encourage them and offer them a new life. Instead of being gunwhipped , as it were , by these forces , the strangers in a strange land had to prove the innate greatness that was in them; they had to rise superior to adversity and turn it into an instrument that would work to their good. Constancy and endurance made for increased strength ; hurts and injustice borne without rancor or despair can teach men to be sympathetic in the face of suffering, to be just in the exercise of authority and power. Out of negative and destroying powers must be drawn positive good. The alternative would be defeat. The soul learns by enduring but, admittedly, it must be a great soul to endure profitably. And so it was with the Slovaks in Canada. They were not insensitive people; they were endowed with simplicity of heart and inured to much suffering at the hands of hostile powers that had lorded over them in their homeland. They 208 SLOVAKIA did not demand the impossible; they did not deceive themselves with dreams of unreality. They mined , they broke prairie, gradually they established themselves, had their children schooled , organized benefit societies , built churches, bettered themselves-and in the course of years, they arrived. The growth of beneficial and church organizations among Slovak immigrants in Canada comprises a hjstory of its own merits, yet Dr. Kirschbaum does not slight or gloss over this subject. As a matter of fact, although cursory references are made to it in the first four parts of the book as the subject matter under consideration may require. Part 5 touches upon the sociological and psychological stimuli that often lead to organization and then points out how the very basic needs of the time made such organization imperative here. Within the space of less than fifty pages, the author surveys the social and beneficial organizations of various types that were initiated or developed by the Slovaks of Canada. Religious organizations and the Slovak press in Canada are given some suitable consideration and discussion in the book though it is understandable that in a first book on the history of Slovaks in Canada, circumscribed to 468 pages, no area deserving of notice can be studied exhaustively. Some of the materials must be limited to basic data-gathering as an initial effort that may be researched and studied in depth in subsequent work. Yet let it be made clear that this observation in no way detracts from the merits of Dr. Kfrschbaum's deserving book. The unit of study on political refugees presents a documentation of Slovak history within the post- Munich Agreement years that is sometimes distorted or bungled by inept writers or uninformed reporers of historic matter. Of course, within the scope of this work, emphasis must properly lean toward Canada's attitudes toward and opportunities open to persons displaced from Slovakia seeking asylum and new life after the catastrophic upheavals of Communist take-over in Czecho-Slovakia. The logical development af historic topics presented by Dr. Kirschbaum leads to some insights into the integration of Slovaks into Canadian life and an evaluation of their cultural and scientific contribution to the country that permitted them to find new hope and new homes. Part 9 is a French resume of the book and forms a valuable addition inasmuch as it makes some of the information accessible to foreign researchers for whom English may be a handicap and inasmuch as interested Canadians who favor French may find in this section an account that will help them to appreciate their fellow-citizens of Slovak background who also contribute some of the glory of the great Canadian mosaic among nations of a free world. Of signal historic value are the twenty-four documents that follow the body of Dr. Kirschbaum's book. Further enrichment is also provided by the lengthy bibliography and the indispensable index of names and of subjects. We who are privileged to look upon the accomplished fact of a finished project presenting to the public the aches and the trials, the hopes and the promises, the opportunities and the fulfillment up to triumph, the gifts received and the gifts given , the moral as well as the material investments made SLOVAKIA and the dividends garnered-we are grateful to Dr. Kirschbaum whose scholarly initiative and acumen together with his indefatigable industry and talent has made this book a reality. It deserves more than one reading since it is an informative and highly interesting account of Slovak life in a new world setting. 209 In all honesty, we must admit an undenied regret that the Slovaks in the U. S. have not produced a similar or parallel history of their own to match SLOVAKS IN CANADA while at the same time we cherish a justifiable pride in Dr. Kirschbaum because he has done a good work well. SLOVAKIA is published annually by the Slovak League of America, a cultural and civic federation of Americans of Slovak descent. One of the purposes of SLOVAKIA is to promote a better understanding and appreciation of the Slovak nation and its long struggle for freedom and independence. Subscription to Slovakia $3.00 per year m the r.S.A. - $4.00 elswhere. Send subscription to: SLOVAKIA 313 Ridge A venue Middletown, Pa. 17057 210 SLOVAKIA OUR CONTRIBUTORS Joseph M. Kirschbaum. LL. D., Ph.D. - former diplomat, university professor, historian, author of several books, Toronto, Ontario. Peter P. Hletko, M. D. - former President of the Slovak League of America, fraternalist, newspaperman, publicist, lecturer. Stephen B. Roman, LL. D. - Canadian-Slovak Industrialist, lay leader of the Slovak Catholics of the Eastern rite in Canada. Francis Hrusovsky, Ph.D. (late) - former professor at Bratislava University, prominent Slovak historian and educator; first director of the Slovak Institute in Cleveland, Ohio. Rev. Andrew Pier, 0. S. B., - newspaperman, teacher, and Director of the Slovak Institute in Cleveland, Ohio. Andrew Kubina, LL. D. - publicist living in Switzerland. Fr. Bartholomew Koltner, 0 . F. M. - Franciscan Friar in Pittsburgh, Pa. Sr. M. Martina Tybor, SS. C. M. - teacher and author, Danville, Pa. Joseph Pauco, Ph.D. - newspaperman, publicist, author of several books; Secretary of the Slovak League of America. Francis Vnuk, M.A. - historian; professor, Institute of Technology, Adelaide, Australia. Rev. Jaroslav Vajda - poet; editor, This Day, St. Louis, Mo. 211 SLOVAKIA Contents Slovakia in the struggle for liberalization and federalization 3 of Czecho-Slovakia - J.M. Kirschbaum The Slovaks of Chicago - Dr. Peter P. Hletko - The Nation with a purpose The United States of America - - Stephen B. Roman, LL. D. - This is Slovakia - 64 Francis Hrusovsky, Ph.D. - The oldest Slovak newspaper in America - O.S.B. - 74 Andrew Pier, 96 The place of Slovak among Slavic languages - Kubina, LL. D . - Andrew 99 The Slovak dictionary of 1648 - O.F. M. - 32 Fr. Bartholomew Keltner, 105 Slovak pioneers in America - Joseph Pauco, Ph.D. - 108 Fifty years of Communist party of Slovakia (1918-1968) - Francis Vnuk - 125 Current issues [Statement of the Slovak League of America (Dr. Peter P. Hletko, Joseph Pauco) - Slovaks will not give up (Rev. Jaroslav Vajda) - The New York declaration (Dr. Ferdinand :ourcansky, Dr. Joseph M. Resolution (Edward J. Behuncik, Kirschbaum) Joseph Pauco J - 179 As others see it - 188 J.M. Kirschbaum; Slovak Almanacs - A. P.; Slovaks in Canada - Sister M. Yolanda Lederleitner, SS. C. M. and Sister M. Martina Tybor, SS. C. M.) - 196 Book reviews (Books on Slovakia - PRI NTI D IN U.S. A. JIDN OTA PlllN TER Y, MID DLli TOW N, PA.  Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Back Matter, Slovakia, Vol. 19 (No. 42) Description An account of the resource includes Current Issues; As Others See It; Book Reviews; Contributors Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1969 https://slovakia.wordsofpassage.net/files/original/e69a2a2f0d54637fbb50516f7b7967f3.pdf 8b2ea9aa98ff238a46467ca06d984ef8 PDF Text Text Monsignor Dr. Joseph Tiso (right) with the beloved Monsignor Andrew Hlinka, charnpion of Slovak freedom, and Monsignor Dr. Charles Korper (left) in Bratislava, Slovakia, June 5, 1938, on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the Pittsburgh P act. �DR. JOSEPH TISO National Hero of the Slovak Nation � Monsignor Dr. Joseph Tiso (right) with the beloved Monsignor Andrew Hlinka, charnpion of Slovak freedom, and Monsignor Dr. Charles Korper (left) in Bratislava, Slovakia, June 5, 1938, on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the Pittsburgh P act. �DR. JOSEPH TISO National Hero of the Slovak Nation � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource 1952, Vol. 2 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available The Slovak League of America Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1952 Description An account of the resource <ul><li>Issue 1 (No. 3), March 1952.</li> <li>Issue 2 (No. 4), August 1952.</li> <li>Issue 3 (No. 5), December 1952.</li> </ul> Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Back Matter, Slovakia, Vol. 2, No. 1 (3) Description An account of the resource includes photo of Joseph Tiso, Andrew Hlinka, and Charles Körper (June 5, 1938) and portrait of Joseph Tiso Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource March 1952 https://slovakia.wordsofpassage.net/files/original/b49364ff5e662df0a866f35276b20458.pdf 34a0be96c1ad38d3f8547688b8ebaaf2 PDF Text Text YOU CAN LEARN SLOVAl( as easily as you can any other modem language. Slovak should be a MUST for students of Slovanic languages, because it is the simplest of all of them and a KEY to all of them. Prove it to yourself with the most scholarly text on Slovak, the SLOVAK LESSONS A practical study of the Slovak Grammar, 92 lessons, 400 pages; cxercises in Slovak and English; English-Slovak and Slovak-English vocabulary. Hard cover , bound in cloth, $3.50 HROBAK'S ENGLISH DICTIONARY - the best and most complete dictionary of its kind ; 702 pages with a br ief sumary of the Slovak Grammar. Hard cover, bound in cloth, $4.00 THE SLOVAKS, by Pet er P. Yurchak, s hould be read by all students inter est ed in the history and traditions of the Slovak nation ; 312 pages, hard cover, bound in cloth - $3.00 ; paper cover - $2.00 SKETCHES FROM SLOVAK WSTORY by Joseph Škultéty, translation by O. D. Koreff; a documented refutation of several errors propagated by writers and historians; 229 pages, hard cover, bound in cloth - $2.00; paper cover $1.00. Order from: P.A.HROBAK Box 150 Middletown, Pa. �Sept. 27, 1864-MSGR. ANDREW HLINKA-Aug. 16, 1938 Champion of Slovak Freedom � YOU CAN LEARN SLOVAl( as easily as you can any other modem language. Slovak should be a MUST for students of Slovanic languages, because it is the simplest of all of them and a KEY to all of them. Prove it to yourself with the most scholarly text on Slovak, the SLOVAK LESSONS A practical study of the Slovak Grammar, 92 lessons, 400 pages; cxercises in Slovak and English; English-Slovak and Slovak-English vocabulary. Hard cover , bound in cloth, $3.50 HROBAK'S ENGLISH DICTIONARY - the best and most complete dictionary of its kind ; 702 pages with a br ief sumary of the Slovak Grammar. Hard cover, bound in cloth, $4.00 THE SLOVAKS, by Pet er P. Yurchak, s hould be read by all students inter est ed in the history and traditions of the Slovak nation ; 312 pages, hard cover, bound in cloth - $3.00 ; paper cover - $2.00 SKETCHES FROM SLOVAK WSTORY by Joseph Škultéty, translation by O. D. Koreff; a documented refutation of several errors propagated by writers and historians; 229 pages, hard cover, bound in cloth - $2.00; paper cover $1.00. Order from: P.A.HROBAK Box 150 Middletown, Pa. �Sept. 27, 1864-MSGR. ANDREW HLINKA-Aug. 16, 1938 Champion of Slovak Freedom � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource 1952, Vol. 2 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available The Slovak League of America Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1952 Description An account of the resource <ul><li>Issue 1 (No. 3), March 1952.</li> <li>Issue 2 (No. 4), August 1952.</li> <li>Issue 3 (No. 5), December 1952.</li> </ul> Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Back Matter, Slovakia, Vol. 2, No. 2 (4) Description An account of the resource includes photo of Andrew Hlinka (August 16, 1938) Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource August 1952 https://slovakia.wordsofpassage.net/files/original/0c1574aed9759ceac81f746ecc985631.pdf 48197f46eb317f88e9b972eea385fe07 PDF Text Text YOU CAN LEARN SLOVAl( as easily as you can any other modern language. Slovak should be a MUST for students of Slovanic languages, because it is the simplest of all of them and a KEY to all of them. Prove it to youi self with the most scholarly text on Slovak, the SLOVAl LESSO S A practical study of the Slovak Grammar, 92 lessons, 400 pages; exercises in Slovak and English; English-Slovak and Slovak-English vocabulary. B ard cover, bound in cloth, $3.50 HROBAK'S ENGLISH DICTIONARY - the best and most complete dictionary of its kind ; 702 pages with a brief sumar y of the Slovak Grammar. Bard cover, bound in cloth, $4.00 THE SLOVAK.S, by Peter P. Yurchak, should be read by all students interested in the history and traditions of the Slovak nation; 312 pages, hard cover , bound in cloth - $3.00; paper cover - $2.00 SKETCHES F ROl\l SLOV AK HISTORY by Joseph škultéty, translation by O. D. Koreff ; a documented refutat ion of several errors propagated by writers and hist orians; 229 pages, bard cover, bound in cloth - $2.00; paper cover $1.00. Order from : P.A. HROBAK Box 150 Middletown, Pa. �Sept. 2, 1855 - REV. S~EPHEN FURDEK - January 18, 1915 Organizer, publis her, writer, c hampion of Slovak freedom. Born in Trstená, Orava County, Slovakia, died in Cleveland, Ohio. Founder of the First Catholic Slovak Union of the U . S. A., the First Catholic Slovak Ladies Union of the U. S. A., and the Slovak League of America. Furdek is referred to as the apostle of Americans of Slovak descent. � YOU CAN LEARN SLOVAl( as easily as you can any other modern language. Slovak should be a MUST for students of Slovanic languages, because it is the simplest of all of them and a KEY to all of them. Prove it to youi self with the most scholarly text on Slovak, the SLOVAl LESSO S A practical study of the Slovak Grammar, 92 lessons, 400 pages; exercises in Slovak and English; English-Slovak and Slovak-English vocabulary. B ard cover, bound in cloth, $3.50 HROBAK'S ENGLISH DICTIONARY - the best and most complete dictionary of its kind ; 702 pages with a brief sumar y of the Slovak Grammar. Bard cover, bound in cloth, $4.00 THE SLOVAK.S, by Peter P. Yurchak, should be read by all students interested in the history and traditions of the Slovak nation; 312 pages, hard cover , bound in cloth - $3.00; paper cover - $2.00 SKETCHES F ROl\l SLOV AK HISTORY by Joseph škultéty, translation by O. D. Koreff ; a documented refutat ion of several errors propagated by writers and hist orians; 229 pages, bard cover, bound in cloth - $2.00; paper cover $1.00. Order from : P.A. HROBAK Box 150 Middletown, Pa. �Sept. 2, 1855 - REV. S~EPHEN FURDEK - January 18, 1915 Organizer, publis her, writer, c hampion of Slovak freedom. Born in Trstená, Orava County, Slovakia, died in Cleveland, Ohio. Founder of the First Catholic Slovak Union of the U . S. A., the First Catholic Slovak Ladies Union of the U. S. A., and the Slovak League of America. Furdek is referred to as the apostle of Americans of Slovak descent. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource 1952, Vol. 2 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available The Slovak League of America Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1952 Description An account of the resource <ul><li>Issue 1 (No. 3), March 1952.</li> <li>Issue 2 (No. 4), August 1952.</li> <li>Issue 3 (No. 5), December 1952.</li> </ul> Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Back Matter, Slovakia, Vol. 2, No. 3 (5) Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource December 1952 Description An account of the resource includes portrait of Rev. Stephen Furdek (January 18, 1915) https://slovakia.wordsofpassage.net/files/original/59cded19d5d79de6a2a55f29c1c4c871.pdf 5335cc1c6b5a20d65effeae39f3ed97a PDF Text Text SLOVAKIA 143 CURRENT ISS UES Senator Hugh Scott's Speech Before Slovak League of America in Washington Following are the remarks made by Senator Hugh Scott, (R-Pa.) at the Sheraton-Park Hotel, Washington, D.C., May 24, 1969: It is a special pleasure to be with you tonight, for I feel that an important part of Pennsylvania has come to Washington, in the form of the Slovak League of America. Yes, I am aware that all Slovak Americans do not live in Pennsylvania, but I am also aware that many of your League members do live in my state and have contributed greatly to its growth and diverse strength. Besides that, the real drama of Slovaks in America - the opening wedge toward recognition of an independent state of Slovakia - occurred in Pittsburgh in 1918 with the signing of the Pittsburgh Pact. If that did not bring immediate independence, it was not the fault of the Slovak League of America which has been fighting through the years, since 11 years before the Pittsburgh Pact, to realize the Slovakian dream of independence. Today, you finally see Slovakia independence of the Czechs to the extent of being a so-called Socialist Repub1ic, equal in stature to the Czech Socialist Republic. But the tragedy of domination persists, in the form of the Soviet tyranny ov·e r all of Eastern Europe, including Czecho-Slo,vakia. The history of the spirit of independence in Slovakia and among Slovaks in America is all the more remarkable because the fire of your spirit is fed by the barest sparks of realized freedom. Thus, in 1918, there was jubilation at the Pittsburgh Pact, which was quickly snuffed out; in 1938, another period of joyful independence, which the Nazis crushed; and in 1968, a moment of rebellion, which the Soviets put a halt to. In each of these magic moments, however, the world could recognize �144 SLOVAKIA the spirit of the Slovaks as the spirit of freedom, and it is a spirit the world envies. So great is your love of freedom and your pride in your nation and peoples, that Slovak Americans, through the Slovak League made a memorable effort to aid the United States cause during World War II. Not only did many fight in the American uniform, many more helped to forge the weapons of defense in the factories of Pennsylvania, and still others conducted immensely successful war bond drives and airplanebuying fund raising campaigns. Even the ladies pitched in, with their ladies auxiliary organization. As one who served both in Congress and in the military during the war years, I believe I can express the thanks of a grateful nation for the efforts of the Slovak Americans. Yes, you have much to be proud of, and you are to be commended for keeping your heritage and your pride in it alive through the Slovak League of America. We have all noted much about pride in recent news stories. Black pride is viewed as an emerging force in the United States, and in a context of pride in the Negro's contribution to America in history, and pride in one's race and self, it is a wonderful thing. Because I also believe in pride in language, I co-sponsored the Bilingual Education Act which passed in 1968 and which helps Spanish-speaking children learn in their own tongue before and during the time they are learning English. The culture of the Slovaks is equally a part of our diverse American heritage. I mention these efforts to give certain citizens of the United States greater opportunity because I think it shows that Congress and the people of the United States are generally coming to a realization that you and your group has held for a long time: That we as a people are strengthened by our heritage and are culturally richer in our diversity. Slovaks, through the Slovak League of America, put great emphasis on education, convey the importance of pride in the Slovak language, and see to it that generation after generation keeps the flame of liberty alive in their hearts. It is a matter of perpetuating a heritage. and it is an important thing. Even today the Slovak League of America seeks a righteous path for the Slovak people, when it requests a.n independent �145 SLOVAKIA - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - -- Slovak sedion in the State Department, a Slovak Desk with the Voice of America, and a general Consulate in Bratislava. I support these requests and will help you in these endeavors. I commend the Slovak League of America for setting an example through its organization, and I thank the Slovak League for its contribution to this nation and to the ideal of liberty among men. The Slovaks of Detroit ( August 1968 - August 1969) In the early months of 1968 Detroit was undergoing a transitional change which led Slovak people into moving out of older neighborhoods surrounding the Slovak parishes to the suburbs, literally become "afraid" to return to the neighborhood for church and lodge meetings, which led to a noticable decrease in lodge membership and presence of Slovak people at major functions. The lodges were desperately trying to hold their organizations together and attempted to get the Slovak people out and united again. There was also a search for young Slovak blood to help carry out the Slovak cause to the next generation. Recent shake-ups in the structure of Czecho-Slovakia gave a new hope to us. In January a new leader, a Slovak, took rule. Alexander Dubcek gave new hope and once again offered new courage in the fight for a democracy and a "Free Slovakia". Once again children began to wonder who Father Tiso was. A Slovak Language Class was instituted and attracted many members from all over. Slovak picnics gathered large encouraging crowds. People returned for Slovak masses and began enrolling in the lodges and fraternal groups. In Bratislava, the capitol of Slovakia, the sense of freedom was felt even greater. But as if a fairytale, it was crushed. They had been invaded by the same Russian "Liberator", the one who had already destroyed Slovak freedom 22 years earlier. The Slovaks of Detroit felt equally as crushed. United, we planned to voice our emotions. Many had relatives or friends in Slovakia, or remembered the Communist tyranny they felt after World �146 SLOVAKIA War II. Throughout the United States a brutal portrayal of the invasion was given, referring it as one against Czechs, calling Slovaks the lower and less intelligent class, and even calling Alexander Dubcek a Czech. On August 26, 1968, the Slovaks of Detroit gathered at the Federal Building to hold a peaceful demonstration against the Soviet Aggression. Appearing before nationwide television and press, Michigan vice-president of the Slovak League of America Jan Beliansky denounced the invasion saying "We abhor the brutal aggression against Czecho-Slovakia by the Russians and their occupation of the country. They are killing young people for no reason at all." He also called upon the United States to take a stand in support of the Liberal policies of Alexander Dubcek. The entire nation now knew that the invasion could not be dismissed without any action. Within the next month after the invasion another noticable increase of membership in the Slovak League took place. Slovaks were ready once again to stand up "FOR GOD AND FOR COUNTRY". With fall rapidly approaching the Dominican Nuns of Oxford were busy making plans for their bi-annual "Fall Festival". With the help of the Slovak League of America and many Slovak Parishes, the festival, held on Sunday September 22, was a big success. Over 10,000 Slovaks attended. The second week of October brought about the "OLD WORLD MARKET" at the International Institute, where the Slovaks aided other nationalities in setting up booths selling Art Work, Clothes, Books, Dolls and other forms of ethnic art. Aside from our booth, we had a Slovenska Kuchyna serving Slovak food and pastries to the public. On the final day of the Old World Market, a troop of Slovak Violinists, Dancers and Musicians performed for the Institute. THE DETROIT FREE PRESS also carried an article in the vicinity of a full page specifically about the Slovaks. November 8, 1968 marked the first airing date for the Slovak Radio Program on station WABX 99.5 FM DETROIT. Independently financed, it plays beloved Slovak songs and reports Slovak History, Geography, and Current Events. During this time the Slovak Language Class was en- �SLOVAKIA 147 route to a second successful year. People young and old came to study lessons in grammar, music and history. The large turnout also aided in another measurable step towards preserving Slovak Heritage. The "Slovak Village Entertainers" was created, composed of Slovak singers, dancers, commedians and musicians. After their debut at Sacred Heart Center on the first of December, they were flooded with requests to perform for banquets, installations and parties for many organizations. Dance Choreographers Veronica Uhrin and Mary Hric are constantly searching for new Slovak talent, as is the recently added Music Choreographer Professor John M. Demchak, in order to preserve Slovak Culture. Two members have recently received scholarships to attend the world-famous music school INTERLOCHEN. January 1, 1969 was an eventful day for Slovaks of the World. It marked the official creation of CzechoSlovakia, two independent but united nations. Around this t ime the Slovaks felt a need to get together and celebrate. In order to compensate, the two Detroit branches of the Slovak League of America gathered at Saints Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church in Detroit to hold a "Family Affair", featuring an afternoon of Slovak Entertainment, Movies and Socializing. March 14, 1969 was the 30th anniversary of Slovak Independence and t he creation of the Slovak Republic. To commemorate this bumper stickers bearing the slogan 1939 FREEDOM FOR SLOVAKIA 1969 were printed and distributed. Dr. Joseph Pauco, Secretary of the Slovak League of America, came to Detroit to give the major address. He was then interviewed by CBS television concerning recent developments in Czecho-Slovakia. In order to further promote Slovak socializing and entertainment, Branch 15 of the Slovak League instituted in what is now known as "Slovakia Saturday Nights" featuring continuous entertainment, Slovak sing-a-longs, games and a dinner. From the large turnout they have decided to have possibly four or five a year. With summer approaching Slovak youths were involved in either practicing for the NATIONAL SLET of the SOKOLS or school track teams. Joseph Smetanka, a sophomore at Wayne State University, broke records �148 SLOVAKIA in relay races against other top Universities and made headlines coaching the Wayne State team and a private team of youths to nationwide victories. Joseph, a member of many Slovak organizations, hopes to oneday teach gym classes or receive a Masters Degree in Physical Education. On May 20, 1969 the Slovak Village Entertainers, leading a float draped with the Slovak Flag, marched with other Slovak youths and twenty different nationalities in a "Nationalities Day Parade". Four days later a Detroit delegation attended the Slovak League of America Conference in Washington, D. C. During the summer, many Detroit Sokols took first place in the SLET and brought home their awards. To remember the first anniversary of the Russian Invasion, over 250 Slovaks gathered in Kennedy Square to hold a "peaceful demonstration", receiving press coverage from 3 television networks, J radio and two newspapers. Our protest should undoubtedly be felt, with our proclamation of "A DAY OF SHAME", by all the bureaucrats in Washington, the leaders of the U. N. and the tyrants at the Kremlin. The Slovak struggle for recognition in a liberal world will be felt! Being only sixteen years of age and newcomer to the Slovak scene politically and physically I hope one day to take over in the same pattern of which our Slovak leaders left off. A trail has been blazed: Slovak Youth must follow . A Slovak "Renaissance" is taking place. The work has been started. It is now up to the people to continue it. Edward M. Zelenak A Slovak In11nigrant - Master of Arts By WINN GALLEGHER ( Pottstown Mercury Staff Writer) A skilled representative of a lost art, woodcarver, and cabinetmaker, Karl M. Pacanovsky, Douglasville RD 2, is head of the arts and crafts department at The Hill School in Pottstown, Pa. Born in Slovakia in 1894, Pacanovsky was apprenticed to a woodworker in the old world fashion at the age 11. �149 SLOVAKIA His father was a farmer who believed his sons should have the benefits of a craft. His three boys were sent to the city to receive their training. Recalling his early years, Pacanovsky said, "In our village, I was always the one who whittled, so it was natural for me to receive training in this field. I studied for three years, and by the time I was 17, I was doing altars for various churches." A local example of the ecclesiastical work of the artist is the pulpit of St. Aloysius Catholic church. It is typical of the Gothic style of most of Pacanovsky's work. Also created items for the Holy Trinity Slovak Catholic Church . * • The desire to come to America followed extensive travel, through Europe, largely by foot. "The decision to come to the United States came after my fascination with the port of Hamburg and the ocean liners I saw there," reminisces Pacanovsky. "After borrowing the money from my father, I sailed for this country, arriving at Newark, N. J., in 1913." The craftsman then was employed by several woodworking firms, including Tiffany and company. This was accompanied by attending nigh~ schoo\ classes in English and drawing and design for seven years. A combination of the depression and Pacanovsky's own love for schooling made him decide to enter Rutgers university, New Brunswick to prepare himself for the teaching profession. "After completing my studies there I taught at various public and private schools, coming to The Hill in 1944." He is heading the arts and crafts department there since 1952. This includes the studio and metal divisions as well as the carving and mechanical drawing taught by the artist himself. Clearly loving his teaching duties, Pacanovsky is articulate in discussing them. "The role of woodworking in education is a creative �150 SLOVAKIA one. I endeavor not to confine the work to merely carving, but to make it an experience including vision, skill, and aesthetics," asserts the teacher. "My purpose is not to make woodcarvers out of all the boys," he continues, "because it is not so much what the boy does to the wood as what the wood does to the boy." Pacanovsky laments the inroads industrialization has made into rapidly disappearing arts such. as his own. "Modern society wants everything done quickly and simply, and the old crafts are vanishing in the Western World, perhaps with the exception of Scandinavia, where they are frequently subsidized by the government," he said, "and they manage to unite modern art to the craft tradition." Pacanovsky has a very flexible attitude on today's artistic expression. "I am very much a traditionalist, but enjoy many of approaches, perhaps because there is no such modern the thing as pure originality," he theorizes. "The experience of all men are rooted in tradition and common to all generations." * * He finds the reward of his own skill lied in the work itself. "It is only through fine creative expression that we are able to develop character. One must know the feeling of making something," he said. Pacanovsky is respectful of the artistic endeavors of all men, and refused to critize the message in another's work. "All art should have meaning, but I never condemn a work because I personally cannot extract it," he declares. He considers the basic requirements for the field of art are of design, line, and proportion, and finds the biggest handicap to be symptomatic of the times. "People today, for instance my students, have an �SLOVAKIA 151 attitude of mediacrity being good enough. I always illustrate that this is not so by pointing out that the surgeon cannot do a slipshod job on a patient on the grounds that it isn't his best, but it's good enough." Pacanovsky's teaching requires most of his time during the school term, but during the Summertime he makes cabinets and cases for The Hill, as well as executing beautifully lettered signs. One of his most unusual projects recently was the designing and executing of a mace for the school which is used in processionals. Pacanovsky occasionally is commissioned to make new pieces of furniture, both in traditional and modern design, but finds his academic duties restrict outside professional work. Slovak Sisters of SS. Cyril and Methodius 50 Years in Danville, Pa. June 19, 1969 mairked 50 yeaas that the Slovak Siste['s of SS. Cyril and Methodius arrived wt Danville, Pa. Their first words were the scriptuiral, "Lord, it is good fo[' us to be he['e." Ten year,s oJd, the Conwreg:wtion of the Sisteirs of SS. Cyiril and Methodius had been established in 1909 by F1aither Matthew Jankola, a Sloviak immigranit pries,t, under the guidance of the Sisters Servants of the Immaculate He,a,r,t of Mall'y, of Marywood, Scranton. Its firsit Sisters had received their training at Macywood, which also served as the young Communiity's headquarters. All its retreats aaid profoession ceremooies burt one had been held wt M,airywood . By June, 1919, the mem~ship of the new community numbe['ed 57 professed Si,s,teirs, 30 novices and 9 postulants. Lt had reached the stage where Lt was able lo assume its own leadership and establish its own administration , functioning under Church law. Its first chapte•r , held at Marywood in 1915, had resulrted in the election of Mother Macy Mihalik as first superioir general. At her d e a th within a yeair she was repl,aced by Mother M. Emmanuel Pauly, whose term extended over six years until 1922. The community of Religious had already assumed cha,r g,e of pa,rish schools in Pennsylvania and Connecticut and of an o,r phanag,e of the Fiirst CaJtho1ic Slovak Union (Jednota) in Middletown, Pa. What �152 SLOVAKIA it needed more than anything was a motherhouse kom which to admini.Siter the congregation and a residence for the training of novices and postulants by canonical standards. As the young community outgrew the facilities at Mairywood, its administration had transferred to the large parish convent in Plymouth, Pa., where Mather Mary resided. The novices and postulants were divided among the Plymouth, Pittston and Olyphant, (Pa.) convents. 1n 1917 a lairge house was leased to the community on t he Jednota premises at Middletown, Pa., which accomcxfated the novices and postulants and also served as a temporary motherhouse for the community. It soon became inadequate. Meanwhile Mother M. Emmanuel Pauly was alert to any prospects of acquiring a motherhouse for the community. Through Father Julius C. Foin, pastor at Middletown and a Danville, Pa., native, she learned about Castle Grove, vacant at the time for 14 years. She informed Bishop Philip R. McDevitt of Harrisburg, Pa., who in turn communicated with Father 1-' ran c is X. Dougherty, pastor of St. Joseph's Parish in Danville, asking him to investigate the property. This was in the fuU of 1918. Negotiations were set in motion and by the spring of 1919 the transaction was completed. 'J.'lhe Sis,te,rs of SS. Cyril and Methodius acquired Castle Grove and took possession of it on June 19, 1919. The estate was renamed Villa Saored Heart because the date of the Sisiters' arrival from Jednota in Middletown, Pa., coincided with the season of the Sacred Heart in Catholic liturgy. The Sisters recalled that they arrived by train from Hairrisburg, Pa., before noon on June 18, only to find that a technicality still barrnd them from entering Castle Grove. A signature was lacking on the deed. The Sisters we-r e meanwhile offered hospi,tali,ty and night's lodging by the Immaculate Hca'l"t Sisters a,t St. Joseph's Convent on Bloom Road. The following morning a f t c r Mass at St. Joseph's Church the novitiate gr{)IUp, which included Rev. Mother M. Emmanuel and l\Iother M . Monica, an Immaculate Heart Sister \Vho had been retained as d1rector of novices for the community, walked sile!l!tly d own Route 11 towaird their new home. Passing under the archway over the e!l!trance and up the narrow fo()lj; path, they surveyed the broad expanse of high grass and majestic trees and glimpsed at the mansion beyond. The cry which burst from their lips was "Lord , il is good for us to be here." The property was deteriorated, but graduaJ!y through the weeks that followed the house was resLored somewha,t to its original splendor and modified to convent specifications, and the campus recovered some of its beauty and design . By July 7, feast of SS. Cyril and Methodius, the lairge salon on the first floor was furnished as a chapel and Bishop McDevi.ltt offered the first Mass for the community at Villa Sacred Heart. The work of intensive cleaning and restoration both indoors and out continued through July. The professed Sisters returned from their pa;rish missions to make their annual retreat in August, the first a,t Vil1a Sacred Heart. It was fol- �SLOVAKIA lowed by the first reception and profession ceremonies, at which 15 novices were professed and 9 postulaints received the habit and white veil of a novice. This brought the community members hip to 72 professed Sisters and 24 novices. By the end of Augus,t . ix new candidates had entered the community and they were ready to begin their training as postulants. Within fi.f,t,y years the face of Villa Sacred Heart has changed, showing expansion and growth. As the community membership increased and additional projects were undertakoo, St. Cyril AcadPmy for girls was opened in 1922 and a new building was erected in 1929. For its religious ceremonies and worship, a chapel was added in 1939. A three-story wing, conn eoted with the academy and matching it in architecture and design, was completed and dedicated in the fall of 1957. Maria Joseph M-anoc wa-s erected on a site bordering the mOitherwise property in 1962. M,ari-a Hall, a home for retired Sisters, is presently rising and will be completed by the summer of 1970. professed Sisters. 13 novice and 3 postulan ts. An add Ltional 55 Sis ters lie buried in the community's cemetery. The Sisters teach in 36 Slovak parish schools in the archdiocese of Chicago, New York, Philadelphia, and the dioceses of Harrisburg, Bridge port, Charleston, Gary, Hartford, Greensburg, Steubenville, Scranton , Syracuse and Trenton. They also are on the staffs of six Catholic central high schools. Every summer and throughout the school year, the Sisters engage in r-atechetical work, and in recent years have intensified their efforts in this field. The Sisters also conduct a ?SY· chological and reading clinic in Wilkes-Barre. Bes ides St. Cyril Academy they also teach at Blessed Sacrament Academy in Yonkers, New York and Andrean Hi g h School in Gary, Ind . The congregation is in warge of t he Jednota Orphanage in Middletown, Pa., and besides Maria Joseph Manor it comducts Villa SL Cyril, a home for the aged, in Highland Park. UL The Sisters have worked with Headst a:rt and other special programs for underprivileged groups. This summer these and similar programs are in operation here in Danville, and in Bridgeport, Conn., Chairleston. S.C., Chicago, and Gary. In the 60 years the Congregation of the Sisters of SS. Cyril and Meth-odius has been serving the Church and the Slovak people, it has reached a membership of 425 • 153 • THE SLOVAK LEAGUE OF AMERICA represents an overwhelming majority of organized Americans of Slovak descent; actively affiliated with it are the largest Slovak fraternals, religious organizations, Slovak Clubs and Slovak civic organizations in the United States. �154 - - - -- SLOVAKIA - - - - - - - -- - -- - - - - - - · - - - - - AS OTHERS "You may be assured of my continued interest in a free and independent Slovakia." - Richard Schweiker, United States Senate "Our country has been vastly enriched by the contributions which your membership and your fellow Slovak Americans have made down through the years." - Edward W . Brooke, United States Senate "I appreciate your thoughtfulness in sending me the latest issue of your publication Slovakia. 1 found it most interesting." - John Sherman Cooper, U. S. Senate "Slovaks in my area and throughout the nation are known as a proud, talented, industrious, and deeply religious people who continue to aspire to the attainment of freedom and liberty despite the many years of Communist rule of their ancestral homeland." -John P . Saylor, Member of Congress "Long have I known of the grand work the American Slovak League has done over the years of its existence. "The Slovak people have a glorious history and a noble tradition. For over a thousand years they have fought continuously for their national independence. Today that tradition is still carried on proudly by your League which struggles unremittingly for the human and national rights of the Slovak people. In that struggle you have my full support for I have always stood behind the right of every nation, large and small, to attain and hold its national sovereignty. "Your civic and cultural contributions to America also stand as a great tribute to your organization. The immigrants from Slovakia in SEE IT years past have made many wonderful and inspiring contributions to the American way of life. The League has played a great part in encouraging them to be alert and loyal citizens. "By continuing the good work of the Slovak League, you are doing a service for the United States, for the people of Slovakia, and for all humanity." - Michael A. Feighan, Member of Congress "Be sure of my continued support for a free and independent Slovakia." - Clement J. Zablocki, Member of Congress "I want to extend to the Slovak League of America and its membership my regards and sincere commendation for their outstanding achievements in the interest of all freedom loving people."-John W . Wydler, Member of Congress "These are trying times for all who are interested in the welfare of your homeland, which means all who love freedom and liberty. I k n o w that your activities give strength to the freedom-loving people in Slovakia in their continuing struggle to regain control of their destiny."-Frank T . Bow, Member of Congress "As citizens the Slovak-Americans have contributed immeasurably to the religious, cultural, educational, industrial, and civic growth and betterment of our cities, and our country. "I want to take this opportunity to commend those of Slovakian heritage for their courage and forebearance."-Guy Vander Jagt, Member of Congress "My greetings and v e r y b e s c w i s h e s to my Slovak-American �SLOVAKIA friends for whom I am constantly striving in the Congress to make this a truly free world for all people. " - William E . Mi nshall, Member of Congress 155 to make the best of their opportunities. "There is nonetheless a note of sadness as your thoughts inevitably turn to those of your brethren who remain in your a n c e s t r a I homeland. It is a paradox of the twentieth century that while more than sixty nations on other continents have gained their independence from colonial powers since World War II, a number of the ancient lands of Europe have been swallowed up by the Soviet Empire."-Harold R. Colli er, Member of Congress "I do wish to assure you that I shall continue my interest in the affair of your League and look forward to another opportunity to join with you. " -Martin B . McKneally , Member of Congress "I am pleased once again to have the opportunity to salute your untiring efforts toward freedom and your unailing patriotism and courage." - Willi am S. Moorehead, Member of Congress "I am well aware of the immense contribution to American life which has been made by our Slovak-American citizens. They have brought to us in this country the same religious strength and the same love of freedom which they learned in their motherland. Even today that same spirit of freedom can be seen in the establishment of the Slovak Republic in a federated CzechoSlovakia. This is the culmination of years of effort by a great people who wish to keep their own identity. "-Joseph M . McDade, Member of Congress "I heartily support the efforts of the Slovak League of America to keep alive the torch of freedom for so many who must remain behind the Iron Curtain of oppression."Charles A . Vanik, Member of Congress "Congratulations on many con"I wish to comp l i m e n t you r League on the superb work you are tributions to international underdoing." - Seymour Halpern, Mem- standing and cultural exchange."Margaret M . Heckler, Member of ber of Congress Congress "I received the latest issue of "I would like you to know that Slovakia which you recently sent receive Slovaki a, and find th~ did I me, and have enjoyed reading it." of interest." - John B . publication - Charles W. Whalen, Jr., Member Anderson, Member of Congress of Congress 'Thank you for the book entitled "Many of the people whom I am edited by Dr. Joseph PauSlovakia, naprivileged to represent in the to read this book planning am I co. tional House of Representatives for it will be possible as soon as either came to the United States resource."-William useful very a from Slovakia or are the descendMember of Congress ants of immigrants from that na- T . Mtirphy, " The s t r u g g l e continues for tion. Through the years they have proved themselves to be loyal Ame- equal representation and national ricans and good citizens of their rights which the Slovak League beadopted country, serving it with gan more than 50 years ago. I share equal diligence through war and your concern about the Soviet oppeace, and inspiring their children pression of the Slovak people. I �156 SLOVAKIA pray we will see the day when the Slovak people will be permitted to establish their o w n independent nation in Europe, with freedom to select their own leaders and their own path of government." - John Myers, Member of Congress "I command the efforts of the Slovak League of America to maintain culture and traditions of Slovakia here in United States. We must be confident of the f u tu re and continue to work for the day when legitimate independence and true freedom is enjoyed by people of Slovakia and all other captives of Communism."-Edward J . Derwinski, Member of Congress "Every Slovak American is extremely p r o u d of the League's years of interest in the cultural and historical betterment of all American Slovaks." - Joseph M . Gaydos, Member of Congress "The yearning for liberty and independence among Slovaks will continue until they will be able to determine their own destiny; and, I am ceritain, as an independent nation, will constructively contribute to the well being and peace of the world. You may be assured of my continuing efforts for selfdetermination of all Captive Nations and of my warm and special interest for the Slovak nation." Michael A. F eighan, M. C., 20th District, Ohio "I am aware of the constant struggle of Slovak people to regain their independence and live side by side with other free nations of the world. It is my desire and hope that the spirit and determination of the Slovak people will not be broken and that the Slovak nation will once again have the right to choose its own destiny. In these just aspirations of Slovak people all of us should help. I pledge my support in this respect. '' William E. Minshall, M. C., 23rd District, Ohio "Slovak nationalism was an important element in the early days of the reform movement. Mr. Novotny, the former President, who was passionately disliked in Slovakia for his discriminatory poli. cies, paid the penalty for ignoring it. " (The Times, October 31, 1968) . "For all the pride and satisfaction with which Czecho-Slovakia has introduced federalization of the Czech and Slovak nations, real equality still remains a promise rather than a practical accomplish ment ... many stormy sessions lie ahead with the Slovaks pressing for even greater autonomy. At the roots of the conflict is the fact that, since its inception 50 years ago, the republic has boasted of having established unity with equality for the two nations without the Slovaks ever having actually achieved this equality." (The Times, October 28, 1968). "Although lip service has been paid to ethnic equality by both the pre-World War II Masaryk republic and the post-war Communists, the Slovaks have always, with considerable justice, felt that they were getting the short end of the stick. Before the war, Slovak nationalists demanded virtual national independence." (John P . Roche, San Francisco Examiner. July 3, 1969) . - "The main tourist centers (in the High Tatra Mountains, Slovakia ) are Stary Smokovec, Tatranska Lomnica and Strbske Plesoeach more scenically beautiful than the other. "The 17-mile mountain range with some 300 ragged peaks, romantic valleys and ice-blue small lakes can compete with any Alpine �SLOVAKIA 157 area. The width of the range is removed the country's most popu10 miles." (The New York Times; lar liberal from the domestic political scene, thereby placating the October 31, 1969. "Americans teens are lucky be- ultras. At the same time, he won cause 'they don't have to worry plaudits from the liberals by reabout politics like we do', said fusing to place Dubcek balked, Michael, 18, of Bratislava . .. There protesting that he would return are two 'nations' in Czecho-Slova- to his old job of factory machinist kia, they said-the Czechs and the rather than leave the country. But Slovaks. Because they are Slovaks, in the end he bowed to the party the boys don't like our tendency order, knowing full well that his to shorten "Czechoslovakian' to refusal would only further inflame 'Czech'. That, they said, is incor- political passions in Prague." rect because almost half the people (Newsweek, December 29, 1969). "Father Hlinka insisted that the in their country are not Czechs, they're Slovaks." (The Times Un- Czechs and Slovaks were not one ion, Rochester, N. Y., July 26, nation , but two distinct nations, 1968). and therefore the Slovaks had as much right to self-government as "Slovak painters and graphic artists, among them Milan Laluha, any other self-respecting nation. " Ladislav Guderna and M. Brunov- (Thaddeus V. Gromada , siavic Resky, were acclaimed in Italy, view, September 1969). France and Canada. The works of sculptors Uher and Bartfay became known . . . The operas of Eugen Suchoii. were performed throughout Europe, and the music of Jan Cikker and Alexander Moyzes were heralded in many parts of the world. Viliam Bukovy's modernist compositions were honored at international music and film festivals. He also wrote music for several Hollywood films. Another composer, Ilja Zelienka, won first prizes at several European modern music festivals. "Slovaks also made important medical contributions. The Slovak Institute of Biochemistry became known for its discoveries of antibiotics and work in concer research. The Microbiological Institute, headed by Dr. Dionyz Blazkovic, was hailed for its achievements bi iinmunobiology and allergiology." (Jan Samak, East Europe. Vol. 18, No. 7). "By naming Dubcek to the post of ambassador to Turkey, Husak "Not even the closest associates of Gustav Husak, the new party chief, are likely to be sure about how to proceed. Politically, Husak has to fight on two fronts and many think that the threat from the extreme left is far more dangerous to him than that from the "right-wing opportunists", as the new jargon refers to supporters of his reform-minded predecessor, Alexander Dubcek. "The party is rocked by expulsions and mass resignations. According to some private estimates it has already lost 300,000 of its 1.7 million members. Those who stayed can be divided into at last four different wings fighting each other. Purges have assumed bizarre proportions, extending from secret police to sports federations, from the foreign service to the Communist-led children organization. "Husak had pleaded not to turn the party into a "slaughter-house,'' but some top radicals openly en- �158 SLOVAKIA courage neo-Stalinists in the lower ranks to push even harder. Evidence of the struggle for power in the party is ample even in the press, which is now tightly controlled again. "In the economic field, the situation is nearly chaotic. The new leadership has canceled almost all of the reforms, but also has announced it will not return to preDubcek concepts. Except for "work harder" appeals, the regime has yet to disclose which panacea it will propose. Some of the top industry managers have been fired for liberal leanings, many others are uncertain about their fate. Thousands of employees and workers now have had marks for political unreliability in their personnel files, hampering prospects for better pay and promotion. The working morale of others is hardly any better; their unions which started developing some muscle during the Dubcek era have again been reduced into tools of the party. " 'Sick rates' are running double those last years and workers take it easy. Husak estimates that 20 per cent of the working time now is idled away. Stringest penalties have been introduces for loafers but that is hardly likely to boost their spirits. "Party leaders allege that rightwing calls for passive resistance also hurt the economy. 'The worse the better' is a slogan actually proposed by one though seemingly small school of thought. " 'Economic crisis have toppled Novotny', explained one veteran party member and anti-Stalinist referring to the old guard leader Antonin Novotny who was replaced by Dubcek. Maybe this will force a change again. "Average wages have increased but so have prices, setting off a Western-style inflationary spiral. That, in turn, and despite official denials, fueled rumors of an impending currency reform. Shops, already, undersupplied, were beleaguered. 'He who hesitates will not buy well' was the superfluous warning on a Prague display window. "Vexing shortages, from prams to pajamas, have become a fact of life in the million-population capitol. The pantie problem became so prickly that special hardcurrency funds were pried loose to pay for emergency imports. The hard currency may have come increased meat exports to the West which have helped dry up supplies of pork, a stample food of Czechs and Slovaks. "Now laws threaten court punishment to hoarders and even sales clerks who talk a customer into buying more than he actually needs. The man in the street will readily blame part of the shortages on the Russian occupation troops. Stories make the round of a Red Army man entering a store and asking for 'five kilograms of panties.' " ( Associated Press, February 22, 1970) . "I returned to Vienna with mixed emotions about the status of the people in Czecho-Slovakia but I also brought a brand new Slovak diet for reducing. The Slovaks call it the 'American diet.' Here it is : "You can eat all the chicken and drink all the Sliwowitz you can manage. But no bread, no pastries, no vegetables. Just chicken and wine. "I always suspected that the Slovaks have a spark\ of genius in them and now their 'American Diet' confirms my belief." (Theodore Andrica, The Cleveland Press, July 14, 1969) . �SLOVAKIA 1511 COMMENTS TWO CZECH PROFESSORS ABOUT SLOVAK-CZECH RELATIONS It happens very rarely that Czech intellectuals in the Free World comment objectively on the relations between Slovaks and Czechs or on books published on Slovakia. For many years not only Czech politicians in exile but also Czech scholars and professors at various universities wrote with bias about Slovak history, politics and cultural achievements. There is no doubt that such writings harmed the image of the Slovak nation but great harm was also done to the relations between the Slovaks and Czechs. Many Czech intellectuals apparently did not look at the problem from this point of view. We welcome, therefore, a new sober voice from Prof. Stanley Z. Pech from the University of British Columbia. He commented in the siavic Review on the book by John Gellner, a Czech newspaperman, and John Smerek, a former Slovak civil servant. The book was published under the title The Czechs and Slovaks in Canada and was published by Masaryk Memorial Institute in Toronto. Professor Pech wrote before about Slovak and Czech relations with much more objectivity than we are accustomed to read from Czech intellectuals. In connection with this book, he had the following to say: "Although one of the authors is of Slovak origin, the book does not appear to do justice to the Slovak viewpoint. Slovak grievances against Czechoslovakia are dismissed as 'separatism', and the First Republic is given what amounts to a clean bill of health. Some 'mistakes' were made, but these were 'largely cured' by the late 1920s. The Administrative Law of 1927 established a desirable degree of decentralization by setting up selfgoverning provinces 'on lines broadly similar to Canadian provinces', each province having 'its provincial president and its provincial assembly'. After this, 'Czechoslovakia seemed on the way toward co-operative, equitable solutions to whatever domestic problems there still were.' It was the Slovak People's Party and the rise of Nazi Germany that later reversed this trend. "ls it possible to present the issues so simply? The First Republic had indeed an outstanding record, and its democratic structure proved more durable than that of most European states. However, it was unquestionably a centralist state even after 1927, and this was the essence of Slovak objections. The authors fail to note that according to the Jaw of 1927 the provincial president and one-third of the provincial assembly were appointed by the central government and that both de jure and de facto the provincial president was an agent of the central government. The jurisdiction of the provinces was limited to social services and similar activities, and the assemblies could be dissolved at any time by a decree issued in Prague. Do the authors really believe that a province so conceived resembles a province in Canada or a state in the United States? Was this situation not bound to feed discontent among the Slovaks? "This situation has important �160 SLOVAKIA implications for the history of the Slovaks in Canada . (and in the United States). Many Slovaks who came to the New World after 1918 were disenchanted with Czechoslovakia and refused to associate themselves with Czech groups. Today their numbers are larger, and their hostility to everything Czech is implacable and chauvinistic. This phenomenom has many roots, but it cannot be understood without reference to the failure of the Czechs to regard the Slovaks as their equals and to give the consideration to their national sentiment. Yet this appreciation is wholly lacking in the present book. With what lack of respect influential segments of the Czech community regarded the Slovaks is illustrated by a secret memorandum on Slovakia, which was drawn up by the Czech Socialist Party in 1946 and published in Bratislava in 1968. The memorandum is a chilling blueprint for depriving the Slovaks of their national identity by any means necessary, not excluding the use of force (see text in Historicky casopis, vol. 16, 1968, pp. 191-93). Gellner and Smerek are two competent observers, and their book will be a standard work for many years. Was the nature of the Slovak problem so far beyond their pale of vision that they could not come to grips with it? Until the Czechs are prepared to take a critical look at their own attitudes, their contribution to a Czech-Slovak dialogue will be only a limited one." This approach is in great contrast with another Czech, Prof. Joseph S. Roucek from Queensborough Community College. He wrote on the same book in the International Migration Review (III 9, Summer 1969) and compared the book with the work by Prof. J. M. Kirschbaum Slovaks in Canada. Prof. Roucek had to admit that: "In general, Kirschbaum's study, in spite of its weaknesses, is much better and more exhaustive than Gellner-Smerek' s work, since it is better documented (as shown by its bibliography, pp. 441-455) and contains reprints of 24 memoranda, petitions, pleas, and resolutions either to the Canadian authorities or to the United Nations by the Slovak Canadian organizations, as well as by individual members of the Canadian Slovak League and the First Catholic Slovak Union during the past three decades." However, Roucek was unable to write without -the anti-Slovak bias in his further remarks. Even though the book Slovaks in Canada is not a political book but strictly a scholarly work on the history of Slovaks in Canada. Prof. Roucek commented on the book as follows: overcertainly "Kirschbaum stresses his Slovak filiopietism which has been glaringly evident in his previous works and which is the ideology of his group of American and Canadian Slovaks promoting Slovak separatism. We learn that 'from the First World War until the present time, Slovak Canadians have been the victims of political activities in their homeland .. .' (p. 9) and that the Canadian Slovaks were discriminated against during World War II because they 'refused to support the policy od Dr. E. Benes, who resigned in October 1938 but who in 1941 set up his government-inexile in London, England, and insisted on his right to represent Czechs and Slovaks in the West. Members and representatives of the Canadian Slovak League were , particularly denounced as enemies �SLOVAKIA of Canada because they advocated the right to self-determination and self-government for the Slovak people.' (p. 6) . But we must also note that even a greater number of Canadian Slovaks supported Dr. Benes and that the Slovak Republic was formed as the first satellite state under Hitler's blessing and auspices. This 'pro-Czech' tendency is, in fact, admitted by Kirschbaum: "The pro-Czech attitude of Slovak Protestants, many of whom were descendants of Czech refugees who came to Slovakia during the Counter-Reformation, accounts for various peculiarities of the Slovak political, cultural and religious life not only in Slovakia, but also among Canadians or Americans of Slovak origins." (p. 32). It is hard to understand, unless we are accustomed to the writings of Czech intellectuals, why Prof. Roucek made such comments on a history book concerning Slovaks in Canada unless one knows the tense relations which existed among the Slovaks and the Czechs for the past 50 years and the bias of many Czech intellectuals who followed the political line of Dr. Benes condemned at the present time not only by many Czechs but by the whole Slovak nation. "SLOVAK NEWS" or COMMUNIST PROPAGANDA For the past two years Slovaks in the Free World received from a Slovak Cultural and Tourist News Agency Tatrapress a mimeographed publication called "Slovak News." After being separated for over a quarter of a century by the Iron Curtain from their homeland, 161 many Slovaks welcomed the fact that finally they can receive information on their country of origin from Bratislava. Unfortunately, the "Slovak News" is not published in the spirit which triggered the liberalization in 1968 and the picture of Slovakia is not one which we could accept. The periodical is published in English, sometimes in good and at other times in very poor English indeed. It was a good step on the part of the regime in Bratislava to try to acquaint the outside world with Slovakia, but the bad side of this enterprise is the biased presentation of Slovak politics and cultural, economic, and social life. For many decades, Slovakia was presented in a distorted light, more often than not unfavorably, to the Western world. All the efforts of Slovak intellectuals in the Free World could not successfully overcome the adverse propaganda from either Czech or other camps opposed to Slovak national aspirations. In 1968, there were great hopes among the Slovaks in the Free World that the tide had changed and that from Slovakia efforts will come to present Slovakia in a true light. Looking objectively at the issues of "Slovak News" which have up to date come to this Continent, we must say with regret that it is again a very biased picture which the so-called Slovak government portrays for the West and hundreds of thousands of Slovaks who are still interested in the good name of their country of origin and work for a free and democratic Slovakia. J . K. �162 SLOVAKIA BOOK REVIEWS BOOKS ON THE EVENT IN CZECHO-SLOVAKIA IN 1968 The events in Czecho-Slovakia stirred the attention of scholars in many Western countries and some 50 books were published according to Robert F. Lamberg (Svedectvi, X, No. 37, Paris, 1969). Most of these books are in English, some in French and the rest in the German language. Among the authors are not only specialists in international affairs or in Eastern Europe, but also the Czech exiles and writings by two exiles from Slovakia, Eugene Loeb! and Ladislav Miiacko. The writings of both these authors were published in English as well as in German. One of Loebl's books, Svedectvo o Procese, was published in Slovak and appeared subsequently in English as well as German translation. Many of these books just presented the sequence of events and did not bring any scholarly analysis or political conclusions. Other books are analytical and there is also a score of books which are close to the sensational writings and were designed for the large public and money making. Among those which are worthwhile reading are the following books : Robert Rhodes James, ed., The Czechoslovak Crisis 1968. London: Weidenfeld and Nicolson (Toronto: Ryerson), 1969, XII, 203 pp., $7.95. Roger Garaudy, La liberte en sursis: Prague, 1968. Paris. Fayard, 156 pp. Eugen Loeb!, Sentenced and Tried: The Stalinist Purges in Czechoslovakia. London: Elek (Toronto: Ryerson), 1969, 272 pp., $8.50: in Slovak, Svedectvo o procese, Bratislava, 1968, 200 pp.: in German, Die Revolution rehabilitiert ihre Kinder, Vienna: Europa, 1968, 228 pp. Eugen Loeb} and Leopold Grunwald , Die intellektuelie Revolution, Hintergrunde and Auswirktmgen des " Prager Frilhiings". Dusseldorf: Econ, 1969, 308 pp. Ladislav Miiacko, The Seventh Night. New York: Dutton (Toronto : Clarke, Irwin), 1969, 220 pp., $7.25. Also in German. Harry Schwartz, Prague's 200 Days: The Struggle for Denwcracy in Czechoslovakia. New York, Washington, and London: Praeger (Toronto: Burns & MacEachern) , 1969, 274 pp., $7.25. Joseph Wechsberg, The Voices Garden City, N. Y.: Toronto : Doubleday, 1969, 113 pp. $5.95. Philip Windsor and Adam Roberts, Czechoslovakia, 1968: Refo rm, Repression and Resistance. London: Chatto and Windus for the Institute for Strategic Studies (Toronto : Clarke Irwin) , 1969, vm, 200 PP- ' $3.0o. Z. A. B. Zeman, Prague Spring: A Report on Czechoslovakia, 1968. Harmondsworth, Middlesex: Penguin (Toronto: Longmans) , 1969, 169 pp., $8.50. Not all of these books are of the ·s ame academic value and one of them by Robert Rhodes James, The Czechoslovak Crisis 1968, has put the invasion by the Warsaw Pact armies in a debatable position, as we will see later. The three books by the writers from Slovakia, Loeb! and Mnacko, gave an insight into the crisis of communism in �SLOVAKIA Slovakia and Mnacko's book is rather a series of reportages than a book on history. From the political point of view, some of the books condemned the invasion and their analysis of the events before the invasion and after is in line with a democratic point of view. The most surprising are the views of Robert Rhodes James who is a specialist in international relations. In his view, the Soviet occupation was "defensive and reluctant" and did not provide evidence of "Soviet aggressiveness or expansionism" and represented "no threats to NATO interests." James also thinks that the United Nations "acquitted itself reasonably effectively" by protesting only and that NATO was quite right in its reactions by not making any attempt to include Rumania or Yugoslavia under its protection. It is certainly hard to accept such views from a western "specialist in international affairs" on an act of brutal aggressiveness and violation of the independence of a country which wanted only to build "communism with a human face". This defeatist view is hardly acceptable by any western scholar or politician. Even the Italian, Rumanian and Yugoslav communists condemned the invasion and protested against it and there is no doubt that all the Western Powers, even if they remained inactive, looked with concern to the presence of Russian armies on the West German and Austrian border. In all these books there is, of course, not much about the events in Slovakia and there is rarely mentioned the fact that the liberalization was forced upon Novotny's regime by the Slovak writers and was lead by a Slovak-Alexander Dubcek-who is sometimes even 163 presented as a Czech leader. Only the Canadian Slavonic Papers (Vol. IX, 4, 1968) published a chapter on the role of Slovaks in the deStalinization period. A good book presenting not only the Czech views or information received in Prague, but also giving justice to the Slovaks, seems to be very necessary to give an objective picture of the events of 1967 and 1968. J . M . Kirschbaum Heinri c h Kuhn: Handbuch der Tschechoslowakei (Verlag Robert Lerche, Mtinchen), 1966, pp. 1,024, Price 142.00 D. M. This reference book on CzechoSlovakia by Dr. Heinrich Kuhn will be appreciated not only by scholars but by all who are interested in the political, social and economic development in CzechoSlovakia after the Second World War. With the typical German "puenktlichkeit" Dr. Kuhn prepared a highly technical study which required years of systematk research and data collecting. The Collegium Carolinum published in the past years several valuable books on Bohemia and Slovakia. Kuhn's volume seems to be the most useful. The volume is divided into four parts. The first part deals with the territory of today's Czecho-Slovakia and her population which by the rude and often criminal expulsion of 3 million Sudeten Germans and by the "voluntary" cession of Subcarpathian Ruthenia by Prague to the U. S. S. R. was substantially reduced in comparison to its size in pre-war times. Kuhn's work gives the basic statistics on the territorial organization, th~ movements of the population and its ethnic composition as well as �164 SLOVAKIA the social structure and education of the Czechs and Slov,a ks during the 20 years following the Second World War. The author avoided political comments either in his introductory notes or in explaining the statistics, leaving the judgment on, among other things, the expulsion of Germans, on the transfer of hundreds of thousands of Slovaks to the Sudeten territories, where they have been denationalized, to historians and political scientists. In the second part of this huge volume (1,024 pages) Dr. Kuhn deals with the constitutional and organizational structure of CzechoSlovakia under the post-war "people's democracy" and Communist regimes. The tense relation between the Czechs and Slovaks and the tendency of Prague's governments to reduce Slovakia to a province administered by Prague rather than by Slovaks, is clearly apparent from the constitutional changes, partly politics, government appointments and statistical data in this part of the book. We also can find in this chapter basic information and statistics on cultural institutions, schools and church organizations. For those who know from other sources about the rule of terror, the Stalinization of the system, the anti-Slovak policy of Prague governments and the persecution of the Church, especially in Slovakia, Dr. Kuhn's statistical evidence of the changes during this period will be of great value. An interesting picture of changes and inner struggles in the government, cultural and other organizations is also given in the third part of Kuhn's work. To read properly the statistical data in this part it is, however, necessary to be well acquainted with the rela- tions between the Czechs and Slovaks. Behind all the changes in the high positions of the CzechoSlovak state was a systematic attempt at exclusion of Slovaksexcept those who were willing tools of Gottwald or Novotnyfrom the decision making organs and institutions. During the Novotny era the anti-Slovak complex was also extended to the cultural field . The accusations of "bourgeois nationalism" was but a cover, as we learned during the short period of liberalization in 1968. The last part of the book gives us names of those who after the Second World War held positions in the political and cultural organizations of Czecho-Slovakia. The value of Dr. Kuhn's works can be justly judged only if we take into consideration that great part of the information he gives in his book was not easily or at all accessible in the West for many years. There was an "Iron Curtain" preventing an exchange of scholars and of publications, and there was for many a language barrier, since the Prague Government did not publish the statistical data in Western languages. Looking from this point at Dr. Kuhn's reference book, not only scholars but also Slovaks in the Free World cannot but welcome it. Dr. J . M . Kirschbaum Rudolf Sturm, CZECHOSLOVAKIA -A Bibliographic Guide, (Library of the Congress, Washington), 1967, 157 pp. Professor Sturm's Bibliographic Guide on Czecho-Slovakia is the first work of its kind in which the author made the attempt of presenting a bibliography on CzechoSlovakia without the usual bias. He included scores of books on �SLOVAKIA 165 Slovakia which other bibliogra- scholars and specialists in Eastern phers usuall y bypass. Therefore, Europe will find in these works it is hard to say whether it is by a new picture of the Slovak past omission of the author or because and cultural life. A better representation of Slowe did not publish in the Free World a bibliography of books on vak books can be found in Prof. Slovak history, culture, and litera- Sturm's Bibliographic Guide as far ture, if we do not find in this as books and bibliographies in bibliography some books which Slovak language are concerned. There he has listed the main should be mentioned. The book is divided into 15 bibliography sources as well as the chapters which deal with the land , most important books on Slovak the people, history, politics and history, language, and literature government, Jaw, economy, social which were published either beconditions, religion and philosophy, fore 1945 or during the Communist languages, literature and the arts. period. Jn his introduction, Prof. Sturm '.J'1>c work includes both forei gn language books and reference mentions that he would be "gratcbooks and bibliographies in the ful to users for informing him of Czech and Slovak languages. Need- any error or shortcoming in the less to say that the number of text" and he admits that the Guid e publications on the Czechs, their is "imperfect" and hopes that history, language and culture is "im perfect as it is, it fills a need and will help to promote Czech considerably higher. We note, however, that for the and Slovak studies outside Czechofirst time in a bibliography pre- slovakia." There is no doubt that. pared by a Czech scholar, there are ' the Guide will help scholars and books which do not agree with th~ specialists and we hope that in the official ideology of Prague govern- next edition the author will not ments or Czechs in exile. Prof. omit books by Slovak writers in Sturm included forei gn language the Free World , namely, the writbooks by Slovak authors who clear- ing by Pauco , Franti§ek Vnuk, J . ly advocate an independent Slova- Rekem , M. Lacko , S. Nahalka, M. kia or, in cultural matters, disagree Sprinc, T. Zubek, some more imwith the Czech tendency to present portant books by !lurcansky than Slovak language and literature as he listed, several other publicaa part of the Czech or "Czechoslo- tions by this reviewer, as well as vak" language and literature. As the quarterly Most, Slowakei, the a result, we find in this Biblio- Literarny Almanach Slovaka v A graphic Guide books and publica- merike, and the academic publications in major European langueges tion by the University of Montreal by Prof f>urica , f>urcansky , Hru- Etudes Slav es in which there have !iovsky, Kirschbaum , Mikus, Skul- been many articles on Slovak lantety. Sister Woytko, Yurchak, Hro- guage and literature. In view of bak's linguistic works and Palic- the fact that Prof. Sturm displayed kar's work on Slovak culture. Even scholarly objectivity we should though the books by these authors help him with the necessary inforpresent only a part of the books mation in case he will publish a and publications which have been reviewed edition of his Bibliopublished abroad on Slovak politi- graphic Gurde. J . M. Kirschbaum cal history or cultural matters, the , I �166 SLOVAKIA Stefan G 1 e j du r a: Los Grandes in Argentina. The fact that Dr. Problemas del Este Europeo, Glejdura contributes to an inter(Separata de la Revista de Poli- nationally known political review, tica Internacional, Madrid, 1968-· gives ·his work a particular impor1969) tance. The series would deserve to be A series of studies on the policy re-printed in book form because of the Soviet Union and the prob- the author gives a whole picture lems of Eastern Europe by Dr. of the political scene in the Soviet Stefan Glejdura deserve the atten- orbit, not only as a competent tion of scholars as well as special observer but also as a specialist ists interested in the vicisitudes of who thoroughly followed the evoEastern Europe. For more than a lution behind the Iron Curtain decade Dr. Glejdura wrote learned since the end of the Second World studies on this subject for the War until the present time. There is hardly any Slovak intelhighly regarded periodical "Revista de Politica Internacional," pub- lectual who wrote so many reviews lished in Madrid. Several of these of books published on the probstudies have been published in re- lems of Eastern Europe in several prints and should be considered as European languages as Dr. Glejdua serious contribution to the re- ra did during the past two decades. search of the great political prob- His vast knowledge prepared him lems of Eastern Europe. The au- for a competent analysis and prethor analyzed not only the foreign sentation of the political, social as policy of the Soviet Union but also well as economic problems of the of the individual countries like nations subjugated by Moscow. In Hungary, Rumania, Slovakia, Czech- the hope that Dr. Glejdura will o-Slovakia, Poland, etc. and their publish his studies in book form, relations with the Soviet Union. we are refraining from analyzing He drew his conclusions on the at this time his studies on individbasis of his knowledge of foreign ual Eastern European countries language documents and literature even though each of them would in several European languages. As deserve a separate review. We recommend especially the a result, the series of his studies is a valuable contribution to the following studies to the scholars knowledge and contemporary Eu- and specialists interested in Eastern Europe: ropean problems. La Politica Exterior de la U.R.S.S., From a Slovak point of view, we (Madrid) , 1969. welcome the studies by Dr. Glejdura because they complete our Vicisitudes del Este Europeo, (Madrid), 1968. political literature on the world problems by publications in the Los Grandes Problemas del Este Spanish language. There have been Europeo: Hungria-Magyarorszag many studies in English, French, (Madrid) , 1969. Italian or German by Slovak intel- Los Grandes Problemas del Este lectuals who established themEuropeo: Rumania, (Madrid), selves in the West after the Second 1969. World War. In the Spanish lan- Los Grandes Problemas del Este guage, however, we did not have Europeo : Eslovaquia, (Madrid), scholarly writings except for a few 1968. publications which were published J. M . Kirschbaum �SLOVAKIA Thaddeus V. Gromada, "Pilsudski and the Slovak Autonomists" Slavic Review, Vol. September 1969, pp. 445-462, Washington University. The Polish-Slovak relations between 1918 and 1939 are undoubtedly one of the most interesting chapters in the history of modern Slovakia. The Slovaks, dissatisfied with their position in the centralized Czecho-Slovakia ruled from Prague, did not have among their neighbours any support for preserving their distinctive nationality except the Poles. There also have been friendly cultural ties with the Polish nation for many centuries and from the religious point of view Poland was closer to the hearts of the majority of Slovaks than any other nation in Central Europe. This situation led, naturally, the Slovak leaders to look for co-operation with Poland. On the Polish side there was some understanding for the Slovak desire to preserve their nationality and political autonomy, but there also were considerations for cultivating the Polish-Slovak relations and at times to support the political struggle of the Slovak nation for an equal status with other Central European nations. There are studies on this subject in Slovak language but it is the first time that a thorough analysis of these relations has been published in English. Prof_ Gromada presents in his extensive article "Pilsudski and the Slovak Autonomists" a scholarly analysis and brought to light many details and many documents which have been unknown even to some Slovak historians or persons involved in politics in Slovakia during that period. The presentation is undoubtedly academic and it im- 167 presses by the mass of literature and unpublished documents which Prof. Gromada perused before writing his study. Except for the help which Msgr. Andrew Hlinka received from the Polish government in 1919 when he decided to go to the Paris Peace Conference, many important facts of the Polish-Slovak relations have been very little known. However, Prof. Gromada presents even Hlinka's efforts to obtain guarantees for Slovak autonomy and incorporation of the Pittsburgh Pact into the Peace Conference documents partly in a new light. At the same time, he reveals to historians documents from Polish archives which were unpublished or unresearched by other historians in the West. The most interesting part of Prof. Gromada's study refers to the relations of the period 19351939. At that time, there was in Slovakia a strong political current called "Polonophilism" headed by one of the leaders of Hlinka's Slovak populist party, Karol Sidor, and the relations between Poland and Slovak autonomists obtained a political colour. On the Slovak side these relations were also prompted not only by the traditional "Polonophilism" but also by political considerations. While in the international sphere the Slovak struggle for autonomy was more or less unknown or presented in an unobjective light by the official Czech policy, it found in Poland the most sympathetic ear among all neighbours of Slovakia. Even though in this period the official policy of the Prague government spoke about the necessity of good relations between all Slavs, the Slovak "Polonophilism" was attacked and condemned. Quite illogically it was accepted by Prague that good relations with the Soviet �168 SLOVAKIA Union or Yugoslavia were neces- help us to have an objective look sary but the efforts of Slovaks for at the Polish-Slovak relations. good relations with Poland were These remarks are not inteded condemned. This did not, however, to diminish the value or shed a deter Slovak autonomists from doubt on Prof. Gromada's highly cultivating the relations with Po- competent and well documented land. On the contrary, they grew study. In fact, Slavists and esstronger and also extended into pecially Slovak historians and cultural fields with the result that scholars should welcome his valu there were dozens ~f Slovak in~el- able account which, as we underlec_tuals_ . who studi_ed at Pohsh stand, is only a part of his larger umversibes or received g:ants to study on Slovak-Polish relations. foster cu~tural co-operabo~ b~-1 This reviewer is searching for doct~een Po_lish_ an_d Slovak umversi• 1 uments which would either support ties and msbtutwDs. . or reject some details in Prof. P_rof. Groma~a present~d this Gromada's study such as his stateperiod as seen m the Pohsh _doc- ment about the periodical Nast-up. uments and partly as descnbed He also will endeavor to clear by Slovak or Czech sch?lars. Since some statements published by Polwe do not have ac~ess !n th e Fr~e ish diplomats or the Foreign MinWo:ld to the ~c~ives m Slovakia, ister, Joseph Beck, which Prof. or m Prag_ue, it _is har_d even for Gromada used among his sources. someone hke this reviewer, who Until p of Gromada ublishes his was involved in ~he autonomist whole s~dy of Slovaf-Polish relamovement _ and Pohsh Slovak cul- tions, we hope to be able to answer t~ral rel~tlons, !o state how far the these questions. At the present picture is unbiased or complete. time, we cannot but give recogniVeD'. recently so~e doc~ments or tion to the author for his scholarly s~udies were pubh_shed ~n commu- efforts and well-written chapter of mst Czecho-Slovak1a which shed a Polish-Slovak relations between new light on this period but only the two World Wars. an unbiased study of the archives J. M . Kirschbaum in Prague and Bratislava could THE 1970 LITERARY ALMANAC A noteworthy characteristic of the true Christian Slovak intellectual is that he writes with professional skill and objectivity, and with an ideal practicality-in contrast to many slippery writers of today who deliberately manipulate words in order to confuse. And because this Slovak is a Christian and an intellectual, he ordinarily produces a masterpiece in his choice of subject and his handling of his material, as the contents of the 1970 LITERARNY ALMANACH testify. Owned and edited by Dr. Joseph Pauco in Middletown, Pennsylvania, the LITERARNY ALMANACH is the yearbook of the SLOVAK V AMERIKE, the oldest Slovak newspaper in America, which observed its 80th birthday in the Cyrillian Year of 1969. The new 1970 ALMANACH offers its readers a choice, wellbalanced assortment of literary gems. Here one will find scholarly studies; historical, political, and biographical sketches; short stories and briefer essays; narrative po- �SLOVAKIA ems revealing the hopes, joys and sufferings of the Slovak soul, and a number of deep, difficult poems. Each of the authors endears himself to the reader for each has shared what is dearest to him-his soul's choicest thoughts on a specific topic for the enrichment of Slovak culture and Slovak life. Father Theodoric Zubek highlights a most timely truth in his ''Man Penetrates the Cosmic Atmosphere." Graphically he points out that whatever discoveries man may make in his rendezvouz with the moon, they can in no way alter the wonders of REVELATION. They can but confirm what God has already made known to man for his salvation and sanctification. To those deluded souls who taxied around the moon and " missed seeing God" the author has some telling lines on God's infinity and man's infinitesimality. In a well-documented study entitled "Slovak Presence in Europe Before the 6th Century After Christ," Msgr. John Rekem ably and successfull y proves his thesis. He takes the reader on a mammoth archeological tour that begins in Bratislava and traverses nearly the entire Eastern Hemisphere. He describes artifacts uncovered around Bratislava which date back to 3000 years before Christ. Monsignor is no novice at archeology. In 1968 he spent several weeks in Jericho where he witnessed and personally studied some marvelous excavations. For example, spread out before his eyes were the remains of an ancient city dating back to 8000 B. C., surrounded by a stone wall. Of special interest to the group was a long canal bored into stone running through the city. Monsignor further points out the role of archeology in the study of 169 ancient culture. From excavations in Slovakia, for example, it has been possible to trace the course of languages . . . with the astonishing deduction made that our ancestors already occupied Central Europe some 2000 years before the dawn of history. Recent studies by Slavic scholars indicate also that it is at least probable that our ancestors spoke Sanskrit. Msgr. Rekem's bibliography is impressive, composed as it is of Slovak, French, English, Latin, Ukrainian, and Polish references. His study demonstrates that the latest archeological excavations have opened the world to the existence of ancient cultures and civilizations such as no scientist had ever imagined . " Slovakia in the 20th Centucy (1919-1945 )" is the title of a book authored by L. Liptak and published in Slovakia. A review of part one by Frantisek Vnuk, a competent historian, can be found in the 1970 JEDNOTA KALENDAR. Here in the ALMANACH Vnuk incisively evaluates the second part of a study which purports to be history. But is it genuine histocy? It is not surprising, Vnuk declares, that Liptak's book, spawned by a Communist and issued under a Communist regime, contains some truth, more half truths, and a generous supply of fiction. Liptak blandly states in his book, for example, that a citizen of the Slovak Republic (1939-1945)-unless he was a member of the Hlinka Party-was automatically excluded from political life. This of course is a bald lie. Liptak is definitely biased , as no historian can afford to be. He sees the mote marring the Slovak Republic but is completely blind to the beam crushing the lives of the Slovaks. With fine scorn, Vnuk describes some of �170 SLOVAKIA Liptiik's claims as written with "uncritical senility" and as "degrading history to the level of a Communist tool. " Dr. Joseph Mistrik's contribution in the 1970 ALMANACH is "Prophetical Groups or a New Church?" The article bears out the title and as such is a challenge to anyone following the changes current in the Church today. He rightfully criticizes the underground church - those new-bread sects and deluded Catholics, who aUenate themselves from the true Church and arrogate to themselves its authority. At one point Canon Mistrik refers briefly to Archbishop Helder Camara of Recife, Brazil, calling him the sadly-famous archbishop. May I interpose a personal comment here : Archbishop Camara has identified himself with the, one might say, scum of humanity in Northeastern Brazil where his diocese is located. He is determined to put an end to the new slavery market operating in Brazil where a man is sold to a rich buyer for the price of $25.00 and only young, strong, and healthy men are accepted by the slave-drivers. ( cf. LATIN AMERICA CALLS, March 1969 ). With Dr. Mistrik, however, all faithful Catholics continue to pray, to hope, knowing for a certainty that Christ and His Church will triumph. As a living organism, the Church must shed all dead branches-the prophetical groups -and so rejuvenate herself. "A Salute to Stanislav Meciar" on his 60th birthday by Jan E . Bor contains this beautiful statement: •·Dr. Meciar received from God not only exceptional intellectual gifts, but also a firm, forthright character together with an uncompromising spirit." And this writer begs to add : Also an enormous, divinelike capacity for work. Bor proceeds to tell how Dr. Meciar brought these gifts to fruition in the various responsible positions he held in the Slovak Republic, and in the diversified Ii terary productions that flowed from his pen: books, critical analyses, reviews, commentaries, magazine articles, comparative studies of literature and personalities, evaluations of poetry, of scientific and historical works. Bor points out that Dr. Meciar's publication of the collected works of noted authors places us under real obligation to him . As editor of several literary magazines and newspapers, Dr. Meciar demonstrates that nothing is alien to him so long as it touches the human person. Dr. Joseph Kirschbaum, a competent historian and profilic writer, has contributed two pertinent articles in the 1970 ALMANACH. One of them bears -the title, "The Purloined Last Manuscript of Constantine culen". Its mission is to fulfill the request of the author Constantine culen, who on his deathbed had entrusted him with a certain manuscript on the cult of SS. Cyril and Methodius among Slovak immigrants in the United States and Canada. To fulfill his promise to a dying friend Dr. Kirschbaum prepared culen's manuscript and it now appears in the 1970 ALMANACH under the title : "The Cyril-Methodian Cult Among Slovak Immigrants in the United States and Canada". In this historical study culen makes some pithy comparisons between the Slovaks and the Irish. Both nations were exploited culturally, economically and politically. From both nations thousands migrated to America after crop failures. �SLOVAKIA Culen's study features both lights and shadows, with shadows predominating. Through it runs the bitter thread of Magyar oppression of the Slovaks; their cruel and relentless efforts to magyarize the Slovaks. But here also one sees the golden thread, the adamant resistance of the Slovaks to magyarization. The study further portrays the Slovaks as eager to organize parishes and build churches as soon as they were settled in Americ-a in the latter half of the 19th century. And now also by a natural but too-long suppressed instinct they began freely to venerate their patrons, SS. Cyril and Methodius who had been forcefully excluded from public devotion in Slovakia under the Magyars. The first church in America dedicated to our Slovak holy patrons was erected in 1891 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The cult took root and spread throughout Slav America so that ttoday there are 36 churches, many schools, institutions, and two seminaries dedicated to SS. Cyril and Methodius. The saints are venerated also by the Sisters of SS. Cyril and Methodius who continue the apostolate of their patrons for God and His Church. As regards Canadian immigrants from Slovakia, Culen points out, they arrived in Canada in large numbers only after the second World War, differing greatly from the farm folk that came to the United States in an earlier era. Many are professionals who weathered ,the evils of Czech imperialism and Communism. Most are highly educated. Today Canada has 6 churches dedicated to our patrons, but Canadian Slovaks are as deeply devoted to their apostles as good Slovaks anywhere. 171 It is a joy to learn here that a Lutheran priest, Rev. Daniel Zaboj Laucek, propagated the Cyril-Methodian cult in Europe and America and at his personal expense he published a book in 1885 on the significance of our saints for all Slavic peoples. "Dr. Joseph Buday in the Service of Church and Nation," is Jan Mest'ancik's exeellent contribution to the ALMANACH. In it the author introduces his subject as a theologian, philosopher, sociologist, writer, editor, an authority on the Cyril-Methodian cult, and a capable political servant. Before treating the issue at hand, however, Mest'ancik sketches the setting in which Dr. Buday found himself at the beginning of the 20th century. The false religious ideas of Tolstoy were being disseminated among the masses by the renegade Dr. Srobar and his group, the Hlasists. Electioneering maneuvers and pressures of the Hungarian authorities kept the country politically in turmoil. The Slovaks were being discriminated against at every level of endeavor and especially in education. The situation demanded not only wisdom, prudence and patience, but also planned determination and persistent, coordinated action. This challenging atmosphere suited Dr. Buday to a T. Dr. Buday early joined Msgr. Andrew Hlinka in his efforts to wrest from the government the civil and human rights 0f the Slovaks. He used his pen to inform the people. In a series of articles, which appeared in Literarne listy, he routed the pretensions of -Srobar and his Hlasists. With Hlinka he undertook the colossal tesk of improving economic conditions in the villages. They organized cooperatives for the pro- �172 SLOVAKIA duction and sale of fann products and home crafts. lit was this system, adopted throughout Slovakia, which improved the standard of living in Slovak villages. The schools being what they were, Magyar indoctrination centers, Buday - with Hlinka - used the theater to educate the people on how best to serve their own best interests, cultural as well as social and economic. This intensive educational activity bore abundant fruit, says Mest'ancik. In 1901-an unheard of thing-the Slovaks were able to seat 4 representatives in the Hungarian Parliament, and in 1906 the number rose to 7. In 1919, after the Slovak People's Party was organized, Dr. Buday was elected to the Czecho-Slovak Parliament, serving 8 years as a deputy and 11 years as a senator. During the latter term he was also vice-president of Parliament and later of the Senate. In Parliament Dr. Buday proved himself a statesman of the highest caliber. He confronted problems with fine logic and with a keen grasp of the details involved. He preferred to negotiate rather than appeal to emotion, yet he was ready to compromise provided no principle or right was sacrificed. It is easy to see why he gained the respect even of his opponents. Mest'ancik is careful to remind the reader that the Czecho-Slovak Republic did not bring freedom to the Slovaks. The battle for civil and human rights continued. Under the Czechs it was still necessary to press for self-identity and now also for the preservation of the Catholic faith . As nearly all the bishops had been Magyars, they emigrated to Hungary. The situation was explosive in many ways. Assisted by members of the Priests' Council, which Hlinka had speedily organized, Dr. Buday and Blinka, two men with opposite temperaments, achieved the seemingly impossible. Before long the Church was peacefully functioning under its own bishops. . . yet awaiting the inevitable: the ridicule and jeers of Czech unbelievers as they tried to undermine the Catholic Church. In the political sphere the turbulence was even more pronounced. Thousands of Czechs had flocked into Slovakia, ostensibly to assist in organizing affairs of State, but actually they attacked the main arteries of Slovak life like vultures. In no time they occupied the leading positions in the country. Slovak resistance was steadfast and persistent . . . and it continued its Carvary march for 20 years. A new chapter in the hi story of Slovakia was introduced iu 1939 when the Republic of Slovakia was proclaimed, but that is another story. In 1924 Dr. Buday addressed Parliament in a compelling speech , in which he accused the Czech regime of gross injustice against Slovakia. He pointed out that Slo-vak prisons were filled with innocent citizens whose only "crime" was adhering to their national and political convictions and God-given rights. He claimed that thousands of Slovaks, and chiefly the intelligentia, were forced to emigrate because the occupying army of Czech exploiters prevented them from making a living. . . that the h!xing system was unjust, partial and impossible to accept, . . . that Czech propaganda was impressing Europe with false ideas regarding conditions in Slovakia ... and that every call for justice and improvement was answered with cold cynicism. He issued a warning that the Slovak nation would certainly �SLOVAKIA victoriously overcome Czech imperialism as it had weathered centuries of Magyar oppression. Dr. Buday had a hand in any project that contributed to the welfare of the Slovak people. His influence played a role in preventing the Czech effort to equate the Slovak language with theirs and to label it a Czech dialect. Before his death in November 1939, this good and faithful servant of God and country was accorded two unique honors: He was privileged to welcome to Slovakia the American Slovak Delegation, headed by Dr. P. P. ffietko , which triumphantly exhibited the original draft of the famous 1918 Pittsburgh Agreement. The other, which was probably the happiest moment in Dr. Buday's life, occured January 18, 1939, when as a senior member of the National Assembly he opened the first session of the Slovak Parliament in Bratislava with a memorable classical address. One last contribution. All of us who loved Philip Hrobak and revere his memory are grateful to Dr. Pauco for his article, "In What Did Hrobak's Greatness Consist?" Dr. Pauco presents an excellent evaluation of Hrobak as a person. He notes his indefatigable zeal, his extraordinary capacity for work, his kindness of heart. Mention is made of his voluminous carrepondence to inform the English speaking public about the injustice suffered by our people in Slovakia; and to correct the distorted facts published in the U.S. press, usually supplied by Czech propaganda. Dr. Pauco stresses the fact that it was through Hrobak's persistent efforts that at long last the State Department in Washington accepted the distinction between Czechs and Slovaks. No small accomplish- 173 ment for Philip Hrobak or for the Slovak nation. There are many other splendid articles in the 1970 ALMANACH. The more I paged through this issue the more humble I felt in the face of the heroism, the grandeur of character, the erudition, the honest pride, and the deep love for Slovakia of each of its contributors. And so I warn you, gentle reader, that this ALMAN ACH can disturb your conscience, it can thrill you, it can challenge you. Reading it you can lose yourself in the Elysian atmosphere of Slovakia, Communism notwithstanding, until suddenly you realize that you have been carried away to ... what? Try it. If you are fortunate to be able to read and understand Slovak, even just fairly, it is smart to keep the ALMANACH within arm's reach. Sister M. Gabriel Hricko, SS.C.M. I:alendar Jednota 1970: The 73rd edition of the Jednota annual in the Slovak language ... Jednota Press, 1970; 244 pp., Middletown, Pa. , Ed. by Jozef C. Krajsa. The 1970 publication of the Jcdnota annual commemorates 80 years of the Society's function not only in preserving and extending the Slovak heritage in America, but also in furthering wherever possible the various apostolic works of the Church throughout the Slovak world. Laudatory and enthusiastic articles to the fact are written by the Si!preme president, John A. Sabol aud by Msgr. John Senglar, the Society's chaplain. Readers familiar with Msgr. M. K. Mlynarovic's erudition and with tht: intellectual beauty of his writtings will find here another �174 SLOVAKIA gem of his poetic prose, "The Human Family-a Masterpiece of Love." Dr. J. M. Kirschbaum, once diplomatic representative of the Slovak Republic to Switzerland, writes from his own rich experience of the suspenseful days prior to the War's end (1944). He highlights the grave responsibilities that faced the delegation and the leaders of Slovakia in those days of crisis. He includes a conversation held with Archbishop P. Bernardini, then Papal Legate to Switzerland, about the future of Europe and concludes his writing with the last diplomatic communique sent to Slovakia from Bern. Msgr. Andrew Hlinka's last will and testament published here for the first time "in toto" should be of great interest to many. A rather lengthy article, but worth the space allotted, is Imrich Kruzliak's development of the Slovak language. He points out that it was principally in the rectories ( both Catholic and Lutheran) throughout Slovakia that the torch of the Slovak spirit and language was first kindled and from there carried afar. Religious articles include: news from the mission fields; statistically backed items on religions and rites in various parts of the world; an exhortation for a better understanding between Greek and Roman rite Catholics; and the Holy Father's address to a Slovak audience upon the occasion of the 1000th anniversary of the death of St. Cyril. Several shorter but timely articles stem from Vatican II influence and include recent changes in the Church ( diaconate, Mass, marriage ceremonies, etc.); these topics appear in the Catholic press generally today. Worth mentioning are: Father A. Zan's scholarly report refuting the theory that Sacred Scripture is merely a collection of stories and myths devoid of historic or religious value; the history and purpose of the International Labor Organization; the problem of feeding a future world (a statistical report); and some interesting prove1 bs and maxims culled from the writings of India neatly categorized into various topics and bearing resemblance to the Book of Wisdom. Msgr. J . Rekem reviews the poetry of Gorazd Zvonicky whom he designate as a kindred spirit to Peguy, Verlaine and Rimbalt. Extracts from the poet's works indeed testify that he merits such praise. The J ednota includes a highly informative biographical sketch of Alojz Macek (now living in Argentina). Editor, writer, and active patriot of Slovakia, Macek was founder of the Catholic Boy Scouts of Slovakia and of the "Hlinka Youth." Today his Spanish writings made known to a larger public the historical and cultural background of the Slovaks. Frantisek Vnuk reviews and refutes ~ubomir Luptak's history, Slovakia in the 20th Century. He points out the author's falsification of historical fact, his half tru,ths or truths told "with bad intent". Presenting statistics and historical documentation, Vnuk shows how Luptak ignores and intentionally omits whatever does not serve to further Communistic propaganda. This distorted or "rewritten" history centers on events leading to tht> separation of Slovakia from Austra-Hungary , the Pittsburgh Pact, politics prior to World War II and ,t he Warsaw Pact of 1968. Included in the publication are �SLOVAKIA several fine poetic selections by living Slovak poets and a few short stories. Following a long established custom, the annual features protographs, many of which may interest only members of the society. Other photographs, such as some very fine pictures commemorating the centennial of the death of the poet Jan Holly, which would interest readers in general, are lost among the former. Si ster M . Alfred Massura, SS.C.M. Jednota Annual FURDEK 1970: Published by the First Catholic Slovak Union (Jednota Press, Middletown, Pa. 1970, 200 pp.) Edited by Joseph C. Krajsa. The 1970 FURDEK is an event as well as a publication. It is a treasure of information as well as a reservoir of delight and diversion. At a glance one notices the diversified appeal of its contents. From the first several pages beam the a•t tractive faces of the young "Promise of the future," collegebound students, subsidized in their course with JEDNOTA scholarships. These young people know from personal experience that the First Catholic Slovak Union is a wide-awake, alert, generous, truly fraternal society of the second half of the twentieth century. An installment of "Who's Who Among Slovak Priests" introduces the reader to some of the ministers of the Gospel called from the Slovak population to proclaim the Good News to the world. Such a Roll-Call of S 1 o v a k - A m e rican priests serves a useful purpose: it satisfies the reader's curiosity and, more importantly, it informs him of the resources of SJovak 175 American culture, its accomplishments, its possibilities, and its blessings. The first title that caught my eye in the FURDEK Almanach was "The Clergy in Slovak History and Culture," by Father Theodoric Zubek, 0 . F . M. I am familiar with the leading role played by clergymen in the history of our nation, but having the spotlight placed on it in a single article is particularly valuable today when our own American clergymen are venturing into leadership roles in government and politics. What combination of circumstances makes this advisable ? What makes it necessary? Whait makes it imperative? How did Bishop Moyses, for example, become President of the Matica Slovenska, the leading cultural society in Slovakia? What conditions brought Monsignor Andrej Hlinka into the limelight? How did Monsignor Jozef Tiso get to be President of the Slovak Republic in 1939? Two articles on St. Cyril were very welcome to me as a Sister of SS. Cyril and Methodius. One was written by Mother M. Emerentia, SS. C. M. , and is a fine scholarly study of the character and accomplishments of our patron. The other is a discourse delivered at a Centenary Assembly of bishops and priests in Greece by Archbishop Maury of Rheims, who was head of the papal delegation at the ceremony. It is a masterpiece in its insight into the holiness, the scholarliness, the universality of St. Cyril, who challenges us eleven hundred years later to promote the best interests of the Church with the mind of Christ. The article on Slovak pioneers show their self-sacrificing spirit and their enthusiastic zeal during the organization of the first Slovak �176 SLOVAKIA parishes. Their experiences in the mines are timely, coinciding with current interest in the Molly Maguires. The stories by Michael Simko are human-interest episodes that delight the reader. "Christmas in Slovakia" and "Slovak Easter Customs" by the Rev. Andrew Pier, 0. S. B. not only fascinate the reader with the wide variety of traditional practices of our ancestors, but also portray to him the rich culture, the deep faith and the joyous spirit so characteristic to our Slovak people. The articles are of particular interest to me since I learned of these customs from my immigrant parents, through our observance of them in our home. In "Slovakia-A Veritable Gem of Central Europe" one is carried to the scenic sights of the Tatras and the shores of the beautiful Danube, the Gothic churches and cathedrals, the ancient castles, the fishing and hunting grounds, and the historic cities of the country. The article is a source of valuable information, both cultural and historical and practical, mentioning as it does also the famous health resorts and modern tourist facilities. We are fully aware that the immigrants who came to the shores of America from every European country contributed to the rapid growth and progress of this nation. I wonder, however, whether any other ethnic group has knowledge of its very first immigrant. Sister Martina, SS. C. M. has enriched us with her fine article on the "First Slovak Immigralllt-Samuel Francis Figuly," portraying him as an individual of unusual caliber, wide and daring experiences, good education, and strong convictions. In the scholarly article, "Slovaks and the Upheavals of Czecho-Slovakia" by J. M. Kirschbaum, Ph.D., LL.D., the reader sees a change in the attitude to the West toward Slovaks; namely, that they do exist. He is also enlightened on the many causes of dissatisfaction and discrimination against them since 1918, when the Czecho-Slovak Republic was established. Sister M. Evangela's presentation of the "Organization of the Slovak Catholic Students Fraternity" and iits publication of FURDEK is interesting. In dialogue from Sister gives the reader a vivid picture of the enthusiasm of the Fraternity's first members, its aims and its progress. Though their publication of FURDEK in Slovak ceased in 1941, the English publication is a highly cultural and literary annual, as this issue substantiates. Sister M. Clotil,da Omasta, SS. C. M., M.A. THE SLOVAK LEAGUE OF AMERICA heartily commends all efforts of our governmental and other organs to ferret out and unmask all Communists and fellow travellers, as well as all persons and organizations who wittingly or unwittingly give aid and comfort to the conspiracy of Communism promoted by the Soviet Union. �SLOVAKIA 177 Our Contributors historian; professor, Institute of Technology, Francis Vnuk, M.A . - Adelaide, Australia. Sr. M. Martina Tybor, SS. C. M . John T . Van Sant - teacher and author, Danville, Pa. Senator of Pennsylvania and Majority Whip. Joseph M. Kirschbaum, LL. D., Ph.D. - former diplomat, professor, historian, author, Toronto, Ontario. former professor at Bratislava University, prominent Slovak historian and educator. Francis Hrusovsky, Ph.D. (late) - Konstantin Culen (late) - outstanding newspaperman, author, politi- cian. Joseph A . Mikus, M. CL., J. D. professor, historian, author, former diplomat, Washington, D. C. newspaperman, political prisoner under Stalinists in Slovakia; now editor of Kanadsky Slovak, Toronto, Ontario. Marian Jankovsky - Joseph C. Krajsa - Slovak American Fraternalist, Editor, Jednota, Middletown, Pa. Sister M . Gabriel Hricko, SS. C. M., Sister M . Alfred Massura, SS. C. M., Sister M. Clotilda Omasta, SS. C. M., M. A. - teachers, Danville, Pa. �178 SLOVAKIA Contents F. Vnuk . - Slovak Language and Literature Will the Phoenix Rise Again? - 3 Sister M. Martina Tybor - John T. Van Sant Slovaks Have Repaid Their Adopted Country WelZ - - 11 28 Dr. Jozef Kirschbaum - The Political Message of Matus Cernak This Is Slovakia - Francis Hrufovsky - Dr. Francis Hrusovsky - the Man - 42 K. tulen 70 Joseph A. Mikus Ruzena Svobodova's "Feuilletons on Slovakia" - 76 I Was a Communist - J. V. - 90 Marian Jankovsky - Powers of Darkness and Powers of Truth The Development of Slovak Literature Matica Slovenska - Joseph S. Kost - Our Cyrilo-Methodian Heritage - Karen Ann Syzdek - 94 105 113 Patricia Revetta - American Slovaks on the Home and War Fronts - 116 122 The Centenary of Bishop S. Moyses - J. M. Kirschbaum - The Slovak League Firmly Believes - 139 Bratislava, Capital of Slovakia - 35 Joseph C. Krajsa - 131 141 Current Issues (Senator Hugh Scott's Speech Before Slovak League of America in Washington. - Edward M. Zelenak: The Slovaks of Detroit. - Winn Gallegher: A Slovak Immigrant - Master of Arts. - 50 Years in Danville, Pa.) - 143 As Others See It - 154 Comments (Two Czech Professors about Slovak°Czech Relations "Slovak News" or Communist Propaganda) - - 159 Book Reviews (J.M. Kirschbaum: Books on the Event in Czecho-Slovakia in 1968 - Heinrich Kuhn: Handbuch der Tschechoslowakei Rudolf Sturm: Czechoslovakia - A Bibliographic Guide - Stefan Glejdura: Los Grandes Problemas dei Este Europeo - Thaddeus V. Gromada: Pilsudski and the Slovak Autonomists - Sister M. Gabriel Hricko, SS. C. M.: The 1970 Literary Almanac. - Sister M. Alfred Massura, SS. C. M.: Kalendar Jednota 1970. - Sister M. Clotilda Omasta, SS. C. M.: Jednota Annual Furdek 1970) - 162 �SLOVAKIA ~ V .;::-v ~~ 4."'<~':r-, 0 sAsnK o BAN, STIA VN'lc'A TRNAVA 0 'Q: Q: (.;~ $ ��PRI NTI D IN U.S. A. JIDN OTA PlllN TER Y, MID DLli TOW N, PA. � SLOVAKIA 143 CURRENT ISS UES Senator Hugh Scott's Speech Before Slovak League of America in Washington Following are the remarks made by Senator Hugh Scott, (R-Pa.) at the Sheraton-Park Hotel, Washington, D.C., May 24, 1969: It is a special pleasure to be with you tonight, for I feel that an important part of Pennsylvania has come to Washington, in the form of the Slovak League of America. Yes, I am aware that all Slovak Americans do not live in Pennsylvania, but I am also aware that many of your League members do live in my state and have contributed greatly to its growth and diverse strength. Besides that, the real drama of Slovaks in America - the opening wedge toward recognition of an independent state of Slovakia - occurred in Pittsburgh in 1918 with the signing of the Pittsburgh Pact. If that did not bring immediate independence, it was not the fault of the Slovak League of America which has been fighting through the years, since 11 years before the Pittsburgh Pact, to realize the Slovakian dream of independence. Today, you finally see Slovakia independence of the Czechs to the extent of being a so-called Socialist Repub1ic, equal in stature to the Czech Socialist Republic. But the tragedy of domination persists, in the form of the Soviet tyranny ov·e r all of Eastern Europe, including Czecho-Slo,vakia. The history of the spirit of independence in Slovakia and among Slovaks in America is all the more remarkable because the fire of your spirit is fed by the barest sparks of realized freedom. Thus, in 1918, there was jubilation at the Pittsburgh Pact, which was quickly snuffed out; in 1938, another period of joyful independence, which the Nazis crushed; and in 1968, a moment of rebellion, which the Soviets put a halt to. In each of these magic moments, however, the world could recognize �144 SLOVAKIA the spirit of the Slovaks as the spirit of freedom, and it is a spirit the world envies. So great is your love of freedom and your pride in your nation and peoples, that Slovak Americans, through the Slovak League made a memorable effort to aid the United States cause during World War II. Not only did many fight in the American uniform, many more helped to forge the weapons of defense in the factories of Pennsylvania, and still others conducted immensely successful war bond drives and airplanebuying fund raising campaigns. Even the ladies pitched in, with their ladies auxiliary organization. As one who served both in Congress and in the military during the war years, I believe I can express the thanks of a grateful nation for the efforts of the Slovak Americans. Yes, you have much to be proud of, and you are to be commended for keeping your heritage and your pride in it alive through the Slovak League of America. We have all noted much about pride in recent news stories. Black pride is viewed as an emerging force in the United States, and in a context of pride in the Negro's contribution to America in history, and pride in one's race and self, it is a wonderful thing. Because I also believe in pride in language, I co-sponsored the Bilingual Education Act which passed in 1968 and which helps Spanish-speaking children learn in their own tongue before and during the time they are learning English. The culture of the Slovaks is equally a part of our diverse American heritage. I mention these efforts to give certain citizens of the United States greater opportunity because I think it shows that Congress and the people of the United States are generally coming to a realization that you and your group has held for a long time: That we as a people are strengthened by our heritage and are culturally richer in our diversity. Slovaks, through the Slovak League of America, put great emphasis on education, convey the importance of pride in the Slovak language, and see to it that generation after generation keeps the flame of liberty alive in their hearts. It is a matter of perpetuating a heritage. and it is an important thing. Even today the Slovak League of America seeks a righteous path for the Slovak people, when it requests a.n independent �145 SLOVAKIA - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - -- Slovak sedion in the State Department, a Slovak Desk with the Voice of America, and a general Consulate in Bratislava. I support these requests and will help you in these endeavors. I commend the Slovak League of America for setting an example through its organization, and I thank the Slovak League for its contribution to this nation and to the ideal of liberty among men. The Slovaks of Detroit ( August 1968 - August 1969) In the early months of 1968 Detroit was undergoing a transitional change which led Slovak people into moving out of older neighborhoods surrounding the Slovak parishes to the suburbs, literally become "afraid" to return to the neighborhood for church and lodge meetings, which led to a noticable decrease in lodge membership and presence of Slovak people at major functions. The lodges were desperately trying to hold their organizations together and attempted to get the Slovak people out and united again. There was also a search for young Slovak blood to help carry out the Slovak cause to the next generation. Recent shake-ups in the structure of Czecho-Slovakia gave a new hope to us. In January a new leader, a Slovak, took rule. Alexander Dubcek gave new hope and once again offered new courage in the fight for a democracy and a "Free Slovakia". Once again children began to wonder who Father Tiso was. A Slovak Language Class was instituted and attracted many members from all over. Slovak picnics gathered large encouraging crowds. People returned for Slovak masses and began enrolling in the lodges and fraternal groups. In Bratislava, the capitol of Slovakia, the sense of freedom was felt even greater. But as if a fairytale, it was crushed. They had been invaded by the same Russian "Liberator", the one who had already destroyed Slovak freedom 22 years earlier. The Slovaks of Detroit felt equally as crushed. United, we planned to voice our emotions. Many had relatives or friends in Slovakia, or remembered the Communist tyranny they felt after World �146 SLOVAKIA War II. Throughout the United States a brutal portrayal of the invasion was given, referring it as one against Czechs, calling Slovaks the lower and less intelligent class, and even calling Alexander Dubcek a Czech. On August 26, 1968, the Slovaks of Detroit gathered at the Federal Building to hold a peaceful demonstration against the Soviet Aggression. Appearing before nationwide television and press, Michigan vice-president of the Slovak League of America Jan Beliansky denounced the invasion saying "We abhor the brutal aggression against Czecho-Slovakia by the Russians and their occupation of the country. They are killing young people for no reason at all." He also called upon the United States to take a stand in support of the Liberal policies of Alexander Dubcek. The entire nation now knew that the invasion could not be dismissed without any action. Within the next month after the invasion another noticable increase of membership in the Slovak League took place. Slovaks were ready once again to stand up "FOR GOD AND FOR COUNTRY". With fall rapidly approaching the Dominican Nuns of Oxford were busy making plans for their bi-annual "Fall Festival". With the help of the Slovak League of America and many Slovak Parishes, the festival, held on Sunday September 22, was a big success. Over 10,000 Slovaks attended. The second week of October brought about the "OLD WORLD MARKET" at the International Institute, where the Slovaks aided other nationalities in setting up booths selling Art Work, Clothes, Books, Dolls and other forms of ethnic art. Aside from our booth, we had a Slovenska Kuchyna serving Slovak food and pastries to the public. On the final day of the Old World Market, a troop of Slovak Violinists, Dancers and Musicians performed for the Institute. THE DETROIT FREE PRESS also carried an article in the vicinity of a full page specifically about the Slovaks. November 8, 1968 marked the first airing date for the Slovak Radio Program on station WABX 99.5 FM DETROIT. Independently financed, it plays beloved Slovak songs and reports Slovak History, Geography, and Current Events. During this time the Slovak Language Class was en- �SLOVAKIA 147 route to a second successful year. People young and old came to study lessons in grammar, music and history. The large turnout also aided in another measurable step towards preserving Slovak Heritage. The "Slovak Village Entertainers" was created, composed of Slovak singers, dancers, commedians and musicians. After their debut at Sacred Heart Center on the first of December, they were flooded with requests to perform for banquets, installations and parties for many organizations. Dance Choreographers Veronica Uhrin and Mary Hric are constantly searching for new Slovak talent, as is the recently added Music Choreographer Professor John M. Demchak, in order to preserve Slovak Culture. Two members have recently received scholarships to attend the world-famous music school INTERLOCHEN. January 1, 1969 was an eventful day for Slovaks of the World. It marked the official creation of CzechoSlovakia, two independent but united nations. Around this t ime the Slovaks felt a need to get together and celebrate. In order to compensate, the two Detroit branches of the Slovak League of America gathered at Saints Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church in Detroit to hold a "Family Affair", featuring an afternoon of Slovak Entertainment, Movies and Socializing. March 14, 1969 was the 30th anniversary of Slovak Independence and t he creation of the Slovak Republic. To commemorate this bumper stickers bearing the slogan 1939 FREEDOM FOR SLOVAKIA 1969 were printed and distributed. Dr. Joseph Pauco, Secretary of the Slovak League of America, came to Detroit to give the major address. He was then interviewed by CBS television concerning recent developments in Czecho-Slovakia. In order to further promote Slovak socializing and entertainment, Branch 15 of the Slovak League instituted in what is now known as "Slovakia Saturday Nights" featuring continuous entertainment, Slovak sing-a-longs, games and a dinner. From the large turnout they have decided to have possibly four or five a year. With summer approaching Slovak youths were involved in either practicing for the NATIONAL SLET of the SOKOLS or school track teams. Joseph Smetanka, a sophomore at Wayne State University, broke records �148 SLOVAKIA in relay races against other top Universities and made headlines coaching the Wayne State team and a private team of youths to nationwide victories. Joseph, a member of many Slovak organizations, hopes to oneday teach gym classes or receive a Masters Degree in Physical Education. On May 20, 1969 the Slovak Village Entertainers, leading a float draped with the Slovak Flag, marched with other Slovak youths and twenty different nationalities in a "Nationalities Day Parade". Four days later a Detroit delegation attended the Slovak League of America Conference in Washington, D. C. During the summer, many Detroit Sokols took first place in the SLET and brought home their awards. To remember the first anniversary of the Russian Invasion, over 250 Slovaks gathered in Kennedy Square to hold a "peaceful demonstration", receiving press coverage from 3 television networks, J radio and two newspapers. Our protest should undoubtedly be felt, with our proclamation of "A DAY OF SHAME", by all the bureaucrats in Washington, the leaders of the U. N. and the tyrants at the Kremlin. The Slovak struggle for recognition in a liberal world will be felt! Being only sixteen years of age and newcomer to the Slovak scene politically and physically I hope one day to take over in the same pattern of which our Slovak leaders left off. A trail has been blazed: Slovak Youth must follow . A Slovak "Renaissance" is taking place. The work has been started. It is now up to the people to continue it. Edward M. Zelenak A Slovak In11nigrant - Master of Arts By WINN GALLEGHER ( Pottstown Mercury Staff Writer) A skilled representative of a lost art, woodcarver, and cabinetmaker, Karl M. Pacanovsky, Douglasville RD 2, is head of the arts and crafts department at The Hill School in Pottstown, Pa. Born in Slovakia in 1894, Pacanovsky was apprenticed to a woodworker in the old world fashion at the age 11. �149 SLOVAKIA His father was a farmer who believed his sons should have the benefits of a craft. His three boys were sent to the city to receive their training. Recalling his early years, Pacanovsky said, "In our village, I was always the one who whittled, so it was natural for me to receive training in this field. I studied for three years, and by the time I was 17, I was doing altars for various churches." A local example of the ecclesiastical work of the artist is the pulpit of St. Aloysius Catholic church. It is typical of the Gothic style of most of Pacanovsky's work. Also created items for the Holy Trinity Slovak Catholic Church . * • The desire to come to America followed extensive travel, through Europe, largely by foot. "The decision to come to the United States came after my fascination with the port of Hamburg and the ocean liners I saw there," reminisces Pacanovsky. "After borrowing the money from my father, I sailed for this country, arriving at Newark, N. J., in 1913." The craftsman then was employed by several woodworking firms, including Tiffany and company. This was accompanied by attending nigh~ schoo\ classes in English and drawing and design for seven years. A combination of the depression and Pacanovsky's own love for schooling made him decide to enter Rutgers university, New Brunswick to prepare himself for the teaching profession. "After completing my studies there I taught at various public and private schools, coming to The Hill in 1944." He is heading the arts and crafts department there since 1952. This includes the studio and metal divisions as well as the carving and mechanical drawing taught by the artist himself. Clearly loving his teaching duties, Pacanovsky is articulate in discussing them. "The role of woodworking in education is a creative �150 SLOVAKIA one. I endeavor not to confine the work to merely carving, but to make it an experience including vision, skill, and aesthetics," asserts the teacher. "My purpose is not to make woodcarvers out of all the boys," he continues, "because it is not so much what the boy does to the wood as what the wood does to the boy." Pacanovsky laments the inroads industrialization has made into rapidly disappearing arts such. as his own. "Modern society wants everything done quickly and simply, and the old crafts are vanishing in the Western World, perhaps with the exception of Scandinavia, where they are frequently subsidized by the government," he said, "and they manage to unite modern art to the craft tradition." Pacanovsky has a very flexible attitude on today's artistic expression. "I am very much a traditionalist, but enjoy many of approaches, perhaps because there is no such modern the thing as pure originality," he theorizes. "The experience of all men are rooted in tradition and common to all generations." * * He finds the reward of his own skill lied in the work itself. "It is only through fine creative expression that we are able to develop character. One must know the feeling of making something," he said. Pacanovsky is respectful of the artistic endeavors of all men, and refused to critize the message in another's work. "All art should have meaning, but I never condemn a work because I personally cannot extract it," he declares. He considers the basic requirements for the field of art are of design, line, and proportion, and finds the biggest handicap to be symptomatic of the times. "People today, for instance my students, have an �SLOVAKIA 151 attitude of mediacrity being good enough. I always illustrate that this is not so by pointing out that the surgeon cannot do a slipshod job on a patient on the grounds that it isn't his best, but it's good enough." Pacanovsky's teaching requires most of his time during the school term, but during the Summertime he makes cabinets and cases for The Hill, as well as executing beautifully lettered signs. One of his most unusual projects recently was the designing and executing of a mace for the school which is used in processionals. Pacanovsky occasionally is commissioned to make new pieces of furniture, both in traditional and modern design, but finds his academic duties restrict outside professional work. Slovak Sisters of SS. Cyril and Methodius 50 Years in Danville, Pa. June 19, 1969 mairked 50 yeaas that the Slovak Siste['s of SS. Cyril and Methodius arrived wt Danville, Pa. Their first words were the scriptuiral, "Lord, it is good fo[' us to be he['e." Ten year,s oJd, the Conwreg:wtion of the Sisteirs of SS. Cyiril and Methodius had been established in 1909 by F1aither Matthew Jankola, a Sloviak immigranit pries,t, under the guidance of the Sisters Servants of the Immaculate He,a,r,t of Mall'y, of Marywood, Scranton. Its firsit Sisters had received their training at Macywood, which also served as the young Communiity's headquarters. All its retreats aaid profoession ceremooies burt one had been held wt M,airywood . By June, 1919, the mem~ship of the new community numbe['ed 57 professed Si,s,teirs, 30 novices and 9 postulants. Lt had reached the stage where Lt was able lo assume its own leadership and establish its own administration , functioning under Church law. Its first chapte•r , held at Marywood in 1915, had resulrted in the election of Mother Macy Mihalik as first superioir general. At her d e a th within a yeair she was repl,aced by Mother M. Emmanuel Pauly, whose term extended over six years until 1922. The community of Religious had already assumed cha,r g,e of pa,rish schools in Pennsylvania and Connecticut and of an o,r phanag,e of the Fiirst CaJtho1ic Slovak Union (Jednota) in Middletown, Pa. What �152 SLOVAKIA it needed more than anything was a motherhouse kom which to admini.Siter the congregation and a residence for the training of novices and postulants by canonical standards. As the young community outgrew the facilities at Mairywood, its administration had transferred to the large parish convent in Plymouth, Pa., where Mather Mary resided. The novices and postulants were divided among the Plymouth, Pittston and Olyphant, (Pa.) convents. 1n 1917 a lairge house was leased to the community on t he Jednota premises at Middletown, Pa., which accomcxfated the novices and postulants and also served as a temporary motherhouse for the community. It soon became inadequate. Meanwhile Mother M. Emmanuel Pauly was alert to any prospects of acquiring a motherhouse for the community. Through Father Julius C. Foin, pastor at Middletown and a Danville, Pa., native, she learned about Castle Grove, vacant at the time for 14 years. She informed Bishop Philip R. McDevitt of Harrisburg, Pa., who in turn communicated with Father 1-' ran c is X. Dougherty, pastor of St. Joseph's Parish in Danville, asking him to investigate the property. This was in the fuU of 1918. Negotiations were set in motion and by the spring of 1919 the transaction was completed. 'J.'lhe Sis,te,rs of SS. Cyril and Methodius acquired Castle Grove and took possession of it on June 19, 1919. The estate was renamed Villa Saored Heart because the date of the Sisiters' arrival from Jednota in Middletown, Pa., coincided with the season of the Sacred Heart in Catholic liturgy. The Sisters recalled that they arrived by train from Hairrisburg, Pa., before noon on June 18, only to find that a technicality still barrnd them from entering Castle Grove. A signature was lacking on the deed. The Sisters we-r e meanwhile offered hospi,tali,ty and night's lodging by the Immaculate Hca'l"t Sisters a,t St. Joseph's Convent on Bloom Road. The following morning a f t c r Mass at St. Joseph's Church the novitiate gr{)IUp, which included Rev. Mother M. Emmanuel and l\Iother M . Monica, an Immaculate Heart Sister \Vho had been retained as d1rector of novices for the community, walked sile!l!tly d own Route 11 towaird their new home. Passing under the archway over the e!l!trance and up the narrow fo()lj; path, they surveyed the broad expanse of high grass and majestic trees and glimpsed at the mansion beyond. The cry which burst from their lips was "Lord , il is good for us to be here." The property was deteriorated, but graduaJ!y through the weeks that followed the house was resLored somewha,t to its original splendor and modified to convent specifications, and the campus recovered some of its beauty and design . By July 7, feast of SS. Cyril and Methodius, the lairge salon on the first floor was furnished as a chapel and Bishop McDevi.ltt offered the first Mass for the community at Villa Sacred Heart. The work of intensive cleaning and restoration both indoors and out continued through July. The professed Sisters returned from their pa;rish missions to make their annual retreat in August, the first a,t Vil1a Sacred Heart. It was fol- �SLOVAKIA lowed by the first reception and profession ceremonies, at which 15 novices were professed and 9 postulaints received the habit and white veil of a novice. This brought the community members hip to 72 professed Sisters and 24 novices. By the end of Augus,t . ix new candidates had entered the community and they were ready to begin their training as postulants. Within fi.f,t,y years the face of Villa Sacred Heart has changed, showing expansion and growth. As the community membership increased and additional projects were undertakoo, St. Cyril AcadPmy for girls was opened in 1922 and a new building was erected in 1929. For its religious ceremonies and worship, a chapel was added in 1939. A three-story wing, conn eoted with the academy and matching it in architecture and design, was completed and dedicated in the fall of 1957. Maria Joseph M-anoc wa-s erected on a site bordering the mOitherwise property in 1962. M,ari-a Hall, a home for retired Sisters, is presently rising and will be completed by the summer of 1970. professed Sisters. 13 novice and 3 postulan ts. An add Ltional 55 Sis ters lie buried in the community's cemetery. The Sisters teach in 36 Slovak parish schools in the archdiocese of Chicago, New York, Philadelphia, and the dioceses of Harrisburg, Bridge port, Charleston, Gary, Hartford, Greensburg, Steubenville, Scranton , Syracuse and Trenton. They also are on the staffs of six Catholic central high schools. Every summer and throughout the school year, the Sisters engage in r-atechetical work, and in recent years have intensified their efforts in this field. The Sisters also conduct a ?SY· chological and reading clinic in Wilkes-Barre. Bes ides St. Cyril Academy they also teach at Blessed Sacrament Academy in Yonkers, New York and Andrean Hi g h School in Gary, Ind . The congregation is in warge of t he Jednota Orphanage in Middletown, Pa., and besides Maria Joseph Manor it comducts Villa SL Cyril, a home for the aged, in Highland Park. UL The Sisters have worked with Headst a:rt and other special programs for underprivileged groups. This summer these and similar programs are in operation here in Danville, and in Bridgeport, Conn., Chairleston. S.C., Chicago, and Gary. In the 60 years the Congregation of the Sisters of SS. Cyril and Meth-odius has been serving the Church and the Slovak people, it has reached a membership of 425 • 153 • THE SLOVAK LEAGUE OF AMERICA represents an overwhelming majority of organized Americans of Slovak descent; actively affiliated with it are the largest Slovak fraternals, religious organizations, Slovak Clubs and Slovak civic organizations in the United States. �154 - - - -- SLOVAKIA - - - - - - - -- - -- - - - - - - · - - - - - AS OTHERS "You may be assured of my continued interest in a free and independent Slovakia." - Richard Schweiker, United States Senate "Our country has been vastly enriched by the contributions which your membership and your fellow Slovak Americans have made down through the years." - Edward W . Brooke, United States Senate "I appreciate your thoughtfulness in sending me the latest issue of your publication Slovakia. 1 found it most interesting." - John Sherman Cooper, U. S. Senate "Slovaks in my area and throughout the nation are known as a proud, talented, industrious, and deeply religious people who continue to aspire to the attainment of freedom and liberty despite the many years of Communist rule of their ancestral homeland." -John P . Saylor, Member of Congress "Long have I known of the grand work the American Slovak League has done over the years of its existence. "The Slovak people have a glorious history and a noble tradition. For over a thousand years they have fought continuously for their national independence. Today that tradition is still carried on proudly by your League which struggles unremittingly for the human and national rights of the Slovak people. In that struggle you have my full support for I have always stood behind the right of every nation, large and small, to attain and hold its national sovereignty. "Your civic and cultural contributions to America also stand as a great tribute to your organization. The immigrants from Slovakia in SEE IT years past have made many wonderful and inspiring contributions to the American way of life. The League has played a great part in encouraging them to be alert and loyal citizens. "By continuing the good work of the Slovak League, you are doing a service for the United States, for the people of Slovakia, and for all humanity." - Michael A. Feighan, Member of Congress "Be sure of my continued support for a free and independent Slovakia." - Clement J. Zablocki, Member of Congress "I want to extend to the Slovak League of America and its membership my regards and sincere commendation for their outstanding achievements in the interest of all freedom loving people."-John W . Wydler, Member of Congress "These are trying times for all who are interested in the welfare of your homeland, which means all who love freedom and liberty. I k n o w that your activities give strength to the freedom-loving people in Slovakia in their continuing struggle to regain control of their destiny."-Frank T . Bow, Member of Congress "As citizens the Slovak-Americans have contributed immeasurably to the religious, cultural, educational, industrial, and civic growth and betterment of our cities, and our country. "I want to take this opportunity to commend those of Slovakian heritage for their courage and forebearance."-Guy Vander Jagt, Member of Congress "My greetings and v e r y b e s c w i s h e s to my Slovak-American �SLOVAKIA friends for whom I am constantly striving in the Congress to make this a truly free world for all people. " - William E . Mi nshall, Member of Congress 155 to make the best of their opportunities. "There is nonetheless a note of sadness as your thoughts inevitably turn to those of your brethren who remain in your a n c e s t r a I homeland. It is a paradox of the twentieth century that while more than sixty nations on other continents have gained their independence from colonial powers since World War II, a number of the ancient lands of Europe have been swallowed up by the Soviet Empire."-Harold R. Colli er, Member of Congress "I do wish to assure you that I shall continue my interest in the affair of your League and look forward to another opportunity to join with you. " -Martin B . McKneally , Member of Congress "I am pleased once again to have the opportunity to salute your untiring efforts toward freedom and your unailing patriotism and courage." - Willi am S. Moorehead, Member of Congress "I am well aware of the immense contribution to American life which has been made by our Slovak-American citizens. They have brought to us in this country the same religious strength and the same love of freedom which they learned in their motherland. Even today that same spirit of freedom can be seen in the establishment of the Slovak Republic in a federated CzechoSlovakia. This is the culmination of years of effort by a great people who wish to keep their own identity. "-Joseph M . McDade, Member of Congress "I heartily support the efforts of the Slovak League of America to keep alive the torch of freedom for so many who must remain behind the Iron Curtain of oppression."Charles A . Vanik, Member of Congress "Congratulations on many con"I wish to comp l i m e n t you r League on the superb work you are tributions to international underdoing." - Seymour Halpern, Mem- standing and cultural exchange."Margaret M . Heckler, Member of ber of Congress Congress "I received the latest issue of "I would like you to know that Slovakia which you recently sent receive Slovaki a, and find th~ did I me, and have enjoyed reading it." of interest." - John B . publication - Charles W. Whalen, Jr., Member Anderson, Member of Congress of Congress 'Thank you for the book entitled "Many of the people whom I am edited by Dr. Joseph PauSlovakia, naprivileged to represent in the to read this book planning am I co. tional House of Representatives for it will be possible as soon as either came to the United States resource."-William useful very a from Slovakia or are the descendMember of Congress ants of immigrants from that na- T . Mtirphy, " The s t r u g g l e continues for tion. Through the years they have proved themselves to be loyal Ame- equal representation and national ricans and good citizens of their rights which the Slovak League beadopted country, serving it with gan more than 50 years ago. I share equal diligence through war and your concern about the Soviet oppeace, and inspiring their children pression of the Slovak people. I �156 SLOVAKIA pray we will see the day when the Slovak people will be permitted to establish their o w n independent nation in Europe, with freedom to select their own leaders and their own path of government." - John Myers, Member of Congress "I command the efforts of the Slovak League of America to maintain culture and traditions of Slovakia here in United States. We must be confident of the f u tu re and continue to work for the day when legitimate independence and true freedom is enjoyed by people of Slovakia and all other captives of Communism."-Edward J . Derwinski, Member of Congress "Every Slovak American is extremely p r o u d of the League's years of interest in the cultural and historical betterment of all American Slovaks." - Joseph M . Gaydos, Member of Congress "The yearning for liberty and independence among Slovaks will continue until they will be able to determine their own destiny; and, I am ceritain, as an independent nation, will constructively contribute to the well being and peace of the world. You may be assured of my continuing efforts for selfdetermination of all Captive Nations and of my warm and special interest for the Slovak nation." Michael A. F eighan, M. C., 20th District, Ohio "I am aware of the constant struggle of Slovak people to regain their independence and live side by side with other free nations of the world. It is my desire and hope that the spirit and determination of the Slovak people will not be broken and that the Slovak nation will once again have the right to choose its own destiny. In these just aspirations of Slovak people all of us should help. I pledge my support in this respect. '' William E. Minshall, M. C., 23rd District, Ohio "Slovak nationalism was an important element in the early days of the reform movement. Mr. Novotny, the former President, who was passionately disliked in Slovakia for his discriminatory poli. cies, paid the penalty for ignoring it. " (The Times, October 31, 1968) . "For all the pride and satisfaction with which Czecho-Slovakia has introduced federalization of the Czech and Slovak nations, real equality still remains a promise rather than a practical accomplish ment ... many stormy sessions lie ahead with the Slovaks pressing for even greater autonomy. At the roots of the conflict is the fact that, since its inception 50 years ago, the republic has boasted of having established unity with equality for the two nations without the Slovaks ever having actually achieved this equality." (The Times, October 28, 1968). "Although lip service has been paid to ethnic equality by both the pre-World War II Masaryk republic and the post-war Communists, the Slovaks have always, with considerable justice, felt that they were getting the short end of the stick. Before the war, Slovak nationalists demanded virtual national independence." (John P . Roche, San Francisco Examiner. July 3, 1969) . - "The main tourist centers (in the High Tatra Mountains, Slovakia ) are Stary Smokovec, Tatranska Lomnica and Strbske Plesoeach more scenically beautiful than the other. "The 17-mile mountain range with some 300 ragged peaks, romantic valleys and ice-blue small lakes can compete with any Alpine �SLOVAKIA 157 area. The width of the range is removed the country's most popu10 miles." (The New York Times; lar liberal from the domestic political scene, thereby placating the October 31, 1969. "Americans teens are lucky be- ultras. At the same time, he won cause 'they don't have to worry plaudits from the liberals by reabout politics like we do', said fusing to place Dubcek balked, Michael, 18, of Bratislava . .. There protesting that he would return are two 'nations' in Czecho-Slova- to his old job of factory machinist kia, they said-the Czechs and the rather than leave the country. But Slovaks. Because they are Slovaks, in the end he bowed to the party the boys don't like our tendency order, knowing full well that his to shorten "Czechoslovakian' to refusal would only further inflame 'Czech'. That, they said, is incor- political passions in Prague." rect because almost half the people (Newsweek, December 29, 1969). "Father Hlinka insisted that the in their country are not Czechs, they're Slovaks." (The Times Un- Czechs and Slovaks were not one ion, Rochester, N. Y., July 26, nation , but two distinct nations, 1968). and therefore the Slovaks had as much right to self-government as "Slovak painters and graphic artists, among them Milan Laluha, any other self-respecting nation. " Ladislav Guderna and M. Brunov- (Thaddeus V. Gromada , siavic Resky, were acclaimed in Italy, view, September 1969). France and Canada. The works of sculptors Uher and Bartfay became known . . . The operas of Eugen Suchoii. were performed throughout Europe, and the music of Jan Cikker and Alexander Moyzes were heralded in many parts of the world. Viliam Bukovy's modernist compositions were honored at international music and film festivals. He also wrote music for several Hollywood films. Another composer, Ilja Zelienka, won first prizes at several European modern music festivals. "Slovaks also made important medical contributions. The Slovak Institute of Biochemistry became known for its discoveries of antibiotics and work in concer research. The Microbiological Institute, headed by Dr. Dionyz Blazkovic, was hailed for its achievements bi iinmunobiology and allergiology." (Jan Samak, East Europe. Vol. 18, No. 7). "By naming Dubcek to the post of ambassador to Turkey, Husak "Not even the closest associates of Gustav Husak, the new party chief, are likely to be sure about how to proceed. Politically, Husak has to fight on two fronts and many think that the threat from the extreme left is far more dangerous to him than that from the "right-wing opportunists", as the new jargon refers to supporters of his reform-minded predecessor, Alexander Dubcek. "The party is rocked by expulsions and mass resignations. According to some private estimates it has already lost 300,000 of its 1.7 million members. Those who stayed can be divided into at last four different wings fighting each other. Purges have assumed bizarre proportions, extending from secret police to sports federations, from the foreign service to the Communist-led children organization. "Husak had pleaded not to turn the party into a "slaughter-house,'' but some top radicals openly en- �158 SLOVAKIA courage neo-Stalinists in the lower ranks to push even harder. Evidence of the struggle for power in the party is ample even in the press, which is now tightly controlled again. "In the economic field, the situation is nearly chaotic. The new leadership has canceled almost all of the reforms, but also has announced it will not return to preDubcek concepts. Except for "work harder" appeals, the regime has yet to disclose which panacea it will propose. Some of the top industry managers have been fired for liberal leanings, many others are uncertain about their fate. Thousands of employees and workers now have had marks for political unreliability in their personnel files, hampering prospects for better pay and promotion. The working morale of others is hardly any better; their unions which started developing some muscle during the Dubcek era have again been reduced into tools of the party. " 'Sick rates' are running double those last years and workers take it easy. Husak estimates that 20 per cent of the working time now is idled away. Stringest penalties have been introduces for loafers but that is hardly likely to boost their spirits. "Party leaders allege that rightwing calls for passive resistance also hurt the economy. 'The worse the better' is a slogan actually proposed by one though seemingly small school of thought. " 'Economic crisis have toppled Novotny', explained one veteran party member and anti-Stalinist referring to the old guard leader Antonin Novotny who was replaced by Dubcek. Maybe this will force a change again. "Average wages have increased but so have prices, setting off a Western-style inflationary spiral. That, in turn, and despite official denials, fueled rumors of an impending currency reform. Shops, already, undersupplied, were beleaguered. 'He who hesitates will not buy well' was the superfluous warning on a Prague display window. "Vexing shortages, from prams to pajamas, have become a fact of life in the million-population capitol. The pantie problem became so prickly that special hardcurrency funds were pried loose to pay for emergency imports. The hard currency may have come increased meat exports to the West which have helped dry up supplies of pork, a stample food of Czechs and Slovaks. "Now laws threaten court punishment to hoarders and even sales clerks who talk a customer into buying more than he actually needs. The man in the street will readily blame part of the shortages on the Russian occupation troops. Stories make the round of a Red Army man entering a store and asking for 'five kilograms of panties.' " ( Associated Press, February 22, 1970) . "I returned to Vienna with mixed emotions about the status of the people in Czecho-Slovakia but I also brought a brand new Slovak diet for reducing. The Slovaks call it the 'American diet.' Here it is : "You can eat all the chicken and drink all the Sliwowitz you can manage. But no bread, no pastries, no vegetables. Just chicken and wine. "I always suspected that the Slovaks have a spark\ of genius in them and now their 'American Diet' confirms my belief." (Theodore Andrica, The Cleveland Press, July 14, 1969) . �SLOVAKIA 1511 COMMENTS TWO CZECH PROFESSORS ABOUT SLOVAK-CZECH RELATIONS It happens very rarely that Czech intellectuals in the Free World comment objectively on the relations between Slovaks and Czechs or on books published on Slovakia. For many years not only Czech politicians in exile but also Czech scholars and professors at various universities wrote with bias about Slovak history, politics and cultural achievements. There is no doubt that such writings harmed the image of the Slovak nation but great harm was also done to the relations between the Slovaks and Czechs. Many Czech intellectuals apparently did not look at the problem from this point of view. We welcome, therefore, a new sober voice from Prof. Stanley Z. Pech from the University of British Columbia. He commented in the siavic Review on the book by John Gellner, a Czech newspaperman, and John Smerek, a former Slovak civil servant. The book was published under the title The Czechs and Slovaks in Canada and was published by Masaryk Memorial Institute in Toronto. Professor Pech wrote before about Slovak and Czech relations with much more objectivity than we are accustomed to read from Czech intellectuals. In connection with this book, he had the following to say: "Although one of the authors is of Slovak origin, the book does not appear to do justice to the Slovak viewpoint. Slovak grievances against Czechoslovakia are dismissed as 'separatism', and the First Republic is given what amounts to a clean bill of health. Some 'mistakes' were made, but these were 'largely cured' by the late 1920s. The Administrative Law of 1927 established a desirable degree of decentralization by setting up selfgoverning provinces 'on lines broadly similar to Canadian provinces', each province having 'its provincial president and its provincial assembly'. After this, 'Czechoslovakia seemed on the way toward co-operative, equitable solutions to whatever domestic problems there still were.' It was the Slovak People's Party and the rise of Nazi Germany that later reversed this trend. "ls it possible to present the issues so simply? The First Republic had indeed an outstanding record, and its democratic structure proved more durable than that of most European states. However, it was unquestionably a centralist state even after 1927, and this was the essence of Slovak objections. The authors fail to note that according to the Jaw of 1927 the provincial president and one-third of the provincial assembly were appointed by the central government and that both de jure and de facto the provincial president was an agent of the central government. The jurisdiction of the provinces was limited to social services and similar activities, and the assemblies could be dissolved at any time by a decree issued in Prague. Do the authors really believe that a province so conceived resembles a province in Canada or a state in the United States? Was this situation not bound to feed discontent among the Slovaks? "This situation has important �160 SLOVAKIA implications for the history of the Slovaks in Canada . (and in the United States). Many Slovaks who came to the New World after 1918 were disenchanted with Czechoslovakia and refused to associate themselves with Czech groups. Today their numbers are larger, and their hostility to everything Czech is implacable and chauvinistic. This phenomenom has many roots, but it cannot be understood without reference to the failure of the Czechs to regard the Slovaks as their equals and to give the consideration to their national sentiment. Yet this appreciation is wholly lacking in the present book. With what lack of respect influential segments of the Czech community regarded the Slovaks is illustrated by a secret memorandum on Slovakia, which was drawn up by the Czech Socialist Party in 1946 and published in Bratislava in 1968. The memorandum is a chilling blueprint for depriving the Slovaks of their national identity by any means necessary, not excluding the use of force (see text in Historicky casopis, vol. 16, 1968, pp. 191-93). Gellner and Smerek are two competent observers, and their book will be a standard work for many years. Was the nature of the Slovak problem so far beyond their pale of vision that they could not come to grips with it? Until the Czechs are prepared to take a critical look at their own attitudes, their contribution to a Czech-Slovak dialogue will be only a limited one." This approach is in great contrast with another Czech, Prof. Joseph S. Roucek from Queensborough Community College. He wrote on the same book in the International Migration Review (III 9, Summer 1969) and compared the book with the work by Prof. J. M. Kirschbaum Slovaks in Canada. Prof. Roucek had to admit that: "In general, Kirschbaum's study, in spite of its weaknesses, is much better and more exhaustive than Gellner-Smerek' s work, since it is better documented (as shown by its bibliography, pp. 441-455) and contains reprints of 24 memoranda, petitions, pleas, and resolutions either to the Canadian authorities or to the United Nations by the Slovak Canadian organizations, as well as by individual members of the Canadian Slovak League and the First Catholic Slovak Union during the past three decades." However, Roucek was unable to write without -the anti-Slovak bias in his further remarks. Even though the book Slovaks in Canada is not a political book but strictly a scholarly work on the history of Slovaks in Canada. Prof. Roucek commented on the book as follows: overcertainly "Kirschbaum stresses his Slovak filiopietism which has been glaringly evident in his previous works and which is the ideology of his group of American and Canadian Slovaks promoting Slovak separatism. We learn that 'from the First World War until the present time, Slovak Canadians have been the victims of political activities in their homeland .. .' (p. 9) and that the Canadian Slovaks were discriminated against during World War II because they 'refused to support the policy od Dr. E. Benes, who resigned in October 1938 but who in 1941 set up his government-inexile in London, England, and insisted on his right to represent Czechs and Slovaks in the West. Members and representatives of the Canadian Slovak League were , particularly denounced as enemies �SLOVAKIA of Canada because they advocated the right to self-determination and self-government for the Slovak people.' (p. 6) . But we must also note that even a greater number of Canadian Slovaks supported Dr. Benes and that the Slovak Republic was formed as the first satellite state under Hitler's blessing and auspices. This 'pro-Czech' tendency is, in fact, admitted by Kirschbaum: "The pro-Czech attitude of Slovak Protestants, many of whom were descendants of Czech refugees who came to Slovakia during the Counter-Reformation, accounts for various peculiarities of the Slovak political, cultural and religious life not only in Slovakia, but also among Canadians or Americans of Slovak origins." (p. 32). It is hard to understand, unless we are accustomed to the writings of Czech intellectuals, why Prof. Roucek made such comments on a history book concerning Slovaks in Canada unless one knows the tense relations which existed among the Slovaks and the Czechs for the past 50 years and the bias of many Czech intellectuals who followed the political line of Dr. Benes condemned at the present time not only by many Czechs but by the whole Slovak nation. "SLOVAK NEWS" or COMMUNIST PROPAGANDA For the past two years Slovaks in the Free World received from a Slovak Cultural and Tourist News Agency Tatrapress a mimeographed publication called "Slovak News." After being separated for over a quarter of a century by the Iron Curtain from their homeland, 161 many Slovaks welcomed the fact that finally they can receive information on their country of origin from Bratislava. Unfortunately, the "Slovak News" is not published in the spirit which triggered the liberalization in 1968 and the picture of Slovakia is not one which we could accept. The periodical is published in English, sometimes in good and at other times in very poor English indeed. It was a good step on the part of the regime in Bratislava to try to acquaint the outside world with Slovakia, but the bad side of this enterprise is the biased presentation of Slovak politics and cultural, economic, and social life. For many decades, Slovakia was presented in a distorted light, more often than not unfavorably, to the Western world. All the efforts of Slovak intellectuals in the Free World could not successfully overcome the adverse propaganda from either Czech or other camps opposed to Slovak national aspirations. In 1968, there were great hopes among the Slovaks in the Free World that the tide had changed and that from Slovakia efforts will come to present Slovakia in a true light. Looking objectively at the issues of "Slovak News" which have up to date come to this Continent, we must say with regret that it is again a very biased picture which the so-called Slovak government portrays for the West and hundreds of thousands of Slovaks who are still interested in the good name of their country of origin and work for a free and democratic Slovakia. J . K. �162 SLOVAKIA BOOK REVIEWS BOOKS ON THE EVENT IN CZECHO-SLOVAKIA IN 1968 The events in Czecho-Slovakia stirred the attention of scholars in many Western countries and some 50 books were published according to Robert F. Lamberg (Svedectvi, X, No. 37, Paris, 1969). Most of these books are in English, some in French and the rest in the German language. Among the authors are not only specialists in international affairs or in Eastern Europe, but also the Czech exiles and writings by two exiles from Slovakia, Eugene Loeb! and Ladislav Miiacko. The writings of both these authors were published in English as well as in German. One of Loebl's books, Svedectvo o Procese, was published in Slovak and appeared subsequently in English as well as German translation. Many of these books just presented the sequence of events and did not bring any scholarly analysis or political conclusions. Other books are analytical and there is also a score of books which are close to the sensational writings and were designed for the large public and money making. Among those which are worthwhile reading are the following books : Robert Rhodes James, ed., The Czechoslovak Crisis 1968. London: Weidenfeld and Nicolson (Toronto: Ryerson), 1969, XII, 203 pp., $7.95. Roger Garaudy, La liberte en sursis: Prague, 1968. Paris. Fayard, 156 pp. Eugen Loeb!, Sentenced and Tried: The Stalinist Purges in Czechoslovakia. London: Elek (Toronto: Ryerson), 1969, 272 pp., $8.50: in Slovak, Svedectvo o procese, Bratislava, 1968, 200 pp.: in German, Die Revolution rehabilitiert ihre Kinder, Vienna: Europa, 1968, 228 pp. Eugen Loeb} and Leopold Grunwald , Die intellektuelie Revolution, Hintergrunde and Auswirktmgen des " Prager Frilhiings". Dusseldorf: Econ, 1969, 308 pp. Ladislav Miiacko, The Seventh Night. New York: Dutton (Toronto : Clarke, Irwin), 1969, 220 pp., $7.25. Also in German. Harry Schwartz, Prague's 200 Days: The Struggle for Denwcracy in Czechoslovakia. New York, Washington, and London: Praeger (Toronto: Burns & MacEachern) , 1969, 274 pp., $7.25. Joseph Wechsberg, The Voices Garden City, N. Y.: Toronto : Doubleday, 1969, 113 pp. $5.95. Philip Windsor and Adam Roberts, Czechoslovakia, 1968: Refo rm, Repression and Resistance. London: Chatto and Windus for the Institute for Strategic Studies (Toronto : Clarke Irwin) , 1969, vm, 200 PP- ' $3.0o. Z. A. B. Zeman, Prague Spring: A Report on Czechoslovakia, 1968. Harmondsworth, Middlesex: Penguin (Toronto: Longmans) , 1969, 169 pp., $8.50. Not all of these books are of the ·s ame academic value and one of them by Robert Rhodes James, The Czechoslovak Crisis 1968, has put the invasion by the Warsaw Pact armies in a debatable position, as we will see later. The three books by the writers from Slovakia, Loeb! and Mnacko, gave an insight into the crisis of communism in �SLOVAKIA Slovakia and Mnacko's book is rather a series of reportages than a book on history. From the political point of view, some of the books condemned the invasion and their analysis of the events before the invasion and after is in line with a democratic point of view. The most surprising are the views of Robert Rhodes James who is a specialist in international relations. In his view, the Soviet occupation was "defensive and reluctant" and did not provide evidence of "Soviet aggressiveness or expansionism" and represented "no threats to NATO interests." James also thinks that the United Nations "acquitted itself reasonably effectively" by protesting only and that NATO was quite right in its reactions by not making any attempt to include Rumania or Yugoslavia under its protection. It is certainly hard to accept such views from a western "specialist in international affairs" on an act of brutal aggressiveness and violation of the independence of a country which wanted only to build "communism with a human face". This defeatist view is hardly acceptable by any western scholar or politician. Even the Italian, Rumanian and Yugoslav communists condemned the invasion and protested against it and there is no doubt that all the Western Powers, even if they remained inactive, looked with concern to the presence of Russian armies on the West German and Austrian border. In all these books there is, of course, not much about the events in Slovakia and there is rarely mentioned the fact that the liberalization was forced upon Novotny's regime by the Slovak writers and was lead by a Slovak-Alexander Dubcek-who is sometimes even 163 presented as a Czech leader. Only the Canadian Slavonic Papers (Vol. IX, 4, 1968) published a chapter on the role of Slovaks in the deStalinization period. A good book presenting not only the Czech views or information received in Prague, but also giving justice to the Slovaks, seems to be very necessary to give an objective picture of the events of 1967 and 1968. J . M . Kirschbaum Heinri c h Kuhn: Handbuch der Tschechoslowakei (Verlag Robert Lerche, Mtinchen), 1966, pp. 1,024, Price 142.00 D. M. This reference book on CzechoSlovakia by Dr. Heinrich Kuhn will be appreciated not only by scholars but by all who are interested in the political, social and economic development in CzechoSlovakia after the Second World War. With the typical German "puenktlichkeit" Dr. Kuhn prepared a highly technical study which required years of systematk research and data collecting. The Collegium Carolinum published in the past years several valuable books on Bohemia and Slovakia. Kuhn's volume seems to be the most useful. The volume is divided into four parts. The first part deals with the territory of today's Czecho-Slovakia and her population which by the rude and often criminal expulsion of 3 million Sudeten Germans and by the "voluntary" cession of Subcarpathian Ruthenia by Prague to the U. S. S. R. was substantially reduced in comparison to its size in pre-war times. Kuhn's work gives the basic statistics on the territorial organization, th~ movements of the population and its ethnic composition as well as �164 SLOVAKIA the social structure and education of the Czechs and Slov,a ks during the 20 years following the Second World War. The author avoided political comments either in his introductory notes or in explaining the statistics, leaving the judgment on, among other things, the expulsion of Germans, on the transfer of hundreds of thousands of Slovaks to the Sudeten territories, where they have been denationalized, to historians and political scientists. In the second part of this huge volume (1,024 pages) Dr. Kuhn deals with the constitutional and organizational structure of CzechoSlovakia under the post-war "people's democracy" and Communist regimes. The tense relation between the Czechs and Slovaks and the tendency of Prague's governments to reduce Slovakia to a province administered by Prague rather than by Slovaks, is clearly apparent from the constitutional changes, partly politics, government appointments and statistical data in this part of the book. We also can find in this chapter basic information and statistics on cultural institutions, schools and church organizations. For those who know from other sources about the rule of terror, the Stalinization of the system, the anti-Slovak policy of Prague governments and the persecution of the Church, especially in Slovakia, Dr. Kuhn's statistical evidence of the changes during this period will be of great value. An interesting picture of changes and inner struggles in the government, cultural and other organizations is also given in the third part of Kuhn's work. To read properly the statistical data in this part it is, however, necessary to be well acquainted with the rela- tions between the Czechs and Slovaks. Behind all the changes in the high positions of the CzechoSlovak state was a systematic attempt at exclusion of Slovaksexcept those who were willing tools of Gottwald or Novotnyfrom the decision making organs and institutions. During the Novotny era the anti-Slovak complex was also extended to the cultural field . The accusations of "bourgeois nationalism" was but a cover, as we learned during the short period of liberalization in 1968. The last part of the book gives us names of those who after the Second World War held positions in the political and cultural organizations of Czecho-Slovakia. The value of Dr. Kuhn's works can be justly judged only if we take into consideration that great part of the information he gives in his book was not easily or at all accessible in the West for many years. There was an "Iron Curtain" preventing an exchange of scholars and of publications, and there was for many a language barrier, since the Prague Government did not publish the statistical data in Western languages. Looking from this point at Dr. Kuhn's reference book, not only scholars but also Slovaks in the Free World cannot but welcome it. Dr. J . M . Kirschbaum Rudolf Sturm, CZECHOSLOVAKIA -A Bibliographic Guide, (Library of the Congress, Washington), 1967, 157 pp. Professor Sturm's Bibliographic Guide on Czecho-Slovakia is the first work of its kind in which the author made the attempt of presenting a bibliography on CzechoSlovakia without the usual bias. He included scores of books on �SLOVAKIA 165 Slovakia which other bibliogra- scholars and specialists in Eastern phers usuall y bypass. Therefore, Europe will find in these works it is hard to say whether it is by a new picture of the Slovak past omission of the author or because and cultural life. A better representation of Slowe did not publish in the Free World a bibliography of books on vak books can be found in Prof. Slovak history, culture, and litera- Sturm's Bibliographic Guide as far ture, if we do not find in this as books and bibliographies in bibliography some books which Slovak language are concerned. There he has listed the main should be mentioned. The book is divided into 15 bibliography sources as well as the chapters which deal with the land , most important books on Slovak the people, history, politics and history, language, and literature government, Jaw, economy, social which were published either beconditions, religion and philosophy, fore 1945 or during the Communist languages, literature and the arts. period. Jn his introduction, Prof. Sturm '.J'1>c work includes both forei gn language books and reference mentions that he would be "gratcbooks and bibliographies in the ful to users for informing him of Czech and Slovak languages. Need- any error or shortcoming in the less to say that the number of text" and he admits that the Guid e publications on the Czechs, their is "imperfect" and hopes that history, language and culture is "im perfect as it is, it fills a need and will help to promote Czech considerably higher. We note, however, that for the and Slovak studies outside Czechofirst time in a bibliography pre- slovakia." There is no doubt that. pared by a Czech scholar, there are ' the Guide will help scholars and books which do not agree with th~ specialists and we hope that in the official ideology of Prague govern- next edition the author will not ments or Czechs in exile. Prof. omit books by Slovak writers in Sturm included forei gn language the Free World , namely, the writbooks by Slovak authors who clear- ing by Pauco , Franti§ek Vnuk, J . ly advocate an independent Slova- Rekem , M. Lacko , S. Nahalka, M. kia or, in cultural matters, disagree Sprinc, T. Zubek, some more imwith the Czech tendency to present portant books by !lurcansky than Slovak language and literature as he listed, several other publicaa part of the Czech or "Czechoslo- tions by this reviewer, as well as vak" language and literature. As the quarterly Most, Slowakei, the a result, we find in this Biblio- Literarny Almanach Slovaka v A graphic Guide books and publica- merike, and the academic publications in major European langueges tion by the University of Montreal by Prof f>urica , f>urcansky , Hru- Etudes Slav es in which there have !iovsky, Kirschbaum , Mikus, Skul- been many articles on Slovak lantety. Sister Woytko, Yurchak, Hro- guage and literature. In view of bak's linguistic works and Palic- the fact that Prof. Sturm displayed kar's work on Slovak culture. Even scholarly objectivity we should though the books by these authors help him with the necessary inforpresent only a part of the books mation in case he will publish a and publications which have been reviewed edition of his Bibliopublished abroad on Slovak politi- graphic Gurde. J . M. Kirschbaum cal history or cultural matters, the , I �166 SLOVAKIA Stefan G 1 e j du r a: Los Grandes in Argentina. The fact that Dr. Problemas del Este Europeo, Glejdura contributes to an inter(Separata de la Revista de Poli- nationally known political review, tica Internacional, Madrid, 1968-· gives ·his work a particular impor1969) tance. The series would deserve to be A series of studies on the policy re-printed in book form because of the Soviet Union and the prob- the author gives a whole picture lems of Eastern Europe by Dr. of the political scene in the Soviet Stefan Glejdura deserve the atten- orbit, not only as a competent tion of scholars as well as special observer but also as a specialist ists interested in the vicisitudes of who thoroughly followed the evoEastern Europe. For more than a lution behind the Iron Curtain decade Dr. Glejdura wrote learned since the end of the Second World studies on this subject for the War until the present time. There is hardly any Slovak intelhighly regarded periodical "Revista de Politica Internacional," pub- lectual who wrote so many reviews lished in Madrid. Several of these of books published on the probstudies have been published in re- lems of Eastern Europe in several prints and should be considered as European languages as Dr. Glejdua serious contribution to the re- ra did during the past two decades. search of the great political prob- His vast knowledge prepared him lems of Eastern Europe. The au- for a competent analysis and prethor analyzed not only the foreign sentation of the political, social as policy of the Soviet Union but also well as economic problems of the of the individual countries like nations subjugated by Moscow. In Hungary, Rumania, Slovakia, Czech- the hope that Dr. Glejdura will o-Slovakia, Poland, etc. and their publish his studies in book form, relations with the Soviet Union. we are refraining from analyzing He drew his conclusions on the at this time his studies on individbasis of his knowledge of foreign ual Eastern European countries language documents and literature even though each of them would in several European languages. As deserve a separate review. We recommend especially the a result, the series of his studies is a valuable contribution to the following studies to the scholars knowledge and contemporary Eu- and specialists interested in Eastern Europe: ropean problems. La Politica Exterior de la U.R.S.S., From a Slovak point of view, we (Madrid) , 1969. welcome the studies by Dr. Glejdura because they complete our Vicisitudes del Este Europeo, (Madrid), 1968. political literature on the world problems by publications in the Los Grandes Problemas del Este Spanish language. There have been Europeo: Hungria-Magyarorszag many studies in English, French, (Madrid) , 1969. Italian or German by Slovak intel- Los Grandes Problemas del Este lectuals who established themEuropeo: Rumania, (Madrid), selves in the West after the Second 1969. World War. In the Spanish lan- Los Grandes Problemas del Este guage, however, we did not have Europeo : Eslovaquia, (Madrid), scholarly writings except for a few 1968. publications which were published J. M . Kirschbaum �SLOVAKIA Thaddeus V. Gromada, "Pilsudski and the Slovak Autonomists" Slavic Review, Vol. September 1969, pp. 445-462, Washington University. The Polish-Slovak relations between 1918 and 1939 are undoubtedly one of the most interesting chapters in the history of modern Slovakia. The Slovaks, dissatisfied with their position in the centralized Czecho-Slovakia ruled from Prague, did not have among their neighbours any support for preserving their distinctive nationality except the Poles. There also have been friendly cultural ties with the Polish nation for many centuries and from the religious point of view Poland was closer to the hearts of the majority of Slovaks than any other nation in Central Europe. This situation led, naturally, the Slovak leaders to look for co-operation with Poland. On the Polish side there was some understanding for the Slovak desire to preserve their nationality and political autonomy, but there also were considerations for cultivating the Polish-Slovak relations and at times to support the political struggle of the Slovak nation for an equal status with other Central European nations. There are studies on this subject in Slovak language but it is the first time that a thorough analysis of these relations has been published in English. Prof_ Gromada presents in his extensive article "Pilsudski and the Slovak Autonomists" a scholarly analysis and brought to light many details and many documents which have been unknown even to some Slovak historians or persons involved in politics in Slovakia during that period. The presentation is undoubtedly academic and it im- 167 presses by the mass of literature and unpublished documents which Prof. Gromada perused before writing his study. Except for the help which Msgr. Andrew Hlinka received from the Polish government in 1919 when he decided to go to the Paris Peace Conference, many important facts of the Polish-Slovak relations have been very little known. However, Prof. Gromada presents even Hlinka's efforts to obtain guarantees for Slovak autonomy and incorporation of the Pittsburgh Pact into the Peace Conference documents partly in a new light. At the same time, he reveals to historians documents from Polish archives which were unpublished or unresearched by other historians in the West. The most interesting part of Prof. Gromada's study refers to the relations of the period 19351939. At that time, there was in Slovakia a strong political current called "Polonophilism" headed by one of the leaders of Hlinka's Slovak populist party, Karol Sidor, and the relations between Poland and Slovak autonomists obtained a political colour. On the Slovak side these relations were also prompted not only by the traditional "Polonophilism" but also by political considerations. While in the international sphere the Slovak struggle for autonomy was more or less unknown or presented in an unobjective light by the official Czech policy, it found in Poland the most sympathetic ear among all neighbours of Slovakia. Even though in this period the official policy of the Prague government spoke about the necessity of good relations between all Slavs, the Slovak "Polonophilism" was attacked and condemned. Quite illogically it was accepted by Prague that good relations with the Soviet �168 SLOVAKIA Union or Yugoslavia were neces- help us to have an objective look sary but the efforts of Slovaks for at the Polish-Slovak relations. good relations with Poland were These remarks are not inteded condemned. This did not, however, to diminish the value or shed a deter Slovak autonomists from doubt on Prof. Gromada's highly cultivating the relations with Po- competent and well documented land. On the contrary, they grew study. In fact, Slavists and esstronger and also extended into pecially Slovak historians and cultural fields with the result that scholars should welcome his valu there were dozens ~f Slovak in~el- able account which, as we underlec_tuals_ . who studi_ed at Pohsh stand, is only a part of his larger umversibes or received g:ants to study on Slovak-Polish relations. foster cu~tural co-operabo~ b~-1 This reviewer is searching for doct~een Po_lish_ an_d Slovak umversi• 1 uments which would either support ties and msbtutwDs. . or reject some details in Prof. P_rof. Groma~a present~d this Gromada's study such as his stateperiod as seen m the Pohsh _doc- ment about the periodical Nast-up. uments and partly as descnbed He also will endeavor to clear by Slovak or Czech sch?lars. Since some statements published by Polwe do not have ac~ess !n th e Fr~e ish diplomats or the Foreign MinWo:ld to the ~c~ives m Slovakia, ister, Joseph Beck, which Prof. or m Prag_ue, it _is har_d even for Gromada used among his sources. someone hke this reviewer, who Until p of Gromada ublishes his was involved in ~he autonomist whole s~dy of Slovaf-Polish relamovement _ and Pohsh Slovak cul- tions, we hope to be able to answer t~ral rel~tlons, !o state how far the these questions. At the present picture is unbiased or complete. time, we cannot but give recogniVeD'. recently so~e doc~ments or tion to the author for his scholarly s~udies were pubh_shed ~n commu- efforts and well-written chapter of mst Czecho-Slovak1a which shed a Polish-Slovak relations between new light on this period but only the two World Wars. an unbiased study of the archives J. M . Kirschbaum in Prague and Bratislava could THE 1970 LITERARY ALMANAC A noteworthy characteristic of the true Christian Slovak intellectual is that he writes with professional skill and objectivity, and with an ideal practicality-in contrast to many slippery writers of today who deliberately manipulate words in order to confuse. And because this Slovak is a Christian and an intellectual, he ordinarily produces a masterpiece in his choice of subject and his handling of his material, as the contents of the 1970 LITERARNY ALMANACH testify. Owned and edited by Dr. Joseph Pauco in Middletown, Pennsylvania, the LITERARNY ALMANACH is the yearbook of the SLOVAK V AMERIKE, the oldest Slovak newspaper in America, which observed its 80th birthday in the Cyrillian Year of 1969. The new 1970 ALMANACH offers its readers a choice, wellbalanced assortment of literary gems. Here one will find scholarly studies; historical, political, and biographical sketches; short stories and briefer essays; narrative po- �SLOVAKIA ems revealing the hopes, joys and sufferings of the Slovak soul, and a number of deep, difficult poems. Each of the authors endears himself to the reader for each has shared what is dearest to him-his soul's choicest thoughts on a specific topic for the enrichment of Slovak culture and Slovak life. Father Theodoric Zubek highlights a most timely truth in his ''Man Penetrates the Cosmic Atmosphere." Graphically he points out that whatever discoveries man may make in his rendezvouz with the moon, they can in no way alter the wonders of REVELATION. They can but confirm what God has already made known to man for his salvation and sanctification. To those deluded souls who taxied around the moon and " missed seeing God" the author has some telling lines on God's infinity and man's infinitesimality. In a well-documented study entitled "Slovak Presence in Europe Before the 6th Century After Christ," Msgr. John Rekem ably and successfull y proves his thesis. He takes the reader on a mammoth archeological tour that begins in Bratislava and traverses nearly the entire Eastern Hemisphere. He describes artifacts uncovered around Bratislava which date back to 3000 years before Christ. Monsignor is no novice at archeology. In 1968 he spent several weeks in Jericho where he witnessed and personally studied some marvelous excavations. For example, spread out before his eyes were the remains of an ancient city dating back to 8000 B. C., surrounded by a stone wall. Of special interest to the group was a long canal bored into stone running through the city. Monsignor further points out the role of archeology in the study of 169 ancient culture. From excavations in Slovakia, for example, it has been possible to trace the course of languages . . . with the astonishing deduction made that our ancestors already occupied Central Europe some 2000 years before the dawn of history. Recent studies by Slavic scholars indicate also that it is at least probable that our ancestors spoke Sanskrit. Msgr. Rekem's bibliography is impressive, composed as it is of Slovak, French, English, Latin, Ukrainian, and Polish references. His study demonstrates that the latest archeological excavations have opened the world to the existence of ancient cultures and civilizations such as no scientist had ever imagined . " Slovakia in the 20th Centucy (1919-1945 )" is the title of a book authored by L. Liptak and published in Slovakia. A review of part one by Frantisek Vnuk, a competent historian, can be found in the 1970 JEDNOTA KALENDAR. Here in the ALMANACH Vnuk incisively evaluates the second part of a study which purports to be history. But is it genuine histocy? It is not surprising, Vnuk declares, that Liptak's book, spawned by a Communist and issued under a Communist regime, contains some truth, more half truths, and a generous supply of fiction. Liptak blandly states in his book, for example, that a citizen of the Slovak Republic (1939-1945)-unless he was a member of the Hlinka Party-was automatically excluded from political life. This of course is a bald lie. Liptak is definitely biased , as no historian can afford to be. He sees the mote marring the Slovak Republic but is completely blind to the beam crushing the lives of the Slovaks. With fine scorn, Vnuk describes some of �170 SLOVAKIA Liptiik's claims as written with "uncritical senility" and as "degrading history to the level of a Communist tool. " Dr. Joseph Mistrik's contribution in the 1970 ALMANACH is "Prophetical Groups or a New Church?" The article bears out the title and as such is a challenge to anyone following the changes current in the Church today. He rightfully criticizes the underground church - those new-bread sects and deluded Catholics, who aUenate themselves from the true Church and arrogate to themselves its authority. At one point Canon Mistrik refers briefly to Archbishop Helder Camara of Recife, Brazil, calling him the sadly-famous archbishop. May I interpose a personal comment here : Archbishop Camara has identified himself with the, one might say, scum of humanity in Northeastern Brazil where his diocese is located. He is determined to put an end to the new slavery market operating in Brazil where a man is sold to a rich buyer for the price of $25.00 and only young, strong, and healthy men are accepted by the slave-drivers. ( cf. LATIN AMERICA CALLS, March 1969 ). With Dr. Mistrik, however, all faithful Catholics continue to pray, to hope, knowing for a certainty that Christ and His Church will triumph. As a living organism, the Church must shed all dead branches-the prophetical groups -and so rejuvenate herself. "A Salute to Stanislav Meciar" on his 60th birthday by Jan E . Bor contains this beautiful statement: •·Dr. Meciar received from God not only exceptional intellectual gifts, but also a firm, forthright character together with an uncompromising spirit." And this writer begs to add : Also an enormous, divinelike capacity for work. Bor proceeds to tell how Dr. Meciar brought these gifts to fruition in the various responsible positions he held in the Slovak Republic, and in the diversified Ii terary productions that flowed from his pen: books, critical analyses, reviews, commentaries, magazine articles, comparative studies of literature and personalities, evaluations of poetry, of scientific and historical works. Bor points out that Dr. Meciar's publication of the collected works of noted authors places us under real obligation to him . As editor of several literary magazines and newspapers, Dr. Meciar demonstrates that nothing is alien to him so long as it touches the human person. Dr. Joseph Kirschbaum, a competent historian and profilic writer, has contributed two pertinent articles in the 1970 ALMANACH. One of them bears -the title, "The Purloined Last Manuscript of Constantine culen". Its mission is to fulfill the request of the author Constantine culen, who on his deathbed had entrusted him with a certain manuscript on the cult of SS. Cyril and Methodius among Slovak immigrants in the United States and Canada. To fulfill his promise to a dying friend Dr. Kirschbaum prepared culen's manuscript and it now appears in the 1970 ALMANACH under the title : "The Cyril-Methodian Cult Among Slovak Immigrants in the United States and Canada". In this historical study culen makes some pithy comparisons between the Slovaks and the Irish. Both nations were exploited culturally, economically and politically. From both nations thousands migrated to America after crop failures. �SLOVAKIA Culen's study features both lights and shadows, with shadows predominating. Through it runs the bitter thread of Magyar oppression of the Slovaks; their cruel and relentless efforts to magyarize the Slovaks. But here also one sees the golden thread, the adamant resistance of the Slovaks to magyarization. The study further portrays the Slovaks as eager to organize parishes and build churches as soon as they were settled in Americ-a in the latter half of the 19th century. And now also by a natural but too-long suppressed instinct they began freely to venerate their patrons, SS. Cyril and Methodius who had been forcefully excluded from public devotion in Slovakia under the Magyars. The first church in America dedicated to our Slovak holy patrons was erected in 1891 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The cult took root and spread throughout Slav America so that ttoday there are 36 churches, many schools, institutions, and two seminaries dedicated to SS. Cyril and Methodius. The saints are venerated also by the Sisters of SS. Cyril and Methodius who continue the apostolate of their patrons for God and His Church. As regards Canadian immigrants from Slovakia, Culen points out, they arrived in Canada in large numbers only after the second World War, differing greatly from the farm folk that came to the United States in an earlier era. Many are professionals who weathered ,the evils of Czech imperialism and Communism. Most are highly educated. Today Canada has 6 churches dedicated to our patrons, but Canadian Slovaks are as deeply devoted to their apostles as good Slovaks anywhere. 171 It is a joy to learn here that a Lutheran priest, Rev. Daniel Zaboj Laucek, propagated the Cyril-Methodian cult in Europe and America and at his personal expense he published a book in 1885 on the significance of our saints for all Slavic peoples. "Dr. Joseph Buday in the Service of Church and Nation," is Jan Mest'ancik's exeellent contribution to the ALMANACH. In it the author introduces his subject as a theologian, philosopher, sociologist, writer, editor, an authority on the Cyril-Methodian cult, and a capable political servant. Before treating the issue at hand, however, Mest'ancik sketches the setting in which Dr. Buday found himself at the beginning of the 20th century. The false religious ideas of Tolstoy were being disseminated among the masses by the renegade Dr. Srobar and his group, the Hlasists. Electioneering maneuvers and pressures of the Hungarian authorities kept the country politically in turmoil. The Slovaks were being discriminated against at every level of endeavor and especially in education. The situation demanded not only wisdom, prudence and patience, but also planned determination and persistent, coordinated action. This challenging atmosphere suited Dr. Buday to a T. Dr. Buday early joined Msgr. Andrew Hlinka in his efforts to wrest from the government the civil and human rights 0f the Slovaks. He used his pen to inform the people. In a series of articles, which appeared in Literarne listy, he routed the pretensions of -Srobar and his Hlasists. With Hlinka he undertook the colossal tesk of improving economic conditions in the villages. They organized cooperatives for the pro- �172 SLOVAKIA duction and sale of fann products and home crafts. lit was this system, adopted throughout Slovakia, which improved the standard of living in Slovak villages. The schools being what they were, Magyar indoctrination centers, Buday - with Hlinka - used the theater to educate the people on how best to serve their own best interests, cultural as well as social and economic. This intensive educational activity bore abundant fruit, says Mest'ancik. In 1901-an unheard of thing-the Slovaks were able to seat 4 representatives in the Hungarian Parliament, and in 1906 the number rose to 7. In 1919, after the Slovak People's Party was organized, Dr. Buday was elected to the Czecho-Slovak Parliament, serving 8 years as a deputy and 11 years as a senator. During the latter term he was also vice-president of Parliament and later of the Senate. In Parliament Dr. Buday proved himself a statesman of the highest caliber. He confronted problems with fine logic and with a keen grasp of the details involved. He preferred to negotiate rather than appeal to emotion, yet he was ready to compromise provided no principle or right was sacrificed. It is easy to see why he gained the respect even of his opponents. Mest'ancik is careful to remind the reader that the Czecho-Slovak Republic did not bring freedom to the Slovaks. The battle for civil and human rights continued. Under the Czechs it was still necessary to press for self-identity and now also for the preservation of the Catholic faith . As nearly all the bishops had been Magyars, they emigrated to Hungary. The situation was explosive in many ways. Assisted by members of the Priests' Council, which Hlinka had speedily organized, Dr. Buday and Blinka, two men with opposite temperaments, achieved the seemingly impossible. Before long the Church was peacefully functioning under its own bishops. . . yet awaiting the inevitable: the ridicule and jeers of Czech unbelievers as they tried to undermine the Catholic Church. In the political sphere the turbulence was even more pronounced. Thousands of Czechs had flocked into Slovakia, ostensibly to assist in organizing affairs of State, but actually they attacked the main arteries of Slovak life like vultures. In no time they occupied the leading positions in the country. Slovak resistance was steadfast and persistent . . . and it continued its Carvary march for 20 years. A new chapter in the hi story of Slovakia was introduced iu 1939 when the Republic of Slovakia was proclaimed, but that is another story. In 1924 Dr. Buday addressed Parliament in a compelling speech , in which he accused the Czech regime of gross injustice against Slovakia. He pointed out that Slo-vak prisons were filled with innocent citizens whose only "crime" was adhering to their national and political convictions and God-given rights. He claimed that thousands of Slovaks, and chiefly the intelligentia, were forced to emigrate because the occupying army of Czech exploiters prevented them from making a living. . . that the h!xing system was unjust, partial and impossible to accept, . . . that Czech propaganda was impressing Europe with false ideas regarding conditions in Slovakia ... and that every call for justice and improvement was answered with cold cynicism. He issued a warning that the Slovak nation would certainly �SLOVAKIA victoriously overcome Czech imperialism as it had weathered centuries of Magyar oppression. Dr. Buday had a hand in any project that contributed to the welfare of the Slovak people. His influence played a role in preventing the Czech effort to equate the Slovak language with theirs and to label it a Czech dialect. Before his death in November 1939, this good and faithful servant of God and country was accorded two unique honors: He was privileged to welcome to Slovakia the American Slovak Delegation, headed by Dr. P. P. ffietko , which triumphantly exhibited the original draft of the famous 1918 Pittsburgh Agreement. The other, which was probably the happiest moment in Dr. Buday's life, occured January 18, 1939, when as a senior member of the National Assembly he opened the first session of the Slovak Parliament in Bratislava with a memorable classical address. One last contribution. All of us who loved Philip Hrobak and revere his memory are grateful to Dr. Pauco for his article, "In What Did Hrobak's Greatness Consist?" Dr. Pauco presents an excellent evaluation of Hrobak as a person. He notes his indefatigable zeal, his extraordinary capacity for work, his kindness of heart. Mention is made of his voluminous carrepondence to inform the English speaking public about the injustice suffered by our people in Slovakia; and to correct the distorted facts published in the U.S. press, usually supplied by Czech propaganda. Dr. Pauco stresses the fact that it was through Hrobak's persistent efforts that at long last the State Department in Washington accepted the distinction between Czechs and Slovaks. No small accomplish- 173 ment for Philip Hrobak or for the Slovak nation. There are many other splendid articles in the 1970 ALMANACH. The more I paged through this issue the more humble I felt in the face of the heroism, the grandeur of character, the erudition, the honest pride, and the deep love for Slovakia of each of its contributors. And so I warn you, gentle reader, that this ALMAN ACH can disturb your conscience, it can thrill you, it can challenge you. Reading it you can lose yourself in the Elysian atmosphere of Slovakia, Communism notwithstanding, until suddenly you realize that you have been carried away to ... what? Try it. If you are fortunate to be able to read and understand Slovak, even just fairly, it is smart to keep the ALMANACH within arm's reach. Sister M. Gabriel Hricko, SS.C.M. I:alendar Jednota 1970: The 73rd edition of the Jednota annual in the Slovak language ... Jednota Press, 1970; 244 pp., Middletown, Pa. , Ed. by Jozef C. Krajsa. The 1970 publication of the Jcdnota annual commemorates 80 years of the Society's function not only in preserving and extending the Slovak heritage in America, but also in furthering wherever possible the various apostolic works of the Church throughout the Slovak world. Laudatory and enthusiastic articles to the fact are written by the Si!preme president, John A. Sabol aud by Msgr. John Senglar, the Society's chaplain. Readers familiar with Msgr. M. K. Mlynarovic's erudition and with tht: intellectual beauty of his writtings will find here another �174 SLOVAKIA gem of his poetic prose, "The Human Family-a Masterpiece of Love." Dr. J. M. Kirschbaum, once diplomatic representative of the Slovak Republic to Switzerland, writes from his own rich experience of the suspenseful days prior to the War's end (1944). He highlights the grave responsibilities that faced the delegation and the leaders of Slovakia in those days of crisis. He includes a conversation held with Archbishop P. Bernardini, then Papal Legate to Switzerland, about the future of Europe and concludes his writing with the last diplomatic communique sent to Slovakia from Bern. Msgr. Andrew Hlinka's last will and testament published here for the first time "in toto" should be of great interest to many. A rather lengthy article, but worth the space allotted, is Imrich Kruzliak's development of the Slovak language. He points out that it was principally in the rectories ( both Catholic and Lutheran) throughout Slovakia that the torch of the Slovak spirit and language was first kindled and from there carried afar. Religious articles include: news from the mission fields; statistically backed items on religions and rites in various parts of the world; an exhortation for a better understanding between Greek and Roman rite Catholics; and the Holy Father's address to a Slovak audience upon the occasion of the 1000th anniversary of the death of St. Cyril. Several shorter but timely articles stem from Vatican II influence and include recent changes in the Church ( diaconate, Mass, marriage ceremonies, etc.); these topics appear in the Catholic press generally today. Worth mentioning are: Father A. Zan's scholarly report refuting the theory that Sacred Scripture is merely a collection of stories and myths devoid of historic or religious value; the history and purpose of the International Labor Organization; the problem of feeding a future world (a statistical report); and some interesting prove1 bs and maxims culled from the writings of India neatly categorized into various topics and bearing resemblance to the Book of Wisdom. Msgr. J . Rekem reviews the poetry of Gorazd Zvonicky whom he designate as a kindred spirit to Peguy, Verlaine and Rimbalt. Extracts from the poet's works indeed testify that he merits such praise. The J ednota includes a highly informative biographical sketch of Alojz Macek (now living in Argentina). Editor, writer, and active patriot of Slovakia, Macek was founder of the Catholic Boy Scouts of Slovakia and of the "Hlinka Youth." Today his Spanish writings made known to a larger public the historical and cultural background of the Slovaks. Frantisek Vnuk reviews and refutes ~ubomir Luptak's history, Slovakia in the 20th Century. He points out the author's falsification of historical fact, his half tru,ths or truths told "with bad intent". Presenting statistics and historical documentation, Vnuk shows how Luptak ignores and intentionally omits whatever does not serve to further Communistic propaganda. This distorted or "rewritten" history centers on events leading to tht> separation of Slovakia from Austra-Hungary , the Pittsburgh Pact, politics prior to World War II and ,t he Warsaw Pact of 1968. Included in the publication are �SLOVAKIA several fine poetic selections by living Slovak poets and a few short stories. Following a long established custom, the annual features protographs, many of which may interest only members of the society. Other photographs, such as some very fine pictures commemorating the centennial of the death of the poet Jan Holly, which would interest readers in general, are lost among the former. Si ster M . Alfred Massura, SS.C.M. Jednota Annual FURDEK 1970: Published by the First Catholic Slovak Union (Jednota Press, Middletown, Pa. 1970, 200 pp.) Edited by Joseph C. Krajsa. The 1970 FURDEK is an event as well as a publication. It is a treasure of information as well as a reservoir of delight and diversion. At a glance one notices the diversified appeal of its contents. From the first several pages beam the a•t tractive faces of the young "Promise of the future," collegebound students, subsidized in their course with JEDNOTA scholarships. These young people know from personal experience that the First Catholic Slovak Union is a wide-awake, alert, generous, truly fraternal society of the second half of the twentieth century. An installment of "Who's Who Among Slovak Priests" introduces the reader to some of the ministers of the Gospel called from the Slovak population to proclaim the Good News to the world. Such a Roll-Call of S 1 o v a k - A m e rican priests serves a useful purpose: it satisfies the reader's curiosity and, more importantly, it informs him of the resources of SJovak 175 American culture, its accomplishments, its possibilities, and its blessings. The first title that caught my eye in the FURDEK Almanach was "The Clergy in Slovak History and Culture," by Father Theodoric Zubek, 0 . F . M. I am familiar with the leading role played by clergymen in the history of our nation, but having the spotlight placed on it in a single article is particularly valuable today when our own American clergymen are venturing into leadership roles in government and politics. What combination of circumstances makes this advisable ? What makes it necessary? Whait makes it imperative? How did Bishop Moyses, for example, become President of the Matica Slovenska, the leading cultural society in Slovakia? What conditions brought Monsignor Andrej Hlinka into the limelight? How did Monsignor Jozef Tiso get to be President of the Slovak Republic in 1939? Two articles on St. Cyril were very welcome to me as a Sister of SS. Cyril and Methodius. One was written by Mother M. Emerentia, SS. C. M. , and is a fine scholarly study of the character and accomplishments of our patron. The other is a discourse delivered at a Centenary Assembly of bishops and priests in Greece by Archbishop Maury of Rheims, who was head of the papal delegation at the ceremony. It is a masterpiece in its insight into the holiness, the scholarliness, the universality of St. Cyril, who challenges us eleven hundred years later to promote the best interests of the Church with the mind of Christ. The article on Slovak pioneers show their self-sacrificing spirit and their enthusiastic zeal during the organization of the first Slovak �176 SLOVAKIA parishes. Their experiences in the mines are timely, coinciding with current interest in the Molly Maguires. The stories by Michael Simko are human-interest episodes that delight the reader. "Christmas in Slovakia" and "Slovak Easter Customs" by the Rev. Andrew Pier, 0. S. B. not only fascinate the reader with the wide variety of traditional practices of our ancestors, but also portray to him the rich culture, the deep faith and the joyous spirit so characteristic to our Slovak people. The articles are of particular interest to me since I learned of these customs from my immigrant parents, through our observance of them in our home. In "Slovakia-A Veritable Gem of Central Europe" one is carried to the scenic sights of the Tatras and the shores of the beautiful Danube, the Gothic churches and cathedrals, the ancient castles, the fishing and hunting grounds, and the historic cities of the country. The article is a source of valuable information, both cultural and historical and practical, mentioning as it does also the famous health resorts and modern tourist facilities. We are fully aware that the immigrants who came to the shores of America from every European country contributed to the rapid growth and progress of this nation. I wonder, however, whether any other ethnic group has knowledge of its very first immigrant. Sister Martina, SS. C. M. has enriched us with her fine article on the "First Slovak Immigralllt-Samuel Francis Figuly," portraying him as an individual of unusual caliber, wide and daring experiences, good education, and strong convictions. In the scholarly article, "Slovaks and the Upheavals of Czecho-Slovakia" by J. M. Kirschbaum, Ph.D., LL.D., the reader sees a change in the attitude to the West toward Slovaks; namely, that they do exist. He is also enlightened on the many causes of dissatisfaction and discrimination against them since 1918, when the Czecho-Slovak Republic was established. Sister M. Evangela's presentation of the "Organization of the Slovak Catholic Students Fraternity" and iits publication of FURDEK is interesting. In dialogue from Sister gives the reader a vivid picture of the enthusiasm of the Fraternity's first members, its aims and its progress. Though their publication of FURDEK in Slovak ceased in 1941, the English publication is a highly cultural and literary annual, as this issue substantiates. Sister M. Clotil,da Omasta, SS. C. M., M.A. THE SLOVAK LEAGUE OF AMERICA heartily commends all efforts of our governmental and other organs to ferret out and unmask all Communists and fellow travellers, as well as all persons and organizations who wittingly or unwittingly give aid and comfort to the conspiracy of Communism promoted by the Soviet Union. �SLOVAKIA 177 Our Contributors historian; professor, Institute of Technology, Francis Vnuk, M.A . - Adelaide, Australia. Sr. M. Martina Tybor, SS. C. M . John T . Van Sant - teacher and author, Danville, Pa. Senator of Pennsylvania and Majority Whip. Joseph M. Kirschbaum, LL. D., Ph.D. - former diplomat, professor, historian, author, Toronto, Ontario. former professor at Bratislava University, prominent Slovak historian and educator. Francis Hrusovsky, Ph.D. (late) - Konstantin Culen (late) - outstanding newspaperman, author, politi- cian. Joseph A . Mikus, M. CL., J. D. professor, historian, author, former diplomat, Washington, D. C. newspaperman, political prisoner under Stalinists in Slovakia; now editor of Kanadsky Slovak, Toronto, Ontario. Marian Jankovsky - Joseph C. Krajsa - Slovak American Fraternalist, Editor, Jednota, Middletown, Pa. Sister M . Gabriel Hricko, SS. C. M., Sister M . Alfred Massura, SS. C. M., Sister M. Clotilda Omasta, SS. C. M., M. A. - teachers, Danville, Pa. �178 SLOVAKIA Contents F. Vnuk . - Slovak Language and Literature Will the Phoenix Rise Again? - 3 Sister M. Martina Tybor - John T. Van Sant Slovaks Have Repaid Their Adopted Country WelZ - - 11 28 Dr. Jozef Kirschbaum - The Political Message of Matus Cernak This Is Slovakia - Francis Hrufovsky - Dr. Francis Hrusovsky - the Man - 42 K. tulen 70 Joseph A. Mikus Ruzena Svobodova's "Feuilletons on Slovakia" - 76 I Was a Communist - J. V. - 90 Marian Jankovsky - Powers of Darkness and Powers of Truth The Development of Slovak Literature Matica Slovenska - Joseph S. Kost - Our Cyrilo-Methodian Heritage - Karen Ann Syzdek - 94 105 113 Patricia Revetta - American Slovaks on the Home and War Fronts - 116 122 The Centenary of Bishop S. Moyses - J. M. Kirschbaum - The Slovak League Firmly Believes - 139 Bratislava, Capital of Slovakia - 35 Joseph C. Krajsa - 131 141 Current Issues (Senator Hugh Scott's Speech Before Slovak League of America in Washington. - Edward M. Zelenak: The Slovaks of Detroit. - Winn Gallegher: A Slovak Immigrant - Master of Arts. - 50 Years in Danville, Pa.) - 143 As Others See It - 154 Comments (Two Czech Professors about Slovak°Czech Relations "Slovak News" or Communist Propaganda) - - 159 Book Reviews (J.M. Kirschbaum: Books on the Event in Czecho-Slovakia in 1968 - Heinrich Kuhn: Handbuch der Tschechoslowakei Rudolf Sturm: Czechoslovakia - A Bibliographic Guide - Stefan Glejdura: Los Grandes Problemas dei Este Europeo - Thaddeus V. Gromada: Pilsudski and the Slovak Autonomists - Sister M. Gabriel Hricko, SS. C. M.: The 1970 Literary Almanac. - Sister M. Alfred Massura, SS. C. M.: Kalendar Jednota 1970. - Sister M. Clotilda Omasta, SS. C. M.: Jednota Annual Furdek 1970) - 162 �SLOVAKIA ~ V .;::-v ~~ 4."'<~':r-, 0 sAsnK o BAN, STIA VN'lc'A TRNAVA 0 'Q: Q: (.;~ $ ��PRI NTI D IN U.S. A. JIDN OTA PlllN TER Y, MID DLli TOW N, PA. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource 1970, Vol. 20 Description An account of the resource Vol. 20 (No. 43), 1970. Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available The Slovak League of America Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1970 Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document SLOVAKIA 143 CURRENT ISS UES Senator Hugh Scott's Speech Before Slovak League of America in Washington Following are the remarks made by Senator Hugh Scott, (R-Pa.) at the Sheraton-Park Hotel, Washington, D.C., May 24, 1969: It is a special pleasure to be with you tonight, for I feel that an important part of Pennsylvania has come to Washington, in the form of the Slovak League of America. Yes, I am aware that all Slovak Americans do not live in Pennsylvania, but I am also aware that many of your League members do live in my state and have contributed greatly to its growth and diverse strength. Besides that, the real drama of Slovaks in America - the opening wedge toward recognition of an independent state of Slovakia - occurred in Pittsburgh in 1918 with the signing of the Pittsburgh Pact. If that did not bring immediate independence, it was not the fault of the Slovak League of America which has been fighting through the years, since 11 years before the Pittsburgh Pact, to realize the Slovakian dream of independence. Today, you finally see Slovakia independence of the Czechs to the extent of being a so-called Socialist Repub1ic, equal in stature to the Czech Socialist Republic. But the tragedy of domination persists, in the form of the Soviet tyranny ov·e r all of Eastern Europe, including Czecho-Slo,vakia. The history of the spirit of independence in Slovakia and among Slovaks in America is all the more remarkable because the fire of your spirit is fed by the barest sparks of realized freedom. Thus, in 1918, there was jubilation at the Pittsburgh Pact, which was quickly snuffed out; in 1938, another period of joyful independence, which the Nazis crushed; and in 1968, a moment of rebellion, which the Soviets put a halt to. In each of these magic moments, however, the world could recognize 144 SLOVAKIA the spirit of the Slovaks as the spirit of freedom, and it is a spirit the world envies. So great is your love of freedom and your pride in your nation and peoples, that Slovak Americans, through the Slovak League made a memorable effort to aid the United States cause during World War II. Not only did many fight in the American uniform, many more helped to forge the weapons of defense in the factories of Pennsylvania, and still others conducted immensely successful war bond drives and airplanebuying fund raising campaigns. Even the ladies pitched in, with their ladies auxiliary organization. As one who served both in Congress and in the military during the war years, I believe I can express the thanks of a grateful nation for the efforts of the Slovak Americans. Yes, you have much to be proud of, and you are to be commended for keeping your heritage and your pride in it alive through the Slovak League of America. We have all noted much about pride in recent news stories. Black pride is viewed as an emerging force in the United States, and in a context of pride in the Negro's contribution to America in history, and pride in one's race and self, it is a wonderful thing. Because I also believe in pride in language, I co-sponsored the Bilingual Education Act which passed in 1968 and which helps Spanish-speaking children learn in their own tongue before and during the time they are learning English. The culture of the Slovaks is equally a part of our diverse American heritage. I mention these efforts to give certain citizens of the United States greater opportunity because I think it shows that Congress and the people of the United States are generally coming to a realization that you and your group has held for a long time: That we as a people are strengthened by our heritage and are culturally richer in our diversity. Slovaks, through the Slovak League of America, put great emphasis on education, convey the importance of pride in the Slovak language, and see to it that generation after generation keeps the flame of liberty alive in their hearts. It is a matter of perpetuating a heritage. and it is an important thing. Even today the Slovak League of America seeks a righteous path for the Slovak people, when it requests a.n independent 145 SLOVAKIA - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - -- Slovak sedion in the State Department, a Slovak Desk with the Voice of America, and a general Consulate in Bratislava. I support these requests and will help you in these endeavors. I commend the Slovak League of America for setting an example through its organization, and I thank the Slovak League for its contribution to this nation and to the ideal of liberty among men. The Slovaks of Detroit ( August 1968 - August 1969) In the early months of 1968 Detroit was undergoing a transitional change which led Slovak people into moving out of older neighborhoods surrounding the Slovak parishes to the suburbs, literally become "afraid" to return to the neighborhood for church and lodge meetings, which led to a noticable decrease in lodge membership and presence of Slovak people at major functions. The lodges were desperately trying to hold their organizations together and attempted to get the Slovak people out and united again. There was also a search for young Slovak blood to help carry out the Slovak cause to the next generation. Recent shake-ups in the structure of Czecho-Slovakia gave a new hope to us. In January a new leader, a Slovak, took rule. Alexander Dubcek gave new hope and once again offered new courage in the fight for a democracy and a "Free Slovakia". Once again children began to wonder who Father Tiso was. A Slovak Language Class was instituted and attracted many members from all over. Slovak picnics gathered large encouraging crowds. People returned for Slovak masses and began enrolling in the lodges and fraternal groups. In Bratislava, the capitol of Slovakia, the sense of freedom was felt even greater. But as if a fairytale, it was crushed. They had been invaded by the same Russian "Liberator", the one who had already destroyed Slovak freedom 22 years earlier. The Slovaks of Detroit felt equally as crushed. United, we planned to voice our emotions. Many had relatives or friends in Slovakia, or remembered the Communist tyranny they felt after World 146 SLOVAKIA War II. Throughout the United States a brutal portrayal of the invasion was given, referring it as one against Czechs, calling Slovaks the lower and less intelligent class, and even calling Alexander Dubcek a Czech. On August 26, 1968, the Slovaks of Detroit gathered at the Federal Building to hold a peaceful demonstration against the Soviet Aggression. Appearing before nationwide television and press, Michigan vice-president of the Slovak League of America Jan Beliansky denounced the invasion saying "We abhor the brutal aggression against Czecho-Slovakia by the Russians and their occupation of the country. They are killing young people for no reason at all." He also called upon the United States to take a stand in support of the Liberal policies of Alexander Dubcek. The entire nation now knew that the invasion could not be dismissed without any action. Within the next month after the invasion another noticable increase of membership in the Slovak League took place. Slovaks were ready once again to stand up "FOR GOD AND FOR COUNTRY". With fall rapidly approaching the Dominican Nuns of Oxford were busy making plans for their bi-annual "Fall Festival". With the help of the Slovak League of America and many Slovak Parishes, the festival, held on Sunday September 22, was a big success. Over 10,000 Slovaks attended. The second week of October brought about the "OLD WORLD MARKET" at the International Institute, where the Slovaks aided other nationalities in setting up booths selling Art Work, Clothes, Books, Dolls and other forms of ethnic art. Aside from our booth, we had a Slovenska Kuchyna serving Slovak food and pastries to the public. On the final day of the Old World Market, a troop of Slovak Violinists, Dancers and Musicians performed for the Institute. THE DETROIT FREE PRESS also carried an article in the vicinity of a full page specifically about the Slovaks. November 8, 1968 marked the first airing date for the Slovak Radio Program on station WABX 99.5 FM DETROIT. Independently financed, it plays beloved Slovak songs and reports Slovak History, Geography, and Current Events. During this time the Slovak Language Class was en- SLOVAKIA 147 route to a second successful year. People young and old came to study lessons in grammar, music and history. The large turnout also aided in another measurable step towards preserving Slovak Heritage. The "Slovak Village Entertainers" was created, composed of Slovak singers, dancers, commedians and musicians. After their debut at Sacred Heart Center on the first of December, they were flooded with requests to perform for banquets, installations and parties for many organizations. Dance Choreographers Veronica Uhrin and Mary Hric are constantly searching for new Slovak talent, as is the recently added Music Choreographer Professor John M. Demchak, in order to preserve Slovak Culture. Two members have recently received scholarships to attend the world-famous music school INTERLOCHEN. January 1, 1969 was an eventful day for Slovaks of the World. It marked the official creation of CzechoSlovakia, two independent but united nations. Around this t ime the Slovaks felt a need to get together and celebrate. In order to compensate, the two Detroit branches of the Slovak League of America gathered at Saints Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church in Detroit to hold a "Family Affair", featuring an afternoon of Slovak Entertainment, Movies and Socializing. March 14, 1969 was the 30th anniversary of Slovak Independence and t he creation of the Slovak Republic. To commemorate this bumper stickers bearing the slogan 1939 FREEDOM FOR SLOVAKIA 1969 were printed and distributed. Dr. Joseph Pauco, Secretary of the Slovak League of America, came to Detroit to give the major address. He was then interviewed by CBS television concerning recent developments in Czecho-Slovakia. In order to further promote Slovak socializing and entertainment, Branch 15 of the Slovak League instituted in what is now known as "Slovakia Saturday Nights" featuring continuous entertainment, Slovak sing-a-longs, games and a dinner. From the large turnout they have decided to have possibly four or five a year. With summer approaching Slovak youths were involved in either practicing for the NATIONAL SLET of the SOKOLS or school track teams. Joseph Smetanka, a sophomore at Wayne State University, broke records 148 SLOVAKIA in relay races against other top Universities and made headlines coaching the Wayne State team and a private team of youths to nationwide victories. Joseph, a member of many Slovak organizations, hopes to oneday teach gym classes or receive a Masters Degree in Physical Education. On May 20, 1969 the Slovak Village Entertainers, leading a float draped with the Slovak Flag, marched with other Slovak youths and twenty different nationalities in a "Nationalities Day Parade". Four days later a Detroit delegation attended the Slovak League of America Conference in Washington, D. C. During the summer, many Detroit Sokols took first place in the SLET and brought home their awards. To remember the first anniversary of the Russian Invasion, over 250 Slovaks gathered in Kennedy Square to hold a "peaceful demonstration", receiving press coverage from 3 television networks, J radio and two newspapers. Our protest should undoubtedly be felt, with our proclamation of "A DAY OF SHAME", by all the bureaucrats in Washington, the leaders of the U. N. and the tyrants at the Kremlin. The Slovak struggle for recognition in a liberal world will be felt! Being only sixteen years of age and newcomer to the Slovak scene politically and physically I hope one day to take over in the same pattern of which our Slovak leaders left off. A trail has been blazed: Slovak Youth must follow . A Slovak "Renaissance" is taking place. The work has been started. It is now up to the people to continue it. Edward M. Zelenak A Slovak In11nigrant - Master of Arts By WINN GALLEGHER ( Pottstown Mercury Staff Writer) A skilled representative of a lost art, woodcarver, and cabinetmaker, Karl M. Pacanovsky, Douglasville RD 2, is head of the arts and crafts department at The Hill School in Pottstown, Pa. Born in Slovakia in 1894, Pacanovsky was apprenticed to a woodworker in the old world fashion at the age 11. 149 SLOVAKIA His father was a farmer who believed his sons should have the benefits of a craft. His three boys were sent to the city to receive their training. Recalling his early years, Pacanovsky said, "In our village, I was always the one who whittled, so it was natural for me to receive training in this field. I studied for three years, and by the time I was 17, I was doing altars for various churches." A local example of the ecclesiastical work of the artist is the pulpit of St. Aloysius Catholic church. It is typical of the Gothic style of most of Pacanovsky's work. Also created items for the Holy Trinity Slovak Catholic Church . * • The desire to come to America followed extensive travel, through Europe, largely by foot. "The decision to come to the United States came after my fascination with the port of Hamburg and the ocean liners I saw there," reminisces Pacanovsky. "After borrowing the money from my father, I sailed for this country, arriving at Newark, N. J., in 1913." The craftsman then was employed by several woodworking firms, including Tiffany and company. This was accompanied by attending nigh~ schoo\ classes in English and drawing and design for seven years. A combination of the depression and Pacanovsky's own love for schooling made him decide to enter Rutgers university, New Brunswick to prepare himself for the teaching profession. "After completing my studies there I taught at various public and private schools, coming to The Hill in 1944." He is heading the arts and crafts department there since 1952. This includes the studio and metal divisions as well as the carving and mechanical drawing taught by the artist himself. Clearly loving his teaching duties, Pacanovsky is articulate in discussing them. "The role of woodworking in education is a creative 150 SLOVAKIA one. I endeavor not to confine the work to merely carving, but to make it an experience including vision, skill, and aesthetics," asserts the teacher. "My purpose is not to make woodcarvers out of all the boys," he continues, "because it is not so much what the boy does to the wood as what the wood does to the boy." Pacanovsky laments the inroads industrialization has made into rapidly disappearing arts such. as his own. "Modern society wants everything done quickly and simply, and the old crafts are vanishing in the Western World, perhaps with the exception of Scandinavia, where they are frequently subsidized by the government," he said, "and they manage to unite modern art to the craft tradition." Pacanovsky has a very flexible attitude on today's artistic expression. "I am very much a traditionalist, but enjoy many of approaches, perhaps because there is no such modern the thing as pure originality," he theorizes. "The experience of all men are rooted in tradition and common to all generations." * * He finds the reward of his own skill lied in the work itself. "It is only through fine creative expression that we are able to develop character. One must know the feeling of making something," he said. Pacanovsky is respectful of the artistic endeavors of all men, and refused to critize the message in another's work. "All art should have meaning, but I never condemn a work because I personally cannot extract it," he declares. He considers the basic requirements for the field of art are of design, line, and proportion, and finds the biggest handicap to be symptomatic of the times. "People today, for instance my students, have an SLOVAKIA 151 attitude of mediacrity being good enough. I always illustrate that this is not so by pointing out that the surgeon cannot do a slipshod job on a patient on the grounds that it isn't his best, but it's good enough." Pacanovsky's teaching requires most of his time during the school term, but during the Summertime he makes cabinets and cases for The Hill, as well as executing beautifully lettered signs. One of his most unusual projects recently was the designing and executing of a mace for the school which is used in processionals. Pacanovsky occasionally is commissioned to make new pieces of furniture, both in traditional and modern design, but finds his academic duties restrict outside professional work. Slovak Sisters of SS. Cyril and Methodius 50 Years in Danville, Pa. June 19, 1969 mairked 50 yeaas that the Slovak Siste['s of SS. Cyril and Methodius arrived wt Danville, Pa. Their first words were the scriptuiral, "Lord, it is good fo[' us to be he['e." Ten year,s oJd, the Conwreg:wtion of the Sisteirs of SS. Cyiril and Methodius had been established in 1909 by F1aither Matthew Jankola, a Sloviak immigranit pries,t, under the guidance of the Sisters Servants of the Immaculate He,a,r,t of Mall'y, of Marywood, Scranton. Its firsit Sisters had received their training at Macywood, which also served as the young Communiity's headquarters. All its retreats aaid profoession ceremooies burt one had been held wt M,airywood . By June, 1919, the mem~ship of the new community numbe['ed 57 professed Si,s,teirs, 30 novices and 9 postulants. Lt had reached the stage where Lt was able lo assume its own leadership and establish its own administration , functioning under Church law. Its first chapte•r , held at Marywood in 1915, had resulrted in the election of Mother Macy Mihalik as first superioir general. At her d e a th within a yeair she was repl,aced by Mother M. Emmanuel Pauly, whose term extended over six years until 1922. The community of Religious had already assumed cha,r g,e of pa,rish schools in Pennsylvania and Connecticut and of an o,r phanag,e of the Fiirst CaJtho1ic Slovak Union (Jednota) in Middletown, Pa. What 152 SLOVAKIA it needed more than anything was a motherhouse kom which to admini.Siter the congregation and a residence for the training of novices and postulants by canonical standards. As the young community outgrew the facilities at Mairywood, its administration had transferred to the large parish convent in Plymouth, Pa., where Mather Mary resided. The novices and postulants were divided among the Plymouth, Pittston and Olyphant, (Pa.) convents. 1n 1917 a lairge house was leased to the community on t he Jednota premises at Middletown, Pa., which accomcxfated the novices and postulants and also served as a temporary motherhouse for the community. It soon became inadequate. Meanwhile Mother M. Emmanuel Pauly was alert to any prospects of acquiring a motherhouse for the community. Through Father Julius C. Foin, pastor at Middletown and a Danville, Pa., native, she learned about Castle Grove, vacant at the time for 14 years. She informed Bishop Philip R. McDevitt of Harrisburg, Pa., who in turn communicated with Father 1-' ran c is X. Dougherty, pastor of St. Joseph's Parish in Danville, asking him to investigate the property. This was in the fuU of 1918. Negotiations were set in motion and by the spring of 1919 the transaction was completed. 'J.'lhe Sis,te,rs of SS. Cyril and Methodius acquired Castle Grove and took possession of it on June 19, 1919. The estate was renamed Villa Saored Heart because the date of the Sisiters' arrival from Jednota in Middletown, Pa., coincided with the season of the Sacred Heart in Catholic liturgy. The Sisters recalled that they arrived by train from Hairrisburg, Pa., before noon on June 18, only to find that a technicality still barrnd them from entering Castle Grove. A signature was lacking on the deed. The Sisters we-r e meanwhile offered hospi,tali,ty and night's lodging by the Immaculate Hca'l"t Sisters a,t St. Joseph's Convent on Bloom Road. The following morning a f t c r Mass at St. Joseph's Church the novitiate gr{)IUp, which included Rev. Mother M. Emmanuel and l\Iother M . Monica, an Immaculate Heart Sister \Vho had been retained as d1rector of novices for the community, walked sile!l!tly d own Route 11 towaird their new home. Passing under the archway over the e!l!trance and up the narrow fo()lj; path, they surveyed the broad expanse of high grass and majestic trees and glimpsed at the mansion beyond. The cry which burst from their lips was "Lord , il is good for us to be here." The property was deteriorated, but graduaJ!y through the weeks that followed the house was resLored somewha,t to its original splendor and modified to convent specifications, and the campus recovered some of its beauty and design . By July 7, feast of SS. Cyril and Methodius, the lairge salon on the first floor was furnished as a chapel and Bishop McDevi.ltt offered the first Mass for the community at Villa Sacred Heart. The work of intensive cleaning and restoration both indoors and out continued through July. The professed Sisters returned from their pa;rish missions to make their annual retreat in August, the first a,t Vil1a Sacred Heart. It was fol- SLOVAKIA lowed by the first reception and profession ceremonies, at which 15 novices were professed and 9 postulaints received the habit and white veil of a novice. This brought the community members hip to 72 professed Sisters and 24 novices. By the end of Augus,t . ix new candidates had entered the community and they were ready to begin their training as postulants. Within fi.f,t,y years the face of Villa Sacred Heart has changed, showing expansion and growth. As the community membership increased and additional projects were undertakoo, St. Cyril AcadPmy for girls was opened in 1922 and a new building was erected in 1929. For its religious ceremonies and worship, a chapel was added in 1939. A three-story wing, conn eoted with the academy and matching it in architecture and design, was completed and dedicated in the fall of 1957. Maria Joseph M-anoc wa-s erected on a site bordering the mOitherwise property in 1962. M,ari-a Hall, a home for retired Sisters, is presently rising and will be completed by the summer of 1970. professed Sisters. 13 novice and 3 postulan ts. An add Ltional 55 Sis ters lie buried in the community's cemetery. The Sisters teach in 36 Slovak parish schools in the archdiocese of Chicago, New York, Philadelphia, and the dioceses of Harrisburg, Bridge port, Charleston, Gary, Hartford, Greensburg, Steubenville, Scranton , Syracuse and Trenton. They also are on the staffs of six Catholic central high schools. Every summer and throughout the school year, the Sisters engage in r-atechetical work, and in recent years have intensified their efforts in this field. The Sisters also conduct a ?SY· chological and reading clinic in Wilkes-Barre. Bes ides St. Cyril Academy they also teach at Blessed Sacrament Academy in Yonkers, New York and Andrean Hi g h School in Gary, Ind . The congregation is in warge of t he Jednota Orphanage in Middletown, Pa., and besides Maria Joseph Manor it comducts Villa SL Cyril, a home for the aged, in Highland Park. UL The Sisters have worked with Headst a:rt and other special programs for underprivileged groups. This summer these and similar programs are in operation here in Danville, and in Bridgeport, Conn., Chairleston. S.C., Chicago, and Gary. In the 60 years the Congregation of the Sisters of SS. Cyril and Meth-odius has been serving the Church and the Slovak people, it has reached a membership of 425 • 153 • THE SLOVAK LEAGUE OF AMERICA represents an overwhelming majority of organized Americans of Slovak descent; actively affiliated with it are the largest Slovak fraternals, religious organizations, Slovak Clubs and Slovak civic organizations in the United States. 154 - - - -- SLOVAKIA - - - - - - - -- - -- - - - - - - · - - - - - AS OTHERS "You may be assured of my continued interest in a free and independent Slovakia." - Richard Schweiker, United States Senate "Our country has been vastly enriched by the contributions which your membership and your fellow Slovak Americans have made down through the years." - Edward W . Brooke, United States Senate "I appreciate your thoughtfulness in sending me the latest issue of your publication Slovakia. 1 found it most interesting." - John Sherman Cooper, U. S. Senate "Slovaks in my area and throughout the nation are known as a proud, talented, industrious, and deeply religious people who continue to aspire to the attainment of freedom and liberty despite the many years of Communist rule of their ancestral homeland." -John P . Saylor, Member of Congress "Long have I known of the grand work the American Slovak League has done over the years of its existence. "The Slovak people have a glorious history and a noble tradition. For over a thousand years they have fought continuously for their national independence. Today that tradition is still carried on proudly by your League which struggles unremittingly for the human and national rights of the Slovak people. In that struggle you have my full support for I have always stood behind the right of every nation, large and small, to attain and hold its national sovereignty. "Your civic and cultural contributions to America also stand as a great tribute to your organization. The immigrants from Slovakia in SEE IT years past have made many wonderful and inspiring contributions to the American way of life. The League has played a great part in encouraging them to be alert and loyal citizens. "By continuing the good work of the Slovak League, you are doing a service for the United States, for the people of Slovakia, and for all humanity." - Michael A. Feighan, Member of Congress "Be sure of my continued support for a free and independent Slovakia." - Clement J. Zablocki, Member of Congress "I want to extend to the Slovak League of America and its membership my regards and sincere commendation for their outstanding achievements in the interest of all freedom loving people."-John W . Wydler, Member of Congress "These are trying times for all who are interested in the welfare of your homeland, which means all who love freedom and liberty. I k n o w that your activities give strength to the freedom-loving people in Slovakia in their continuing struggle to regain control of their destiny."-Frank T . Bow, Member of Congress "As citizens the Slovak-Americans have contributed immeasurably to the religious, cultural, educational, industrial, and civic growth and betterment of our cities, and our country. "I want to take this opportunity to commend those of Slovakian heritage for their courage and forebearance."-Guy Vander Jagt, Member of Congress "My greetings and v e r y b e s c w i s h e s to my Slovak-American SLOVAKIA friends for whom I am constantly striving in the Congress to make this a truly free world for all people. " - William E . Mi nshall, Member of Congress 155 to make the best of their opportunities. "There is nonetheless a note of sadness as your thoughts inevitably turn to those of your brethren who remain in your a n c e s t r a I homeland. It is a paradox of the twentieth century that while more than sixty nations on other continents have gained their independence from colonial powers since World War II, a number of the ancient lands of Europe have been swallowed up by the Soviet Empire."-Harold R. Colli er, Member of Congress "I do wish to assure you that I shall continue my interest in the affair of your League and look forward to another opportunity to join with you. " -Martin B . McKneally , Member of Congress "I am pleased once again to have the opportunity to salute your untiring efforts toward freedom and your unailing patriotism and courage." - Willi am S. Moorehead, Member of Congress "I am well aware of the immense contribution to American life which has been made by our Slovak-American citizens. They have brought to us in this country the same religious strength and the same love of freedom which they learned in their motherland. Even today that same spirit of freedom can be seen in the establishment of the Slovak Republic in a federated CzechoSlovakia. This is the culmination of years of effort by a great people who wish to keep their own identity. "-Joseph M . McDade, Member of Congress "I heartily support the efforts of the Slovak League of America to keep alive the torch of freedom for so many who must remain behind the Iron Curtain of oppression."Charles A . Vanik, Member of Congress "Congratulations on many con"I wish to comp l i m e n t you r League on the superb work you are tributions to international underdoing." - Seymour Halpern, Mem- standing and cultural exchange."Margaret M . Heckler, Member of ber of Congress Congress "I received the latest issue of "I would like you to know that Slovakia which you recently sent receive Slovaki a, and find th~ did I me, and have enjoyed reading it." of interest." - John B . publication - Charles W. Whalen, Jr., Member Anderson, Member of Congress of Congress 'Thank you for the book entitled "Many of the people whom I am edited by Dr. Joseph PauSlovakia, naprivileged to represent in the to read this book planning am I co. tional House of Representatives for it will be possible as soon as either came to the United States resource."-William useful very a from Slovakia or are the descendMember of Congress ants of immigrants from that na- T . Mtirphy, " The s t r u g g l e continues for tion. Through the years they have proved themselves to be loyal Ame- equal representation and national ricans and good citizens of their rights which the Slovak League beadopted country, serving it with gan more than 50 years ago. I share equal diligence through war and your concern about the Soviet oppeace, and inspiring their children pression of the Slovak people. I 156 SLOVAKIA pray we will see the day when the Slovak people will be permitted to establish their o w n independent nation in Europe, with freedom to select their own leaders and their own path of government." - John Myers, Member of Congress "I command the efforts of the Slovak League of America to maintain culture and traditions of Slovakia here in United States. We must be confident of the f u tu re and continue to work for the day when legitimate independence and true freedom is enjoyed by people of Slovakia and all other captives of Communism."-Edward J . Derwinski, Member of Congress "Every Slovak American is extremely p r o u d of the League's years of interest in the cultural and historical betterment of all American Slovaks." - Joseph M . Gaydos, Member of Congress "The yearning for liberty and independence among Slovaks will continue until they will be able to determine their own destiny; and, I am ceritain, as an independent nation, will constructively contribute to the well being and peace of the world. You may be assured of my continuing efforts for selfdetermination of all Captive Nations and of my warm and special interest for the Slovak nation." Michael A. F eighan, M. C., 20th District, Ohio "I am aware of the constant struggle of Slovak people to regain their independence and live side by side with other free nations of the world. It is my desire and hope that the spirit and determination of the Slovak people will not be broken and that the Slovak nation will once again have the right to choose its own destiny. In these just aspirations of Slovak people all of us should help. I pledge my support in this respect. '' William E. Minshall, M. C., 23rd District, Ohio "Slovak nationalism was an important element in the early days of the reform movement. Mr. Novotny, the former President, who was passionately disliked in Slovakia for his discriminatory poli. cies, paid the penalty for ignoring it. " (The Times, October 31, 1968) . "For all the pride and satisfaction with which Czecho-Slovakia has introduced federalization of the Czech and Slovak nations, real equality still remains a promise rather than a practical accomplish ment ... many stormy sessions lie ahead with the Slovaks pressing for even greater autonomy. At the roots of the conflict is the fact that, since its inception 50 years ago, the republic has boasted of having established unity with equality for the two nations without the Slovaks ever having actually achieved this equality." (The Times, October 28, 1968). "Although lip service has been paid to ethnic equality by both the pre-World War II Masaryk republic and the post-war Communists, the Slovaks have always, with considerable justice, felt that they were getting the short end of the stick. Before the war, Slovak nationalists demanded virtual national independence." (John P . Roche, San Francisco Examiner. July 3, 1969) . - "The main tourist centers (in the High Tatra Mountains, Slovakia ) are Stary Smokovec, Tatranska Lomnica and Strbske Plesoeach more scenically beautiful than the other. "The 17-mile mountain range with some 300 ragged peaks, romantic valleys and ice-blue small lakes can compete with any Alpine SLOVAKIA 157 area. The width of the range is removed the country's most popu10 miles." (The New York Times; lar liberal from the domestic political scene, thereby placating the October 31, 1969. "Americans teens are lucky be- ultras. At the same time, he won cause 'they don't have to worry plaudits from the liberals by reabout politics like we do', said fusing to place Dubcek balked, Michael, 18, of Bratislava . .. There protesting that he would return are two 'nations' in Czecho-Slova- to his old job of factory machinist kia, they said-the Czechs and the rather than leave the country. But Slovaks. Because they are Slovaks, in the end he bowed to the party the boys don't like our tendency order, knowing full well that his to shorten "Czechoslovakian' to refusal would only further inflame 'Czech'. That, they said, is incor- political passions in Prague." rect because almost half the people (Newsweek, December 29, 1969). "Father Hlinka insisted that the in their country are not Czechs, they're Slovaks." (The Times Un- Czechs and Slovaks were not one ion, Rochester, N. Y., July 26, nation , but two distinct nations, 1968). and therefore the Slovaks had as much right to self-government as "Slovak painters and graphic artists, among them Milan Laluha, any other self-respecting nation. " Ladislav Guderna and M. Brunov- (Thaddeus V. Gromada , siavic Resky, were acclaimed in Italy, view, September 1969). France and Canada. The works of sculptors Uher and Bartfay became known . . . The operas of Eugen Suchoii. were performed throughout Europe, and the music of Jan Cikker and Alexander Moyzes were heralded in many parts of the world. Viliam Bukovy's modernist compositions were honored at international music and film festivals. He also wrote music for several Hollywood films. Another composer, Ilja Zelienka, won first prizes at several European modern music festivals. "Slovaks also made important medical contributions. The Slovak Institute of Biochemistry became known for its discoveries of antibiotics and work in concer research. The Microbiological Institute, headed by Dr. Dionyz Blazkovic, was hailed for its achievements bi iinmunobiology and allergiology." (Jan Samak, East Europe. Vol. 18, No. 7). "By naming Dubcek to the post of ambassador to Turkey, Husak "Not even the closest associates of Gustav Husak, the new party chief, are likely to be sure about how to proceed. Politically, Husak has to fight on two fronts and many think that the threat from the extreme left is far more dangerous to him than that from the "right-wing opportunists", as the new jargon refers to supporters of his reform-minded predecessor, Alexander Dubcek. "The party is rocked by expulsions and mass resignations. According to some private estimates it has already lost 300,000 of its 1.7 million members. Those who stayed can be divided into at last four different wings fighting each other. Purges have assumed bizarre proportions, extending from secret police to sports federations, from the foreign service to the Communist-led children organization. "Husak had pleaded not to turn the party into a "slaughter-house,'' but some top radicals openly en- 158 SLOVAKIA courage neo-Stalinists in the lower ranks to push even harder. Evidence of the struggle for power in the party is ample even in the press, which is now tightly controlled again. "In the economic field, the situation is nearly chaotic. The new leadership has canceled almost all of the reforms, but also has announced it will not return to preDubcek concepts. Except for "work harder" appeals, the regime has yet to disclose which panacea it will propose. Some of the top industry managers have been fired for liberal leanings, many others are uncertain about their fate. Thousands of employees and workers now have had marks for political unreliability in their personnel files, hampering prospects for better pay and promotion. The working morale of others is hardly any better; their unions which started developing some muscle during the Dubcek era have again been reduced into tools of the party. " 'Sick rates' are running double those last years and workers take it easy. Husak estimates that 20 per cent of the working time now is idled away. Stringest penalties have been introduces for loafers but that is hardly likely to boost their spirits. "Party leaders allege that rightwing calls for passive resistance also hurt the economy. 'The worse the better' is a slogan actually proposed by one though seemingly small school of thought. " 'Economic crisis have toppled Novotny', explained one veteran party member and anti-Stalinist referring to the old guard leader Antonin Novotny who was replaced by Dubcek. Maybe this will force a change again. "Average wages have increased but so have prices, setting off a Western-style inflationary spiral. That, in turn, and despite official denials, fueled rumors of an impending currency reform. Shops, already, undersupplied, were beleaguered. 'He who hesitates will not buy well' was the superfluous warning on a Prague display window. "Vexing shortages, from prams to pajamas, have become a fact of life in the million-population capitol. The pantie problem became so prickly that special hardcurrency funds were pried loose to pay for emergency imports. The hard currency may have come increased meat exports to the West which have helped dry up supplies of pork, a stample food of Czechs and Slovaks. "Now laws threaten court punishment to hoarders and even sales clerks who talk a customer into buying more than he actually needs. The man in the street will readily blame part of the shortages on the Russian occupation troops. Stories make the round of a Red Army man entering a store and asking for 'five kilograms of panties.' " ( Associated Press, February 22, 1970) . "I returned to Vienna with mixed emotions about the status of the people in Czecho-Slovakia but I also brought a brand new Slovak diet for reducing. The Slovaks call it the 'American diet.' Here it is : "You can eat all the chicken and drink all the Sliwowitz you can manage. But no bread, no pastries, no vegetables. Just chicken and wine. "I always suspected that the Slovaks have a spark\ of genius in them and now their 'American Diet' confirms my belief." (Theodore Andrica, The Cleveland Press, July 14, 1969) . SLOVAKIA 1511 COMMENTS TWO CZECH PROFESSORS ABOUT SLOVAK-CZECH RELATIONS It happens very rarely that Czech intellectuals in the Free World comment objectively on the relations between Slovaks and Czechs or on books published on Slovakia. For many years not only Czech politicians in exile but also Czech scholars and professors at various universities wrote with bias about Slovak history, politics and cultural achievements. There is no doubt that such writings harmed the image of the Slovak nation but great harm was also done to the relations between the Slovaks and Czechs. Many Czech intellectuals apparently did not look at the problem from this point of view. We welcome, therefore, a new sober voice from Prof. Stanley Z. Pech from the University of British Columbia. He commented in the siavic Review on the book by John Gellner, a Czech newspaperman, and John Smerek, a former Slovak civil servant. The book was published under the title The Czechs and Slovaks in Canada and was published by Masaryk Memorial Institute in Toronto. Professor Pech wrote before about Slovak and Czech relations with much more objectivity than we are accustomed to read from Czech intellectuals. In connection with this book, he had the following to say: "Although one of the authors is of Slovak origin, the book does not appear to do justice to the Slovak viewpoint. Slovak grievances against Czechoslovakia are dismissed as 'separatism', and the First Republic is given what amounts to a clean bill of health. Some 'mistakes' were made, but these were 'largely cured' by the late 1920s. The Administrative Law of 1927 established a desirable degree of decentralization by setting up selfgoverning provinces 'on lines broadly similar to Canadian provinces', each province having 'its provincial president and its provincial assembly'. After this, 'Czechoslovakia seemed on the way toward co-operative, equitable solutions to whatever domestic problems there still were.' It was the Slovak People's Party and the rise of Nazi Germany that later reversed this trend. "ls it possible to present the issues so simply? The First Republic had indeed an outstanding record, and its democratic structure proved more durable than that of most European states. However, it was unquestionably a centralist state even after 1927, and this was the essence of Slovak objections. The authors fail to note that according to the Jaw of 1927 the provincial president and one-third of the provincial assembly were appointed by the central government and that both de jure and de facto the provincial president was an agent of the central government. The jurisdiction of the provinces was limited to social services and similar activities, and the assemblies could be dissolved at any time by a decree issued in Prague. Do the authors really believe that a province so conceived resembles a province in Canada or a state in the United States? Was this situation not bound to feed discontent among the Slovaks? "This situation has important 160 SLOVAKIA implications for the history of the Slovaks in Canada . (and in the United States). Many Slovaks who came to the New World after 1918 were disenchanted with Czechoslovakia and refused to associate themselves with Czech groups. Today their numbers are larger, and their hostility to everything Czech is implacable and chauvinistic. This phenomenom has many roots, but it cannot be understood without reference to the failure of the Czechs to regard the Slovaks as their equals and to give the consideration to their national sentiment. Yet this appreciation is wholly lacking in the present book. With what lack of respect influential segments of the Czech community regarded the Slovaks is illustrated by a secret memorandum on Slovakia, which was drawn up by the Czech Socialist Party in 1946 and published in Bratislava in 1968. The memorandum is a chilling blueprint for depriving the Slovaks of their national identity by any means necessary, not excluding the use of force (see text in Historicky casopis, vol. 16, 1968, pp. 191-93). Gellner and Smerek are two competent observers, and their book will be a standard work for many years. Was the nature of the Slovak problem so far beyond their pale of vision that they could not come to grips with it? Until the Czechs are prepared to take a critical look at their own attitudes, their contribution to a Czech-Slovak dialogue will be only a limited one." This approach is in great contrast with another Czech, Prof. Joseph S. Roucek from Queensborough Community College. He wrote on the same book in the International Migration Review (III 9, Summer 1969) and compared the book with the work by Prof. J. M. Kirschbaum Slovaks in Canada. Prof. Roucek had to admit that: "In general, Kirschbaum's study, in spite of its weaknesses, is much better and more exhaustive than Gellner-Smerek' s work, since it is better documented (as shown by its bibliography, pp. 441-455) and contains reprints of 24 memoranda, petitions, pleas, and resolutions either to the Canadian authorities or to the United Nations by the Slovak Canadian organizations, as well as by individual members of the Canadian Slovak League and the First Catholic Slovak Union during the past three decades." However, Roucek was unable to write without -the anti-Slovak bias in his further remarks. Even though the book Slovaks in Canada is not a political book but strictly a scholarly work on the history of Slovaks in Canada. Prof. Roucek commented on the book as follows: overcertainly "Kirschbaum stresses his Slovak filiopietism which has been glaringly evident in his previous works and which is the ideology of his group of American and Canadian Slovaks promoting Slovak separatism. We learn that 'from the First World War until the present time, Slovak Canadians have been the victims of political activities in their homeland .. .' (p. 9) and that the Canadian Slovaks were discriminated against during World War II because they 'refused to support the policy od Dr. E. Benes, who resigned in October 1938 but who in 1941 set up his government-inexile in London, England, and insisted on his right to represent Czechs and Slovaks in the West. Members and representatives of the Canadian Slovak League were , particularly denounced as enemies SLOVAKIA of Canada because they advocated the right to self-determination and self-government for the Slovak people.' (p. 6) . But we must also note that even a greater number of Canadian Slovaks supported Dr. Benes and that the Slovak Republic was formed as the first satellite state under Hitler's blessing and auspices. This 'pro-Czech' tendency is, in fact, admitted by Kirschbaum: "The pro-Czech attitude of Slovak Protestants, many of whom were descendants of Czech refugees who came to Slovakia during the Counter-Reformation, accounts for various peculiarities of the Slovak political, cultural and religious life not only in Slovakia, but also among Canadians or Americans of Slovak origins." (p. 32). It is hard to understand, unless we are accustomed to the writings of Czech intellectuals, why Prof. Roucek made such comments on a history book concerning Slovaks in Canada unless one knows the tense relations which existed among the Slovaks and the Czechs for the past 50 years and the bias of many Czech intellectuals who followed the political line of Dr. Benes condemned at the present time not only by many Czechs but by the whole Slovak nation. "SLOVAK NEWS" or COMMUNIST PROPAGANDA For the past two years Slovaks in the Free World received from a Slovak Cultural and Tourist News Agency Tatrapress a mimeographed publication called "Slovak News." After being separated for over a quarter of a century by the Iron Curtain from their homeland, 161 many Slovaks welcomed the fact that finally they can receive information on their country of origin from Bratislava. Unfortunately, the "Slovak News" is not published in the spirit which triggered the liberalization in 1968 and the picture of Slovakia is not one which we could accept. The periodical is published in English, sometimes in good and at other times in very poor English indeed. It was a good step on the part of the regime in Bratislava to try to acquaint the outside world with Slovakia, but the bad side of this enterprise is the biased presentation of Slovak politics and cultural, economic, and social life. For many decades, Slovakia was presented in a distorted light, more often than not unfavorably, to the Western world. All the efforts of Slovak intellectuals in the Free World could not successfully overcome the adverse propaganda from either Czech or other camps opposed to Slovak national aspirations. In 1968, there were great hopes among the Slovaks in the Free World that the tide had changed and that from Slovakia efforts will come to present Slovakia in a true light. Looking objectively at the issues of "Slovak News" which have up to date come to this Continent, we must say with regret that it is again a very biased picture which the so-called Slovak government portrays for the West and hundreds of thousands of Slovaks who are still interested in the good name of their country of origin and work for a free and democratic Slovakia. J . K. 162 SLOVAKIA BOOK REVIEWS BOOKS ON THE EVENT IN CZECHO-SLOVAKIA IN 1968 The events in Czecho-Slovakia stirred the attention of scholars in many Western countries and some 50 books were published according to Robert F. Lamberg (Svedectvi, X, No. 37, Paris, 1969). Most of these books are in English, some in French and the rest in the German language. Among the authors are not only specialists in international affairs or in Eastern Europe, but also the Czech exiles and writings by two exiles from Slovakia, Eugene Loeb! and Ladislav Miiacko. The writings of both these authors were published in English as well as in German. One of Loebl's books, Svedectvo o Procese, was published in Slovak and appeared subsequently in English as well as German translation. Many of these books just presented the sequence of events and did not bring any scholarly analysis or political conclusions. Other books are analytical and there is also a score of books which are close to the sensational writings and were designed for the large public and money making. Among those which are worthwhile reading are the following books : Robert Rhodes James, ed., The Czechoslovak Crisis 1968. London: Weidenfeld and Nicolson (Toronto: Ryerson), 1969, XII, 203 pp., $7.95. Roger Garaudy, La liberte en sursis: Prague, 1968. Paris. Fayard, 156 pp. Eugen Loeb!, Sentenced and Tried: The Stalinist Purges in Czechoslovakia. London: Elek (Toronto: Ryerson), 1969, 272 pp., $8.50: in Slovak, Svedectvo o procese, Bratislava, 1968, 200 pp.: in German, Die Revolution rehabilitiert ihre Kinder, Vienna: Europa, 1968, 228 pp. Eugen Loeb} and Leopold Grunwald , Die intellektuelie Revolution, Hintergrunde and Auswirktmgen des " Prager Frilhiings". Dusseldorf: Econ, 1969, 308 pp. Ladislav Miiacko, The Seventh Night. New York: Dutton (Toronto : Clarke, Irwin), 1969, 220 pp., $7.25. Also in German. Harry Schwartz, Prague's 200 Days: The Struggle for Denwcracy in Czechoslovakia. New York, Washington, and London: Praeger (Toronto: Burns & MacEachern) , 1969, 274 pp., $7.25. Joseph Wechsberg, The Voices Garden City, N. Y.: Toronto : Doubleday, 1969, 113 pp. $5.95. Philip Windsor and Adam Roberts, Czechoslovakia, 1968: Refo rm, Repression and Resistance. London: Chatto and Windus for the Institute for Strategic Studies (Toronto : Clarke Irwin) , 1969, vm, 200 PP- ' $3.0o. Z. A. B. Zeman, Prague Spring: A Report on Czechoslovakia, 1968. Harmondsworth, Middlesex: Penguin (Toronto: Longmans) , 1969, 169 pp., $8.50. Not all of these books are of the ·s ame academic value and one of them by Robert Rhodes James, The Czechoslovak Crisis 1968, has put the invasion by the Warsaw Pact armies in a debatable position, as we will see later. The three books by the writers from Slovakia, Loeb! and Mnacko, gave an insight into the crisis of communism in SLOVAKIA Slovakia and Mnacko's book is rather a series of reportages than a book on history. From the political point of view, some of the books condemned the invasion and their analysis of the events before the invasion and after is in line with a democratic point of view. The most surprising are the views of Robert Rhodes James who is a specialist in international relations. In his view, the Soviet occupation was "defensive and reluctant" and did not provide evidence of "Soviet aggressiveness or expansionism" and represented "no threats to NATO interests." James also thinks that the United Nations "acquitted itself reasonably effectively" by protesting only and that NATO was quite right in its reactions by not making any attempt to include Rumania or Yugoslavia under its protection. It is certainly hard to accept such views from a western "specialist in international affairs" on an act of brutal aggressiveness and violation of the independence of a country which wanted only to build "communism with a human face". This defeatist view is hardly acceptable by any western scholar or politician. Even the Italian, Rumanian and Yugoslav communists condemned the invasion and protested against it and there is no doubt that all the Western Powers, even if they remained inactive, looked with concern to the presence of Russian armies on the West German and Austrian border. In all these books there is, of course, not much about the events in Slovakia and there is rarely mentioned the fact that the liberalization was forced upon Novotny's regime by the Slovak writers and was lead by a Slovak-Alexander Dubcek-who is sometimes even 163 presented as a Czech leader. Only the Canadian Slavonic Papers (Vol. IX, 4, 1968) published a chapter on the role of Slovaks in the deStalinization period. A good book presenting not only the Czech views or information received in Prague, but also giving justice to the Slovaks, seems to be very necessary to give an objective picture of the events of 1967 and 1968. J . M . Kirschbaum Heinri c h Kuhn: Handbuch der Tschechoslowakei (Verlag Robert Lerche, Mtinchen), 1966, pp. 1,024, Price 142.00 D. M. This reference book on CzechoSlovakia by Dr. Heinrich Kuhn will be appreciated not only by scholars but by all who are interested in the political, social and economic development in CzechoSlovakia after the Second World War. With the typical German "puenktlichkeit" Dr. Kuhn prepared a highly technical study which required years of systematk research and data collecting. The Collegium Carolinum published in the past years several valuable books on Bohemia and Slovakia. Kuhn's volume seems to be the most useful. The volume is divided into four parts. The first part deals with the territory of today's Czecho-Slovakia and her population which by the rude and often criminal expulsion of 3 million Sudeten Germans and by the "voluntary" cession of Subcarpathian Ruthenia by Prague to the U. S. S. R. was substantially reduced in comparison to its size in pre-war times. Kuhn's work gives the basic statistics on the territorial organization, th~ movements of the population and its ethnic composition as well as 164 SLOVAKIA the social structure and education of the Czechs and Slov,a ks during the 20 years following the Second World War. The author avoided political comments either in his introductory notes or in explaining the statistics, leaving the judgment on, among other things, the expulsion of Germans, on the transfer of hundreds of thousands of Slovaks to the Sudeten territories, where they have been denationalized, to historians and political scientists. In the second part of this huge volume (1,024 pages) Dr. Kuhn deals with the constitutional and organizational structure of CzechoSlovakia under the post-war "people's democracy" and Communist regimes. The tense relation between the Czechs and Slovaks and the tendency of Prague's governments to reduce Slovakia to a province administered by Prague rather than by Slovaks, is clearly apparent from the constitutional changes, partly politics, government appointments and statistical data in this part of the book. We also can find in this chapter basic information and statistics on cultural institutions, schools and church organizations. For those who know from other sources about the rule of terror, the Stalinization of the system, the anti-Slovak policy of Prague governments and the persecution of the Church, especially in Slovakia, Dr. Kuhn's statistical evidence of the changes during this period will be of great value. An interesting picture of changes and inner struggles in the government, cultural and other organizations is also given in the third part of Kuhn's work. To read properly the statistical data in this part it is, however, necessary to be well acquainted with the rela- tions between the Czechs and Slovaks. Behind all the changes in the high positions of the CzechoSlovak state was a systematic attempt at exclusion of Slovaksexcept those who were willing tools of Gottwald or Novotnyfrom the decision making organs and institutions. During the Novotny era the anti-Slovak complex was also extended to the cultural field . The accusations of "bourgeois nationalism" was but a cover, as we learned during the short period of liberalization in 1968. The last part of the book gives us names of those who after the Second World War held positions in the political and cultural organizations of Czecho-Slovakia. The value of Dr. Kuhn's works can be justly judged only if we take into consideration that great part of the information he gives in his book was not easily or at all accessible in the West for many years. There was an "Iron Curtain" preventing an exchange of scholars and of publications, and there was for many a language barrier, since the Prague Government did not publish the statistical data in Western languages. Looking from this point at Dr. Kuhn's reference book, not only scholars but also Slovaks in the Free World cannot but welcome it. Dr. J . M . Kirschbaum Rudolf Sturm, CZECHOSLOVAKIA -A Bibliographic Guide, (Library of the Congress, Washington), 1967, 157 pp. Professor Sturm's Bibliographic Guide on Czecho-Slovakia is the first work of its kind in which the author made the attempt of presenting a bibliography on CzechoSlovakia without the usual bias. He included scores of books on SLOVAKIA 165 Slovakia which other bibliogra- scholars and specialists in Eastern phers usuall y bypass. Therefore, Europe will find in these works it is hard to say whether it is by a new picture of the Slovak past omission of the author or because and cultural life. A better representation of Slowe did not publish in the Free World a bibliography of books on vak books can be found in Prof. Slovak history, culture, and litera- Sturm's Bibliographic Guide as far ture, if we do not find in this as books and bibliographies in bibliography some books which Slovak language are concerned. There he has listed the main should be mentioned. The book is divided into 15 bibliography sources as well as the chapters which deal with the land , most important books on Slovak the people, history, politics and history, language, and literature government, Jaw, economy, social which were published either beconditions, religion and philosophy, fore 1945 or during the Communist languages, literature and the arts. period. Jn his introduction, Prof. Sturm '.J'1>c work includes both forei gn language books and reference mentions that he would be "gratcbooks and bibliographies in the ful to users for informing him of Czech and Slovak languages. Need- any error or shortcoming in the less to say that the number of text" and he admits that the Guid e publications on the Czechs, their is "imperfect" and hopes that history, language and culture is "im perfect as it is, it fills a need and will help to promote Czech considerably higher. We note, however, that for the and Slovak studies outside Czechofirst time in a bibliography pre- slovakia." There is no doubt that. pared by a Czech scholar, there are ' the Guide will help scholars and books which do not agree with th~ specialists and we hope that in the official ideology of Prague govern- next edition the author will not ments or Czechs in exile. Prof. omit books by Slovak writers in Sturm included forei gn language the Free World , namely, the writbooks by Slovak authors who clear- ing by Pauco , Franti§ek Vnuk, J . ly advocate an independent Slova- Rekem , M. Lacko , S. Nahalka, M. kia or, in cultural matters, disagree Sprinc, T. Zubek, some more imwith the Czech tendency to present portant books by !lurcansky than Slovak language and literature as he listed, several other publicaa part of the Czech or "Czechoslo- tions by this reviewer, as well as vak" language and literature. As the quarterly Most, Slowakei, the a result, we find in this Biblio- Literarny Almanach Slovaka v A graphic Guide books and publica- merike, and the academic publications in major European langueges tion by the University of Montreal by Prof f>urica , f>urcansky , Hru- Etudes Slav es in which there have !iovsky, Kirschbaum , Mikus, Skul- been many articles on Slovak lantety. Sister Woytko, Yurchak, Hro- guage and literature. In view of bak's linguistic works and Palic- the fact that Prof. Sturm displayed kar's work on Slovak culture. Even scholarly objectivity we should though the books by these authors help him with the necessary inforpresent only a part of the books mation in case he will publish a and publications which have been reviewed edition of his Bibliopublished abroad on Slovak politi- graphic Gurde. J . M. Kirschbaum cal history or cultural matters, the , I 166 SLOVAKIA Stefan G 1 e j du r a: Los Grandes in Argentina. The fact that Dr. Problemas del Este Europeo, Glejdura contributes to an inter(Separata de la Revista de Poli- nationally known political review, tica Internacional, Madrid, 1968-· gives ·his work a particular impor1969) tance. The series would deserve to be A series of studies on the policy re-printed in book form because of the Soviet Union and the prob- the author gives a whole picture lems of Eastern Europe by Dr. of the political scene in the Soviet Stefan Glejdura deserve the atten- orbit, not only as a competent tion of scholars as well as special observer but also as a specialist ists interested in the vicisitudes of who thoroughly followed the evoEastern Europe. For more than a lution behind the Iron Curtain decade Dr. Glejdura wrote learned since the end of the Second World studies on this subject for the War until the present time. There is hardly any Slovak intelhighly regarded periodical "Revista de Politica Internacional," pub- lectual who wrote so many reviews lished in Madrid. Several of these of books published on the probstudies have been published in re- lems of Eastern Europe in several prints and should be considered as European languages as Dr. Glejdua serious contribution to the re- ra did during the past two decades. search of the great political prob- His vast knowledge prepared him lems of Eastern Europe. The au- for a competent analysis and prethor analyzed not only the foreign sentation of the political, social as policy of the Soviet Union but also well as economic problems of the of the individual countries like nations subjugated by Moscow. In Hungary, Rumania, Slovakia, Czech- the hope that Dr. Glejdura will o-Slovakia, Poland, etc. and their publish his studies in book form, relations with the Soviet Union. we are refraining from analyzing He drew his conclusions on the at this time his studies on individbasis of his knowledge of foreign ual Eastern European countries language documents and literature even though each of them would in several European languages. As deserve a separate review. We recommend especially the a result, the series of his studies is a valuable contribution to the following studies to the scholars knowledge and contemporary Eu- and specialists interested in Eastern Europe: ropean problems. La Politica Exterior de la U.R.S.S., From a Slovak point of view, we (Madrid) , 1969. welcome the studies by Dr. Glejdura because they complete our Vicisitudes del Este Europeo, (Madrid), 1968. political literature on the world problems by publications in the Los Grandes Problemas del Este Spanish language. There have been Europeo: Hungria-Magyarorszag many studies in English, French, (Madrid) , 1969. Italian or German by Slovak intel- Los Grandes Problemas del Este lectuals who established themEuropeo: Rumania, (Madrid), selves in the West after the Second 1969. World War. In the Spanish lan- Los Grandes Problemas del Este guage, however, we did not have Europeo : Eslovaquia, (Madrid), scholarly writings except for a few 1968. publications which were published J. M . Kirschbaum SLOVAKIA Thaddeus V. Gromada, "Pilsudski and the Slovak Autonomists" Slavic Review, Vol. September 1969, pp. 445-462, Washington University. The Polish-Slovak relations between 1918 and 1939 are undoubtedly one of the most interesting chapters in the history of modern Slovakia. The Slovaks, dissatisfied with their position in the centralized Czecho-Slovakia ruled from Prague, did not have among their neighbours any support for preserving their distinctive nationality except the Poles. There also have been friendly cultural ties with the Polish nation for many centuries and from the religious point of view Poland was closer to the hearts of the majority of Slovaks than any other nation in Central Europe. This situation led, naturally, the Slovak leaders to look for co-operation with Poland. On the Polish side there was some understanding for the Slovak desire to preserve their nationality and political autonomy, but there also were considerations for cultivating the Polish-Slovak relations and at times to support the political struggle of the Slovak nation for an equal status with other Central European nations. There are studies on this subject in Slovak language but it is the first time that a thorough analysis of these relations has been published in English. Prof_ Gromada presents in his extensive article "Pilsudski and the Slovak Autonomists" a scholarly analysis and brought to light many details and many documents which have been unknown even to some Slovak historians or persons involved in politics in Slovakia during that period. The presentation is undoubtedly academic and it im- 167 presses by the mass of literature and unpublished documents which Prof. Gromada perused before writing his study. Except for the help which Msgr. Andrew Hlinka received from the Polish government in 1919 when he decided to go to the Paris Peace Conference, many important facts of the Polish-Slovak relations have been very little known. However, Prof. Gromada presents even Hlinka's efforts to obtain guarantees for Slovak autonomy and incorporation of the Pittsburgh Pact into the Peace Conference documents partly in a new light. At the same time, he reveals to historians documents from Polish archives which were unpublished or unresearched by other historians in the West. The most interesting part of Prof. Gromada's study refers to the relations of the period 19351939. At that time, there was in Slovakia a strong political current called "Polonophilism" headed by one of the leaders of Hlinka's Slovak populist party, Karol Sidor, and the relations between Poland and Slovak autonomists obtained a political colour. On the Slovak side these relations were also prompted not only by the traditional "Polonophilism" but also by political considerations. While in the international sphere the Slovak struggle for autonomy was more or less unknown or presented in an unobjective light by the official Czech policy, it found in Poland the most sympathetic ear among all neighbours of Slovakia. Even though in this period the official policy of the Prague government spoke about the necessity of good relations between all Slavs, the Slovak "Polonophilism" was attacked and condemned. Quite illogically it was accepted by Prague that good relations with the Soviet 168 SLOVAKIA Union or Yugoslavia were neces- help us to have an objective look sary but the efforts of Slovaks for at the Polish-Slovak relations. good relations with Poland were These remarks are not inteded condemned. This did not, however, to diminish the value or shed a deter Slovak autonomists from doubt on Prof. Gromada's highly cultivating the relations with Po- competent and well documented land. On the contrary, they grew study. In fact, Slavists and esstronger and also extended into pecially Slovak historians and cultural fields with the result that scholars should welcome his valu there were dozens ~f Slovak in~el- able account which, as we underlec_tuals_ . who studi_ed at Pohsh stand, is only a part of his larger umversibes or received g:ants to study on Slovak-Polish relations. foster cu~tural co-operabo~ b~-1 This reviewer is searching for doct~een Po_lish_ an_d Slovak umversi• 1 uments which would either support ties and msbtutwDs. . or reject some details in Prof. P_rof. Groma~a present~d this Gromada's study such as his stateperiod as seen m the Pohsh _doc- ment about the periodical Nast-up. uments and partly as descnbed He also will endeavor to clear by Slovak or Czech sch?lars. Since some statements published by Polwe do not have ac~ess !n th e Fr~e ish diplomats or the Foreign MinWo:ld to the ~c~ives m Slovakia, ister, Joseph Beck, which Prof. or m Prag_ue, it _is har_d even for Gromada used among his sources. someone hke this reviewer, who Until p of Gromada ublishes his was involved in ~he autonomist whole s~dy of Slovaf-Polish relamovement _ and Pohsh Slovak cul- tions, we hope to be able to answer t~ral rel~tlons, !o state how far the these questions. At the present picture is unbiased or complete. time, we cannot but give recogniVeD'. recently so~e doc~ments or tion to the author for his scholarly s~udies were pubh_shed ~n commu- efforts and well-written chapter of mst Czecho-Slovak1a which shed a Polish-Slovak relations between new light on this period but only the two World Wars. an unbiased study of the archives J. M . Kirschbaum in Prague and Bratislava could THE 1970 LITERARY ALMANAC A noteworthy characteristic of the true Christian Slovak intellectual is that he writes with professional skill and objectivity, and with an ideal practicality-in contrast to many slippery writers of today who deliberately manipulate words in order to confuse. And because this Slovak is a Christian and an intellectual, he ordinarily produces a masterpiece in his choice of subject and his handling of his material, as the contents of the 1970 LITERARNY ALMANACH testify. Owned and edited by Dr. Joseph Pauco in Middletown, Pennsylvania, the LITERARNY ALMANACH is the yearbook of the SLOVAK V AMERIKE, the oldest Slovak newspaper in America, which observed its 80th birthday in the Cyrillian Year of 1969. The new 1970 ALMANACH offers its readers a choice, wellbalanced assortment of literary gems. Here one will find scholarly studies; historical, political, and biographical sketches; short stories and briefer essays; narrative po- SLOVAKIA ems revealing the hopes, joys and sufferings of the Slovak soul, and a number of deep, difficult poems. Each of the authors endears himself to the reader for each has shared what is dearest to him-his soul's choicest thoughts on a specific topic for the enrichment of Slovak culture and Slovak life. Father Theodoric Zubek highlights a most timely truth in his ''Man Penetrates the Cosmic Atmosphere." Graphically he points out that whatever discoveries man may make in his rendezvouz with the moon, they can in no way alter the wonders of REVELATION. They can but confirm what God has already made known to man for his salvation and sanctification. To those deluded souls who taxied around the moon and " missed seeing God" the author has some telling lines on God's infinity and man's infinitesimality. In a well-documented study entitled "Slovak Presence in Europe Before the 6th Century After Christ," Msgr. John Rekem ably and successfull y proves his thesis. He takes the reader on a mammoth archeological tour that begins in Bratislava and traverses nearly the entire Eastern Hemisphere. He describes artifacts uncovered around Bratislava which date back to 3000 years before Christ. Monsignor is no novice at archeology. In 1968 he spent several weeks in Jericho where he witnessed and personally studied some marvelous excavations. For example, spread out before his eyes were the remains of an ancient city dating back to 8000 B. C., surrounded by a stone wall. Of special interest to the group was a long canal bored into stone running through the city. Monsignor further points out the role of archeology in the study of 169 ancient culture. From excavations in Slovakia, for example, it has been possible to trace the course of languages . . . with the astonishing deduction made that our ancestors already occupied Central Europe some 2000 years before the dawn of history. Recent studies by Slavic scholars indicate also that it is at least probable that our ancestors spoke Sanskrit. Msgr. Rekem's bibliography is impressive, composed as it is of Slovak, French, English, Latin, Ukrainian, and Polish references. His study demonstrates that the latest archeological excavations have opened the world to the existence of ancient cultures and civilizations such as no scientist had ever imagined . " Slovakia in the 20th Centucy (1919-1945 )" is the title of a book authored by L. Liptak and published in Slovakia. A review of part one by Frantisek Vnuk, a competent historian, can be found in the 1970 JEDNOTA KALENDAR. Here in the ALMANACH Vnuk incisively evaluates the second part of a study which purports to be history. But is it genuine histocy? It is not surprising, Vnuk declares, that Liptak's book, spawned by a Communist and issued under a Communist regime, contains some truth, more half truths, and a generous supply of fiction. Liptak blandly states in his book, for example, that a citizen of the Slovak Republic (1939-1945)-unless he was a member of the Hlinka Party-was automatically excluded from political life. This of course is a bald lie. Liptak is definitely biased , as no historian can afford to be. He sees the mote marring the Slovak Republic but is completely blind to the beam crushing the lives of the Slovaks. With fine scorn, Vnuk describes some of 170 SLOVAKIA Liptiik's claims as written with "uncritical senility" and as "degrading history to the level of a Communist tool. " Dr. Joseph Mistrik's contribution in the 1970 ALMANACH is "Prophetical Groups or a New Church?" The article bears out the title and as such is a challenge to anyone following the changes current in the Church today. He rightfully criticizes the underground church - those new-bread sects and deluded Catholics, who aUenate themselves from the true Church and arrogate to themselves its authority. At one point Canon Mistrik refers briefly to Archbishop Helder Camara of Recife, Brazil, calling him the sadly-famous archbishop. May I interpose a personal comment here : Archbishop Camara has identified himself with the, one might say, scum of humanity in Northeastern Brazil where his diocese is located. He is determined to put an end to the new slavery market operating in Brazil where a man is sold to a rich buyer for the price of $25.00 and only young, strong, and healthy men are accepted by the slave-drivers. ( cf. LATIN AMERICA CALLS, March 1969 ). With Dr. Mistrik, however, all faithful Catholics continue to pray, to hope, knowing for a certainty that Christ and His Church will triumph. As a living organism, the Church must shed all dead branches-the prophetical groups -and so rejuvenate herself. "A Salute to Stanislav Meciar" on his 60th birthday by Jan E . Bor contains this beautiful statement: •·Dr. Meciar received from God not only exceptional intellectual gifts, but also a firm, forthright character together with an uncompromising spirit." And this writer begs to add : Also an enormous, divinelike capacity for work. Bor proceeds to tell how Dr. Meciar brought these gifts to fruition in the various responsible positions he held in the Slovak Republic, and in the diversified Ii terary productions that flowed from his pen: books, critical analyses, reviews, commentaries, magazine articles, comparative studies of literature and personalities, evaluations of poetry, of scientific and historical works. Bor points out that Dr. Meciar's publication of the collected works of noted authors places us under real obligation to him . As editor of several literary magazines and newspapers, Dr. Meciar demonstrates that nothing is alien to him so long as it touches the human person. Dr. Joseph Kirschbaum, a competent historian and profilic writer, has contributed two pertinent articles in the 1970 ALMANACH. One of them bears -the title, "The Purloined Last Manuscript of Constantine culen". Its mission is to fulfill the request of the author Constantine culen, who on his deathbed had entrusted him with a certain manuscript on the cult of SS. Cyril and Methodius among Slovak immigrants in the United States and Canada. To fulfill his promise to a dying friend Dr. Kirschbaum prepared culen's manuscript and it now appears in the 1970 ALMANACH under the title : "The Cyril-Methodian Cult Among Slovak Immigrants in the United States and Canada". In this historical study culen makes some pithy comparisons between the Slovaks and the Irish. Both nations were exploited culturally, economically and politically. From both nations thousands migrated to America after crop failures. SLOVAKIA Culen's study features both lights and shadows, with shadows predominating. Through it runs the bitter thread of Magyar oppression of the Slovaks; their cruel and relentless efforts to magyarize the Slovaks. But here also one sees the golden thread, the adamant resistance of the Slovaks to magyarization. The study further portrays the Slovaks as eager to organize parishes and build churches as soon as they were settled in Americ-a in the latter half of the 19th century. And now also by a natural but too-long suppressed instinct they began freely to venerate their patrons, SS. Cyril and Methodius who had been forcefully excluded from public devotion in Slovakia under the Magyars. The first church in America dedicated to our Slovak holy patrons was erected in 1891 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The cult took root and spread throughout Slav America so that ttoday there are 36 churches, many schools, institutions, and two seminaries dedicated to SS. Cyril and Methodius. The saints are venerated also by the Sisters of SS. Cyril and Methodius who continue the apostolate of their patrons for God and His Church. As regards Canadian immigrants from Slovakia, Culen points out, they arrived in Canada in large numbers only after the second World War, differing greatly from the farm folk that came to the United States in an earlier era. Many are professionals who weathered ,the evils of Czech imperialism and Communism. Most are highly educated. Today Canada has 6 churches dedicated to our patrons, but Canadian Slovaks are as deeply devoted to their apostles as good Slovaks anywhere. 171 It is a joy to learn here that a Lutheran priest, Rev. Daniel Zaboj Laucek, propagated the Cyril-Methodian cult in Europe and America and at his personal expense he published a book in 1885 on the significance of our saints for all Slavic peoples. "Dr. Joseph Buday in the Service of Church and Nation," is Jan Mest'ancik's exeellent contribution to the ALMANACH. In it the author introduces his subject as a theologian, philosopher, sociologist, writer, editor, an authority on the Cyril-Methodian cult, and a capable political servant. Before treating the issue at hand, however, Mest'ancik sketches the setting in which Dr. Buday found himself at the beginning of the 20th century. The false religious ideas of Tolstoy were being disseminated among the masses by the renegade Dr. Srobar and his group, the Hlasists. Electioneering maneuvers and pressures of the Hungarian authorities kept the country politically in turmoil. The Slovaks were being discriminated against at every level of endeavor and especially in education. The situation demanded not only wisdom, prudence and patience, but also planned determination and persistent, coordinated action. This challenging atmosphere suited Dr. Buday to a T. Dr. Buday early joined Msgr. Andrew Hlinka in his efforts to wrest from the government the civil and human rights 0f the Slovaks. He used his pen to inform the people. In a series of articles, which appeared in Literarne listy, he routed the pretensions of -Srobar and his Hlasists. With Hlinka he undertook the colossal tesk of improving economic conditions in the villages. They organized cooperatives for the pro- 172 SLOVAKIA duction and sale of fann products and home crafts. lit was this system, adopted throughout Slovakia, which improved the standard of living in Slovak villages. The schools being what they were, Magyar indoctrination centers, Buday - with Hlinka - used the theater to educate the people on how best to serve their own best interests, cultural as well as social and economic. This intensive educational activity bore abundant fruit, says Mest'ancik. In 1901-an unheard of thing-the Slovaks were able to seat 4 representatives in the Hungarian Parliament, and in 1906 the number rose to 7. In 1919, after the Slovak People's Party was organized, Dr. Buday was elected to the Czecho-Slovak Parliament, serving 8 years as a deputy and 11 years as a senator. During the latter term he was also vice-president of Parliament and later of the Senate. In Parliament Dr. Buday proved himself a statesman of the highest caliber. He confronted problems with fine logic and with a keen grasp of the details involved. He preferred to negotiate rather than appeal to emotion, yet he was ready to compromise provided no principle or right was sacrificed. It is easy to see why he gained the respect even of his opponents. Mest'ancik is careful to remind the reader that the Czecho-Slovak Republic did not bring freedom to the Slovaks. The battle for civil and human rights continued. Under the Czechs it was still necessary to press for self-identity and now also for the preservation of the Catholic faith . As nearly all the bishops had been Magyars, they emigrated to Hungary. The situation was explosive in many ways. Assisted by members of the Priests' Council, which Hlinka had speedily organized, Dr. Buday and Blinka, two men with opposite temperaments, achieved the seemingly impossible. Before long the Church was peacefully functioning under its own bishops. . . yet awaiting the inevitable: the ridicule and jeers of Czech unbelievers as they tried to undermine the Catholic Church. In the political sphere the turbulence was even more pronounced. Thousands of Czechs had flocked into Slovakia, ostensibly to assist in organizing affairs of State, but actually they attacked the main arteries of Slovak life like vultures. In no time they occupied the leading positions in the country. Slovak resistance was steadfast and persistent . . . and it continued its Carvary march for 20 years. A new chapter in the hi story of Slovakia was introduced iu 1939 when the Republic of Slovakia was proclaimed, but that is another story. In 1924 Dr. Buday addressed Parliament in a compelling speech , in which he accused the Czech regime of gross injustice against Slovakia. He pointed out that Slo-vak prisons were filled with innocent citizens whose only "crime" was adhering to their national and political convictions and God-given rights. He claimed that thousands of Slovaks, and chiefly the intelligentia, were forced to emigrate because the occupying army of Czech exploiters prevented them from making a living. . . that the h!xing system was unjust, partial and impossible to accept, . . . that Czech propaganda was impressing Europe with false ideas regarding conditions in Slovakia ... and that every call for justice and improvement was answered with cold cynicism. He issued a warning that the Slovak nation would certainly SLOVAKIA victoriously overcome Czech imperialism as it had weathered centuries of Magyar oppression. Dr. Buday had a hand in any project that contributed to the welfare of the Slovak people. His influence played a role in preventing the Czech effort to equate the Slovak language with theirs and to label it a Czech dialect. Before his death in November 1939, this good and faithful servant of God and country was accorded two unique honors: He was privileged to welcome to Slovakia the American Slovak Delegation, headed by Dr. P. P. ffietko , which triumphantly exhibited the original draft of the famous 1918 Pittsburgh Agreement. The other, which was probably the happiest moment in Dr. Buday's life, occured January 18, 1939, when as a senior member of the National Assembly he opened the first session of the Slovak Parliament in Bratislava with a memorable classical address. One last contribution. All of us who loved Philip Hrobak and revere his memory are grateful to Dr. Pauco for his article, "In What Did Hrobak's Greatness Consist?" Dr. Pauco presents an excellent evaluation of Hrobak as a person. He notes his indefatigable zeal, his extraordinary capacity for work, his kindness of heart. Mention is made of his voluminous carrepondence to inform the English speaking public about the injustice suffered by our people in Slovakia; and to correct the distorted facts published in the U.S. press, usually supplied by Czech propaganda. Dr. Pauco stresses the fact that it was through Hrobak's persistent efforts that at long last the State Department in Washington accepted the distinction between Czechs and Slovaks. No small accomplish- 173 ment for Philip Hrobak or for the Slovak nation. There are many other splendid articles in the 1970 ALMANACH. The more I paged through this issue the more humble I felt in the face of the heroism, the grandeur of character, the erudition, the honest pride, and the deep love for Slovakia of each of its contributors. And so I warn you, gentle reader, that this ALMAN ACH can disturb your conscience, it can thrill you, it can challenge you. Reading it you can lose yourself in the Elysian atmosphere of Slovakia, Communism notwithstanding, until suddenly you realize that you have been carried away to ... what? Try it. If you are fortunate to be able to read and understand Slovak, even just fairly, it is smart to keep the ALMANACH within arm's reach. Sister M. Gabriel Hricko, SS.C.M. I:alendar Jednota 1970: The 73rd edition of the Jednota annual in the Slovak language ... Jednota Press, 1970; 244 pp., Middletown, Pa. , Ed. by Jozef C. Krajsa. The 1970 publication of the Jcdnota annual commemorates 80 years of the Society's function not only in preserving and extending the Slovak heritage in America, but also in furthering wherever possible the various apostolic works of the Church throughout the Slovak world. Laudatory and enthusiastic articles to the fact are written by the Si!preme president, John A. Sabol aud by Msgr. John Senglar, the Society's chaplain. Readers familiar with Msgr. M. K. Mlynarovic's erudition and with tht: intellectual beauty of his writtings will find here another 174 SLOVAKIA gem of his poetic prose, "The Human Family-a Masterpiece of Love." Dr. J. M. Kirschbaum, once diplomatic representative of the Slovak Republic to Switzerland, writes from his own rich experience of the suspenseful days prior to the War's end (1944). He highlights the grave responsibilities that faced the delegation and the leaders of Slovakia in those days of crisis. He includes a conversation held with Archbishop P. Bernardini, then Papal Legate to Switzerland, about the future of Europe and concludes his writing with the last diplomatic communique sent to Slovakia from Bern. Msgr. Andrew Hlinka's last will and testament published here for the first time "in toto" should be of great interest to many. A rather lengthy article, but worth the space allotted, is Imrich Kruzliak's development of the Slovak language. He points out that it was principally in the rectories ( both Catholic and Lutheran) throughout Slovakia that the torch of the Slovak spirit and language was first kindled and from there carried afar. Religious articles include: news from the mission fields; statistically backed items on religions and rites in various parts of the world; an exhortation for a better understanding between Greek and Roman rite Catholics; and the Holy Father's address to a Slovak audience upon the occasion of the 1000th anniversary of the death of St. Cyril. Several shorter but timely articles stem from Vatican II influence and include recent changes in the Church ( diaconate, Mass, marriage ceremonies, etc.); these topics appear in the Catholic press generally today. Worth mentioning are: Father A. Zan's scholarly report refuting the theory that Sacred Scripture is merely a collection of stories and myths devoid of historic or religious value; the history and purpose of the International Labor Organization; the problem of feeding a future world (a statistical report); and some interesting prove1 bs and maxims culled from the writings of India neatly categorized into various topics and bearing resemblance to the Book of Wisdom. Msgr. J . Rekem reviews the poetry of Gorazd Zvonicky whom he designate as a kindred spirit to Peguy, Verlaine and Rimbalt. Extracts from the poet's works indeed testify that he merits such praise. The J ednota includes a highly informative biographical sketch of Alojz Macek (now living in Argentina). Editor, writer, and active patriot of Slovakia, Macek was founder of the Catholic Boy Scouts of Slovakia and of the "Hlinka Youth." Today his Spanish writings made known to a larger public the historical and cultural background of the Slovaks. Frantisek Vnuk reviews and refutes ~ubomir Luptak's history, Slovakia in the 20th Century. He points out the author's falsification of historical fact, his half tru,ths or truths told "with bad intent". Presenting statistics and historical documentation, Vnuk shows how Luptak ignores and intentionally omits whatever does not serve to further Communistic propaganda. This distorted or "rewritten" history centers on events leading to tht> separation of Slovakia from Austra-Hungary , the Pittsburgh Pact, politics prior to World War II and ,t he Warsaw Pact of 1968. Included in the publication are SLOVAKIA several fine poetic selections by living Slovak poets and a few short stories. Following a long established custom, the annual features protographs, many of which may interest only members of the society. Other photographs, such as some very fine pictures commemorating the centennial of the death of the poet Jan Holly, which would interest readers in general, are lost among the former. Si ster M . Alfred Massura, SS.C.M. Jednota Annual FURDEK 1970: Published by the First Catholic Slovak Union (Jednota Press, Middletown, Pa. 1970, 200 pp.) Edited by Joseph C. Krajsa. The 1970 FURDEK is an event as well as a publication. It is a treasure of information as well as a reservoir of delight and diversion. At a glance one notices the diversified appeal of its contents. From the first several pages beam the a•t tractive faces of the young "Promise of the future," collegebound students, subsidized in their course with JEDNOTA scholarships. These young people know from personal experience that the First Catholic Slovak Union is a wide-awake, alert, generous, truly fraternal society of the second half of the twentieth century. An installment of "Who's Who Among Slovak Priests" introduces the reader to some of the ministers of the Gospel called from the Slovak population to proclaim the Good News to the world. Such a Roll-Call of S 1 o v a k - A m e rican priests serves a useful purpose: it satisfies the reader's curiosity and, more importantly, it informs him of the resources of SJovak 175 American culture, its accomplishments, its possibilities, and its blessings. The first title that caught my eye in the FURDEK Almanach was "The Clergy in Slovak History and Culture," by Father Theodoric Zubek, 0 . F . M. I am familiar with the leading role played by clergymen in the history of our nation, but having the spotlight placed on it in a single article is particularly valuable today when our own American clergymen are venturing into leadership roles in government and politics. What combination of circumstances makes this advisable ? What makes it necessary? Whait makes it imperative? How did Bishop Moyses, for example, become President of the Matica Slovenska, the leading cultural society in Slovakia? What conditions brought Monsignor Andrej Hlinka into the limelight? How did Monsignor Jozef Tiso get to be President of the Slovak Republic in 1939? Two articles on St. Cyril were very welcome to me as a Sister of SS. Cyril and Methodius. One was written by Mother M. Emerentia, SS. C. M. , and is a fine scholarly study of the character and accomplishments of our patron. The other is a discourse delivered at a Centenary Assembly of bishops and priests in Greece by Archbishop Maury of Rheims, who was head of the papal delegation at the ceremony. It is a masterpiece in its insight into the holiness, the scholarliness, the universality of St. Cyril, who challenges us eleven hundred years later to promote the best interests of the Church with the mind of Christ. The article on Slovak pioneers show their self-sacrificing spirit and their enthusiastic zeal during the organization of the first Slovak 176 SLOVAKIA parishes. Their experiences in the mines are timely, coinciding with current interest in the Molly Maguires. The stories by Michael Simko are human-interest episodes that delight the reader. "Christmas in Slovakia" and "Slovak Easter Customs" by the Rev. Andrew Pier, 0. S. B. not only fascinate the reader with the wide variety of traditional practices of our ancestors, but also portray to him the rich culture, the deep faith and the joyous spirit so characteristic to our Slovak people. The articles are of particular interest to me since I learned of these customs from my immigrant parents, through our observance of them in our home. In "Slovakia-A Veritable Gem of Central Europe" one is carried to the scenic sights of the Tatras and the shores of the beautiful Danube, the Gothic churches and cathedrals, the ancient castles, the fishing and hunting grounds, and the historic cities of the country. The article is a source of valuable information, both cultural and historical and practical, mentioning as it does also the famous health resorts and modern tourist facilities. We are fully aware that the immigrants who came to the shores of America from every European country contributed to the rapid growth and progress of this nation. I wonder, however, whether any other ethnic group has knowledge of its very first immigrant. Sister Martina, SS. C. M. has enriched us with her fine article on the "First Slovak Immigralllt-Samuel Francis Figuly," portraying him as an individual of unusual caliber, wide and daring experiences, good education, and strong convictions. In the scholarly article, "Slovaks and the Upheavals of Czecho-Slovakia" by J. M. Kirschbaum, Ph.D., LL.D., the reader sees a change in the attitude to the West toward Slovaks; namely, that they do exist. He is also enlightened on the many causes of dissatisfaction and discrimination against them since 1918, when the Czecho-Slovak Republic was established. Sister M. Evangela's presentation of the "Organization of the Slovak Catholic Students Fraternity" and iits publication of FURDEK is interesting. In dialogue from Sister gives the reader a vivid picture of the enthusiasm of the Fraternity's first members, its aims and its progress. Though their publication of FURDEK in Slovak ceased in 1941, the English publication is a highly cultural and literary annual, as this issue substantiates. Sister M. Clotil,da Omasta, SS. C. M., M.A. THE SLOVAK LEAGUE OF AMERICA heartily commends all efforts of our governmental and other organs to ferret out and unmask all Communists and fellow travellers, as well as all persons and organizations who wittingly or unwittingly give aid and comfort to the conspiracy of Communism promoted by the Soviet Union. SLOVAKIA 177 Our Contributors historian; professor, Institute of Technology, Francis Vnuk, M.A . - Adelaide, Australia. Sr. M. Martina Tybor, SS. C. M . John T . Van Sant - teacher and author, Danville, Pa. Senator of Pennsylvania and Majority Whip. Joseph M. Kirschbaum, LL. D., Ph.D. - former diplomat, professor, historian, author, Toronto, Ontario. former professor at Bratislava University, prominent Slovak historian and educator. Francis Hrusovsky, Ph.D. (late) - Konstantin Culen (late) - outstanding newspaperman, author, politi- cian. Joseph A . Mikus, M. CL., J. D. professor, historian, author, former diplomat, Washington, D. C. newspaperman, political prisoner under Stalinists in Slovakia; now editor of Kanadsky Slovak, Toronto, Ontario. Marian Jankovsky - Joseph C. Krajsa - Slovak American Fraternalist, Editor, Jednota, Middletown, Pa. Sister M . Gabriel Hricko, SS. C. M., Sister M . Alfred Massura, SS. C. M., Sister M. Clotilda Omasta, SS. C. M., M. A. - teachers, Danville, Pa. 178 SLOVAKIA Contents F. Vnuk . - Slovak Language and Literature Will the Phoenix Rise Again? - 3 Sister M. Martina Tybor - John T. Van Sant Slovaks Have Repaid Their Adopted Country WelZ - - 11 28 Dr. Jozef Kirschbaum - The Political Message of Matus Cernak This Is Slovakia - Francis Hrufovsky - Dr. Francis Hrusovsky - the Man - 42 K. tulen 70 Joseph A. Mikus Ruzena Svobodova's "Feuilletons on Slovakia" - 76 I Was a Communist - J. V. - 90 Marian Jankovsky - Powers of Darkness and Powers of Truth The Development of Slovak Literature Matica Slovenska - Joseph S. Kost - Our Cyrilo-Methodian Heritage - Karen Ann Syzdek - 94 105 113 Patricia Revetta - American Slovaks on the Home and War Fronts - 116 122 The Centenary of Bishop S. Moyses - J. M. Kirschbaum - The Slovak League Firmly Believes - 139 Bratislava, Capital of Slovakia - 35 Joseph C. Krajsa - 131 141 Current Issues (Senator Hugh Scott's Speech Before Slovak League of America in Washington. - Edward M. Zelenak: The Slovaks of Detroit. - Winn Gallegher: A Slovak Immigrant - Master of Arts. - 50 Years in Danville, Pa.) - 143 As Others See It - 154 Comments (Two Czech Professors about Slovak°Czech Relations "Slovak News" or Communist Propaganda) - - 159 Book Reviews (J.M. Kirschbaum: Books on the Event in Czecho-Slovakia in 1968 - Heinrich Kuhn: Handbuch der Tschechoslowakei Rudolf Sturm: Czechoslovakia - A Bibliographic Guide - Stefan Glejdura: Los Grandes Problemas dei Este Europeo - Thaddeus V. Gromada: Pilsudski and the Slovak Autonomists - Sister M. Gabriel Hricko, SS. C. M.: The 1970 Literary Almanac. - Sister M. Alfred Massura, SS. C. M.: Kalendar Jednota 1970. - Sister M. Clotilda Omasta, SS. C. M.: Jednota Annual Furdek 1970) - 162 SLOVAKIA ~ V .;::-v ~~ 4."'<~':r-, 0 sAsnK o BAN, STIA VN'lc'A TRNAVA 0 'Q: Q: (.;~ $ PRI NTI D IN U.S. A. JIDN OTA PlllN TER Y, MID DLli TOW N, PA.  Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Back Matter, Slovakia, Vol. 20 (No. 43) Description An account of the resource includes Current Issues; As Others See It; Comments; Book Reviews; Contributors Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1970 https://slovakia.wordsofpassage.net/files/original/723bfaf4aefbd5e911707c6f38422bad.pdf 9f95f2cb98ee85afce41ac6d0fff4940 PDF Text Text SLOVAKIA 189 CURRENT ISSUES Proclamation of the 42nd Congress of the Slovak League of America At Wilkes-Barre, Pa. Solemnly convened in Congress, the officers and delegates of the Slovak League of America formally decla·r e that: 1. We rededica,te ourselves and our membership to the preserva,l!ion of the basic moral principles set forth in the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights of the United Staites o·f America and the United Naitions organization. 2. In light of the above, we request our member organizations and the memberships to solicit their lo<:al, state and federal officials for assistance needed to reestablish Slovakia as a democratic state in a free Central Europe. 3. Fwrther we ask all our fellow citizens to likewise rededicate themselves to the great challenge and opportunities confronting all decent God fearing people in this period of violence, hatred and abuse of lawful authority; for, without a concerted effort by the silent majority, we could easily lose the God given rights and freedoms which we here enjoy, and which are presently non-existent in Slovakia and other nations with age old Christian cultures and traditions, and to insure tile continued safeguarding of these precious rights and gifts, as loyal citizens, we put our trust in and support the dedicated efforts of our President, Richard M. Nix·on, to end the Indochina War, to establish an honorable peace and to restore domestic tranquility. In witness whereof, we have caused these sentiments to be published this 24th day of May, 1970. Edward J. Behuncik, President Joseph Pauco, Secretary �190 SLOVAKIA Slovak World Congress (Mr. TAFT asked and was given permission-June 30, 1970-to address the House of Representatives for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks and include extraneous matter.) Mr. TAFT. Mr. Speaker, last week the American Slovak fraternal and religious organizations were participating in the First Slovak World Congress which was held in New York City at the Americana Hotel. I had both the honor and the pleasure to be one of their guests at the banquet, Sunday, June 21, together with my colleagues from the Congress-Ray J. Madden, Paul Findley, Michael A. Feighan, William E. Minshall, and John M. Murphy. Congressman Joseph M. Gaydos, himself of Slovak origin, was unfortunately in hospital at the time and missed this worthy event. Ambassador Nguyen Huu Chi, permanent observer to the United Nations, was also present. Representatives of other American nationalities were also present. Senator John G. Tower, an outstanding American and an eloquent speaker, gave the keynote address. It was a fine speech and the assembled were unanimous in their praise of Senator Tower's presentation and knowledge of history. Among the many delegates from the free world, including from Australia, Latin America, Europe, and Canada, who attended the sessions were also three bishops, Andrew G. Grutka of Gary, Ind., the honorary chairman of the congress; Michael Rusnak of Toronto, and Paul Hnilica of Rome, Italy. Stephen B. Roman, the internationally known industrialist from Canada, chaired the proceedings of the congress with Bishop Grutka. Mr. Roman was elected the chairman of the Slovak World Congress for 1970-71. The major organizations from the United States participating in the congress included the National Slovak Society, presided by John Pankuch, the Slovak Catholic Union, presided by John A. Sabol, the Catholic Sokol, presided by Paul Fallat, Slovak League of America, by Edward Behuncik. �SLOVAKIA 191 Feeling certain that many other heritage groups in our great country will find gems of hope for their own ideals, I include Senator Tower's introduction and speech in the Record at this point: Introduction of Key Speaker (By Joseph Krajsa, editor of the largest fraternal American Slovak newspaper) When you think of Texas you immediately think of something big. And President Nixon has sent someone Big to extend official greetings to the Slovak World Congress. The distinguished United States Senator from Texas, Senator Tower, known as a Progressive-Conservative, is a close advisor to President Nixon and serves on three major committees-Armed Services, Banking and Currency, and the Joint Committee on Defense Production. He has spent more time with our commanders and troops in Southwest Asia than any other member of the Senate. The Senator is an internationally known leader and has been distinguished as a gentleman of dedicated zeal. All of you present here today have displayed a zeal for an ideal. We are fortunate that our distinguished American, Senator Tower, shares our zeal. His presence here during his busy congressional session proves his interest in the Slovak cause, a cause so common to all separate ethnic cultures. His massage will be rewarding to all nationality groups, but especially to the Slovak delegates here assembled from all over the free world. And yes, Senator, to the thousands of Slovak Americans living in Texas, too. It has been said that one day the world will be reformed, but not by reformers, but as a result of a zeal for an ideal that is burning in the hearts of dedicated men. Ladies, and gentlemen, it is my pleasure to present to you an inter• nationally known gentleman, our guest to honor, a public servant of dedicated zeal, our distinguished United States Senator from the State of Texas, the Honorable John G. Tower. Thank you for that very fine introduction. Mr. President, Your Excellencies, Reverend clergy, Mr. Ambassador, my distinguished colleagues in the Congress, ladies and gentlemen. �192 SLOVAKIA It certainly is a great pleasure to be here today. It's extremely difficult for me to undertake to address you as the final speaker on the program. I have listened with great interest to all that has been said, but have not understood it all, since I don't speak Slovak. And so I am reasonably sure that Steve Roman has probably made my speech. But I'll find out afterwards. I think that this is a great and significant moment that you meet here in your first World Congress. I think it is always inspiring when like-minded people get together for a noble common cause. You are Slovaks and I am an Anglo-Saxon. But we are all childred of God. And as such, we are enjoined to stand fast in the liberty with Christ who set us free. We are all of one family. And we are our brothers in the common cause to try to achieve in this world, and in that which God intends, freedom for all mankind. There are those in this world today who I think are ready to give up in the struggle against totalitarianism. I am so happy to note that you people are not among them. There are many in our country who have never felt the lash of communist imperialism. Because Karl Marx stated things in lofty terms, in terms of thinking what he considered to be human objectives, they think perhaps that system is not so bad after all. I wish every American could have shared the experiences many of you had, who have lived under communist totalitarianism to understand what it is all about. I have never lived in a totalitarian system, but I've been in places in this world where I've seen the stultifying and inhuman effects of the communist drive for world aggrandizement. As it has been noted, I have been in Vietnam several times. I returned from there, most recently, several weeks ago. Two weeks ago, today, I was sludging around on the battlefield in Cambodia. Today I'm glad to report to you that we are achieving our objectives in Vietnam. We can measure our achievement in several ways. We have reduced the capacity of the enemy to wage massive forces against us. We have improved the fighting qualities of the army of South Vietnam. And I can tell you that Army, and indeed all the Armed Forces of South Vietnam performed �SLOVAKIA 193 in a most professional, courageous and effective manner in the recent and current operations in Cambodia. And, I am given to understand by the military commanders, that this will hasten the day when we can bring our boys back home. But I think the most important reason, and underlying everything, is the fact that now most of the Vietnamese people have had some experience with Communism. They may not understand democracy, as you and I understand it. They may not understand all of the responsibilities of self-government, as you and I understand it. Those who have lived under the Viet Cong, and under the heel of North Vietnamese military have made a decision, that they would rather be with us. I think that the only way we can fail to accomplish our objectives, in trying to combat communist aggression in Southeast Asia, is for the people here at home to throw in the towel. I do not think we can lose the war in Southeast Asia if we can maintain our presence there. I know I didn't have to convince you about our responsibilities in the world. You know what Communism has done to Eastern Europe and what America must do to maintain her own security. You know the reason why. It's the same reason that we fight today in South Vietnam because Communist aggressor powers seek to expand their realm by force. There are so many naive people, unfortunately, too many of them on the college faculties of this country, who hold that there is no danger from Communist aggression. I imagine that the people in Czecho-Slovakia can say a word or two on that score. And I wish that they who have fled from the Russian tanks and tbe Russian machine guns could be on the college faculties so that our youth can get a better impression of what Communism is really like. How can we believe that there is no danger? There are those who try to impose a sense of guilt on the people of the United States for the arms race. We didn't start the arms race! It was not the U.S. which continued to maintain its poverful military force immediately following World War II. We demobilized. It was not the U.S. that swallowed-up the Eastern European countries with the use of military force. It was not the U.S. who sealed off Berlin. It-was not the U.S. who invaded �194 SLOVAKIA South Korea. And, in the past few years, from the point of strategic technology, the Russians have been developing their military potential at a much greater rate than we have. I submit to you that there is a clear and present danger which you well know. And I am not speaking so much to you, as I am through you, to a lot of people who are not in this room. But who should understand that this nation must maintain a posture of military superiority, not inferiority. Not parity, but superiority! Because if we fail to maintain it, my friends, there will be no hope for the Slovaks, nor for the millions of others to ever aspire to freedom and selfdetermination and have any reasonable hope of realizing it. Does anyone believe that if the Soviets achieve strategic military superiority they will not use it to blackmail the rest of the world into going along their way. And you know what their way is. My friends, we are going to be in grave trouble by the end of this decade, or perhaps even before, if we don't recognize this fact. I don't believe that we, Americans, can retreat to "fortress America" and hope to survive as a great nation ourselves. Even if we made our country impregnable; if we withdrew from the world, other nations would have to make their own accommodations with the Soviets. Then we will find ourselves in grave economic difficulties in a few years hence, because we are not a self-sufficient nation. We depend on sources and resources from other parts of the world. So, our capacity to progress as free people in the free enterprise system is involved here. But beyond that the mantle of world leadership has fallen on our shoulde11s whether we like it or not. We certainly are our brothers keepers! If we, as a Judeo-Christian society don't believe that then we have lost sight of the basic tenet. We are our brothers keepers, and have a responsibility to try and maintain a secure world in which Slovaks and all others, can aspire to freedom and hope ultimately to achieve it. I'm pleased to bring you greetings from the White House. I'm also pleased to observe that you are willing to make common cause with all others, to combat the great Communist menace. There can be no freedom where Russian tanks, Russian soldiers occupy soil. There is no �SLOVAKIA 195 freedom in such territory anyplace. Ultimately, I think that all societies in this world can aspire to the kind of progress we in the U.S. and Canada have enjoyed through the free enterprise system. In the final analysis, when man becomes totally dependent upon the State, he losses his freedom. The right of man to own and do with his property what he considers best to him and his environment is a ba:sic right and the major factor which prevents his being reduced to meek dependency on the State. I commend you for what you are doing. I wish you well. Know that you are not alone, that there will be those of us who although are not Slovak, will be at your side. God speed! COMMENTS SIXTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF THE POET JAN DORANSKY Among Slovak poets and writers in exile whom we considered in 1945 as the "young generation," there are several who are approaching their venerable age of 60 years. In 1971, we should not bypass in silence the 60th birthday of one of them-Jan Doransky, born on May 28, 1911, in Trstena. Coming from a part of Slovakia which gave to Slovak literature and public life many outstanding poets and novelists, Jan Doransky inherited a love for literature and began to write in his early youth, first for student's periodicals, later for literary and cultural monthlies. Afte·r finishing his secondary education, he studied law at the University of Bratislava and practiced as a notary in various parts of Slovakia. The outbreak of the Second World War interrupted his civilian life. Being, however, known at that time as a poet and writer, he was retained in the Department for cultural affairs at the Ministry of National Defense. When the Russian armies overran Slovakia, Doransky with thousands of other Slovak intellectuals left with his family for the West. After spending two years in Austria and two years in Rome, he landed in Canada �196 SLOVAKIA in 1949 and has lived in Montreal for the past eighteen years. Doransky is a poet of considerable versatility, and besides many lyrical verses and patriotic poems, he wrote in Canada a drama called Stard mat', neopust'aj nds (Grandmother do not leave us alone), successfully played by Slovak groups across Canada. The play was originally published in Kanadsky Slovak and later in 1953 in book form. Before coming to Canada, Doransky had published in 1939 a play called Novou cestou (On a new path) and in 1943 a collection of satirical verses Slepi pasazieri (Blind passengers). In Slovakia as well as in Canada, his poetry was published in various anthologies : Pred ohnivym drakom (1939), Vo vyhnanstve (1947), Zdravica sv. Cyrilovi a Metodovi (1963); in literary periodicals (Kultura, Most) and in almanacs. In recent years his epigrams published either in the quarterly Most or in newspapers and almanacs became preferred reading among Slovak intelligentsia in the free world. Besides poetry, Doransky wrote a number of short novels and other prose contributions for periodicals (Oral Tatransky, Svojet', Kultura) under the pen-name Hamernik and for the Slovak almanacs and newspapers in Canada and the United States under the name J. D. Oravec. Doransky's literary production is extensive and only the difficulties which a poet or a writer has to overcome in exile, prevented him from publishing his writings in book form. At his 60th birthday, two or three collections of lyrical verses, one collection of short novels and three collections_ of epigrams and satire are among his manuscripts awaiting more favorable circumstances for publication. All who like his poetry and his excellent epigrams called by him "Jedorasty", cannot but wish him that he may live to see not only his manuscripts published but also go back to a free and independent Slovakia for which he fought and to which he dedicated his life and his talent. Ad multos annos! J. M . Ki rs c h b au m �SLOVAKIA 197 GREAT DISTINCTION FOR SLOVAK POET KAROL STRMEN Slovak emigre poetry has given to Slovak literature not only its share of excellent original works which echo the great poets of Western nations, but also a new dimension in masterful translations from several world literatures. Recently Slovak literature achieved recognition in this field from the excellent work in scholarship and poetry of one of the most gifted Slovak poets, Prof. Karol Strmen. On October 28, 1970, during the meeting of the Association of American Teachers of French, held in New Orleans, the cultural attache of the French Embassy in Washington presented Prof. Strmen, on behalf of the Government of France, with the Medal of the Knight of Academic Palms. No doubt it has been a deserved distinction, and Slovak literary community abroad is rightly proud of it. Karol Strmen (born in 1921), by vocation university professor of Romance literature, enriched Slovak poetry by translations from several World literatures as well as by his own poetic works. Belonging to the "Catholic Moderna" but following his own literary path, Strmen impressed literary critics and readers almost unanimously as a gifted and mature poet from the time he published his first verses in the prestigous literary monthly Slovenske Pohl'ady, and his first two collections of verses Vyzinok zivota (Harvest of Life) (1940), and Testament (1945) . Attracted by French, Spanish, German and Italian poets, whose works he was masterfully translating during the past two decades, Strmen deviated from the main stream of Slovak emigre poetry as indicate his two collections of verses Striebornd Legenda (The Silver Legend) (1950), and Cakaju nivy jar (Meadows are Expecting Spring) (1963), and his contributions to literary journals and newspapers. His poetry is rather for the cultivated than for the average readers and the traditional and national values are less visible in his poetry than in the poetry of other Slovak emigre poets. Among Strmen's early translations is an anthology �198 SLOVAKIA from the poetry of Michael Eminescu, R. M. Rilke, the wellknown poem by Edgar Allan Poe "Raven" and several poems by Dante. His translating activity increased during the years of his exile to a degree unequalled by any other Slovak poet or writer. He continued to translate from practically all Romance languages as well as from German and English. Among the main translations are Robert Browning's Portuguese Sonnets (1947), Paul Claudel's Via Crucis (1954) and Dante's Inferno (1963 ) . In manuscript form he has Shakespeare's dramas. Slovak literary journals like Most, Literdrny Almanach Slovdka v Amerike, and other Slovak annuals have published regularly his translations from many literatures. His master work in translated poems is, according to literary critics, Dante's Inferno, published in a highly elaborate volume also from the printing point of view. It was, however, Paul Claude!, whose work he liked best and on whom he wrote his doctoral dissertation. Strmen who originally intended to study theology, translated also the New Testament and other religious books, hymns and psalms. Together with sprinc he deserves credit for many cultural activities which developed among Slovaks in exile since the end of the Second World War. Like Sprinc he left home for the United States and in 1949 settled in Cleveland. He is a member of several learned societies, of the Slovak Institute, Slovak Association of Writers and Artists, etc. Even though many of his poems reflect his strong patriotic feelings and aversion to communism before which he fled in 1945, Strmen was among the few emigre poets and writers whose verses pierced the Iron Curtain and were published in 1968 thaw in Slovakia. Slovak emigre writers and poets congratulate their distinguished colleague. J. M. Kirschbaum . . . The Polish monthly Kultura, which is published in Paris by the intellectuals who either did not return to Poland after the Second World War, or escaped the Communist tyranny, dedicated a special issue to the upheavals �SLOVAKIA 199 in Czecho-Slovakia. Unfortunately the presentation of the events which led to the liberalization and de-Stalinization movement seems to be strongly influenced by Czech propaganda or insufficient knowledge of the situation in Slovakia, as well as of the role which Slovaks played in changing the Stalinist system and giving "a human face to socialism." Prof. J.M. Kirschbaum who has many friends among Polish intellectuals and has been known for his positive attitude towards Poland since the time of his studies in Warsaw and Cracow, wrote to the editor of Kultura a let.t er but he never received an answer to his friendly remarks. As a result, we decided to publish the letter as a document to record that we were not silent when the presentation of historical events, in which the Slovaks played an important role, has been distorted. Mr. Jerzy Giedroyc, Editor: Kultura, 91 Avenue de Poissy, Paris, France. Dear Sir: I have read with great interest your special issue dedicated to Czecho-Slovakia. As a representative of that group of Slovak political exiles who always stood for a close friendship with Poland, I feel obliged to write a few comments on that issue, especially with regard to the view that the movement for liberalization and democratization stemmed from the Hussite traditions. There is a number of good studies in the West by AngloSaxon and French political writers who analyzed the policy of Czecho-Slovakia during the period of the so-called de-Stalinization and none of them came to a similar conclusion. Only a few journalists stationed in Prague during the summer of 1968 accepted, for reasons which I will mention later, the Czech view that the liberalization movement was due to their national traditions. Books and studies by Western experts in Eastern Europe, like Prof. Skilling, Ph. E. Mosley, W. E. Griffith, Kertesz and even Duchacek, indicate that the Czech part �200 SLOVAKIA of the population of Czecho-Slovakia were lethargic and did not come until 1968 with any noteworthy opposition to the Stalinist regime of Antonin Novotny. Two Czech writers in Griffith's symposium even accuse their compatriots of fully supporting that regime after the upheavals in Hungary and Poland or later when the Slovak intellectuals began to attack the Stalinist dictatorship. (See Canadian Slavonic Papers, Vol. X, 4, 1968.) I think it can be objectively established that the movement for liberalization and democratization not only started in Slovakia, but also was carried on mainly by the Slovak intellectuals. One of the contributors to your special issue on Czecho-Slovakia, P. Carnogursky, pointed to this fact, but did not develop his thesis by giving names and data. In all serious studies in the West it has been accepted that the beginning of the de-Stalinization was a Congress of Slovak writers in May 1963 and a following Congress of Slovak journalists. Actually, Slovak writers attacked the Novotny regime and its Stalinist form and tactics in 1956 and the crimes and methods of that regime were described in a book by Ladislav Mnacko : "Belated Reportages." The Slovak review "Kulturny zivot," then systematically attacked and criticized the regime, asking for a change towards more freedom and more human methods. After 1963, the Slovak intellectuals, among them also several intellectuals of Jewish origin (G. Husak, L. Novomesky, M. Hysko, V. Mihalik, L. Kalisky, E. Lobl, E. Goldstticker, Spitzer ), began an organized struggle for more freedom, justice and democracy. They created a sort of brain trust, behind Alexander Dubcek, who became the embodiment and leader of this movement. The reasons behind the fact that the movement started in Slovakia, can be found in the harsh treatment of Slovakia by the Prague Government under Gottwald and mainly under Novotny. In the purges organized by Prague was eliminated not only Dr. Vlado Clementis, the ideological leader of communism in Slovakia, who died on the gallows, but soon after him all the influential and educated communist leaders branded as bourgeois nationalists. Slovakia �SLOVAKIA 201 was submerged in terror, persecution, de-nationalization and an economic crisis, which was created intentionally by the Government of Prague. President Novotny also hurt the pride and feelings of the Slovak population and, therefore, in the 1960's the outrage was general in Slovakia. When the "bourgeois nationalists" were freed from prisons and rehabilitated, they began to speak about the horrors of their investigations and imprisonment and this gave the impulse to the writers and to the intellectuals, who previously sided with Novotny for an attack on Novotny's regime, because in the purges of the 1950's, mainly Slovaks and Jews became the victims of the furor of the Prague Government. In the Czech part of the country the intellectuals did not feel the terror with such intensity and, therefore, they joined only slowly and individually the movement for democratization and de-Stalinization. As a result, the movement was headed not only by Dubcek but also by Goldsti.icker, Lobl, and many others, all from Slovakia. Should your Revue be interested in a more detailed analysis of this period and should more arguments be required to support my statement that not the Hussite traditions or Czech attachment to democracy were the moving force in the upheavals of 1968 in Czecho-Slovakia, but the Slovak nationalism and striving of Slovaks and some good Czechs for freedom and a more human life, I would be only too glad to send to you a documented study on this subject. Yours very truly, Prof. J. M . Ki rs c h b au m " . THE SLOVAK LEAGUE OF AMERICA represents an overwhelming majority of organized Americans of Slovak descent; actively affiliated with it are the large3t Slovak fraternals, religious organizations, Slovak Clubs and Slovak civic organizations in the United States . . . . THE SLOVAK LEAGUE OF AMERICA is an AMERICAN INSTITUTION; it was organized May 26, 1907, at Cleveland, 0., by the Rev. Stephen Furdek. �202 SLOVAKIA BOOK REVIEWS NEW COLLECTION OF SLOVAK EMIGRE POETRY Jan Okal', Voda a vino (Water and Wine, United States 1970) , pp. 70. Eugen Vesnin, Aj v etrurskych zahradach (Also in the Gardens of Etruria, Buenos Aires, 1970). Rome, as the first free refuge of many Slovak intellectuals, inspired several Slovak ,poets and writers who created during the past quarter of a century literary works of high standards. Among them was not only J. C. Hronsky, R. Dilong, M. Sprinc, and K. Strmen, but also Jan Okal' and Eugen Vesnin. All of them reacted to the beauty of the Eternal city in prose or verse and enriched Slovak emigre literature by several volumes. The above volumes by Jan Okal' and Eugen Vesnin attest to the creative inspiration of Rome and Italy. Jan Okal' (born in 1915) published his first verses in Slovakia during the War in two collections Nehnem sa (I do not move, 1942) and L!ubost' (Love, 1944). He also profusely contributed to Slovak periodicals, wrote short stories for children and translated from Ukrainian literature. It was, however, in exile that his talent developed. Even though he spent most of his time as editor of a S1ovak newspaper in the United States, and for several years also as the editor of Literarny Almanach Slovaka v Amerike, he did not cease to publish poetry or prose of refined taste and literary ma• turity. He also published in English a well-written sketch on the Slovak Robin Hood-George Janosik: A Carpathian Saga ( 1953) and a chronicle in 13 poems called Kro- nika siovakov (The Chronicle of Slovaks, 1954), as well as a satirical novel Blizenci (Gemini, 1962) and translations from I Fioretti di San Francesco . After a few years of silence, he surprised now readers and critics by the above mentioned collection of his poetry, in addition to many verses published in the literary journal Most or in almanacs and calendars. His collection Voda a vino (Water and Wine) is a masterfully illustrated volume of lyrical sketches in verse which reflect Okal"s years spent in Rome and Italy. All his poems, usually not longer than one or two verses, are sensitive and well-written images of beautiful monuments and places of Rome and of •o ther countries which he visited during his exile. The volume under review proves that Okal' is a refined and gifted poet as well as an alert commentator on literary and cultural matters. Personal reminiscences and memories give to his book, as well as to his scattered poems in literary journals, a certain gentleness and tenderness. All his published works were artistically illustrated by the well-known Slovak artist, Joseph G. Cincik, and belong to the finest readings in Slovak emigre literature. * The ancient beauty of Rome and the cultural heritage of the Mediterranean area marked even more the lyrical verses of Eugen Vesnin (Dr. Ignac Zelenka, born in 1913) . After publishing a score of verses in Slovakia before the war, Vesnin spent in silence nearly three dee- �203 SLOVAKIA ades before his three collections of mature lyrical poetry were published in Slovak, and an anthology in Italian. For the past 25 years a librarian in the Vatican library, Vesnin--as the Osservatore Romano wrote when his Italian collection was published- is a "poet of peace, love, patriotism and the beauty of nature, but also well-known as a scholar." Osservatore Romano mentions in this connection Vesnin's works on the Vatican, on the Holy See, as well as 1111 essay on Juraj Knzanic, the -p recursor of Pan-Slavism, and on the liturgical editions which can be found in the Vatican library. Among Vesnin's published poetical works should be mentioned the following collections: Zo zcitisia ntim6z (1965) which appeared also in Italian translation by Prof. Leo Magnino under the title L'Oasi delle mimose (Rome 1967); Jani e som potomok i latokopov (I am not a descendant of gold-diggers) and S temena mojich hor (From the top of my mountains, Buenos Aires 1966) . These collections were followed by lyrical verses Aj v etrurskych zcihradach (Also in the Gardens of Etruria, Buenos Aires, 1970), which seems to be the best selection of Vesnin's peotry. In spite of the fact that Vesnin spent nearly his whole life in Rome where he originally studied theology, his poetry is deeply patriotic and one of his verses "Salute to my Country" can be considered even in its Italian translation as one of the best patriotic poems of the Slovak emigre literature. The literary critic Jan E. Bor considers Vesnin as one of the highly gifted lyrical poets of his generation. The readers, including this reviewer, will agree that his poetry is an enjoyable and cultivated reading. J. M . Kirschbaum TWO FOREIGN LANGUAGE COLLECTIONS OF SLOVAK POETRY Mikulas Sprinc: DRIFTWOOI) Poems translated from the Slovak by the author, Larz Pearson and Jaroslav Vajda. Engravings by Dr. Joseph G. Cincik. Published by the Slovak Institute in Cleveland, Ohio, 1969. Printed by the Benedictine Press at St. Andrew's Abbey, Cleveland, 0. Gorazd Zvonicky: SOLTANTO ROVINE - Italian translation by Milan S. !>urica and Ernesto Simonetto. Published by Associazione di cultura ceca e slovaca "Arturo Cronia," Padua, 1968. Slovak culture was enriched recently by two excellent collections of translations of poems by two of our outstanding poets in exile. The first collection is published in English and presents a selection of recent verses from the lyrical works of the cultivated and sensitive poet, Mikulas Sprinc. The selection, as well as the translations, are very successful and the English reader will go through this carefully published and artistically illustrated volume with delight. Whoever likes intimate lyrics written by a poet who seems to combine the art of Paul Verlaine and the spirit of St. Francis of Assissi will enjoy every verse of this excellent collection. Some verses were translated by the author himself, others by the well-known translator of Slovak poetry into English, Rev. J. Vajda, and some by one of the students of the poet, Larz Pearson. As usual, �204 SLOVAKIA the translations do not reflect exactly the Slovak text and its musical and rhythmical quality but, on the whole, all translations attest to the talent of both the auther and the translators. Those who appreciate poetry which is rooted in the strong belief in the Creator without sounding too religious, and those who like the beauty of life iu the songs of birds, the color of flowers, the sound of the wind, and blue skies or the colors of the rainbow, will find delight in reading Mikulas Sprinc's poetry. The volume also contains several fine poems with patriotic overtones expressing the poet's love for his lost and oppressed native Slovakia. The author and the publishers deserve credit for enriching Slovak culture by this valuable volume. there is a refined poet following in the footsteps of Slovak fighters for the nation's freedom, who used the most efficient weapon against tyranny and the sufferings of the Slovak people--the deeply felt and masterfully written poetic protest. As in the case of the volume by Mikulas Sprinc, Slovak intellectuals in the free world as well as at home will appreciate Zvonicky's publication. -jmkDr. Heinrich Kuhn: Bibliographisches Handbuch der Tschechoslowakei. Publications of the Collegium Carolinum, Verlag Robert Lerche, Munich 1969. Dr. Kuhn has added to his very useful previous work Handbuch this new pubThe collection "Soltanto Rovine" der Tschechoslowakei the biowith deals which lication by Gorazd Zvonicky in the tranlapoliticians, Party oftion of Prof. Milan S. !>urica and graphies of and other persons in the Ernesto Simonetto, is another valu- ficials the present Czechoable contribution. Masterfully il- public life of Slovakia. lustrated , the volume gives both As in his previous work, Dr. the Slovak text as well as the Italian translation. Gorazd Zvoni- Kuhn shows a detailed knowledge cky is one of the best contemporary of the subject and prepared it with Slovak poets, highly cultivated and his usual "ptinktlichkeit" and segifted. His poetry is of the same riousness of a scholar. Therefore, genre as that of Mikula!; Sprinc- specialists in Eastern Europe will lyrical, intimate, musical and well welcome this new publication ewritten. It wa~, therefore, not easy specially after the Soviet occupato make an adequate translation. tion placed Czecho-Slovakia again The translators used free verse and into the focus of international indid not look for rhyme. Neverthe- terest. Kuhn's work has been published less, the volume transfers to the readers the feeling of a Slovak in loose sheets in two volumes patriot and poet towards the brutal which will be welcomed by reoccupation of his native country searchers as a very practical way by Soviet troops and the martyr- of dealing with the political figures dom of the Slovak population. The in occupied Czecho-Slovakia. All verses express, however, not only biographies are carefully prepared, intimate and personal sorrows, but containing the most important data. also indignation of all Slovak pa- In some biographies the author triots and of the whole Slovak left out the place of birth of some politician or Party official, but he nation. Once more in Slovak poetry I gives detailed information on all �SLOVAKIA the main leaders either in the government or in the Party. In some cases, like that of the present First Secretary of the Communist Party of Czecho-Slovakia, Dr. G. Husak, it would have been useful to mention the ten years he spent in jail under Novotny's regime, as well as his writings in periodicals about his experience in Novotny's dungeons. Dr. Kuhn mentions only three publications by Husak and in the first one there 205 is a slight mistake in the title. It should read "Zapas o zajtrajfok." Since the leading figures of Slovak and Czech political life were often presented in the West with journalistic superficia!lity, confusing Slovaks for Czechs, we we1lcome this book because it will enable everybody interested in the problems of Czecho.Slovakia to receive correct information. J . M . Kirschbaum BOOKS ON DUBCEK AND SLOVAKIA Among some 50 books in the English and French languages which dealt with the events in Czecho-Sl-ovakia in 1968 and after, there was none, as mentioned last year in my review of books on Slovakia, which paid attention to the situation in Slovakia. The authors of these books overlooked the fact that the liberalization movement had started in Slovakia and that it was also headed by a Slovak-Alexander Dubcek. Prof. Gordon Skilling, who is one of the foremost Canadian specialists on post-war Czecho-Slovakia, drew attention to this lack of interest or intentional neglect in the works of Western specialists in Eastern Europe.1 The role of Slovaks was analyzed and evaluated only in the Canadian siavonic Papers (Vol. X, 4, 1968) by this writer. In 1970 we have, however, several books or studies which do not treat the events in Czecho-Slovakia in 1968 exclusively as "Prague Spring" but are concerned with the whole country and point out to the specific Slovak problems and the role the Slovaks played in the deStalinization period. The best among these studies in English so far is the book by William Shawcross DUBCEK (London, 1970) which would deserve a much more extensive review than space allow us. Another work also deserves our attention is "Dubcek's Biue Print for Freedom" by Lunghi and Ello (Kimber, London, 1968) c1s are two essays by the members of the staff of the Czeclio-Slovak Section of the B.B.C., Michael Montgomery and Deryck Viney. The latter wrote an interesting essay in "Studies of Comparative Communism" (University of Southern California, July-August 1969). The book by Shawcross does not give any biography except to say that "he left Oxford in June 1968 and is now writing on Eastern European affairs for the ' Sunday Times.' He is 24 and this is his first book." In view of this, the book is quite an achievement. From the references, as well as from the contents, it is clear that Shawcross carried out extensive research, interviews, and travelled around .Slovakia, including the birth place of ~lexander Dubcek. As a result, we have in hand a thorough and well documented study. The book is, of course, not without mistakes and shortcomings which, in the intricate situation and confused reporing on events, is to be expected. �206 SLOVAKIA While other Western authors ascribed the liberalization movement to the Czechs, Shawcross's main thesis is that Dubcek's rise to power and the subsequent liberalization of Czecho-Slovakia were due to the fact that the Slovak question had been the motive force behind these events. He traces Dubcek's career within the apparatus of the Communist Barty of Slovakia as a more or less obsequious Party member until he decided to spearhead the Slovak movement within the Communist Party of Czecho-Slovakia for greater justice for all the Slovaks. Carried to the ht)ad of this movement that had much deeper roots than most Western observers have cared to point out, Dubcek then demonstrated strategic and tactical talents in forestalling Novotny's counterattacks and eventually in leading the struggle to rid the country of its Stalinist President and Communist Party First Secretary. Although Dubcek did not expect it, he saw himself placed at the head of Czecho-Slovakia, the first Slovak to achieve this position. Up to this point, Shawcross's presentation, despite some mistakes on the meaning and on some details of the 1944 revolt, is very good. The author shows good knowledge of the political situation in Slovakia and an understanding of the problem which Slovakia poses within Czecho-Slovakia. Husak's rise to power is dismissed as a personal repetition of Dubcek's ascension. No doubt Husak's emergence as the head of •t he Communist Party of Czecho-Slovakia was in many ways a personal success, but the fact that a second Slovak rose to the highest position when many Czech Stalinists were waiting in the wings, indicates that the Communist Party of Slovakia, if not other institutions or groups, must also have played some role. With the federalization of CzecboSlovakia, the Slovak element could not be further ignored as it had been during the Novotny years. It is to be regretted that Sbawcross did not pursue the developments in Slovakia and if be was unab'1e to find out more of what happened there after August 1968, he could present at least some hypotheses. As far as Husak is concerned, he also made an error when stating that he graduated at Prague University. Despite these shortcomings, Shawcross's work must be considered not only as a good piece of research, but in view of his age, is an act of courage, as he did not hesitate to bring forward a problem that Western historiography has been ignoring for more than half a century. Among the books on Czecho-Slovakia in the French language, it is the one by Pavel Tigrid which deals with Dubcek and with the It is after the time of the in- situation leading to the dismissal vasion by the Soviet Union and of Novotny, as well as with the her satellites that Shawcross's nar- events of 1968, and the aftermath rative shows some of its flaws, of the invasion. Tigrid's book is much of this is due to the fact entitled La chute irresistible d'Athat he follows Tigrid's book too iexander Dubcek, (Calmann-Levy, closely. The author is carried away Paris, 1969) . The book was written on the by his admiration for Dubcek and paints his opponents too black. basis of many unpublished docuJ<'urthermore, the Slovak problem ments and minutes of the meetings is completely lost in this part. 1 of the Central Committee of the �SLOVAKIA Communist Party, or of the government. Tigrid has recognized that the Slovak problem played an important role in the attempts to oust Novotny from his position and he depicts Dubcek in this first phase ot the struggle within the Central Committee of the Communist Party as a fighting, courageous man. However, the role of Dubcek after he took over the office of First Secretary is painted with a certain tendency tJo diminish his importance or to present him as a timid, indecisive man, lacking in intellectual abilities and preparation to cope with the problem of liberalization. One chapter is entitled "Alexander Dubcek, heros malgre lui" which by itself indicates a sort of depreciation and shows an attempt on the part of Tigrid to ascribe the liberalization movement to the Czechs, even though the truth is ,that the behavior of the Czech masses as well as of some of their politicians greatly contributed to the decision of the Soviets to invade the country and to destroy the liberalization movement. Tigrid's book is written in a journalistic rather than in a scholarly style, but by using original sources and confidential information, it fills a certain gap in the literature about the events in Czecho.JSlovakia in 1967 and 1968. We also find in Tigrid',s book a sympathetic mention of Vasil Bil'ak who strongly opposed Novotny in December 1967 and courageously fought for Slovak interests, but apparently became later one of those sided with Moscow. More objectively than in Tigrid's book, Slovakia and Dubcek are presented in the book by Francois Fetji:i Histoire des democracies populaires apres Staline (Editions du Seuil, Paris, 1969) . In Fetji:i's 207 book, Dubcek is not presented as a timid, indecisive and implicitly naive and politically unprepared leader. On the contrary, he is portrayed as a man who believed strongly in his "Communism with human face," and in Lenin's thesis on the independence and the territorial integrity of socialist states. Throughout his book, Fetjo deals with the situation in Czecho-Slovakia with rare objectivity and compares -the events with either Hungary or Poland. As one chapter, entitled "La Tragedie Tchechoslovaque et ses ,p rolongements," indicates, he considers the invasion of Czecho-Slovakia as a tragedy and as a brutal and unnecessary action on the cpart of Moscow. A one-time Communist and author of several books on Eastern Europe and communism, Fetji:i presents in his book conclusions which are logical and displays solid knowledge of the problems of the countries under Soviet rule. He writes about Slovakia and the Communist leaders of Slovak origin or born in Slovakia without any bias, which many authors of books on Eastern Europe u~ually are unable or unwilling to do. Michel Tatu also published a series of articles and a book on the events in Czecho-Slovakia, and two books by Ladislav Mnacko have been translated into the French language. For the events of 1968, only one of Mnacko's books La septieme nuit is of importance. Books in German dealing with the events in Czecho-Slovakia in 1968 are comperatively few when compared to the number of books published in English. With regard to Slovakia, we can mention the German translation of Mnacko's book Die Siebente Nacht (Vienna, 1968) which was reviewed last yeaT �208 SLOVAKIA in Slovakia. Another author from knowledge of the situation in Slovakia, Dr. Eugen Lobl published Czecho-Slovakia and refers to many his experiences in jail in German, sources in the Slovak and Czech Die Revolution rehabilitiert ihre language which would indicate Kinder, (Vienna: Europa, 1968), as that he might be one of the Sudewell as a political essay published ten Germans who now live in West together with Leopold Grunwald, Germany. His approach to the SloDie intellektuelle Revolution, Hi~ vak problem is unbiased. Dubcek tergriinde und Auswirkungen des and other Slovak communist lead"Prager Friihlings," (Diisseldorf: ers played, according to him, an important role during the crisis Econ, 1969) . While in the first book Dr. Lobl of the Communist Party in 1967, speaks about the persecution and and he portrays Dubcek as First Communists Secretary of the Communist Party of rehabilitation purged during the Stalinist period without the caustic remarks or and later in the Novotny era, his disdain which can be found in contribution in the second book Tigrid 's book, for instance. Even though Reitzner's book is presents his views on the possibility of reforming communist systems rather the work of an experienced and of giving them a human face. journalist who made detailed reAccording to Prof. Skilling "As search, it reflects quite objectively a severe critique of the Soviet the changing situation in Czechobrand of socialism, this book ranks Slov-akia in those two fateful years. with Djilas' The New Class, but In addition, by quoting from Slorepresents also an original and vak and Czech periodicals, newsimaginative, even if passionate and papers and speeches of communist one-sided, interpretation of the leaders, Reitzner's book preserves proposed Czechoslovak model. For m·eful materials for further reLobl, the events of 1968 constituted search. Speaking probably much a new phase in the 'socialist re- better Czech than Slovak, he was volution,' continuing the work led to misspel the name of some begun by the October revolution Slovak newspapers like "Smena" and later interrupted by Stalinism. or "Smer" which he writes in It was also a renewed effort by Czech orthography. The reader is left with the imCzechs and Slovaks to follow a that the author had a pression atan own, s pecial path of their tempt which had been made in the sincere intention to give a realistic 1940s and then had been rudely and objective account of th ~ Mmblocked by Soviet coercion as ex- plex situation in both Slovakia and emplified by the trials of the the Czech lands. 1950s." (International Journal, Vol. l) See H. Gordon Skilling: "Thaw XXV, No. 1, p. 197) . and Freeze-Up: Prague 1968." International Journal Vol. XXV, There is also, however, a German No. 1, pp. 192-201. author, Almar Reitzner, wh o published a book entitled D ubcek F . Kennan: From Prague (Miinchen, 1970) but actually deals George Diplomatic Papers Munich, after with all the aspects of the crisis 1938-1940, Princeton University in Czecho-Slovakia in 1967 and Press, 1968, 226 Pages. with the short period of liberalizaThe well-known diplomat-historition and the Soviet invasion of 1968. Reitzner displays a detailed an George F . Kennan contributes �SLOVAKIA in this volume to the history of the crucial years 1938-1940 by many valuable documents, diplomatic despat.ches and personal observations. As he admits himself in his preface : "All were written either for private purposes or for the confidential information of the United States government." With all academic honesty, he also admits : "This material was unavoidably in many respects unbalanced and inadequate. In reflected serious lapses in my own historical background as well as in the range of my contacts in the Czechoslovak society of the time. The selection of the subject matter was inevitably affected by the limitations on opportunities for reading, for travel, and for personal acquaintance." .Such a confession does not diminish the value for historians or students of the political tragedy which started with Munich. Nevertheless, the reader and even more the student of history has to keep in mind the author's remarks, especially with regard to Slovakia, where his contacts were not only limited but his information came mostly from people who were not free to bias against the Slovak aspirations for an equal footing with the Czech half of the country. Kennan himself admits in his despatches that Slovakia was not treated by Prague governments without discrimination and prejudice; yet he accepted in many instances the Czech views on the motives and goals of the ffiinka's Slovak Populist Party, on the autonomist movement and on the contacts of its leaders with Berlin. The Documents on German Foreign Policy 1918-1945, published in 1957 by Her Majesty's Stationery Office i11 co-operation with the United States Department of State, dis- 209 prove many of the adverse allegations about the Slovak autonomist movement; even the history books published by communist historians in the short period of liberalization in Slovakia seem to put the events of 1938-1939 and the leading personalities in a more objective historical perspective than some documents contained in this volume. It would, however, be unjust to blame Kennan because his information was gathered from people either in Prague or in Slovakia who viewed the situation from their partisan position and with the result that his report reflected their biased opinions. This valuable volume of documents and excellently written observations also suffers from another shortcoming. The author writes that the documents are source material "above all to those students of the political process who wish to examine the anatomy of an attempt by a military powerful country to dominate and control, under modern conditions, the life of a small and helpless but highly developed neighbor for whose national feelings, and claim to independence, it has only contempt." This is certainly a highly motivated purpose and no doubt the documents will be helpful in this respect. rt is, however, hard to understand why the epilogue to this book was written by Frederick G. Heymann, who left Prague in 1939, was hardly acquainted with Slovakia and her internal problems and who admits that his own immediate information at the time on which Kennan reported same from representatives of the replaced Bene§ Government and other Czech friends. In addition, Heymann admits that he stayed in Czecho-Slovakia only from 1932 to 1939 and "looked at the political �210 SLOVAKIA and socieconomic development there from the viewpoint of a newspaperman of originally German background." With all respect to Mr. Heymann, no student of Eastern European history can take this as his credentials to write an epilogue, let alone an objective epilogue to this volume. Especially acute is his biased attitude towards Slovakia which he severely condemns--not the regime exclusively which certainly deserve condemnation for some acts; furthermore, he does not even indicate that he ever liv~d in Slovakia or studied the Slovak problem. J.M. Kirschbaum David L. Hoggan: Der Erzwungene Krieg , Die Ursachen und Urheber des z. Weltkriegs, Verlag der Deutschen HochschullehrerZeitung Tubingen, 1963, bibliography, maps, photographs, pages 898. The book Der Erzurnngene Krieg (The Imposed War) by the American historian, Prof. David L. Hoggan, represents an effort to reverse the blame for the Second World War. According to his research, it was not Germany which imposed the war on other countries, but the war was imposed by other countries on Germany. The main culprit in Prof. Hoggan's opinion seems to be Poland, but other great powers share, according to him, some of the responsibility as well. The voluminous work has been written in English but only its German translation has been so far published. If we believe the assertions of Dr. Herbert Grabert, several outstanding historians and colleagues of Prof. Hoggan in the United States read the manuscript and helped the author with advice or agreed with his conclusions. He names especially Michael Karpovltch, Sidney B. Fay, William L. Langer, Rudolf Holsti, Harry Rudin, Raymond Sontag, Charles Tansill, M. K. Dziewanowski, Ralph Lutz, Henry Adams, James Martin and Richavd Jones. Each of them " contributed a lot to the work; other renowned American learned men who came with worthwhile suggestions should not be quoted by their names but their help should be gratefully acknowledged," says Dr. Grabert. The book is undoubtedly one of the most controversial works on the Second World War and it is the duty of the historians of the Second World War to come to grips with the conclusions of Prof. Hoggan. In view of his extended research and references to many works, his narrative seems to be in accordance with the facts. However unbelievable some of these conclusions may seem, Prof. Hoggan shows that he knows all the main sources and documents in English, German, French, Polish and Russian, and pays attention even to books by Czech, Rumanian and Slovak authors. This mass of documentation and references stresses the impression that the book is a scholarly serious undertaking and were it not for the many books published in the West, as well as by the Communist historians who defend quite opposite conclusions, the reader could draw the definite conclusion that the Second World War was really imposed upon the Third Reich. The author, as well as the publishers, were aware of the controversial nature of the book and mentioned that some learned societies or historians in Germany itself express views which are in complete contradiction of Prof. �SLOVAKIA Hoggan's story on the reasons which led to the Second World War. Due to lack of space, we cannot unfortunately write an extensive review or to point out areas where the book differs from the accepted opinions expressed by either American, English, German, French or Russian historians and wish simply to register the publication of this book and its controversial contents. It is also worthwhile to mention that the origins and birth of the Slovak Republic are presented in Prof. Hoggan's book in a different light than we are accustomed to in the books published in the West or in the Communist countries. Prof. Hoggan made the effort to get acquainted with books and documents published by Slovak scholars and historians abroad and did not accept the Czech version, greatly unfavorable to the Slovak people, but uncritically accepted by many renowned historians in the West and East alike. Despite the fact that this book will be opposed by many historians who are unable or unwilling to correct their views no matter how erroneous they may be, Slovaks should be pleased that the truth about Slovakia begins to penetrate Western historiography. Unfortunately, insignificant as the Slovak problem seems to be to the Great Powers, foreign historians will not deal with small problems and by opposing the main conclusions of Prof. Hoggan's book, they will indirectly oppose also his truthful presentation in minor events including the origins and existence of the Slovak Republic. A a result, we must face reality and believe that it will take a long time and many efforts on the part of Slovak scholars who live in the Western world before Slovakia is treated 211 in Western historiography without bias and is free of anti-Slovak tendencies sustained and propagated mainly by the books of Czech historians and politicians and by Communist propaganda literature. J.M. Kirschbaum TOW ARD A NEW CENTRAL EUROPE : A Symposmm on the Prob- lems of the Danubian Nations, Edited by: Francis S. Wagner, Danubian Press, Inc. Astor Park, Florida, 1970. Not only specialists but anyone interested in Eastern Europe will welcome this well documented and carefully edited symposium which reflects the view of some 30 authors on the problems of Central Europe. The book is divided into five parts and the contributors belong practically to all the peoples of the Danubian and Carpathian part of East Central Europe. Part I deals with the international relations of individual Central European peoples with the Western Powers. It also contains some basic principles for the possibility of the co-existence of nations in the Danubian and Carpathian basins. The contributions by C. A. Macartney, T. Eckhardt, and the late Wenzel Jaksch seem to be the most relevant in this part. Part II deals with federalism in Central Europe and contains views and analysis of the federalist efforts in Central Europe by some 15 authors. We can find among them not only the late Prime Minister of Czecho-Slovakia, Milan Hodza, but also the well-known supporter of Danubian Federation, F. 0. Miksche, as well as a contribution entitled : "Slovakia and the Integration Plans of Central Europe" by J . M. Kirschbaum, and a historical �212 SLOVAKIA survey of federalist movement a- Conference reads as follows: "It mong Slovaks and Czechs by Jo- is the intention of the Czecho-Sloseph Ostrovsky entitled "Czech and vak Government to create the orSlovak Statesmen in Favor of a ganization of the State by accepting as a basis of natural rights the Central European Federation." Part III deals with the national- principles applied in the constituity questions which were the main tion of the Swiss Republic, that is, problem in that part of Europe to make the Czecho-Slovak Repubfor the past 200 years. The authors, lic a sort of Switzerland," and not Alexander Gallus and Francis S. as quoted by Ostrovsky. The author Wagner, who edited this symposi- also omitted other- Slovaks who um, figure among the main con- during or after the Second World tributors to this part. As far as War advocated federalist plans in Slovakia is concerned, it is especial- Central Europe: Karol Sidor in ly the contribution by Francis S. " Gazette de Lausanne," Dr. F. Wagner "The Nationality Problem :i'.lurcansky in "Revue de droit inin Czecho-Slovakia after World tC"rnational" (Geneve, 1944), this War II" which is of interest for writer in several foreign language Slovaks. Part IV deals with econom- articles and books, etc. In 1968 ic problems, and Part V contains Czecho-Slovakia was proclaimed a federation of two Republics on maps and statistical data. October 27th in the Assembly and Even though it is impossible to following day in Bratislava, the agree with some of the views exbut with the provision that the. to belonging authors by pressed Law No. 143 will take effect on several nations, the book is a seriJanuary 1st, 1969, and not as Osous attempt to find ways for the trnvsky writes. Certain of these r.ations in Central Europe, who are omissions were unnecessary, bezone influence Soviet a now in cause he could have found a detail( except for the Austrians) to live ed survey of Slovak federalist tentheir pooling by again together dencies in my book: "Slovakiaeconomies and by assuring better Nation at the Crossroads of Central economic standards and freedom Europe" (R. Speller, Publishers, for nearly one hundred million New York, 1960). enslaved people. The academic The contributors amassed a rich value of the contributions differs from author to author but, gener- sources of bibliographical informaally, all contributions are on a high tion in several languages which level and the maps and statistical also can help to acquire a much data will be especially appreciated better and more objective view of by those who research the problems the problems in the past and the possibilities of co-operation of the of Central Eastern Europe. living between the Soviet peoples view, of point Slovak From the in J. Ostrovsky's article one can Union and Germany in the future. unfortunately, find sor:ie errors' The Magyar intellectuals who deinaccuracies and omissions. Dr. Mi~ serve recognition for publishing Ian Hodfa died in the United states this symposium came undoubtedly and not in London. The number with a good initiative to discuss cf Magyars was never one million on a broad basis the problems and in Slovakia and the exact promise ways which would lead toward a of a federal structure of Czecho- 1new Central Europe. J. M. Ki rs c h b au m Slovakia by Dr. Bene~ at the Peace �SLOVAKIA 213 Beitrage zum Deutsch-Tschechi- cide." The Czech population was schen Verhiiltnis im 19. und 20 . encouraged before Dr. Benes reJahrhundert. (Veroffentlichungen turned to Prague by his Ministers des Collegium Oarolinum) Verlag in exile: " to beat them ; kill them ; Robert Lerche (Miinchen, 1967), leave none alive," and many were pp. 178. massacred, mistreated, raped and burned alive. Hundreds of thouThis collection of lectures on the sands died on the "death march" problem of German-Czech relations or in concentration camps, accordis an attempt at presenting the ing to the published documents. problem without passion on a scholarly basis. The lectures were In spite of this, the volume under read at a conference which took r eview refrained from general acplace in Nurenberg and Salzburg cusations of the whole Czech popuin 1964, but the book was publish- lation and gives quite a sober ed only in 1967. survey of the German-Czech r elations. Also the two Czech conAmong the contributors there is tributors avoid mentioning the a Czech historian, Bohdan Chudo- massacres and plead for a sort of ba, and the former Czech diplomat, co-operation in Central Europe and Karel Lisicky. From the German reconciliation. side seven contributors deal with the problem and all seem to master Among the contributions by the Czech language which would German scholars, Dr. Kuhn's artiindicate that they were either born cle on the attitude of the Commuor studied in Czecho-Slovakia. nist Party of Czecho-Slovakia to Whoever read the documents on the Sudeten German question is the expulsion of the Sudeten Ger- one which is the most timely since mans or the book by Prof. Kurt it is the Communist government Glaser (Czecho-Slovakia-A Criti- and Moscow which can bring any cal History ) must admire the quiet change in the relations between tone and restraint with which the Germans and Czechs, and give a German authors present the Ger- new solution to the Sudeten German"Czech relations through the man problem. For specialists in centuries up to the expulsion of Eastern Europe will be, however, more than three million Sudeten of great interest also the contribuGermans from their centuries old tions by Ferdinand Seibt about the settlements in Bohemia. When Dr. social structure of the first CzechoBenes was seeking the Allied sup- Sl ovakia and Frederich Prinz's port for his plan to expel the ar ticle on Benes and the Sudeten Sudeten Germans, he emphasized Germans. E. Zajicek gives in his repeatedly that the transfers would essay some insight into the politics be carried out decently and human- of the Sudeten Germans who coly. However, when he returned operated with Prague. behind the Red Army to Slovakia All the contributions were writand Bohemia, he apparently forgot ten on the basis of good knowledge about his promises of a human solution of the Sudeten German of the literature either in the qu estion. Basing his philosophy on Czech, German or English lanthe so-called " collective guilt," Dr. guage, which enhances the value Bmes allowed the use of methods of the book. which Prof. Glaser calls "geno- I J. M . K i r s c h b a um �214 SLOVAKIA AS OTHERS SEE I commend the Slovak leaders who are sponsoring and perfecting an organization of American Slovak patriots to continue the fight to restore freedom and self-govern• ment to the Slovak Nation. I also commend those Slovak leaders who are endeavoring to unite various Slovak organizations and groups t hroughout the country and combine their efforts in a unified force for the purpose of concentrating public opinion not only in America Lut throughout the world on enslaved nations who must break the shackles of despotism as rapidly as possible and give millions an opportunity to live and enjoy the life of freedom and self-determination. The Slovak Nation historically maintains the highest spirit of friendshi·p for all humanity and at no time in history has ever encroached upon the rights and freedoms of its neighbor nations, and has always given tangible proof of its generosity and spirit of cooperation with humanity in t he hope that world peace can be a reality for all people on the globe. The Slovak World Congress could inaugurate a great educational program to apprise youth i America and throughout the world of the true facts regarding world communism from the days of Lenin down to the present year 1970. IT their people by the sword, guns, slave-labor camps, and mass murders. Education and presentation of fact on Communist enslavement to the world's uninformed are the greatest weapons democracy possesses against the destruction of the Communist menace. The free world must continue this fight. Someday this victory will be won and the Communist enslavers will become extinct. Slovakia and other captive nations will regain free and independent government. I know that the SLOVAK WORLD CONGRESS will continue its outstanding contribution to the free world's fight to exterminate international communist conspiracy and restore freedom to millions throughout the world by the reestablishment of former governments which will give freedom and liberty to their people. - Ray J . Madden, M. C. Mr. ESHLEMAN. Mr. Speaker, neither the Slovak League of A· merica nor the Congress of the United States has forgotten the brutal occupation of Slovakia by the Soviet Army in 1968. We appeal to the conscience of America, to the American people, and to the United Nations-most of all-for the withdrawal of Soviet troops from Slovak soil and for guaranteed free democratic elections under United N'cltions' control. One of my valued constituents, Mr. Joseph Pauco, is secretary of the Slovak League of America. That organization is entirely correct when they, in the proper manner, demand the right of freedom for Slovakia. - Edwin D. Eshle- The free nations have the ability, the education, the defense machinery, and the assets to curtail the further spread of the Communist menace and we must continue our fight. History has revealed over the centuries that dictators cannot stay in power long when they must rule man, M.C. �SLOVAKIA 215 The leading example of an unem- of the party presidium last month, ployed party official is, of course, Mr. Husak was in the minority of Alexander Dubcek, the party's a 7-4 vote over an analysis of the leader during the reforms. After events leading up to the Soviet dismissal earlier this year as Am- invasion. The following morning bassador to Turkey and expulsion Mr. Husak left for Moscow to refrom the party, Mr. Dubcek retired ceive Kremlin assurances of conto his Bratislava home to await tinued confidence. employment. Mr. Husak received limited SoHe turned down a fund-handling viet support earlier this fall when post with the Slovak social-security a major campaign to remove him agency for fear that it might be was disclosed through the accidentu~ed to implicate him in possible al death of one of the conspirators. misappropriation charges. He re- Jaroslav Trojan, a member of the quested instead, employment as a presidium of the Federal Assembly, forester .. . was killed as he drove his car after The makers and chief propo- a drinking session with a Soviet nents of Czecho-Slovakia's lost companion. A routine search of his liberalization take their principal desk disclosed copies of dozens of consolation from the fact that there letters by right-wing party officials have been no political trials and addressed to various Soviet leaders few Czechs or Slovaks are in jail and calling for the ouster of Mr. on political charges. But most see Husak. 110 reason to consider this state The party leader was authorized necessarily permanent. to dismiss a few of his principal It is generally believed that while opponents, notably the Czech Inthe party's First Secretary, there terior Minister, Josef Groesser, and will be no political trials because the military man in charge of Mr. Husak was himself a victim of liaison with the Soviet occupation such a trial in Stalin's day. But if tr oops, Gen. Otakar Rytar. But the Soviet Union wants trials, ac- after the general's dismissal, Moscording to this belief, it will re- cow was reported to have sent place Mr. Husak just as it ousted word that he was to be the last Mr. Dubcek last year and replaced "internationalist" ousted. him with Mr. Husak. "Internationalist" is the term for Mr. Husak, while evidently still those who accept the doctrine that the man Moscow considers best the Soviet Union has the right to able to run Czecho-Slovakia, has intervene in a socialist country for some time been under open whenever it says socialism is attack by party leaders even more threatened, such as in Czecho-SloprO-.Soviet than himself. It is as- vakia in 1968. sumed here that these leaders are Opponents of Mr. Husak are conalso operating with Soviet approval, ducting a campaign to present him presumably to keep Mr. Husak as insufficiently internationalist. At from the illusion of independent a Central Committee meeting this power. month, Vasil Bilak, a strongly proThe most determined of Mr. Hu- Soviet leader, surprisingly disclosed sak's opponents are Antonin Ka- that he had a long-missing docupek, secretary of the Prague organ- ment that would identify the ization and Alois Indra, Cetral genuine internationalists and from Committee secretary. At a meeting I which Mr. Husak's name is absent. �216 SLOVAKIA The document is the alleged 1968 letter from Czecho-Slovak leaders to the Soviet Union inviting the Warsaw Pact intervention. The letter was mentioned by Moscow immediately after the invasion but has never been produced nor all its signers disclosed. Mr. Bilak listed about 40 signers, including himself, Mr. Kapek and Mr. Indra. - The New York Times, December 22, 1970. George Blanda, the 43-year-old grey-beard sub quarterback and kicking specialist of the Oakland Raiders football team whose lastgasp heroics gave new hope to the middle-aged, has been named Male Athlete of the Year by the Associated Press. The ageless marvel of the gridiron, who excelled in a tough contact sport competing against athletes half his age, beat out a glittering array of stars in assorted sports in the year-end poll of sports writers and broadcasters. Blanda received 332 votes compared with 246 for Bobby Orr, defenseman of the Boston Bruins hockey team who was runner-up, and 224 for Johnny Bench, slugging catcher of the Cincinnati Reds' baseball team who was a close third . - Associated Press. (Blanda i:; of Slovak ancestry.) I could not condemn the Hungarians or the Czechs and Slovaks, for example, if they were able to launch an effort in this country to turn our eyes toward the danger of the new isolationism. - Frank Morris. The Wanderer, St. Paul, Minn. , September 24, 1970. Those who have known nothing but freedom seldom are capable of appreciating the single majesty of that which they have: the privilege nf aff!'rfing their own destiny. But ask any Czech or Slovak, who has had liberty and then lost it, what it means to be free. Such men know, and in them the dream never dies. - Smith Hempstone. The Phil.adeiphia Inquirer, November 1, 1970. Slovak police recently made a series of raids on government stores and found that one-third were overcharging by as much as 50 per cent on scarce goods. Forty thousand dollars worth of goods were found hidden for customers with extra money. - Donald R. Shanor. Chicago Daily News. December 26, 1970. .Slovak youth stubbornly clings to its anti-Soviet feelings and looks upon the presence of Soviet troops in Czecho-Slovakia as the greatest injustice and offense. This is the conclusion of Ondrej Pavlik, a member of the Slovak Academy of Science. Pavlik gave an account-in the official organ of the Ministry of Education-of an investigation carried out among students in secondary sohools in all parts of Slovakia. In the course of the research more than 2000 questionnaires were collected from students and 400 from teachers. The replies were anonymous. Pertinent portions of Pavlik's report follow : "The entry of Soviet troops in our country and their stationing here still occupy a dominant position in the minds of our students. "The ..Soviet presence in our country is considered by students as a grave act of injustice and a sufficient reason to feel angry at the Soviet Union. "Another source of anti-Sovietism among our youth is our trade relation with the Soviet Union and other Communist countries. The �SLOVAKIA arguments of ota Sik, economic expert during the Dubcek era are still accepted as valid by our you•th. 'There is much confusion in the minds of our students about modern capitalism. The students' arguments are seldom political but chiefly of economic nature. "The survey revealed a strikingly high degree of religious beliefs, especially among girls in all secondary schools of Slovakia. In most cases the influence of the school in political-ideological questions is weak, very weak indeed. "Too many teachers concentrate on their particular subject, or pretend they do and do not concern themselves with ideological education; they regard ideological educational work with disdain. "The investigation revealed that students seldom ask their teachers ideological questions for fears of embarrassing the teachers. There is a kind of tacit agreement between students and teachers: 'you say what you want and we think what we want.'" "A considerate proportion of the youth questioned have expressed confidence in the person of Gustav Husak, present leader of the Czecho-Slovak Communist Party, even though such students remain highly critical of the Soviets. "The reduced emphasis put on atheistic education is chiefly responsible for the growing influence of the Church among Slovak yeuth." - Theodore Andrica. Cleveland Press Vienna Bureau. I went behind the Iron Curtain. For so many years I have read a lot of reports concerning communism and many times I often wondered how much of the horror that I have read about is true. So many times I wondered, as I think most Americans have, is commu- 217 nism as bad as my government has told me? Although my trip to Slovakia was short, I can tell you that communism is horrible. I flew from Zurich, Switzerland to Vienna, Austria. In Austria, part of our free world, I rented a car and drove to Slovakia. The entry point was Bratislava. Trying desperately to find my way through the chopped up, beaten, narrow streets of the city, I stopped at a little store to try to get directions to the institute. A woman about 60 years old attending this store, which had nothing but barren shelves and some old clothing, was very secretly hanging a Christmas tree ball in the far end of the store. What she was trying to do was add some Christmas to her store which was something she enjoyed as a young woman. Any display, religious or nationalistic, is absolutely forbidden. A prison sentence is imposed. As I drove through Bratislava, there were uniformed soldiers and police with machine guns. Their purpose was to contain the Slovak people so they could not revolt or could not escape the country. Obviously, the people knew that I was American by the way I was dressed and also the license plates on the automobile were that of the fre e world. A Slovak friend told me how communism begins to infect people and countries. He told me that if you read the Communist doctrine, it sounds glorious but impossible to work. He told me that communism in Russia itself is a complete failure and certainly was a failure in Czecho-Slovakia. So much so that it is necessary in Russia and in Czecho-Slovakia to contain the people by machine guns. He talked of America's greatness, and said that one of the great �218 SLOVAKIA things about America was our free enterprise system. People are individualistic, people want to progress in their life. If a man does more, he is entitled to more. If a man has greater ability, he is entitled to advance. Under the Communist system no such thing exists. There is no individual compensation for doing more or knowing more. He urged me to make known what I saw so that people here would know the true horrors of communism. The lack of sufficient food and clothing. The government regulating their lives. You can't buy a pair of shoes unless the government authorizes you to purchase them. You can't buy a suit unless the government approves the purchase of a suit. There is something that resembles TV with one channel. This goes on about 7 o'clock at night and it is turned off aproximately at 9. Half of the time is devoted to government propaganda. When the Russians came into Czecho-Slovakia, they did so because Czech and Slovak peoples were desirous of developing a free enterprise system so that people could work and get paid fairly for their day's labor, so that they could trade and associate more closely with the free world. The Russians invaded CzechoSlovakia. As Communists do they raped the nation, they pulled out all of the machinery in their factories, they even tore out street lights and took them into Russia. The Slovak people told me that the Russian soldiers did not have a watch on their wrist and in order to get a watch they pulled it off the arm of the Slovak people. They also touched on the intrusion of their homes and the raping of their wives and daughters, which is again a typical Communist and Nazi type of thing. He begged me to tell people how truly horrible communism is. It is very difficult for me to tell you how bad I really think it is. The Communists are told that soon America will convert to communism. This man told me this is difficult to believe. He said why would anybody want communism when you have such a wonderful system. I told him that the propaganda he was hearing was untrue, that there are some people, who believe communism is good, but unfortunately they have not seen what I have seen. He warned me to beware of what I say. Under Communism we don't know who will report us. If you say something to offend the system you could very easily be thrown in prison, in fact, they are looking just for that. - American Tourist. The Evening News , Harrisburg, Pa., December 26, 1970. The Christmas holiday for Czecho-Slovakia ended abruptly in a working Sunday. Factories, stores and shops were open, and traffic appeared about as heavy as on a weekday. Officially it was a week dayThursday, to be exact. The government decreed that it took the place of last Thursday, Christmas Eve, on the economic schedule, with all normal Thursday services supposed to be operating. Thursday had been designated a Saturday, meaning half-day shopping and offices closed. The calender confusion continues with Monday designated a Wednesday for work and organizational purposes. Tuesday is Tuesday but you're wrong if you think it will be followed by Wednesday. Wednesday, Dec. 30, has been designated a Friday, meaning extra �SLOVAKIA long business hours, because the real Friday, Jan. 1, is a holiday. Next Saturday, Jan. 2. has been designated a Sunday and Sunday, Jan. 3, a Monday. Finally, on Monday, January 4, normality of sorts returns-if two Mondays in one week can be conAssociated sidered normal. Press. The federal status of Czechia, Moravia and Slovakia has been replaced by strict Prague centralism, much to the embarrassment of Gustav Husak, the Communist Party's first secretary. As a Slovak nationalist, Husak spent years in jail during the Novotny regime. Theodore Andrica, cievel,and Press Vienna Bureau. Shortly after President Richard ~ixon's inaguaration in 1968 it was reported from Washington that Dr. Walter R. Tkach, an American of Slovak descent, and a long-time friend, serving as a colonel with the U.S. Air Force Medical Corps, wa!:' recalled from Vietnam to be chief medical advisor to the President. 219 ing called to serve as the White House physician. It is not generally known, but the White House is equipped with an ultra modern medical clinic which is at the service of Mr. Nixon, his family, and the White House staff. More complete facilities are available at nearby Bethesda Naval Hospital, Walter Reed Army Hospital and AFB with attending specialists. The White House clinic is staffed by seven people, three of whom are doctors. Whenever the president leaves the White House, even though it might be only a few feet away, he is always accompanied by a doctor. Dr. Tkach first became aquainted with Mr. Nixon 17 years ago when hi:! served as our country's vicepresident. Dr. Tkach at the time waE an assistant on President Eisenhower's medical staff in the White House. He accompanied the vice-president as his medical advisor during his historic trip to Russia, and on other travels had an opportunity to meet with fa. mous world personages like Nehru of India and Hirohito of Japan . . . The President's regimen under the close watch of Dr. Tkach seems to be working for him. Just recently Mr. Nixon remarked that he could not recall ever having had headache, the physical kind of ! course Dr. Tkach was graduated from Dr. Tkach is a strong advocate Penn State College where he attained a Bachelor of Science in of military service. He feels that Chemistry, and embarked on an military service affords young phyAir Force career after graduation sicians unlimited opportunities, and from medical school in 1945. He recommends that they consider served in Japan 1946-1948. Since military careers, particularly in the that time he had tours of duty at Air Force. - ,Dr. S. J . metko, various military medical schools, National Slovak Society Almanac, clinics and institutions, before be• Pittsburgh, Pa. About a year later Dr. Tkach, a 52-year old native of Monongahela, Pa., a suburb of Pittsburgh (his wife Helen, also hails from the same town), was promoted to the rank of Brigadier General. �220 SLOVAKLA The last remammg clause of Alexander Dubcek's short lived "action program" is crumbling. That clause is the one that instituted a Czecho-,Slovak "federation" - a move that gave Slovakia, for the first time, more or less equal status with the more educated, industrialized, prosperous and powerful Czech lands. state bank, fuel and power engineering, transport and communications have all been recentralized in Prague. New national ministers have been appointed and the Czech and Slovak ministries closed. Even the secret police are to be controlled from the center again. Husak, in a speech last month, pledged that the federation itself Dubcek, a Slovak, included the would last, but said certain minor federation in the action program shortcomings had to be solved. The he introduced on April 9, 1968, at new laws were the result. a time when his now discredited To add insult to injury, both the liberalization was at its height. The Czech and Slovak governments had action program also provided a to apprnve emasculation of their range of civil rights-freedoms of own powers. speech, assembly and the press, A constitutional court was to secret elections, freedom to travel have been set up arbitrate disputes -that disappeared within a year between the two halves of Czechoof the Soviet led invasion. Slovakia and the national governBut Dubcek's successor Commu- ment. As far as is known the court nist Party First Secretary Gustav does not exist. Instead, the Prague Husak, also a Slovak, and there go'llernment has been authorized to were hopes that he would keep the handle such disputes-making it federation plan which was enor- both prosecutor and judge. mously popular in Slovakia. F'rom the Slovaks' point of view, It's likely to remain, at least on possibly the worst development paper, for some time. But a series was the new power of the central of measures taken over the Christgovernment to allocate investments mas holidays have reduced it to in Slovakia or Czech lands. For an empty shell. decades under communism and Through government decrees and before communism- Prague shortparliamentary moves, the regime changed the Slovaks in investment has all but eliminated Slovakia's and industry, keeping the area autonomy in economics and put permanently depressed. The record its economy back under central of the prewar Benes-Masaryk govcontrol from Prague - a Czech ernment was no better than the city. postwar Communist regime. Under federation, separate Czech After the action program, Slovaks and Slovak passports were issued. hoped the age old imbalance would The new law erases this and re- end. That hope now is dying. introduces Czecho-Slovak citizen- Richard C. Longworth of United ship. Press International, February 25, Foreign currency control, the 1971. �SLOVAKIA 221 Our Contributors Edw ard J. Behuncik, Attorney-at-Law, Stratford, Conn. J. M . Kirschbaum , LL.D ., Ph;D ., professor, historian, author, Toronto, Ontario Sister M. Delphina, SS.C.M ., teacher, Danville, Pa. Edw ard A . Tuleya , M . A ., Associate Professor, History Department, Millersville State College, Millersville, Pa. Joseph J. Krajsa, B.A., Bethany College, W. Va. Joseph Hradnansky, Ph.-D ., Associate Professor, Indiana University of · Pennsylvania; Instructor, University of Pittsburgh. Francis Vnuk, M.A ., Professor, Institute of Technology; historian, Ade: laide, Australia_ �222 SLOVAKIA Contents Slovak World Congress - Edward J. Behuncik - Stephen B. Roman-Slovak Tycoon Political Views of nudovit Stur - 3 J. M. Kirschbaum - Sister M. Delphina Opet - 7 20 The Assimilation Process of American Slovaks-J. M. Kirschbaum, Ph.D -79 The Slovak National Awakening - Edward A. Tuleya - The Emergence of the Slovak State - 85 Daniel F . Tanzone - 109 General Mil.an Rastislav Stefanik and the Movement for Czecho-Slovak Independence - Mary Ann Kadera - 124 Sviitopluk: Political Opportunist or National Hero? - - Mary Susan Sabol 134 Slovaks - Joseph John Krajsa - 145 Bratislava: Ancient Slovak Cultural Center - Dr. Joseph Hradnansky -164 The 15th Anniversary of the Untimely Death of Prof. Francis Hrusovsky - J . M. Kirschbaum, Ph.D. - Karol Sidor - F. Vnuk - 175 180 Current Issues (Proclamation of the 42nd Congress of the Slovak League of America. - Slovak World Congress.) - 189 Comments (Sixtieth Anniversary of the Poet Jan Doransky. - Great Distinction for Slovak Poet Karol Strmen. - A Letter of Prof J. M. Kirschbaum to the Polish Monthly Kultura.) - 195 Book Reviews (J. M. Kirschbaum: New Collection of Slovak Emigre Poetry. - Two Foreign Language Collections of Slovak Poetry. Dr. Heinrich Kuhn : Bibliographishes Handbuch der Tschechoslowakei. - Books on Dubcek and Slovakia. - David L. Hoggan: Der Erzwungene Krieg. - Toward a New Central Europe. - Beitrage zum Deutsch-Tschechischen Verhaltnis im 19. und 20. Jahrhundert.) - 202 As Others See It - 214 �SLOVAKIA 223 SLOVAK LEAGUE OF AMERICA - supports freedom and independence of Slovakia; - promotes a better understanding and appreciation of the Slovak nation, its history, culture, traditions, and desires ; - makes America better known to Slovakia and Slovakia better known to America in the interest of world peace, freedom and security; - has a scholarship program for college and university students; - promotes cooperation among all American-Slovak organizations and publications for the promulgations of Slovak ethnic heritage. - is a charter member of the Slovak World Congress. Life membership: $100.00 For further information, write to: Slovak League of America 313 Ridge Avenue Middletown, Pa. 17057 ��PRI NTI D IN U.S. A. JIDN OTA PlllN TER Y, MID DLli TOW N, PA. � SLOVAKIA 189 CURRENT ISSUES Proclamation of the 42nd Congress of the Slovak League of America At Wilkes-Barre, Pa. Solemnly convened in Congress, the officers and delegates of the Slovak League of America formally decla·r e that: 1. We rededica,te ourselves and our membership to the preserva,l!ion of the basic moral principles set forth in the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights of the United Staites o·f America and the United Naitions organization. 2. In light of the above, we request our member organizations and the memberships to solicit their lo<:al, state and federal officials for assistance needed to reestablish Slovakia as a democratic state in a free Central Europe. 3. Fwrther we ask all our fellow citizens to likewise rededicate themselves to the great challenge and opportunities confronting all decent God fearing people in this period of violence, hatred and abuse of lawful authority; for, without a concerted effort by the silent majority, we could easily lose the God given rights and freedoms which we here enjoy, and which are presently non-existent in Slovakia and other nations with age old Christian cultures and traditions, and to insure tile continued safeguarding of these precious rights and gifts, as loyal citizens, we put our trust in and support the dedicated efforts of our President, Richard M. Nix·on, to end the Indochina War, to establish an honorable peace and to restore domestic tranquility. In witness whereof, we have caused these sentiments to be published this 24th day of May, 1970. Edward J. Behuncik, President Joseph Pauco, Secretary �190 SLOVAKIA Slovak World Congress (Mr. TAFT asked and was given permission-June 30, 1970-to address the House of Representatives for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks and include extraneous matter.) Mr. TAFT. Mr. Speaker, last week the American Slovak fraternal and religious organizations were participating in the First Slovak World Congress which was held in New York City at the Americana Hotel. I had both the honor and the pleasure to be one of their guests at the banquet, Sunday, June 21, together with my colleagues from the Congress-Ray J. Madden, Paul Findley, Michael A. Feighan, William E. Minshall, and John M. Murphy. Congressman Joseph M. Gaydos, himself of Slovak origin, was unfortunately in hospital at the time and missed this worthy event. Ambassador Nguyen Huu Chi, permanent observer to the United Nations, was also present. Representatives of other American nationalities were also present. Senator John G. Tower, an outstanding American and an eloquent speaker, gave the keynote address. It was a fine speech and the assembled were unanimous in their praise of Senator Tower's presentation and knowledge of history. Among the many delegates from the free world, including from Australia, Latin America, Europe, and Canada, who attended the sessions were also three bishops, Andrew G. Grutka of Gary, Ind., the honorary chairman of the congress; Michael Rusnak of Toronto, and Paul Hnilica of Rome, Italy. Stephen B. Roman, the internationally known industrialist from Canada, chaired the proceedings of the congress with Bishop Grutka. Mr. Roman was elected the chairman of the Slovak World Congress for 1970-71. The major organizations from the United States participating in the congress included the National Slovak Society, presided by John Pankuch, the Slovak Catholic Union, presided by John A. Sabol, the Catholic Sokol, presided by Paul Fallat, Slovak League of America, by Edward Behuncik. �SLOVAKIA 191 Feeling certain that many other heritage groups in our great country will find gems of hope for their own ideals, I include Senator Tower's introduction and speech in the Record at this point: Introduction of Key Speaker (By Joseph Krajsa, editor of the largest fraternal American Slovak newspaper) When you think of Texas you immediately think of something big. And President Nixon has sent someone Big to extend official greetings to the Slovak World Congress. The distinguished United States Senator from Texas, Senator Tower, known as a Progressive-Conservative, is a close advisor to President Nixon and serves on three major committees-Armed Services, Banking and Currency, and the Joint Committee on Defense Production. He has spent more time with our commanders and troops in Southwest Asia than any other member of the Senate. The Senator is an internationally known leader and has been distinguished as a gentleman of dedicated zeal. All of you present here today have displayed a zeal for an ideal. We are fortunate that our distinguished American, Senator Tower, shares our zeal. His presence here during his busy congressional session proves his interest in the Slovak cause, a cause so common to all separate ethnic cultures. His massage will be rewarding to all nationality groups, but especially to the Slovak delegates here assembled from all over the free world. And yes, Senator, to the thousands of Slovak Americans living in Texas, too. It has been said that one day the world will be reformed, but not by reformers, but as a result of a zeal for an ideal that is burning in the hearts of dedicated men. Ladies, and gentlemen, it is my pleasure to present to you an inter• nationally known gentleman, our guest to honor, a public servant of dedicated zeal, our distinguished United States Senator from the State of Texas, the Honorable John G. Tower. Thank you for that very fine introduction. Mr. President, Your Excellencies, Reverend clergy, Mr. Ambassador, my distinguished colleagues in the Congress, ladies and gentlemen. �192 SLOVAKIA It certainly is a great pleasure to be here today. It's extremely difficult for me to undertake to address you as the final speaker on the program. I have listened with great interest to all that has been said, but have not understood it all, since I don't speak Slovak. And so I am reasonably sure that Steve Roman has probably made my speech. But I'll find out afterwards. I think that this is a great and significant moment that you meet here in your first World Congress. I think it is always inspiring when like-minded people get together for a noble common cause. You are Slovaks and I am an Anglo-Saxon. But we are all childred of God. And as such, we are enjoined to stand fast in the liberty with Christ who set us free. We are all of one family. And we are our brothers in the common cause to try to achieve in this world, and in that which God intends, freedom for all mankind. There are those in this world today who I think are ready to give up in the struggle against totalitarianism. I am so happy to note that you people are not among them. There are many in our country who have never felt the lash of communist imperialism. Because Karl Marx stated things in lofty terms, in terms of thinking what he considered to be human objectives, they think perhaps that system is not so bad after all. I wish every American could have shared the experiences many of you had, who have lived under communist totalitarianism to understand what it is all about. I have never lived in a totalitarian system, but I've been in places in this world where I've seen the stultifying and inhuman effects of the communist drive for world aggrandizement. As it has been noted, I have been in Vietnam several times. I returned from there, most recently, several weeks ago. Two weeks ago, today, I was sludging around on the battlefield in Cambodia. Today I'm glad to report to you that we are achieving our objectives in Vietnam. We can measure our achievement in several ways. We have reduced the capacity of the enemy to wage massive forces against us. We have improved the fighting qualities of the army of South Vietnam. And I can tell you that Army, and indeed all the Armed Forces of South Vietnam performed �SLOVAKIA 193 in a most professional, courageous and effective manner in the recent and current operations in Cambodia. And, I am given to understand by the military commanders, that this will hasten the day when we can bring our boys back home. But I think the most important reason, and underlying everything, is the fact that now most of the Vietnamese people have had some experience with Communism. They may not understand democracy, as you and I understand it. They may not understand all of the responsibilities of self-government, as you and I understand it. Those who have lived under the Viet Cong, and under the heel of North Vietnamese military have made a decision, that they would rather be with us. I think that the only way we can fail to accomplish our objectives, in trying to combat communist aggression in Southeast Asia, is for the people here at home to throw in the towel. I do not think we can lose the war in Southeast Asia if we can maintain our presence there. I know I didn't have to convince you about our responsibilities in the world. You know what Communism has done to Eastern Europe and what America must do to maintain her own security. You know the reason why. It's the same reason that we fight today in South Vietnam because Communist aggressor powers seek to expand their realm by force. There are so many naive people, unfortunately, too many of them on the college faculties of this country, who hold that there is no danger from Communist aggression. I imagine that the people in Czecho-Slovakia can say a word or two on that score. And I wish that they who have fled from the Russian tanks and tbe Russian machine guns could be on the college faculties so that our youth can get a better impression of what Communism is really like. How can we believe that there is no danger? There are those who try to impose a sense of guilt on the people of the United States for the arms race. We didn't start the arms race! It was not the U.S. which continued to maintain its poverful military force immediately following World War II. We demobilized. It was not the U.S. that swallowed-up the Eastern European countries with the use of military force. It was not the U.S. who sealed off Berlin. It-was not the U.S. who invaded �194 SLOVAKIA South Korea. And, in the past few years, from the point of strategic technology, the Russians have been developing their military potential at a much greater rate than we have. I submit to you that there is a clear and present danger which you well know. And I am not speaking so much to you, as I am through you, to a lot of people who are not in this room. But who should understand that this nation must maintain a posture of military superiority, not inferiority. Not parity, but superiority! Because if we fail to maintain it, my friends, there will be no hope for the Slovaks, nor for the millions of others to ever aspire to freedom and selfdetermination and have any reasonable hope of realizing it. Does anyone believe that if the Soviets achieve strategic military superiority they will not use it to blackmail the rest of the world into going along their way. And you know what their way is. My friends, we are going to be in grave trouble by the end of this decade, or perhaps even before, if we don't recognize this fact. I don't believe that we, Americans, can retreat to "fortress America" and hope to survive as a great nation ourselves. Even if we made our country impregnable; if we withdrew from the world, other nations would have to make their own accommodations with the Soviets. Then we will find ourselves in grave economic difficulties in a few years hence, because we are not a self-sufficient nation. We depend on sources and resources from other parts of the world. So, our capacity to progress as free people in the free enterprise system is involved here. But beyond that the mantle of world leadership has fallen on our shoulde11s whether we like it or not. We certainly are our brothers keepers! If we, as a Judeo-Christian society don't believe that then we have lost sight of the basic tenet. We are our brothers keepers, and have a responsibility to try and maintain a secure world in which Slovaks and all others, can aspire to freedom and hope ultimately to achieve it. I'm pleased to bring you greetings from the White House. I'm also pleased to observe that you are willing to make common cause with all others, to combat the great Communist menace. There can be no freedom where Russian tanks, Russian soldiers occupy soil. There is no �SLOVAKIA 195 freedom in such territory anyplace. Ultimately, I think that all societies in this world can aspire to the kind of progress we in the U.S. and Canada have enjoyed through the free enterprise system. In the final analysis, when man becomes totally dependent upon the State, he losses his freedom. The right of man to own and do with his property what he considers best to him and his environment is a ba:sic right and the major factor which prevents his being reduced to meek dependency on the State. I commend you for what you are doing. I wish you well. Know that you are not alone, that there will be those of us who although are not Slovak, will be at your side. God speed! COMMENTS SIXTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF THE POET JAN DORANSKY Among Slovak poets and writers in exile whom we considered in 1945 as the "young generation," there are several who are approaching their venerable age of 60 years. In 1971, we should not bypass in silence the 60th birthday of one of them-Jan Doransky, born on May 28, 1911, in Trstena. Coming from a part of Slovakia which gave to Slovak literature and public life many outstanding poets and novelists, Jan Doransky inherited a love for literature and began to write in his early youth, first for student's periodicals, later for literary and cultural monthlies. Afte·r finishing his secondary education, he studied law at the University of Bratislava and practiced as a notary in various parts of Slovakia. The outbreak of the Second World War interrupted his civilian life. Being, however, known at that time as a poet and writer, he was retained in the Department for cultural affairs at the Ministry of National Defense. When the Russian armies overran Slovakia, Doransky with thousands of other Slovak intellectuals left with his family for the West. After spending two years in Austria and two years in Rome, he landed in Canada �196 SLOVAKIA in 1949 and has lived in Montreal for the past eighteen years. Doransky is a poet of considerable versatility, and besides many lyrical verses and patriotic poems, he wrote in Canada a drama called Stard mat', neopust'aj nds (Grandmother do not leave us alone), successfully played by Slovak groups across Canada. The play was originally published in Kanadsky Slovak and later in 1953 in book form. Before coming to Canada, Doransky had published in 1939 a play called Novou cestou (On a new path) and in 1943 a collection of satirical verses Slepi pasazieri (Blind passengers). In Slovakia as well as in Canada, his poetry was published in various anthologies : Pred ohnivym drakom (1939), Vo vyhnanstve (1947), Zdravica sv. Cyrilovi a Metodovi (1963); in literary periodicals (Kultura, Most) and in almanacs. In recent years his epigrams published either in the quarterly Most or in newspapers and almanacs became preferred reading among Slovak intelligentsia in the free world. Besides poetry, Doransky wrote a number of short novels and other prose contributions for periodicals (Oral Tatransky, Svojet', Kultura) under the pen-name Hamernik and for the Slovak almanacs and newspapers in Canada and the United States under the name J. D. Oravec. Doransky's literary production is extensive and only the difficulties which a poet or a writer has to overcome in exile, prevented him from publishing his writings in book form. At his 60th birthday, two or three collections of lyrical verses, one collection of short novels and three collections_ of epigrams and satire are among his manuscripts awaiting more favorable circumstances for publication. All who like his poetry and his excellent epigrams called by him "Jedorasty", cannot but wish him that he may live to see not only his manuscripts published but also go back to a free and independent Slovakia for which he fought and to which he dedicated his life and his talent. Ad multos annos! J. M . Ki rs c h b au m �SLOVAKIA 197 GREAT DISTINCTION FOR SLOVAK POET KAROL STRMEN Slovak emigre poetry has given to Slovak literature not only its share of excellent original works which echo the great poets of Western nations, but also a new dimension in masterful translations from several world literatures. Recently Slovak literature achieved recognition in this field from the excellent work in scholarship and poetry of one of the most gifted Slovak poets, Prof. Karol Strmen. On October 28, 1970, during the meeting of the Association of American Teachers of French, held in New Orleans, the cultural attache of the French Embassy in Washington presented Prof. Strmen, on behalf of the Government of France, with the Medal of the Knight of Academic Palms. No doubt it has been a deserved distinction, and Slovak literary community abroad is rightly proud of it. Karol Strmen (born in 1921), by vocation university professor of Romance literature, enriched Slovak poetry by translations from several World literatures as well as by his own poetic works. Belonging to the "Catholic Moderna" but following his own literary path, Strmen impressed literary critics and readers almost unanimously as a gifted and mature poet from the time he published his first verses in the prestigous literary monthly Slovenske Pohl'ady, and his first two collections of verses Vyzinok zivota (Harvest of Life) (1940), and Testament (1945) . Attracted by French, Spanish, German and Italian poets, whose works he was masterfully translating during the past two decades, Strmen deviated from the main stream of Slovak emigre poetry as indicate his two collections of verses Striebornd Legenda (The Silver Legend) (1950), and Cakaju nivy jar (Meadows are Expecting Spring) (1963), and his contributions to literary journals and newspapers. His poetry is rather for the cultivated than for the average readers and the traditional and national values are less visible in his poetry than in the poetry of other Slovak emigre poets. Among Strmen's early translations is an anthology �198 SLOVAKIA from the poetry of Michael Eminescu, R. M. Rilke, the wellknown poem by Edgar Allan Poe "Raven" and several poems by Dante. His translating activity increased during the years of his exile to a degree unequalled by any other Slovak poet or writer. He continued to translate from practically all Romance languages as well as from German and English. Among the main translations are Robert Browning's Portuguese Sonnets (1947), Paul Claudel's Via Crucis (1954) and Dante's Inferno (1963 ) . In manuscript form he has Shakespeare's dramas. Slovak literary journals like Most, Literdrny Almanach Slovdka v Amerike, and other Slovak annuals have published regularly his translations from many literatures. His master work in translated poems is, according to literary critics, Dante's Inferno, published in a highly elaborate volume also from the printing point of view. It was, however, Paul Claude!, whose work he liked best and on whom he wrote his doctoral dissertation. Strmen who originally intended to study theology, translated also the New Testament and other religious books, hymns and psalms. Together with sprinc he deserves credit for many cultural activities which developed among Slovaks in exile since the end of the Second World War. Like Sprinc he left home for the United States and in 1949 settled in Cleveland. He is a member of several learned societies, of the Slovak Institute, Slovak Association of Writers and Artists, etc. Even though many of his poems reflect his strong patriotic feelings and aversion to communism before which he fled in 1945, Strmen was among the few emigre poets and writers whose verses pierced the Iron Curtain and were published in 1968 thaw in Slovakia. Slovak emigre writers and poets congratulate their distinguished colleague. J. M. Kirschbaum . . . The Polish monthly Kultura, which is published in Paris by the intellectuals who either did not return to Poland after the Second World War, or escaped the Communist tyranny, dedicated a special issue to the upheavals �SLOVAKIA 199 in Czecho-Slovakia. Unfortunately the presentation of the events which led to the liberalization and de-Stalinization movement seems to be strongly influenced by Czech propaganda or insufficient knowledge of the situation in Slovakia, as well as of the role which Slovaks played in changing the Stalinist system and giving "a human face to socialism." Prof. J.M. Kirschbaum who has many friends among Polish intellectuals and has been known for his positive attitude towards Poland since the time of his studies in Warsaw and Cracow, wrote to the editor of Kultura a let.t er but he never received an answer to his friendly remarks. As a result, we decided to publish the letter as a document to record that we were not silent when the presentation of historical events, in which the Slovaks played an important role, has been distorted. Mr. Jerzy Giedroyc, Editor: Kultura, 91 Avenue de Poissy, Paris, France. Dear Sir: I have read with great interest your special issue dedicated to Czecho-Slovakia. As a representative of that group of Slovak political exiles who always stood for a close friendship with Poland, I feel obliged to write a few comments on that issue, especially with regard to the view that the movement for liberalization and democratization stemmed from the Hussite traditions. There is a number of good studies in the West by AngloSaxon and French political writers who analyzed the policy of Czecho-Slovakia during the period of the so-called de-Stalinization and none of them came to a similar conclusion. Only a few journalists stationed in Prague during the summer of 1968 accepted, for reasons which I will mention later, the Czech view that the liberalization movement was due to their national traditions. Books and studies by Western experts in Eastern Europe, like Prof. Skilling, Ph. E. Mosley, W. E. Griffith, Kertesz and even Duchacek, indicate that the Czech part �200 SLOVAKIA of the population of Czecho-Slovakia were lethargic and did not come until 1968 with any noteworthy opposition to the Stalinist regime of Antonin Novotny. Two Czech writers in Griffith's symposium even accuse their compatriots of fully supporting that regime after the upheavals in Hungary and Poland or later when the Slovak intellectuals began to attack the Stalinist dictatorship. (See Canadian Slavonic Papers, Vol. X, 4, 1968.) I think it can be objectively established that the movement for liberalization and democratization not only started in Slovakia, but also was carried on mainly by the Slovak intellectuals. One of the contributors to your special issue on Czecho-Slovakia, P. Carnogursky, pointed to this fact, but did not develop his thesis by giving names and data. In all serious studies in the West it has been accepted that the beginning of the de-Stalinization was a Congress of Slovak writers in May 1963 and a following Congress of Slovak journalists. Actually, Slovak writers attacked the Novotny regime and its Stalinist form and tactics in 1956 and the crimes and methods of that regime were described in a book by Ladislav Mnacko : "Belated Reportages." The Slovak review "Kulturny zivot," then systematically attacked and criticized the regime, asking for a change towards more freedom and more human methods. After 1963, the Slovak intellectuals, among them also several intellectuals of Jewish origin (G. Husak, L. Novomesky, M. Hysko, V. Mihalik, L. Kalisky, E. Lobl, E. Goldstticker, Spitzer ), began an organized struggle for more freedom, justice and democracy. They created a sort of brain trust, behind Alexander Dubcek, who became the embodiment and leader of this movement. The reasons behind the fact that the movement started in Slovakia, can be found in the harsh treatment of Slovakia by the Prague Government under Gottwald and mainly under Novotny. In the purges organized by Prague was eliminated not only Dr. Vlado Clementis, the ideological leader of communism in Slovakia, who died on the gallows, but soon after him all the influential and educated communist leaders branded as bourgeois nationalists. Slovakia �SLOVAKIA 201 was submerged in terror, persecution, de-nationalization and an economic crisis, which was created intentionally by the Government of Prague. President Novotny also hurt the pride and feelings of the Slovak population and, therefore, in the 1960's the outrage was general in Slovakia. When the "bourgeois nationalists" were freed from prisons and rehabilitated, they began to speak about the horrors of their investigations and imprisonment and this gave the impulse to the writers and to the intellectuals, who previously sided with Novotny for an attack on Novotny's regime, because in the purges of the 1950's, mainly Slovaks and Jews became the victims of the furor of the Prague Government. In the Czech part of the country the intellectuals did not feel the terror with such intensity and, therefore, they joined only slowly and individually the movement for democratization and de-Stalinization. As a result, the movement was headed not only by Dubcek but also by Goldsti.icker, Lobl, and many others, all from Slovakia. Should your Revue be interested in a more detailed analysis of this period and should more arguments be required to support my statement that not the Hussite traditions or Czech attachment to democracy were the moving force in the upheavals of 1968 in Czecho-Slovakia, but the Slovak nationalism and striving of Slovaks and some good Czechs for freedom and a more human life, I would be only too glad to send to you a documented study on this subject. Yours very truly, Prof. J. M . Ki rs c h b au m " . THE SLOVAK LEAGUE OF AMERICA represents an overwhelming majority of organized Americans of Slovak descent; actively affiliated with it are the large3t Slovak fraternals, religious organizations, Slovak Clubs and Slovak civic organizations in the United States . . . . THE SLOVAK LEAGUE OF AMERICA is an AMERICAN INSTITUTION; it was organized May 26, 1907, at Cleveland, 0., by the Rev. Stephen Furdek. �202 SLOVAKIA BOOK REVIEWS NEW COLLECTION OF SLOVAK EMIGRE POETRY Jan Okal', Voda a vino (Water and Wine, United States 1970) , pp. 70. Eugen Vesnin, Aj v etrurskych zahradach (Also in the Gardens of Etruria, Buenos Aires, 1970). Rome, as the first free refuge of many Slovak intellectuals, inspired several Slovak ,poets and writers who created during the past quarter of a century literary works of high standards. Among them was not only J. C. Hronsky, R. Dilong, M. Sprinc, and K. Strmen, but also Jan Okal' and Eugen Vesnin. All of them reacted to the beauty of the Eternal city in prose or verse and enriched Slovak emigre literature by several volumes. The above volumes by Jan Okal' and Eugen Vesnin attest to the creative inspiration of Rome and Italy. Jan Okal' (born in 1915) published his first verses in Slovakia during the War in two collections Nehnem sa (I do not move, 1942) and L!ubost' (Love, 1944). He also profusely contributed to Slovak periodicals, wrote short stories for children and translated from Ukrainian literature. It was, however, in exile that his talent developed. Even though he spent most of his time as editor of a S1ovak newspaper in the United States, and for several years also as the editor of Literarny Almanach Slovaka v Amerike, he did not cease to publish poetry or prose of refined taste and literary ma• turity. He also published in English a well-written sketch on the Slovak Robin Hood-George Janosik: A Carpathian Saga ( 1953) and a chronicle in 13 poems called Kro- nika siovakov (The Chronicle of Slovaks, 1954), as well as a satirical novel Blizenci (Gemini, 1962) and translations from I Fioretti di San Francesco . After a few years of silence, he surprised now readers and critics by the above mentioned collection of his poetry, in addition to many verses published in the literary journal Most or in almanacs and calendars. His collection Voda a vino (Water and Wine) is a masterfully illustrated volume of lyrical sketches in verse which reflect Okal"s years spent in Rome and Italy. All his poems, usually not longer than one or two verses, are sensitive and well-written images of beautiful monuments and places of Rome and of •o ther countries which he visited during his exile. The volume under review proves that Okal' is a refined and gifted poet as well as an alert commentator on literary and cultural matters. Personal reminiscences and memories give to his book, as well as to his scattered poems in literary journals, a certain gentleness and tenderness. All his published works were artistically illustrated by the well-known Slovak artist, Joseph G. Cincik, and belong to the finest readings in Slovak emigre literature. * The ancient beauty of Rome and the cultural heritage of the Mediterranean area marked even more the lyrical verses of Eugen Vesnin (Dr. Ignac Zelenka, born in 1913) . After publishing a score of verses in Slovakia before the war, Vesnin spent in silence nearly three dee- �203 SLOVAKIA ades before his three collections of mature lyrical poetry were published in Slovak, and an anthology in Italian. For the past 25 years a librarian in the Vatican library, Vesnin--as the Osservatore Romano wrote when his Italian collection was published- is a "poet of peace, love, patriotism and the beauty of nature, but also well-known as a scholar." Osservatore Romano mentions in this connection Vesnin's works on the Vatican, on the Holy See, as well as 1111 essay on Juraj Knzanic, the -p recursor of Pan-Slavism, and on the liturgical editions which can be found in the Vatican library. Among Vesnin's published poetical works should be mentioned the following collections: Zo zcitisia ntim6z (1965) which appeared also in Italian translation by Prof. Leo Magnino under the title L'Oasi delle mimose (Rome 1967); Jani e som potomok i latokopov (I am not a descendant of gold-diggers) and S temena mojich hor (From the top of my mountains, Buenos Aires 1966) . These collections were followed by lyrical verses Aj v etrurskych zcihradach (Also in the Gardens of Etruria, Buenos Aires, 1970), which seems to be the best selection of Vesnin's peotry. In spite of the fact that Vesnin spent nearly his whole life in Rome where he originally studied theology, his poetry is deeply patriotic and one of his verses "Salute to my Country" can be considered even in its Italian translation as one of the best patriotic poems of the Slovak emigre literature. The literary critic Jan E. Bor considers Vesnin as one of the highly gifted lyrical poets of his generation. The readers, including this reviewer, will agree that his poetry is an enjoyable and cultivated reading. J. M . Kirschbaum TWO FOREIGN LANGUAGE COLLECTIONS OF SLOVAK POETRY Mikulas Sprinc: DRIFTWOOI) Poems translated from the Slovak by the author, Larz Pearson and Jaroslav Vajda. Engravings by Dr. Joseph G. Cincik. Published by the Slovak Institute in Cleveland, Ohio, 1969. Printed by the Benedictine Press at St. Andrew's Abbey, Cleveland, 0. Gorazd Zvonicky: SOLTANTO ROVINE - Italian translation by Milan S. !>urica and Ernesto Simonetto. Published by Associazione di cultura ceca e slovaca "Arturo Cronia," Padua, 1968. Slovak culture was enriched recently by two excellent collections of translations of poems by two of our outstanding poets in exile. The first collection is published in English and presents a selection of recent verses from the lyrical works of the cultivated and sensitive poet, Mikulas Sprinc. The selection, as well as the translations, are very successful and the English reader will go through this carefully published and artistically illustrated volume with delight. Whoever likes intimate lyrics written by a poet who seems to combine the art of Paul Verlaine and the spirit of St. Francis of Assissi will enjoy every verse of this excellent collection. Some verses were translated by the author himself, others by the well-known translator of Slovak poetry into English, Rev. J. Vajda, and some by one of the students of the poet, Larz Pearson. As usual, �204 SLOVAKIA the translations do not reflect exactly the Slovak text and its musical and rhythmical quality but, on the whole, all translations attest to the talent of both the auther and the translators. Those who appreciate poetry which is rooted in the strong belief in the Creator without sounding too religious, and those who like the beauty of life iu the songs of birds, the color of flowers, the sound of the wind, and blue skies or the colors of the rainbow, will find delight in reading Mikulas Sprinc's poetry. The volume also contains several fine poems with patriotic overtones expressing the poet's love for his lost and oppressed native Slovakia. The author and the publishers deserve credit for enriching Slovak culture by this valuable volume. there is a refined poet following in the footsteps of Slovak fighters for the nation's freedom, who used the most efficient weapon against tyranny and the sufferings of the Slovak people--the deeply felt and masterfully written poetic protest. As in the case of the volume by Mikulas Sprinc, Slovak intellectuals in the free world as well as at home will appreciate Zvonicky's publication. -jmkDr. Heinrich Kuhn: Bibliographisches Handbuch der Tschechoslowakei. Publications of the Collegium Carolinum, Verlag Robert Lerche, Munich 1969. Dr. Kuhn has added to his very useful previous work Handbuch this new pubThe collection "Soltanto Rovine" der Tschechoslowakei the biowith deals which lication by Gorazd Zvonicky in the tranlapoliticians, Party oftion of Prof. Milan S. !>urica and graphies of and other persons in the Ernesto Simonetto, is another valu- ficials the present Czechoable contribution. Masterfully il- public life of Slovakia. lustrated , the volume gives both As in his previous work, Dr. the Slovak text as well as the Italian translation. Gorazd Zvoni- Kuhn shows a detailed knowledge cky is one of the best contemporary of the subject and prepared it with Slovak poets, highly cultivated and his usual "ptinktlichkeit" and segifted. His poetry is of the same riousness of a scholar. Therefore, genre as that of Mikula!; Sprinc- specialists in Eastern Europe will lyrical, intimate, musical and well welcome this new publication ewritten. It wa~, therefore, not easy specially after the Soviet occupato make an adequate translation. tion placed Czecho-Slovakia again The translators used free verse and into the focus of international indid not look for rhyme. Neverthe- terest. Kuhn's work has been published less, the volume transfers to the readers the feeling of a Slovak in loose sheets in two volumes patriot and poet towards the brutal which will be welcomed by reoccupation of his native country searchers as a very practical way by Soviet troops and the martyr- of dealing with the political figures dom of the Slovak population. The in occupied Czecho-Slovakia. All verses express, however, not only biographies are carefully prepared, intimate and personal sorrows, but containing the most important data. also indignation of all Slovak pa- In some biographies the author triots and of the whole Slovak left out the place of birth of some politician or Party official, but he nation. Once more in Slovak poetry I gives detailed information on all �SLOVAKIA the main leaders either in the government or in the Party. In some cases, like that of the present First Secretary of the Communist Party of Czecho-Slovakia, Dr. G. Husak, it would have been useful to mention the ten years he spent in jail under Novotny's regime, as well as his writings in periodicals about his experience in Novotny's dungeons. Dr. Kuhn mentions only three publications by Husak and in the first one there 205 is a slight mistake in the title. It should read "Zapas o zajtrajfok." Since the leading figures of Slovak and Czech political life were often presented in the West with journalistic superficia!lity, confusing Slovaks for Czechs, we we1lcome this book because it will enable everybody interested in the problems of Czecho.Slovakia to receive correct information. J . M . Kirschbaum BOOKS ON DUBCEK AND SLOVAKIA Among some 50 books in the English and French languages which dealt with the events in Czecho-Sl-ovakia in 1968 and after, there was none, as mentioned last year in my review of books on Slovakia, which paid attention to the situation in Slovakia. The authors of these books overlooked the fact that the liberalization movement had started in Slovakia and that it was also headed by a Slovak-Alexander Dubcek. Prof. Gordon Skilling, who is one of the foremost Canadian specialists on post-war Czecho-Slovakia, drew attention to this lack of interest or intentional neglect in the works of Western specialists in Eastern Europe.1 The role of Slovaks was analyzed and evaluated only in the Canadian siavonic Papers (Vol. X, 4, 1968) by this writer. In 1970 we have, however, several books or studies which do not treat the events in Czecho-Slovakia in 1968 exclusively as "Prague Spring" but are concerned with the whole country and point out to the specific Slovak problems and the role the Slovaks played in the deStalinization period. The best among these studies in English so far is the book by William Shawcross DUBCEK (London, 1970) which would deserve a much more extensive review than space allow us. Another work also deserves our attention is "Dubcek's Biue Print for Freedom" by Lunghi and Ello (Kimber, London, 1968) c1s are two essays by the members of the staff of the Czeclio-Slovak Section of the B.B.C., Michael Montgomery and Deryck Viney. The latter wrote an interesting essay in "Studies of Comparative Communism" (University of Southern California, July-August 1969). The book by Shawcross does not give any biography except to say that "he left Oxford in June 1968 and is now writing on Eastern European affairs for the ' Sunday Times.' He is 24 and this is his first book." In view of this, the book is quite an achievement. From the references, as well as from the contents, it is clear that Shawcross carried out extensive research, interviews, and travelled around .Slovakia, including the birth place of ~lexander Dubcek. As a result, we have in hand a thorough and well documented study. The book is, of course, not without mistakes and shortcomings which, in the intricate situation and confused reporing on events, is to be expected. �206 SLOVAKIA While other Western authors ascribed the liberalization movement to the Czechs, Shawcross's main thesis is that Dubcek's rise to power and the subsequent liberalization of Czecho-Slovakia were due to the fact that the Slovak question had been the motive force behind these events. He traces Dubcek's career within the apparatus of the Communist Barty of Slovakia as a more or less obsequious Party member until he decided to spearhead the Slovak movement within the Communist Party of Czecho-Slovakia for greater justice for all the Slovaks. Carried to the ht)ad of this movement that had much deeper roots than most Western observers have cared to point out, Dubcek then demonstrated strategic and tactical talents in forestalling Novotny's counterattacks and eventually in leading the struggle to rid the country of its Stalinist President and Communist Party First Secretary. Although Dubcek did not expect it, he saw himself placed at the head of Czecho-Slovakia, the first Slovak to achieve this position. Up to this point, Shawcross's presentation, despite some mistakes on the meaning and on some details of the 1944 revolt, is very good. The author shows good knowledge of the political situation in Slovakia and an understanding of the problem which Slovakia poses within Czecho-Slovakia. Husak's rise to power is dismissed as a personal repetition of Dubcek's ascension. No doubt Husak's emergence as the head of •t he Communist Party of Czecho-Slovakia was in many ways a personal success, but the fact that a second Slovak rose to the highest position when many Czech Stalinists were waiting in the wings, indicates that the Communist Party of Slovakia, if not other institutions or groups, must also have played some role. With the federalization of CzecboSlovakia, the Slovak element could not be further ignored as it had been during the Novotny years. It is to be regretted that Sbawcross did not pursue the developments in Slovakia and if be was unab'1e to find out more of what happened there after August 1968, he could present at least some hypotheses. As far as Husak is concerned, he also made an error when stating that he graduated at Prague University. Despite these shortcomings, Shawcross's work must be considered not only as a good piece of research, but in view of his age, is an act of courage, as he did not hesitate to bring forward a problem that Western historiography has been ignoring for more than half a century. Among the books on Czecho-Slovakia in the French language, it is the one by Pavel Tigrid which deals with Dubcek and with the It is after the time of the in- situation leading to the dismissal vasion by the Soviet Union and of Novotny, as well as with the her satellites that Shawcross's nar- events of 1968, and the aftermath rative shows some of its flaws, of the invasion. Tigrid's book is much of this is due to the fact entitled La chute irresistible d'Athat he follows Tigrid's book too iexander Dubcek, (Calmann-Levy, closely. The author is carried away Paris, 1969) . The book was written on the by his admiration for Dubcek and paints his opponents too black. basis of many unpublished docuJ<'urthermore, the Slovak problem ments and minutes of the meetings is completely lost in this part. 1 of the Central Committee of the �SLOVAKIA Communist Party, or of the government. Tigrid has recognized that the Slovak problem played an important role in the attempts to oust Novotny from his position and he depicts Dubcek in this first phase ot the struggle within the Central Committee of the Communist Party as a fighting, courageous man. However, the role of Dubcek after he took over the office of First Secretary is painted with a certain tendency tJo diminish his importance or to present him as a timid, indecisive man, lacking in intellectual abilities and preparation to cope with the problem of liberalization. One chapter is entitled "Alexander Dubcek, heros malgre lui" which by itself indicates a sort of depreciation and shows an attempt on the part of Tigrid to ascribe the liberalization movement to the Czechs, even though the truth is ,that the behavior of the Czech masses as well as of some of their politicians greatly contributed to the decision of the Soviets to invade the country and to destroy the liberalization movement. Tigrid's book is written in a journalistic rather than in a scholarly style, but by using original sources and confidential information, it fills a certain gap in the literature about the events in Czecho.JSlovakia in 1967 and 1968. We also find in Tigrid',s book a sympathetic mention of Vasil Bil'ak who strongly opposed Novotny in December 1967 and courageously fought for Slovak interests, but apparently became later one of those sided with Moscow. More objectively than in Tigrid's book, Slovakia and Dubcek are presented in the book by Francois Fetji:i Histoire des democracies populaires apres Staline (Editions du Seuil, Paris, 1969) . In Fetji:i's 207 book, Dubcek is not presented as a timid, indecisive and implicitly naive and politically unprepared leader. On the contrary, he is portrayed as a man who believed strongly in his "Communism with human face," and in Lenin's thesis on the independence and the territorial integrity of socialist states. Throughout his book, Fetjo deals with the situation in Czecho-Slovakia with rare objectivity and compares -the events with either Hungary or Poland. As one chapter, entitled "La Tragedie Tchechoslovaque et ses ,p rolongements," indicates, he considers the invasion of Czecho-Slovakia as a tragedy and as a brutal and unnecessary action on the cpart of Moscow. A one-time Communist and author of several books on Eastern Europe and communism, Fetji:i presents in his book conclusions which are logical and displays solid knowledge of the problems of the countries under Soviet rule. He writes about Slovakia and the Communist leaders of Slovak origin or born in Slovakia without any bias, which many authors of books on Eastern Europe u~ually are unable or unwilling to do. Michel Tatu also published a series of articles and a book on the events in Czecho-Slovakia, and two books by Ladislav Mnacko have been translated into the French language. For the events of 1968, only one of Mnacko's books La septieme nuit is of importance. Books in German dealing with the events in Czecho-Slovakia in 1968 are comperatively few when compared to the number of books published in English. With regard to Slovakia, we can mention the German translation of Mnacko's book Die Siebente Nacht (Vienna, 1968) which was reviewed last yeaT �208 SLOVAKIA in Slovakia. Another author from knowledge of the situation in Slovakia, Dr. Eugen Lobl published Czecho-Slovakia and refers to many his experiences in jail in German, sources in the Slovak and Czech Die Revolution rehabilitiert ihre language which would indicate Kinder, (Vienna: Europa, 1968), as that he might be one of the Sudewell as a political essay published ten Germans who now live in West together with Leopold Grunwald, Germany. His approach to the SloDie intellektuelle Revolution, Hi~ vak problem is unbiased. Dubcek tergriinde und Auswirkungen des and other Slovak communist lead"Prager Friihlings," (Diisseldorf: ers played, according to him, an important role during the crisis Econ, 1969) . While in the first book Dr. Lobl of the Communist Party in 1967, speaks about the persecution and and he portrays Dubcek as First Communists Secretary of the Communist Party of rehabilitation purged during the Stalinist period without the caustic remarks or and later in the Novotny era, his disdain which can be found in contribution in the second book Tigrid 's book, for instance. Even though Reitzner's book is presents his views on the possibility of reforming communist systems rather the work of an experienced and of giving them a human face. journalist who made detailed reAccording to Prof. Skilling "As search, it reflects quite objectively a severe critique of the Soviet the changing situation in Czechobrand of socialism, this book ranks Slov-akia in those two fateful years. with Djilas' The New Class, but In addition, by quoting from Slorepresents also an original and vak and Czech periodicals, newsimaginative, even if passionate and papers and speeches of communist one-sided, interpretation of the leaders, Reitzner's book preserves proposed Czechoslovak model. For m·eful materials for further reLobl, the events of 1968 constituted search. Speaking probably much a new phase in the 'socialist re- better Czech than Slovak, he was volution,' continuing the work led to misspel the name of some begun by the October revolution Slovak newspapers like "Smena" and later interrupted by Stalinism. or "Smer" which he writes in It was also a renewed effort by Czech orthography. The reader is left with the imCzechs and Slovaks to follow a that the author had a pression atan own, s pecial path of their tempt which had been made in the sincere intention to give a realistic 1940s and then had been rudely and objective account of th ~ Mmblocked by Soviet coercion as ex- plex situation in both Slovakia and emplified by the trials of the the Czech lands. 1950s." (International Journal, Vol. l) See H. Gordon Skilling: "Thaw XXV, No. 1, p. 197) . and Freeze-Up: Prague 1968." International Journal Vol. XXV, There is also, however, a German No. 1, pp. 192-201. author, Almar Reitzner, wh o published a book entitled D ubcek F . Kennan: From Prague (Miinchen, 1970) but actually deals George Diplomatic Papers Munich, after with all the aspects of the crisis 1938-1940, Princeton University in Czecho-Slovakia in 1967 and Press, 1968, 226 Pages. with the short period of liberalizaThe well-known diplomat-historition and the Soviet invasion of 1968. Reitzner displays a detailed an George F . Kennan contributes �SLOVAKIA in this volume to the history of the crucial years 1938-1940 by many valuable documents, diplomatic despat.ches and personal observations. As he admits himself in his preface : "All were written either for private purposes or for the confidential information of the United States government." With all academic honesty, he also admits : "This material was unavoidably in many respects unbalanced and inadequate. In reflected serious lapses in my own historical background as well as in the range of my contacts in the Czechoslovak society of the time. The selection of the subject matter was inevitably affected by the limitations on opportunities for reading, for travel, and for personal acquaintance." .Such a confession does not diminish the value for historians or students of the political tragedy which started with Munich. Nevertheless, the reader and even more the student of history has to keep in mind the author's remarks, especially with regard to Slovakia, where his contacts were not only limited but his information came mostly from people who were not free to bias against the Slovak aspirations for an equal footing with the Czech half of the country. Kennan himself admits in his despatches that Slovakia was not treated by Prague governments without discrimination and prejudice; yet he accepted in many instances the Czech views on the motives and goals of the ffiinka's Slovak Populist Party, on the autonomist movement and on the contacts of its leaders with Berlin. The Documents on German Foreign Policy 1918-1945, published in 1957 by Her Majesty's Stationery Office i11 co-operation with the United States Department of State, dis- 209 prove many of the adverse allegations about the Slovak autonomist movement; even the history books published by communist historians in the short period of liberalization in Slovakia seem to put the events of 1938-1939 and the leading personalities in a more objective historical perspective than some documents contained in this volume. It would, however, be unjust to blame Kennan because his information was gathered from people either in Prague or in Slovakia who viewed the situation from their partisan position and with the result that his report reflected their biased opinions. This valuable volume of documents and excellently written observations also suffers from another shortcoming. The author writes that the documents are source material "above all to those students of the political process who wish to examine the anatomy of an attempt by a military powerful country to dominate and control, under modern conditions, the life of a small and helpless but highly developed neighbor for whose national feelings, and claim to independence, it has only contempt." This is certainly a highly motivated purpose and no doubt the documents will be helpful in this respect. rt is, however, hard to understand why the epilogue to this book was written by Frederick G. Heymann, who left Prague in 1939, was hardly acquainted with Slovakia and her internal problems and who admits that his own immediate information at the time on which Kennan reported same from representatives of the replaced Bene§ Government and other Czech friends. In addition, Heymann admits that he stayed in Czecho-Slovakia only from 1932 to 1939 and "looked at the political �210 SLOVAKIA and socieconomic development there from the viewpoint of a newspaperman of originally German background." With all respect to Mr. Heymann, no student of Eastern European history can take this as his credentials to write an epilogue, let alone an objective epilogue to this volume. Especially acute is his biased attitude towards Slovakia which he severely condemns--not the regime exclusively which certainly deserve condemnation for some acts; furthermore, he does not even indicate that he ever liv~d in Slovakia or studied the Slovak problem. J.M. Kirschbaum David L. Hoggan: Der Erzwungene Krieg , Die Ursachen und Urheber des z. Weltkriegs, Verlag der Deutschen HochschullehrerZeitung Tubingen, 1963, bibliography, maps, photographs, pages 898. The book Der Erzurnngene Krieg (The Imposed War) by the American historian, Prof. David L. Hoggan, represents an effort to reverse the blame for the Second World War. According to his research, it was not Germany which imposed the war on other countries, but the war was imposed by other countries on Germany. The main culprit in Prof. Hoggan's opinion seems to be Poland, but other great powers share, according to him, some of the responsibility as well. The voluminous work has been written in English but only its German translation has been so far published. If we believe the assertions of Dr. Herbert Grabert, several outstanding historians and colleagues of Prof. Hoggan in the United States read the manuscript and helped the author with advice or agreed with his conclusions. He names especially Michael Karpovltch, Sidney B. Fay, William L. Langer, Rudolf Holsti, Harry Rudin, Raymond Sontag, Charles Tansill, M. K. Dziewanowski, Ralph Lutz, Henry Adams, James Martin and Richavd Jones. Each of them " contributed a lot to the work; other renowned American learned men who came with worthwhile suggestions should not be quoted by their names but their help should be gratefully acknowledged," says Dr. Grabert. The book is undoubtedly one of the most controversial works on the Second World War and it is the duty of the historians of the Second World War to come to grips with the conclusions of Prof. Hoggan. In view of his extended research and references to many works, his narrative seems to be in accordance with the facts. However unbelievable some of these conclusions may seem, Prof. Hoggan shows that he knows all the main sources and documents in English, German, French, Polish and Russian, and pays attention even to books by Czech, Rumanian and Slovak authors. This mass of documentation and references stresses the impression that the book is a scholarly serious undertaking and were it not for the many books published in the West, as well as by the Communist historians who defend quite opposite conclusions, the reader could draw the definite conclusion that the Second World War was really imposed upon the Third Reich. The author, as well as the publishers, were aware of the controversial nature of the book and mentioned that some learned societies or historians in Germany itself express views which are in complete contradiction of Prof. �SLOVAKIA Hoggan's story on the reasons which led to the Second World War. Due to lack of space, we cannot unfortunately write an extensive review or to point out areas where the book differs from the accepted opinions expressed by either American, English, German, French or Russian historians and wish simply to register the publication of this book and its controversial contents. It is also worthwhile to mention that the origins and birth of the Slovak Republic are presented in Prof. Hoggan's book in a different light than we are accustomed to in the books published in the West or in the Communist countries. Prof. Hoggan made the effort to get acquainted with books and documents published by Slovak scholars and historians abroad and did not accept the Czech version, greatly unfavorable to the Slovak people, but uncritically accepted by many renowned historians in the West and East alike. Despite the fact that this book will be opposed by many historians who are unable or unwilling to correct their views no matter how erroneous they may be, Slovaks should be pleased that the truth about Slovakia begins to penetrate Western historiography. Unfortunately, insignificant as the Slovak problem seems to be to the Great Powers, foreign historians will not deal with small problems and by opposing the main conclusions of Prof. Hoggan's book, they will indirectly oppose also his truthful presentation in minor events including the origins and existence of the Slovak Republic. A a result, we must face reality and believe that it will take a long time and many efforts on the part of Slovak scholars who live in the Western world before Slovakia is treated 211 in Western historiography without bias and is free of anti-Slovak tendencies sustained and propagated mainly by the books of Czech historians and politicians and by Communist propaganda literature. J.M. Kirschbaum TOW ARD A NEW CENTRAL EUROPE : A Symposmm on the Prob- lems of the Danubian Nations, Edited by: Francis S. Wagner, Danubian Press, Inc. Astor Park, Florida, 1970. Not only specialists but anyone interested in Eastern Europe will welcome this well documented and carefully edited symposium which reflects the view of some 30 authors on the problems of Central Europe. The book is divided into five parts and the contributors belong practically to all the peoples of the Danubian and Carpathian part of East Central Europe. Part I deals with the international relations of individual Central European peoples with the Western Powers. It also contains some basic principles for the possibility of the co-existence of nations in the Danubian and Carpathian basins. The contributions by C. A. Macartney, T. Eckhardt, and the late Wenzel Jaksch seem to be the most relevant in this part. Part II deals with federalism in Central Europe and contains views and analysis of the federalist efforts in Central Europe by some 15 authors. We can find among them not only the late Prime Minister of Czecho-Slovakia, Milan Hodza, but also the well-known supporter of Danubian Federation, F. 0. Miksche, as well as a contribution entitled : "Slovakia and the Integration Plans of Central Europe" by J . M. Kirschbaum, and a historical �212 SLOVAKIA survey of federalist movement a- Conference reads as follows: "It mong Slovaks and Czechs by Jo- is the intention of the Czecho-Sloseph Ostrovsky entitled "Czech and vak Government to create the orSlovak Statesmen in Favor of a ganization of the State by accepting as a basis of natural rights the Central European Federation." Part III deals with the national- principles applied in the constituity questions which were the main tion of the Swiss Republic, that is, problem in that part of Europe to make the Czecho-Slovak Repubfor the past 200 years. The authors, lic a sort of Switzerland," and not Alexander Gallus and Francis S. as quoted by Ostrovsky. The author Wagner, who edited this symposi- also omitted other- Slovaks who um, figure among the main con- during or after the Second World tributors to this part. As far as War advocated federalist plans in Slovakia is concerned, it is especial- Central Europe: Karol Sidor in ly the contribution by Francis S. " Gazette de Lausanne," Dr. F. Wagner "The Nationality Problem :i'.lurcansky in "Revue de droit inin Czecho-Slovakia after World tC"rnational" (Geneve, 1944), this War II" which is of interest for writer in several foreign language Slovaks. Part IV deals with econom- articles and books, etc. In 1968 ic problems, and Part V contains Czecho-Slovakia was proclaimed a federation of two Republics on maps and statistical data. October 27th in the Assembly and Even though it is impossible to following day in Bratislava, the agree with some of the views exbut with the provision that the. to belonging authors by pressed Law No. 143 will take effect on several nations, the book is a seriJanuary 1st, 1969, and not as Osous attempt to find ways for the trnvsky writes. Certain of these r.ations in Central Europe, who are omissions were unnecessary, bezone influence Soviet a now in cause he could have found a detail( except for the Austrians) to live ed survey of Slovak federalist tentheir pooling by again together dencies in my book: "Slovakiaeconomies and by assuring better Nation at the Crossroads of Central economic standards and freedom Europe" (R. Speller, Publishers, for nearly one hundred million New York, 1960). enslaved people. The academic The contributors amassed a rich value of the contributions differs from author to author but, gener- sources of bibliographical informaally, all contributions are on a high tion in several languages which level and the maps and statistical also can help to acquire a much data will be especially appreciated better and more objective view of by those who research the problems the problems in the past and the possibilities of co-operation of the of Central Eastern Europe. living between the Soviet peoples view, of point Slovak From the in J. Ostrovsky's article one can Union and Germany in the future. unfortunately, find sor:ie errors' The Magyar intellectuals who deinaccuracies and omissions. Dr. Mi~ serve recognition for publishing Ian Hodfa died in the United states this symposium came undoubtedly and not in London. The number with a good initiative to discuss cf Magyars was never one million on a broad basis the problems and in Slovakia and the exact promise ways which would lead toward a of a federal structure of Czecho- 1new Central Europe. J. M. Ki rs c h b au m Slovakia by Dr. Bene~ at the Peace �SLOVAKIA 213 Beitrage zum Deutsch-Tschechi- cide." The Czech population was schen Verhiiltnis im 19. und 20 . encouraged before Dr. Benes reJahrhundert. (Veroffentlichungen turned to Prague by his Ministers des Collegium Oarolinum) Verlag in exile: " to beat them ; kill them ; Robert Lerche (Miinchen, 1967), leave none alive," and many were pp. 178. massacred, mistreated, raped and burned alive. Hundreds of thouThis collection of lectures on the sands died on the "death march" problem of German-Czech relations or in concentration camps, accordis an attempt at presenting the ing to the published documents. problem without passion on a scholarly basis. The lectures were In spite of this, the volume under read at a conference which took r eview refrained from general acplace in Nurenberg and Salzburg cusations of the whole Czech popuin 1964, but the book was publish- lation and gives quite a sober ed only in 1967. survey of the German-Czech r elations. Also the two Czech conAmong the contributors there is tributors avoid mentioning the a Czech historian, Bohdan Chudo- massacres and plead for a sort of ba, and the former Czech diplomat, co-operation in Central Europe and Karel Lisicky. From the German reconciliation. side seven contributors deal with the problem and all seem to master Among the contributions by the Czech language which would German scholars, Dr. Kuhn's artiindicate that they were either born cle on the attitude of the Commuor studied in Czecho-Slovakia. nist Party of Czecho-Slovakia to Whoever read the documents on the Sudeten German question is the expulsion of the Sudeten Ger- one which is the most timely since mans or the book by Prof. Kurt it is the Communist government Glaser (Czecho-Slovakia-A Criti- and Moscow which can bring any cal History ) must admire the quiet change in the relations between tone and restraint with which the Germans and Czechs, and give a German authors present the Ger- new solution to the Sudeten German"Czech relations through the man problem. For specialists in centuries up to the expulsion of Eastern Europe will be, however, more than three million Sudeten of great interest also the contribuGermans from their centuries old tions by Ferdinand Seibt about the settlements in Bohemia. When Dr. social structure of the first CzechoBenes was seeking the Allied sup- Sl ovakia and Frederich Prinz's port for his plan to expel the ar ticle on Benes and the Sudeten Sudeten Germans, he emphasized Germans. E. Zajicek gives in his repeatedly that the transfers would essay some insight into the politics be carried out decently and human- of the Sudeten Germans who coly. However, when he returned operated with Prague. behind the Red Army to Slovakia All the contributions were writand Bohemia, he apparently forgot ten on the basis of good knowledge about his promises of a human solution of the Sudeten German of the literature either in the qu estion. Basing his philosophy on Czech, German or English lanthe so-called " collective guilt," Dr. guage, which enhances the value Bmes allowed the use of methods of the book. which Prof. Glaser calls "geno- I J. M . K i r s c h b a um �214 SLOVAKIA AS OTHERS SEE I commend the Slovak leaders who are sponsoring and perfecting an organization of American Slovak patriots to continue the fight to restore freedom and self-govern• ment to the Slovak Nation. I also commend those Slovak leaders who are endeavoring to unite various Slovak organizations and groups t hroughout the country and combine their efforts in a unified force for the purpose of concentrating public opinion not only in America Lut throughout the world on enslaved nations who must break the shackles of despotism as rapidly as possible and give millions an opportunity to live and enjoy the life of freedom and self-determination. The Slovak Nation historically maintains the highest spirit of friendshi·p for all humanity and at no time in history has ever encroached upon the rights and freedoms of its neighbor nations, and has always given tangible proof of its generosity and spirit of cooperation with humanity in t he hope that world peace can be a reality for all people on the globe. The Slovak World Congress could inaugurate a great educational program to apprise youth i America and throughout the world of the true facts regarding world communism from the days of Lenin down to the present year 1970. IT their people by the sword, guns, slave-labor camps, and mass murders. Education and presentation of fact on Communist enslavement to the world's uninformed are the greatest weapons democracy possesses against the destruction of the Communist menace. The free world must continue this fight. Someday this victory will be won and the Communist enslavers will become extinct. Slovakia and other captive nations will regain free and independent government. I know that the SLOVAK WORLD CONGRESS will continue its outstanding contribution to the free world's fight to exterminate international communist conspiracy and restore freedom to millions throughout the world by the reestablishment of former governments which will give freedom and liberty to their people. - Ray J . Madden, M. C. Mr. ESHLEMAN. Mr. Speaker, neither the Slovak League of A· merica nor the Congress of the United States has forgotten the brutal occupation of Slovakia by the Soviet Army in 1968. We appeal to the conscience of America, to the American people, and to the United Nations-most of all-for the withdrawal of Soviet troops from Slovak soil and for guaranteed free democratic elections under United N'cltions' control. One of my valued constituents, Mr. Joseph Pauco, is secretary of the Slovak League of America. That organization is entirely correct when they, in the proper manner, demand the right of freedom for Slovakia. - Edwin D. Eshle- The free nations have the ability, the education, the defense machinery, and the assets to curtail the further spread of the Communist menace and we must continue our fight. History has revealed over the centuries that dictators cannot stay in power long when they must rule man, M.C. �SLOVAKIA 215 The leading example of an unem- of the party presidium last month, ployed party official is, of course, Mr. Husak was in the minority of Alexander Dubcek, the party's a 7-4 vote over an analysis of the leader during the reforms. After events leading up to the Soviet dismissal earlier this year as Am- invasion. The following morning bassador to Turkey and expulsion Mr. Husak left for Moscow to refrom the party, Mr. Dubcek retired ceive Kremlin assurances of conto his Bratislava home to await tinued confidence. employment. Mr. Husak received limited SoHe turned down a fund-handling viet support earlier this fall when post with the Slovak social-security a major campaign to remove him agency for fear that it might be was disclosed through the accidentu~ed to implicate him in possible al death of one of the conspirators. misappropriation charges. He re- Jaroslav Trojan, a member of the quested instead, employment as a presidium of the Federal Assembly, forester .. . was killed as he drove his car after The makers and chief propo- a drinking session with a Soviet nents of Czecho-Slovakia's lost companion. A routine search of his liberalization take their principal desk disclosed copies of dozens of consolation from the fact that there letters by right-wing party officials have been no political trials and addressed to various Soviet leaders few Czechs or Slovaks are in jail and calling for the ouster of Mr. on political charges. But most see Husak. 110 reason to consider this state The party leader was authorized necessarily permanent. to dismiss a few of his principal It is generally believed that while opponents, notably the Czech Inthe party's First Secretary, there terior Minister, Josef Groesser, and will be no political trials because the military man in charge of Mr. Husak was himself a victim of liaison with the Soviet occupation such a trial in Stalin's day. But if tr oops, Gen. Otakar Rytar. But the Soviet Union wants trials, ac- after the general's dismissal, Moscording to this belief, it will re- cow was reported to have sent place Mr. Husak just as it ousted word that he was to be the last Mr. Dubcek last year and replaced "internationalist" ousted. him with Mr. Husak. "Internationalist" is the term for Mr. Husak, while evidently still those who accept the doctrine that the man Moscow considers best the Soviet Union has the right to able to run Czecho-Slovakia, has intervene in a socialist country for some time been under open whenever it says socialism is attack by party leaders even more threatened, such as in Czecho-SloprO-.Soviet than himself. It is as- vakia in 1968. sumed here that these leaders are Opponents of Mr. Husak are conalso operating with Soviet approval, ducting a campaign to present him presumably to keep Mr. Husak as insufficiently internationalist. At from the illusion of independent a Central Committee meeting this power. month, Vasil Bilak, a strongly proThe most determined of Mr. Hu- Soviet leader, surprisingly disclosed sak's opponents are Antonin Ka- that he had a long-missing docupek, secretary of the Prague organ- ment that would identify the ization and Alois Indra, Cetral genuine internationalists and from Committee secretary. At a meeting I which Mr. Husak's name is absent. �216 SLOVAKIA The document is the alleged 1968 letter from Czecho-Slovak leaders to the Soviet Union inviting the Warsaw Pact intervention. The letter was mentioned by Moscow immediately after the invasion but has never been produced nor all its signers disclosed. Mr. Bilak listed about 40 signers, including himself, Mr. Kapek and Mr. Indra. - The New York Times, December 22, 1970. George Blanda, the 43-year-old grey-beard sub quarterback and kicking specialist of the Oakland Raiders football team whose lastgasp heroics gave new hope to the middle-aged, has been named Male Athlete of the Year by the Associated Press. The ageless marvel of the gridiron, who excelled in a tough contact sport competing against athletes half his age, beat out a glittering array of stars in assorted sports in the year-end poll of sports writers and broadcasters. Blanda received 332 votes compared with 246 for Bobby Orr, defenseman of the Boston Bruins hockey team who was runner-up, and 224 for Johnny Bench, slugging catcher of the Cincinnati Reds' baseball team who was a close third . - Associated Press. (Blanda i:; of Slovak ancestry.) I could not condemn the Hungarians or the Czechs and Slovaks, for example, if they were able to launch an effort in this country to turn our eyes toward the danger of the new isolationism. - Frank Morris. The Wanderer, St. Paul, Minn. , September 24, 1970. Those who have known nothing but freedom seldom are capable of appreciating the single majesty of that which they have: the privilege nf aff!'rfing their own destiny. But ask any Czech or Slovak, who has had liberty and then lost it, what it means to be free. Such men know, and in them the dream never dies. - Smith Hempstone. The Phil.adeiphia Inquirer, November 1, 1970. Slovak police recently made a series of raids on government stores and found that one-third were overcharging by as much as 50 per cent on scarce goods. Forty thousand dollars worth of goods were found hidden for customers with extra money. - Donald R. Shanor. Chicago Daily News. December 26, 1970. .Slovak youth stubbornly clings to its anti-Soviet feelings and looks upon the presence of Soviet troops in Czecho-Slovakia as the greatest injustice and offense. This is the conclusion of Ondrej Pavlik, a member of the Slovak Academy of Science. Pavlik gave an account-in the official organ of the Ministry of Education-of an investigation carried out among students in secondary sohools in all parts of Slovakia. In the course of the research more than 2000 questionnaires were collected from students and 400 from teachers. The replies were anonymous. Pertinent portions of Pavlik's report follow : "The entry of Soviet troops in our country and their stationing here still occupy a dominant position in the minds of our students. "The ..Soviet presence in our country is considered by students as a grave act of injustice and a sufficient reason to feel angry at the Soviet Union. "Another source of anti-Sovietism among our youth is our trade relation with the Soviet Union and other Communist countries. The �SLOVAKIA arguments of ota Sik, economic expert during the Dubcek era are still accepted as valid by our you•th. 'There is much confusion in the minds of our students about modern capitalism. The students' arguments are seldom political but chiefly of economic nature. "The survey revealed a strikingly high degree of religious beliefs, especially among girls in all secondary schools of Slovakia. In most cases the influence of the school in political-ideological questions is weak, very weak indeed. "Too many teachers concentrate on their particular subject, or pretend they do and do not concern themselves with ideological education; they regard ideological educational work with disdain. "The investigation revealed that students seldom ask their teachers ideological questions for fears of embarrassing the teachers. There is a kind of tacit agreement between students and teachers: 'you say what you want and we think what we want.'" "A considerate proportion of the youth questioned have expressed confidence in the person of Gustav Husak, present leader of the Czecho-Slovak Communist Party, even though such students remain highly critical of the Soviets. "The reduced emphasis put on atheistic education is chiefly responsible for the growing influence of the Church among Slovak yeuth." - Theodore Andrica. Cleveland Press Vienna Bureau. I went behind the Iron Curtain. For so many years I have read a lot of reports concerning communism and many times I often wondered how much of the horror that I have read about is true. So many times I wondered, as I think most Americans have, is commu- 217 nism as bad as my government has told me? Although my trip to Slovakia was short, I can tell you that communism is horrible. I flew from Zurich, Switzerland to Vienna, Austria. In Austria, part of our free world, I rented a car and drove to Slovakia. The entry point was Bratislava. Trying desperately to find my way through the chopped up, beaten, narrow streets of the city, I stopped at a little store to try to get directions to the institute. A woman about 60 years old attending this store, which had nothing but barren shelves and some old clothing, was very secretly hanging a Christmas tree ball in the far end of the store. What she was trying to do was add some Christmas to her store which was something she enjoyed as a young woman. Any display, religious or nationalistic, is absolutely forbidden. A prison sentence is imposed. As I drove through Bratislava, there were uniformed soldiers and police with machine guns. Their purpose was to contain the Slovak people so they could not revolt or could not escape the country. Obviously, the people knew that I was American by the way I was dressed and also the license plates on the automobile were that of the fre e world. A Slovak friend told me how communism begins to infect people and countries. He told me that if you read the Communist doctrine, it sounds glorious but impossible to work. He told me that communism in Russia itself is a complete failure and certainly was a failure in Czecho-Slovakia. So much so that it is necessary in Russia and in Czecho-Slovakia to contain the people by machine guns. He talked of America's greatness, and said that one of the great �218 SLOVAKIA things about America was our free enterprise system. People are individualistic, people want to progress in their life. If a man does more, he is entitled to more. If a man has greater ability, he is entitled to advance. Under the Communist system no such thing exists. There is no individual compensation for doing more or knowing more. He urged me to make known what I saw so that people here would know the true horrors of communism. The lack of sufficient food and clothing. The government regulating their lives. You can't buy a pair of shoes unless the government authorizes you to purchase them. You can't buy a suit unless the government approves the purchase of a suit. There is something that resembles TV with one channel. This goes on about 7 o'clock at night and it is turned off aproximately at 9. Half of the time is devoted to government propaganda. When the Russians came into Czecho-Slovakia, they did so because Czech and Slovak peoples were desirous of developing a free enterprise system so that people could work and get paid fairly for their day's labor, so that they could trade and associate more closely with the free world. The Russians invaded CzechoSlovakia. As Communists do they raped the nation, they pulled out all of the machinery in their factories, they even tore out street lights and took them into Russia. The Slovak people told me that the Russian soldiers did not have a watch on their wrist and in order to get a watch they pulled it off the arm of the Slovak people. They also touched on the intrusion of their homes and the raping of their wives and daughters, which is again a typical Communist and Nazi type of thing. He begged me to tell people how truly horrible communism is. It is very difficult for me to tell you how bad I really think it is. The Communists are told that soon America will convert to communism. This man told me this is difficult to believe. He said why would anybody want communism when you have such a wonderful system. I told him that the propaganda he was hearing was untrue, that there are some people, who believe communism is good, but unfortunately they have not seen what I have seen. He warned me to beware of what I say. Under Communism we don't know who will report us. If you say something to offend the system you could very easily be thrown in prison, in fact, they are looking just for that. - American Tourist. The Evening News , Harrisburg, Pa., December 26, 1970. The Christmas holiday for Czecho-Slovakia ended abruptly in a working Sunday. Factories, stores and shops were open, and traffic appeared about as heavy as on a weekday. Officially it was a week dayThursday, to be exact. The government decreed that it took the place of last Thursday, Christmas Eve, on the economic schedule, with all normal Thursday services supposed to be operating. Thursday had been designated a Saturday, meaning half-day shopping and offices closed. The calender confusion continues with Monday designated a Wednesday for work and organizational purposes. Tuesday is Tuesday but you're wrong if you think it will be followed by Wednesday. Wednesday, Dec. 30, has been designated a Friday, meaning extra �SLOVAKIA long business hours, because the real Friday, Jan. 1, is a holiday. Next Saturday, Jan. 2. has been designated a Sunday and Sunday, Jan. 3, a Monday. Finally, on Monday, January 4, normality of sorts returns-if two Mondays in one week can be conAssociated sidered normal. Press. The federal status of Czechia, Moravia and Slovakia has been replaced by strict Prague centralism, much to the embarrassment of Gustav Husak, the Communist Party's first secretary. As a Slovak nationalist, Husak spent years in jail during the Novotny regime. Theodore Andrica, cievel,and Press Vienna Bureau. Shortly after President Richard ~ixon's inaguaration in 1968 it was reported from Washington that Dr. Walter R. Tkach, an American of Slovak descent, and a long-time friend, serving as a colonel with the U.S. Air Force Medical Corps, wa!:' recalled from Vietnam to be chief medical advisor to the President. 219 ing called to serve as the White House physician. It is not generally known, but the White House is equipped with an ultra modern medical clinic which is at the service of Mr. Nixon, his family, and the White House staff. More complete facilities are available at nearby Bethesda Naval Hospital, Walter Reed Army Hospital and AFB with attending specialists. The White House clinic is staffed by seven people, three of whom are doctors. Whenever the president leaves the White House, even though it might be only a few feet away, he is always accompanied by a doctor. Dr. Tkach first became aquainted with Mr. Nixon 17 years ago when hi:! served as our country's vicepresident. Dr. Tkach at the time waE an assistant on President Eisenhower's medical staff in the White House. He accompanied the vice-president as his medical advisor during his historic trip to Russia, and on other travels had an opportunity to meet with fa. mous world personages like Nehru of India and Hirohito of Japan . . . The President's regimen under the close watch of Dr. Tkach seems to be working for him. Just recently Mr. Nixon remarked that he could not recall ever having had headache, the physical kind of ! course Dr. Tkach was graduated from Dr. Tkach is a strong advocate Penn State College where he attained a Bachelor of Science in of military service. He feels that Chemistry, and embarked on an military service affords young phyAir Force career after graduation sicians unlimited opportunities, and from medical school in 1945. He recommends that they consider served in Japan 1946-1948. Since military careers, particularly in the that time he had tours of duty at Air Force. - ,Dr. S. J . metko, various military medical schools, National Slovak Society Almanac, clinics and institutions, before be• Pittsburgh, Pa. About a year later Dr. Tkach, a 52-year old native of Monongahela, Pa., a suburb of Pittsburgh (his wife Helen, also hails from the same town), was promoted to the rank of Brigadier General. �220 SLOVAKLA The last remammg clause of Alexander Dubcek's short lived "action program" is crumbling. That clause is the one that instituted a Czecho-,Slovak "federation" - a move that gave Slovakia, for the first time, more or less equal status with the more educated, industrialized, prosperous and powerful Czech lands. state bank, fuel and power engineering, transport and communications have all been recentralized in Prague. New national ministers have been appointed and the Czech and Slovak ministries closed. Even the secret police are to be controlled from the center again. Husak, in a speech last month, pledged that the federation itself Dubcek, a Slovak, included the would last, but said certain minor federation in the action program shortcomings had to be solved. The he introduced on April 9, 1968, at new laws were the result. a time when his now discredited To add insult to injury, both the liberalization was at its height. The Czech and Slovak governments had action program also provided a to apprnve emasculation of their range of civil rights-freedoms of own powers. speech, assembly and the press, A constitutional court was to secret elections, freedom to travel have been set up arbitrate disputes -that disappeared within a year between the two halves of Czechoof the Soviet led invasion. Slovakia and the national governBut Dubcek's successor Commu- ment. As far as is known the court nist Party First Secretary Gustav does not exist. Instead, the Prague Husak, also a Slovak, and there go'llernment has been authorized to were hopes that he would keep the handle such disputes-making it federation plan which was enor- both prosecutor and judge. mously popular in Slovakia. F'rom the Slovaks' point of view, It's likely to remain, at least on possibly the worst development paper, for some time. But a series was the new power of the central of measures taken over the Christgovernment to allocate investments mas holidays have reduced it to in Slovakia or Czech lands. For an empty shell. decades under communism and Through government decrees and before communism- Prague shortparliamentary moves, the regime changed the Slovaks in investment has all but eliminated Slovakia's and industry, keeping the area autonomy in economics and put permanently depressed. The record its economy back under central of the prewar Benes-Masaryk govcontrol from Prague - a Czech ernment was no better than the city. postwar Communist regime. Under federation, separate Czech After the action program, Slovaks and Slovak passports were issued. hoped the age old imbalance would The new law erases this and re- end. That hope now is dying. introduces Czecho-Slovak citizen- Richard C. Longworth of United ship. Press International, February 25, Foreign currency control, the 1971. �SLOVAKIA 221 Our Contributors Edw ard J. Behuncik, Attorney-at-Law, Stratford, Conn. J. M . Kirschbaum , LL.D ., Ph;D ., professor, historian, author, Toronto, Ontario Sister M. Delphina, SS.C.M ., teacher, Danville, Pa. Edw ard A . Tuleya , M . A ., Associate Professor, History Department, Millersville State College, Millersville, Pa. Joseph J. Krajsa, B.A., Bethany College, W. Va. Joseph Hradnansky, Ph.-D ., Associate Professor, Indiana University of · Pennsylvania; Instructor, University of Pittsburgh. Francis Vnuk, M.A ., Professor, Institute of Technology; historian, Ade: laide, Australia_ �222 SLOVAKIA Contents Slovak World Congress - Edward J. Behuncik - Stephen B. Roman-Slovak Tycoon Political Views of nudovit Stur - 3 J. M. Kirschbaum - Sister M. Delphina Opet - 7 20 The Assimilation Process of American Slovaks-J. M. Kirschbaum, Ph.D -79 The Slovak National Awakening - Edward A. Tuleya - The Emergence of the Slovak State - 85 Daniel F . Tanzone - 109 General Mil.an Rastislav Stefanik and the Movement for Czecho-Slovak Independence - Mary Ann Kadera - 124 Sviitopluk: Political Opportunist or National Hero? - - Mary Susan Sabol 134 Slovaks - Joseph John Krajsa - 145 Bratislava: Ancient Slovak Cultural Center - Dr. Joseph Hradnansky -164 The 15th Anniversary of the Untimely Death of Prof. Francis Hrusovsky - J . M. Kirschbaum, Ph.D. - Karol Sidor - F. Vnuk - 175 180 Current Issues (Proclamation of the 42nd Congress of the Slovak League of America. - Slovak World Congress.) - 189 Comments (Sixtieth Anniversary of the Poet Jan Doransky. - Great Distinction for Slovak Poet Karol Strmen. - A Letter of Prof J. M. Kirschbaum to the Polish Monthly Kultura.) - 195 Book Reviews (J. M. Kirschbaum: New Collection of Slovak Emigre Poetry. - Two Foreign Language Collections of Slovak Poetry. Dr. Heinrich Kuhn : Bibliographishes Handbuch der Tschechoslowakei. - Books on Dubcek and Slovakia. - David L. Hoggan: Der Erzwungene Krieg. - Toward a New Central Europe. - Beitrage zum Deutsch-Tschechischen Verhaltnis im 19. und 20. Jahrhundert.) - 202 As Others See It - 214 �SLOVAKIA 223 SLOVAK LEAGUE OF AMERICA - supports freedom and independence of Slovakia; - promotes a better understanding and appreciation of the Slovak nation, its history, culture, traditions, and desires ; - makes America better known to Slovakia and Slovakia better known to America in the interest of world peace, freedom and security; - has a scholarship program for college and university students; - promotes cooperation among all American-Slovak organizations and publications for the promulgations of Slovak ethnic heritage. - is a charter member of the Slovak World Congress. Life membership: $100.00 For further information, write to: Slovak League of America 313 Ridge Avenue Middletown, Pa. 17057 ��PRI NTI D IN U.S. A. JIDN OTA PlllN TER Y, MID DLli TOW N, PA. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource 1971, Vol. 21 Description An account of the resource Vol. 21 (No. 44), 1971. Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available The Slovak League of America Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1971 Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document SLOVAKIA 189 CURRENT ISSUES Proclamation of the 42nd Congress of the Slovak League of America At Wilkes-Barre, Pa. Solemnly convened in Congress, the officers and delegates of the Slovak League of America formally decla·r e that: 1. We rededica,te ourselves and our membership to the preserva,l!ion of the basic moral principles set forth in the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights of the United Staites o·f America and the United Naitions organization. 2. In light of the above, we request our member organizations and the memberships to solicit their lo<:al, state and federal officials for assistance needed to reestablish Slovakia as a democratic state in a free Central Europe. 3. Fwrther we ask all our fellow citizens to likewise rededicate themselves to the great challenge and opportunities confronting all decent God fearing people in this period of violence, hatred and abuse of lawful authority; for, without a concerted effort by the silent majority, we could easily lose the God given rights and freedoms which we here enjoy, and which are presently non-existent in Slovakia and other nations with age old Christian cultures and traditions, and to insure tile continued safeguarding of these precious rights and gifts, as loyal citizens, we put our trust in and support the dedicated efforts of our President, Richard M. Nix·on, to end the Indochina War, to establish an honorable peace and to restore domestic tranquility. In witness whereof, we have caused these sentiments to be published this 24th day of May, 1970. Edward J. Behuncik, President Joseph Pauco, Secretary 190 SLOVAKIA Slovak World Congress (Mr. TAFT asked and was given permission-June 30, 1970-to address the House of Representatives for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks and include extraneous matter.) Mr. TAFT. Mr. Speaker, last week the American Slovak fraternal and religious organizations were participating in the First Slovak World Congress which was held in New York City at the Americana Hotel. I had both the honor and the pleasure to be one of their guests at the banquet, Sunday, June 21, together with my colleagues from the Congress-Ray J. Madden, Paul Findley, Michael A. Feighan, William E. Minshall, and John M. Murphy. Congressman Joseph M. Gaydos, himself of Slovak origin, was unfortunately in hospital at the time and missed this worthy event. Ambassador Nguyen Huu Chi, permanent observer to the United Nations, was also present. Representatives of other American nationalities were also present. Senator John G. Tower, an outstanding American and an eloquent speaker, gave the keynote address. It was a fine speech and the assembled were unanimous in their praise of Senator Tower's presentation and knowledge of history. Among the many delegates from the free world, including from Australia, Latin America, Europe, and Canada, who attended the sessions were also three bishops, Andrew G. Grutka of Gary, Ind., the honorary chairman of the congress; Michael Rusnak of Toronto, and Paul Hnilica of Rome, Italy. Stephen B. Roman, the internationally known industrialist from Canada, chaired the proceedings of the congress with Bishop Grutka. Mr. Roman was elected the chairman of the Slovak World Congress for 1970-71. The major organizations from the United States participating in the congress included the National Slovak Society, presided by John Pankuch, the Slovak Catholic Union, presided by John A. Sabol, the Catholic Sokol, presided by Paul Fallat, Slovak League of America, by Edward Behuncik. SLOVAKIA 191 Feeling certain that many other heritage groups in our great country will find gems of hope for their own ideals, I include Senator Tower's introduction and speech in the Record at this point: Introduction of Key Speaker (By Joseph Krajsa, editor of the largest fraternal American Slovak newspaper) When you think of Texas you immediately think of something big. And President Nixon has sent someone Big to extend official greetings to the Slovak World Congress. The distinguished United States Senator from Texas, Senator Tower, known as a Progressive-Conservative, is a close advisor to President Nixon and serves on three major committees-Armed Services, Banking and Currency, and the Joint Committee on Defense Production. He has spent more time with our commanders and troops in Southwest Asia than any other member of the Senate. The Senator is an internationally known leader and has been distinguished as a gentleman of dedicated zeal. All of you present here today have displayed a zeal for an ideal. We are fortunate that our distinguished American, Senator Tower, shares our zeal. His presence here during his busy congressional session proves his interest in the Slovak cause, a cause so common to all separate ethnic cultures. His massage will be rewarding to all nationality groups, but especially to the Slovak delegates here assembled from all over the free world. And yes, Senator, to the thousands of Slovak Americans living in Texas, too. It has been said that one day the world will be reformed, but not by reformers, but as a result of a zeal for an ideal that is burning in the hearts of dedicated men. Ladies, and gentlemen, it is my pleasure to present to you an inter• nationally known gentleman, our guest to honor, a public servant of dedicated zeal, our distinguished United States Senator from the State of Texas, the Honorable John G. Tower. Thank you for that very fine introduction. Mr. President, Your Excellencies, Reverend clergy, Mr. Ambassador, my distinguished colleagues in the Congress, ladies and gentlemen. 192 SLOVAKIA It certainly is a great pleasure to be here today. It's extremely difficult for me to undertake to address you as the final speaker on the program. I have listened with great interest to all that has been said, but have not understood it all, since I don't speak Slovak. And so I am reasonably sure that Steve Roman has probably made my speech. But I'll find out afterwards. I think that this is a great and significant moment that you meet here in your first World Congress. I think it is always inspiring when like-minded people get together for a noble common cause. You are Slovaks and I am an Anglo-Saxon. But we are all childred of God. And as such, we are enjoined to stand fast in the liberty with Christ who set us free. We are all of one family. And we are our brothers in the common cause to try to achieve in this world, and in that which God intends, freedom for all mankind. There are those in this world today who I think are ready to give up in the struggle against totalitarianism. I am so happy to note that you people are not among them. There are many in our country who have never felt the lash of communist imperialism. Because Karl Marx stated things in lofty terms, in terms of thinking what he considered to be human objectives, they think perhaps that system is not so bad after all. I wish every American could have shared the experiences many of you had, who have lived under communist totalitarianism to understand what it is all about. I have never lived in a totalitarian system, but I've been in places in this world where I've seen the stultifying and inhuman effects of the communist drive for world aggrandizement. As it has been noted, I have been in Vietnam several times. I returned from there, most recently, several weeks ago. Two weeks ago, today, I was sludging around on the battlefield in Cambodia. Today I'm glad to report to you that we are achieving our objectives in Vietnam. We can measure our achievement in several ways. We have reduced the capacity of the enemy to wage massive forces against us. We have improved the fighting qualities of the army of South Vietnam. And I can tell you that Army, and indeed all the Armed Forces of South Vietnam performed SLOVAKIA 193 in a most professional, courageous and effective manner in the recent and current operations in Cambodia. And, I am given to understand by the military commanders, that this will hasten the day when we can bring our boys back home. But I think the most important reason, and underlying everything, is the fact that now most of the Vietnamese people have had some experience with Communism. They may not understand democracy, as you and I understand it. They may not understand all of the responsibilities of self-government, as you and I understand it. Those who have lived under the Viet Cong, and under the heel of North Vietnamese military have made a decision, that they would rather be with us. I think that the only way we can fail to accomplish our objectives, in trying to combat communist aggression in Southeast Asia, is for the people here at home to throw in the towel. I do not think we can lose the war in Southeast Asia if we can maintain our presence there. I know I didn't have to convince you about our responsibilities in the world. You know what Communism has done to Eastern Europe and what America must do to maintain her own security. You know the reason why. It's the same reason that we fight today in South Vietnam because Communist aggressor powers seek to expand their realm by force. There are so many naive people, unfortunately, too many of them on the college faculties of this country, who hold that there is no danger from Communist aggression. I imagine that the people in Czecho-Slovakia can say a word or two on that score. And I wish that they who have fled from the Russian tanks and tbe Russian machine guns could be on the college faculties so that our youth can get a better impression of what Communism is really like. How can we believe that there is no danger? There are those who try to impose a sense of guilt on the people of the United States for the arms race. We didn't start the arms race! It was not the U.S. which continued to maintain its poverful military force immediately following World War II. We demobilized. It was not the U.S. that swallowed-up the Eastern European countries with the use of military force. It was not the U.S. who sealed off Berlin. It-was not the U.S. who invaded 194 SLOVAKIA South Korea. And, in the past few years, from the point of strategic technology, the Russians have been developing their military potential at a much greater rate than we have. I submit to you that there is a clear and present danger which you well know. And I am not speaking so much to you, as I am through you, to a lot of people who are not in this room. But who should understand that this nation must maintain a posture of military superiority, not inferiority. Not parity, but superiority! Because if we fail to maintain it, my friends, there will be no hope for the Slovaks, nor for the millions of others to ever aspire to freedom and selfdetermination and have any reasonable hope of realizing it. Does anyone believe that if the Soviets achieve strategic military superiority they will not use it to blackmail the rest of the world into going along their way. And you know what their way is. My friends, we are going to be in grave trouble by the end of this decade, or perhaps even before, if we don't recognize this fact. I don't believe that we, Americans, can retreat to "fortress America" and hope to survive as a great nation ourselves. Even if we made our country impregnable; if we withdrew from the world, other nations would have to make their own accommodations with the Soviets. Then we will find ourselves in grave economic difficulties in a few years hence, because we are not a self-sufficient nation. We depend on sources and resources from other parts of the world. So, our capacity to progress as free people in the free enterprise system is involved here. But beyond that the mantle of world leadership has fallen on our shoulde11s whether we like it or not. We certainly are our brothers keepers! If we, as a Judeo-Christian society don't believe that then we have lost sight of the basic tenet. We are our brothers keepers, and have a responsibility to try and maintain a secure world in which Slovaks and all others, can aspire to freedom and hope ultimately to achieve it. I'm pleased to bring you greetings from the White House. I'm also pleased to observe that you are willing to make common cause with all others, to combat the great Communist menace. There can be no freedom where Russian tanks, Russian soldiers occupy soil. There is no SLOVAKIA 195 freedom in such territory anyplace. Ultimately, I think that all societies in this world can aspire to the kind of progress we in the U.S. and Canada have enjoyed through the free enterprise system. In the final analysis, when man becomes totally dependent upon the State, he losses his freedom. The right of man to own and do with his property what he considers best to him and his environment is a ba:sic right and the major factor which prevents his being reduced to meek dependency on the State. I commend you for what you are doing. I wish you well. Know that you are not alone, that there will be those of us who although are not Slovak, will be at your side. God speed! COMMENTS SIXTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF THE POET JAN DORANSKY Among Slovak poets and writers in exile whom we considered in 1945 as the "young generation," there are several who are approaching their venerable age of 60 years. In 1971, we should not bypass in silence the 60th birthday of one of them-Jan Doransky, born on May 28, 1911, in Trstena. Coming from a part of Slovakia which gave to Slovak literature and public life many outstanding poets and novelists, Jan Doransky inherited a love for literature and began to write in his early youth, first for student's periodicals, later for literary and cultural monthlies. Afte·r finishing his secondary education, he studied law at the University of Bratislava and practiced as a notary in various parts of Slovakia. The outbreak of the Second World War interrupted his civilian life. Being, however, known at that time as a poet and writer, he was retained in the Department for cultural affairs at the Ministry of National Defense. When the Russian armies overran Slovakia, Doransky with thousands of other Slovak intellectuals left with his family for the West. After spending two years in Austria and two years in Rome, he landed in Canada 196 SLOVAKIA in 1949 and has lived in Montreal for the past eighteen years. Doransky is a poet of considerable versatility, and besides many lyrical verses and patriotic poems, he wrote in Canada a drama called Stard mat', neopust'aj nds (Grandmother do not leave us alone), successfully played by Slovak groups across Canada. The play was originally published in Kanadsky Slovak and later in 1953 in book form. Before coming to Canada, Doransky had published in 1939 a play called Novou cestou (On a new path) and in 1943 a collection of satirical verses Slepi pasazieri (Blind passengers). In Slovakia as well as in Canada, his poetry was published in various anthologies : Pred ohnivym drakom (1939), Vo vyhnanstve (1947), Zdravica sv. Cyrilovi a Metodovi (1963); in literary periodicals (Kultura, Most) and in almanacs. In recent years his epigrams published either in the quarterly Most or in newspapers and almanacs became preferred reading among Slovak intelligentsia in the free world. Besides poetry, Doransky wrote a number of short novels and other prose contributions for periodicals (Oral Tatransky, Svojet', Kultura) under the pen-name Hamernik and for the Slovak almanacs and newspapers in Canada and the United States under the name J. D. Oravec. Doransky's literary production is extensive and only the difficulties which a poet or a writer has to overcome in exile, prevented him from publishing his writings in book form. At his 60th birthday, two or three collections of lyrical verses, one collection of short novels and three collections_ of epigrams and satire are among his manuscripts awaiting more favorable circumstances for publication. All who like his poetry and his excellent epigrams called by him "Jedorasty", cannot but wish him that he may live to see not only his manuscripts published but also go back to a free and independent Slovakia for which he fought and to which he dedicated his life and his talent. Ad multos annos! J. M . Ki rs c h b au m SLOVAKIA 197 GREAT DISTINCTION FOR SLOVAK POET KAROL STRMEN Slovak emigre poetry has given to Slovak literature not only its share of excellent original works which echo the great poets of Western nations, but also a new dimension in masterful translations from several world literatures. Recently Slovak literature achieved recognition in this field from the excellent work in scholarship and poetry of one of the most gifted Slovak poets, Prof. Karol Strmen. On October 28, 1970, during the meeting of the Association of American Teachers of French, held in New Orleans, the cultural attache of the French Embassy in Washington presented Prof. Strmen, on behalf of the Government of France, with the Medal of the Knight of Academic Palms. No doubt it has been a deserved distinction, and Slovak literary community abroad is rightly proud of it. Karol Strmen (born in 1921), by vocation university professor of Romance literature, enriched Slovak poetry by translations from several World literatures as well as by his own poetic works. Belonging to the "Catholic Moderna" but following his own literary path, Strmen impressed literary critics and readers almost unanimously as a gifted and mature poet from the time he published his first verses in the prestigous literary monthly Slovenske Pohl'ady, and his first two collections of verses Vyzinok zivota (Harvest of Life) (1940), and Testament (1945) . Attracted by French, Spanish, German and Italian poets, whose works he was masterfully translating during the past two decades, Strmen deviated from the main stream of Slovak emigre poetry as indicate his two collections of verses Striebornd Legenda (The Silver Legend) (1950), and Cakaju nivy jar (Meadows are Expecting Spring) (1963), and his contributions to literary journals and newspapers. His poetry is rather for the cultivated than for the average readers and the traditional and national values are less visible in his poetry than in the poetry of other Slovak emigre poets. Among Strmen's early translations is an anthology 198 SLOVAKIA from the poetry of Michael Eminescu, R. M. Rilke, the wellknown poem by Edgar Allan Poe "Raven" and several poems by Dante. His translating activity increased during the years of his exile to a degree unequalled by any other Slovak poet or writer. He continued to translate from practically all Romance languages as well as from German and English. Among the main translations are Robert Browning's Portuguese Sonnets (1947), Paul Claudel's Via Crucis (1954) and Dante's Inferno (1963 ) . In manuscript form he has Shakespeare's dramas. Slovak literary journals like Most, Literdrny Almanach Slovdka v Amerike, and other Slovak annuals have published regularly his translations from many literatures. His master work in translated poems is, according to literary critics, Dante's Inferno, published in a highly elaborate volume also from the printing point of view. It was, however, Paul Claude!, whose work he liked best and on whom he wrote his doctoral dissertation. Strmen who originally intended to study theology, translated also the New Testament and other religious books, hymns and psalms. Together with sprinc he deserves credit for many cultural activities which developed among Slovaks in exile since the end of the Second World War. Like Sprinc he left home for the United States and in 1949 settled in Cleveland. He is a member of several learned societies, of the Slovak Institute, Slovak Association of Writers and Artists, etc. Even though many of his poems reflect his strong patriotic feelings and aversion to communism before which he fled in 1945, Strmen was among the few emigre poets and writers whose verses pierced the Iron Curtain and were published in 1968 thaw in Slovakia. Slovak emigre writers and poets congratulate their distinguished colleague. J. M. Kirschbaum . . . The Polish monthly Kultura, which is published in Paris by the intellectuals who either did not return to Poland after the Second World War, or escaped the Communist tyranny, dedicated a special issue to the upheavals SLOVAKIA 199 in Czecho-Slovakia. Unfortunately the presentation of the events which led to the liberalization and de-Stalinization movement seems to be strongly influenced by Czech propaganda or insufficient knowledge of the situation in Slovakia, as well as of the role which Slovaks played in changing the Stalinist system and giving "a human face to socialism." Prof. J.M. Kirschbaum who has many friends among Polish intellectuals and has been known for his positive attitude towards Poland since the time of his studies in Warsaw and Cracow, wrote to the editor of Kultura a let.t er but he never received an answer to his friendly remarks. As a result, we decided to publish the letter as a document to record that we were not silent when the presentation of historical events, in which the Slovaks played an important role, has been distorted. Mr. Jerzy Giedroyc, Editor: Kultura, 91 Avenue de Poissy, Paris, France. Dear Sir: I have read with great interest your special issue dedicated to Czecho-Slovakia. As a representative of that group of Slovak political exiles who always stood for a close friendship with Poland, I feel obliged to write a few comments on that issue, especially with regard to the view that the movement for liberalization and democratization stemmed from the Hussite traditions. There is a number of good studies in the West by AngloSaxon and French political writers who analyzed the policy of Czecho-Slovakia during the period of the so-called de-Stalinization and none of them came to a similar conclusion. Only a few journalists stationed in Prague during the summer of 1968 accepted, for reasons which I will mention later, the Czech view that the liberalization movement was due to their national traditions. Books and studies by Western experts in Eastern Europe, like Prof. Skilling, Ph. E. Mosley, W. E. Griffith, Kertesz and even Duchacek, indicate that the Czech part 200 SLOVAKIA of the population of Czecho-Slovakia were lethargic and did not come until 1968 with any noteworthy opposition to the Stalinist regime of Antonin Novotny. Two Czech writers in Griffith's symposium even accuse their compatriots of fully supporting that regime after the upheavals in Hungary and Poland or later when the Slovak intellectuals began to attack the Stalinist dictatorship. (See Canadian Slavonic Papers, Vol. X, 4, 1968.) I think it can be objectively established that the movement for liberalization and democratization not only started in Slovakia, but also was carried on mainly by the Slovak intellectuals. One of the contributors to your special issue on Czecho-Slovakia, P. Carnogursky, pointed to this fact, but did not develop his thesis by giving names and data. In all serious studies in the West it has been accepted that the beginning of the de-Stalinization was a Congress of Slovak writers in May 1963 and a following Congress of Slovak journalists. Actually, Slovak writers attacked the Novotny regime and its Stalinist form and tactics in 1956 and the crimes and methods of that regime were described in a book by Ladislav Mnacko : "Belated Reportages." The Slovak review "Kulturny zivot," then systematically attacked and criticized the regime, asking for a change towards more freedom and more human methods. After 1963, the Slovak intellectuals, among them also several intellectuals of Jewish origin (G. Husak, L. Novomesky, M. Hysko, V. Mihalik, L. Kalisky, E. Lobl, E. Goldstticker, Spitzer ), began an organized struggle for more freedom, justice and democracy. They created a sort of brain trust, behind Alexander Dubcek, who became the embodiment and leader of this movement. The reasons behind the fact that the movement started in Slovakia, can be found in the harsh treatment of Slovakia by the Prague Government under Gottwald and mainly under Novotny. In the purges organized by Prague was eliminated not only Dr. Vlado Clementis, the ideological leader of communism in Slovakia, who died on the gallows, but soon after him all the influential and educated communist leaders branded as bourgeois nationalists. Slovakia SLOVAKIA 201 was submerged in terror, persecution, de-nationalization and an economic crisis, which was created intentionally by the Government of Prague. President Novotny also hurt the pride and feelings of the Slovak population and, therefore, in the 1960's the outrage was general in Slovakia. When the "bourgeois nationalists" were freed from prisons and rehabilitated, they began to speak about the horrors of their investigations and imprisonment and this gave the impulse to the writers and to the intellectuals, who previously sided with Novotny for an attack on Novotny's regime, because in the purges of the 1950's, mainly Slovaks and Jews became the victims of the furor of the Prague Government. In the Czech part of the country the intellectuals did not feel the terror with such intensity and, therefore, they joined only slowly and individually the movement for democratization and de-Stalinization. As a result, the movement was headed not only by Dubcek but also by Goldsti.icker, Lobl, and many others, all from Slovakia. Should your Revue be interested in a more detailed analysis of this period and should more arguments be required to support my statement that not the Hussite traditions or Czech attachment to democracy were the moving force in the upheavals of 1968 in Czecho-Slovakia, but the Slovak nationalism and striving of Slovaks and some good Czechs for freedom and a more human life, I would be only too glad to send to you a documented study on this subject. Yours very truly, Prof. J. M . Ki rs c h b au m " . THE SLOVAK LEAGUE OF AMERICA represents an overwhelming majority of organized Americans of Slovak descent; actively affiliated with it are the large3t Slovak fraternals, religious organizations, Slovak Clubs and Slovak civic organizations in the United States . . . . THE SLOVAK LEAGUE OF AMERICA is an AMERICAN INSTITUTION; it was organized May 26, 1907, at Cleveland, 0., by the Rev. Stephen Furdek. 202 SLOVAKIA BOOK REVIEWS NEW COLLECTION OF SLOVAK EMIGRE POETRY Jan Okal', Voda a vino (Water and Wine, United States 1970) , pp. 70. Eugen Vesnin, Aj v etrurskych zahradach (Also in the Gardens of Etruria, Buenos Aires, 1970). Rome, as the first free refuge of many Slovak intellectuals, inspired several Slovak ,poets and writers who created during the past quarter of a century literary works of high standards. Among them was not only J. C. Hronsky, R. Dilong, M. Sprinc, and K. Strmen, but also Jan Okal' and Eugen Vesnin. All of them reacted to the beauty of the Eternal city in prose or verse and enriched Slovak emigre literature by several volumes. The above volumes by Jan Okal' and Eugen Vesnin attest to the creative inspiration of Rome and Italy. Jan Okal' (born in 1915) published his first verses in Slovakia during the War in two collections Nehnem sa (I do not move, 1942) and L!ubost' (Love, 1944). He also profusely contributed to Slovak periodicals, wrote short stories for children and translated from Ukrainian literature. It was, however, in exile that his talent developed. Even though he spent most of his time as editor of a S1ovak newspaper in the United States, and for several years also as the editor of Literarny Almanach Slovaka v Amerike, he did not cease to publish poetry or prose of refined taste and literary ma• turity. He also published in English a well-written sketch on the Slovak Robin Hood-George Janosik: A Carpathian Saga ( 1953) and a chronicle in 13 poems called Kro- nika siovakov (The Chronicle of Slovaks, 1954), as well as a satirical novel Blizenci (Gemini, 1962) and translations from I Fioretti di San Francesco . After a few years of silence, he surprised now readers and critics by the above mentioned collection of his poetry, in addition to many verses published in the literary journal Most or in almanacs and calendars. His collection Voda a vino (Water and Wine) is a masterfully illustrated volume of lyrical sketches in verse which reflect Okal"s years spent in Rome and Italy. All his poems, usually not longer than one or two verses, are sensitive and well-written images of beautiful monuments and places of Rome and of •o ther countries which he visited during his exile. The volume under review proves that Okal' is a refined and gifted poet as well as an alert commentator on literary and cultural matters. Personal reminiscences and memories give to his book, as well as to his scattered poems in literary journals, a certain gentleness and tenderness. All his published works were artistically illustrated by the well-known Slovak artist, Joseph G. Cincik, and belong to the finest readings in Slovak emigre literature. * The ancient beauty of Rome and the cultural heritage of the Mediterranean area marked even more the lyrical verses of Eugen Vesnin (Dr. Ignac Zelenka, born in 1913) . After publishing a score of verses in Slovakia before the war, Vesnin spent in silence nearly three dee- 203 SLOVAKIA ades before his three collections of mature lyrical poetry were published in Slovak, and an anthology in Italian. For the past 25 years a librarian in the Vatican library, Vesnin--as the Osservatore Romano wrote when his Italian collection was published- is a "poet of peace, love, patriotism and the beauty of nature, but also well-known as a scholar." Osservatore Romano mentions in this connection Vesnin's works on the Vatican, on the Holy See, as well as 1111 essay on Juraj Knzanic, the -p recursor of Pan-Slavism, and on the liturgical editions which can be found in the Vatican library. Among Vesnin's published poetical works should be mentioned the following collections: Zo zcitisia ntim6z (1965) which appeared also in Italian translation by Prof. Leo Magnino under the title L'Oasi delle mimose (Rome 1967); Jani e som potomok i latokopov (I am not a descendant of gold-diggers) and S temena mojich hor (From the top of my mountains, Buenos Aires 1966) . These collections were followed by lyrical verses Aj v etrurskych zcihradach (Also in the Gardens of Etruria, Buenos Aires, 1970), which seems to be the best selection of Vesnin's peotry. In spite of the fact that Vesnin spent nearly his whole life in Rome where he originally studied theology, his poetry is deeply patriotic and one of his verses "Salute to my Country" can be considered even in its Italian translation as one of the best patriotic poems of the Slovak emigre literature. The literary critic Jan E. Bor considers Vesnin as one of the highly gifted lyrical poets of his generation. The readers, including this reviewer, will agree that his poetry is an enjoyable and cultivated reading. J. M . Kirschbaum TWO FOREIGN LANGUAGE COLLECTIONS OF SLOVAK POETRY Mikulas Sprinc: DRIFTWOOI) Poems translated from the Slovak by the author, Larz Pearson and Jaroslav Vajda. Engravings by Dr. Joseph G. Cincik. Published by the Slovak Institute in Cleveland, Ohio, 1969. Printed by the Benedictine Press at St. Andrew's Abbey, Cleveland, 0. Gorazd Zvonicky: SOLTANTO ROVINE - Italian translation by Milan S. !>urica and Ernesto Simonetto. Published by Associazione di cultura ceca e slovaca "Arturo Cronia," Padua, 1968. Slovak culture was enriched recently by two excellent collections of translations of poems by two of our outstanding poets in exile. The first collection is published in English and presents a selection of recent verses from the lyrical works of the cultivated and sensitive poet, Mikulas Sprinc. The selection, as well as the translations, are very successful and the English reader will go through this carefully published and artistically illustrated volume with delight. Whoever likes intimate lyrics written by a poet who seems to combine the art of Paul Verlaine and the spirit of St. Francis of Assissi will enjoy every verse of this excellent collection. Some verses were translated by the author himself, others by the well-known translator of Slovak poetry into English, Rev. J. Vajda, and some by one of the students of the poet, Larz Pearson. As usual, 204 SLOVAKIA the translations do not reflect exactly the Slovak text and its musical and rhythmical quality but, on the whole, all translations attest to the talent of both the auther and the translators. Those who appreciate poetry which is rooted in the strong belief in the Creator without sounding too religious, and those who like the beauty of life iu the songs of birds, the color of flowers, the sound of the wind, and blue skies or the colors of the rainbow, will find delight in reading Mikulas Sprinc's poetry. The volume also contains several fine poems with patriotic overtones expressing the poet's love for his lost and oppressed native Slovakia. The author and the publishers deserve credit for enriching Slovak culture by this valuable volume. there is a refined poet following in the footsteps of Slovak fighters for the nation's freedom, who used the most efficient weapon against tyranny and the sufferings of the Slovak people--the deeply felt and masterfully written poetic protest. As in the case of the volume by Mikulas Sprinc, Slovak intellectuals in the free world as well as at home will appreciate Zvonicky's publication. -jmkDr. Heinrich Kuhn: Bibliographisches Handbuch der Tschechoslowakei. Publications of the Collegium Carolinum, Verlag Robert Lerche, Munich 1969. Dr. Kuhn has added to his very useful previous work Handbuch this new pubThe collection "Soltanto Rovine" der Tschechoslowakei the biowith deals which lication by Gorazd Zvonicky in the tranlapoliticians, Party oftion of Prof. Milan S. !>urica and graphies of and other persons in the Ernesto Simonetto, is another valu- ficials the present Czechoable contribution. Masterfully il- public life of Slovakia. lustrated , the volume gives both As in his previous work, Dr. the Slovak text as well as the Italian translation. Gorazd Zvoni- Kuhn shows a detailed knowledge cky is one of the best contemporary of the subject and prepared it with Slovak poets, highly cultivated and his usual "ptinktlichkeit" and segifted. His poetry is of the same riousness of a scholar. Therefore, genre as that of Mikula!; Sprinc- specialists in Eastern Europe will lyrical, intimate, musical and well welcome this new publication ewritten. It wa~, therefore, not easy specially after the Soviet occupato make an adequate translation. tion placed Czecho-Slovakia again The translators used free verse and into the focus of international indid not look for rhyme. Neverthe- terest. Kuhn's work has been published less, the volume transfers to the readers the feeling of a Slovak in loose sheets in two volumes patriot and poet towards the brutal which will be welcomed by reoccupation of his native country searchers as a very practical way by Soviet troops and the martyr- of dealing with the political figures dom of the Slovak population. The in occupied Czecho-Slovakia. All verses express, however, not only biographies are carefully prepared, intimate and personal sorrows, but containing the most important data. also indignation of all Slovak pa- In some biographies the author triots and of the whole Slovak left out the place of birth of some politician or Party official, but he nation. Once more in Slovak poetry I gives detailed information on all SLOVAKIA the main leaders either in the government or in the Party. In some cases, like that of the present First Secretary of the Communist Party of Czecho-Slovakia, Dr. G. Husak, it would have been useful to mention the ten years he spent in jail under Novotny's regime, as well as his writings in periodicals about his experience in Novotny's dungeons. Dr. Kuhn mentions only three publications by Husak and in the first one there 205 is a slight mistake in the title. It should read "Zapas o zajtrajfok." Since the leading figures of Slovak and Czech political life were often presented in the West with journalistic superficia!lity, confusing Slovaks for Czechs, we we1lcome this book because it will enable everybody interested in the problems of Czecho.Slovakia to receive correct information. J . M . Kirschbaum BOOKS ON DUBCEK AND SLOVAKIA Among some 50 books in the English and French languages which dealt with the events in Czecho-Sl-ovakia in 1968 and after, there was none, as mentioned last year in my review of books on Slovakia, which paid attention to the situation in Slovakia. The authors of these books overlooked the fact that the liberalization movement had started in Slovakia and that it was also headed by a Slovak-Alexander Dubcek. Prof. Gordon Skilling, who is one of the foremost Canadian specialists on post-war Czecho-Slovakia, drew attention to this lack of interest or intentional neglect in the works of Western specialists in Eastern Europe.1 The role of Slovaks was analyzed and evaluated only in the Canadian siavonic Papers (Vol. X, 4, 1968) by this writer. In 1970 we have, however, several books or studies which do not treat the events in Czecho-Slovakia in 1968 exclusively as "Prague Spring" but are concerned with the whole country and point out to the specific Slovak problems and the role the Slovaks played in the deStalinization period. The best among these studies in English so far is the book by William Shawcross DUBCEK (London, 1970) which would deserve a much more extensive review than space allow us. Another work also deserves our attention is "Dubcek's Biue Print for Freedom" by Lunghi and Ello (Kimber, London, 1968) c1s are two essays by the members of the staff of the Czeclio-Slovak Section of the B.B.C., Michael Montgomery and Deryck Viney. The latter wrote an interesting essay in "Studies of Comparative Communism" (University of Southern California, July-August 1969). The book by Shawcross does not give any biography except to say that "he left Oxford in June 1968 and is now writing on Eastern European affairs for the ' Sunday Times.' He is 24 and this is his first book." In view of this, the book is quite an achievement. From the references, as well as from the contents, it is clear that Shawcross carried out extensive research, interviews, and travelled around .Slovakia, including the birth place of ~lexander Dubcek. As a result, we have in hand a thorough and well documented study. The book is, of course, not without mistakes and shortcomings which, in the intricate situation and confused reporing on events, is to be expected. 206 SLOVAKIA While other Western authors ascribed the liberalization movement to the Czechs, Shawcross's main thesis is that Dubcek's rise to power and the subsequent liberalization of Czecho-Slovakia were due to the fact that the Slovak question had been the motive force behind these events. He traces Dubcek's career within the apparatus of the Communist Barty of Slovakia as a more or less obsequious Party member until he decided to spearhead the Slovak movement within the Communist Party of Czecho-Slovakia for greater justice for all the Slovaks. Carried to the ht)ad of this movement that had much deeper roots than most Western observers have cared to point out, Dubcek then demonstrated strategic and tactical talents in forestalling Novotny's counterattacks and eventually in leading the struggle to rid the country of its Stalinist President and Communist Party First Secretary. Although Dubcek did not expect it, he saw himself placed at the head of Czecho-Slovakia, the first Slovak to achieve this position. Up to this point, Shawcross's presentation, despite some mistakes on the meaning and on some details of the 1944 revolt, is very good. The author shows good knowledge of the political situation in Slovakia and an understanding of the problem which Slovakia poses within Czecho-Slovakia. Husak's rise to power is dismissed as a personal repetition of Dubcek's ascension. No doubt Husak's emergence as the head of •t he Communist Party of Czecho-Slovakia was in many ways a personal success, but the fact that a second Slovak rose to the highest position when many Czech Stalinists were waiting in the wings, indicates that the Communist Party of Slovakia, if not other institutions or groups, must also have played some role. With the federalization of CzecboSlovakia, the Slovak element could not be further ignored as it had been during the Novotny years. It is to be regretted that Sbawcross did not pursue the developments in Slovakia and if be was unab'1e to find out more of what happened there after August 1968, he could present at least some hypotheses. As far as Husak is concerned, he also made an error when stating that he graduated at Prague University. Despite these shortcomings, Shawcross's work must be considered not only as a good piece of research, but in view of his age, is an act of courage, as he did not hesitate to bring forward a problem that Western historiography has been ignoring for more than half a century. Among the books on Czecho-Slovakia in the French language, it is the one by Pavel Tigrid which deals with Dubcek and with the It is after the time of the in- situation leading to the dismissal vasion by the Soviet Union and of Novotny, as well as with the her satellites that Shawcross's nar- events of 1968, and the aftermath rative shows some of its flaws, of the invasion. Tigrid's book is much of this is due to the fact entitled La chute irresistible d'Athat he follows Tigrid's book too iexander Dubcek, (Calmann-Levy, closely. The author is carried away Paris, 1969) . The book was written on the by his admiration for Dubcek and paints his opponents too black. basis of many unpublished docuJ<'urthermore, the Slovak problem ments and minutes of the meetings is completely lost in this part. 1 of the Central Committee of the SLOVAKIA Communist Party, or of the government. Tigrid has recognized that the Slovak problem played an important role in the attempts to oust Novotny from his position and he depicts Dubcek in this first phase ot the struggle within the Central Committee of the Communist Party as a fighting, courageous man. However, the role of Dubcek after he took over the office of First Secretary is painted with a certain tendency tJo diminish his importance or to present him as a timid, indecisive man, lacking in intellectual abilities and preparation to cope with the problem of liberalization. One chapter is entitled "Alexander Dubcek, heros malgre lui" which by itself indicates a sort of depreciation and shows an attempt on the part of Tigrid to ascribe the liberalization movement to the Czechs, even though the truth is ,that the behavior of the Czech masses as well as of some of their politicians greatly contributed to the decision of the Soviets to invade the country and to destroy the liberalization movement. Tigrid's book is written in a journalistic rather than in a scholarly style, but by using original sources and confidential information, it fills a certain gap in the literature about the events in Czecho.JSlovakia in 1967 and 1968. We also find in Tigrid',s book a sympathetic mention of Vasil Bil'ak who strongly opposed Novotny in December 1967 and courageously fought for Slovak interests, but apparently became later one of those sided with Moscow. More objectively than in Tigrid's book, Slovakia and Dubcek are presented in the book by Francois Fetji:i Histoire des democracies populaires apres Staline (Editions du Seuil, Paris, 1969) . In Fetji:i's 207 book, Dubcek is not presented as a timid, indecisive and implicitly naive and politically unprepared leader. On the contrary, he is portrayed as a man who believed strongly in his "Communism with human face," and in Lenin's thesis on the independence and the territorial integrity of socialist states. Throughout his book, Fetjo deals with the situation in Czecho-Slovakia with rare objectivity and compares -the events with either Hungary or Poland. As one chapter, entitled "La Tragedie Tchechoslovaque et ses ,p rolongements," indicates, he considers the invasion of Czecho-Slovakia as a tragedy and as a brutal and unnecessary action on the cpart of Moscow. A one-time Communist and author of several books on Eastern Europe and communism, Fetji:i presents in his book conclusions which are logical and displays solid knowledge of the problems of the countries under Soviet rule. He writes about Slovakia and the Communist leaders of Slovak origin or born in Slovakia without any bias, which many authors of books on Eastern Europe u~ually are unable or unwilling to do. Michel Tatu also published a series of articles and a book on the events in Czecho-Slovakia, and two books by Ladislav Mnacko have been translated into the French language. For the events of 1968, only one of Mnacko's books La septieme nuit is of importance. Books in German dealing with the events in Czecho-Slovakia in 1968 are comperatively few when compared to the number of books published in English. With regard to Slovakia, we can mention the German translation of Mnacko's book Die Siebente Nacht (Vienna, 1968) which was reviewed last yeaT 208 SLOVAKIA in Slovakia. Another author from knowledge of the situation in Slovakia, Dr. Eugen Lobl published Czecho-Slovakia and refers to many his experiences in jail in German, sources in the Slovak and Czech Die Revolution rehabilitiert ihre language which would indicate Kinder, (Vienna: Europa, 1968), as that he might be one of the Sudewell as a political essay published ten Germans who now live in West together with Leopold Grunwald, Germany. His approach to the SloDie intellektuelle Revolution, Hi~ vak problem is unbiased. Dubcek tergriinde und Auswirkungen des and other Slovak communist lead"Prager Friihlings," (Diisseldorf: ers played, according to him, an important role during the crisis Econ, 1969) . While in the first book Dr. Lobl of the Communist Party in 1967, speaks about the persecution and and he portrays Dubcek as First Communists Secretary of the Communist Party of rehabilitation purged during the Stalinist period without the caustic remarks or and later in the Novotny era, his disdain which can be found in contribution in the second book Tigrid 's book, for instance. Even though Reitzner's book is presents his views on the possibility of reforming communist systems rather the work of an experienced and of giving them a human face. journalist who made detailed reAccording to Prof. Skilling "As search, it reflects quite objectively a severe critique of the Soviet the changing situation in Czechobrand of socialism, this book ranks Slov-akia in those two fateful years. with Djilas' The New Class, but In addition, by quoting from Slorepresents also an original and vak and Czech periodicals, newsimaginative, even if passionate and papers and speeches of communist one-sided, interpretation of the leaders, Reitzner's book preserves proposed Czechoslovak model. For m·eful materials for further reLobl, the events of 1968 constituted search. Speaking probably much a new phase in the 'socialist re- better Czech than Slovak, he was volution,' continuing the work led to misspel the name of some begun by the October revolution Slovak newspapers like "Smena" and later interrupted by Stalinism. or "Smer" which he writes in It was also a renewed effort by Czech orthography. The reader is left with the imCzechs and Slovaks to follow a that the author had a pression atan own, s pecial path of their tempt which had been made in the sincere intention to give a realistic 1940s and then had been rudely and objective account of th ~ Mmblocked by Soviet coercion as ex- plex situation in both Slovakia and emplified by the trials of the the Czech lands. 1950s." (International Journal, Vol. l) See H. Gordon Skilling: "Thaw XXV, No. 1, p. 197) . and Freeze-Up: Prague 1968." International Journal Vol. XXV, There is also, however, a German No. 1, pp. 192-201. author, Almar Reitzner, wh o published a book entitled D ubcek F . Kennan: From Prague (Miinchen, 1970) but actually deals George Diplomatic Papers Munich, after with all the aspects of the crisis 1938-1940, Princeton University in Czecho-Slovakia in 1967 and Press, 1968, 226 Pages. with the short period of liberalizaThe well-known diplomat-historition and the Soviet invasion of 1968. Reitzner displays a detailed an George F . Kennan contributes SLOVAKIA in this volume to the history of the crucial years 1938-1940 by many valuable documents, diplomatic despat.ches and personal observations. As he admits himself in his preface : "All were written either for private purposes or for the confidential information of the United States government." With all academic honesty, he also admits : "This material was unavoidably in many respects unbalanced and inadequate. In reflected serious lapses in my own historical background as well as in the range of my contacts in the Czechoslovak society of the time. The selection of the subject matter was inevitably affected by the limitations on opportunities for reading, for travel, and for personal acquaintance." .Such a confession does not diminish the value for historians or students of the political tragedy which started with Munich. Nevertheless, the reader and even more the student of history has to keep in mind the author's remarks, especially with regard to Slovakia, where his contacts were not only limited but his information came mostly from people who were not free to bias against the Slovak aspirations for an equal footing with the Czech half of the country. Kennan himself admits in his despatches that Slovakia was not treated by Prague governments without discrimination and prejudice; yet he accepted in many instances the Czech views on the motives and goals of the ffiinka's Slovak Populist Party, on the autonomist movement and on the contacts of its leaders with Berlin. The Documents on German Foreign Policy 1918-1945, published in 1957 by Her Majesty's Stationery Office i11 co-operation with the United States Department of State, dis- 209 prove many of the adverse allegations about the Slovak autonomist movement; even the history books published by communist historians in the short period of liberalization in Slovakia seem to put the events of 1938-1939 and the leading personalities in a more objective historical perspective than some documents contained in this volume. It would, however, be unjust to blame Kennan because his information was gathered from people either in Prague or in Slovakia who viewed the situation from their partisan position and with the result that his report reflected their biased opinions. This valuable volume of documents and excellently written observations also suffers from another shortcoming. The author writes that the documents are source material "above all to those students of the political process who wish to examine the anatomy of an attempt by a military powerful country to dominate and control, under modern conditions, the life of a small and helpless but highly developed neighbor for whose national feelings, and claim to independence, it has only contempt." This is certainly a highly motivated purpose and no doubt the documents will be helpful in this respect. rt is, however, hard to understand why the epilogue to this book was written by Frederick G. Heymann, who left Prague in 1939, was hardly acquainted with Slovakia and her internal problems and who admits that his own immediate information at the time on which Kennan reported same from representatives of the replaced Bene§ Government and other Czech friends. In addition, Heymann admits that he stayed in Czecho-Slovakia only from 1932 to 1939 and "looked at the political 210 SLOVAKIA and socieconomic development there from the viewpoint of a newspaperman of originally German background." With all respect to Mr. Heymann, no student of Eastern European history can take this as his credentials to write an epilogue, let alone an objective epilogue to this volume. Especially acute is his biased attitude towards Slovakia which he severely condemns--not the regime exclusively which certainly deserve condemnation for some acts; furthermore, he does not even indicate that he ever liv~d in Slovakia or studied the Slovak problem. J.M. Kirschbaum David L. Hoggan: Der Erzwungene Krieg , Die Ursachen und Urheber des z. Weltkriegs, Verlag der Deutschen HochschullehrerZeitung Tubingen, 1963, bibliography, maps, photographs, pages 898. The book Der Erzurnngene Krieg (The Imposed War) by the American historian, Prof. David L. Hoggan, represents an effort to reverse the blame for the Second World War. According to his research, it was not Germany which imposed the war on other countries, but the war was imposed by other countries on Germany. The main culprit in Prof. Hoggan's opinion seems to be Poland, but other great powers share, according to him, some of the responsibility as well. The voluminous work has been written in English but only its German translation has been so far published. If we believe the assertions of Dr. Herbert Grabert, several outstanding historians and colleagues of Prof. Hoggan in the United States read the manuscript and helped the author with advice or agreed with his conclusions. He names especially Michael Karpovltch, Sidney B. Fay, William L. Langer, Rudolf Holsti, Harry Rudin, Raymond Sontag, Charles Tansill, M. K. Dziewanowski, Ralph Lutz, Henry Adams, James Martin and Richavd Jones. Each of them " contributed a lot to the work; other renowned American learned men who came with worthwhile suggestions should not be quoted by their names but their help should be gratefully acknowledged," says Dr. Grabert. The book is undoubtedly one of the most controversial works on the Second World War and it is the duty of the historians of the Second World War to come to grips with the conclusions of Prof. Hoggan. In view of his extended research and references to many works, his narrative seems to be in accordance with the facts. However unbelievable some of these conclusions may seem, Prof. Hoggan shows that he knows all the main sources and documents in English, German, French, Polish and Russian, and pays attention even to books by Czech, Rumanian and Slovak authors. This mass of documentation and references stresses the impression that the book is a scholarly serious undertaking and were it not for the many books published in the West, as well as by the Communist historians who defend quite opposite conclusions, the reader could draw the definite conclusion that the Second World War was really imposed upon the Third Reich. The author, as well as the publishers, were aware of the controversial nature of the book and mentioned that some learned societies or historians in Germany itself express views which are in complete contradiction of Prof. SLOVAKIA Hoggan's story on the reasons which led to the Second World War. Due to lack of space, we cannot unfortunately write an extensive review or to point out areas where the book differs from the accepted opinions expressed by either American, English, German, French or Russian historians and wish simply to register the publication of this book and its controversial contents. It is also worthwhile to mention that the origins and birth of the Slovak Republic are presented in Prof. Hoggan's book in a different light than we are accustomed to in the books published in the West or in the Communist countries. Prof. Hoggan made the effort to get acquainted with books and documents published by Slovak scholars and historians abroad and did not accept the Czech version, greatly unfavorable to the Slovak people, but uncritically accepted by many renowned historians in the West and East alike. Despite the fact that this book will be opposed by many historians who are unable or unwilling to correct their views no matter how erroneous they may be, Slovaks should be pleased that the truth about Slovakia begins to penetrate Western historiography. Unfortunately, insignificant as the Slovak problem seems to be to the Great Powers, foreign historians will not deal with small problems and by opposing the main conclusions of Prof. Hoggan's book, they will indirectly oppose also his truthful presentation in minor events including the origins and existence of the Slovak Republic. A a result, we must face reality and believe that it will take a long time and many efforts on the part of Slovak scholars who live in the Western world before Slovakia is treated 211 in Western historiography without bias and is free of anti-Slovak tendencies sustained and propagated mainly by the books of Czech historians and politicians and by Communist propaganda literature. J.M. Kirschbaum TOW ARD A NEW CENTRAL EUROPE : A Symposmm on the Prob- lems of the Danubian Nations, Edited by: Francis S. Wagner, Danubian Press, Inc. Astor Park, Florida, 1970. Not only specialists but anyone interested in Eastern Europe will welcome this well documented and carefully edited symposium which reflects the view of some 30 authors on the problems of Central Europe. The book is divided into five parts and the contributors belong practically to all the peoples of the Danubian and Carpathian part of East Central Europe. Part I deals with the international relations of individual Central European peoples with the Western Powers. It also contains some basic principles for the possibility of the co-existence of nations in the Danubian and Carpathian basins. The contributions by C. A. Macartney, T. Eckhardt, and the late Wenzel Jaksch seem to be the most relevant in this part. Part II deals with federalism in Central Europe and contains views and analysis of the federalist efforts in Central Europe by some 15 authors. We can find among them not only the late Prime Minister of Czecho-Slovakia, Milan Hodza, but also the well-known supporter of Danubian Federation, F. 0. Miksche, as well as a contribution entitled : "Slovakia and the Integration Plans of Central Europe" by J . M. Kirschbaum, and a historical 212 SLOVAKIA survey of federalist movement a- Conference reads as follows: "It mong Slovaks and Czechs by Jo- is the intention of the Czecho-Sloseph Ostrovsky entitled "Czech and vak Government to create the orSlovak Statesmen in Favor of a ganization of the State by accepting as a basis of natural rights the Central European Federation." Part III deals with the national- principles applied in the constituity questions which were the main tion of the Swiss Republic, that is, problem in that part of Europe to make the Czecho-Slovak Repubfor the past 200 years. The authors, lic a sort of Switzerland," and not Alexander Gallus and Francis S. as quoted by Ostrovsky. The author Wagner, who edited this symposi- also omitted other- Slovaks who um, figure among the main con- during or after the Second World tributors to this part. As far as War advocated federalist plans in Slovakia is concerned, it is especial- Central Europe: Karol Sidor in ly the contribution by Francis S. " Gazette de Lausanne," Dr. F. Wagner "The Nationality Problem :i'.lurcansky in "Revue de droit inin Czecho-Slovakia after World tC"rnational" (Geneve, 1944), this War II" which is of interest for writer in several foreign language Slovaks. Part IV deals with econom- articles and books, etc. In 1968 ic problems, and Part V contains Czecho-Slovakia was proclaimed a federation of two Republics on maps and statistical data. October 27th in the Assembly and Even though it is impossible to following day in Bratislava, the agree with some of the views exbut with the provision that the. to belonging authors by pressed Law No. 143 will take effect on several nations, the book is a seriJanuary 1st, 1969, and not as Osous attempt to find ways for the trnvsky writes. Certain of these r.ations in Central Europe, who are omissions were unnecessary, bezone influence Soviet a now in cause he could have found a detail( except for the Austrians) to live ed survey of Slovak federalist tentheir pooling by again together dencies in my book: "Slovakiaeconomies and by assuring better Nation at the Crossroads of Central economic standards and freedom Europe" (R. Speller, Publishers, for nearly one hundred million New York, 1960). enslaved people. The academic The contributors amassed a rich value of the contributions differs from author to author but, gener- sources of bibliographical informaally, all contributions are on a high tion in several languages which level and the maps and statistical also can help to acquire a much data will be especially appreciated better and more objective view of by those who research the problems the problems in the past and the possibilities of co-operation of the of Central Eastern Europe. living between the Soviet peoples view, of point Slovak From the in J. Ostrovsky's article one can Union and Germany in the future. unfortunately, find sor:ie errors' The Magyar intellectuals who deinaccuracies and omissions. Dr. Mi~ serve recognition for publishing Ian Hodfa died in the United states this symposium came undoubtedly and not in London. The number with a good initiative to discuss cf Magyars was never one million on a broad basis the problems and in Slovakia and the exact promise ways which would lead toward a of a federal structure of Czecho- 1new Central Europe. J. M. Ki rs c h b au m Slovakia by Dr. Bene~ at the Peace SLOVAKIA 213 Beitrage zum Deutsch-Tschechi- cide." The Czech population was schen Verhiiltnis im 19. und 20 . encouraged before Dr. Benes reJahrhundert. (Veroffentlichungen turned to Prague by his Ministers des Collegium Oarolinum) Verlag in exile: " to beat them ; kill them ; Robert Lerche (Miinchen, 1967), leave none alive," and many were pp. 178. massacred, mistreated, raped and burned alive. Hundreds of thouThis collection of lectures on the sands died on the "death march" problem of German-Czech relations or in concentration camps, accordis an attempt at presenting the ing to the published documents. problem without passion on a scholarly basis. The lectures were In spite of this, the volume under read at a conference which took r eview refrained from general acplace in Nurenberg and Salzburg cusations of the whole Czech popuin 1964, but the book was publish- lation and gives quite a sober ed only in 1967. survey of the German-Czech r elations. Also the two Czech conAmong the contributors there is tributors avoid mentioning the a Czech historian, Bohdan Chudo- massacres and plead for a sort of ba, and the former Czech diplomat, co-operation in Central Europe and Karel Lisicky. From the German reconciliation. side seven contributors deal with the problem and all seem to master Among the contributions by the Czech language which would German scholars, Dr. Kuhn's artiindicate that they were either born cle on the attitude of the Commuor studied in Czecho-Slovakia. nist Party of Czecho-Slovakia to Whoever read the documents on the Sudeten German question is the expulsion of the Sudeten Ger- one which is the most timely since mans or the book by Prof. Kurt it is the Communist government Glaser (Czecho-Slovakia-A Criti- and Moscow which can bring any cal History ) must admire the quiet change in the relations between tone and restraint with which the Germans and Czechs, and give a German authors present the Ger- new solution to the Sudeten German"Czech relations through the man problem. For specialists in centuries up to the expulsion of Eastern Europe will be, however, more than three million Sudeten of great interest also the contribuGermans from their centuries old tions by Ferdinand Seibt about the settlements in Bohemia. When Dr. social structure of the first CzechoBenes was seeking the Allied sup- Sl ovakia and Frederich Prinz's port for his plan to expel the ar ticle on Benes and the Sudeten Sudeten Germans, he emphasized Germans. E. Zajicek gives in his repeatedly that the transfers would essay some insight into the politics be carried out decently and human- of the Sudeten Germans who coly. However, when he returned operated with Prague. behind the Red Army to Slovakia All the contributions were writand Bohemia, he apparently forgot ten on the basis of good knowledge about his promises of a human solution of the Sudeten German of the literature either in the qu estion. Basing his philosophy on Czech, German or English lanthe so-called " collective guilt," Dr. guage, which enhances the value Bmes allowed the use of methods of the book. which Prof. Glaser calls "geno- I J. M . K i r s c h b a um 214 SLOVAKIA AS OTHERS SEE I commend the Slovak leaders who are sponsoring and perfecting an organization of American Slovak patriots to continue the fight to restore freedom and self-govern• ment to the Slovak Nation. I also commend those Slovak leaders who are endeavoring to unite various Slovak organizations and groups t hroughout the country and combine their efforts in a unified force for the purpose of concentrating public opinion not only in America Lut throughout the world on enslaved nations who must break the shackles of despotism as rapidly as possible and give millions an opportunity to live and enjoy the life of freedom and self-determination. The Slovak Nation historically maintains the highest spirit of friendshi·p for all humanity and at no time in history has ever encroached upon the rights and freedoms of its neighbor nations, and has always given tangible proof of its generosity and spirit of cooperation with humanity in t he hope that world peace can be a reality for all people on the globe. The Slovak World Congress could inaugurate a great educational program to apprise youth i America and throughout the world of the true facts regarding world communism from the days of Lenin down to the present year 1970. IT their people by the sword, guns, slave-labor camps, and mass murders. Education and presentation of fact on Communist enslavement to the world's uninformed are the greatest weapons democracy possesses against the destruction of the Communist menace. The free world must continue this fight. Someday this victory will be won and the Communist enslavers will become extinct. Slovakia and other captive nations will regain free and independent government. I know that the SLOVAK WORLD CONGRESS will continue its outstanding contribution to the free world's fight to exterminate international communist conspiracy and restore freedom to millions throughout the world by the reestablishment of former governments which will give freedom and liberty to their people. - Ray J . Madden, M. C. Mr. ESHLEMAN. Mr. Speaker, neither the Slovak League of A· merica nor the Congress of the United States has forgotten the brutal occupation of Slovakia by the Soviet Army in 1968. We appeal to the conscience of America, to the American people, and to the United Nations-most of all-for the withdrawal of Soviet troops from Slovak soil and for guaranteed free democratic elections under United N'cltions' control. One of my valued constituents, Mr. Joseph Pauco, is secretary of the Slovak League of America. That organization is entirely correct when they, in the proper manner, demand the right of freedom for Slovakia. - Edwin D. Eshle- The free nations have the ability, the education, the defense machinery, and the assets to curtail the further spread of the Communist menace and we must continue our fight. History has revealed over the centuries that dictators cannot stay in power long when they must rule man, M.C. SLOVAKIA 215 The leading example of an unem- of the party presidium last month, ployed party official is, of course, Mr. Husak was in the minority of Alexander Dubcek, the party's a 7-4 vote over an analysis of the leader during the reforms. After events leading up to the Soviet dismissal earlier this year as Am- invasion. The following morning bassador to Turkey and expulsion Mr. Husak left for Moscow to refrom the party, Mr. Dubcek retired ceive Kremlin assurances of conto his Bratislava home to await tinued confidence. employment. Mr. Husak received limited SoHe turned down a fund-handling viet support earlier this fall when post with the Slovak social-security a major campaign to remove him agency for fear that it might be was disclosed through the accidentu~ed to implicate him in possible al death of one of the conspirators. misappropriation charges. He re- Jaroslav Trojan, a member of the quested instead, employment as a presidium of the Federal Assembly, forester .. . was killed as he drove his car after The makers and chief propo- a drinking session with a Soviet nents of Czecho-Slovakia's lost companion. A routine search of his liberalization take their principal desk disclosed copies of dozens of consolation from the fact that there letters by right-wing party officials have been no political trials and addressed to various Soviet leaders few Czechs or Slovaks are in jail and calling for the ouster of Mr. on political charges. But most see Husak. 110 reason to consider this state The party leader was authorized necessarily permanent. to dismiss a few of his principal It is generally believed that while opponents, notably the Czech Inthe party's First Secretary, there terior Minister, Josef Groesser, and will be no political trials because the military man in charge of Mr. Husak was himself a victim of liaison with the Soviet occupation such a trial in Stalin's day. But if tr oops, Gen. Otakar Rytar. But the Soviet Union wants trials, ac- after the general's dismissal, Moscording to this belief, it will re- cow was reported to have sent place Mr. Husak just as it ousted word that he was to be the last Mr. Dubcek last year and replaced "internationalist" ousted. him with Mr. Husak. "Internationalist" is the term for Mr. Husak, while evidently still those who accept the doctrine that the man Moscow considers best the Soviet Union has the right to able to run Czecho-Slovakia, has intervene in a socialist country for some time been under open whenever it says socialism is attack by party leaders even more threatened, such as in Czecho-SloprO-.Soviet than himself. It is as- vakia in 1968. sumed here that these leaders are Opponents of Mr. Husak are conalso operating with Soviet approval, ducting a campaign to present him presumably to keep Mr. Husak as insufficiently internationalist. At from the illusion of independent a Central Committee meeting this power. month, Vasil Bilak, a strongly proThe most determined of Mr. Hu- Soviet leader, surprisingly disclosed sak's opponents are Antonin Ka- that he had a long-missing docupek, secretary of the Prague organ- ment that would identify the ization and Alois Indra, Cetral genuine internationalists and from Committee secretary. At a meeting I which Mr. Husak's name is absent. 216 SLOVAKIA The document is the alleged 1968 letter from Czecho-Slovak leaders to the Soviet Union inviting the Warsaw Pact intervention. The letter was mentioned by Moscow immediately after the invasion but has never been produced nor all its signers disclosed. Mr. Bilak listed about 40 signers, including himself, Mr. Kapek and Mr. Indra. - The New York Times, December 22, 1970. George Blanda, the 43-year-old grey-beard sub quarterback and kicking specialist of the Oakland Raiders football team whose lastgasp heroics gave new hope to the middle-aged, has been named Male Athlete of the Year by the Associated Press. The ageless marvel of the gridiron, who excelled in a tough contact sport competing against athletes half his age, beat out a glittering array of stars in assorted sports in the year-end poll of sports writers and broadcasters. Blanda received 332 votes compared with 246 for Bobby Orr, defenseman of the Boston Bruins hockey team who was runner-up, and 224 for Johnny Bench, slugging catcher of the Cincinnati Reds' baseball team who was a close third . - Associated Press. (Blanda i:; of Slovak ancestry.) I could not condemn the Hungarians or the Czechs and Slovaks, for example, if they were able to launch an effort in this country to turn our eyes toward the danger of the new isolationism. - Frank Morris. The Wanderer, St. Paul, Minn. , September 24, 1970. Those who have known nothing but freedom seldom are capable of appreciating the single majesty of that which they have: the privilege nf aff!'rfing their own destiny. But ask any Czech or Slovak, who has had liberty and then lost it, what it means to be free. Such men know, and in them the dream never dies. - Smith Hempstone. The Phil.adeiphia Inquirer, November 1, 1970. Slovak police recently made a series of raids on government stores and found that one-third were overcharging by as much as 50 per cent on scarce goods. Forty thousand dollars worth of goods were found hidden for customers with extra money. - Donald R. Shanor. Chicago Daily News. December 26, 1970. .Slovak youth stubbornly clings to its anti-Soviet feelings and looks upon the presence of Soviet troops in Czecho-Slovakia as the greatest injustice and offense. This is the conclusion of Ondrej Pavlik, a member of the Slovak Academy of Science. Pavlik gave an account-in the official organ of the Ministry of Education-of an investigation carried out among students in secondary sohools in all parts of Slovakia. In the course of the research more than 2000 questionnaires were collected from students and 400 from teachers. The replies were anonymous. Pertinent portions of Pavlik's report follow : "The entry of Soviet troops in our country and their stationing here still occupy a dominant position in the minds of our students. "The ..Soviet presence in our country is considered by students as a grave act of injustice and a sufficient reason to feel angry at the Soviet Union. "Another source of anti-Sovietism among our youth is our trade relation with the Soviet Union and other Communist countries. The SLOVAKIA arguments of ota Sik, economic expert during the Dubcek era are still accepted as valid by our you•th. 'There is much confusion in the minds of our students about modern capitalism. The students' arguments are seldom political but chiefly of economic nature. "The survey revealed a strikingly high degree of religious beliefs, especially among girls in all secondary schools of Slovakia. In most cases the influence of the school in political-ideological questions is weak, very weak indeed. "Too many teachers concentrate on their particular subject, or pretend they do and do not concern themselves with ideological education; they regard ideological educational work with disdain. "The investigation revealed that students seldom ask their teachers ideological questions for fears of embarrassing the teachers. There is a kind of tacit agreement between students and teachers: 'you say what you want and we think what we want.'" "A considerate proportion of the youth questioned have expressed confidence in the person of Gustav Husak, present leader of the Czecho-Slovak Communist Party, even though such students remain highly critical of the Soviets. "The reduced emphasis put on atheistic education is chiefly responsible for the growing influence of the Church among Slovak yeuth." - Theodore Andrica. Cleveland Press Vienna Bureau. I went behind the Iron Curtain. For so many years I have read a lot of reports concerning communism and many times I often wondered how much of the horror that I have read about is true. So many times I wondered, as I think most Americans have, is commu- 217 nism as bad as my government has told me? Although my trip to Slovakia was short, I can tell you that communism is horrible. I flew from Zurich, Switzerland to Vienna, Austria. In Austria, part of our free world, I rented a car and drove to Slovakia. The entry point was Bratislava. Trying desperately to find my way through the chopped up, beaten, narrow streets of the city, I stopped at a little store to try to get directions to the institute. A woman about 60 years old attending this store, which had nothing but barren shelves and some old clothing, was very secretly hanging a Christmas tree ball in the far end of the store. What she was trying to do was add some Christmas to her store which was something she enjoyed as a young woman. Any display, religious or nationalistic, is absolutely forbidden. A prison sentence is imposed. As I drove through Bratislava, there were uniformed soldiers and police with machine guns. Their purpose was to contain the Slovak people so they could not revolt or could not escape the country. Obviously, the people knew that I was American by the way I was dressed and also the license plates on the automobile were that of the fre e world. A Slovak friend told me how communism begins to infect people and countries. He told me that if you read the Communist doctrine, it sounds glorious but impossible to work. He told me that communism in Russia itself is a complete failure and certainly was a failure in Czecho-Slovakia. So much so that it is necessary in Russia and in Czecho-Slovakia to contain the people by machine guns. He talked of America's greatness, and said that one of the great 218 SLOVAKIA things about America was our free enterprise system. People are individualistic, people want to progress in their life. If a man does more, he is entitled to more. If a man has greater ability, he is entitled to advance. Under the Communist system no such thing exists. There is no individual compensation for doing more or knowing more. He urged me to make known what I saw so that people here would know the true horrors of communism. The lack of sufficient food and clothing. The government regulating their lives. You can't buy a pair of shoes unless the government authorizes you to purchase them. You can't buy a suit unless the government approves the purchase of a suit. There is something that resembles TV with one channel. This goes on about 7 o'clock at night and it is turned off aproximately at 9. Half of the time is devoted to government propaganda. When the Russians came into Czecho-Slovakia, they did so because Czech and Slovak peoples were desirous of developing a free enterprise system so that people could work and get paid fairly for their day's labor, so that they could trade and associate more closely with the free world. The Russians invaded CzechoSlovakia. As Communists do they raped the nation, they pulled out all of the machinery in their factories, they even tore out street lights and took them into Russia. The Slovak people told me that the Russian soldiers did not have a watch on their wrist and in order to get a watch they pulled it off the arm of the Slovak people. They also touched on the intrusion of their homes and the raping of their wives and daughters, which is again a typical Communist and Nazi type of thing. He begged me to tell people how truly horrible communism is. It is very difficult for me to tell you how bad I really think it is. The Communists are told that soon America will convert to communism. This man told me this is difficult to believe. He said why would anybody want communism when you have such a wonderful system. I told him that the propaganda he was hearing was untrue, that there are some people, who believe communism is good, but unfortunately they have not seen what I have seen. He warned me to beware of what I say. Under Communism we don't know who will report us. If you say something to offend the system you could very easily be thrown in prison, in fact, they are looking just for that. - American Tourist. The Evening News , Harrisburg, Pa., December 26, 1970. The Christmas holiday for Czecho-Slovakia ended abruptly in a working Sunday. Factories, stores and shops were open, and traffic appeared about as heavy as on a weekday. Officially it was a week dayThursday, to be exact. The government decreed that it took the place of last Thursday, Christmas Eve, on the economic schedule, with all normal Thursday services supposed to be operating. Thursday had been designated a Saturday, meaning half-day shopping and offices closed. The calender confusion continues with Monday designated a Wednesday for work and organizational purposes. Tuesday is Tuesday but you're wrong if you think it will be followed by Wednesday. Wednesday, Dec. 30, has been designated a Friday, meaning extra SLOVAKIA long business hours, because the real Friday, Jan. 1, is a holiday. Next Saturday, Jan. 2. has been designated a Sunday and Sunday, Jan. 3, a Monday. Finally, on Monday, January 4, normality of sorts returns-if two Mondays in one week can be conAssociated sidered normal. Press. The federal status of Czechia, Moravia and Slovakia has been replaced by strict Prague centralism, much to the embarrassment of Gustav Husak, the Communist Party's first secretary. As a Slovak nationalist, Husak spent years in jail during the Novotny regime. Theodore Andrica, cievel,and Press Vienna Bureau. Shortly after President Richard ~ixon's inaguaration in 1968 it was reported from Washington that Dr. Walter R. Tkach, an American of Slovak descent, and a long-time friend, serving as a colonel with the U.S. Air Force Medical Corps, wa!:' recalled from Vietnam to be chief medical advisor to the President. 219 ing called to serve as the White House physician. It is not generally known, but the White House is equipped with an ultra modern medical clinic which is at the service of Mr. Nixon, his family, and the White House staff. More complete facilities are available at nearby Bethesda Naval Hospital, Walter Reed Army Hospital and AFB with attending specialists. The White House clinic is staffed by seven people, three of whom are doctors. Whenever the president leaves the White House, even though it might be only a few feet away, he is always accompanied by a doctor. Dr. Tkach first became aquainted with Mr. Nixon 17 years ago when hi:! served as our country's vicepresident. Dr. Tkach at the time waE an assistant on President Eisenhower's medical staff in the White House. He accompanied the vice-president as his medical advisor during his historic trip to Russia, and on other travels had an opportunity to meet with fa. mous world personages like Nehru of India and Hirohito of Japan . . . The President's regimen under the close watch of Dr. Tkach seems to be working for him. Just recently Mr. Nixon remarked that he could not recall ever having had headache, the physical kind of ! course Dr. Tkach was graduated from Dr. Tkach is a strong advocate Penn State College where he attained a Bachelor of Science in of military service. He feels that Chemistry, and embarked on an military service affords young phyAir Force career after graduation sicians unlimited opportunities, and from medical school in 1945. He recommends that they consider served in Japan 1946-1948. Since military careers, particularly in the that time he had tours of duty at Air Force. - ,Dr. S. J . metko, various military medical schools, National Slovak Society Almanac, clinics and institutions, before be• Pittsburgh, Pa. About a year later Dr. Tkach, a 52-year old native of Monongahela, Pa., a suburb of Pittsburgh (his wife Helen, also hails from the same town), was promoted to the rank of Brigadier General. 220 SLOVAKLA The last remammg clause of Alexander Dubcek's short lived "action program" is crumbling. That clause is the one that instituted a Czecho-,Slovak "federation" - a move that gave Slovakia, for the first time, more or less equal status with the more educated, industrialized, prosperous and powerful Czech lands. state bank, fuel and power engineering, transport and communications have all been recentralized in Prague. New national ministers have been appointed and the Czech and Slovak ministries closed. Even the secret police are to be controlled from the center again. Husak, in a speech last month, pledged that the federation itself Dubcek, a Slovak, included the would last, but said certain minor federation in the action program shortcomings had to be solved. The he introduced on April 9, 1968, at new laws were the result. a time when his now discredited To add insult to injury, both the liberalization was at its height. The Czech and Slovak governments had action program also provided a to apprnve emasculation of their range of civil rights-freedoms of own powers. speech, assembly and the press, A constitutional court was to secret elections, freedom to travel have been set up arbitrate disputes -that disappeared within a year between the two halves of Czechoof the Soviet led invasion. Slovakia and the national governBut Dubcek's successor Commu- ment. As far as is known the court nist Party First Secretary Gustav does not exist. Instead, the Prague Husak, also a Slovak, and there go'llernment has been authorized to were hopes that he would keep the handle such disputes-making it federation plan which was enor- both prosecutor and judge. mously popular in Slovakia. F'rom the Slovaks' point of view, It's likely to remain, at least on possibly the worst development paper, for some time. But a series was the new power of the central of measures taken over the Christgovernment to allocate investments mas holidays have reduced it to in Slovakia or Czech lands. For an empty shell. decades under communism and Through government decrees and before communism- Prague shortparliamentary moves, the regime changed the Slovaks in investment has all but eliminated Slovakia's and industry, keeping the area autonomy in economics and put permanently depressed. The record its economy back under central of the prewar Benes-Masaryk govcontrol from Prague - a Czech ernment was no better than the city. postwar Communist regime. Under federation, separate Czech After the action program, Slovaks and Slovak passports were issued. hoped the age old imbalance would The new law erases this and re- end. That hope now is dying. introduces Czecho-Slovak citizen- Richard C. Longworth of United ship. Press International, February 25, Foreign currency control, the 1971. SLOVAKIA 221 Our Contributors Edw ard J. Behuncik, Attorney-at-Law, Stratford, Conn. J. M . Kirschbaum , LL.D ., Ph;D ., professor, historian, author, Toronto, Ontario Sister M. Delphina, SS.C.M ., teacher, Danville, Pa. Edw ard A . Tuleya , M . A ., Associate Professor, History Department, Millersville State College, Millersville, Pa. Joseph J. Krajsa, B.A., Bethany College, W. Va. Joseph Hradnansky, Ph.-D ., Associate Professor, Indiana University of · Pennsylvania; Instructor, University of Pittsburgh. Francis Vnuk, M.A ., Professor, Institute of Technology; historian, Ade: laide, Australia_ 222 SLOVAKIA Contents Slovak World Congress - Edward J. Behuncik - Stephen B. Roman-Slovak Tycoon Political Views of nudovit Stur - 3 J. M. Kirschbaum - Sister M. Delphina Opet - 7 20 The Assimilation Process of American Slovaks-J. M. Kirschbaum, Ph.D -79 The Slovak National Awakening - Edward A. Tuleya - The Emergence of the Slovak State - 85 Daniel F . Tanzone - 109 General Mil.an Rastislav Stefanik and the Movement for Czecho-Slovak Independence - Mary Ann Kadera - 124 Sviitopluk: Political Opportunist or National Hero? - - Mary Susan Sabol 134 Slovaks - Joseph John Krajsa - 145 Bratislava: Ancient Slovak Cultural Center - Dr. Joseph Hradnansky -164 The 15th Anniversary of the Untimely Death of Prof. Francis Hrusovsky - J . M. Kirschbaum, Ph.D. - Karol Sidor - F. Vnuk - 175 180 Current Issues (Proclamation of the 42nd Congress of the Slovak League of America. - Slovak World Congress.) - 189 Comments (Sixtieth Anniversary of the Poet Jan Doransky. - Great Distinction for Slovak Poet Karol Strmen. - A Letter of Prof J. M. Kirschbaum to the Polish Monthly Kultura.) - 195 Book Reviews (J. M. Kirschbaum: New Collection of Slovak Emigre Poetry. - Two Foreign Language Collections of Slovak Poetry. Dr. Heinrich Kuhn : Bibliographishes Handbuch der Tschechoslowakei. - Books on Dubcek and Slovakia. - David L. Hoggan: Der Erzwungene Krieg. - Toward a New Central Europe. - Beitrage zum Deutsch-Tschechischen Verhaltnis im 19. und 20. Jahrhundert.) - 202 As Others See It - 214 SLOVAKIA 223 SLOVAK LEAGUE OF AMERICA - supports freedom and independence of Slovakia; - promotes a better understanding and appreciation of the Slovak nation, its history, culture, traditions, and desires ; - makes America better known to Slovakia and Slovakia better known to America in the interest of world peace, freedom and security; - has a scholarship program for college and university students; - promotes cooperation among all American-Slovak organizations and publications for the promulgations of Slovak ethnic heritage. - is a charter member of the Slovak World Congress. Life membership: $100.00 For further information, write to: Slovak League of America 313 Ridge Avenue Middletown, Pa. 17057 PRI NTI D IN U.S. A. JIDN OTA PlllN TER Y, MID DLli TOW N, PA.  Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Back Matter, Slovakia, Vol. 21 (No. 44) Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1971 Description An account of the resource includes Current Issues; Comments; Book Reviews; As Others See It; Contributors https://slovakia.wordsofpassage.net/files/original/43aa8245cab1ba3e7b9609982eb15ad8.pdf 9afe46899f1c9238bd781c7546a5be5c PDF Text Text SLOVAKIA 193 CURRENT ISSUES Declaration Adopted by Slovak World Congress Representatives of Slovak organizations throughout the free world as well as individuals of Slovak origin in the United States of America, Canada, Australia, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, France, South Africa, Argentina, Spain and Germany assembled in Toronto in order to promote the creation of a world organization of Slovaks hereby declare that: The struggle for freedom and self-fulfillment has been a continuing process throughout Slovak history. Attainment of this objective in the past has not been without obstacles, or dedicated work and sacrifices of many individuals and groups. Now, when the Slovak nation is unable to determine its own destiny, because it is under a foreign military domination, :s uch efforts, dedication and sacrifices must be increased to help them achieve their freedom once again. Those of Slovak origin now living throughout the free world, are urged to .dedicate themselves to this task. Our obligation will be to present to the free world a true picture of the life under which our brethren are compelled to live, and to seek a change of their plight. The concepts by which we will be guided in this work will be the traditional values promoted throughout Slovak history which have given vitality to the nation in its growth and acceptance among nations of the western world. The Congress will continue to adhere to the democratic principles in the civil and international relations and considers tolerance in ideological, political and religious matters an expression of maturity for democracy and strongly opposes any tyranny whether it comes from the left, or, from the right. It has been obvious during the past two decades that the Slovaks living in Slovakia have been unable to determine their own destiny. A number of recent facts attest to this unfortunate reality namely the following: The basic freedom of Slovaks, as well as of other Captive �194 SLOVAKIA Nations under communism, are still quite limited-travel to Western countries, and press and assembly freedoms have recently been set back to almost the 1948 levels. The federalization of Czecho-Slovakia into two equal sectors-the Czech and the Slovak, introduced by the Constitutional Act of October 1948, has been severely circumscribed in recent past and is slowly being replaced by a new centralism; Religious freedom continues to be restricted to Roman Catholics, Uniates, Lutherans, Jews and to other denominations; and The present Czecho-Slovak Federal Government has taken no initiative nor has it responded to initiatives suggested by the Holy See in the Vatican to establish a Catholic Province in Slovakia, even though such provinces exist in Bohemia as well as in Moravia. We contend that the issue of the continued existence and recognition of a Slovak nation be duly accepted by all nations, including the records of the United Nations. The question of the suppressed freedoms of all nations now living under communism must soon be given full airing and remedies instituted. This has been and should not cease to be an issue of interest to all civilized nations. Slovaks call upon them to help in this cause. We take a positive attitude towards the economic integration in Europe and urge that the Slovak nation be included in this and other unifying processes benefiting their degree of economic and other freedoms. Viewing the future political situation in Eastern Europe with hope and cautious optimism, we look toward to the day when obstacles which presently prevent cultural and educational exchang* between Slovaks at home and abroad will be removed. To support the objectives mentioned above, we have established a permanent organization under the name of: Slovak World Congress, which shall embody the spirit of brotherhood and mutual respect. Religious affiliations or political views, insofar as they are not contrary to the spirit of democracy and the objectives mentioned above, will not bar anyone from membership or active participation in our organization. We consider it essential that our goals and methods as well as our activities follow democratic principles. �SLOVAKIA 195 We shall endeavor to have the Slovak World Congress represent its members at international scientific, cultural, religious or political forums in the interest of the Slovak nation as expressed in the Constitution and the by-laws of the organization. We urge that the Slovak World Congress devote itself to promoting the spirit of unity among its members and to co-ordinate all its efforts through constant contact with member organizations maintained through central secretariats, regional secretariats, committees and information bureaus in various countries around the world. We ask the blessing of Almighty God in this undertaking in the firm hope that with the help and co-operation of all those who wish well for the Slovaks we may successfully fulfill our role. Members of the Committee: Stephen B. Roman, LL.D., President; Rev. Dusan Toth, Secretary General; Dr. J. A. Mikus, Dr. J. Stasko, Dr. J. M . Kirschbaum,· Dr. J. Pauco, and Prof. E. Urban. Toronto, Ont., June 20, 1971. Unity Is Necessary Edward J. Behun c i k (The following are excerpts from the address of Edward J . Behuncik, First Vice President of the Slovak World Congress, President of the Slovak League of America, and President of the American Fund for Slovak Refugees given at the closing banquet of the Slovak World Congress held at the Royal York Hotel, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Saturday, June 19. 1971.) It is a rare and high privilege to appear before such a historic and distinguished gathering of representatives of all walks of Slovak life and to break bread with our fellow Slovaks from all parts of the free world as we share this memorable Congress in spirit, in hope and in love with our brethren in beautiful Slovakia. The honor you do me in asking that I speak in company with the distinguished Chief Executive of the great Province of Ontario, with two colleagues from the great Senate of the United States of America, as well as the spiritual, civic and cultural leaders who grace the head table-this honor cannot but move me. I thank you most sincerely for asking me here. Hopefully 1 will leave at least �196 SLOVAKIA one or two important thoughts with you-important to the permanent success of our fledgeling Slovak World Congress, and that is, our need for unity- and for ''Svornost a laska".In Joel, we read·'Your old men shall dream dreams, Your young men shall see visions."Today, we combine the hopes which both dreams and visions embody. Dreams are generally of things past, visions are of the future. Dreams are truly for older men who have a past, while visions are for the younger looking forward to the future. Experience alone is the look backward, the dream of yesteryear, but it is only useful as it clarifies the vision of tomorrow. Here in Toronto, we put the finishing touches--not upon a new structure - rather upon the permanent foundation . Because in fact, at New York City, the Congress \\'as already perfect in the sense that its objects were fully perceived, its necessary organs present, its powers conferred, and its extent already, if only dimly, seen to be world wide. In addition, its final purpose, which alone can justify its existence, was perfectly clear and that was to become the r epresentative body of Slovaks scattered as they are throughout the free world. Here during the past several days, we have added to the New York beginnings. We've used our year old experience to improve, amend, delete and otherwise add to the permanent basis of a vital organ for disseminating the cause of the Slovak nation. To bring about the final liberation of the Slovak nation and its equality among all nations, the Slovak World Congress presents us with a golden opportunity. If we complete its hopeful aspirations, if we create a permanent edifice on the foundation built here and in New York, we will thereby sooner bring to fruition the age old Slovak vision of liberty and freedom with justice. But unity is necessary - that unity which has so often eluded the efforts of our forebears . Can we come together for the future ? Can we remain together? I think we can; I know we must! ! ! We will and must let bygones be bygones, let past differences as nothing be, and with steady eye on the real issue, let us reinaugu rate the good and old central ideas of a free and independent Slovakia, where our presently subjugated brethren can someday in God's good time freely choose their own destiny. We have our quarrels, as all happy families have. We have di sagreed as all friend s have. But when the great human cause of Slovakia comes before us, in the natural fitness of things, we have looked into our hearts, and hidden away in their innermost recesses, we have discovered a very shy but a very faithful friendship for each other, no matter from what region of Slovakia we originated. That is why we are here this evening. �SLOVAKIA So 1 say-we are united-but more important - we must stay united. We can do it ! ! ! The human heart and human aspirations are with us. God is with us--Our Lady of Sorrows is with us. We shall-we must-succeed. God forbid, if the Congress shall dissipate instead of growing and developing as it should-it will be another eleven hundred years before the vision of a unified, free and independent Slovakia can again be dreamed of. I know none of us wish to have ~he horror of such a c a ta s t r o p h e on our consciences. So, we must not fall-and we won't if we do our duty-but the time has passed when we can remain silent regarding the great fundamentals of free government and permit the enemies of the Slovak social order to occupy the center of the stage. The time has come and that time is now when we must take issue with those, who infatuated with ch a o t i c dreams, are seeking to undermine the Slovak ideals and aspirations, dreams and visions. We now have the modus operandi-the vehicle. We have the Slovak World Congress. We, the participants in and supporters of the Congress, have it in our own hands whether it shall be nothing more than the brilliant after glow of a gorgeous renaissance, or whether it shall be the dawn of a newer and brighter day in the struggle of the Slovaks to fulfill their age old vision of liberty and freedom with justice. Already, as we well know, on several occasions, for several 197 brief moments, behind the far spread iron curtain in Eastern Europe. the rays of the setting sun of materialistic communism have mingled with the rays of the rising sun of democracy. May that sun grow in light and warmth and may it be undimmed by the clouds of our own internal dissension. I am profoundly concerned. I am deeply interested. I build the greatest hopes upon this World Congress. 1 am old enough to have the experience to be able to dream-but, I am young enough to have the vision of a great institution - one from which, for example, some day-God grant-will emerge a winner of the Nobel Peace Prize - or the Literature Prize. And so, in bidding a foud adieu to our fellow Slovaks returning to their havens scattered throughout the free world, I urge them and all of you to hope- to hope as the love of truth and obedience to it shall grow and as with firmer footing thereon, we look afar and think clearly on what we see. We shall see our Slovak World Congress advancing to the high position that awaits every organization and every nation which honors the facts, which looks afar and which thinks clearly and positively. And as we aspire to greater and more illustrious achievements in the glorious history of our beloved Slovakia, we can well ponder the prayer of Sir Francis Drake: "Oh, Lord God, when Thou givest to Thy servants to endeavor any great matter, grant us also, to know, that it is not the beginning, but the continuing of the same, until it is thoroughly finished, which yieldcth the true glory." �198 SLOVAKIA AS OTHERS SEE In these times, when many of us seem to reflect on the place of our origin, it was indeed interesting to see how the Americans, Canadians, and citizens of other free countries, all of Slovak origin, demonstrated their dedication to the cause of peace with freedom in our age. Their dedication was for freedom for their kinfolk in Slovakia, now part of the Communist satellite of Czechoslovakia, who cannot themselves demonstrate their longing for the liberties denied them for 23 years. The Slovaks are a hardy people who have been seeking the ideals we in our own country so freely enjoy-the right to their own self. determination. And like other nations, captives under Communist domination, the Slovaks know that one day they will join ranks with the civilized world with other free nations. Until then the work of the Slovak World Congress is indeed both most worthy and very necessary and I hope I applaud it. - U.S. Senator Robert Taft, Jr. The Slovak World Congress stands for freedom and seeks to preserve the language, culture and national heritage. You are to be commended for your strong antiCommunist stand. - Strom Thurmond., U.S. Senator Please know that your concern for freedom throughout the world and particularly in Slovakia is shared by all of us. No more dire threat exists today than that posed by the Soviet Union and I stand with you against their expansionary policies. Keep up with your good work. - John Tower, U.S. Senator I wish to congratulate the Slovak people of our nation for the out- IT standing fight they have been waging over the years in exposing Communist tyranny which is the most powerful threat to human freedom in the history of the world. If all groups of the free world would have the same spirit of opposition and expose the criminality of Communist enslavement methods and Communist living conditions there would be no doubt that this Communistic threat to the world would collapse in a very short time. - Ray J. Madden, U.S. Member of Congress The struggle for freedom and self-fulfillment has been a continuing process throughout Slovak history. Attainment of this objective in the past has not been without obstacles, or dedicated work and sacrifices of many individuals and groups. Now, when the Slovak nation is unable to determine its own destiny, because it is under a foreign military domination, such efforts, dedication and sacrifices must be increased to help them achieve their freedom once again. Those of Slovak origin now living throughout the free world, are urged to dedicate themselves to this task. Our obligation will be to present to the free world a true picture of the life under which our brethren are compelled to live, and to seek a change of their plight. The concepts by which we will be guided in this work will be the traditional values promoted throughout Slovak history which have given vitality to the nation in its growth and acceptance among nations of the western world. Claiborne Pell, U.S. Senator Even within the Communist world there is an absolute intoler-- �SLOVAKIA ance for those faithful party members who would put a "human face" on the dictatorship in order to make it more palatable. I speak of course, of Alexander Dubcek who sought to purify, and reform, but not replace or destroy, communism in Czechoslovakia. Yes even after the true nature of the dictator reared its ugly head and Dubcek's reforms were sacrificed, we still hear the drone of those who would have us believe that the communist dictator has changed. Let no one be fooled - Communism is the Number One enemy not only of the Western World, but of humanity itself. It is a tribute to all of you who have felt the iron hand of the communist dictator that you have brought to the Western Hemisphere an appreciation and understanding of the dangers of communism which is, unfortunately, shared by too few Americans. - Robert C. Mardian It is a privilege to address men and women who stand for the forefront of civilization's never-ending struggle for freedom. For more than eleven centuries the Slovak people have been developing, extending and seeking to preserve a rich and fertile cultural heritage. More than that, you have sought endlessly to maintain that priceless ingredient of true spiritual fulfillment-the right of the individual citizen to be his own person, to think his own thoughts, to speak his own words, to contribute directly to the formation and performance of his own government and to worship as he chooses. In so doing you have contributed your full share, and perhaps more, to the development of the Slavic peoples as a whole and to the cultural family of peoples around the world. 199 Ontario and all of Canada has been enriched by the spirit and integrity of Slovaks, Ukrainians, Poles, Czechs, Serbs, Croats, Slovenes and all of the others who claim the honor of membership in the world Slavic community which numbers more than 200 million persons. - William C. Davis, Prime Minister of Ontario Vienna, AtLstria - Communist Czecho-Slovakia's closed-door policy against religious literature mailed from abroad has provoked a steady stream of protests within its own borders, according to reports reaching here. Demands for an explanation are being sent to postal authorities by Czecho-Slovak citizens who learn that religious books such as the Bible have been mailed to them from abroad but returned to the sender by government authorities. The regime's reply to that publications contrary to Czecho-Slovakia's laws are refused entry. But no particulars are given to explain how the Bible or devotional books are in opposition to the country's laws. "Foreign reviews and books may be sent into Czecho-Slovakia without limitation of any sort," said a standard explanation from the central office for incoming foreign parcels in Prague. Post Office 120. "However, reviews and books which by their content are contrary to our legislative norms are refused local delivery, according to the prevailing international standards." The letter of explana,tion concluded: "Peace to the world!" It seems that books arriving from certain senders or destined for certain addresses are returned automatically without examination. Recently one man received back from Czecho..Slovakia an unopened �200 SLOVAKIA package he had sent his brother containing a book on photography. Official documents mailed by Vatican offices to various bishops in Czecho-Slovakia have been returned marked "refused." In June, the secretariat for church affairs of the Slovakia region's government notified bishops, pastors and Religious superiors that religious publications from abroad were prohibited where "in conflict with the interest of our socialist state." The of.ficial notice continued: "The provision also concerns the propagation and publication of information and instructions of various kinds from abroad, whether through internal ecclesiastical channels, in official documents or in any form whatsoever." It warned that the distribution of prohibited literature is punishable under Czecho-Slovakia's penal code. Czecho-Slovakia's hard-line communist rulers, brought to power by the Soviet invasion of August 1968, have been steadily tightening the screws on the Catholic Church for the past two years. In January 1970 the Slovakia ministry of culture decreed that every act of official worship, including private Masses, must have state approval. A similar decree was issued by the ministry of culture in the Czech region of Bohemia. In July of that same year the Slovakia government asserted the right to blackball newly chosen superiors of congregations of nuns. In November, 1970 the Bohemia ministry of culture forbade the Church to give courses preparing couples for marriage. In July 1971 the ministry of culture decreed severe limitations upon the teaching of religion. Its Slovakia counterpart did likewise. Decrees approving newly resurrected pro-government associations of peace priests were issued simultaneously in August 1971 by the Bohemian and Slovakian governments. But the regime 's restrictions on Church activity and growth have not been confined to legislation and decrees. Through administrative acts the regime has kept more than half the applicants out of the country's seminaries and has dismissed from convents all Sisters who entered them when the country's liberalized regime of early 1968 reopened the convent to novices. The present, neo-Stalinist regime has attempted to manipulate the Church by installing its own candidates in key positions, such as vicar general of Brno and of Roziiava, and the executive committees of the Bohemian and Slovakian Catholic charitable agencies. Meanwhile, the controlled press has been keeping up a steady fire on religion in general and the churches in particular. Christians in Bohemia are bracing themselves for still heavier assaults upon them and their churches now that the head of the region's religious affairs office, Karel Hruza, has returned from a Moscow meeting with · his counterparts from other Communist states. Czecho-Slovakia's present program of religious repression was launched shortly after his return from a similar meeting in Moscow in October 1969. - NC New s Service Vienna. - The situation of the Church and of human rights and freedoms. in communist-ruled Czecho-Slovakia is growing worse, not better. Experts agree that the situation �SLOVAKIA 201 after the short bright 1968 methods to promote atheist edu "humanizing" period before the cation. Dubcek regime was overthrown by Party officials said repeatedly at Soviet-led invaders - is similar recent meetings that religion "has now to that of the hated Stalinist a negative influence on the for. times. mation of Socialist conscience." The Church has become the The Bratislava communist newstarget of concentrated attacks from paper, Pravda, demanded that relitwo directions - through adminis- gious ceremonies - christenings, trati ve measures and ideological weddings and funerals - be rearguments. placed by Socialist ceremonies, The communist regime is at- because " the Church has misused tempting to strangle religious the most important stages of activities slowly but effectively by human life for its own purposes." administrative action. Karel Hruza, head of the gove rnMore than half of all parishes in ment state office, has described Bohemia lack priests and there is the regime's plans. "After rightists no chance to overcome the short- and counter-revolutionaries are reage. At the moment only 12 stu- moved from the party and governdents study for the priesthood in ment, we must concentrate in the entire Archdiocese of Olomouc. working a platform to cope with As a result of government the reactionary policy of the chicanery, the number of children Church. - Gerd Kriwanek, Reliattending religious instruction in gious News Service, January 28, school is sharply declining. 1972. th At the same time, e regime Ladislav Bezak loaded his wife has endorsed increased ideological and four children in a two-place attacks on the Church. Jozef Le- · light plane December 9 1971 and nart, firs_t secretary of the Slovak left for what he desc;ibed as a Communist Party, charged the "pleasure trip. " Church with having misused the The flight originated in Prague, situation in 1968 " to create a politand his destination was Nuernberg, ical basis for clericalism and West Germany. He did not file Catholicism. " a flight plan. Lenart alleged that religious Bezak is an experienced pilot sentiments were misused to pro- perhaps one of the best in the mote "anti-Sovietism and anti- world. At the first World Aerosocialism." batic Contest in 1960 at Bratislava, The regime has increased its Slovakia, he was a gold medal atheist propaganda. Thus the mag- winner in aerobatic competition. azine for teachers Ucitel'ske American pilots describe him as Noviny - urged the abolition of a quiet engineer who always wore any "liberal attitude towards re- a suit and tie rather than the casual ligion and the Church in our clothes worn by most competitive society." The journal also pledged pilots. increased atheist education of Shortly after he and his famil y young people by the party, the left Prague, a Czech MIG jet mass media, the schools and major fighter began a chase, and although organizations. Bezak waggled his wings and It also suggested that the Acade- waved to convince the fighter pilot my of Science devise the best they were on a pleasure flight , the �202 SLOVAKIA MIG began to fire on the light plane. Aerobatic maneuvers require precise skill. They are difficult enough in a special airplane, with perfect weight and balance distribution under ideal conditions. With six peop'le in a small plane, they would have to be considered impossible category. In addition, being fired on by a military jet could tend to disturb the concentration. The little plane - loaded over gross, and perhaps a third as fast as the fighter - apparently didn't have a chance. But the pilot was Bezak! According to the Aerobatic Club of America, Bezak flew the book at the military pilot. Flying many of the patterns which had earned him world championship 10 years before, he was able to elude the jet and continue on to the border. Before he reached it, the small plane was fired on from the ground. Bezak dived into a cloud bank, and with the children in tears and his wife in prayer, broke out across the border at 300 feet. The escape was a success. Ladislav Bezak, like most good aerobatic pilots, flies for prizes. During this trip he won the biggest prize of them all - freedom for himself and his family. - Lew Inquirer, Philadelphia Hodges, February 6, 1972. Lehigh is searching for a graduate student of Slovak ancestry to prepare a history of Slovak people in Bethlehem. Money for this project was left to the University from an even more unusual source: a Southside Bethlehem bachelor druggist who died in 1968 at age 67 and left Lehigh $67,500 in an unsigned will. The druggist, John Weldy Wasco, worked and apparently lived at 843 E. 4th Street. Relatives contested his will all the way to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, which upheld two lower court decisions in favor of Lehigh. Wasco stipuleted that $10,000 of the $67,500 was to go toward compiling and printing a history of Slovaks in Bethlehem, and that the project must be carried out by a Slovak student. Wasco's wish appeared in local newspapers without the criteria he set for the historian, and a number of Lehigh faculty expressed interest before learning they did not qualify. Wasco also specified that his personal papers be edited, and left $5,000 for the University to arrange that. University officials could not explain what motivated Wasco's generosity. He wrote a will in 1967 making Lehigh his sole beneficiary, and later changed it to add the provision about the Slovak history. - Lehigh University Publication Ondrej Nepela, the skating wonder from Slovakia, won the 11th Winter Olympic Games' gold medal as Russia's Sergei Chetveroukin edged into second place for the silver and Patrick Pera of France won the bronze. Two Americans, Ken Shelley of Downey, Calif., and John Mischa Petkevitch of Great Falls, Montana, moved into fourth and fifth places, passing East Germany's young Jan Hoffman, who had been fourth after the compulsory figures. Nepela, the world champion, fell early in his program while attempting a triple-toe-loop. Fall do not necessarily ruins a skater's marks since he is judged on the difficulty of his routine. Nepela was smooth and graceful but his program was neither as imaginative nor a dynamic as that of some of his rivals, including the two Americans. Despite his fall, the Slovak rated �SLOVAKIA scores no lower than 5.9s in technical merit and he had two 5. 7s with the rest 5.8 in artistic impressions. His total points were 2739.1, well ahead of the rest of the field. In the official ordinal rankings, Nepela had a perfect 9.0, meaning he was rated No. 1 by all nine judges. The Russian had 20.0 in ordinals and Pera 28.0. - Associated Press, February 12, 1972. Dr. Joseph Tiso, wartime president of the Slovak Republic, is no more. Tried and convicted as a "war criminal" by a ~called People's Court, he was executed last week American press dispatches - both secular and religious were concise and negligently brief. No fanfare or publicity. Merely that the priest-president was sentenced and the sentence carried out. Was Dr. Tiso a "war criminal"? The very fact of news silence here betrays a kind of embarrassed admission that things were not just fine in "Glocca Morra." The trials of Draga Mihailovitch and Archbishop Stepinac given due publicity aroused resentment in the United States, an attitude, which, while it accomplished nothing actual for the persons involved, nevertheless illustrated the rightprincipled conscience of the thinking public. But Dr. Tiso's case was denied even the type of consolation, because the facts and circumstances of the Tiso case are quite unknown to the American people. Whose the fault, whose the blame for this? The Hon. Robert Jackson, presiding over the trials in Nuremberg wrote "All experience teaches that there are certain things you cannot do under the guise of judicial trial. You must put no man on trial before anything that is called a court, if you are not prepared to establish his personal 203 guilt . . . If you are determined to execute a man in any case, there is no occasion for a trial. The world yields no respect to courts that are merely organized to convict." Tiso's trial was a travesty of justice. Actually, the issue was a political one primarily. Tried by the "People's Court" Tiso was denied representation by the attorney engaged by his friends. American papers had nothing to say about the fact that Alois Loyek, the attorney, was abused by the security officials, told he could not represent Tiso, and all defense material confiscated. The presiding judge and six political associates was Igor Daxner who himself was once tried by a regular court during Tiso's regime for planning with the Benes government-in-exile to turn Slovakia over to Russia, and sent to jail. Was Dr. Tiso a "war criminal" ? The answer necessitates a thorough perusal of the events which led to his election as Premier of Slovakia before the war started· - under a valid act of the Prague Parliament, events little known here, events in the evolution of democracy in the republic of Czecho-Slovakia without a knowledge of which the case of Tiso cannot be justly viewed. If these facts were made public, perhaps public opinion, such as it is. might be swayed to the right even though a little too late." The Catholic L i ght, Scranton, Pa. 4-25-47. Dr. Tiso's public life was political, though this fact is not to be held in any way against him. In many parts of Europe ecclesiastics find themselves pushed into politics because the cause of their Catholic people needs to be protected, and there are not a sufficient number of laymen educated to the job. Happily, this state of affairs is passing away, for it is not in itself �204 SLOVAKIA very desirable. However excellent the motives of the cleric concerned, he risks his spiritual office being contaminated, at least in public esteem, by the relatively low standards of political life, and the higher he rises in the political world, the harder it may become to distinguish the priest from the politics. Dr. Tiso, so far as we are aware always remained an exemplary priest, but he came to find himself responsible for the fate of his fellow Slovakians in terrible times. Through these times he did his duty to his people as he saw it. In a way not dissimilar from that of an Irish leader in relation to the British, he strove to protect the religion, culture and national autonomy of Slovakia as against the Czechs whose public outlook was dominated by very different rnlues. Such is the path of treason in the eyes of one side and of heroic patriotism in the eyes of the other. And few who tread this hard road can look back on their lives and deny having made mistakes. In the long run history will al- ways vindicate the sincere patriot as against the utilitarian judgment of those who condemn him on a legalistic interpretation of treason. In each case the career of such a man is a challenge to those called UPon to judge him. Are they big enough to look with the eyes of history and to seek reconciliation and understanding by the great gesture? Or are they small men who cannot see beyond the legalisms and their wounded vanity? In the face of this test, Dr. Benes and the rulers of Czecho-Slovakia have dismally failed. They have had to judge a good man, a priest, a great and courageous patriot, and all they have been able to do is to raise a martyr for Slovakia. This small-minded folly is only too typical of the men whom the fortunes of war have favoured . Instead of trying to realize unity on the basis of victory, these little men are as busy as they can be indulging their feelings by carving even deeper the channels which devide man from man and nation from nation. - Catholic Herald . London, 4-25-47. SLOVAKIA is µublishecl annually by the Slovak League of .America, a cultural and civic federation of Americans of Slovak descent. One of the purpo··es of SLOVAKIA is to promote a better understanding and appreciat1on of the Sl<OVak nation and its long struggle foT freedom and i ndependeuce. Subscription to Slovwkia $3.00 pel' year in the L1.S.A. - $4.00 el-sewhere. Send 1mhscription to: SLOV AKI.A 313 Ridge A venue Middletown, Pa. 17057 �SLOVAKIA 205 BOOK REVIEWS BOOKS ON SLOVAK LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE Reviewed by J. M. KIRSCH BA UM Bibliografia slovenskej jazykovedy ethymology, terminology, orthoand lexicography which are the preferred fields of Slovak linguists; the survey of published articles, studies and books between 1961-1965 shows that Slovak linguists made great progress in the following disciplines; history of the language, dialectology, morphology, syntax, onomastics, stylistic aspects of language, problems of translation, the structure and acoustics of language and language culture. This development become more than apparent if we compare the present work with the Biblio- 1961-1965 (Bibliography of Slo- graphy, vak Linguistics 1961-1965), by Ladislav Dvonc; Matica slovenska (Martin, 1970), pages 804, multi-lingual, English summary. For Western Slavists the Bibliography of Slovak Linguistics is not wLthout interest. This voluminous publication shows that Slovak linguistics has developed considerably during the latter years of the Stalinist regime. It also indicates that the attempts of some philologists, supported by the policy of the regime in the 1950's, to infiltrate the Slovak language with Czech vocabulary and to bring its structure as close to the Czech language as possible in order to create a "CzechoS'lovak language" back-fired. Slovak linguists, with the exception of one or two philologists trained in Prague ( S. Peciar, especi'ally), repudiated these attempts and began not only to clear the Slovak language from foreign infiltrations but in a number of studies brought Slovak linguistics quantitatively as well as qualitatively to the level of other Slavic nations within the Soviet orbit. With its 2111 entries pertaining to the Slovak language, the Bibliography is, however, not simply a numerical expression of the development of li.nguistic studies on the Slovak language. Of great importance is the number of disciplines studied by Slovak linguists. It is not any more only grammar, graphy of Slovak Linguistics for 1957-1960 by the same author. The new Bibliography contains: 1) all linguistic articles, studies and books published in Slovakia; 2) contributions in non-Slovak periodicals ( one from Canada), studies and articles by non-Slovak authors on the Slovak language or on linguistics published in Slovakia. As a result, the entries in this Bibliography are not only more numerous, but also multi-lingual. The publication shows that many Slovak linguists themselves ,published their studies in foreign languages, mainly in Russian. A strong Russian influence in Slovak linguistics is even more evident in the number of articles, studies and books dealing with the Russian language. Bibliographical data about the Russian language cover more than 100 pages, while other Slavic languages follow in this order: Czech 25 pages, Ukrainian 9 pages, Polish 3 pages, Slovenian �206 SLOVAKIA 3/4 of a page, Byelorussian and Bulgarian ¼ of a page each. For a short time the methods of the Russian linguistic school, or as some linguists say, "the Marxists and Stalinists principles and methods," were also imposed on Slovak philology and linguistics and prevailed in some works (see my essay " Contemporary Tendencies in Slovak Philology," Slavic and East European Studies, Vol. IV, 34, University of Montreal, 1960). Around 1960 Slovak linguists turned, however, against the russification as well as against the Czech infiltration of the Slovak language and Slovak linguistics. Studies, articles and books pertaining to the Slovak language have been published, according to this Bibiiography, predominantly in Slovak, but over 300 entries were published in Western languages, including English, in other Slavic languages and in Hungarian. It was mainly the works of the older generation of Slovak linguists (J . Stanislav, E. Pauliny) which appeared in international symposia in English, French or Russian. The younger generation on the other hand has broadened the field of Slovak linguists to include many disciplines and their studies have maintained a high academic level. They continue to be grouped around the periodicals Slovenska rec (Slovak Language), Jazykovedr ny casopis (Linguistic Journal) and Jazykovedne studie (Linguistic Studies) and have published the Zbornik Filozofickej Fakulty Univ. Komenskeho - Philologica (Sym- posium of the F1aculty of Arts of the Comenius University) and Zbornik Filozofickej Fakulty Univ. P. J. Safcirika (Symposium of the University of P. J . Safarik). Editors gether with V. Blanar, L. Dvonc, G. Horak, J. Horecky and R. Krajcovic wrote the major part of the Slovak linguistic studies contained in the Bibliography. Even though the works of foreign philologists (R. Auty, R. Jakobson) from Western countries are included in this Bibliography it does not contain articles, studies or books published by Slovak intellectuals abroad except for one French essay by this reviewer which appeared in Etudes Slaves et est-europeennes (Montreal, 1963). Valuable studies by H. Bartek who was the founder of the periodical Slovenska rec or books, articles, dictionaries and surveys by S. Bue, F. Hrobak, J . J . Konus, J . Rekem and others were apparently not allowed by the regime to be recorded. The "normalization" which followed the brief period of relative freedom in 1968, has again separated the Slovaks in Slovakia from Slovak intellectuals in the West even in the field of linguistics and the population of Slovakia is not allowed to know about the cultural activities among some two million Slovaks abroad. The usefulness of Dvonc's Bibliography for Slavists cannot be doubted. It is a thoroughly prepared standard work. An index of names and a subject index enhance the practical value of this voluminous book. SLOVENSKA BIBLIOGRAFIA V ZAHRANitf 1945-1965 (Slovak Bibliography Abroad 1945-1965) : Compiled by Prof. M. Lacko S.J .. published by The Slovak Institute (Cleveland-Rome), 1967, 366 pp., multi-lingual, instruction in Slovak and English. The long expected Slovak Biblioof these periodicals have been E. graphy Abroad, which had to reJona , J. Ruzicka, Prof. E . Pauliny, cord the cultural activities of L. f>urovic and S. Dobos who to- Slovak intellectuals in the West, �SLOVAKIA has finally been published and we cannot but welcome it. Slovak Bibliography Abroad 19451965 records the literary production of Slovak authors in Western countries in the fields of history, political science, religion, philology, folklore, literary history and cdticism, music, theology, literature and natural science. A special chapter deals with general works on Slovakia and Slovaks abroad, includtng Slovaks in Canada. In addition, the Bibliography records the works of non-Slovak authors in the above-mentioned fields if they were translated into the Slovak language and deal explicitly with Slovakia or Czecho-Slovakia as a whole. Absent from this Bibliography are works and studies on Slovak subjects., published in the countries of the Soviet block since it was impossible for the compilers to carry out the necessary research. As a result, the publication contains literary and scientific writings of Slovaks living in some 15 Westem countries and published in all major Western languages. Considering the difficulties which wr:ilters, scholars and scientists face in exile, the Bibliography with its 2,438 entries gives an impressive picture of Slovak cultural life abroad after the Second W . W. One can understand this properly only if he is familiar with some basic facts about the Slovak intellectual community in Western countries. At the end of the Second World War, 50me 5,000 educated Slovak5 left their native country; in 1948 they were followed by a new wave of immigrants after the Communist coup d'etat. In the first wave of exiles were some of the be5t Slovak writers, poets and scores of young intellectuals from all fields of cultural endeavor who either completed their studies at univer- 207 sities in Western countries or continued their intellectual work even if they had to take menial jobs in the countdes in which they found refuge. Many of the younger generation attained positions at universities (22 in Canada) or institutions of higher education. Others became editors of newpapers and many poets and writers continued to write valuable works besides their employment in clerical jobs or other professions. Besides the chapter on literature which records writings of .some 25 poets and 15 prose writers, the largest number of entries is in the chapter on history ( 437), philology and literary history ( 224) , and political science (160). However, the natural sciences and economy are also among the best represented with 275 entries. Writings on history and political science, philology and literary history are predominantly in foreign languages. Some authors (Mikus, Kirschbaum, Rekem, Vnuk) published their studies in 3 or 4 Western languages. In literature, the Bibliography lists works by several of the best Slovak poets and novelists who in exile created works considered among the best in contemporary Slovak literature (Hronsky, Dilong, Sprinc, Strmen, Zvonicky, etc.) . The Bibliography also indicates that there are several Slovak cultural centers in the Western countries. From Canada the Bibliography has listed books, studies and articles 'b y some 20 Slovak authors. Ten of them have been active either tn Slavic studies or in philology, sociology, theology and science, the remaining 15 in literature. Actually Canada and the United States seem to have produced the most prolific Slovak authors, not only in literature but also in other fields. Also the major �208 SLOVAKIA centers of Slovak publishing activities have been in the United States, but Italy, Argentina and West Germany have equally active groups in publishing books, periodicals and newspapers. The BibHography further shows that some Slovak scholars and writers published their writings, including poetry, in several languages (English, French, Italian, Spanish) and in certain cases the originals were written in foreign languages and not translated from the Slovak. This is a new feature in Slovak literature and scholarly writing. Because of adverse political circumstances Slovaks had very limited opportunities to study abroad not only before the Second World War, but also after 1945. The exiled writers and scholars made apparently a great effort to fill this lacuna. No doubt the compiler of the Bibliography, Prof. Michael Lacko, accomplished a task which is usually done by many researchers over several years. By his own admission, he does not cover all published studies and articles by Slovaks abroad ; actually in some cases valuable studies were left out either in foreign language or in Slovak. Additions and extensions to the Bibliography have, therefore, been promised by the compiler, as well as by the publishers. However, even in its present form, the Bibliography is a valuable contribution to Slavic studies and a very useful publication, not only for Slovak scholars and researchers , but also for Slavists who read English, the Bibliography being bi-lingual. The value of the Bibliography is also enhanced by listing bibliographies on Slovak matters as well as periodicals and newspapers, annuals, and symposia, published in some 15 countries. Julius Noge : An Outl.ine of Slovakian L i terature (The Tatrapress Agency, Bratislava), 1968, 120 pp. This is the first book in English on Slovak literature which was published in Slovakia since the Communist takeover in 1948. The fact that it was published in 1968 would indicate that Dubcek's liberalization has to be credited for ,t his slender booklet on 200 years of literary activities in the Slovak language. The restoration of Czecho-Slovakia in 1945 cut off Slovakia from the rest of the world, especially from the West, and Slovak literature, art, science and culture in genera-I were to remain unknown to the Western world. Julius Noge, one of the literary critics who followed the directives of the Communist Party and was, therefore, favored by the Communist regime, divided his "succint" outline of Slovak literature into 7 chapters: From Old Church Slavonic learning (sic) to pre-Romanticism; Romanticism ( 1843-1870 ) ; Realism (1870-1905); Slovakian Literary Modernism ; Slovakian Literature between the wars (1918 1945); Contemporary Literature ( 1945-); Conclusion and Completion. Some of these chapters are very short, superficial and the whole publication is unbelievably biased towards writers and poets whose works expressed ideas opposed to Communism as, for instance, the poets and writers of Catholic modernism and all Slovak writers and poets in exile, except for J . C. Hronsky. Faithful to the directives of the Party, Noge considers as the greatest poets and writers such second class poets as Novomesky or Valek, and such mediocre writers as Vamos and Jilemnicky. "The poems by Laco Novomesky - assording to Noge - are most expressive, from the �SLOVAKIA 209 artistic and human point of view that those years were the "dark most mature fruit of modern Slo- age" of Slovak literature. The lie vakfan poetry. His works are fre- has, however, short legs, as a Sloquently the key opening the way vak saying goes. A glance at the to ,t he sense and the problems of Slovak literary production between Slovakian literature between the 1939 and 1945 included in his book, wars and after them." shows that even the leading ComValek, who plays today the role munists published freely: Novoof the Minister of Culture in Slo- mesky published his book in 1939; vakia which after 1945 had been Hecko in 1942; Tafarka in 1942; played by Novomesky is, according Kostra in 1939, 1940, and two books to Noge, even of greater import- in 1942; Ponican in 1940 and 1941 ; ance for Slovak literature. "Valek's Horov in 1940 , l942 and 1944; complex work - writes Noge - . .Zary in 1941 and two books so rich in meaning and expression, in 1942; Ondrejov in 1940, and so inaugurated a new stage in the on. In fact, all Slovak writers and evolution of Slovakian poetry, re- poets created and published during presenting hitherto in some respect th e years of the Slovak Republic its peak." Horibile dictu! The Eng- more th an at any time before, lish reader could not help looking regardless of the fact whether they with contempt on Slovak literature supported the regime or not. Comif these minor poets were its great- munist literary historians should est authors and their poetry re- not underestimate the intelligence presented the peak of Slovak liter- of Wes tern readers. From the readature. ing of Noge's booklet, anyone can find out that, with the exception Noge seems to be objective in of G. Va.mos, who was not in Slohis write-up on individual Slovak vakia and Jilemnicky who was a poets and writers only in his evalu- Czech settled in Slovakia, every ation of the literary works pro- Slovak writer, poet, literary hisduce<l in the 1950's. He admits that torian or critic ,p ublished his works, "authoritarian methods of regle- and the younger ones their debuts mentation in the field of literature during that period. Since it is the first survey of reached ,t heir peak in 1951." He also writes that the literature and Slovak literature in the English poetry of that time was "just the language, we cannot but regret poetic drafting of political and that it is not better either in form journalistic phrases" and that in or content. This publication will prose writing the topics "were hardly convince English, American, treated in the manner of agitating Canadian, or Australian readers propaganda." However, this should that Slovak literature is worthbe understood in the context of while to be studied, taught and the events of 1968 when Noge's read. In addition to its shortbooklet was published. Criticism of comings mentioned above, the pubthe 1950's was not only fashionable lication also suffers from a very in 1968 but also a prerequisite for bad translation and too many printpublishing. ing errors. It would seem that One of the most .biased state- emigre Slovak intellectuals must ments in Noge's book is his asser- publish an English survey of Slotion that during the Slovak Repub- vak literature to present it to the lie some writers and poets "ceased civilized world in an objective light to write belles-lettres," intimating and proper form . �210 SLOVAKIA Letopis Pamatnika Slovenskej Lite- lenced not only Stur but also many ratu:ry 1970. Compiled and Edited of his followers and it was mainly by Juraj Chovan (Matica slovenska, Martin 1970), pp. 250, Russian and German Summary, Index. Slovak literary history receives in this publication some new insights and correct interpretation of the work of three prominent men of letters: Jan Holly, Andrej Radlinsky and Martin Hamuljak. Not only during the inter-war period when Slovak literary history was adjusted to the political aims of "Czechoslovakism", but also since 1945, Catholic writers and their role in Slovak national development was minimized or completely neglected . For a short time after the Second World War, Holly was rediscovered and some valuable publications of his life and work appeared in Slovakia or were prepared for the printers. For the ce11tennary of Holly, literary historians and critics such as Jozef Ambrus, Jozef Felix and others prepared nine volumes of Holly's poetry with comments and evaluation. However, the re.g ime did not allow distribution of Holly's work and it appeared only after 20 years in second-hand bookshops. The reason for such undeserved treatment of Holly's work was apparently the fact that it was published by Spolok sv. Vojtecha. The present publication gives justice to Holly and, at the same time, it presents Radlinsky and Hamuljak and their activities in a true light. Not only in the political history but also in literary history, the period between 1848 and 1918 was interpreted in such a way as if Slovak Catholics had not played any role in Slovak national life. The facts are, of course, quite different. The disillusionment of the year 1848 si- the Catholic intelligentsia who kept the flame of national consciousness alive and were active in cultural and literary life. From Radlinsky through Moyses to Oswald, a score of Slovak Catholics organized cultural and literary activi.ties and fought for the national rights of the Slovak people. Contributions to the present publications by Augustin Mat'ovcik, Zemka Cejkova, Konstantin Palkovie and Juraj Chovan, bring to light some interesting details on this period mainly in connection with Radlinsky's activities. The present Letopis is the fourth publication of this kind by Matica slovenska. All of them have been dealing with research into Slovak literature and contained results of studies by qualified literary historians. The greater part of the present publication is composed of papers presented at two conferences in April 1969. The first confere nce was organized on the occasion of the 120th anniversary of the death of J. Holly in Trnava and the second one on the occasion of the 110th anniversary of the death of A. Radlinsky. In addition of these papers, there is an interesting essay on Slovak studies Slovakica - at foreign universities by J . Kuzmik. The essay deals so far with Slovak studies in Slavic countries. But the title of the essay indicates that it will deal with Slova k studies in all foreign universities and institutions. We hope that Kuzmik will treat the subject with scholarly objectivity when he writes on Slovak studies at American and Canadian universities. A short survey published by him sometime ago indicated that he was not free of the usual bias common to all literary and cultural historians in today's Slovakia. He left out im- �SLOVAKIA portant contributions to Slovak studies at Western universities just because of political considerations and inflated the importance of others who professed political ideologies accepted rby the present regime in Czecho-Slovakia. The publication also contains documents and information on various cultural topics, as well as book reviews. Slovaks abroad learned with satisfaction that Matica slovenska in Prievidza organized an exhibition of the literary work of J. C. Hronsky. The exhibition lasted two weeks and met with great interest by the public. The objectivity of this publication is enhanced by including an account on this exhibition in which it has been admitted that Hronsky was "one of the most important, but also systematically under-estimat:ed Slovak writer." Unfortunately, the publication contains only a short Russian and German summary and will, therefore, be useful only for Slavists who can read Slovak. Nevertheless, we welcome this valuable contribution to better and more objective evalu ation of the Slovak literary past. W ith Christ in His Passion. By Rudolph Dilong. '!1ranslated from the original Slovak by Sister M. Martina Tibor, SS.C.M., Villa of the Sacred .Heart, Danville, Pa., 1971, pp. 75, $2.50. The greatest poetic genius of our century, the French poet, Paul Claude!, used to say (in several variations) about the poet and poetry. "The object of poetry is not, as they say very frequently, dreams, illusions or ideas_ It is the holy reality, given once for all times, in the center of which we are situated. It is the universe of in- 211 visible things. It is all that we look at and all that looks back at us. All this is God's work; it renders matter inexhaustible for all the greatest poet says and sings as well as the smallest bird. Since there is a phiiosophia perennis that does not invent ... abstract beings that no one has ever seen except thei r authors, .. . so there is also a poesis perennis that does not invent its themes, but it eternally recaptures those which Creation furnishes to it ... The purpose of poetry is not, as Baudelaire says, 'to plunge into the bottom of the Infinite to find something new,' but to plunge into the bottom of the definite in order to find there the inexhaustible ... Nor is he a poet who invents, but he who, approaching things, assembles and permits us to understand them." Justly we can apply these concepts especially to the religious poetry of Rudolf Dilong, the most prolific and meritorious contemporary Slovak poet living in exile (Pittsburgh, Pa.) So he took a plunge into the sacred reality of the Pascha'l Mystery and with a luminous creative poetic imagry tried the humanly impossible: to capture the uncapturable mystery found in Christ's redemptive mystery of suffering and victory. He listens in these depths and assembles the rays of his poetic vision in powerful and eloquent words. These are his immortal merits. How about the (frequently overlooked) merits of the translator, Sister Martina Tibor? Well, if poetry is art par excellence, so is its translation. To translate poetry well requires above all the perfect mastery of two languages. But this is not enough. The translator must be also a virtual pbet (in potentia), to save in his translation as much �SLOVAKIA 212 of the sublime poetic beauty as it is possible. And this process must be a new creation: a scrupulous penetration into the fine shades of meanings and the recapturing in another language this almost imperceptible shimmering of condensed poetic experience and expression. Even so, something will always be lost from the genuine beauty of the original. AU in all, we gladly say that Sister Martina did a splendid job in translating into English the most difficult, exuberant and most sublime religious poetry of the poet1>riest Rudolf Dilong. It is a valuable cultural service to the poetic Slovak genius. Nichoias Sp r in c, Borromeo Seminary College of Ohio ··DIE SLOWAKEI IN DER NACHDER KRIEGSENTWICKLUNG (The TSCHECHO-SLOWAKEI" Role of Slovakia in the Political Evolution of Czecho--Slovakia After the Second World War); by Prof. J. M. Kirschbaum, Schriftenreihe des Matus Cernak Instituts, Koln, Nr. 3, 1971, pp. 32, Bibi. Prof. J . M. Kirschbaum enriched again our political literature by a consice study about Slovakia after lhe Second World War. The publication is destined predominantly to scholars and historians but it will be welcome by anybody interested in political development in Czecho-Slovakia from 1945 to 1968. This period of Slovak history was presented in the West by fore ign historians as well as by Czech exiles in the most distorted light. Prof J. M. Kirschbaum, on the basis of sources in several languages, gives a clear picture of the role of Slovakia in the upheavals through which Czecho-Slov>akia, restored by the Soviet armies, had to undergo after the Second World War. The publication is an enlarged version of an English contribution to Canadian Slavonic Papers, Vol. X, 4, 1968, which was dedicated by Canadian Slavists to the events in Czecho-Slovakia in 1968. The English version discusses the events until the invasion of Czecho• Slovakia by the Soviet and other Warsaw Pact troops. In the German version there is also a chapter on the federalization of Czecho-Slovakia , and the footnotes were completed by references to works in German, while in the English text, Prof. Kirschbaum referred mostly to books published on the American Continent and in France. The study is divided into four chapters dealing with the Communist coup d'etat in 1948, the ,period of the "cult of personality" in Slovakia, the process of de--Stalinization and the struggle for liberalization and federalization. In each chapter the author traces the special role which Slovakia played in the crucial years of the transformation of Czecho-Slovakia into the most faithful satellite of the Soviet Union. To avoid being accused of "parti pris," Prof. J .M. Kirschbaum heavily relies on quotations from American and Canadian political scientists dealing with Eastern Europe. Among others he often quotes the work by the former Secretary to President Benes, E. Taborsky, who now teaches at American universities, but the most interesting quotation comes from a Czech professor at the University of British Columbia, Stanley Z. Pech, who wrote the following remarkable statement about Western historians writing on Eastern Europe: "Although Western specialists in Eastern European history have usually regarded it as their task to �SLOVAKIA I 213 make the West familiar with the Since Prof. F . Hrusovsky published entire panorama of the polyglot his concise booklet This is Slovakia. region, they have in practice often I some 20 years ago, we did not been selective in the favors they have in English any publication to bestoved on each nation. They have give either to foreigners or to incorporated in their work, in Slovaks educated at American, Camodified form, the outlook and nadian or Australian universities, the prejudices of the nations which the basic facts of Slovak history they "adopted." To give the most and cultural life. For this reason, conspicuous examples, they viewed the Slovak World Congress deSlovak history through Czech eyes. serves credit for publishing an In so doing, they have in fact up-to-date account on Slovakia. The publication is composed of created a second-class status for certain nations. The history of the two essays by Prof. J . A. Mikus. Slovaks in the West has usually and six essays by Prof. J . M. Kirschbeen presented from the point of baum. Prof. Mikus deals with the view of "Czechoslovakism" and has individuality of Slovakia, namely, appeared as hardly more than a with geographical and demographical facts and with the personality postscript to Czech history. " of the Slovak nation. Both essays We understand that the first are written in a scholarly way but English book by Prof. J. M. Kirsch- understandable to any reader. baum Slovakia - Nati 01i at the Drawing on personal knowledge Crossroads of Central Europe is and long years of studies of Slovak no more avail.able even though it history, Prof. Mikus displayed ahad three printings. It would be gain by his essays that he belongs a service to the Slovak cause if among the best Slovak authors he revised his book and completed abroad in the field of history and it by the present study in order political science. that students of Slovak history, as The essays by Prof. J . M. Kirschwell as politicians and American baum deal with the historical back and Canadian Slovaks of the second ground of Slovakia, the ethnic and third generations, could have origin and language, cultural, poan objective history on Slovakia. litical, religious and economic The Matus cernak Institute de- background. The essays give a serves credit for publishing this complete and unbiased picture of well documented study. The Slovak 1100 years of Slovak history, as World Congress would render a well as of political and cultural service to the Slovak cause if it evolution of the Slovak people and took care of pl.acing this concise of the economic potential of Sloand expertly written account of vakia. Perhaps intentionally short, modern Slovak history into univer- the essays refer to many books sity libraries in Europe as well as either in Slovak or in foreign languages, which will be welcome by on this Continent. who want to enhance their students J . Pau c o knowledge of Slovakia. SLOVAKIA : Historical and Cu lturThe reader will notice that Prof. al Background, by Prof. J. A. J . M. Kirschbaum made great efMikus and Prof. J. M. Kirsch- forts to present the political and baum, Published by Slovak World religious background of Slovaks Congress (Toronto, Canada, June without any bias. This is in accoro 1971) , pp. 63, ill. bibl. ance with the concept of the Slovak I �SLOVAKIA 214 World Congress which published this valuable addition to books on Slovakia. The Congress is guided by national as well as by religious ecumenical spirit. As in his other works on Slovakia, Prof. Kirsch• baum makes a distinction between the history of Slovakia and the history of the Slovak people which is not history of dynasties or expansive wars, but a struggle for survival. Such an approach will probably be most understandable for Slovaks as well as foreigners and may prove to be correct in the last analysis. The publication is enhanced by a map of Europe and several pictures from the history of Slovakia, as well as by a bibliography of English books on Slovakia by Slovak authors. The Editor, Prof. J. M. Kirschbaum added this im· pressive survey of books in English by Slovak authors for Slovaks educated outside Slovakia, and he did the right thing. Published by the Slovak World Congress, this valuable publication was distributed freely to the participants at the meeting in Toronto, and is apparently no more avail• able. It would be a service to the Slovak cause if a second edition be prepared for general use. J. Pa u co ETHNOLOGIA SLAVICA I: Uni· versitas Comeniana Bratislavensis, Facultas Philosophica, Bratislava 1970, p. 226, Multi-Lingual. The liberalization period in Slovakia brought about a favorable change not only in the political climate but also in cultural and scientific activities. Many projects which for years were only debated, materialized in 1968 or 1969. As a result, several symposia from a nllltlber of Conferences dealing with inter-Slavic relations in pre- vious years were published and institutes or chairs of studies were founded and organized. The Institute of Ethnology wa one of them and the present volume ETHNOLOGIA SLAVICA is the first publication of this Institute which has been founded "for the purpose of establishing an institution for ethnological research concerned with the Slavic nations," as the editors say in their multi• lingual introduction. According to the editors, Slovak scholars also planned the establishment of Ethnological Archives and a Society of Slavic Ethnologists but " the well-known events of 1968 (in other words, the Soviet invasion) heavily intefered with the realization of the original program." Only the Institute of Ethnology came into being and this first volume of ETHNOLOGIA SLA VICA is the result of the research of its members and foreign ethnologists. The volume was published on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the foundation of the Comenius University (1919). The Managing Editor of the publication, Jan Podolak, says in his Preface that the University has been founded "to enable Slovaks to acquire erudition (sic) of university-degree in the national language." However, it is well-known that the students of the Comenius University had to organize demonstrations for the use of the Slovak language as late as 1937-1938 because the mission of the University was to help the assimilation of Slovaks. The situation changed only during the Slovak Republic when education as well as administration, was carried on in the Slovak language which the present day scholars are not allowed to mention. The publication ETHNOLOGIA �SLOVAKIA SLA VICA is a valuable addition to Slavic studies and is a long time overdue, if we take into consideration the fact that one of the main founders of Slavic ethnology, P . J. Safarik, come from Slovakia. The volume contains contributions by Slovak as well as foreign scholars, and the essays have been published in English, French and German, with a Slovak resume in some cases, which will make the book accessible also to ethnologists in the West. Of 12 contributions, 3 have been written by Slovaks. Jan Michalek evaluated P . J. Safarik's contribution to Slavic ethnography; Jan Podolak wrote an interesting essay on the pastoral culture of the Carpathians as a subject of ethnological study, and Anton Habovstiak contributed the study "La colonisation pastorale dans les Karpates et les patois slovaques" (The Pastoral Colonization of the Carpathians and Slovak Dialects). Among foreign contributors are Milovan Gavazzi (from Zagreb), Sergei A. Tokarev (from Moscow), Christo Vakarelski (from Sofia), Zoltan Ujvary (from Debrecen), Oldrich Sirovatka (from Brno), Slobodan 2ecevic (from Beograd) , and two contributions have been written by Lusatian-Serbians, Isolde Gardos and Siegmund Musiat. This mosaic of contributors as well as the variety of subjects treated by them gives the book an intemational and inter-Slavic image. This should be velcome in view of the fact that the results of academic activities by Slovak scholars were rarely published in Western languages. The essays are not of equal value but they are all on the level of similar studies in the Soviet orbit. The volume is oriented particularly to Russian but also to Croatian, Bulgarian and Lusatian-Serbian ethnology, but the editors are 215 promising to deal also with Polish, Ukrainian and Yugoslavian ethnology in the following volumes. As an addendum the publication contains reviews in English and in German of the activities and the writings by Czech, Polish, Soviet, Ukrainian and Bulgarian ethnographers and their institutes or periodicals. Since every book in foreign language dealing with Slovak culture is of great importance for acquainting the world with Slovakia, we sincerely welcome this volume and hope that further volumes will follow as the editors promised and that the present generation of Slovak ethnologists will follow in the footsteps of P . J. Safarik who left a rich legacy to Slovak ethnology. * J. M . K i r s c h b au m * On P . J. Safarik, see Kirschbaum , P . J . Safcirik and His Contribution to Slavic Studies (Slavistica No. 43, Cleveland-Winnipeg, 1962) . DUBCEK'S Blu e Print for Fre edom: His Documentation on Czechoslovakia leading to the Soviet invasion, with a Profile by Hugh Lunghi and Commentary by Paul Ello (William Kimber, London, 1968), pp. 352, Index. Among the scores of books which were published on Dubcek and the events in Czecho--Slovakia in 1968* , this book will remain as one of the most useful for scholars and laymen alike. The editors included in the book the most important documents such as Dubcek's speech on April 1, 1968, at the plenary session of the Central Committee of the Czecho,Slovak Communist Party; the Action Programme of the Party; Dubcek's report to the meeting of. the Central Committee on May 29-June 1, 1968, and the warning given by the Presidium �216 SLOVAKIA of the Central Committee in answer to the letters of five Communist and Workers' Parties. Finally, in the Appendix, the book includes Dubcek's speech of December 1, 1968. These contents are expertly introduced and commented upon by Hugh Lunghi, a former member of the British Embassy in Moscow, and Paul Ello from Georgetown University School of Foreign Service in Washington. While Lunghi, who has been one of the best informed analysts on the staff of the British Broadcasting Corporation, gives in his Introduction an analysis of the events which led to the Soviet invasion, Paul Ello wrote a concise but well balanced commentary. The Summary is not signcd, and may be the work of either of the writers. The book will have a lasting value for inte11preting the attempts at changing •Stalinism in one o.f the most advanced, culturally and industrially, satellites of Moscow and at giving socialism a "human face. " Both Lunghi and Ello are factual in their analysis and Lunghi did not fail to point out the role of Slovakia and Slovak Communist leaders in the upheavals which many other authors, writing about the "Prague Spring", failed to do. In accordance with the facts, Lunghi writes that "one of the first of Novotny's fatal errors was his mishandling of the Slovaks," and that it was Dubcek's reaction to Novotny's policy towards Slovakia which began the snowball roUing. During the Central Committee meetings at the end of 1967, according to Lunghi the "three issues at stake were, firstly, the implementation of the economic reforms; secondly, freedom of expression and, finally, effective autonomy for SJovakia." (p. 17) . This conclusion has been accept- ed in the meantime as correct also by other authors who had access to documents, especially by Paul Tigrid in his book: La Chute Irresistible d'Alexander Dubcek, (Calmann-Levy, Paris, 1969) which was likewise reviewed in "Slovakia", Vol. 21, p. 206. Lunghi apparently followed the events in Slovakia very closely and without the usual bias which we can find among some Western specialists in East European problems. This appears not only in his assessment of the role of Husak after the invasion but also in his reference to Peter Colotka, Deputy Premier in Prague's government, who made some courageous declarations which resulted in his removal from his post. Lunghi's analysis of the situation in Slovakia was also correctly grasped in his statement that "the federation of the country, longed for by the Slovaks, had, at last been achieved in the face of the Russians who wanted to keep the two nations divided and at logger-heads. During the invasion the Russians had put about the totally false rumors that some Slovak provinces wanted to become Soviet republics. Symbolically, the legislation creating the federal state was enacted to coincide with the 50th anniversary celebration on October 28th." Unfortunately, the law of the federation was enacted but it became ineffective to a great degree because of Czech reluctance, what Lunghi could not, of course, foresee in 1968. Western analysts mentioned various reasons for the occupation of Czecho-Slovakia by the Warsaw Pact military forces in the books so far published on the invasion. Lunghi brings to light a new possible element which finally pushed the Soviet leadership to invade Czecho-Slovakia. During the spring �SLOVAKIA and summer of 1968 there was a strong reaction against the secret police which apparently was not only organized on the model of the Soviet secret police but also directed and infiltrated by Soviet agents to whom the Prague Ministry of Interior had to submit interrogation material before bringing them to the ministers themselves. According to Lunghi, the announced purge of the secret police apparatus threatened a vital Soviet interest by the revelations published in the newpapers in Bratislava and in Prague. Moscow's objective was, therefore, "to hold these dangerous processes and to restore a leadership in Prague which would control the population through a Soviet style Communist Party using the proper level of power - a persuasive and omnipotent secret police with no nonsense about 'demonstration of the socio-political 217 system'." (page 25). No doubt this could have been one of the serious reasons for the infamous decision to destroy an interesting effort by Slovaks and Czechs to give socialism a "human face." Paul Ello's commentary, short as it is, is clear and factual, and belongs among the best written ones shortly after the invasion, where there was a lot of confusion in Western countries among the specialists in East Europe. The book undoubtedly deserves to be read and preserved on the shelves for further study of a crucial moment in the history of Eastern Europe and probably in the history of Western civilization. J. M. Ki r s c h b au m • On a number of books on this subject, see my book reviews in "Slovakia", Vol. 21, 1971, No. 44, pp. 205-210. Rudolph Petrak, Slovak Tenor Rudolph Petrak, 54, of 32 Halsey, Dr., Old Greenwich, Conn., a leading tenor with the City Opera Company from 1948 to 1956, died March 4, 1972, at Saint Joseph Hospital in Stamford, Conn. He was born in Sucany, Slovakia had sung at major opera houses in Europe and South America, and as a soloist with the New York Philharmonic, the Philadelphia Orchestra and other noted ensembles. He sang under the batons of such famous conductors as Leopold Stokowski, Ormandy, Leinsdorf and Krips. Mr. Petrak began his career with the Bratislava Opera and made his American debut in 1948 at the New York City Center as Rudolfo in "La Boheme." Congressman Albert P. Morano of Greenwich noted in the Congressional Record of the United States. "I have become acquainted with many artists who have immigrated to America, but know of none more possessed of deep love for his adopted country than Rudolph Petrak." "The New York Times" in an obituary on Monday, March 6, 1972 published his picture as he sang Radames in "Aida" about 1949. The New York Times also wrote: "In 1960 when Mr. Petrak sang at the Philadelphia Orchestra's presentation of Carl Orff's "Carmina Burana" in Carnegie Hall, Harold C. Schonberg, The New York Times music critic noted: "Everything sounded effortless and clear, even the high D that Mr. Petrak took in falsetto".-J.C.S. �SLOVAKIA 218 Our Contributor s Karol Kuzmany, Slovak leader in 19th century. Msgr. George A. Galik, J.C.D., author, Hibbing, Minn. Joseph M. Kirschbaum, LL. D., Ph.D., historian, author, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. E . L. Delaney, author, journalist, Glendale, Cal. Fran!;ois d'Orcival, French political writer, Paris. Paul Kotva, pen name of Karol Sidor, former Premier of Slovakia. Sister M. Constance Yakubov, SS.C.M., teacher, St. Cyril Academy, Danville, Pa. Joseph C. Krajsa, Editor of Jednota, lecturer, Middletown, Pa. Joseph A. Mikus, M.C.L., J.D., historian, author, Washington, D. C. Francis Vnuk, M.A., political analyst, professor, Institute of Technology, Adelaide, Australia. Joseph Pauco, Ph.D., journalist, author, Middletown, Pa. K. culen, historian, journalist. Rev. A. V. Pier, O.S.B., journalist, author, Cleveland, Ohio. Dr. Steven I. Miller, assistant professor, Loyola University of Chicago, Ill. Daniel F. Tanzone, B.A., fraternalist, Yonkers, N. Y. Helena T. Gaydos, cultural worker, Philadelphia, Pa. George A. Podhajsky, pen name of a Slovak refugee professor. Rudolph J. Vecoli, professor of history and director of the Center of Immigration Studies at the University of Minnesota. Agnes Bocan, St. Cyril Academy, Danville, Pa. Sister M. Martina Tybor, SS.C.M., teacher, author, Danville, Pa. Edward J. Behuncik, attorney-at-law, Stratford, Connecticut. Rev. Nicholas Sprinc, professor, poet, Wickliffe, Ohio. Picture on the front cover: Dr. Joseph Tiso, President of the Slovak Republic. �SLOVAKIA 219 Contents Dr. Tiso's Last Message to the Slovak People - 3 Paean to Integrity - Karol Kuzmany-George A. Galik - 4 Dr. Joseph Tiso-the Prelate-Politician who Died on the Gallows for His People - J.M. Kirschbaum - 5 I Met President Tiso - E. L. Delaney - 21 Msgr. Joseph Tiso - Fran(;ois d'Orcival - 26 Murder in Slovakia - Hon. Alvin E. O'Konsld - 36 Speech of Hon. Ray J. Madden - 37 Slovak Bishops Appeal on Behalf of President Tiso - N.C.W.C. News Service - 40 Who Killed Dr. Tiso? - Paul Kotva - 43 Priest, Teacher, President and National Hero - 48 Dr. Jozef Tiso-His Political Creed - Sister M. Constance Yakubov, SS.C.M. - 50 Dr. Peter P. Hletko Most Elite of American Slovaks - Joseph C. Krajsa - 57 Prof. Stanislav Meciar (1910-1971)-In Memoriam - J.M. Kirschbaum - 60 Michael Novak on White Ethnics - Prof. Joseph A. Mikus, M.C.L. , J .D. - 62 Slovak Martyrs - 64 British Attitude Towards Independent Slovakia in 1939 - F. Vnuk - 65 Th e Slovak Benedictines Review 50 Years in Cleveland, Ohio (1922-1972) - Joseph Pauco, Ph.D. - 92 The Cult of SS. Cyril and Methodius Amongst the Slovaks in U.S.A . and Canada - K. Culen - 98 America's Discovery of Ethnic Values - A. V. Pier, O.S.B. - 114 Historical and Empi rical Methods of Studying Slovak-Americans as A Distinct Ethnic Group - Dr. Steven I. Miller - 116 The Slovak Experience In Contemporary America - Daniel F. Tanzone -125 Slovakia, the Land of B eauty - Helena T. Gaydos - 136 Tourist Trade of Slovakia - George A. Podhajsky - 140 Why Our Melting Pot Cooled Off - Rudolph J. Vecoli - 146 An Introduction to Slovak Costume - Agnes Bocaii - 153 Slovak Scientist Stefan A. Jedlik, O.S.B. - A. V. Pier - 158 Matthew Jankola 1872-1916 - Sister M. Martina Tybor, SS.C.M. Declaration Adopted by Slovak World Congress - 193 Unity Is Necessary - Edward J . Behuncik - 195 As Others See It - 198 Book Reviews - 205 Rudolph Petrak, Slovak Tenor - J.C.S. - 217 161 ��PRI NTI D IN U.S. A. JIDN OTA PlllN TER Y, MID DLli TOW N, PA. � SLOVAKIA 193 CURRENT ISSUES Declaration Adopted by Slovak World Congress Representatives of Slovak organizations throughout the free world as well as individuals of Slovak origin in the United States of America, Canada, Australia, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, France, South Africa, Argentina, Spain and Germany assembled in Toronto in order to promote the creation of a world organization of Slovaks hereby declare that: The struggle for freedom and self-fulfillment has been a continuing process throughout Slovak history. Attainment of this objective in the past has not been without obstacles, or dedicated work and sacrifices of many individuals and groups. Now, when the Slovak nation is unable to determine its own destiny, because it is under a foreign military domination, :s uch efforts, dedication and sacrifices must be increased to help them achieve their freedom once again. Those of Slovak origin now living throughout the free world, are urged to .dedicate themselves to this task. Our obligation will be to present to the free world a true picture of the life under which our brethren are compelled to live, and to seek a change of their plight. The concepts by which we will be guided in this work will be the traditional values promoted throughout Slovak history which have given vitality to the nation in its growth and acceptance among nations of the western world. The Congress will continue to adhere to the democratic principles in the civil and international relations and considers tolerance in ideological, political and religious matters an expression of maturity for democracy and strongly opposes any tyranny whether it comes from the left, or, from the right. It has been obvious during the past two decades that the Slovaks living in Slovakia have been unable to determine their own destiny. A number of recent facts attest to this unfortunate reality namely the following: The basic freedom of Slovaks, as well as of other Captive �194 SLOVAKIA Nations under communism, are still quite limited-travel to Western countries, and press and assembly freedoms have recently been set back to almost the 1948 levels. The federalization of Czecho-Slovakia into two equal sectors-the Czech and the Slovak, introduced by the Constitutional Act of October 1948, has been severely circumscribed in recent past and is slowly being replaced by a new centralism; Religious freedom continues to be restricted to Roman Catholics, Uniates, Lutherans, Jews and to other denominations; and The present Czecho-Slovak Federal Government has taken no initiative nor has it responded to initiatives suggested by the Holy See in the Vatican to establish a Catholic Province in Slovakia, even though such provinces exist in Bohemia as well as in Moravia. We contend that the issue of the continued existence and recognition of a Slovak nation be duly accepted by all nations, including the records of the United Nations. The question of the suppressed freedoms of all nations now living under communism must soon be given full airing and remedies instituted. This has been and should not cease to be an issue of interest to all civilized nations. Slovaks call upon them to help in this cause. We take a positive attitude towards the economic integration in Europe and urge that the Slovak nation be included in this and other unifying processes benefiting their degree of economic and other freedoms. Viewing the future political situation in Eastern Europe with hope and cautious optimism, we look toward to the day when obstacles which presently prevent cultural and educational exchang* between Slovaks at home and abroad will be removed. To support the objectives mentioned above, we have established a permanent organization under the name of: Slovak World Congress, which shall embody the spirit of brotherhood and mutual respect. Religious affiliations or political views, insofar as they are not contrary to the spirit of democracy and the objectives mentioned above, will not bar anyone from membership or active participation in our organization. We consider it essential that our goals and methods as well as our activities follow democratic principles. �SLOVAKIA 195 We shall endeavor to have the Slovak World Congress represent its members at international scientific, cultural, religious or political forums in the interest of the Slovak nation as expressed in the Constitution and the by-laws of the organization. We urge that the Slovak World Congress devote itself to promoting the spirit of unity among its members and to co-ordinate all its efforts through constant contact with member organizations maintained through central secretariats, regional secretariats, committees and information bureaus in various countries around the world. We ask the blessing of Almighty God in this undertaking in the firm hope that with the help and co-operation of all those who wish well for the Slovaks we may successfully fulfill our role. Members of the Committee: Stephen B. Roman, LL.D., President; Rev. Dusan Toth, Secretary General; Dr. J. A. Mikus, Dr. J. Stasko, Dr. J. M . Kirschbaum,· Dr. J. Pauco, and Prof. E. Urban. Toronto, Ont., June 20, 1971. Unity Is Necessary Edward J. Behun c i k (The following are excerpts from the address of Edward J . Behuncik, First Vice President of the Slovak World Congress, President of the Slovak League of America, and President of the American Fund for Slovak Refugees given at the closing banquet of the Slovak World Congress held at the Royal York Hotel, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Saturday, June 19. 1971.) It is a rare and high privilege to appear before such a historic and distinguished gathering of representatives of all walks of Slovak life and to break bread with our fellow Slovaks from all parts of the free world as we share this memorable Congress in spirit, in hope and in love with our brethren in beautiful Slovakia. The honor you do me in asking that I speak in company with the distinguished Chief Executive of the great Province of Ontario, with two colleagues from the great Senate of the United States of America, as well as the spiritual, civic and cultural leaders who grace the head table-this honor cannot but move me. I thank you most sincerely for asking me here. Hopefully 1 will leave at least �196 SLOVAKIA one or two important thoughts with you-important to the permanent success of our fledgeling Slovak World Congress, and that is, our need for unity- and for ''Svornost a laska".In Joel, we read·'Your old men shall dream dreams, Your young men shall see visions."Today, we combine the hopes which both dreams and visions embody. Dreams are generally of things past, visions are of the future. Dreams are truly for older men who have a past, while visions are for the younger looking forward to the future. Experience alone is the look backward, the dream of yesteryear, but it is only useful as it clarifies the vision of tomorrow. Here in Toronto, we put the finishing touches--not upon a new structure - rather upon the permanent foundation . Because in fact, at New York City, the Congress \\'as already perfect in the sense that its objects were fully perceived, its necessary organs present, its powers conferred, and its extent already, if only dimly, seen to be world wide. In addition, its final purpose, which alone can justify its existence, was perfectly clear and that was to become the r epresentative body of Slovaks scattered as they are throughout the free world. Here during the past several days, we have added to the New York beginnings. We've used our year old experience to improve, amend, delete and otherwise add to the permanent basis of a vital organ for disseminating the cause of the Slovak nation. To bring about the final liberation of the Slovak nation and its equality among all nations, the Slovak World Congress presents us with a golden opportunity. If we complete its hopeful aspirations, if we create a permanent edifice on the foundation built here and in New York, we will thereby sooner bring to fruition the age old Slovak vision of liberty and freedom with justice. But unity is necessary - that unity which has so often eluded the efforts of our forebears . Can we come together for the future ? Can we remain together? I think we can; I know we must! ! ! We will and must let bygones be bygones, let past differences as nothing be, and with steady eye on the real issue, let us reinaugu rate the good and old central ideas of a free and independent Slovakia, where our presently subjugated brethren can someday in God's good time freely choose their own destiny. We have our quarrels, as all happy families have. We have di sagreed as all friend s have. But when the great human cause of Slovakia comes before us, in the natural fitness of things, we have looked into our hearts, and hidden away in their innermost recesses, we have discovered a very shy but a very faithful friendship for each other, no matter from what region of Slovakia we originated. That is why we are here this evening. �SLOVAKIA So 1 say-we are united-but more important - we must stay united. We can do it ! ! ! The human heart and human aspirations are with us. God is with us--Our Lady of Sorrows is with us. We shall-we must-succeed. God forbid, if the Congress shall dissipate instead of growing and developing as it should-it will be another eleven hundred years before the vision of a unified, free and independent Slovakia can again be dreamed of. I know none of us wish to have ~he horror of such a c a ta s t r o p h e on our consciences. So, we must not fall-and we won't if we do our duty-but the time has passed when we can remain silent regarding the great fundamentals of free government and permit the enemies of the Slovak social order to occupy the center of the stage. The time has come and that time is now when we must take issue with those, who infatuated with ch a o t i c dreams, are seeking to undermine the Slovak ideals and aspirations, dreams and visions. We now have the modus operandi-the vehicle. We have the Slovak World Congress. We, the participants in and supporters of the Congress, have it in our own hands whether it shall be nothing more than the brilliant after glow of a gorgeous renaissance, or whether it shall be the dawn of a newer and brighter day in the struggle of the Slovaks to fulfill their age old vision of liberty and freedom with justice. Already, as we well know, on several occasions, for several 197 brief moments, behind the far spread iron curtain in Eastern Europe. the rays of the setting sun of materialistic communism have mingled with the rays of the rising sun of democracy. May that sun grow in light and warmth and may it be undimmed by the clouds of our own internal dissension. I am profoundly concerned. I am deeply interested. I build the greatest hopes upon this World Congress. 1 am old enough to have the experience to be able to dream-but, I am young enough to have the vision of a great institution - one from which, for example, some day-God grant-will emerge a winner of the Nobel Peace Prize - or the Literature Prize. And so, in bidding a foud adieu to our fellow Slovaks returning to their havens scattered throughout the free world, I urge them and all of you to hope- to hope as the love of truth and obedience to it shall grow and as with firmer footing thereon, we look afar and think clearly on what we see. We shall see our Slovak World Congress advancing to the high position that awaits every organization and every nation which honors the facts, which looks afar and which thinks clearly and positively. And as we aspire to greater and more illustrious achievements in the glorious history of our beloved Slovakia, we can well ponder the prayer of Sir Francis Drake: "Oh, Lord God, when Thou givest to Thy servants to endeavor any great matter, grant us also, to know, that it is not the beginning, but the continuing of the same, until it is thoroughly finished, which yieldcth the true glory." �198 SLOVAKIA AS OTHERS SEE In these times, when many of us seem to reflect on the place of our origin, it was indeed interesting to see how the Americans, Canadians, and citizens of other free countries, all of Slovak origin, demonstrated their dedication to the cause of peace with freedom in our age. Their dedication was for freedom for their kinfolk in Slovakia, now part of the Communist satellite of Czechoslovakia, who cannot themselves demonstrate their longing for the liberties denied them for 23 years. The Slovaks are a hardy people who have been seeking the ideals we in our own country so freely enjoy-the right to their own self. determination. And like other nations, captives under Communist domination, the Slovaks know that one day they will join ranks with the civilized world with other free nations. Until then the work of the Slovak World Congress is indeed both most worthy and very necessary and I hope I applaud it. - U.S. Senator Robert Taft, Jr. The Slovak World Congress stands for freedom and seeks to preserve the language, culture and national heritage. You are to be commended for your strong antiCommunist stand. - Strom Thurmond., U.S. Senator Please know that your concern for freedom throughout the world and particularly in Slovakia is shared by all of us. No more dire threat exists today than that posed by the Soviet Union and I stand with you against their expansionary policies. Keep up with your good work. - John Tower, U.S. Senator I wish to congratulate the Slovak people of our nation for the out- IT standing fight they have been waging over the years in exposing Communist tyranny which is the most powerful threat to human freedom in the history of the world. If all groups of the free world would have the same spirit of opposition and expose the criminality of Communist enslavement methods and Communist living conditions there would be no doubt that this Communistic threat to the world would collapse in a very short time. - Ray J. Madden, U.S. Member of Congress The struggle for freedom and self-fulfillment has been a continuing process throughout Slovak history. Attainment of this objective in the past has not been without obstacles, or dedicated work and sacrifices of many individuals and groups. Now, when the Slovak nation is unable to determine its own destiny, because it is under a foreign military domination, such efforts, dedication and sacrifices must be increased to help them achieve their freedom once again. Those of Slovak origin now living throughout the free world, are urged to dedicate themselves to this task. Our obligation will be to present to the free world a true picture of the life under which our brethren are compelled to live, and to seek a change of their plight. The concepts by which we will be guided in this work will be the traditional values promoted throughout Slovak history which have given vitality to the nation in its growth and acceptance among nations of the western world. Claiborne Pell, U.S. Senator Even within the Communist world there is an absolute intoler-- �SLOVAKIA ance for those faithful party members who would put a "human face" on the dictatorship in order to make it more palatable. I speak of course, of Alexander Dubcek who sought to purify, and reform, but not replace or destroy, communism in Czechoslovakia. Yes even after the true nature of the dictator reared its ugly head and Dubcek's reforms were sacrificed, we still hear the drone of those who would have us believe that the communist dictator has changed. Let no one be fooled - Communism is the Number One enemy not only of the Western World, but of humanity itself. It is a tribute to all of you who have felt the iron hand of the communist dictator that you have brought to the Western Hemisphere an appreciation and understanding of the dangers of communism which is, unfortunately, shared by too few Americans. - Robert C. Mardian It is a privilege to address men and women who stand for the forefront of civilization's never-ending struggle for freedom. For more than eleven centuries the Slovak people have been developing, extending and seeking to preserve a rich and fertile cultural heritage. More than that, you have sought endlessly to maintain that priceless ingredient of true spiritual fulfillment-the right of the individual citizen to be his own person, to think his own thoughts, to speak his own words, to contribute directly to the formation and performance of his own government and to worship as he chooses. In so doing you have contributed your full share, and perhaps more, to the development of the Slavic peoples as a whole and to the cultural family of peoples around the world. 199 Ontario and all of Canada has been enriched by the spirit and integrity of Slovaks, Ukrainians, Poles, Czechs, Serbs, Croats, Slovenes and all of the others who claim the honor of membership in the world Slavic community which numbers more than 200 million persons. - William C. Davis, Prime Minister of Ontario Vienna, AtLstria - Communist Czecho-Slovakia's closed-door policy against religious literature mailed from abroad has provoked a steady stream of protests within its own borders, according to reports reaching here. Demands for an explanation are being sent to postal authorities by Czecho-Slovak citizens who learn that religious books such as the Bible have been mailed to them from abroad but returned to the sender by government authorities. The regime's reply to that publications contrary to Czecho-Slovakia's laws are refused entry. But no particulars are given to explain how the Bible or devotional books are in opposition to the country's laws. "Foreign reviews and books may be sent into Czecho-Slovakia without limitation of any sort," said a standard explanation from the central office for incoming foreign parcels in Prague. Post Office 120. "However, reviews and books which by their content are contrary to our legislative norms are refused local delivery, according to the prevailing international standards." The letter of explana,tion concluded: "Peace to the world!" It seems that books arriving from certain senders or destined for certain addresses are returned automatically without examination. Recently one man received back from Czecho..Slovakia an unopened �200 SLOVAKIA package he had sent his brother containing a book on photography. Official documents mailed by Vatican offices to various bishops in Czecho-Slovakia have been returned marked "refused." In June, the secretariat for church affairs of the Slovakia region's government notified bishops, pastors and Religious superiors that religious publications from abroad were prohibited where "in conflict with the interest of our socialist state." The of.ficial notice continued: "The provision also concerns the propagation and publication of information and instructions of various kinds from abroad, whether through internal ecclesiastical channels, in official documents or in any form whatsoever." It warned that the distribution of prohibited literature is punishable under Czecho-Slovakia's penal code. Czecho-Slovakia's hard-line communist rulers, brought to power by the Soviet invasion of August 1968, have been steadily tightening the screws on the Catholic Church for the past two years. In January 1970 the Slovakia ministry of culture decreed that every act of official worship, including private Masses, must have state approval. A similar decree was issued by the ministry of culture in the Czech region of Bohemia. In July of that same year the Slovakia government asserted the right to blackball newly chosen superiors of congregations of nuns. In November, 1970 the Bohemia ministry of culture forbade the Church to give courses preparing couples for marriage. In July 1971 the ministry of culture decreed severe limitations upon the teaching of religion. Its Slovakia counterpart did likewise. Decrees approving newly resurrected pro-government associations of peace priests were issued simultaneously in August 1971 by the Bohemian and Slovakian governments. But the regime 's restrictions on Church activity and growth have not been confined to legislation and decrees. Through administrative acts the regime has kept more than half the applicants out of the country's seminaries and has dismissed from convents all Sisters who entered them when the country's liberalized regime of early 1968 reopened the convent to novices. The present, neo-Stalinist regime has attempted to manipulate the Church by installing its own candidates in key positions, such as vicar general of Brno and of Roziiava, and the executive committees of the Bohemian and Slovakian Catholic charitable agencies. Meanwhile, the controlled press has been keeping up a steady fire on religion in general and the churches in particular. Christians in Bohemia are bracing themselves for still heavier assaults upon them and their churches now that the head of the region's religious affairs office, Karel Hruza, has returned from a Moscow meeting with · his counterparts from other Communist states. Czecho-Slovakia's present program of religious repression was launched shortly after his return from a similar meeting in Moscow in October 1969. - NC New s Service Vienna. - The situation of the Church and of human rights and freedoms. in communist-ruled Czecho-Slovakia is growing worse, not better. Experts agree that the situation �SLOVAKIA 201 after the short bright 1968 methods to promote atheist edu "humanizing" period before the cation. Dubcek regime was overthrown by Party officials said repeatedly at Soviet-led invaders - is similar recent meetings that religion "has now to that of the hated Stalinist a negative influence on the for. times. mation of Socialist conscience." The Church has become the The Bratislava communist newstarget of concentrated attacks from paper, Pravda, demanded that relitwo directions - through adminis- gious ceremonies - christenings, trati ve measures and ideological weddings and funerals - be rearguments. placed by Socialist ceremonies, The communist regime is at- because " the Church has misused tempting to strangle religious the most important stages of activities slowly but effectively by human life for its own purposes." administrative action. Karel Hruza, head of the gove rnMore than half of all parishes in ment state office, has described Bohemia lack priests and there is the regime's plans. "After rightists no chance to overcome the short- and counter-revolutionaries are reage. At the moment only 12 stu- moved from the party and governdents study for the priesthood in ment, we must concentrate in the entire Archdiocese of Olomouc. working a platform to cope with As a result of government the reactionary policy of the chicanery, the number of children Church. - Gerd Kriwanek, Reliattending religious instruction in gious News Service, January 28, school is sharply declining. 1972. th At the same time, e regime Ladislav Bezak loaded his wife has endorsed increased ideological and four children in a two-place attacks on the Church. Jozef Le- · light plane December 9 1971 and nart, firs_t secretary of the Slovak left for what he desc;ibed as a Communist Party, charged the "pleasure trip. " Church with having misused the The flight originated in Prague, situation in 1968 " to create a politand his destination was Nuernberg, ical basis for clericalism and West Germany. He did not file Catholicism. " a flight plan. Lenart alleged that religious Bezak is an experienced pilot sentiments were misused to pro- perhaps one of the best in the mote "anti-Sovietism and anti- world. At the first World Aerosocialism." batic Contest in 1960 at Bratislava, The regime has increased its Slovakia, he was a gold medal atheist propaganda. Thus the mag- winner in aerobatic competition. azine for teachers Ucitel'ske American pilots describe him as Noviny - urged the abolition of a quiet engineer who always wore any "liberal attitude towards re- a suit and tie rather than the casual ligion and the Church in our clothes worn by most competitive society." The journal also pledged pilots. increased atheist education of Shortly after he and his famil y young people by the party, the left Prague, a Czech MIG jet mass media, the schools and major fighter began a chase, and although organizations. Bezak waggled his wings and It also suggested that the Acade- waved to convince the fighter pilot my of Science devise the best they were on a pleasure flight , the �202 SLOVAKIA MIG began to fire on the light plane. Aerobatic maneuvers require precise skill. They are difficult enough in a special airplane, with perfect weight and balance distribution under ideal conditions. With six peop'le in a small plane, they would have to be considered impossible category. In addition, being fired on by a military jet could tend to disturb the concentration. The little plane - loaded over gross, and perhaps a third as fast as the fighter - apparently didn't have a chance. But the pilot was Bezak! According to the Aerobatic Club of America, Bezak flew the book at the military pilot. Flying many of the patterns which had earned him world championship 10 years before, he was able to elude the jet and continue on to the border. Before he reached it, the small plane was fired on from the ground. Bezak dived into a cloud bank, and with the children in tears and his wife in prayer, broke out across the border at 300 feet. The escape was a success. Ladislav Bezak, like most good aerobatic pilots, flies for prizes. During this trip he won the biggest prize of them all - freedom for himself and his family. - Lew Inquirer, Philadelphia Hodges, February 6, 1972. Lehigh is searching for a graduate student of Slovak ancestry to prepare a history of Slovak people in Bethlehem. Money for this project was left to the University from an even more unusual source: a Southside Bethlehem bachelor druggist who died in 1968 at age 67 and left Lehigh $67,500 in an unsigned will. The druggist, John Weldy Wasco, worked and apparently lived at 843 E. 4th Street. Relatives contested his will all the way to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, which upheld two lower court decisions in favor of Lehigh. Wasco stipuleted that $10,000 of the $67,500 was to go toward compiling and printing a history of Slovaks in Bethlehem, and that the project must be carried out by a Slovak student. Wasco's wish appeared in local newspapers without the criteria he set for the historian, and a number of Lehigh faculty expressed interest before learning they did not qualify. Wasco also specified that his personal papers be edited, and left $5,000 for the University to arrange that. University officials could not explain what motivated Wasco's generosity. He wrote a will in 1967 making Lehigh his sole beneficiary, and later changed it to add the provision about the Slovak history. - Lehigh University Publication Ondrej Nepela, the skating wonder from Slovakia, won the 11th Winter Olympic Games' gold medal as Russia's Sergei Chetveroukin edged into second place for the silver and Patrick Pera of France won the bronze. Two Americans, Ken Shelley of Downey, Calif., and John Mischa Petkevitch of Great Falls, Montana, moved into fourth and fifth places, passing East Germany's young Jan Hoffman, who had been fourth after the compulsory figures. Nepela, the world champion, fell early in his program while attempting a triple-toe-loop. Fall do not necessarily ruins a skater's marks since he is judged on the difficulty of his routine. Nepela was smooth and graceful but his program was neither as imaginative nor a dynamic as that of some of his rivals, including the two Americans. Despite his fall, the Slovak rated �SLOVAKIA scores no lower than 5.9s in technical merit and he had two 5. 7s with the rest 5.8 in artistic impressions. His total points were 2739.1, well ahead of the rest of the field. In the official ordinal rankings, Nepela had a perfect 9.0, meaning he was rated No. 1 by all nine judges. The Russian had 20.0 in ordinals and Pera 28.0. - Associated Press, February 12, 1972. Dr. Joseph Tiso, wartime president of the Slovak Republic, is no more. Tried and convicted as a "war criminal" by a ~called People's Court, he was executed last week American press dispatches - both secular and religious were concise and negligently brief. No fanfare or publicity. Merely that the priest-president was sentenced and the sentence carried out. Was Dr. Tiso a "war criminal"? The very fact of news silence here betrays a kind of embarrassed admission that things were not just fine in "Glocca Morra." The trials of Draga Mihailovitch and Archbishop Stepinac given due publicity aroused resentment in the United States, an attitude, which, while it accomplished nothing actual for the persons involved, nevertheless illustrated the rightprincipled conscience of the thinking public. But Dr. Tiso's case was denied even the type of consolation, because the facts and circumstances of the Tiso case are quite unknown to the American people. Whose the fault, whose the blame for this? The Hon. Robert Jackson, presiding over the trials in Nuremberg wrote "All experience teaches that there are certain things you cannot do under the guise of judicial trial. You must put no man on trial before anything that is called a court, if you are not prepared to establish his personal 203 guilt . . . If you are determined to execute a man in any case, there is no occasion for a trial. The world yields no respect to courts that are merely organized to convict." Tiso's trial was a travesty of justice. Actually, the issue was a political one primarily. Tried by the "People's Court" Tiso was denied representation by the attorney engaged by his friends. American papers had nothing to say about the fact that Alois Loyek, the attorney, was abused by the security officials, told he could not represent Tiso, and all defense material confiscated. The presiding judge and six political associates was Igor Daxner who himself was once tried by a regular court during Tiso's regime for planning with the Benes government-in-exile to turn Slovakia over to Russia, and sent to jail. Was Dr. Tiso a "war criminal" ? The answer necessitates a thorough perusal of the events which led to his election as Premier of Slovakia before the war started· - under a valid act of the Prague Parliament, events little known here, events in the evolution of democracy in the republic of Czecho-Slovakia without a knowledge of which the case of Tiso cannot be justly viewed. If these facts were made public, perhaps public opinion, such as it is. might be swayed to the right even though a little too late." The Catholic L i ght, Scranton, Pa. 4-25-47. Dr. Tiso's public life was political, though this fact is not to be held in any way against him. In many parts of Europe ecclesiastics find themselves pushed into politics because the cause of their Catholic people needs to be protected, and there are not a sufficient number of laymen educated to the job. Happily, this state of affairs is passing away, for it is not in itself �204 SLOVAKIA very desirable. However excellent the motives of the cleric concerned, he risks his spiritual office being contaminated, at least in public esteem, by the relatively low standards of political life, and the higher he rises in the political world, the harder it may become to distinguish the priest from the politics. Dr. Tiso, so far as we are aware always remained an exemplary priest, but he came to find himself responsible for the fate of his fellow Slovakians in terrible times. Through these times he did his duty to his people as he saw it. In a way not dissimilar from that of an Irish leader in relation to the British, he strove to protect the religion, culture and national autonomy of Slovakia as against the Czechs whose public outlook was dominated by very different rnlues. Such is the path of treason in the eyes of one side and of heroic patriotism in the eyes of the other. And few who tread this hard road can look back on their lives and deny having made mistakes. In the long run history will al- ways vindicate the sincere patriot as against the utilitarian judgment of those who condemn him on a legalistic interpretation of treason. In each case the career of such a man is a challenge to those called UPon to judge him. Are they big enough to look with the eyes of history and to seek reconciliation and understanding by the great gesture? Or are they small men who cannot see beyond the legalisms and their wounded vanity? In the face of this test, Dr. Benes and the rulers of Czecho-Slovakia have dismally failed. They have had to judge a good man, a priest, a great and courageous patriot, and all they have been able to do is to raise a martyr for Slovakia. This small-minded folly is only too typical of the men whom the fortunes of war have favoured . Instead of trying to realize unity on the basis of victory, these little men are as busy as they can be indulging their feelings by carving even deeper the channels which devide man from man and nation from nation. - Catholic Herald . London, 4-25-47. SLOVAKIA is µublishecl annually by the Slovak League of .America, a cultural and civic federation of Americans of Slovak descent. One of the purpo··es of SLOVAKIA is to promote a better understanding and appreciat1on of the Sl<OVak nation and its long struggle foT freedom and i ndependeuce. Subscription to Slovwkia $3.00 pel' year in the L1.S.A. - $4.00 el-sewhere. Send 1mhscription to: SLOV AKI.A 313 Ridge A venue Middletown, Pa. 17057 �SLOVAKIA 205 BOOK REVIEWS BOOKS ON SLOVAK LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE Reviewed by J. M. KIRSCH BA UM Bibliografia slovenskej jazykovedy ethymology, terminology, orthoand lexicography which are the preferred fields of Slovak linguists; the survey of published articles, studies and books between 1961-1965 shows that Slovak linguists made great progress in the following disciplines; history of the language, dialectology, morphology, syntax, onomastics, stylistic aspects of language, problems of translation, the structure and acoustics of language and language culture. This development become more than apparent if we compare the present work with the Biblio- 1961-1965 (Bibliography of Slo- graphy, vak Linguistics 1961-1965), by Ladislav Dvonc; Matica slovenska (Martin, 1970), pages 804, multi-lingual, English summary. For Western Slavists the Bibliography of Slovak Linguistics is not wLthout interest. This voluminous publication shows that Slovak linguistics has developed considerably during the latter years of the Stalinist regime. It also indicates that the attempts of some philologists, supported by the policy of the regime in the 1950's, to infiltrate the Slovak language with Czech vocabulary and to bring its structure as close to the Czech language as possible in order to create a "CzechoS'lovak language" back-fired. Slovak linguists, with the exception of one or two philologists trained in Prague ( S. Peciar, especi'ally), repudiated these attempts and began not only to clear the Slovak language from foreign infiltrations but in a number of studies brought Slovak linguistics quantitatively as well as qualitatively to the level of other Slavic nations within the Soviet orbit. With its 2111 entries pertaining to the Slovak language, the Bibliography is, however, not simply a numerical expression of the development of li.nguistic studies on the Slovak language. Of great importance is the number of disciplines studied by Slovak linguists. It is not any more only grammar, graphy of Slovak Linguistics for 1957-1960 by the same author. The new Bibliography contains: 1) all linguistic articles, studies and books published in Slovakia; 2) contributions in non-Slovak periodicals ( one from Canada), studies and articles by non-Slovak authors on the Slovak language or on linguistics published in Slovakia. As a result, the entries in this Bibliography are not only more numerous, but also multi-lingual. The publication shows that many Slovak linguists themselves ,published their studies in foreign languages, mainly in Russian. A strong Russian influence in Slovak linguistics is even more evident in the number of articles, studies and books dealing with the Russian language. Bibliographical data about the Russian language cover more than 100 pages, while other Slavic languages follow in this order: Czech 25 pages, Ukrainian 9 pages, Polish 3 pages, Slovenian �206 SLOVAKIA 3/4 of a page, Byelorussian and Bulgarian ¼ of a page each. For a short time the methods of the Russian linguistic school, or as some linguists say, "the Marxists and Stalinists principles and methods," were also imposed on Slovak philology and linguistics and prevailed in some works (see my essay " Contemporary Tendencies in Slovak Philology," Slavic and East European Studies, Vol. IV, 34, University of Montreal, 1960). Around 1960 Slovak linguists turned, however, against the russification as well as against the Czech infiltration of the Slovak language and Slovak linguistics. Studies, articles and books pertaining to the Slovak language have been published, according to this Bibiiography, predominantly in Slovak, but over 300 entries were published in Western languages, including English, in other Slavic languages and in Hungarian. It was mainly the works of the older generation of Slovak linguists (J . Stanislav, E. Pauliny) which appeared in international symposia in English, French or Russian. The younger generation on the other hand has broadened the field of Slovak linguists to include many disciplines and their studies have maintained a high academic level. They continue to be grouped around the periodicals Slovenska rec (Slovak Language), Jazykovedr ny casopis (Linguistic Journal) and Jazykovedne studie (Linguistic Studies) and have published the Zbornik Filozofickej Fakulty Univ. Komenskeho - Philologica (Sym- posium of the F1aculty of Arts of the Comenius University) and Zbornik Filozofickej Fakulty Univ. P. J. Safcirika (Symposium of the University of P. J . Safarik). Editors gether with V. Blanar, L. Dvonc, G. Horak, J. Horecky and R. Krajcovic wrote the major part of the Slovak linguistic studies contained in the Bibliography. Even though the works of foreign philologists (R. Auty, R. Jakobson) from Western countries are included in this Bibliography it does not contain articles, studies or books published by Slovak intellectuals abroad except for one French essay by this reviewer which appeared in Etudes Slaves et est-europeennes (Montreal, 1963). Valuable studies by H. Bartek who was the founder of the periodical Slovenska rec or books, articles, dictionaries and surveys by S. Bue, F. Hrobak, J . J . Konus, J . Rekem and others were apparently not allowed by the regime to be recorded. The "normalization" which followed the brief period of relative freedom in 1968, has again separated the Slovaks in Slovakia from Slovak intellectuals in the West even in the field of linguistics and the population of Slovakia is not allowed to know about the cultural activities among some two million Slovaks abroad. The usefulness of Dvonc's Bibliography for Slavists cannot be doubted. It is a thoroughly prepared standard work. An index of names and a subject index enhance the practical value of this voluminous book. SLOVENSKA BIBLIOGRAFIA V ZAHRANitf 1945-1965 (Slovak Bibliography Abroad 1945-1965) : Compiled by Prof. M. Lacko S.J .. published by The Slovak Institute (Cleveland-Rome), 1967, 366 pp., multi-lingual, instruction in Slovak and English. The long expected Slovak Biblioof these periodicals have been E. graphy Abroad, which had to reJona , J. Ruzicka, Prof. E . Pauliny, cord the cultural activities of L. f>urovic and S. Dobos who to- Slovak intellectuals in the West, �SLOVAKIA has finally been published and we cannot but welcome it. Slovak Bibliography Abroad 19451965 records the literary production of Slovak authors in Western countries in the fields of history, political science, religion, philology, folklore, literary history and cdticism, music, theology, literature and natural science. A special chapter deals with general works on Slovakia and Slovaks abroad, includtng Slovaks in Canada. In addition, the Bibliography records the works of non-Slovak authors in the above-mentioned fields if they were translated into the Slovak language and deal explicitly with Slovakia or Czecho-Slovakia as a whole. Absent from this Bibliography are works and studies on Slovak subjects., published in the countries of the Soviet block since it was impossible for the compilers to carry out the necessary research. As a result, the publication contains literary and scientific writings of Slovaks living in some 15 Westem countries and published in all major Western languages. Considering the difficulties which wr:ilters, scholars and scientists face in exile, the Bibliography with its 2,438 entries gives an impressive picture of Slovak cultural life abroad after the Second W . W. One can understand this properly only if he is familiar with some basic facts about the Slovak intellectual community in Western countries. At the end of the Second World War, 50me 5,000 educated Slovak5 left their native country; in 1948 they were followed by a new wave of immigrants after the Communist coup d'etat. In the first wave of exiles were some of the be5t Slovak writers, poets and scores of young intellectuals from all fields of cultural endeavor who either completed their studies at univer- 207 sities in Western countries or continued their intellectual work even if they had to take menial jobs in the countdes in which they found refuge. Many of the younger generation attained positions at universities (22 in Canada) or institutions of higher education. Others became editors of newpapers and many poets and writers continued to write valuable works besides their employment in clerical jobs or other professions. Besides the chapter on literature which records writings of .some 25 poets and 15 prose writers, the largest number of entries is in the chapter on history ( 437), philology and literary history ( 224) , and political science (160). However, the natural sciences and economy are also among the best represented with 275 entries. Writings on history and political science, philology and literary history are predominantly in foreign languages. Some authors (Mikus, Kirschbaum, Rekem, Vnuk) published their studies in 3 or 4 Western languages. In literature, the Bibliography lists works by several of the best Slovak poets and novelists who in exile created works considered among the best in contemporary Slovak literature (Hronsky, Dilong, Sprinc, Strmen, Zvonicky, etc.) . The Bibliography also indicates that there are several Slovak cultural centers in the Western countries. From Canada the Bibliography has listed books, studies and articles 'b y some 20 Slovak authors. Ten of them have been active either tn Slavic studies or in philology, sociology, theology and science, the remaining 15 in literature. Actually Canada and the United States seem to have produced the most prolific Slovak authors, not only in literature but also in other fields. Also the major �208 SLOVAKIA centers of Slovak publishing activities have been in the United States, but Italy, Argentina and West Germany have equally active groups in publishing books, periodicals and newspapers. The BibHography further shows that some Slovak scholars and writers published their writings, including poetry, in several languages (English, French, Italian, Spanish) and in certain cases the originals were written in foreign languages and not translated from the Slovak. This is a new feature in Slovak literature and scholarly writing. Because of adverse political circumstances Slovaks had very limited opportunities to study abroad not only before the Second World War, but also after 1945. The exiled writers and scholars made apparently a great effort to fill this lacuna. No doubt the compiler of the Bibliography, Prof. Michael Lacko, accomplished a task which is usually done by many researchers over several years. By his own admission, he does not cover all published studies and articles by Slovaks abroad ; actually in some cases valuable studies were left out either in foreign language or in Slovak. Additions and extensions to the Bibliography have, therefore, been promised by the compiler, as well as by the publishers. However, even in its present form, the Bibliography is a valuable contribution to Slavic studies and a very useful publication, not only for Slovak scholars and researchers , but also for Slavists who read English, the Bibliography being bi-lingual. The value of the Bibliography is also enhanced by listing bibliographies on Slovak matters as well as periodicals and newspapers, annuals, and symposia, published in some 15 countries. Julius Noge : An Outl.ine of Slovakian L i terature (The Tatrapress Agency, Bratislava), 1968, 120 pp. This is the first book in English on Slovak literature which was published in Slovakia since the Communist takeover in 1948. The fact that it was published in 1968 would indicate that Dubcek's liberalization has to be credited for ,t his slender booklet on 200 years of literary activities in the Slovak language. The restoration of Czecho-Slovakia in 1945 cut off Slovakia from the rest of the world, especially from the West, and Slovak literature, art, science and culture in genera-I were to remain unknown to the Western world. Julius Noge, one of the literary critics who followed the directives of the Communist Party and was, therefore, favored by the Communist regime, divided his "succint" outline of Slovak literature into 7 chapters: From Old Church Slavonic learning (sic) to pre-Romanticism; Romanticism ( 1843-1870 ) ; Realism (1870-1905); Slovakian Literary Modernism ; Slovakian Literature between the wars (1918 1945); Contemporary Literature ( 1945-); Conclusion and Completion. Some of these chapters are very short, superficial and the whole publication is unbelievably biased towards writers and poets whose works expressed ideas opposed to Communism as, for instance, the poets and writers of Catholic modernism and all Slovak writers and poets in exile, except for J . C. Hronsky. Faithful to the directives of the Party, Noge considers as the greatest poets and writers such second class poets as Novomesky or Valek, and such mediocre writers as Vamos and Jilemnicky. "The poems by Laco Novomesky - assording to Noge - are most expressive, from the �SLOVAKIA 209 artistic and human point of view that those years were the "dark most mature fruit of modern Slo- age" of Slovak literature. The lie vakfan poetry. His works are fre- has, however, short legs, as a Sloquently the key opening the way vak saying goes. A glance at the to ,t he sense and the problems of Slovak literary production between Slovakian literature between the 1939 and 1945 included in his book, wars and after them." shows that even the leading ComValek, who plays today the role munists published freely: Novoof the Minister of Culture in Slo- mesky published his book in 1939; vakia which after 1945 had been Hecko in 1942; Tafarka in 1942; played by Novomesky is, according Kostra in 1939, 1940, and two books to Noge, even of greater import- in 1942; Ponican in 1940 and 1941 ; ance for Slovak literature. "Valek's Horov in 1940 , l942 and 1944; complex work - writes Noge - . .Zary in 1941 and two books so rich in meaning and expression, in 1942; Ondrejov in 1940, and so inaugurated a new stage in the on. In fact, all Slovak writers and evolution of Slovakian poetry, re- poets created and published during presenting hitherto in some respect th e years of the Slovak Republic its peak." Horibile dictu! The Eng- more th an at any time before, lish reader could not help looking regardless of the fact whether they with contempt on Slovak literature supported the regime or not. Comif these minor poets were its great- munist literary historians should est authors and their poetry re- not underestimate the intelligence presented the peak of Slovak liter- of Wes tern readers. From the readature. ing of Noge's booklet, anyone can find out that, with the exception Noge seems to be objective in of G. Va.mos, who was not in Slohis write-up on individual Slovak vakia and Jilemnicky who was a poets and writers only in his evalu- Czech settled in Slovakia, every ation of the literary works pro- Slovak writer, poet, literary hisduce<l in the 1950's. He admits that torian or critic ,p ublished his works, "authoritarian methods of regle- and the younger ones their debuts mentation in the field of literature during that period. Since it is the first survey of reached ,t heir peak in 1951." He also writes that the literature and Slovak literature in the English poetry of that time was "just the language, we cannot but regret poetic drafting of political and that it is not better either in form journalistic phrases" and that in or content. This publication will prose writing the topics "were hardly convince English, American, treated in the manner of agitating Canadian, or Australian readers propaganda." However, this should that Slovak literature is worthbe understood in the context of while to be studied, taught and the events of 1968 when Noge's read. In addition to its shortbooklet was published. Criticism of comings mentioned above, the pubthe 1950's was not only fashionable lication also suffers from a very in 1968 but also a prerequisite for bad translation and too many printpublishing. ing errors. It would seem that One of the most .biased state- emigre Slovak intellectuals must ments in Noge's book is his asser- publish an English survey of Slotion that during the Slovak Repub- vak literature to present it to the lie some writers and poets "ceased civilized world in an objective light to write belles-lettres," intimating and proper form . �210 SLOVAKIA Letopis Pamatnika Slovenskej Lite- lenced not only Stur but also many ratu:ry 1970. Compiled and Edited of his followers and it was mainly by Juraj Chovan (Matica slovenska, Martin 1970), pp. 250, Russian and German Summary, Index. Slovak literary history receives in this publication some new insights and correct interpretation of the work of three prominent men of letters: Jan Holly, Andrej Radlinsky and Martin Hamuljak. Not only during the inter-war period when Slovak literary history was adjusted to the political aims of "Czechoslovakism", but also since 1945, Catholic writers and their role in Slovak national development was minimized or completely neglected . For a short time after the Second World War, Holly was rediscovered and some valuable publications of his life and work appeared in Slovakia or were prepared for the printers. For the ce11tennary of Holly, literary historians and critics such as Jozef Ambrus, Jozef Felix and others prepared nine volumes of Holly's poetry with comments and evaluation. However, the re.g ime did not allow distribution of Holly's work and it appeared only after 20 years in second-hand bookshops. The reason for such undeserved treatment of Holly's work was apparently the fact that it was published by Spolok sv. Vojtecha. The present publication gives justice to Holly and, at the same time, it presents Radlinsky and Hamuljak and their activities in a true light. Not only in the political history but also in literary history, the period between 1848 and 1918 was interpreted in such a way as if Slovak Catholics had not played any role in Slovak national life. The facts are, of course, quite different. The disillusionment of the year 1848 si- the Catholic intelligentsia who kept the flame of national consciousness alive and were active in cultural and literary life. From Radlinsky through Moyses to Oswald, a score of Slovak Catholics organized cultural and literary activi.ties and fought for the national rights of the Slovak people. Contributions to the present publications by Augustin Mat'ovcik, Zemka Cejkova, Konstantin Palkovie and Juraj Chovan, bring to light some interesting details on this period mainly in connection with Radlinsky's activities. The present Letopis is the fourth publication of this kind by Matica slovenska. All of them have been dealing with research into Slovak literature and contained results of studies by qualified literary historians. The greater part of the present publication is composed of papers presented at two conferences in April 1969. The first confere nce was organized on the occasion of the 120th anniversary of the death of J. Holly in Trnava and the second one on the occasion of the 110th anniversary of the death of A. Radlinsky. In addition of these papers, there is an interesting essay on Slovak studies Slovakica - at foreign universities by J . Kuzmik. The essay deals so far with Slovak studies in Slavic countries. But the title of the essay indicates that it will deal with Slova k studies in all foreign universities and institutions. We hope that Kuzmik will treat the subject with scholarly objectivity when he writes on Slovak studies at American and Canadian universities. A short survey published by him sometime ago indicated that he was not free of the usual bias common to all literary and cultural historians in today's Slovakia. He left out im- �SLOVAKIA portant contributions to Slovak studies at Western universities just because of political considerations and inflated the importance of others who professed political ideologies accepted rby the present regime in Czecho-Slovakia. The publication also contains documents and information on various cultural topics, as well as book reviews. Slovaks abroad learned with satisfaction that Matica slovenska in Prievidza organized an exhibition of the literary work of J. C. Hronsky. The exhibition lasted two weeks and met with great interest by the public. The objectivity of this publication is enhanced by including an account on this exhibition in which it has been admitted that Hronsky was "one of the most important, but also systematically under-estimat:ed Slovak writer." Unfortunately, the publication contains only a short Russian and German summary and will, therefore, be useful only for Slavists who can read Slovak. Nevertheless, we welcome this valuable contribution to better and more objective evalu ation of the Slovak literary past. W ith Christ in His Passion. By Rudolph Dilong. '!1ranslated from the original Slovak by Sister M. Martina Tibor, SS.C.M., Villa of the Sacred .Heart, Danville, Pa., 1971, pp. 75, $2.50. The greatest poetic genius of our century, the French poet, Paul Claude!, used to say (in several variations) about the poet and poetry. "The object of poetry is not, as they say very frequently, dreams, illusions or ideas_ It is the holy reality, given once for all times, in the center of which we are situated. It is the universe of in- 211 visible things. It is all that we look at and all that looks back at us. All this is God's work; it renders matter inexhaustible for all the greatest poet says and sings as well as the smallest bird. Since there is a phiiosophia perennis that does not invent ... abstract beings that no one has ever seen except thei r authors, .. . so there is also a poesis perennis that does not invent its themes, but it eternally recaptures those which Creation furnishes to it ... The purpose of poetry is not, as Baudelaire says, 'to plunge into the bottom of the Infinite to find something new,' but to plunge into the bottom of the definite in order to find there the inexhaustible ... Nor is he a poet who invents, but he who, approaching things, assembles and permits us to understand them." Justly we can apply these concepts especially to the religious poetry of Rudolf Dilong, the most prolific and meritorious contemporary Slovak poet living in exile (Pittsburgh, Pa.) So he took a plunge into the sacred reality of the Pascha'l Mystery and with a luminous creative poetic imagry tried the humanly impossible: to capture the uncapturable mystery found in Christ's redemptive mystery of suffering and victory. He listens in these depths and assembles the rays of his poetic vision in powerful and eloquent words. These are his immortal merits. How about the (frequently overlooked) merits of the translator, Sister Martina Tibor? Well, if poetry is art par excellence, so is its translation. To translate poetry well requires above all the perfect mastery of two languages. But this is not enough. The translator must be also a virtual pbet (in potentia), to save in his translation as much �SLOVAKIA 212 of the sublime poetic beauty as it is possible. And this process must be a new creation: a scrupulous penetration into the fine shades of meanings and the recapturing in another language this almost imperceptible shimmering of condensed poetic experience and expression. Even so, something will always be lost from the genuine beauty of the original. AU in all, we gladly say that Sister Martina did a splendid job in translating into English the most difficult, exuberant and most sublime religious poetry of the poet1>riest Rudolf Dilong. It is a valuable cultural service to the poetic Slovak genius. Nichoias Sp r in c, Borromeo Seminary College of Ohio ··DIE SLOWAKEI IN DER NACHDER KRIEGSENTWICKLUNG (The TSCHECHO-SLOWAKEI" Role of Slovakia in the Political Evolution of Czecho--Slovakia After the Second World War); by Prof. J. M. Kirschbaum, Schriftenreihe des Matus Cernak Instituts, Koln, Nr. 3, 1971, pp. 32, Bibi. Prof. J . M. Kirschbaum enriched again our political literature by a consice study about Slovakia after lhe Second World War. The publication is destined predominantly to scholars and historians but it will be welcome by anybody interested in political development in Czecho-Slovakia from 1945 to 1968. This period of Slovak history was presented in the West by fore ign historians as well as by Czech exiles in the most distorted light. Prof J. M. Kirschbaum, on the basis of sources in several languages, gives a clear picture of the role of Slovakia in the upheavals through which Czecho-Slov>akia, restored by the Soviet armies, had to undergo after the Second World War. The publication is an enlarged version of an English contribution to Canadian Slavonic Papers, Vol. X, 4, 1968, which was dedicated by Canadian Slavists to the events in Czecho-Slovakia in 1968. The English version discusses the events until the invasion of Czecho• Slovakia by the Soviet and other Warsaw Pact troops. In the German version there is also a chapter on the federalization of Czecho-Slovakia , and the footnotes were completed by references to works in German, while in the English text, Prof. Kirschbaum referred mostly to books published on the American Continent and in France. The study is divided into four chapters dealing with the Communist coup d'etat in 1948, the ,period of the "cult of personality" in Slovakia, the process of de--Stalinization and the struggle for liberalization and federalization. In each chapter the author traces the special role which Slovakia played in the crucial years of the transformation of Czecho-Slovakia into the most faithful satellite of the Soviet Union. To avoid being accused of "parti pris," Prof. J .M. Kirschbaum heavily relies on quotations from American and Canadian political scientists dealing with Eastern Europe. Among others he often quotes the work by the former Secretary to President Benes, E. Taborsky, who now teaches at American universities, but the most interesting quotation comes from a Czech professor at the University of British Columbia, Stanley Z. Pech, who wrote the following remarkable statement about Western historians writing on Eastern Europe: "Although Western specialists in Eastern European history have usually regarded it as their task to �SLOVAKIA I 213 make the West familiar with the Since Prof. F . Hrusovsky published entire panorama of the polyglot his concise booklet This is Slovakia. region, they have in practice often I some 20 years ago, we did not been selective in the favors they have in English any publication to bestoved on each nation. They have give either to foreigners or to incorporated in their work, in Slovaks educated at American, Camodified form, the outlook and nadian or Australian universities, the prejudices of the nations which the basic facts of Slovak history they "adopted." To give the most and cultural life. For this reason, conspicuous examples, they viewed the Slovak World Congress deSlovak history through Czech eyes. serves credit for publishing an In so doing, they have in fact up-to-date account on Slovakia. The publication is composed of created a second-class status for certain nations. The history of the two essays by Prof. J . A. Mikus. Slovaks in the West has usually and six essays by Prof. J . M. Kirschbeen presented from the point of baum. Prof. Mikus deals with the view of "Czechoslovakism" and has individuality of Slovakia, namely, appeared as hardly more than a with geographical and demographical facts and with the personality postscript to Czech history. " of the Slovak nation. Both essays We understand that the first are written in a scholarly way but English book by Prof. J. M. Kirsch- understandable to any reader. baum Slovakia - Nati 01i at the Drawing on personal knowledge Crossroads of Central Europe is and long years of studies of Slovak no more avail.able even though it history, Prof. Mikus displayed ahad three printings. It would be gain by his essays that he belongs a service to the Slovak cause if among the best Slovak authors he revised his book and completed abroad in the field of history and it by the present study in order political science. that students of Slovak history, as The essays by Prof. J . M. Kirschwell as politicians and American baum deal with the historical back and Canadian Slovaks of the second ground of Slovakia, the ethnic and third generations, could have origin and language, cultural, poan objective history on Slovakia. litical, religious and economic The Matus cernak Institute de- background. The essays give a serves credit for publishing this complete and unbiased picture of well documented study. The Slovak 1100 years of Slovak history, as World Congress would render a well as of political and cultural service to the Slovak cause if it evolution of the Slovak people and took care of pl.acing this concise of the economic potential of Sloand expertly written account of vakia. Perhaps intentionally short, modern Slovak history into univer- the essays refer to many books sity libraries in Europe as well as either in Slovak or in foreign languages, which will be welcome by on this Continent. who want to enhance their students J . Pau c o knowledge of Slovakia. SLOVAKIA : Historical and Cu lturThe reader will notice that Prof. al Background, by Prof. J. A. J . M. Kirschbaum made great efMikus and Prof. J. M. Kirsch- forts to present the political and baum, Published by Slovak World religious background of Slovaks Congress (Toronto, Canada, June without any bias. This is in accoro 1971) , pp. 63, ill. bibl. ance with the concept of the Slovak I �SLOVAKIA 214 World Congress which published this valuable addition to books on Slovakia. The Congress is guided by national as well as by religious ecumenical spirit. As in his other works on Slovakia, Prof. Kirsch• baum makes a distinction between the history of Slovakia and the history of the Slovak people which is not history of dynasties or expansive wars, but a struggle for survival. Such an approach will probably be most understandable for Slovaks as well as foreigners and may prove to be correct in the last analysis. The publication is enhanced by a map of Europe and several pictures from the history of Slovakia, as well as by a bibliography of English books on Slovakia by Slovak authors. The Editor, Prof. J. M. Kirschbaum added this im· pressive survey of books in English by Slovak authors for Slovaks educated outside Slovakia, and he did the right thing. Published by the Slovak World Congress, this valuable publication was distributed freely to the participants at the meeting in Toronto, and is apparently no more avail• able. It would be a service to the Slovak cause if a second edition be prepared for general use. J. Pa u co ETHNOLOGIA SLAVICA I: Uni· versitas Comeniana Bratislavensis, Facultas Philosophica, Bratislava 1970, p. 226, Multi-Lingual. The liberalization period in Slovakia brought about a favorable change not only in the political climate but also in cultural and scientific activities. Many projects which for years were only debated, materialized in 1968 or 1969. As a result, several symposia from a nllltlber of Conferences dealing with inter-Slavic relations in pre- vious years were published and institutes or chairs of studies were founded and organized. The Institute of Ethnology wa one of them and the present volume ETHNOLOGIA SLAVICA is the first publication of this Institute which has been founded "for the purpose of establishing an institution for ethnological research concerned with the Slavic nations," as the editors say in their multi• lingual introduction. According to the editors, Slovak scholars also planned the establishment of Ethnological Archives and a Society of Slavic Ethnologists but " the well-known events of 1968 (in other words, the Soviet invasion) heavily intefered with the realization of the original program." Only the Institute of Ethnology came into being and this first volume of ETHNOLOGIA SLA VICA is the result of the research of its members and foreign ethnologists. The volume was published on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the foundation of the Comenius University (1919). The Managing Editor of the publication, Jan Podolak, says in his Preface that the University has been founded "to enable Slovaks to acquire erudition (sic) of university-degree in the national language." However, it is well-known that the students of the Comenius University had to organize demonstrations for the use of the Slovak language as late as 1937-1938 because the mission of the University was to help the assimilation of Slovaks. The situation changed only during the Slovak Republic when education as well as administration, was carried on in the Slovak language which the present day scholars are not allowed to mention. The publication ETHNOLOGIA �SLOVAKIA SLA VICA is a valuable addition to Slavic studies and is a long time overdue, if we take into consideration the fact that one of the main founders of Slavic ethnology, P . J. Safarik, come from Slovakia. The volume contains contributions by Slovak as well as foreign scholars, and the essays have been published in English, French and German, with a Slovak resume in some cases, which will make the book accessible also to ethnologists in the West. Of 12 contributions, 3 have been written by Slovaks. Jan Michalek evaluated P . J. Safarik's contribution to Slavic ethnography; Jan Podolak wrote an interesting essay on the pastoral culture of the Carpathians as a subject of ethnological study, and Anton Habovstiak contributed the study "La colonisation pastorale dans les Karpates et les patois slovaques" (The Pastoral Colonization of the Carpathians and Slovak Dialects). Among foreign contributors are Milovan Gavazzi (from Zagreb), Sergei A. Tokarev (from Moscow), Christo Vakarelski (from Sofia), Zoltan Ujvary (from Debrecen), Oldrich Sirovatka (from Brno), Slobodan 2ecevic (from Beograd) , and two contributions have been written by Lusatian-Serbians, Isolde Gardos and Siegmund Musiat. This mosaic of contributors as well as the variety of subjects treated by them gives the book an intemational and inter-Slavic image. This should be velcome in view of the fact that the results of academic activities by Slovak scholars were rarely published in Western languages. The essays are not of equal value but they are all on the level of similar studies in the Soviet orbit. The volume is oriented particularly to Russian but also to Croatian, Bulgarian and Lusatian-Serbian ethnology, but the editors are 215 promising to deal also with Polish, Ukrainian and Yugoslavian ethnology in the following volumes. As an addendum the publication contains reviews in English and in German of the activities and the writings by Czech, Polish, Soviet, Ukrainian and Bulgarian ethnographers and their institutes or periodicals. Since every book in foreign language dealing with Slovak culture is of great importance for acquainting the world with Slovakia, we sincerely welcome this volume and hope that further volumes will follow as the editors promised and that the present generation of Slovak ethnologists will follow in the footsteps of P . J. Safarik who left a rich legacy to Slovak ethnology. * J. M . K i r s c h b au m * On P . J. Safarik, see Kirschbaum , P . J . Safcirik and His Contribution to Slavic Studies (Slavistica No. 43, Cleveland-Winnipeg, 1962) . DUBCEK'S Blu e Print for Fre edom: His Documentation on Czechoslovakia leading to the Soviet invasion, with a Profile by Hugh Lunghi and Commentary by Paul Ello (William Kimber, London, 1968), pp. 352, Index. Among the scores of books which were published on Dubcek and the events in Czecho--Slovakia in 1968* , this book will remain as one of the most useful for scholars and laymen alike. The editors included in the book the most important documents such as Dubcek's speech on April 1, 1968, at the plenary session of the Central Committee of the Czecho,Slovak Communist Party; the Action Programme of the Party; Dubcek's report to the meeting of. the Central Committee on May 29-June 1, 1968, and the warning given by the Presidium �216 SLOVAKIA of the Central Committee in answer to the letters of five Communist and Workers' Parties. Finally, in the Appendix, the book includes Dubcek's speech of December 1, 1968. These contents are expertly introduced and commented upon by Hugh Lunghi, a former member of the British Embassy in Moscow, and Paul Ello from Georgetown University School of Foreign Service in Washington. While Lunghi, who has been one of the best informed analysts on the staff of the British Broadcasting Corporation, gives in his Introduction an analysis of the events which led to the Soviet invasion, Paul Ello wrote a concise but well balanced commentary. The Summary is not signcd, and may be the work of either of the writers. The book will have a lasting value for inte11preting the attempts at changing •Stalinism in one o.f the most advanced, culturally and industrially, satellites of Moscow and at giving socialism a "human face. " Both Lunghi and Ello are factual in their analysis and Lunghi did not fail to point out the role of Slovakia and Slovak Communist leaders in the upheavals which many other authors, writing about the "Prague Spring", failed to do. In accordance with the facts, Lunghi writes that "one of the first of Novotny's fatal errors was his mishandling of the Slovaks," and that it was Dubcek's reaction to Novotny's policy towards Slovakia which began the snowball roUing. During the Central Committee meetings at the end of 1967, according to Lunghi the "three issues at stake were, firstly, the implementation of the economic reforms; secondly, freedom of expression and, finally, effective autonomy for SJovakia." (p. 17) . This conclusion has been accept- ed in the meantime as correct also by other authors who had access to documents, especially by Paul Tigrid in his book: La Chute Irresistible d'Alexander Dubcek, (Calmann-Levy, Paris, 1969) which was likewise reviewed in "Slovakia", Vol. 21, p. 206. Lunghi apparently followed the events in Slovakia very closely and without the usual bias which we can find among some Western specialists in East European problems. This appears not only in his assessment of the role of Husak after the invasion but also in his reference to Peter Colotka, Deputy Premier in Prague's government, who made some courageous declarations which resulted in his removal from his post. Lunghi's analysis of the situation in Slovakia was also correctly grasped in his statement that "the federation of the country, longed for by the Slovaks, had, at last been achieved in the face of the Russians who wanted to keep the two nations divided and at logger-heads. During the invasion the Russians had put about the totally false rumors that some Slovak provinces wanted to become Soviet republics. Symbolically, the legislation creating the federal state was enacted to coincide with the 50th anniversary celebration on October 28th." Unfortunately, the law of the federation was enacted but it became ineffective to a great degree because of Czech reluctance, what Lunghi could not, of course, foresee in 1968. Western analysts mentioned various reasons for the occupation of Czecho-Slovakia by the Warsaw Pact military forces in the books so far published on the invasion. Lunghi brings to light a new possible element which finally pushed the Soviet leadership to invade Czecho-Slovakia. During the spring �SLOVAKIA and summer of 1968 there was a strong reaction against the secret police which apparently was not only organized on the model of the Soviet secret police but also directed and infiltrated by Soviet agents to whom the Prague Ministry of Interior had to submit interrogation material before bringing them to the ministers themselves. According to Lunghi, the announced purge of the secret police apparatus threatened a vital Soviet interest by the revelations published in the newpapers in Bratislava and in Prague. Moscow's objective was, therefore, "to hold these dangerous processes and to restore a leadership in Prague which would control the population through a Soviet style Communist Party using the proper level of power - a persuasive and omnipotent secret police with no nonsense about 'demonstration of the socio-political 217 system'." (page 25). No doubt this could have been one of the serious reasons for the infamous decision to destroy an interesting effort by Slovaks and Czechs to give socialism a "human face." Paul Ello's commentary, short as it is, is clear and factual, and belongs among the best written ones shortly after the invasion, where there was a lot of confusion in Western countries among the specialists in East Europe. The book undoubtedly deserves to be read and preserved on the shelves for further study of a crucial moment in the history of Eastern Europe and probably in the history of Western civilization. J. M. Ki r s c h b au m • On a number of books on this subject, see my book reviews in "Slovakia", Vol. 21, 1971, No. 44, pp. 205-210. Rudolph Petrak, Slovak Tenor Rudolph Petrak, 54, of 32 Halsey, Dr., Old Greenwich, Conn., a leading tenor with the City Opera Company from 1948 to 1956, died March 4, 1972, at Saint Joseph Hospital in Stamford, Conn. He was born in Sucany, Slovakia had sung at major opera houses in Europe and South America, and as a soloist with the New York Philharmonic, the Philadelphia Orchestra and other noted ensembles. He sang under the batons of such famous conductors as Leopold Stokowski, Ormandy, Leinsdorf and Krips. Mr. Petrak began his career with the Bratislava Opera and made his American debut in 1948 at the New York City Center as Rudolfo in "La Boheme." Congressman Albert P. Morano of Greenwich noted in the Congressional Record of the United States. "I have become acquainted with many artists who have immigrated to America, but know of none more possessed of deep love for his adopted country than Rudolph Petrak." "The New York Times" in an obituary on Monday, March 6, 1972 published his picture as he sang Radames in "Aida" about 1949. The New York Times also wrote: "In 1960 when Mr. Petrak sang at the Philadelphia Orchestra's presentation of Carl Orff's "Carmina Burana" in Carnegie Hall, Harold C. Schonberg, The New York Times music critic noted: "Everything sounded effortless and clear, even the high D that Mr. Petrak took in falsetto".-J.C.S. �SLOVAKIA 218 Our Contributor s Karol Kuzmany, Slovak leader in 19th century. Msgr. George A. Galik, J.C.D., author, Hibbing, Minn. Joseph M. Kirschbaum, LL. D., Ph.D., historian, author, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. E . L. Delaney, author, journalist, Glendale, Cal. Fran!;ois d'Orcival, French political writer, Paris. Paul Kotva, pen name of Karol Sidor, former Premier of Slovakia. Sister M. Constance Yakubov, SS.C.M., teacher, St. Cyril Academy, Danville, Pa. Joseph C. Krajsa, Editor of Jednota, lecturer, Middletown, Pa. Joseph A. Mikus, M.C.L., J.D., historian, author, Washington, D. C. Francis Vnuk, M.A., political analyst, professor, Institute of Technology, Adelaide, Australia. Joseph Pauco, Ph.D., journalist, author, Middletown, Pa. K. culen, historian, journalist. Rev. A. V. Pier, O.S.B., journalist, author, Cleveland, Ohio. Dr. Steven I. Miller, assistant professor, Loyola University of Chicago, Ill. Daniel F. Tanzone, B.A., fraternalist, Yonkers, N. Y. Helena T. Gaydos, cultural worker, Philadelphia, Pa. George A. Podhajsky, pen name of a Slovak refugee professor. Rudolph J. Vecoli, professor of history and director of the Center of Immigration Studies at the University of Minnesota. Agnes Bocan, St. Cyril Academy, Danville, Pa. Sister M. Martina Tybor, SS.C.M., teacher, author, Danville, Pa. Edward J. Behuncik, attorney-at-law, Stratford, Connecticut. Rev. Nicholas Sprinc, professor, poet, Wickliffe, Ohio. Picture on the front cover: Dr. Joseph Tiso, President of the Slovak Republic. �SLOVAKIA 219 Contents Dr. Tiso's Last Message to the Slovak People - 3 Paean to Integrity - Karol Kuzmany-George A. Galik - 4 Dr. Joseph Tiso-the Prelate-Politician who Died on the Gallows for His People - J.M. Kirschbaum - 5 I Met President Tiso - E. L. Delaney - 21 Msgr. Joseph Tiso - Fran(;ois d'Orcival - 26 Murder in Slovakia - Hon. Alvin E. O'Konsld - 36 Speech of Hon. Ray J. Madden - 37 Slovak Bishops Appeal on Behalf of President Tiso - N.C.W.C. News Service - 40 Who Killed Dr. Tiso? - Paul Kotva - 43 Priest, Teacher, President and National Hero - 48 Dr. Jozef Tiso-His Political Creed - Sister M. Constance Yakubov, SS.C.M. - 50 Dr. Peter P. Hletko Most Elite of American Slovaks - Joseph C. Krajsa - 57 Prof. Stanislav Meciar (1910-1971)-In Memoriam - J.M. Kirschbaum - 60 Michael Novak on White Ethnics - Prof. Joseph A. Mikus, M.C.L. , J .D. - 62 Slovak Martyrs - 64 British Attitude Towards Independent Slovakia in 1939 - F. Vnuk - 65 Th e Slovak Benedictines Review 50 Years in Cleveland, Ohio (1922-1972) - Joseph Pauco, Ph.D. - 92 The Cult of SS. Cyril and Methodius Amongst the Slovaks in U.S.A . and Canada - K. Culen - 98 America's Discovery of Ethnic Values - A. V. Pier, O.S.B. - 114 Historical and Empi rical Methods of Studying Slovak-Americans as A Distinct Ethnic Group - Dr. Steven I. Miller - 116 The Slovak Experience In Contemporary America - Daniel F. Tanzone -125 Slovakia, the Land of B eauty - Helena T. Gaydos - 136 Tourist Trade of Slovakia - George A. Podhajsky - 140 Why Our Melting Pot Cooled Off - Rudolph J. Vecoli - 146 An Introduction to Slovak Costume - Agnes Bocaii - 153 Slovak Scientist Stefan A. Jedlik, O.S.B. - A. V. Pier - 158 Matthew Jankola 1872-1916 - Sister M. Martina Tybor, SS.C.M. Declaration Adopted by Slovak World Congress - 193 Unity Is Necessary - Edward J . Behuncik - 195 As Others See It - 198 Book Reviews - 205 Rudolph Petrak, Slovak Tenor - J.C.S. - 217 161 ��PRI NTI D IN U.S. A. JIDN OTA PlllN TER Y, MID DLli TOW N, PA. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource 1972, Vol. 22 Description An account of the resource Vol. 22 (No. 45), 1972. Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available The Slovak League of America Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1972 Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document SLOVAKIA 193 CURRENT ISSUES Declaration Adopted by Slovak World Congress Representatives of Slovak organizations throughout the free world as well as individuals of Slovak origin in the United States of America, Canada, Australia, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, France, South Africa, Argentina, Spain and Germany assembled in Toronto in order to promote the creation of a world organization of Slovaks hereby declare that: The struggle for freedom and self-fulfillment has been a continuing process throughout Slovak history. Attainment of this objective in the past has not been without obstacles, or dedicated work and sacrifices of many individuals and groups. Now, when the Slovak nation is unable to determine its own destiny, because it is under a foreign military domination, :s uch efforts, dedication and sacrifices must be increased to help them achieve their freedom once again. Those of Slovak origin now living throughout the free world, are urged to .dedicate themselves to this task. Our obligation will be to present to the free world a true picture of the life under which our brethren are compelled to live, and to seek a change of their plight. The concepts by which we will be guided in this work will be the traditional values promoted throughout Slovak history which have given vitality to the nation in its growth and acceptance among nations of the western world. The Congress will continue to adhere to the democratic principles in the civil and international relations and considers tolerance in ideological, political and religious matters an expression of maturity for democracy and strongly opposes any tyranny whether it comes from the left, or, from the right. It has been obvious during the past two decades that the Slovaks living in Slovakia have been unable to determine their own destiny. A number of recent facts attest to this unfortunate reality namely the following: The basic freedom of Slovaks, as well as of other Captive 194 SLOVAKIA Nations under communism, are still quite limited-travel to Western countries, and press and assembly freedoms have recently been set back to almost the 1948 levels. The federalization of Czecho-Slovakia into two equal sectors-the Czech and the Slovak, introduced by the Constitutional Act of October 1948, has been severely circumscribed in recent past and is slowly being replaced by a new centralism; Religious freedom continues to be restricted to Roman Catholics, Uniates, Lutherans, Jews and to other denominations; and The present Czecho-Slovak Federal Government has taken no initiative nor has it responded to initiatives suggested by the Holy See in the Vatican to establish a Catholic Province in Slovakia, even though such provinces exist in Bohemia as well as in Moravia. We contend that the issue of the continued existence and recognition of a Slovak nation be duly accepted by all nations, including the records of the United Nations. The question of the suppressed freedoms of all nations now living under communism must soon be given full airing and remedies instituted. This has been and should not cease to be an issue of interest to all civilized nations. Slovaks call upon them to help in this cause. We take a positive attitude towards the economic integration in Europe and urge that the Slovak nation be included in this and other unifying processes benefiting their degree of economic and other freedoms. Viewing the future political situation in Eastern Europe with hope and cautious optimism, we look toward to the day when obstacles which presently prevent cultural and educational exchang* between Slovaks at home and abroad will be removed. To support the objectives mentioned above, we have established a permanent organization under the name of: Slovak World Congress, which shall embody the spirit of brotherhood and mutual respect. Religious affiliations or political views, insofar as they are not contrary to the spirit of democracy and the objectives mentioned above, will not bar anyone from membership or active participation in our organization. We consider it essential that our goals and methods as well as our activities follow democratic principles. SLOVAKIA 195 We shall endeavor to have the Slovak World Congress represent its members at international scientific, cultural, religious or political forums in the interest of the Slovak nation as expressed in the Constitution and the by-laws of the organization. We urge that the Slovak World Congress devote itself to promoting the spirit of unity among its members and to co-ordinate all its efforts through constant contact with member organizations maintained through central secretariats, regional secretariats, committees and information bureaus in various countries around the world. We ask the blessing of Almighty God in this undertaking in the firm hope that with the help and co-operation of all those who wish well for the Slovaks we may successfully fulfill our role. Members of the Committee: Stephen B. Roman, LL.D., President; Rev. Dusan Toth, Secretary General; Dr. J. A. Mikus, Dr. J. Stasko, Dr. J. M . Kirschbaum,· Dr. J. Pauco, and Prof. E. Urban. Toronto, Ont., June 20, 1971. Unity Is Necessary Edward J. Behun c i k (The following are excerpts from the address of Edward J . Behuncik, First Vice President of the Slovak World Congress, President of the Slovak League of America, and President of the American Fund for Slovak Refugees given at the closing banquet of the Slovak World Congress held at the Royal York Hotel, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Saturday, June 19. 1971.) It is a rare and high privilege to appear before such a historic and distinguished gathering of representatives of all walks of Slovak life and to break bread with our fellow Slovaks from all parts of the free world as we share this memorable Congress in spirit, in hope and in love with our brethren in beautiful Slovakia. The honor you do me in asking that I speak in company with the distinguished Chief Executive of the great Province of Ontario, with two colleagues from the great Senate of the United States of America, as well as the spiritual, civic and cultural leaders who grace the head table-this honor cannot but move me. I thank you most sincerely for asking me here. Hopefully 1 will leave at least 196 SLOVAKIA one or two important thoughts with you-important to the permanent success of our fledgeling Slovak World Congress, and that is, our need for unity- and for ''Svornost a laska".In Joel, we read·'Your old men shall dream dreams, Your young men shall see visions."Today, we combine the hopes which both dreams and visions embody. Dreams are generally of things past, visions are of the future. Dreams are truly for older men who have a past, while visions are for the younger looking forward to the future. Experience alone is the look backward, the dream of yesteryear, but it is only useful as it clarifies the vision of tomorrow. Here in Toronto, we put the finishing touches--not upon a new structure - rather upon the permanent foundation . Because in fact, at New York City, the Congress \\'as already perfect in the sense that its objects were fully perceived, its necessary organs present, its powers conferred, and its extent already, if only dimly, seen to be world wide. In addition, its final purpose, which alone can justify its existence, was perfectly clear and that was to become the r epresentative body of Slovaks scattered as they are throughout the free world. Here during the past several days, we have added to the New York beginnings. We've used our year old experience to improve, amend, delete and otherwise add to the permanent basis of a vital organ for disseminating the cause of the Slovak nation. To bring about the final liberation of the Slovak nation and its equality among all nations, the Slovak World Congress presents us with a golden opportunity. If we complete its hopeful aspirations, if we create a permanent edifice on the foundation built here and in New York, we will thereby sooner bring to fruition the age old Slovak vision of liberty and freedom with justice. But unity is necessary - that unity which has so often eluded the efforts of our forebears . Can we come together for the future ? Can we remain together? I think we can; I know we must! ! ! We will and must let bygones be bygones, let past differences as nothing be, and with steady eye on the real issue, let us reinaugu rate the good and old central ideas of a free and independent Slovakia, where our presently subjugated brethren can someday in God's good time freely choose their own destiny. We have our quarrels, as all happy families have. We have di sagreed as all friend s have. But when the great human cause of Slovakia comes before us, in the natural fitness of things, we have looked into our hearts, and hidden away in their innermost recesses, we have discovered a very shy but a very faithful friendship for each other, no matter from what region of Slovakia we originated. That is why we are here this evening. SLOVAKIA So 1 say-we are united-but more important - we must stay united. We can do it ! ! ! The human heart and human aspirations are with us. God is with us--Our Lady of Sorrows is with us. We shall-we must-succeed. God forbid, if the Congress shall dissipate instead of growing and developing as it should-it will be another eleven hundred years before the vision of a unified, free and independent Slovakia can again be dreamed of. I know none of us wish to have ~he horror of such a c a ta s t r o p h e on our consciences. So, we must not fall-and we won't if we do our duty-but the time has passed when we can remain silent regarding the great fundamentals of free government and permit the enemies of the Slovak social order to occupy the center of the stage. The time has come and that time is now when we must take issue with those, who infatuated with ch a o t i c dreams, are seeking to undermine the Slovak ideals and aspirations, dreams and visions. We now have the modus operandi-the vehicle. We have the Slovak World Congress. We, the participants in and supporters of the Congress, have it in our own hands whether it shall be nothing more than the brilliant after glow of a gorgeous renaissance, or whether it shall be the dawn of a newer and brighter day in the struggle of the Slovaks to fulfill their age old vision of liberty and freedom with justice. Already, as we well know, on several occasions, for several 197 brief moments, behind the far spread iron curtain in Eastern Europe. the rays of the setting sun of materialistic communism have mingled with the rays of the rising sun of democracy. May that sun grow in light and warmth and may it be undimmed by the clouds of our own internal dissension. I am profoundly concerned. I am deeply interested. I build the greatest hopes upon this World Congress. 1 am old enough to have the experience to be able to dream-but, I am young enough to have the vision of a great institution - one from which, for example, some day-God grant-will emerge a winner of the Nobel Peace Prize - or the Literature Prize. And so, in bidding a foud adieu to our fellow Slovaks returning to their havens scattered throughout the free world, I urge them and all of you to hope- to hope as the love of truth and obedience to it shall grow and as with firmer footing thereon, we look afar and think clearly on what we see. We shall see our Slovak World Congress advancing to the high position that awaits every organization and every nation which honors the facts, which looks afar and which thinks clearly and positively. And as we aspire to greater and more illustrious achievements in the glorious history of our beloved Slovakia, we can well ponder the prayer of Sir Francis Drake: "Oh, Lord God, when Thou givest to Thy servants to endeavor any great matter, grant us also, to know, that it is not the beginning, but the continuing of the same, until it is thoroughly finished, which yieldcth the true glory." 198 SLOVAKIA AS OTHERS SEE In these times, when many of us seem to reflect on the place of our origin, it was indeed interesting to see how the Americans, Canadians, and citizens of other free countries, all of Slovak origin, demonstrated their dedication to the cause of peace with freedom in our age. Their dedication was for freedom for their kinfolk in Slovakia, now part of the Communist satellite of Czechoslovakia, who cannot themselves demonstrate their longing for the liberties denied them for 23 years. The Slovaks are a hardy people who have been seeking the ideals we in our own country so freely enjoy-the right to their own self. determination. And like other nations, captives under Communist domination, the Slovaks know that one day they will join ranks with the civilized world with other free nations. Until then the work of the Slovak World Congress is indeed both most worthy and very necessary and I hope I applaud it. - U.S. Senator Robert Taft, Jr. The Slovak World Congress stands for freedom and seeks to preserve the language, culture and national heritage. You are to be commended for your strong antiCommunist stand. - Strom Thurmond., U.S. Senator Please know that your concern for freedom throughout the world and particularly in Slovakia is shared by all of us. No more dire threat exists today than that posed by the Soviet Union and I stand with you against their expansionary policies. Keep up with your good work. - John Tower, U.S. Senator I wish to congratulate the Slovak people of our nation for the out- IT standing fight they have been waging over the years in exposing Communist tyranny which is the most powerful threat to human freedom in the history of the world. If all groups of the free world would have the same spirit of opposition and expose the criminality of Communist enslavement methods and Communist living conditions there would be no doubt that this Communistic threat to the world would collapse in a very short time. - Ray J. Madden, U.S. Member of Congress The struggle for freedom and self-fulfillment has been a continuing process throughout Slovak history. Attainment of this objective in the past has not been without obstacles, or dedicated work and sacrifices of many individuals and groups. Now, when the Slovak nation is unable to determine its own destiny, because it is under a foreign military domination, such efforts, dedication and sacrifices must be increased to help them achieve their freedom once again. Those of Slovak origin now living throughout the free world, are urged to dedicate themselves to this task. Our obligation will be to present to the free world a true picture of the life under which our brethren are compelled to live, and to seek a change of their plight. The concepts by which we will be guided in this work will be the traditional values promoted throughout Slovak history which have given vitality to the nation in its growth and acceptance among nations of the western world. Claiborne Pell, U.S. Senator Even within the Communist world there is an absolute intoler-- SLOVAKIA ance for those faithful party members who would put a "human face" on the dictatorship in order to make it more palatable. I speak of course, of Alexander Dubcek who sought to purify, and reform, but not replace or destroy, communism in Czechoslovakia. Yes even after the true nature of the dictator reared its ugly head and Dubcek's reforms were sacrificed, we still hear the drone of those who would have us believe that the communist dictator has changed. Let no one be fooled - Communism is the Number One enemy not only of the Western World, but of humanity itself. It is a tribute to all of you who have felt the iron hand of the communist dictator that you have brought to the Western Hemisphere an appreciation and understanding of the dangers of communism which is, unfortunately, shared by too few Americans. - Robert C. Mardian It is a privilege to address men and women who stand for the forefront of civilization's never-ending struggle for freedom. For more than eleven centuries the Slovak people have been developing, extending and seeking to preserve a rich and fertile cultural heritage. More than that, you have sought endlessly to maintain that priceless ingredient of true spiritual fulfillment-the right of the individual citizen to be his own person, to think his own thoughts, to speak his own words, to contribute directly to the formation and performance of his own government and to worship as he chooses. In so doing you have contributed your full share, and perhaps more, to the development of the Slavic peoples as a whole and to the cultural family of peoples around the world. 199 Ontario and all of Canada has been enriched by the spirit and integrity of Slovaks, Ukrainians, Poles, Czechs, Serbs, Croats, Slovenes and all of the others who claim the honor of membership in the world Slavic community which numbers more than 200 million persons. - William C. Davis, Prime Minister of Ontario Vienna, AtLstria - Communist Czecho-Slovakia's closed-door policy against religious literature mailed from abroad has provoked a steady stream of protests within its own borders, according to reports reaching here. Demands for an explanation are being sent to postal authorities by Czecho-Slovak citizens who learn that religious books such as the Bible have been mailed to them from abroad but returned to the sender by government authorities. The regime's reply to that publications contrary to Czecho-Slovakia's laws are refused entry. But no particulars are given to explain how the Bible or devotional books are in opposition to the country's laws. "Foreign reviews and books may be sent into Czecho-Slovakia without limitation of any sort," said a standard explanation from the central office for incoming foreign parcels in Prague. Post Office 120. "However, reviews and books which by their content are contrary to our legislative norms are refused local delivery, according to the prevailing international standards." The letter of explana,tion concluded: "Peace to the world!" It seems that books arriving from certain senders or destined for certain addresses are returned automatically without examination. Recently one man received back from Czecho..Slovakia an unopened 200 SLOVAKIA package he had sent his brother containing a book on photography. Official documents mailed by Vatican offices to various bishops in Czecho-Slovakia have been returned marked "refused." In June, the secretariat for church affairs of the Slovakia region's government notified bishops, pastors and Religious superiors that religious publications from abroad were prohibited where "in conflict with the interest of our socialist state." The of.ficial notice continued: "The provision also concerns the propagation and publication of information and instructions of various kinds from abroad, whether through internal ecclesiastical channels, in official documents or in any form whatsoever." It warned that the distribution of prohibited literature is punishable under Czecho-Slovakia's penal code. Czecho-Slovakia's hard-line communist rulers, brought to power by the Soviet invasion of August 1968, have been steadily tightening the screws on the Catholic Church for the past two years. In January 1970 the Slovakia ministry of culture decreed that every act of official worship, including private Masses, must have state approval. A similar decree was issued by the ministry of culture in the Czech region of Bohemia. In July of that same year the Slovakia government asserted the right to blackball newly chosen superiors of congregations of nuns. In November, 1970 the Bohemia ministry of culture forbade the Church to give courses preparing couples for marriage. In July 1971 the ministry of culture decreed severe limitations upon the teaching of religion. Its Slovakia counterpart did likewise. Decrees approving newly resurrected pro-government associations of peace priests were issued simultaneously in August 1971 by the Bohemian and Slovakian governments. But the regime 's restrictions on Church activity and growth have not been confined to legislation and decrees. Through administrative acts the regime has kept more than half the applicants out of the country's seminaries and has dismissed from convents all Sisters who entered them when the country's liberalized regime of early 1968 reopened the convent to novices. The present, neo-Stalinist regime has attempted to manipulate the Church by installing its own candidates in key positions, such as vicar general of Brno and of Roziiava, and the executive committees of the Bohemian and Slovakian Catholic charitable agencies. Meanwhile, the controlled press has been keeping up a steady fire on religion in general and the churches in particular. Christians in Bohemia are bracing themselves for still heavier assaults upon them and their churches now that the head of the region's religious affairs office, Karel Hruza, has returned from a Moscow meeting with · his counterparts from other Communist states. Czecho-Slovakia's present program of religious repression was launched shortly after his return from a similar meeting in Moscow in October 1969. - NC New s Service Vienna. - The situation of the Church and of human rights and freedoms. in communist-ruled Czecho-Slovakia is growing worse, not better. Experts agree that the situation SLOVAKIA 201 after the short bright 1968 methods to promote atheist edu "humanizing" period before the cation. Dubcek regime was overthrown by Party officials said repeatedly at Soviet-led invaders - is similar recent meetings that religion "has now to that of the hated Stalinist a negative influence on the for. times. mation of Socialist conscience." The Church has become the The Bratislava communist newstarget of concentrated attacks from paper, Pravda, demanded that relitwo directions - through adminis- gious ceremonies - christenings, trati ve measures and ideological weddings and funerals - be rearguments. placed by Socialist ceremonies, The communist regime is at- because " the Church has misused tempting to strangle religious the most important stages of activities slowly but effectively by human life for its own purposes." administrative action. Karel Hruza, head of the gove rnMore than half of all parishes in ment state office, has described Bohemia lack priests and there is the regime's plans. "After rightists no chance to overcome the short- and counter-revolutionaries are reage. At the moment only 12 stu- moved from the party and governdents study for the priesthood in ment, we must concentrate in the entire Archdiocese of Olomouc. working a platform to cope with As a result of government the reactionary policy of the chicanery, the number of children Church. - Gerd Kriwanek, Reliattending religious instruction in gious News Service, January 28, school is sharply declining. 1972. th At the same time, e regime Ladislav Bezak loaded his wife has endorsed increased ideological and four children in a two-place attacks on the Church. Jozef Le- · light plane December 9 1971 and nart, firs_t secretary of the Slovak left for what he desc;ibed as a Communist Party, charged the "pleasure trip. " Church with having misused the The flight originated in Prague, situation in 1968 " to create a politand his destination was Nuernberg, ical basis for clericalism and West Germany. He did not file Catholicism. " a flight plan. Lenart alleged that religious Bezak is an experienced pilot sentiments were misused to pro- perhaps one of the best in the mote "anti-Sovietism and anti- world. At the first World Aerosocialism." batic Contest in 1960 at Bratislava, The regime has increased its Slovakia, he was a gold medal atheist propaganda. Thus the mag- winner in aerobatic competition. azine for teachers Ucitel'ske American pilots describe him as Noviny - urged the abolition of a quiet engineer who always wore any "liberal attitude towards re- a suit and tie rather than the casual ligion and the Church in our clothes worn by most competitive society." The journal also pledged pilots. increased atheist education of Shortly after he and his famil y young people by the party, the left Prague, a Czech MIG jet mass media, the schools and major fighter began a chase, and although organizations. Bezak waggled his wings and It also suggested that the Acade- waved to convince the fighter pilot my of Science devise the best they were on a pleasure flight , the 202 SLOVAKIA MIG began to fire on the light plane. Aerobatic maneuvers require precise skill. They are difficult enough in a special airplane, with perfect weight and balance distribution under ideal conditions. With six peop'le in a small plane, they would have to be considered impossible category. In addition, being fired on by a military jet could tend to disturb the concentration. The little plane - loaded over gross, and perhaps a third as fast as the fighter - apparently didn't have a chance. But the pilot was Bezak! According to the Aerobatic Club of America, Bezak flew the book at the military pilot. Flying many of the patterns which had earned him world championship 10 years before, he was able to elude the jet and continue on to the border. Before he reached it, the small plane was fired on from the ground. Bezak dived into a cloud bank, and with the children in tears and his wife in prayer, broke out across the border at 300 feet. The escape was a success. Ladislav Bezak, like most good aerobatic pilots, flies for prizes. During this trip he won the biggest prize of them all - freedom for himself and his family. - Lew Inquirer, Philadelphia Hodges, February 6, 1972. Lehigh is searching for a graduate student of Slovak ancestry to prepare a history of Slovak people in Bethlehem. Money for this project was left to the University from an even more unusual source: a Southside Bethlehem bachelor druggist who died in 1968 at age 67 and left Lehigh $67,500 in an unsigned will. The druggist, John Weldy Wasco, worked and apparently lived at 843 E. 4th Street. Relatives contested his will all the way to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, which upheld two lower court decisions in favor of Lehigh. Wasco stipuleted that $10,000 of the $67,500 was to go toward compiling and printing a history of Slovaks in Bethlehem, and that the project must be carried out by a Slovak student. Wasco's wish appeared in local newspapers without the criteria he set for the historian, and a number of Lehigh faculty expressed interest before learning they did not qualify. Wasco also specified that his personal papers be edited, and left $5,000 for the University to arrange that. University officials could not explain what motivated Wasco's generosity. He wrote a will in 1967 making Lehigh his sole beneficiary, and later changed it to add the provision about the Slovak history. - Lehigh University Publication Ondrej Nepela, the skating wonder from Slovakia, won the 11th Winter Olympic Games' gold medal as Russia's Sergei Chetveroukin edged into second place for the silver and Patrick Pera of France won the bronze. Two Americans, Ken Shelley of Downey, Calif., and John Mischa Petkevitch of Great Falls, Montana, moved into fourth and fifth places, passing East Germany's young Jan Hoffman, who had been fourth after the compulsory figures. Nepela, the world champion, fell early in his program while attempting a triple-toe-loop. Fall do not necessarily ruins a skater's marks since he is judged on the difficulty of his routine. Nepela was smooth and graceful but his program was neither as imaginative nor a dynamic as that of some of his rivals, including the two Americans. Despite his fall, the Slovak rated SLOVAKIA scores no lower than 5.9s in technical merit and he had two 5. 7s with the rest 5.8 in artistic impressions. His total points were 2739.1, well ahead of the rest of the field. In the official ordinal rankings, Nepela had a perfect 9.0, meaning he was rated No. 1 by all nine judges. The Russian had 20.0 in ordinals and Pera 28.0. - Associated Press, February 12, 1972. Dr. Joseph Tiso, wartime president of the Slovak Republic, is no more. Tried and convicted as a "war criminal" by a ~called People's Court, he was executed last week American press dispatches - both secular and religious were concise and negligently brief. No fanfare or publicity. Merely that the priest-president was sentenced and the sentence carried out. Was Dr. Tiso a "war criminal"? The very fact of news silence here betrays a kind of embarrassed admission that things were not just fine in "Glocca Morra." The trials of Draga Mihailovitch and Archbishop Stepinac given due publicity aroused resentment in the United States, an attitude, which, while it accomplished nothing actual for the persons involved, nevertheless illustrated the rightprincipled conscience of the thinking public. But Dr. Tiso's case was denied even the type of consolation, because the facts and circumstances of the Tiso case are quite unknown to the American people. Whose the fault, whose the blame for this? The Hon. Robert Jackson, presiding over the trials in Nuremberg wrote "All experience teaches that there are certain things you cannot do under the guise of judicial trial. You must put no man on trial before anything that is called a court, if you are not prepared to establish his personal 203 guilt . . . If you are determined to execute a man in any case, there is no occasion for a trial. The world yields no respect to courts that are merely organized to convict." Tiso's trial was a travesty of justice. Actually, the issue was a political one primarily. Tried by the "People's Court" Tiso was denied representation by the attorney engaged by his friends. American papers had nothing to say about the fact that Alois Loyek, the attorney, was abused by the security officials, told he could not represent Tiso, and all defense material confiscated. The presiding judge and six political associates was Igor Daxner who himself was once tried by a regular court during Tiso's regime for planning with the Benes government-in-exile to turn Slovakia over to Russia, and sent to jail. Was Dr. Tiso a "war criminal" ? The answer necessitates a thorough perusal of the events which led to his election as Premier of Slovakia before the war started· - under a valid act of the Prague Parliament, events little known here, events in the evolution of democracy in the republic of Czecho-Slovakia without a knowledge of which the case of Tiso cannot be justly viewed. If these facts were made public, perhaps public opinion, such as it is. might be swayed to the right even though a little too late." The Catholic L i ght, Scranton, Pa. 4-25-47. Dr. Tiso's public life was political, though this fact is not to be held in any way against him. In many parts of Europe ecclesiastics find themselves pushed into politics because the cause of their Catholic people needs to be protected, and there are not a sufficient number of laymen educated to the job. Happily, this state of affairs is passing away, for it is not in itself 204 SLOVAKIA very desirable. However excellent the motives of the cleric concerned, he risks his spiritual office being contaminated, at least in public esteem, by the relatively low standards of political life, and the higher he rises in the political world, the harder it may become to distinguish the priest from the politics. Dr. Tiso, so far as we are aware always remained an exemplary priest, but he came to find himself responsible for the fate of his fellow Slovakians in terrible times. Through these times he did his duty to his people as he saw it. In a way not dissimilar from that of an Irish leader in relation to the British, he strove to protect the religion, culture and national autonomy of Slovakia as against the Czechs whose public outlook was dominated by very different rnlues. Such is the path of treason in the eyes of one side and of heroic patriotism in the eyes of the other. And few who tread this hard road can look back on their lives and deny having made mistakes. In the long run history will al- ways vindicate the sincere patriot as against the utilitarian judgment of those who condemn him on a legalistic interpretation of treason. In each case the career of such a man is a challenge to those called UPon to judge him. Are they big enough to look with the eyes of history and to seek reconciliation and understanding by the great gesture? Or are they small men who cannot see beyond the legalisms and their wounded vanity? In the face of this test, Dr. Benes and the rulers of Czecho-Slovakia have dismally failed. They have had to judge a good man, a priest, a great and courageous patriot, and all they have been able to do is to raise a martyr for Slovakia. This small-minded folly is only too typical of the men whom the fortunes of war have favoured . Instead of trying to realize unity on the basis of victory, these little men are as busy as they can be indulging their feelings by carving even deeper the channels which devide man from man and nation from nation. - Catholic Herald . London, 4-25-47. SLOVAKIA is µublishecl annually by the Slovak League of .America, a cultural and civic federation of Americans of Slovak descent. One of the purpo··es of SLOVAKIA is to promote a better understanding and appreciat1on of the Sl<OVak nation and its long struggle foT freedom and i ndependeuce. Subscription to Slovwkia $3.00 pel' year in the L1.S.A. - $4.00 el-sewhere. Send 1mhscription to: SLOV AKI.A 313 Ridge A venue Middletown, Pa. 17057 SLOVAKIA 205 BOOK REVIEWS BOOKS ON SLOVAK LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE Reviewed by J. M. KIRSCH BA UM Bibliografia slovenskej jazykovedy ethymology, terminology, orthoand lexicography which are the preferred fields of Slovak linguists; the survey of published articles, studies and books between 1961-1965 shows that Slovak linguists made great progress in the following disciplines; history of the language, dialectology, morphology, syntax, onomastics, stylistic aspects of language, problems of translation, the structure and acoustics of language and language culture. This development become more than apparent if we compare the present work with the Biblio- 1961-1965 (Bibliography of Slo- graphy, vak Linguistics 1961-1965), by Ladislav Dvonc; Matica slovenska (Martin, 1970), pages 804, multi-lingual, English summary. For Western Slavists the Bibliography of Slovak Linguistics is not wLthout interest. This voluminous publication shows that Slovak linguistics has developed considerably during the latter years of the Stalinist regime. It also indicates that the attempts of some philologists, supported by the policy of the regime in the 1950's, to infiltrate the Slovak language with Czech vocabulary and to bring its structure as close to the Czech language as possible in order to create a "CzechoS'lovak language" back-fired. Slovak linguists, with the exception of one or two philologists trained in Prague ( S. Peciar, especi'ally), repudiated these attempts and began not only to clear the Slovak language from foreign infiltrations but in a number of studies brought Slovak linguistics quantitatively as well as qualitatively to the level of other Slavic nations within the Soviet orbit. With its 2111 entries pertaining to the Slovak language, the Bibliography is, however, not simply a numerical expression of the development of li.nguistic studies on the Slovak language. Of great importance is the number of disciplines studied by Slovak linguists. It is not any more only grammar, graphy of Slovak Linguistics for 1957-1960 by the same author. The new Bibliography contains: 1) all linguistic articles, studies and books published in Slovakia; 2) contributions in non-Slovak periodicals ( one from Canada), studies and articles by non-Slovak authors on the Slovak language or on linguistics published in Slovakia. As a result, the entries in this Bibliography are not only more numerous, but also multi-lingual. The publication shows that many Slovak linguists themselves ,published their studies in foreign languages, mainly in Russian. A strong Russian influence in Slovak linguistics is even more evident in the number of articles, studies and books dealing with the Russian language. Bibliographical data about the Russian language cover more than 100 pages, while other Slavic languages follow in this order: Czech 25 pages, Ukrainian 9 pages, Polish 3 pages, Slovenian 206 SLOVAKIA 3/4 of a page, Byelorussian and Bulgarian ¼ of a page each. For a short time the methods of the Russian linguistic school, or as some linguists say, "the Marxists and Stalinists principles and methods," were also imposed on Slovak philology and linguistics and prevailed in some works (see my essay " Contemporary Tendencies in Slovak Philology," Slavic and East European Studies, Vol. IV, 34, University of Montreal, 1960). Around 1960 Slovak linguists turned, however, against the russification as well as against the Czech infiltration of the Slovak language and Slovak linguistics. Studies, articles and books pertaining to the Slovak language have been published, according to this Bibiiography, predominantly in Slovak, but over 300 entries were published in Western languages, including English, in other Slavic languages and in Hungarian. It was mainly the works of the older generation of Slovak linguists (J . Stanislav, E. Pauliny) which appeared in international symposia in English, French or Russian. The younger generation on the other hand has broadened the field of Slovak linguists to include many disciplines and their studies have maintained a high academic level. They continue to be grouped around the periodicals Slovenska rec (Slovak Language), Jazykovedr ny casopis (Linguistic Journal) and Jazykovedne studie (Linguistic Studies) and have published the Zbornik Filozofickej Fakulty Univ. Komenskeho - Philologica (Sym- posium of the F1aculty of Arts of the Comenius University) and Zbornik Filozofickej Fakulty Univ. P. J. Safcirika (Symposium of the University of P. J . Safarik). Editors gether with V. Blanar, L. Dvonc, G. Horak, J. Horecky and R. Krajcovic wrote the major part of the Slovak linguistic studies contained in the Bibliography. Even though the works of foreign philologists (R. Auty, R. Jakobson) from Western countries are included in this Bibliography it does not contain articles, studies or books published by Slovak intellectuals abroad except for one French essay by this reviewer which appeared in Etudes Slaves et est-europeennes (Montreal, 1963). Valuable studies by H. Bartek who was the founder of the periodical Slovenska rec or books, articles, dictionaries and surveys by S. Bue, F. Hrobak, J . J . Konus, J . Rekem and others were apparently not allowed by the regime to be recorded. The "normalization" which followed the brief period of relative freedom in 1968, has again separated the Slovaks in Slovakia from Slovak intellectuals in the West even in the field of linguistics and the population of Slovakia is not allowed to know about the cultural activities among some two million Slovaks abroad. The usefulness of Dvonc's Bibliography for Slavists cannot be doubted. It is a thoroughly prepared standard work. An index of names and a subject index enhance the practical value of this voluminous book. SLOVENSKA BIBLIOGRAFIA V ZAHRANitf 1945-1965 (Slovak Bibliography Abroad 1945-1965) : Compiled by Prof. M. Lacko S.J .. published by The Slovak Institute (Cleveland-Rome), 1967, 366 pp., multi-lingual, instruction in Slovak and English. The long expected Slovak Biblioof these periodicals have been E. graphy Abroad, which had to reJona , J. Ruzicka, Prof. E . Pauliny, cord the cultural activities of L. f>urovic and S. Dobos who to- Slovak intellectuals in the West, SLOVAKIA has finally been published and we cannot but welcome it. Slovak Bibliography Abroad 19451965 records the literary production of Slovak authors in Western countries in the fields of history, political science, religion, philology, folklore, literary history and cdticism, music, theology, literature and natural science. A special chapter deals with general works on Slovakia and Slovaks abroad, includtng Slovaks in Canada. In addition, the Bibliography records the works of non-Slovak authors in the above-mentioned fields if they were translated into the Slovak language and deal explicitly with Slovakia or Czecho-Slovakia as a whole. Absent from this Bibliography are works and studies on Slovak subjects., published in the countries of the Soviet block since it was impossible for the compilers to carry out the necessary research. As a result, the publication contains literary and scientific writings of Slovaks living in some 15 Westem countries and published in all major Western languages. Considering the difficulties which wr:ilters, scholars and scientists face in exile, the Bibliography with its 2,438 entries gives an impressive picture of Slovak cultural life abroad after the Second W . W. One can understand this properly only if he is familiar with some basic facts about the Slovak intellectual community in Western countries. At the end of the Second World War, 50me 5,000 educated Slovak5 left their native country; in 1948 they were followed by a new wave of immigrants after the Communist coup d'etat. In the first wave of exiles were some of the be5t Slovak writers, poets and scores of young intellectuals from all fields of cultural endeavor who either completed their studies at univer- 207 sities in Western countries or continued their intellectual work even if they had to take menial jobs in the countdes in which they found refuge. Many of the younger generation attained positions at universities (22 in Canada) or institutions of higher education. Others became editors of newpapers and many poets and writers continued to write valuable works besides their employment in clerical jobs or other professions. Besides the chapter on literature which records writings of .some 25 poets and 15 prose writers, the largest number of entries is in the chapter on history ( 437), philology and literary history ( 224) , and political science (160). However, the natural sciences and economy are also among the best represented with 275 entries. Writings on history and political science, philology and literary history are predominantly in foreign languages. Some authors (Mikus, Kirschbaum, Rekem, Vnuk) published their studies in 3 or 4 Western languages. In literature, the Bibliography lists works by several of the best Slovak poets and novelists who in exile created works considered among the best in contemporary Slovak literature (Hronsky, Dilong, Sprinc, Strmen, Zvonicky, etc.) . The Bibliography also indicates that there are several Slovak cultural centers in the Western countries. From Canada the Bibliography has listed books, studies and articles 'b y some 20 Slovak authors. Ten of them have been active either tn Slavic studies or in philology, sociology, theology and science, the remaining 15 in literature. Actually Canada and the United States seem to have produced the most prolific Slovak authors, not only in literature but also in other fields. Also the major 208 SLOVAKIA centers of Slovak publishing activities have been in the United States, but Italy, Argentina and West Germany have equally active groups in publishing books, periodicals and newspapers. The BibHography further shows that some Slovak scholars and writers published their writings, including poetry, in several languages (English, French, Italian, Spanish) and in certain cases the originals were written in foreign languages and not translated from the Slovak. This is a new feature in Slovak literature and scholarly writing. Because of adverse political circumstances Slovaks had very limited opportunities to study abroad not only before the Second World War, but also after 1945. The exiled writers and scholars made apparently a great effort to fill this lacuna. No doubt the compiler of the Bibliography, Prof. Michael Lacko, accomplished a task which is usually done by many researchers over several years. By his own admission, he does not cover all published studies and articles by Slovaks abroad ; actually in some cases valuable studies were left out either in foreign language or in Slovak. Additions and extensions to the Bibliography have, therefore, been promised by the compiler, as well as by the publishers. However, even in its present form, the Bibliography is a valuable contribution to Slavic studies and a very useful publication, not only for Slovak scholars and researchers , but also for Slavists who read English, the Bibliography being bi-lingual. The value of the Bibliography is also enhanced by listing bibliographies on Slovak matters as well as periodicals and newspapers, annuals, and symposia, published in some 15 countries. Julius Noge : An Outl.ine of Slovakian L i terature (The Tatrapress Agency, Bratislava), 1968, 120 pp. This is the first book in English on Slovak literature which was published in Slovakia since the Communist takeover in 1948. The fact that it was published in 1968 would indicate that Dubcek's liberalization has to be credited for ,t his slender booklet on 200 years of literary activities in the Slovak language. The restoration of Czecho-Slovakia in 1945 cut off Slovakia from the rest of the world, especially from the West, and Slovak literature, art, science and culture in genera-I were to remain unknown to the Western world. Julius Noge, one of the literary critics who followed the directives of the Communist Party and was, therefore, favored by the Communist regime, divided his "succint" outline of Slovak literature into 7 chapters: From Old Church Slavonic learning (sic) to pre-Romanticism; Romanticism ( 1843-1870 ) ; Realism (1870-1905); Slovakian Literary Modernism ; Slovakian Literature between the wars (1918 1945); Contemporary Literature ( 1945-); Conclusion and Completion. Some of these chapters are very short, superficial and the whole publication is unbelievably biased towards writers and poets whose works expressed ideas opposed to Communism as, for instance, the poets and writers of Catholic modernism and all Slovak writers and poets in exile, except for J . C. Hronsky. Faithful to the directives of the Party, Noge considers as the greatest poets and writers such second class poets as Novomesky or Valek, and such mediocre writers as Vamos and Jilemnicky. "The poems by Laco Novomesky - assording to Noge - are most expressive, from the SLOVAKIA 209 artistic and human point of view that those years were the "dark most mature fruit of modern Slo- age" of Slovak literature. The lie vakfan poetry. His works are fre- has, however, short legs, as a Sloquently the key opening the way vak saying goes. A glance at the to ,t he sense and the problems of Slovak literary production between Slovakian literature between the 1939 and 1945 included in his book, wars and after them." shows that even the leading ComValek, who plays today the role munists published freely: Novoof the Minister of Culture in Slo- mesky published his book in 1939; vakia which after 1945 had been Hecko in 1942; Tafarka in 1942; played by Novomesky is, according Kostra in 1939, 1940, and two books to Noge, even of greater import- in 1942; Ponican in 1940 and 1941 ; ance for Slovak literature. "Valek's Horov in 1940 , l942 and 1944; complex work - writes Noge - . .Zary in 1941 and two books so rich in meaning and expression, in 1942; Ondrejov in 1940, and so inaugurated a new stage in the on. In fact, all Slovak writers and evolution of Slovakian poetry, re- poets created and published during presenting hitherto in some respect th e years of the Slovak Republic its peak." Horibile dictu! The Eng- more th an at any time before, lish reader could not help looking regardless of the fact whether they with contempt on Slovak literature supported the regime or not. Comif these minor poets were its great- munist literary historians should est authors and their poetry re- not underestimate the intelligence presented the peak of Slovak liter- of Wes tern readers. From the readature. ing of Noge's booklet, anyone can find out that, with the exception Noge seems to be objective in of G. Va.mos, who was not in Slohis write-up on individual Slovak vakia and Jilemnicky who was a poets and writers only in his evalu- Czech settled in Slovakia, every ation of the literary works pro- Slovak writer, poet, literary hisduce<l in the 1950's. He admits that torian or critic ,p ublished his works, "authoritarian methods of regle- and the younger ones their debuts mentation in the field of literature during that period. Since it is the first survey of reached ,t heir peak in 1951." He also writes that the literature and Slovak literature in the English poetry of that time was "just the language, we cannot but regret poetic drafting of political and that it is not better either in form journalistic phrases" and that in or content. This publication will prose writing the topics "were hardly convince English, American, treated in the manner of agitating Canadian, or Australian readers propaganda." However, this should that Slovak literature is worthbe understood in the context of while to be studied, taught and the events of 1968 when Noge's read. In addition to its shortbooklet was published. Criticism of comings mentioned above, the pubthe 1950's was not only fashionable lication also suffers from a very in 1968 but also a prerequisite for bad translation and too many printpublishing. ing errors. It would seem that One of the most .biased state- emigre Slovak intellectuals must ments in Noge's book is his asser- publish an English survey of Slotion that during the Slovak Repub- vak literature to present it to the lie some writers and poets "ceased civilized world in an objective light to write belles-lettres," intimating and proper form . 210 SLOVAKIA Letopis Pamatnika Slovenskej Lite- lenced not only Stur but also many ratu:ry 1970. Compiled and Edited of his followers and it was mainly by Juraj Chovan (Matica slovenska, Martin 1970), pp. 250, Russian and German Summary, Index. Slovak literary history receives in this publication some new insights and correct interpretation of the work of three prominent men of letters: Jan Holly, Andrej Radlinsky and Martin Hamuljak. Not only during the inter-war period when Slovak literary history was adjusted to the political aims of "Czechoslovakism", but also since 1945, Catholic writers and their role in Slovak national development was minimized or completely neglected . For a short time after the Second World War, Holly was rediscovered and some valuable publications of his life and work appeared in Slovakia or were prepared for the printers. For the ce11tennary of Holly, literary historians and critics such as Jozef Ambrus, Jozef Felix and others prepared nine volumes of Holly's poetry with comments and evaluation. However, the re.g ime did not allow distribution of Holly's work and it appeared only after 20 years in second-hand bookshops. The reason for such undeserved treatment of Holly's work was apparently the fact that it was published by Spolok sv. Vojtecha. The present publication gives justice to Holly and, at the same time, it presents Radlinsky and Hamuljak and their activities in a true light. Not only in the political history but also in literary history, the period between 1848 and 1918 was interpreted in such a way as if Slovak Catholics had not played any role in Slovak national life. The facts are, of course, quite different. The disillusionment of the year 1848 si- the Catholic intelligentsia who kept the flame of national consciousness alive and were active in cultural and literary life. From Radlinsky through Moyses to Oswald, a score of Slovak Catholics organized cultural and literary activi.ties and fought for the national rights of the Slovak people. Contributions to the present publications by Augustin Mat'ovcik, Zemka Cejkova, Konstantin Palkovie and Juraj Chovan, bring to light some interesting details on this period mainly in connection with Radlinsky's activities. The present Letopis is the fourth publication of this kind by Matica slovenska. All of them have been dealing with research into Slovak literature and contained results of studies by qualified literary historians. The greater part of the present publication is composed of papers presented at two conferences in April 1969. The first confere nce was organized on the occasion of the 120th anniversary of the death of J. Holly in Trnava and the second one on the occasion of the 110th anniversary of the death of A. Radlinsky. In addition of these papers, there is an interesting essay on Slovak studies Slovakica - at foreign universities by J . Kuzmik. The essay deals so far with Slovak studies in Slavic countries. But the title of the essay indicates that it will deal with Slova k studies in all foreign universities and institutions. We hope that Kuzmik will treat the subject with scholarly objectivity when he writes on Slovak studies at American and Canadian universities. A short survey published by him sometime ago indicated that he was not free of the usual bias common to all literary and cultural historians in today's Slovakia. He left out im- SLOVAKIA portant contributions to Slovak studies at Western universities just because of political considerations and inflated the importance of others who professed political ideologies accepted rby the present regime in Czecho-Slovakia. The publication also contains documents and information on various cultural topics, as well as book reviews. Slovaks abroad learned with satisfaction that Matica slovenska in Prievidza organized an exhibition of the literary work of J. C. Hronsky. The exhibition lasted two weeks and met with great interest by the public. The objectivity of this publication is enhanced by including an account on this exhibition in which it has been admitted that Hronsky was "one of the most important, but also systematically under-estimat:ed Slovak writer." Unfortunately, the publication contains only a short Russian and German summary and will, therefore, be useful only for Slavists who can read Slovak. Nevertheless, we welcome this valuable contribution to better and more objective evalu ation of the Slovak literary past. W ith Christ in His Passion. By Rudolph Dilong. '!1ranslated from the original Slovak by Sister M. Martina Tibor, SS.C.M., Villa of the Sacred .Heart, Danville, Pa., 1971, pp. 75, $2.50. The greatest poetic genius of our century, the French poet, Paul Claude!, used to say (in several variations) about the poet and poetry. "The object of poetry is not, as they say very frequently, dreams, illusions or ideas_ It is the holy reality, given once for all times, in the center of which we are situated. It is the universe of in- 211 visible things. It is all that we look at and all that looks back at us. All this is God's work; it renders matter inexhaustible for all the greatest poet says and sings as well as the smallest bird. Since there is a phiiosophia perennis that does not invent ... abstract beings that no one has ever seen except thei r authors, .. . so there is also a poesis perennis that does not invent its themes, but it eternally recaptures those which Creation furnishes to it ... The purpose of poetry is not, as Baudelaire says, 'to plunge into the bottom of the Infinite to find something new,' but to plunge into the bottom of the definite in order to find there the inexhaustible ... Nor is he a poet who invents, but he who, approaching things, assembles and permits us to understand them." Justly we can apply these concepts especially to the religious poetry of Rudolf Dilong, the most prolific and meritorious contemporary Slovak poet living in exile (Pittsburgh, Pa.) So he took a plunge into the sacred reality of the Pascha'l Mystery and with a luminous creative poetic imagry tried the humanly impossible: to capture the uncapturable mystery found in Christ's redemptive mystery of suffering and victory. He listens in these depths and assembles the rays of his poetic vision in powerful and eloquent words. These are his immortal merits. How about the (frequently overlooked) merits of the translator, Sister Martina Tibor? Well, if poetry is art par excellence, so is its translation. To translate poetry well requires above all the perfect mastery of two languages. But this is not enough. The translator must be also a virtual pbet (in potentia), to save in his translation as much SLOVAKIA 212 of the sublime poetic beauty as it is possible. And this process must be a new creation: a scrupulous penetration into the fine shades of meanings and the recapturing in another language this almost imperceptible shimmering of condensed poetic experience and expression. Even so, something will always be lost from the genuine beauty of the original. AU in all, we gladly say that Sister Martina did a splendid job in translating into English the most difficult, exuberant and most sublime religious poetry of the poet1>riest Rudolf Dilong. It is a valuable cultural service to the poetic Slovak genius. Nichoias Sp r in c, Borromeo Seminary College of Ohio ··DIE SLOWAKEI IN DER NACHDER KRIEGSENTWICKLUNG (The TSCHECHO-SLOWAKEI" Role of Slovakia in the Political Evolution of Czecho--Slovakia After the Second World War); by Prof. J. M. Kirschbaum, Schriftenreihe des Matus Cernak Instituts, Koln, Nr. 3, 1971, pp. 32, Bibi. Prof. J . M. Kirschbaum enriched again our political literature by a consice study about Slovakia after lhe Second World War. The publication is destined predominantly to scholars and historians but it will be welcome by anybody interested in political development in Czecho-Slovakia from 1945 to 1968. This period of Slovak history was presented in the West by fore ign historians as well as by Czech exiles in the most distorted light. Prof J. M. Kirschbaum, on the basis of sources in several languages, gives a clear picture of the role of Slovakia in the upheavals through which Czecho-Slov>akia, restored by the Soviet armies, had to undergo after the Second World War. The publication is an enlarged version of an English contribution to Canadian Slavonic Papers, Vol. X, 4, 1968, which was dedicated by Canadian Slavists to the events in Czecho-Slovakia in 1968. The English version discusses the events until the invasion of Czecho• Slovakia by the Soviet and other Warsaw Pact troops. In the German version there is also a chapter on the federalization of Czecho-Slovakia , and the footnotes were completed by references to works in German, while in the English text, Prof. Kirschbaum referred mostly to books published on the American Continent and in France. The study is divided into four chapters dealing with the Communist coup d'etat in 1948, the ,period of the "cult of personality" in Slovakia, the process of de--Stalinization and the struggle for liberalization and federalization. In each chapter the author traces the special role which Slovakia played in the crucial years of the transformation of Czecho-Slovakia into the most faithful satellite of the Soviet Union. To avoid being accused of "parti pris," Prof. J .M. Kirschbaum heavily relies on quotations from American and Canadian political scientists dealing with Eastern Europe. Among others he often quotes the work by the former Secretary to President Benes, E. Taborsky, who now teaches at American universities, but the most interesting quotation comes from a Czech professor at the University of British Columbia, Stanley Z. Pech, who wrote the following remarkable statement about Western historians writing on Eastern Europe: "Although Western specialists in Eastern European history have usually regarded it as their task to SLOVAKIA I 213 make the West familiar with the Since Prof. F . Hrusovsky published entire panorama of the polyglot his concise booklet This is Slovakia. region, they have in practice often I some 20 years ago, we did not been selective in the favors they have in English any publication to bestoved on each nation. They have give either to foreigners or to incorporated in their work, in Slovaks educated at American, Camodified form, the outlook and nadian or Australian universities, the prejudices of the nations which the basic facts of Slovak history they "adopted." To give the most and cultural life. For this reason, conspicuous examples, they viewed the Slovak World Congress deSlovak history through Czech eyes. serves credit for publishing an In so doing, they have in fact up-to-date account on Slovakia. The publication is composed of created a second-class status for certain nations. The history of the two essays by Prof. J . A. Mikus. Slovaks in the West has usually and six essays by Prof. J . M. Kirschbeen presented from the point of baum. Prof. Mikus deals with the view of "Czechoslovakism" and has individuality of Slovakia, namely, appeared as hardly more than a with geographical and demographical facts and with the personality postscript to Czech history. " of the Slovak nation. Both essays We understand that the first are written in a scholarly way but English book by Prof. J. M. Kirsch- understandable to any reader. baum Slovakia - Nati 01i at the Drawing on personal knowledge Crossroads of Central Europe is and long years of studies of Slovak no more avail.able even though it history, Prof. Mikus displayed ahad three printings. It would be gain by his essays that he belongs a service to the Slovak cause if among the best Slovak authors he revised his book and completed abroad in the field of history and it by the present study in order political science. that students of Slovak history, as The essays by Prof. J . M. Kirschwell as politicians and American baum deal with the historical back and Canadian Slovaks of the second ground of Slovakia, the ethnic and third generations, could have origin and language, cultural, poan objective history on Slovakia. litical, religious and economic The Matus cernak Institute de- background. The essays give a serves credit for publishing this complete and unbiased picture of well documented study. The Slovak 1100 years of Slovak history, as World Congress would render a well as of political and cultural service to the Slovak cause if it evolution of the Slovak people and took care of pl.acing this concise of the economic potential of Sloand expertly written account of vakia. Perhaps intentionally short, modern Slovak history into univer- the essays refer to many books sity libraries in Europe as well as either in Slovak or in foreign languages, which will be welcome by on this Continent. who want to enhance their students J . Pau c o knowledge of Slovakia. SLOVAKIA : Historical and Cu lturThe reader will notice that Prof. al Background, by Prof. J. A. J . M. Kirschbaum made great efMikus and Prof. J. M. Kirsch- forts to present the political and baum, Published by Slovak World religious background of Slovaks Congress (Toronto, Canada, June without any bias. This is in accoro 1971) , pp. 63, ill. bibl. ance with the concept of the Slovak I SLOVAKIA 214 World Congress which published this valuable addition to books on Slovakia. The Congress is guided by national as well as by religious ecumenical spirit. As in his other works on Slovakia, Prof. Kirsch• baum makes a distinction between the history of Slovakia and the history of the Slovak people which is not history of dynasties or expansive wars, but a struggle for survival. Such an approach will probably be most understandable for Slovaks as well as foreigners and may prove to be correct in the last analysis. The publication is enhanced by a map of Europe and several pictures from the history of Slovakia, as well as by a bibliography of English books on Slovakia by Slovak authors. The Editor, Prof. J. M. Kirschbaum added this im· pressive survey of books in English by Slovak authors for Slovaks educated outside Slovakia, and he did the right thing. Published by the Slovak World Congress, this valuable publication was distributed freely to the participants at the meeting in Toronto, and is apparently no more avail• able. It would be a service to the Slovak cause if a second edition be prepared for general use. J. Pa u co ETHNOLOGIA SLAVICA I: Uni· versitas Comeniana Bratislavensis, Facultas Philosophica, Bratislava 1970, p. 226, Multi-Lingual. The liberalization period in Slovakia brought about a favorable change not only in the political climate but also in cultural and scientific activities. Many projects which for years were only debated, materialized in 1968 or 1969. As a result, several symposia from a nllltlber of Conferences dealing with inter-Slavic relations in pre- vious years were published and institutes or chairs of studies were founded and organized. The Institute of Ethnology wa one of them and the present volume ETHNOLOGIA SLAVICA is the first publication of this Institute which has been founded "for the purpose of establishing an institution for ethnological research concerned with the Slavic nations," as the editors say in their multi• lingual introduction. According to the editors, Slovak scholars also planned the establishment of Ethnological Archives and a Society of Slavic Ethnologists but " the well-known events of 1968 (in other words, the Soviet invasion) heavily intefered with the realization of the original program." Only the Institute of Ethnology came into being and this first volume of ETHNOLOGIA SLA VICA is the result of the research of its members and foreign ethnologists. The volume was published on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the foundation of the Comenius University (1919). The Managing Editor of the publication, Jan Podolak, says in his Preface that the University has been founded "to enable Slovaks to acquire erudition (sic) of university-degree in the national language." However, it is well-known that the students of the Comenius University had to organize demonstrations for the use of the Slovak language as late as 1937-1938 because the mission of the University was to help the assimilation of Slovaks. The situation changed only during the Slovak Republic when education as well as administration, was carried on in the Slovak language which the present day scholars are not allowed to mention. The publication ETHNOLOGIA SLOVAKIA SLA VICA is a valuable addition to Slavic studies and is a long time overdue, if we take into consideration the fact that one of the main founders of Slavic ethnology, P . J. Safarik, come from Slovakia. The volume contains contributions by Slovak as well as foreign scholars, and the essays have been published in English, French and German, with a Slovak resume in some cases, which will make the book accessible also to ethnologists in the West. Of 12 contributions, 3 have been written by Slovaks. Jan Michalek evaluated P . J. Safarik's contribution to Slavic ethnography; Jan Podolak wrote an interesting essay on the pastoral culture of the Carpathians as a subject of ethnological study, and Anton Habovstiak contributed the study "La colonisation pastorale dans les Karpates et les patois slovaques" (The Pastoral Colonization of the Carpathians and Slovak Dialects). Among foreign contributors are Milovan Gavazzi (from Zagreb), Sergei A. Tokarev (from Moscow), Christo Vakarelski (from Sofia), Zoltan Ujvary (from Debrecen), Oldrich Sirovatka (from Brno), Slobodan 2ecevic (from Beograd) , and two contributions have been written by Lusatian-Serbians, Isolde Gardos and Siegmund Musiat. This mosaic of contributors as well as the variety of subjects treated by them gives the book an intemational and inter-Slavic image. This should be velcome in view of the fact that the results of academic activities by Slovak scholars were rarely published in Western languages. The essays are not of equal value but they are all on the level of similar studies in the Soviet orbit. The volume is oriented particularly to Russian but also to Croatian, Bulgarian and Lusatian-Serbian ethnology, but the editors are 215 promising to deal also with Polish, Ukrainian and Yugoslavian ethnology in the following volumes. As an addendum the publication contains reviews in English and in German of the activities and the writings by Czech, Polish, Soviet, Ukrainian and Bulgarian ethnographers and their institutes or periodicals. Since every book in foreign language dealing with Slovak culture is of great importance for acquainting the world with Slovakia, we sincerely welcome this volume and hope that further volumes will follow as the editors promised and that the present generation of Slovak ethnologists will follow in the footsteps of P . J. Safarik who left a rich legacy to Slovak ethnology. * J. M . K i r s c h b au m * On P . J. Safarik, see Kirschbaum , P . J . Safcirik and His Contribution to Slavic Studies (Slavistica No. 43, Cleveland-Winnipeg, 1962) . DUBCEK'S Blu e Print for Fre edom: His Documentation on Czechoslovakia leading to the Soviet invasion, with a Profile by Hugh Lunghi and Commentary by Paul Ello (William Kimber, London, 1968), pp. 352, Index. Among the scores of books which were published on Dubcek and the events in Czecho--Slovakia in 1968* , this book will remain as one of the most useful for scholars and laymen alike. The editors included in the book the most important documents such as Dubcek's speech on April 1, 1968, at the plenary session of the Central Committee of the Czecho,Slovak Communist Party; the Action Programme of the Party; Dubcek's report to the meeting of. the Central Committee on May 29-June 1, 1968, and the warning given by the Presidium 216 SLOVAKIA of the Central Committee in answer to the letters of five Communist and Workers' Parties. Finally, in the Appendix, the book includes Dubcek's speech of December 1, 1968. These contents are expertly introduced and commented upon by Hugh Lunghi, a former member of the British Embassy in Moscow, and Paul Ello from Georgetown University School of Foreign Service in Washington. While Lunghi, who has been one of the best informed analysts on the staff of the British Broadcasting Corporation, gives in his Introduction an analysis of the events which led to the Soviet invasion, Paul Ello wrote a concise but well balanced commentary. The Summary is not signcd, and may be the work of either of the writers. The book will have a lasting value for inte11preting the attempts at changing •Stalinism in one o.f the most advanced, culturally and industrially, satellites of Moscow and at giving socialism a "human face. " Both Lunghi and Ello are factual in their analysis and Lunghi did not fail to point out the role of Slovakia and Slovak Communist leaders in the upheavals which many other authors, writing about the "Prague Spring", failed to do. In accordance with the facts, Lunghi writes that "one of the first of Novotny's fatal errors was his mishandling of the Slovaks," and that it was Dubcek's reaction to Novotny's policy towards Slovakia which began the snowball roUing. During the Central Committee meetings at the end of 1967, according to Lunghi the "three issues at stake were, firstly, the implementation of the economic reforms; secondly, freedom of expression and, finally, effective autonomy for SJovakia." (p. 17) . This conclusion has been accept- ed in the meantime as correct also by other authors who had access to documents, especially by Paul Tigrid in his book: La Chute Irresistible d'Alexander Dubcek, (Calmann-Levy, Paris, 1969) which was likewise reviewed in "Slovakia", Vol. 21, p. 206. Lunghi apparently followed the events in Slovakia very closely and without the usual bias which we can find among some Western specialists in East European problems. This appears not only in his assessment of the role of Husak after the invasion but also in his reference to Peter Colotka, Deputy Premier in Prague's government, who made some courageous declarations which resulted in his removal from his post. Lunghi's analysis of the situation in Slovakia was also correctly grasped in his statement that "the federation of the country, longed for by the Slovaks, had, at last been achieved in the face of the Russians who wanted to keep the two nations divided and at logger-heads. During the invasion the Russians had put about the totally false rumors that some Slovak provinces wanted to become Soviet republics. Symbolically, the legislation creating the federal state was enacted to coincide with the 50th anniversary celebration on October 28th." Unfortunately, the law of the federation was enacted but it became ineffective to a great degree because of Czech reluctance, what Lunghi could not, of course, foresee in 1968. Western analysts mentioned various reasons for the occupation of Czecho-Slovakia by the Warsaw Pact military forces in the books so far published on the invasion. Lunghi brings to light a new possible element which finally pushed the Soviet leadership to invade Czecho-Slovakia. During the spring SLOVAKIA and summer of 1968 there was a strong reaction against the secret police which apparently was not only organized on the model of the Soviet secret police but also directed and infiltrated by Soviet agents to whom the Prague Ministry of Interior had to submit interrogation material before bringing them to the ministers themselves. According to Lunghi, the announced purge of the secret police apparatus threatened a vital Soviet interest by the revelations published in the newpapers in Bratislava and in Prague. Moscow's objective was, therefore, "to hold these dangerous processes and to restore a leadership in Prague which would control the population through a Soviet style Communist Party using the proper level of power - a persuasive and omnipotent secret police with no nonsense about 'demonstration of the socio-political 217 system'." (page 25). No doubt this could have been one of the serious reasons for the infamous decision to destroy an interesting effort by Slovaks and Czechs to give socialism a "human face." Paul Ello's commentary, short as it is, is clear and factual, and belongs among the best written ones shortly after the invasion, where there was a lot of confusion in Western countries among the specialists in East Europe. The book undoubtedly deserves to be read and preserved on the shelves for further study of a crucial moment in the history of Eastern Europe and probably in the history of Western civilization. J. M. Ki r s c h b au m • On a number of books on this subject, see my book reviews in "Slovakia", Vol. 21, 1971, No. 44, pp. 205-210. Rudolph Petrak, Slovak Tenor Rudolph Petrak, 54, of 32 Halsey, Dr., Old Greenwich, Conn., a leading tenor with the City Opera Company from 1948 to 1956, died March 4, 1972, at Saint Joseph Hospital in Stamford, Conn. He was born in Sucany, Slovakia had sung at major opera houses in Europe and South America, and as a soloist with the New York Philharmonic, the Philadelphia Orchestra and other noted ensembles. He sang under the batons of such famous conductors as Leopold Stokowski, Ormandy, Leinsdorf and Krips. Mr. Petrak began his career with the Bratislava Opera and made his American debut in 1948 at the New York City Center as Rudolfo in "La Boheme." Congressman Albert P. Morano of Greenwich noted in the Congressional Record of the United States. "I have become acquainted with many artists who have immigrated to America, but know of none more possessed of deep love for his adopted country than Rudolph Petrak." "The New York Times" in an obituary on Monday, March 6, 1972 published his picture as he sang Radames in "Aida" about 1949. The New York Times also wrote: "In 1960 when Mr. Petrak sang at the Philadelphia Orchestra's presentation of Carl Orff's "Carmina Burana" in Carnegie Hall, Harold C. Schonberg, The New York Times music critic noted: "Everything sounded effortless and clear, even the high D that Mr. Petrak took in falsetto".-J.C.S. SLOVAKIA 218 Our Contributor s Karol Kuzmany, Slovak leader in 19th century. Msgr. George A. Galik, J.C.D., author, Hibbing, Minn. Joseph M. Kirschbaum, LL. D., Ph.D., historian, author, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. E . L. Delaney, author, journalist, Glendale, Cal. Fran!;ois d'Orcival, French political writer, Paris. Paul Kotva, pen name of Karol Sidor, former Premier of Slovakia. Sister M. Constance Yakubov, SS.C.M., teacher, St. Cyril Academy, Danville, Pa. Joseph C. Krajsa, Editor of Jednota, lecturer, Middletown, Pa. Joseph A. Mikus, M.C.L., J.D., historian, author, Washington, D. C. Francis Vnuk, M.A., political analyst, professor, Institute of Technology, Adelaide, Australia. Joseph Pauco, Ph.D., journalist, author, Middletown, Pa. K. culen, historian, journalist. Rev. A. V. Pier, O.S.B., journalist, author, Cleveland, Ohio. Dr. Steven I. Miller, assistant professor, Loyola University of Chicago, Ill. Daniel F. Tanzone, B.A., fraternalist, Yonkers, N. Y. Helena T. Gaydos, cultural worker, Philadelphia, Pa. George A. Podhajsky, pen name of a Slovak refugee professor. Rudolph J. Vecoli, professor of history and director of the Center of Immigration Studies at the University of Minnesota. Agnes Bocan, St. Cyril Academy, Danville, Pa. Sister M. Martina Tybor, SS.C.M., teacher, author, Danville, Pa. Edward J. Behuncik, attorney-at-law, Stratford, Connecticut. Rev. Nicholas Sprinc, professor, poet, Wickliffe, Ohio. Picture on the front cover: Dr. Joseph Tiso, President of the Slovak Republic. SLOVAKIA 219 Contents Dr. Tiso's Last Message to the Slovak People - 3 Paean to Integrity - Karol Kuzmany-George A. Galik - 4 Dr. Joseph Tiso-the Prelate-Politician who Died on the Gallows for His People - J.M. Kirschbaum - 5 I Met President Tiso - E. L. Delaney - 21 Msgr. Joseph Tiso - Fran(;ois d'Orcival - 26 Murder in Slovakia - Hon. Alvin E. O'Konsld - 36 Speech of Hon. Ray J. Madden - 37 Slovak Bishops Appeal on Behalf of President Tiso - N.C.W.C. News Service - 40 Who Killed Dr. Tiso? - Paul Kotva - 43 Priest, Teacher, President and National Hero - 48 Dr. Jozef Tiso-His Political Creed - Sister M. Constance Yakubov, SS.C.M. - 50 Dr. Peter P. Hletko Most Elite of American Slovaks - Joseph C. Krajsa - 57 Prof. Stanislav Meciar (1910-1971)-In Memoriam - J.M. Kirschbaum - 60 Michael Novak on White Ethnics - Prof. Joseph A. Mikus, M.C.L. , J .D. - 62 Slovak Martyrs - 64 British Attitude Towards Independent Slovakia in 1939 - F. Vnuk - 65 Th e Slovak Benedictines Review 50 Years in Cleveland, Ohio (1922-1972) - Joseph Pauco, Ph.D. - 92 The Cult of SS. Cyril and Methodius Amongst the Slovaks in U.S.A . and Canada - K. Culen - 98 America's Discovery of Ethnic Values - A. V. Pier, O.S.B. - 114 Historical and Empi rical Methods of Studying Slovak-Americans as A Distinct Ethnic Group - Dr. Steven I. Miller - 116 The Slovak Experience In Contemporary America - Daniel F. Tanzone -125 Slovakia, the Land of B eauty - Helena T. Gaydos - 136 Tourist Trade of Slovakia - George A. Podhajsky - 140 Why Our Melting Pot Cooled Off - Rudolph J. Vecoli - 146 An Introduction to Slovak Costume - Agnes Bocaii - 153 Slovak Scientist Stefan A. Jedlik, O.S.B. - A. V. Pier - 158 Matthew Jankola 1872-1916 - Sister M. Martina Tybor, SS.C.M. Declaration Adopted by Slovak World Congress - 193 Unity Is Necessary - Edward J . Behuncik - 195 As Others See It - 198 Book Reviews - 205 Rudolph Petrak, Slovak Tenor - J.C.S. - 217 161 PRI NTI D IN U.S. A. JIDN OTA PlllN TER Y, MID DLli TOW N, PA.  Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Back Matter, Slovakia, Vol. 22 (No. 45) Description An account of the resource includes Current Issues; As Others See It; Book Reviews; Obituary; Contributors Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1972 https://slovakia.wordsofpassage.net/files/original/2daa090993cdcff74a9d21ad738d28f2.pdf dd5d44121cea5e5b0e6ebf2df13625de PDF Text Text 158 SLOVAKIA CURRENT ISSUES ·Proclamation Adopted by Sf oval< League of America CHICAGO, ILL. - MAY 27, 1972 Assembled in the Congress, the delegates to the 43rd Biennial Congress of the Slovak League of America, unanimously adopt this resolution: 1. The Slovak League of America will continue with all its energies to support, to advance and to spread the doctrine of self determination and freedom for all nations, as these are principles espoused by our own United States of America. 2. The Slovak League of America will continue with its cultural and civic programs, by means of its scholarships and other undertakings. Thus, we will better inform the free world, especially here in our own country, of the centuries-old aspirations and rights of Slovak nation. We feel these rights will be best enjoyed in some type of European federation or union in which the citizens of a free and independent Slovakia will decide their own destiny. 3. In furtherance of the above goals, the Slovak League of America will continue to work closely with all Slovak organizations, publications and institutions everywhere; thereby giving moral, financial and practical support to the aspirations of more than three million Slovaks torn away from their native soil, as well as to the downtrodden brethren in subjugated Slovakia. 4. As one of the founders of the Slovak World Congress, the Slovak League of America endorses the program of the Slovak World Congress and make available to it all its powers and resources. �SLOVAKIA 159 5. The Slovak League of America makes special request to all Slovak groups to appeal to the Slovak youthfor they are our future-without them the Slovak cause, especially here in the United States of America, will not long endure. 6. Finally, we solicit the continued sacrifices and dedication of all Slovak-Americans and American-Slovaks, fortunate enough to enjoy the freedom and privileges of our great Country, so that in our hopes for peace to men of goodvill, our subjugated brethren, may in God's good time likewise enjoy such freedoms. THE SWVAK LEAGUE OF AMERICA Edward J. B eh u n c i k, President Joseph Pa u co, Secretary MEMORANDUM of the Slovak Catholic Mission in Australia Director-General UNESCO Place De Fontenoy Paris vrre France Dear Sir: The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization has proclaimed the year 1972 as "International Book Year". This is a worthy undertaking and deserves every good success, but it is to be regretted that not all of mankind is in a position to freely participate in it. \ rticle IX of the Charter of the Book states: "The free flow of books between countries is an essential supplement to national supplies and promotes international understanding." �168 SLOVAKIA Contrary to this statement and the current year program of UNESCO is the practice of the Government of the Czecho-Slovak Socialistic Republic and the Governments of other countries under Communist rule and culturally dominated by Moscow. These countries discriminate in the exchange of books and printed matter in general. While the free world is flooded with propaganda and literature issued by the Soviet Block countries, there is great discrimination in the Communist countries against literature published in the free world, and into CzechoSlovakia the entry of religious and the like books is actually prohibited. This is being done in spite of the fact that Communist Block countries are members of the United Nation organization and are signitories of the Charter of the United Nations and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The purpose of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization according to its constitution is "To contribute to peace and security by promoting collaboration among the nations through education, science and culture in order to further universal respect for justice, for the rule of law and for the human rights and fundamental freedoms which are affirmed for the peoples of the world, without distinction of race, sex, language or religion, by the Charter of the United Nations." The Slovak Nation, one of many enslaved by Communism, has a high regard for this noble objective of UNESCO but is prevented in carrying out its part in it. The purpose of this memorandum is to draw your attention to the plight in which the Slovak Nation has been placed by no fault of its own, and also to point out that the action required to remedy the ills of the systems dominating the life of Slovaks under Moscow supremacy is long overdue. The Slovak Nation is the oldest Christian Nation in Central Europe. Its country is Slovakia with a population of 4,542,098. This Nation is not in a position to exercise the rights as enumerated for every human being by the United Nations. At the time when the most fundamental freedoms of �SLOVAKIA 161 mankind were announced by the United Nations, the Slovak Nation was stripped of them by the power of Moscow which marked the end of the Slovak Independent Republic, .and Slovakia was forcibly joined with Bohemia and Moravia in the Czecho-Slovak Socialistic Republic. By this arbitrary act the Slovak Nation was in 1945 deprived of the principle of self-determination affirmed by the Charter of the United Nations. Chapter I, article 1, paragraph 2 reads: (The purposes of the United Nations are) "To develop friendly relations among nations based on respect for the principle of equal rights and selfdetermination of peoples, and to take other appropriate measures to strengthen universal peace." The Slovak Nation is not free to choose its form of government and is ruled by the totalitarian system under the banner of international Communism. Consequently with regard to the objectives of UNESCO the Slovak Nation is not in a position to develop itself according to its Christian character and thus it is not free either to contribute to the cultural wealth of the human family or to enjoy its benefits. UNESCO holds that for the promotion of its activities, three of the rights, enumerated in the Universal Declaration are of outstanding importance: 1. "The right to education ( article 26) 2. "The right of culture (article 27) 3. "The right to freedom of information (article 19)". The Slovak Nation does not enjoy freedom to claim and exercise any of these rights. 1. Paragraph 2, of article 26 reads: "Education shall be directed to the full development of the human personality and the strengthening of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. It shall promote understanding, tolerance and friendship among all nations, racial or religious groups, and shall further the activities of the United Nations for the maintenance of peace." �162 SLOVAKIA Human personality can be fully developed when an individual enjoys the most fundamental freedoms such as: freedom freedom freedom freedom of speech, of belief, from fear, from want. The Slovak Nation enjoys none of these. The whole educational system in Slovakia is saturated with Marxism, which is contrary to the Christian character of the Slovak Nation. The promoting of tolerance is unknown to Communism which is disseminating hatred and it is disrupting unity on all levels of life. For Communism "peace" means the domination of private and public life according to the teaching of Marxism. According to paragraph 3 of article 26, "Parents have a prior right to choose the kind of education that shall be given to their children." The Slovak parents are denied this right for in Slovakia there is only the Communist system of education. In 1945 Slovakia had 1887 Catholic schools. All of them were confiscated by Communists and the children of Catholic parents (also other religions) were indoctrinated in Marxism. 2. Article 27, paragraph 1, reads: "Everyone has the right freely participate in the cultural life of the community, to enjoy the arts and to share in scientific advancement and it..s benefits." In Slovakia culture, arts, science have been made servants of Communism and they have no value unless they are guided by principles of Marxism and unless they are designed for the promotion of Communism. 3. According Article 19: "Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers." �163 SLOVAKIA In Slovakia there is no freedom of opinion and expression. These have to be in conformity with Marxism. Ideas and opinions are usually communicated by books, newspapers, radio, television and public addresses. But in Slovakia, these medias are Communist controlled and are designed to promote militant atheism. What has been said about the situation in Slovakia, applies also to a lesser or greater degree to other countries under Communist rule, and while Communist propaganda and literature is freely distributed in the countries of the Western Democracies, the frontiers of the countries under Communist domination are virtually sealted to the printed word from the West. This especially applies to articles of a religious nature. This state of affairs is contrary to the spirit of the United Nations and is alien to the objectives of UNESCO. Its toleration would only strengthen the hand of international Communism and encourage all actual or potential dictators in their drive to enslave the rights and freedom of mankind. Having this in mind, we respectfully request that: a) You bring the plight of the Slovak Nation to the attention of the General Assembly of the United Nations Organization, b) the dignity of Slovaks be fully restored, so that the Slovak Nation can take an honorable place in the family of free Nations according to the spirit of the United Nations and aims of UNESCO. We trust that you will assist us in our request that justice be done to the Slovak Nation and so fulfill the principles of the United Nations and aims of UNESCO. Yours respectfully, Rev. Jan Krasnansky, s. V.D. Chaplain to the Slovak Community in Sydney Jan Secansky Sydney, August 1972 Delegate to the Religious Section of the Slovak World Congress �164 SLOVAKIA Ethnic Studies at C.C.N.Y. and the First Course on the Slavic American Heritage The City College of the City University of New York has long taken pride both in the achievements of its students and in the leading role it has played in recognizing and adapting to new ethnic and cultural developments in New York's multi-cultural and multi-national community. For many years C.C.N.Y. has ranked with Harvard and the University of California at Berkeley in the number of its graduates who go on for doctorates. This year The City College again took a leadership role by initiating the nation's first college level course on the Slavic American Heritage. Different ethnic groups at City College have long struggled for recognition and have broadened the college's involvement in the community by pressing for the establishment of new programs and courses more "relevant" to their ethnic backgrounds. In response to the students' demands at C.C.N.Y. in 1969, New York's Board of Higher Education authorized The City College to establish a Department of Urban and Ethnic Studies (UES) which would engage in both instruction and research. This department assists students in preparing for new careers in community leadership, public service, education, and work with voluntary agencies in urban areas. In September of 1969 the new Department of Urban and Ethnic Studies opened its doors with 183 students enrolled in two courses in Afro-American and Puerto Rican Studies. The following semester courses in urban and community affairs were added. During the second year the curriculum was expanded to include the beginnings of Chinese-American and Carribean Studies. From the beginning the Department of Urban and Ethnic Studies exhibited striking vitality and growth. The number of courses given by the Department rose from two (in the fall of 1969) to thirteen (in the spring of 1970) and then to twenty-three (in the spring of 1971). From �SLOVAKIA 165 seven sections in the first semester it grew to forty-two in the spring of 1971, while student enrollment rose from 183 to about 1400. By Fall 1971, UES had been divided into three separate departments: Black Studies, Puerto Rican Studies, and Asian Studies. At the same time a separate department of Jewish Studies had been created. It became administration policy that an ethnic studies department could be established only if the particular ethnic group consisted of at least 5 percent of the student population at C.C.N.Y. Only the four ethnic groups listed above contributed this much. Others would have to be satisfied with basic courses only. At present, City College's four ethnic studies departments offer a total of over 120 courses; these are attended by more than 2300 students. Courses cover such varied subjects as "Asian Women", "Black Folklore", "Community Power Analysis and Research", "Political Modernization in Black America", "The Contemporary Puerto Rican Family", "Jewish Identity", "Jewish American Community", "Ethnic Leaders", "Field Work Experience in a Bilingual Environment", and "Creative Research in Urban and Ethnic Studies". Although hundreds of Slavic-American students attend The City College, they do not constitute 5 percent of the student body. Nonetheless many of them are eager to explore their ethnic heritage within the context of college study. America's Slavic-speaking population constitutes one of the most significant "white minority" groups in the country. Today, when all minority groups are trying to assert their contribution to the nation's growth, very little has been done to explore this group's history, culture, social problems and its struggle to maintain its identity in the United States. Systematic study of Slavic-Americans and their heritage is long overdue. There is a strong feeling of ethnic awareness among some members of the younger generation, there are also strong indications that the melting pot conception can not be maintained any longer and that America is beginning to recognize and appreciate the diversity of its ethnic elements in terms of a new cultural pluralism . .As Prof. Michael Novak puts it in his new book, The Rise of the Unmeltable Ethnics, "It is time for a new cultural pluralism �166 SLOVAKIA and a politics that requires this new cultural pluralism -one that draws from resources other than Anglo-Saxon history and values." The first course (being offered at City College), called Slavic American Heritage, is listed among the College's core requirements and is open to all interested students. The course is presented by Prof. Peter Goy and is being attended by 19 students. It is a survey of Slavic American Heritage. It attempts to explore the history of Slavic Americans. The course encompasses all Slavic-speaking groups in the country (Belorussian, Bulgarian, Croatian, Czech, Polish, Russian, Serbian, Slovenian, Slovak and Ukrainian, to mention a few) and includes a brief history of Slavs in the U.S.A. from the early XVII century to the present. It stresses their struggle for survival in the New World while emphasizing the participation of Slavs in American life and the role they have played in U.S. History. It expands upon current problems of identity and assimilation facing the younger generation. It takes into scope the Slavic historical background, characteristics of the Slavic population, economic conditions, religious conditions, education and contemporary literatures of the different ethnic groups. One of the aspects of this course is original research and analysis made by the students on various aspects of our contemporary Slavic groups, such as: Polish Ethnic Press, Ukrainian Scientific Institutions, Contemporary Ethnic Leaders, Czech Community in New York, Contemporary Slovak Women in America, Rhuthenians in U.S.A., Youth Organizations and the Impact of Assimilation on SelfIdentity, Bicultural Conflict and Synthesis, etc. In order to facilitate and further the original research of the students and faculty, a collection of a Slavic Contemporary ethnic archive and library materials is essential. Therefore, we would appreciate a donation of materials such as books, pamphlets, periodicals, newspapers, leaflets, films, etc, from all Slavic ethnic groups (Belorussian, Bulgarian, Croatian, Czech, Polish, Russian, Serbian, Slovenian, Slovak, Ukrainian and others) in the United States, a~ well as their organizations and patriotic individuals. We strongly believe that in the near future other colleges and universities, specifically those located in large �SLOVAKIA 167 Slavic communities such as Detroit, Chicago, Cleveland, Buffalo, etc., will accommodate their Slavic residents and open the door to the vast richness, resourcefulness and abundance of Slavic American Heritage. Professor P. G o y 201 Goethals Hall The City College of the University of New York New York, N. Y. 10031 What Did the Slovak Communists Want in 1968? Dr. John M. Kochik (A translation from the Slovak of Viktor Pavlenda's co chcu Slovdci published in Svet socializmu, No. 32, August 6, 1968 by Obzor Publishers, Bratislava.) "In January the movement was initiated for a democratic Czech and Slovak socialism which would be economically more dynamic, socially more just, ideologically more progressive, comprehensively more human,-making it more attractive than any existing socio-economic system. The movement for this type of socialism is fast developing across the country which two peoples and nationalities inhabit. From the very essence of this movement proceeds its most basically inherent feature, namely, the very democratization of the relationship between the two peoples, between them and the nationalities living among them, and between the nationalities living side-byside. However, should this essential element be disregarded the movement would become pseudodemocratic, despite the fact that one sector of society has been the ruling nation until now and is reputedly the most democratic. Therefore, the Slovaks have the complete right to formulate their national claims, while the Czechs have the moral responsibility of seriously considering and democratically accepting them in the new democratic atmosphere of thought and action. �168 SLOVAKIA What is the Basis of Our National Movement as a Natural Ri ght,-A Right Suppressed and Ignored in the Past? 1. A half-century should suffice for an elder brother to recognize the younger as thoroughly related, not adopted, without a stepmother, but having his same very own Czecho-Slovakian homeland. There could be no more fitting occasion to acknowledge this self-same truth than the fiftieth October-anniversary of governing together. 2. In its current history "something" always went wrong in the real autonomy of the Slovak nation. First, a word only about autonomy, later about all the remaining issues. We regard as our most natural and sacred rights the proclamation and recognition of the actual, genuine self-rule of our people. This presupposes the elimination, not only in words but in actual fact, of the present humiliating- position of Slovakia, and the providing of it with an equal opportunity of realization in all aspects of social life. 3. The road to a new, just solution of the relationships between our peoples should proceed through a politicaleconomic Czecho-Slovakian federation: an economicallyrational and nationally-just federation. Thus, we desire neither that kind of federation which would crush the Republic through a rigid control of the greater over the lesser, nor such as would shatter the Republic by indecisive free choice, one yelling 'To the left!', the other 'To the right!'. 4. The Czecho-Slovak federation should systematically transfer the inclusive spirit of the democratizing process as such into the living conditions of both nations and into the relationship between them. That means that, taken objectively, henceforth it would insure more intensively the acceleration of the process of raising the quality of conditions in realizing the Czech and Slovak labor potential both on the job as well as in life. But, simultaneously-and this indeed holds true for socialist society-it must accelerate the process of making conditions of realization of the national labor forces approach each other, and of further equalizing the comparatively large discrepancies in economic and living standards between Slovakia and the Czech regions . In these processes-the quality of conditions of utilizing the citizen as such and the relatively-equal utiliza- �SLOVAKIA 169 tion of both peoples-we realize the sense o! an economically-rational and a nationally-just federation. 5. It is completely natural (especially from the experiences of their former development) that nowadays the Slovaks are not satisfied with promises nor with a referral to the good intentions of another even though be is one's very own brother, but they require the systematic guarantee of inclusive national autonomy in a federation. We visualize the starting-point as in a nationally-just pyramid of authoritative governmental bodies; national governmental bodies with original authority-federal governmental bodies with derived competency agreed upon by the national governmental bodies. 6. We wish to establish a federation and the functioning of federal governmental bodies upon three principles: economy, flexibility and effectiveness, and national justice. The realization of these principles are demanded so that federal governmental bodies would be numerically minimal with a small apparatus. We demand the nationallyjust activity of federal governmental bodies in: the prohibition of majority-rule in legislative acts, the equal structuring of the administration and applicable solutions (that is, the prohibition of majority-rule, parity, agreements) in the federal executive governmental bodies. We implore the second, Czech, party, that is the Czech citizen:-consider this matter in silence, without prejudice, and give an answer six times! It is not an expression most completely natural that from these six basic principles the Slovaks proceed, placing one bother on an equal footing with the other brother? Or, does someone wish to shout us down repeatedly with the renewed expression: "Co vlastne ti Slovdci chteji?" (In the original Slovak text this question is given in the Czech language and meaning "What do those Slovaks actually want?", note that this question relates to the title and theme of the article.-Translator's comment.) I will not cease being an optimist. I still believe that the answer of our Czech brother will be non-Antonine (A passible reference to Antonin Novotny, First Party Secretary and the President of the Republic, his regime, policies and character.-Translator's comment), different in substance from its present usage, and that it will be worthy to the development of the Czech people." �170 SLOVAKIA AS OTHERS SEE IT The Church in Czecho-Slovakia been forced into early retirement is very weak, but it will continue to make them scarcer. Yet, strange as it may sound, the to survive. There are 14 dioceses, but only two bishops. The govern- government is not suppressing rement will not permit any more to ligion altogether. Firstly, it is be consecrated, so 12 of the 14 afraid to do so. Secondly, the Comdioceses must function with a munist Party is split on the issue priest who serves as vicar for the of how much to suppress religion. diocese. The vicars are chosen Some argue that it must be persecuted as fiercely as it is in Red largely by the state. No Catholic schools are permit- China. Others say that if it is kept ted in Czecho-Slovakia, though two weak, it will gradually die out as seminaries are still functioning, Communism takes over. A third one for Czechs and one for Slovaks. point: Communist leaders for the There are about 150 in the Czech most part are becoming increasingseminary, not many for 10 million ly pragmatic. They persecute religion only in Czechs, most of whom are Catholic. There are about 200 seminarians a ritualistic way, paying lip service in the seminary for Slovaks, in to Communist ideology. They persecute it mostly inasmuch as it Bratislava. About 3,500 priests are active. constitutes a force outside of the Another 500 must work as laymen, total power structure they have since the government does not re- allocated to themselves. Absolute cognize them as priests. Approxi- dictators have always tried to permately 35 priests are ordained each secute religion and weaken it to year. Worst of all, most of the the point where it has no power, nuns have recently been confined unless they have the power in their to work as staff in mental institu- hands. The police are not much in evition. Had we a Catholic Anti-Defamation League in the United dence in Czecho-Slovakia. Nor are States, we could bring enough there Russian soldiers on the street. pressure to bear to stop such but everyone knows there are 80,000 Soviet troops stationed just abuses. Remember how Stalin used to 30 miles away. Everyone rememcall it "changing the guard" when bers how Moscow sent in 650,000 he had a purge of Party officials? troops in a great hurry four years It still goes on. Three hundred ago, to crush the "human face" thousand members of the Commu- type of Communism Alexander nist Party have been purged in Dubcek had tried to introduce. One of the first buildings I saw Czecho-Slovakia in the past four years. Forty per cent of the writers in Prague was a training school have been forced out of their pro- for future members of the Party. fession. Fifty thousand union mem- It is the Party members and they bers were purged. The remaining alone who get all the good jobs writers stick to the Communist and who run every facet of governline, attacking the clergy as "fas- ment. Membership is limited to cists" and "Nazi." A large percent- those the Party invites, such as age of the monasteries have been sons or friends of Party members, closed recently, and priests have or those who do not practice their �SLOVAKIA religion and for other reasons appeal to the ruling class. Only Party members can be candidates in a system where to be nominated by the Party is a guarantee of "election." Only Party members can hold trusted position. Only they have all the power. Communists argue that if the whole world were Communist, there would be no wars. But Czecho-Slovakia is a direct refutation of that theory. The country was brutally invaded in 1968 when it tried to humanize its type of Communism. Nor is it true that Communism lessens crime. Any visitor to Czecho-Slovakia sees prostitutes walking the main streets at night. Cars are often stripped or stolen. Drugs are not a problem, though they are in Moscow. Alcohol, which we often fail to think of as a drug, is a huge problem in all those countries. Stealing stocks and bonds is not a problem. But stealing from the state is on a much greater scale than anything we can imagine. "The whole system," I was told repeatedly, "is built on stealing."-Father Dan Lyons. Twin Circle, November 10, 1972. VIENNA (AP) - Travel fo a Westerner may be occassionally troublesome, but this is nothing compared to the battle with red tape an East European traveler encounters, if he just goes from one Communist country to another. The Slovak Assn. of Journalists recently issued what it called "a recipe for avoiding difficulties with passport and customs control" which lists so many things to do that it might in fact discourage anybody from making the trip in the first place. The association's biweekly publication, listed the regulations applying in the various East Europe- 171 an countries, which in the case of the Soviet Union alone covered 21 lines. The hard-core measures are nearly the same in every East European country. Each wants to know who crosses the border, watches that not too much of its national currency is taken out, nor rare consumer goods which the East European countries prefer to sell in the West for hard currency. Red tape starts at home. Slovaks have to file customs and foreign currency declarations; in some cases they must also have exit permits. Anyone intending to take a gift exceeding $20 along must obtain permission. Anyone wanting to visit the Soviet Union or Poland must have a visa. Joining a tour of a state travel agency makes this relatively simple. But anyone who wants to visit privately must have an invitation authenticated by a Soviet militia.-Werner Olimann WAKE FOREST, N. C. (NC)Ethnic Americans are "neither angels nor devils" but an unusual combination of political liberals and old fashioned patriots, according to Father Andrew Greeley. The ethnic "believes that progress is possible and that change is desirable," Father Greeley told a conference here on Civil Religion in America. "If he is less likely now than he was 20 years ago to describe himself as a liberal, the reason is not that he is any less committed to change or any less sympathetic with the oppressed but simply that he has much less confidence in American liberalism now." The ethnics, Father Greeley said, "like the United States of America. The flag, the 'Star Spangled Banner,' the Constitution, the Declaration of Independence, the �172 SLOVAKIA Capitol building, the office of the presidency-all of these are admired symbols which together sum up the gratitude the ethnic feels for what the United States has made possible for him: freedom, dignity, comfort, security-things which his ancestors in the countries from which they fled or were driven would not have dreamt possible." Father Greeley, director of the University of Chicago's Center for the study of American Pluralism, said that members of ethnic groups are "less likely" than other Americans to favor the Vietnam war and, despite a tradition of anti-communism, they do not object to reapproachment with China or the Soviet Union." Members of ethnic groups, descendants of the most recent waves of European immigrants, have not been in America "long enough or achieved that level of security where it becomes easy to hate and despite the United States," the priest-sociologist said. "An appeal to the conscience of the ethnic against war and against injustice that is based on American patriotism has much better chance of being effective than one based on denunciation of America as a sick society, burning American flags, and ridiculing American institutions," Father Greeley said. Ethnics want to eliminate "hunger, misery, poverty, bad housing, bad education, and every other sort of social ill wherever is can be found in America," he said. "They supported the New Deal social reforms and have continued to vote for liberal congressional candidates who have extended and enlarged the New Deal." At the same time, Father Greeley said, ethnics place "a strong emphasis on the freedom and dignity of the individual person. A person should not be messed with or hassled by large bureaucratic agencies, be they governmental, labor, business, or ecclesiastical." Father Greeley spoke at a conference sponsored by the ~outhwestern Baptist Theological Seminary here and the American Jewish Committee. PITISBURGH-Tbey aren't the Same Old Steelers anymore. Just ask Gerela's Gorillas, Franco's Italian Army or the newly formed Dobra Shunka fan club. All those have been spawned by the success of the Pittsburgh Steelers, making a strong bid for the first division title in their 40-year pro football history. Gerela\s GO!fillas favor placekicker Roy Gerela, and rookie running sensation Franco Harris is the honorary commander of Franco's Italian Army. But what about Dobra Shunka? "That's Slovak for 'Great Ham,' " says Steeler linebacker Jack Ham, whose ancestors were European. "They're a great bunch of guys," Ham added. "Most of them live over in Port Vue, same as Gerela's Gorillas. You can't beat enthusiasm like that." Ham knows first hand the degree of Steeler mania. He's probably the only pro football player ever to get an ovation during a church sermon. "It happened at evening Mass the Sunday we beat Kansas City," recalls Ham, who attends St. Bernard's Roman Catholic Church in suburban Dormont. The monsignor was sermonizing on parish matters when suddenly he decided to switch topics and proclaimed from the pulpit, "How about those Steelers!" During the ensuing praise, he asked if Steeler vice President Dan �SLOVAKIA Roomey, a member of the parish, was in attendance. Rooney wasn't but Ham was and one of the faithful stood up and introduced him as "Jack Ham-the Steelers great linebacker. " 173 "It was really something," recalls Ham. "They gave me a big ovation just like we were out at the stadium, I even stayed after Mass and signed autographs."( Associated Press) Astronaut Gene Cernan is of Slovak origin. His grandfather migrated to the U.S.A. from Vysoka, Kysuce region, Slovakia �174 SLOVAKIA BOOK REVIEWS BOOKS ON SLOVAKIA Reviewed by J.M. Kirschbaum The Czechoslovak Reform Move- of view. It also put into proper ment by Galla Golan, Cambridge, perspective the economic as well at the University Press, 1971, as political and national reasons for which young Slovak intellectuBibl., 334 pages. Among the dozens of books on als, all of them staunch supporters the de-Stalinization and liberation of the Communist Party, began to movement in Czecho-Slovakia, the rebel against the Stalinist system. present book by Galia Golan, Lec- There is no doubt that economic turer in Political Science and Rus- as well as political disparity betsian Studies at the Hebrew Univer- ween Slovakia and the Czech lands sity in Jerusalem, is one of the became intolerable even to Slovak most objective and best research- Communists. The spark for the ed works. Whereas many authors moment came, however, from the of books on the reform movement writers and intellectuals who cravin Czecho-Slovakia viewed the situ- ed for more freedom and could not ation from Prague and dealt with tolerate the injustice committed on the events mostly on the basis of so-called Slovak "bourgeois nationCzech sources (see our reviews in alists" who were freed from prisSlovakia for 1970 and 1971, and in ons, but not rehabilitated. The Slavica Canadiana A. D.1970), the Czech intellectuals joined the present book does not suffer from movement three or four years any anti-Slovak bias. The author later, in 1967 and 1968, and gave objectively analyzed the beginnings it the weight which paved the way of the reform movement from 1963 for the events of 1968. Unfortuto 1968, and recognized the role nately, it would appear that they which was played by Slovak writ- not only helped the movement to ers, journalists and politicians. As get momentum, but also pushed it a result, the picture is quite dif- to the extreme and in the end gave ferent from many other books on the Soviets a prete~t for the inthe subject. Because except for vasion. the books by Skilling, Shawcross, The book is an excellent survey Fejto, Lungi and Ello, the reform of the whole period from 1963 to movement in Czecho-Slovakia and 1968. It is divided into six chapespecially its last phase, was a- ters. In its Introduction the book scribed by Western observers and surveys the years 1956-1962 and analysts to Czech intellectuals and then it analyzes the revolt of the several books were published under intellectuals, the economic reforms, the title: The Prague Spring. In reforms in the social cultural some instances, even Dubcek's .role spheres, political reforms, the ewas played down and other Slovaks vents of 1967 and 1968. The author wei"e omitted or ignored. paid special attention to Slovaks Galla Golan's book is, however, in the second chapter, as well as obje<:tive not only from this point in Chapters V and VI. In one chap- �SLOVAKIA ter the author analyzes specially the "pressures from the Slovaks and the youth." In the chapter on economic reforms, the book gives credit to the efforts of Dr. Eugen Loebl and to his plan for reforming the bankrupt economy. Other Slovak reformers, either in economic fields or in the political structure of Czecho-Slovakia are equally mentioned and so are Slovak periodicals, especially Kulturny Zivot and Slovenske Pohl'ady. Galia Golan seems to understand much better than other specialists in Eastern Europe the basic issues which separate Slovaks and Czechs and which dramatically came to the surface during the years 19631968. Trying to present an objective picture of the whole situation she avoided simplifications and, therefore, her book will remain as one of the best researched and scholarly written analysis of the attempts by Slovaks and Czechs to give Communism a human face. Wolfgang Venohr: Aufstand fii,r die Tschecho-Slowakei (Uprising for Czecho-Slovakia), Christian Wegner Verlag, Hamburg, 1969, bibl., ill., doc., 372 p. The War period of the Slovak history has been avoided for a long time in German historiography. Many more books were published in English than in the German language. When finally books on Slovakia appeared in Germany, they were written by historians coming not from Germany but from other Eastern European countries (Ludwig von Gogolak, Jorg K. Hoensch, Almar Reitzner) and the backgrounds of the authors influenced their attitudes and interpretation of the dramatic period of modern Slovak history. The book under review is the first one by a Western writer on the uprising which occured in Slo- 175 vakia in the Fall of 1944 and was presented until now only by memoirs or books written by the Communist participants, except for one volume of documents edited by V. Precan. Venohr's book does not agree completely with the Communist interpretation and sheds a new light on the bloody and controversial rebellion which was at least three times re-interpreted by the Communists themselves. There is no note on the author of the book and of his credentials. The work is comprehensive and refers not only to many printed sources but also to personal interviews with the Communist participants and officers of the Slovak army involved in the uprising. Interviews with non-Communist participants, even though some of them live in Germany, are missing. In view of the fact that the non-Communist organizers and participants of the uprising did not publish uptil now their version of the political aims and of the part played by the Slovak army or non-Communist population, Venohr's book fills an important gap. It is, however, very hard to say how far his interpretation is free of any bias, in spite of the fact that he states in his epilogue that he tried to avoid an ideological approach. As he says, the aim of his book was to "help the Slovaks to gain their international respect and develop brotherly relations built on equality of rights with the Czechs." At the same time the book should "serve to create a better understanding between Germany and Czecho-Slovakia." Venohr's presentation of the Slovak Republic and his survey of Slovak history would indicate that he endeavored to look at Slovaks without the usual bias which we can find in some Western and �17~ SLOVAKIA Communist history books. Throughout the book, there is an effort to avoid the negative attitude towards the Slovak struggle for independence. There is no a priori denial of bonafide actions and goodwill on the part of the Slovak politicians and in one instance the author even states that from the scientific point of view nobody can seriously speak about Fascism in Slovakia (p. 30). Nevertheless, on many pages of the book he uses the term "Klerikal Faschismus" ( clerofascism) coined by the Communists. Venohr accepted as valid the statement by President Dr. Tiso that the existence of the Slovak Republic will be of great importance for the future generations, but in his view the uprising is even of greater importance for historical claims of Slovak national identity. This is, of course, a debatable view but it sums up Venohr's attitude towards the uprising. From this premise, the author approached all the events and persons involved in the history of Slovakia from 1938 to 1945. The volume is composed of two parts. In the first part he writes about the independent Slovakia, the Slovak army until 1943, about the political opposition; the unwanted partizan war; the military conspiracy; the memorandum by General Catlo§ and the mission to Moscow by Smidke. The second part is entitled: "Occupation and Uprising." It contains six chapters in which the author speaks about military events of the uprising from the time Germany sent two divisions to fight the Soviet partizans. Their arrival, however, triggered off the uprising of the Slovak army units and led to events of historical importance. Venohr describes the battles in various parts of Slovakia with the Slovak army which was preparing an uprising against Germans independently of ,t he Soviet partizans, as well as the political aims of the whole uprising. It is mainly in this part of the book where the author differs from the Communist historiographers but it is to be regretted that he did not confront statements of the people with whom he had interviews with the writings and opinions of the nonCommunist participants who live in the West. He also failed to mention that the Communists originally aimed at establishing a Slovak Soviet Republic and not Czecho-Slovakia. In spite of this, Venohr's description and evaluation of the events seems to be much more objective and closer to the historical truth than the one-sided interpretation published in today's Slovakia by Communist writers, or by some Western historians who adopted the Czech or the Communist interpretation. His stress on the divergence of views between the Communists and military leadership on one side and the Bene§ Government on the other sheds a new light on the uprising whose final history is still to be written. The memorandum and the attempts by the Minister of National Defense of the Slovak Republic, General F. Catlo§, to come to an agreement with Moscow to save Slovakia of occupation is another important revelation in the book, since it has not been taken into consideration by Western historians. A number of documents attached to the book also enhance its value. However, in spite of Venohr's endeavor to be objective towards the leaders of the Slovak Republic, there are, of course, still some inaccuracies in his book which could have been corrected if the author �SLOVAKIA had interviewed the emigre Slovak historians or political leaders. His survey of Slovak history also suffers accepting the Czech rather than the Slovak interpretation of the Slovak past. There is no doubt that Slovakia suffered a sort of social decapitation and lost their leading classes to Hungarian assimilation and policy. There was, however, Slovak national consciousness a long time before Stt'.ir's period and we can safely say that Slovak national renaissance started in the 17th century and the Bernolak group, which is not even mentioned by Venohr, deserves credit for the national awakening of the Slovak people. Economically, Slovakia also presented a different picture. Even with these shortcomings Venohr's book is, however, much closer to the historical facts and objective interpretation of the War period in Slovak history than . any other work published in the West, exept for books written by Slovak exiled historians who defe nd the right of the Slovak people to self determination and independence. vm and IX. · Historica 5-6, Slovak Institute, Cleveland-Rome, 1969, pp. 216 and 231, bibl., ill. Slovak Studies, Volume The recent volumes of Slovak Studies are an additional contribution to the research into. the Slovak history in ,t he English language. In comparison with the previous volµmes, the contributors are mostly from the younger generation and several of them from among Slovak intellectuals educa.ted at American universities. For this reason, both volumes also contain essays on American Slovaks. In view of the fact that there is no history book on the achievements and contribution of American Slovaks to Slovak national develop- 177 ment, these contributions are of particular value. The first volume contain four contributions: "The Role of American Slovaks in the Creation of Czecho-Slovakia, 1914-1918," by M. M. Stolarik; a study "Education in Slovakia" by M. I. Angelovic SS.C.M.; "The Quadrennial Reports of the Bishops of Nitra to Rome," by E. Bouydosh; and "A Short Survey of the Eastern Catholic Churches," by Prof. M. Lacko, S.J. To the second volume contributed Msgr. J . Rekem "Selected Chapters from the Slovak Cultural History"; F. Vnuk, a study "British Recognition of Independent Slovalda in 1939"; M. Tybor, "Fa_ther Matthew Jankola (1872-1916)"; J . J. Karch, . Slovakia Under Communism, 1944-1964"; Prof. M. Lacko, "A Historical Song from Eastern Slovakia" and "Camaldulese Red Monastery-Cerveny Klastor." All contributions are on the level of academic papers and point to new aspects and new knowledge of the Slovak past. From the historical point of view, the most relevant is, of course, the well researched and well written assay on British recognition of independent Slovakia in 1939 and Stolarik's M.A. thesis on the role of American Slovaks in the creation of Czechoslovakia, while from the cultural point of view the thesis on education in Slovakia by Sister .Angelovic and the essay on J ankola by Sister Tybor deserve particular mention. F. Vnuk's research into the British archives brought forth some very interesting information on the attitude of Great Britain towards Slovakia and many unknown documents which prove· that the Government of Great Britain and British diplomats had quite a different view of the Slovak problem than the Czech exiles, headed by Dr. �178 SLOVAKIA Bene§, made us believe and smuggled into Western historiography. It would appear from Vnuk's study that Great Britain was neither eager to recognize the Czecho-Slovak government in exile, nor believed to adverse reports on Slovakia, and that Slovaks needed only some good diplomats in London to put Slovakia and her striving for independence into a different light in the West. Vnuk certainly deserves recognition for studying the British archives because our knowledge of Great Britain's attitude towards Slovakia was very limited until now. Msgr. Rekem's contribution "Selected Chapters from the Slovak Cultural History" is a concise view of Slovak cultural development from the Middle Ages to the Bernolak period, written on the pattern of his previous studies either in English, German, or Slovak and, as usual, well documented. The essay would deserve to be distributed as a separate publication. M. Stolarik's contribution to the volume is an M. A. thesis and as such indicating that we can expect from the young historian further valuable contribution to the exploration of the history of Slovaks in the United States. His thesis is well balanced and based on research into the unknown as well as published sources, and enhanced by a useful bibliography. There is no need to write about Prof. Lacko's contribution since he has been an accepted authority on the subjects he writes about and his contributions are marked by thorough knowledge and originality. E. Bouydosh's contribution is a continuation of his previous research and writings and of interest for Slovak religious past. From - the Slovak point of view the contributions by the Sisters of SS. Cyril and Methodius, M. I. An- gelovic and M. Tybor deserve special mention. It would seem that both contributions are M. A. theses or parts thereof. They are valuable not only by their contents but also by their originality and research into the unknown and unpublished sources. In view of the fact that scholars in today's Slovakia are not allowed to extend their research into the history of Slovaks abroad, both contributions are of particular interest for Slovak historiography. The essay by J. J. Karch "Slovakia Under Communism, 1944-1964" is a well written account but too short to give a complete picture. It would be useful if this theme could be enlarged in Slovak Studies by the author or other Slovak specialists in modem Slovak history. To conclude, we can say that both volumes honorably represent the efforts of Slovak intellectuals in the West to fill the gap of knowledge of the Slovak past among Western historians and students of Central Eastern Europe. L'oecumenisme at le panslavisme de l'abbe JEAN PALARIK, par Joseph Vavrovic; These presentee a la Faculte des Arts de l'Universite d'Ottawa en vue l'obtention du Ph.D. en Etudes Slaves, Ottawa, 1972, 470 p. The thesis under review is a mature scholarly work, apparently the result of a long and thorough research into the archives and published sources pertaining to the historical background and to the activities of Jan Palarlk, whose dramatic works survived until the present time, but whose ecumenism was forgotten and his panslavic ideas were over-shadowed by his famous countrymen: Jan Koll.Ar and L'udovit Stur. In view of tlle present trend in the Catholic �SLOVAKIA Church, and the misuse of the idealistic panslavism by the Soviet Union, Palarik's 19th century ideas, for which he suffered persecution from the ecclesiastic superiors and was scorned by adherents of panslavism based on Russian leadership, are actual and timely and the thesis is, in many ways, an original work. The thesis is divided into three parts: historical background of the activities of Jan Palarik; the ecumenism of Palarik, and the panslavism of Palarik. In the first part the author of the thesis discusses the nationalist wave in Hungary after the Congress of Vienna, the insurrection in 1848 and the period of absolutism of Bach and the di· vision of the monarchy into the Austrian and Hungarian part. In part two, the thesis deals with the origins of Palarik's ecumenism, his activities as editor of the monthly Cyrill a Method and with the con·flict with his ecclesiastic superiors. Part three gives a survey of the origins of panslavism and draws a distinction between Palarik's idea of panslavism and that of Jan Kollar. Palarik's ecumenism stemmed from his concern for the Slovak people who were menaced by Magyarization and weakened by religious division. The Slovak Catholic clergy made many efforts towards uniting with Slovak Protestants in cultural and literary activities even before Palarik's time. Encouraged by J. M. Hurban's work on the union of Slovak Lu• therans with Calvinists in Hungary (Unia cili spojeni Lutheranu s Kalviny v Uhrach, Budin, 1846, 240 p.), Palarik took, however, a step further. He recommended also a religious union, basing his views on similar tendencies of Catholic theologians in Germany and France and insisting on it for patriotic rea- 179 sons. Palarik developed his national ecumenism in a series of articles published in the monthly Cyrill a Method of which he was editor. Supported by several other young Catholic clergymen who advocated not only the union with Slovak Protestants but also far reaching reforms of the Catholic Church in Hungary, Palarik came into conflict with the hierarchy and especially with the Archbishop-Primas Scitovsky. His progressive and democratic ideas gained him, nevertheless, many adherents amongst Slovak Catholics. Unfortunately, he failed to obtain an adequate response on the part of Slovak Lutherans and after Palarik had to submit to the Church authorities, the movement for uniting Slovaks in their religion slowly died down. In Msgr. Vavrovic's analysis it was nevertheless an interesting movement on the part of Slovak Catholics and Palarik emerges from the thesis as a well educated idealistic patriot concerned about the progress of the Slovak people and about the reform in the Catholic Church on much similar lines as have been accepted by the last Vatican Council. In his series on the necessity of union of Catholics with Lutherans in Slovakia, he referred to well-known contemporary theologians and fought for his ideas in prose as well as in verses to make an impact on the leaders and believers of both churches. Palarik's panslavism was generally as idealistic as Kollar's or Stur's concept of Slavic reciprocity. He differed, however, from them in his favorable attitude towards Poland and not only failed to advocate Russian supremacy and leadership but also insisted on the necessity of equality of all Slavic peoples. There are echoes of Herder's and Hegel's philosophy and prophecies about the role the Slavs �180 SLOVAKIA will play in the world in Palarik's panslavism, ·. even though he did not refer to them. From Stur who advocated . the acceptance .of the Russian orthodoxy · by all Slavic peoples Palarik also differed in religious respect by advocl;l.ting the union of all Slavs in the Catholic Church, referring to the words of Christ about "one shepherd and one fold." His defense of Poles who were subjugated by the Russians caused him criticism from other Slovak panslavists. Nevertheless Palarik deserves recognition for creating two concepts of panslavism in Slovakia, and the present Soviet domination of Slavic peoples proves that he was right in refuting panslavism based on Russian leadership and supremacy. Since Palarik has been known for the past 100 years mostly as a playwright and dramatist, whose works : Incognito (i858), D'rotar (1860), Smierenie and Dobrodruzstvo pri Obzinkach (1862), Dimitrij samozvanec (1870), have been played until the present day, the thesis by Msgr. Vavrovic contributes to the knowledge of Palarik's activities and ideas which make him one of the most progressive and democratic Slovak leader of the 19th century. In conclusion we can say that the thesis is a valuable piece of academic writing. In view of the role played by panslavism in Slavic literatures and in the awakening of Slavic peoples, the thesis will add to this movement a new dimension: the ecumenic idea and a new conception of mutuality among Slavs. The knowledge of numerous languages by the author and his intellectual training made it possible to shed light on both movements from various points of view: philosophical, theological and literary. He also presented the subject in a clear style and methodically well balanced. The author of the thesis used practically all relevant sources in several languages and displayed a thorough knowledge of ·the basic works on panslavism and ecumenism. At the same time, he seems to know all writings by and on Palarik as his numerous quotations and bibliography indicate. Editor's remark: The reviewer, Prof. Joseph M. Kirschbaum, was a member of the jury which examined the a:uthor at the defense of his thesis · and recommended its acceptance summa cum laude. Milan S. :i'>urica: La Morte di M. R. Stefanik Alla Luce Dei Documenti Militari Italiani Inediti, Collana di Studi Sull'Europa 0rientale, Univsersita Degli Studi di Padova, Padova, 1971, pp. 94. For the past fifty years, the mysterious death of. one of the co~ founder of Czec.ho-Slovakia, General Milan R. Stefanik, gave ground to various hypotheses and accusations and created dissensions between Czechs and Slovaks. While on the part of the Prague government Stefanik's death was attributed to an accident, on the Slovak side persisted the belief t];J.at Stefanik lost his life because Dr. Benes and also T. G. Masaryk disagreed with Stefanik's political views and wanted to prevent him from taking part in the political life of Czecho-Slovakia. The circumstances in which the aeroplane bringing Stefanik from Italy to his native land crashed near Bratislava favored the . hypothesis that the crash was due to an artillery attack ordered by an officer of the Czecho-Slovak army who allegedly mistook the Italian aircraft for a Hungarian one. Also the manner in which the �SLOVAKIA 181 Prague government handled the investigation of the accident and fought the rumors and allegations accusing Dr. Benes of the responsibility for Stef{mik's death, helped to strengthen the belief that Stefanik actually was a victim of a political plot. Even though he was a member of the Czecho-Slovak government and his arrival was announced, there were no preparations for his reception and the archives containing the investigation records were kept top-secret during the whole existence of the pre-war Czecho-Slovakia. directly confirms the belief that Stefanik was the victim of a political plot. As all historical works by !Jurica, also the present one is well researched and well written. Its scholarly value is enhanced by references to practically all known books and articles on Stefanik's life and death, in addition to his own thorough research of Italian military archives. The essay was originally published in the periodical n Mondo Slavo of which Prof. !Jurica is one of the founders and editors. For the above reasons, the death of Stefanik attracted writers as well as historians. Professor :i'.>urica has reviewed in his publication riot only the circumstances of Stefanik's death, but also analyzed the probability of all hypotheses advanced in the past. In addition, he ~xamined for the first time the Italian military archives pertaining to the departure of General M. R. Stefanik from Italy to his native Slovakia. In the past, the life and death of Stefanik were usually treated on the basis of French, Slovak and Czech sources, memoirs, . and reminiscences. Professor nurica rightly considered it necessary to study the Italian archives and by doing so, he made a valuable contribution to the efforts of solving the mystery of Stefanik's death. He was successful in proving incorrect several assertions of the Prague government especially those concerning the meteorological conditions, the alleged inexperience of the pilot and the allegation that Stefanik's arrival was not announced before. As historian, :i'.>urica avoided pronouncing any firm conclusion as to which hyphothesis is correct but his research destroyed the Prague government's version of Stefanik's death and in- Michael Novak, The Rise of the Unmeltable Ethnics, The McMillan Company, New York, N. Y., 1972, pp. 321, Price $7.95. For the past four or five years, many American scholars expressed their doubts as to whether the United States became a "melting pot" or if that theory was just a myth. Several conferences of historical societies and sociologists and linguists suddenly discovered that America was a multi-cultural society and that the ethnic groups were not melted. The result of this academic discovery called the attention of the politicians and results in debates and finally in a Bill on Centers of Ethnic Studies in the Congress. However, neither the studies of sociologists and historians, nor the recent Bill of Schweiker and Pucinski are as palatable and, by their approach, as human as is the book by Prof. Novak. Besides being well researched, the book is a real confession and a deep reflection on the human structure of America of today, written in excellent style, placing the book between a work of science and a novel. The author is professor of philosophy and religious studies at the State University of New York at �182 SLOVAKIA Old Westbury and has to his credit the reader; his hardly ornamental ten books, mostly dealing with name for the ethnic groups "PIGS." philosophy, theology and Catholics. He also separates Poles from other Prof. Novak is a third generation Slavs, even though the Polish AAmerican Slovak whose conscious- mericans preserved some of the ness of ethnic background was a- most Slavic characteristics. wakened not long ago during the Novak's book is bound to shake presidential campaigns by Barry the conscience of many Americans, Goldwater and Governor George and will probably do so for a deWallace in 1966. As Novak writes cade to come. It may be worthwhile in his book, he was "alarmed by the for many American Slovaks to concleavage between the old WASP sider as to whether they should and the new technological con- actively join this new political sciousness" and "felt increasingly force. It would perhaps be good to uncomfortable with the condescen- do so not only for their own sake sion and disdain heaped upon and the United States but also for Catholics." So he found himself the country of their fathers and beginning to say "we" rather than forefathers-Slovakia. "they" when he spoke of ethnics (page 63). Since that time, Prof. Slavs in Canada, Vol. m, Compiled and Edited by Prof. Cornelius J. Novak made a thorough study of Jaenen, University of Ottawa, the ethnic problem in the United 1971, 348 pages. Price: $7.00. States, mostly in its psychological, sociological and political aspects. The third volume of Slavs in Due to his philosophical educa- Canada contains proceeding of the tion and writing talent, Novak Third National Conference on Cawrote in his book some of the , nadian Slavs held in 1969 at York most interesting insights into the ' University in Toronto. Professors life, aspiration and problems of the of Slavic Studies at various Canamany millions of Americans who dian universities organized in 1965 are neither WASPS nor Blacks. under the leadership of Professor It is a delight to read for instance B. Bociurkiw a committee whose his chapter "Confessions of a task was to study the problems of White Ethnic" in which he ana- Canadian Slavs. The committee was lyses some of the basic psycho- successful in organizing the first logical problems which various Conference on Canadian Slavs in ethnic groups, especially Slavs, and Banff, the second in Ottawa, and as far as religion is concerned, all the third in Toronto, attracting American Catholics, had to face many specialists in Slavic and ethfrom the time of their immigration nic studies. While the first and up to the present day. second Conferences were dealing Prof. Novak who has been a staff predominantly with the general member in several recent political problems of Canadian Slavs, the campaigns, envisages the "unmelt- third Conference was divided into able ethnics" as the new political six sections dealing with research, force of the seventies. politics and law, education, IanHe came to that conclusion as guages and literature, journalism a result of the study of numerous and folklore. Altogether 22 papers books dealing with present day were presented and discussed in America, as his many references those sections and the volume unand quotations indicate. There is der review contains the edited text one thing which bothers, however, of the papers. �SLOVAKIA One of the most interesting studies in the volume is a volumi• nous paper on the ethnic identification and attitudes of university students of Ukrainian descent by Prof. B. Bociurkiw. His conclusions can apply to students of other Slavic groups not only in Canada but apparently also in the United States. Another paper of general interest was presented by Prof. V. Szyrynski on the subject "Ethnic Integration and Psychological Adjustment," while Prof. J . D. Gagnon from the Universite de Montreal gave his views about the position of immigrants in Quebec if that Province became independent 183 Jaroslaw A. Piekalkiewicz: Public Opinion PoUing in Czechoslovakia, 1968-69, Results and Analysis of Surveys Conducted During the Dubcek Era, Praeger Publishers, New York, Washington, London, 1972. The number of books which dealt with the political upheavals in Czecho-Slovakia in 1968, was so great that another book would seem superfluous. Some 60 books were published in the English language alone, and there were a dozen books in other West European languages. Nevertheless, the present volume on Public Opinion Besides these basic studies, the Polling will be very useful for hisvolume contains interesting intorians and students of Eastern sights into the Canadian education and minority rights, a study on the Europe. influence of the English language Its specific value lies in the fact on Slavic languages and the por• that it embraces the whole territory trayal of Canada's ethnic groups in of Czecho-Slovakia and pays attensome French Canadian novels. For tion to the relations between Slothe first time, the Conference paid vaks and Czechs which, in many attention to the ethnic press and other publications, was overlooked the papers dealing with the sub- or minimized. In addition, this book ject contained an essay on Byelo- expresses the opinions of many russian publications in Canada by Czechs and Slovaks and, as a result, A. A. Hrycuk, "The Ideological is not a write-up by an observer Orientation of the Canadian Slavic who was only partly familiar with Press" by J. M. Kirschbaum, and the problems and judged them on "Analysis of the Periodical Pub- the basis of his observations or lications of Canadian Slavs," by A. limited information received in Malycky. Prague. The book also seems to be free of the usual anti-Slovak bias, Some of these papers were of which we often find in political strictly scientific character while writings by Western historians and others contained general informa- specialists on Eastern Europe. tion or basic facts for further studies, and, therefore, the contents of The book is divided into 11 chapthe volume are uneven in their ters in which the author endeavorscholarly value. Nevertheless, the ed to find an answer to the quesbook is of importance not only for tion as to whether there was a acquainting Canadians with the revolution or counter-revolution; Slavic groups but it should also be what kind of socialism the Czechs considered as a valuable contribu- and Slovaks wanted to achieve; the tion to the general trend to build role of the existing non-communist Canada as a multi-cultural society. parties; the role of the National �184 SLOVAKIA Front, political parties and political opposition; popularity of individual leaders and attitudes on the economic system. _In conclusion, the author applied the findings to other communist states of Eastern Europe. The Slovaks resented their subjection aiid both physically and theoretically opposed the real or imaginary political, economic and cultum l dominance of the Czechs. With this dissatisfaction simmering throughout the years, it is not surprising to £ind that the 1968 Reformist Movement originated in Slovakia and was led by many Slovak individuals. It seems apparent...:....Concludes the author-that the Slovak · people viewed the Reformist Movement as an opportunity to gain . a real and equal autonomy within the Czechoslovak Federal system." If we take into consideration that all polls display flaws and inaccuracies, we could question s·ome of the results of the polls which the . author organized in Czecho-Slovakia and based thereon his conclusions. Nevertheless, his book seems to be closer to the real situation and feelings of the Slovaks and Czechs than the works of According to the polls, 94% of many observers who relied on more limited information either in per- Slovaks expressed the opinion that sonal contacts or printed sources. there was a· need for a new form of relationship between the Czechs One of the topics of interest for and Slovaks. Contrary to the opinSlovaks in this book is unboubtedly ion of other writers on the upheav"the traditional conflict between als in Czecho-Slovakia in 1968, the Czechs and Slovaks." This topic author also found a great number was treated in many books publish- of Czechs who supported the need ed in the West either inadequately for .a re-definition of the relationwith parti pris or else it was over- ship of Slovaks and Czechs within looked completely. In the view of the Republic. According to his the author "a discussion of the pub- findings, "of all the individuals lic's conception of the new politi- surveyed, only one out of 14 discal system in Czechoslovakia would agreed with the need for a ·re-definbe incomplete wi.thout considering ed relationship; This evidence the role and relationship of the says ,t he author-leaves no doubt two nations that composed the that the future realization of socialCzechoslovak Socialist Republic. He ist democracy . in Czechoslovakia dwelt, therefore, on this problem was to include a democratic and and found out that "historically, equal relationship between the the post-war communist govern- Czech and Slovak peoples" (pp. ment in Czechoslovakia closely fol- 110-112). There is no doubt · that lowed the one-nation philosophy about the same ·number would opt outlined in 1918 by ,t he founders for independence; if Slovaks had of Czechoslovak Republic. Urider full freedom of choice. this theory the Czechs and Slovaks were a single nation divided not by Milan S. f>urica (Ed.). Il Mondo ethnic differences but only by disSlavo, Vol. ni Ceseo, Centro similar historical patterns of deStudi Europa Orientale, Padova, velopment. These two peoples were 1971. to be bound together in a unified While in Slovakia books dealing state· under which the Slovaks enjoyed only a minimum autonomy. wrth Slovak culture, history, liter- �SLOVAKIA ature or philology are still directed predominantly towards Eastern Europe, Slovak intellectuals in the West have the duty to fulfill the gap which has been created by separating Slovakia from the free world. Among Slovak intellectuals in Europe Prof. Milan s. :Ourica distinguished himself by performing this role not only by his books and lectures in Western European countries, but since 1969, by editing the Italian academic periodical n Mondo Slavo (The Slavic World). In all three volumes of the periodical, which appeared until now, the contributions . on Slovak matters contain valuable information on history, language and culture of the Slovak people. The first volume, published in 1969, contained a well-written survey on the development of the Slovak literary language during the past 50 years by Adriana Feriencikova, and an article on Italian artizans and merchants in Slovakia in the 18th century by Anton Spiesz. In the second volume, published in 1970, Lisa Guarda Nardini analyzed the political and social doctrine of the late Slovak President, Dr. Joseph Tiso, under the title "Ideological Premises of Czecho-Slovak Federalism." In the third volume, Prof. Milan S. :Ourica, published some unknown and very interesting military documents from Italian archives about the death of M. R. Stefanik. (The essay is available also in a reprint and has been reviewed separately in Slovakia). From the Slovak point of view all these contributions are of special value. Not only for the reasons that under the present regime in Slovakia cultural contacts with the West are practically non-existent, 185 but also for the fact that there are still many misconceptions about Slovak culture, language and history among Western Slavists. The essay on the development of the Slovak literary language during the past 50 years by A. Feriencikova has also the merit of being well researched and containing all the basic facts and sources which can put the development of the Slovak language into proper perspective. In spite of many efforts of Slovak intellectuals in the West, historl still lln-·1 ...n th ans 5.....,.., or ere ~ 1 who W?te about the Slovak as being a dialect of the Czech language. Studies on the subject in Western languages are, therefore, never superfluous. Since Slavic studies considerably developed in all Western countries after the Second World War, n Mondo Slavo will acquaint Slavists with Slovakia not only in Italy, but also in many Western countries. This can be expected all the more in view of the high academic value of all contributions and careful edition of the periodical by Prof. !>urica. Among the contributors there are in all three volumes known Slavists of Italian or Slav origin, teaching at Italian universities. While several periodicals on Slavic matters published in other Western countries deal mostly with Russian culture and literature, 1l Mondo Slavo has shown distinction in paying attention to smaller Slavic nations and their cultures such as Slovenes, Croats and Slovaks. Students of Eastern Europe will, therefore, welcome Il Mondo Slavo since it will provide reliable scholarly information on Slavic peoples which are either misrepresented or rarely mentioned in academic periodicals published in French, English or German languages. �186 SLOVAKIA NEW COLLECTIONS OF SLOVAK EMIGRE POETRY Rudolf Diloni, Hladn11 vetrf.k (Hun- poetic biography in short poems gry Breeze), Edition Polana, full of grace, imagination and deep feelings. The collection, as well as Zurich, 1972, 86 pages. the entire Dilong's literary work Jan L. Dorfmsky, Od splnu po za- in exile would deserve a thorough tmenie (From the Full Moon to analytic evaluation, and not only the Eclipse), Series Lyra, Slovak passing reviews as this one, to apInstitute of SS. Cyril and Meth- preciate fully his work. odius, Rome, 1972, 110 pages. Doransky's book From the Full Slovak emigre literature is grow- Moon to the Eclipse deserves our ing inspite of the fact that we are special appreciation because due to again cut off from Slovakia and the unfavorable circumstances in exile, assimilation of the younger genera- we know -only a very small pa1t of tions is rapidly progressing among his literary work. Doransky is a Slovaks abroad. It is, however, poet of considerable versatility, mostly the first wave of Slovak and besides many lyrical verses post-war emigres who still create and patriotic poems, he wrote in belles lettres, and not the writers Canada a drama called Stara mat', who left Slovakia in recent years neopust'ajte nas (Grandmother Do Not Leave Us Alone, 1953), sucfor Western countries. The two collections of verses cessfully played by Slovak groups under review are by poets whose across Canada. Before coming to reputations were established in Canada, Doransky had published Slovakia and who during the past a play called Novou cestou (On A two decades belonged to the best New Path, 1930), and a collection and most prolific Slovak emigre of satirical verses Slep£ pasazieri (Blind Passengers, 1943). writers. In exile Doransky's poetry was Dilong's Hungry Breeze is again personal lyrical poetry in which published in various anthologies: his talent and mastership remind Vo vyhnanstve (1947); Zdravica sv. us of pleasant spiritual vibrations Cyrilovi a M etodovi ( 1963) ; in litfull of color, joy, sadness, mixed erary periodicals and in almanacs with hope and faith. The book is and newpapers. In recent years his divided into four chapters, each epigrams, published either in the chapter starting with appropriate quarterly Most, Literarn11 Almaillustrations by Jan Mraz, a talent- nach Slovaka 11 Amerike or in ed graphic artist from the new newspapers and almanacs, became preferred reading among Slovak wave of Slovak emigration. While all chapters contain beauti- intelligentsia in the free world. ful lyrical poetry, readers will wel- Besides poetry, Doransky wrote a come especially Chapter 4 entitled: number of short novels and other Slovak Women (Album). Dilong prose contributions under the penpublished here some of the most name Hamornik and J. D. Oravee. Doransky came from a part of beautiful verses which we can find in modern Slovak poetry and in Slovakia which gave to Slovak litSlovak poetry in general, except erature and public life many outfor Mari na by Sladkovic. In the first standini poets and novelists. He three chapters Dilong dreams a- inherited a love for literature and bout his young years, his parents, began to write in his early youth, his native Orava. It is a sort of first for students' periodicals, later �SLOVAKIA for literary and cultural monthlies. When the Russian armies over-ran Slovakia, Doransky with thousands of other Slovak intellectuals left with his family for the West. After spending a few months in Austria and two years in Assissi and Rome, he landed in Canada in 1949 and has lived in Montreal for the past 23 years. Very recently a collection of his epigrams was published with a lengthy commentary by F. Vnuk and enthusiastically received by critics and readers. Those who know Doransk:y are aware of the fact that the published epigrams are just a selection of the large number he wrote during his lifetime. We can say the same about the present collection of Iyrical and patriotic verses. They are also a selection from his many verses and we have to acknowledge that it is an excellent selection. The book is dd.vided into four parts and presents a spiritual profile of the poet and poetic sketches from his journey from Slovakia through Italy to Canada, as well as fine lyrical verses dedicated to his wife, daughter and grand-daughter. As in Dilongs's collection, the best part seems to be his chapter on Slovak women, in Doransky's book the finest verses are about his mother, and mothers in general. The title of the book expresses accurately the contents of the collection which certainly will rank among the best lyrical Slovak poetry in exile. A short biographical note was added to the collection by J . M. Rydlo and the cover was artistically designed by the poet's son :Cudovit In the opinion of this reviewer, Doransky deserves a thorough analysis and evaluation of his literary work in order that we may appreciate it adequately. 187 Rudolf Dilong: Ponukam chlieb so sol'ou-I Offer Bread and Salt, Translated by Sister M. Martina Tybor. Published by Dobra kniha 1971, Galt, Ontario, Bilingual, 151 pages. By publishing this bilingual collection of poetry in prose, Rudolf Dilong proved once more that he is the most prolific and versatile contemporary poet in exile. The number of books he published in Slovakia, which he left in defiance of her Communist rulers, as well as the number of books published during his long exile in Argentina and the U.S.A., is impressive and unrivalled by any other Slovak writer. Attracted by new currents in French inter-war Catholic poetry and surrealism, Dilong experimented in many poetic forms and due to his great love for life and gay temper, was the "enfant terrible" among the Slovak Catholic poets of his generation. The present book is another experiment in fo rm and contents and by publishing it in English and Slovak, it was the merit for acquainting foreign readers with an interesting sample of Slovak literature as well as with the author himself. Dilong's reputation as a poet was well established before he left his native country. Besides publishing 14 collections of poems, two dramas, and two collections of prose, he also was very active in organizing literary journals, and contributed practically to all Slovak cuttural periodicals and anthologies of Slovak poetry. In addition, he was either co-founder or editor of two literary periodicals Postup (193436) and Nove Slovo (1939-40). In exile he remained one of the leading and again most profilic poets. His poetry remained strongly nationalistic, deeply religious in essence but not homiletic in form �188 SLOVAKIA or content, humble and rebellious and usually expressed in beautiful images and practically varied forms. While several other Slovak poets did not find opportunities in exile to publish their works, Dilong's books were published in rapid succession. From 1950 to 1970 he produced and published some 20 books either in Buenos Aires, where he spent nearly 20 years of his exile, or recently in the United States. Many of his manuscripts perished together with his books, when Peron was burning churches in Argentina. As in Slovakia, his poetic production in exile has been varied in forms and themes but the basic overtones of a patriot and Franciscan friar, even if not following always the dogma and rules of his religious order, remained the main characteristic of his entire literary work in immigration. Some of his verses became hymns for Slovak exiles, recited on various solemn occasions and re-published many times in Slovak periodicals and newspapers. Several of Dilong's poems were translated into Spanish, Polish and French. With his great love for life and because of his patriotic zeal and fiery poetry, he became one of the most interesting figures among Slovak writers. Some of his first poems inspired by their contents and musical rhythm Slovak composers in their compositions, and several poems became songs of the Slovak youth, as well as of the Slovak army. The book under review is divided into three parts: The house will bleach to ash; Out of bounds without bounds, and Human hands. Each part contains a number of short reflective and highly imaginative poems in prose which compel the reader to meditate and think about our age, our neighbor, poverty, suffering, rebellion, smile; about our life and death, emotions and beliefs, about God and man. As such, it is a valuable addition to Dilong's work and to Slovak literature. Jan Okal': Cielito Lindo, Edicia Dobra kniha, Galt, Ontario, 1972, Illustration by J. G. Cincik, 65 p. For the past several years Slovak emigre poetry was enriched by a number of beautifully illustrated collections of verse by leading Slovak poets abroad. While some of the collections contained patriotic verses and personal lyrical poetry with Slovak topics, in other collections we find poetry inspired by the beauty of foreign countries in which Slovaks either lived or visited. Okal"s masterfully illustrated collection Cielito Lindo is an outstanding example of this new poetry, and it is not easy to say if the reader enjoys more the verses or the beautiful illustrations. In any case, there is a lot of artistic value and enjoyment for the reader and we cannot but feel a certain pride that in the modest circumstances in exile, Slovak literature can afford the luxury of such books. In a certain way, Jan Okal' deserves credit for introducing into Slovak literature this combination of poetry and visual arts. Already his first published collection George Janosik: A Carpathian Saga, published in 1953, and his chronicle in 13 poems entitled Kronika Slovakov (The Chronicle of Slovaks, 1954), were published in the same form. Then for a number of years, this gifted Slovak poet remained silent, except for publishing here and there verses in the literary journal Most or the Literarny Almanach Slovaka v Amerike. In �SLOVAKIA 1970, appeared his colleetion of verses Vada a vino (Water and Wine), in which Okal' reminisced about the years spent in Italy and especially in Rome. The present collection is a sort of continuation of the book Voda a vino. This time he is drawing in his poems, usually not longer than one or two verses, beautiful images of places in Mexico. Jan Okal' is a gifted and refined poet, and we hope that he will continue to publish poetry of such outstanding taste and artistic value. Jan E. Bor, Eugen Vesnin - Un poeta Eslovaco en tierras Mediterraneas, Buenos Aires, 1972, 71 pages. Among Slovak intellectuals who assiduously worked in exile for the past 20 years in order to make Slovak literature known to the Spanish reading public, Jan E. Bor has been the most prolific. Either in his own writings or in translations, he published a considerable number of essays and studies on Slovak poetry and prose not only in periodicals but also in book form. The present essay on the poet Eugen Vesnin is one of his most recent publications. The publication is divided into eight chapters in which Bor analyzes Vesnin's poetry, his personality, the reaction to Vesnin's poetry by readers and literary critics either on the part of Slovaks or Italians who acclaimed Vesnin for his collection of verses in Italian 189 language. In the last two chapters Bor analyzes Vesnin's attachment to Etruria and his enchantment with feminine beauty. Bor writes on Vesnin's poetry with the usual skill and knowledge of literary science for which he was known already in Slovakia where he belonged to the best known literary critics of his generation. In exile he lowered sometimes his yardstick when writing on Slovak emigre writers and poets, but his erudition in literary science has been evident in every book and essay he had published during the past twenty years. The portrait of Vesnin in Bor's publication is not only favorable but also well balanced and presented in Bor's baroque style. According to Bor, Vesnin belongs to the best Slovak lyrical poets among Slovak emigre writers and enriched Slovak literature by many themes inspired by the beauty of Rome and the Mediterranean area where Vesnin has lived the past three or four decades. Several collections of Vesnin's poetry undoubtedly prove that Italy enchanted him, though many of his verses were written with patriotic overtones and "heimweh" for his native Slovakia. Since every book on Slovak literature in foreign languages is a valuable contribution to our efforts to acquaint the Western world with Slovak culture, we cannot but welcome the newest publication by Prof. Jan E. Bor. J. M. K i r s c h b a um THE SLOVAK LEAGUE OF AMERICA heartily commends all efforts of our governmental and other organs to ferret out and unmask all Communists and fellow travellers, as well as all persons and organizations who wittingly or unwittingly give aid and comfort to the conspiracy of Communism promoted by the Soviet Union. �190 SLOVAKIA BOOKS ON JEWS IN SLOVAKIA Reviewed by Dr. Arved G r e b e r t during the past several centuries. The first volume contains an especially worthwhile article in two parts by Dr. Lidia Rothkirchen, a member of the research staff of Yad Vashem in Jerusalem. Her contribution, "Slovakia (1848-1938)" presents a very keen and rather accurate picture of the history of Slovakia and the Jews in that country. Naturally, in all of the articles dealing with the law, religion, social organization, etc., the writers faithfully record the history of the Jews in Slovakia. The second volume contains the article of Rabbi Hugo Stransky who was a former chief rabbi in Zilina. His is an arresting chapter on "The Religious Life in Slovakia and Subcarpathian Ruthenia," Then, too, Frank Reichenthal's "Jewish Art in Slovakia" is a very interesting review by the former chief of the department of decorative art at the State School of Applied Arts in Bratislava from 1932 to 1938. Before emigrating to United States in 1948 he served as president of the Slovak Artists' Association from 1946 to 1947. This first volume contains Eugen Barkany's "Jewish Cemeteries in Slovakia" article by the late architect and builder ( 1886-1967) and co-founder of the Jewish Museum in Presov, Slovakia. Some of the artistic motives on the gravestones, the writer observes, show a definite influence of Slovak folk art, indicating a close, intimate relationship between the Jews and the Slovaks. Gertrude Hirschler's "The His- The Jews of Czechoslovakia, histori- Europe cal studies and surveys, edited by "The Jewish Publication Society of America," Philadelphia, and the "Society for the History of Czechoslovak Jews," New York, Vol. I, 5728-1968, pp. 583, Vol. II, 5732-1971, pp. 707. Library of Congress Catalog Card No. 67-12372. Up to the present time two volumes on the history of the Jews in Czecho-Slovakia constitute an unusually valuable contribution on the history of the inhabitants of that state. The Jews in Czech lands, in Slovakia and in Sub-Carpathian Russia (Ruthenia) made a vital contribution to the Jews in general but also to the history of the people in those regions, namely, the Czechs, Germans, Slovaks, Magyars and the Ukrainians. The authors of the various articles by their objective and calm tone do not digress from a strictly scientific analysis, even when the themes, which in their tragic dimensions and consequences, understandably provide the occasion for an outburst of wrath and recrimination. In this respect the work is extraordinary effective and convincing. In no way do the authors avoid sensitive subjects. They neither ignore nor sidestep realities that have frequently been used as pretexts for criticism by the enemies of Jewry. These they explain and place in special categories in the destiny of the Jews, for example, in the framework of the historical evaluation of central and eastern �SLOVAKIA tory of Agudah Israel in Slovakia (1918-1939)" is interesting, too. Of course, in all of the articles ranging from studies of various movements, organizational life, religious welfare, education, art, etc., there is a large number of facts about the life of the Jews in Slovakia and their relationship to the local inhabitants, chiefly, the Slovaks and Magyars. The number is so great that it is virtually impossible to review them all but at least we have mentioned some of them relating specifically to Slovakia. Dr. Lidia Rothkirchen's "Slovakia (1848-1938)" deserves special attention. Her article in two parts covers 53 pages. A number of facts mentioned are known only by Slovak historians and experts. For instance, the writer states that in 1858 there were 308 Jewish schools in Hungary. Of this number 131, ie., almost 45%, were located in the Bratislava school district. Bratislava, therefore, was a very important center of Jewish learning in the kingdom of Hungary. Among the charter members of the Matica Slovenska (the leading cultural organization of the Slovaks in the last century) we find a number of Jews. When the government in Budapest gave orders to close down the Slovak central schools (junior colleges) in Revuca, Klastor pod Znievom and Turciansky Svaty Martin (all in Slovakia at the time under Hungarian imperial rule), two Jewish members of the Diet (Moritz Wehrman and Eduard Horn) spoke up and requested that the schools be kept open. Dr. Lidia Rothkirchen notes that before the Jews won equal rights in Hungary, the people of Liptovsky Sv. Mikulas elected Izak Diner, a Jew, as Mayor of the city. A number of Jews later served as mayors in the same city. She 191 reminds the reader that Slovak Jews played an important role in the Zionist movement in the kingdom of Hungary. Two Jews from Bardejov (eastern Slovakia), Julius Davidsohn and Julius Davidovic, attended the first Zionist Congress in Basle, Switzerland (1897). Eight of thirteeen Zionist chapters established in Hungary were located in Slovakia, namely, in Bratislava, Nitra, Trnava, Prefov, Ko~ice, Kezmarok, Dolny Kubin and Banska Bystrica, and the first Zionist congress in Hungary convened in Bratislava in 1903. The following year the World Mizrahi Congress met in the Slovak capital. The writer notes that the Magyar government in Budapest considered the Zionist movement with the same disfavor as it did the nationalistic movement of the Slovaks in their country. During World War I both the Zionist movement and the activities of the Slovak patriots were banned by law. Names of outstanding Jewish writers and scientists are listed by Dr. Rothkirchen. She points out that Jewish writers in their novels and romances touched upon the J ewish problem in the framework of a Slovak historical background. Dr. Lidia Rothkirchen cites that in 1921 of a totaI of 135,918 Jews in Slovakia, 70,522 were registered as Jews, 29,290 as Slovaks and the rest as Magyars, Germans, Rusins, etc. The 1930 census showed 44,009 registered as Slovaks and 72,644 as J ews. This figure represents quite convincing proof of the rapid Slovakization of the Jewish population. Had it not been for the tragic events of World War II, this process of amalgamation would have inevitably resulted in a very advantageous symbiosis of the Slovak Jews and the Slovaks. She writes (page 105): From 1933 on "the Slovaks more and more o- �192 SLOVAKIA penly advocated either detachment from Czechoslovakia altogether and establishment of an independent Slovakia, or a Slovakia which would enjoy much wider autonomy and self-rule." In general this work may be accepted as a very valuable contribution to the history of the people inhabiting Czecho-Slovakia. Every public or private library should have it on its shelves. No scholar who is interested in the history of this area can be without it. To a large extent without the untiring efforts of L'udovit Sturc, president of the Society for the History of the Czechoslovak Jews in New York, this important work in two volumes would not have come to press. Mr. Sturc is a native of Slovakia and a friend of Slovak writers and artists. Unfortunately, so far his work has not been adequately appreciated. cin, Kosice, Jasov, Spisske Podhradie, Levoca, Kezmarok, Podolinec, Nove Zamky and Hlohovec. Kosice, Bardejov, Trencin, Skalica, Hlohovec, Trnava, Pezinok and Bratislava are listed separately as centers of Jewish libraries and culture. Dr. Schreiber, recognized universally as an authority in his field, considers the material found in the area now known as Slovakia as an important part of the culture of the Jews who inhabited Hungary during the Middle Ages. This work, which was lacking in scientific literature, is the beginning of further research in the archives and libraries in this direction throughout Slovakia. It is, at the same time an interesting proof, or evidence, for the tradition of the high degree of culture of the population in Slovakia during the Medieval era. Karl Baum: Nazi Anti-Jewish Legislation in the Czech Protectorate, a Documentary, in "Soviet Jewish Affairs," a Journal on Jewish Problems in the USSR and Eastern Europe, London, No. 3, May, 1972. Published by the Institute Dr. Alexander Schreiber, director of Jewish Affairs, London, in asof the Rabbinical Seminary in Busociation with the World Jewish dapest, has written a very noteCongress in Geneva. worthy book on the cultural history Karl Baum's article is noteworthy of the Jews in Slovakia during the Medieval era. The book contains a for several reasons. In his introlist and analysis of 172 Hebrew duction the writer states that the codex fragments which were used anti-Jewish legislation in the Czech protectorate (1939-1945) has not for book-bindings. Together with Arpad Zoltan of been properly treated in ternationthe Slovak Academy of Sciences in al scientific writings so far, while Bratislava the author studied the a rich and documented literature archives and libraries in the fol- about anti-Jewish regulations in lowing Slovak cities and towns: Hitler's Germany does exist. Those Bratislava, Cerveny Kamen pri who studied this question outside Modre, Pezinok, Jur near Bratisla- of Hitler's sphere ordinarily did va, Trnava, Nitra, Nova Bana, Ban- not study the laws of the protectorska Bystrica, Turciansky Svaty ate, which they assumed were an Martin, Dolny Kubin, Bytca, Tren- integral part of the Reich and those Alexander Schreiber: Hebriiische Kodexuberreste in Ungarlb."ndischen Eibandstafeln. Heber Kodexmaradvanyok magyarorszagi kotestablakban. Budapest, 1969. I �SLOVAKIA who studied anti-Jewish laws in Hitler's Germany did not consider the protectorate because it did not belong directly to the framework of the Third Reich. Baum, at least, partially fills this void. The writer gives a detailed study on anti-Jewish legislation in the Czech Protectorate and traces the execution of the laws not only by the Nazis but also by the Czech government officials in the Protectorate. Baum's study from this viewpoint is highly important because he has brought to the international forum little known or unknown facts which were hidden on the pages of "The Collection of Laws and Regulations" promulsignatures of President (Dr.) Hacha or Czech ministers. Baum emphasizes that these laws of the wartime Czech protectorate "reflect only part of the unmitigated evil to which one of the leading Jewish communities was to fall victim. They carry little evidence of persecution and harassment on the local level, nor do they mirror the share of those of non-German vintage in Czechoslovakia who had come in to participate in the great hunt of the century and to divide its spoils. It must be left to future historians to establish their contribution to the tragedy of Czechoslovak Jewry." Baum calls attention to the December 1, 1930, Census in CzechoSlovakia as listing the number of Jews as 356,830, which is inaccurate inasmuch 15,000 Jews from Germany found refuge there when Hitler came to power. Of 854,600 who were registered as atheists in Czecho-Slovakia, according to Baum, at least 10% were of Jewish origin. Moreover, there was no provision for a natural increase of the Jewish population from 1930 to 1939. Consequently, the author's estimate has some 457,000 Jews in Czecho-Slo- 193 vakia by 1938, hence actually 100,000 more than is generally indicated in the figures. All of the above, the author concludes, became innocent victims of inhumane discrimination and inhuman mistreatment in the lands of the Czech Protectorate during World War II. ANNUAL FURDEK Jednota Annual FURDEK 1973, Vol. XII, 1973. Edited by Joseph C. Krajsa. Publisher, The First Catholic Slovak Union. Printed by Jednota Press, Middletown, Pa. 208 pages. This publication, Jednota Annual Furdek, continues commendably in the footsteps of Philip A. Hrobak, the first editor who conceived the idea of addressing it to our youth for their benefit. The present volume offers the youthful reader valuable information and inspiration as well. The 12th volume is definitely youth oriented, for it gives several phases of the background of our early Slovak immigrants to American shores and a look at the historic homeland of our parents and grandparents. Quite appropriately the Furdek leads off with a pictorial introduction of the officers of the Jednota because they are the official representatives of the organization that has a membership close to 100,000. Daniel Tanzone discusses fraternalism and the Slovak immigrant in a highly readable and documented study of the origins and growth of Slovak fraternal organizations in this country. Introduction of Janko Kral', Slovak revolutionary poet of the 19th century, by Joseph Kirschbaum, Ph.D., LL.D., of Toronto, Canada, is rather timely in view of current �194 SLOVAKIA Catholic unity is a .serious reminder in our times to stand united in the Faith of our Fathers when diversity of opinions, various modes of liturgical worship, and even divergent doctrinal proposals are dangerous challenges to the orthodoxy of our faith. Father Franko's Slovak Christmas Eve sacred vignette should be adopted by every Christian family to help preserve the spirit and true meaning of a genuinely Christian yuletide season. Reproductions (in exquisite color) of the stained glass windows adorning the Chapel of the Jednota Home are a pictorial portrayal of the spirit of faith that inspired their creation and at the same time a public testimonial of honor of two of the most famous Slovak priests of our age, namely, Father Furdek, founder of the Jednota, and Father Tiso, the martyr-president of the Slovak Republic. Clevelanders will no doubt find the article by Slovak Bet1edictine scribe, Fr. Andrew V. Pier, 0.S.B., on early Slovak immigrants interesting . . . and his other contributions informative. The story about Staff Sergeant Frank Mitka, a Veteran of the U.S. Army for more than thirty years, brings into the limelight a career soldier who enjoyed military life . . . he was a forerunner of the present-day volunteer army. The valaska, a traditional Slovak weapon designed for protection ... not aggression . . . is a national symbol of strength and resistance The Slovak Catholic Federation against the forces of injustice and of America is primarily an associa- tyranny. Sheep and their shepherds in tion of Slovak Catholic fraternal organizations that hold the Church Slovakia are the subjects of a roin highest esteem because their mantic setting (an idyllic scene on members accept it as a society the mountainside) with the venerestablished by Christ for the salva- able 'baca' holding his young proteges spell-bound as they listen to tion of their immortal souls. Monsignor Gallik's article on an endless series of thrilling epi- trends that are characterized by the same spirit of restlessness, r adical change, disillusionment and a mixture of hope and despair that marked the life and work of a Slovak poet who was in the forefront of the struggle for social justice and political freedom. St. Joseph the Workman, the universal patron of workingmen everywhere, is a favorite saint of men who must toil at manual labor. The statue of St. Joseph overlooking the industrial environs of St. Michael Slovak parish, Munhall, Pa., in the heart of the steel industry of the Pittsburgh area is a constant inspiration to the passerby. Tribute to Karl Pacanovsky, 'a philosopher-craftsma n' at the Hill School in Pottstown, Pa. for more than three decades, is a well deserved one for a Slovak worker who was dedicated to his tasks in his workshop. R. H. Andrews' article on India is an eye-opener for those who know so little about the great work accomplished by Catholic missionaries in the Far East. Furdek's youth panel of scholarship winners (39 young men and 2:5 young women) is a fine representation of Jednota's honor students of the past year. Paul Berish in his Relevant contribution finds fault ... and rightly so . . . with the mishandling of facts about the Slovaks and their history by American journalists, newsreporters, and even socalled editorial writers and historians. �SLOVAKIA sodes around the fireside after the evening chores are done, but members of a definite economic class that is an asset to the country and its people. Even the Croatians, by exception, get a boost in this year's Furdek as Father Wuerl recalls the 1,000th anniversary of the feast of St. Blaise, celebrated in the town of Dubrovnik, Croatia, on February 3, 1972. Paul Berish uncovers the 'hidden life of Brother Rudolf' over a span of fifty years as a tailor in the service of the Lord in the tailorshop of a monastic Redemptorist community. Salt in Slovakia has been a rich commodity for Slovakia and neighboring states in central Europe for many centuries. Solivar, near Pre~ov, continues to mine salt to the present day by modern methods and techniques. Michael Kurak of the Holy Trinity Slovak parochial school in Yonkers, N. Y. tells the world he is a Slovak . . . and proud of it! Father Robert Terentieff is presented by Dr. Michael Simko to our readers as an artist, teacher, dramatist, zealous shepherd of souls and preserver of Slovak customs in Connecticut. The pictorial contribution of Paul C. Fallat, Slovak artist, on an important phase in the life of Father Hlinka who was 'a fearless fighter for Slovak freedom' is an atractive re-enactment of the highlights of the Slovak leader's dynamic career that helped win the struggle for the Slovak nation's political freedom before World War II. American and Canadian Translators of Slovak poetry by Dr. J . M. Kirschbaum, Slovak diplomat and writer, not only touches upon translations of Slovak poems but lists a considerable number of 195 translations from Slovak prose. Included in the list of translators with such world known personalities as Bjornson, Seton-Watson and Denis are W. Kirkconnell, J. Vajda, I. Kramoris, M. Sprinc, K. Strmen and Sister M. Tybor, SS.C.M. The Tool Box by Alvin Lehar brings to light an amusing incident in the early life of Stan Sladek, a Slovak professional football player from the Bronx in the 1950's and 1960's. Dorothy Day, the 74-year-old Catholic social worker, speaker, publisher and activist during most of her lifetime, is given tribute by Joseph McLellan who characterizes the remarkable champion of social justice and evangelical poverty as 'a prophet of Catholic social concern.' Dr. Kirschbaum attempts to sift the truth from falsehood in the conflicting accounts involving the creation of the Slovak Republic on March 14, 1939 . . . almost six months before the German invasion of Poland started the war. Australia beckoned several thousand freedom-loving Slovaks to seek their livelihood there after their country was locked up behind the Iron Curtain. Approximately ten thousand Slovaks in exile are found in southern Australia. Father Matthew Jankola (founder of the Religious Order of SS. Cyril and Methodius in Danville, Pa.) has a proper evaluation of his lifework in the biographical sketch of Daniel Tanzone, young Slovak writer. Another promising young Slovak writer, Michael J. Krajsa, rightly gives credit to our early American Slovak leaders for establishing fraternal societies, churches, schools and social-cultural centers that flourished in their time. Krajsa concentrates on the story of the Jednota primarily. �196 SLOVAKIA Interspersed throughout the volume are short poems, designed no doubt for inspiration as well as variety . . . these adequately fulfill their purpose. Rt. Rev. Jerome Koval, 0.S.B SLOVAK PIONEERS IN AMERICA Jozef Pauco, Ph.D. Slovenski priekopnici v Amerike (Slovak Pioneers in America). First Catholic Slovak Union, Cleveland, 0. , 1972. 358 pages. Illustrated. $4.95. Slovak Pioneers in America (Slovenski priekopnici v Amerike), from the pen of Dr. Joseph Pauco, is another publication of the Jednota Press of the First Catholic Slovak Union. The book is dedicated as a living witness to the staunch and lasting accomplishments of those Slovak pioneerspriests, religious and laity-who with their whole being stood in the service of the American Slovaks. Many made outstanding cultural and literary contributions that have become part of the lasting treasury of America's worth. On these factual pages, the author and the First Catholic Slovak Union fulfill an obligation which is due to Slovak nation since it gave to America fully one-third of its people. These immigrants filled all facets of American labor and pulled themselves up from the mines, the iron pits and steel mills to the ranks of Generals, professional men, and business men, but most of all they led their people to be loyal citizens of their new country, the United States of America. It is in this vein that Pauco presents his new book Slovenski priekopnici v Amerike. When the book is translated into English, the third and fourth generations of American Slovaks will be able to fully evaluate all the accomplishments and contributions of their pioneer parents and grandparents-not only what they did for them, but for the over three million American Slovaks and for the whole of America. Pauco's work required serious research and documentation. In an objective manner he credits the life and works of the pioneers and categorizes them in their proper niche in the history of the American Slovaks, in America and the Slovak nation. He presents those leading pioneers who played the greatest role in the cultural field; those who organized fraternal societies, parishes, schools, and religious orders; those who preserved the literary culture with the publication of newspapers and books; and those who were fired with the ideal of liberty that even permeated to Slovakia. It was the American Slovaks who initiated the movement for an independent Slovakia prior to World War I. They were proud of the document known as the "Pittsburgh Pact" which became the platform of the political party in Slovakia seeking autonomy for the Slovak people. This was a unique display of cooperation and a symbolic gesture between the Slovak nation and the emigrated American Slovaks. Father J oseph A. Gajdosik, Supreme Chaplain of the First Catholic Slovak Union and Chairman of its Literary Committee-himself an eloquent and gifted writergave a few thoughts concerning Pauco's new book as he remembered reading the installments in the Jednota. "The stories of the Slovak pioneers are very provocative, enlightening and very stimulating. They reveal the joyous faith that the Slovak pioneers had, which in �197 SLOVAKIA turn motivated them in their endeavors to better their lives, and help assure a better future for their loved ones, and for Slovaks in general. The realism that FAITH has many faces is beautifully depicted in the lives of the many characters who appear in the Priekopnici! "The lives of these pioneers communicate the personal and devoted consecration to the Slovak motto of living for God and People, to such a degree, that undoubtedly young adults of the second, third, etc., Slovak generation, who perhaps have difficulty of choosing a career, will be aided by the publication of this book to select a career, which will fulfill their vocation for life. "The 'Slovak Cause' is no longer a hot issue in the average life of an American of Slovak ancestry, in fact, I find a reversing trend. However, if this book can make one cognizant of his Slovak origin, it may serve to help one gain heights which otherwise would be out of bounds, e.g. Michael Novak, and his noted book The Rise of the Unmeltable Ethnics. "Pauco's book is one sure way to arousing interest in the Slovak heritage on a personal and individual basis, especially among our younger people. Hopefully, an English translation will be made in the near future, so that devotion to the Slovak ethnicity will be fostered. "The book should bolster Dr. Joseph Pauco's strong thoughts about the termination and death of the Slovak language in the United States. The book is also a warning to our fair-weather-Slovaks, who claim that they received little if anything from their Slovak ancestors, for it teaches that much Slovak affluence and prestige is di- rectly the result of the conduct and work of our pioneers. "It behooves our brethren who are ashamed of their Slovak ethnicity, to study their history, and learn how everything they have was given to them, and that they should give themselves for others as our pioneers did. The ultimate lesson is that we, Americans of Slovak ancestry, should foster and serve the Slovak cause and ideal, at least as much, if not better then our pioneers in early America." Dr. Joseph Pauco came to the United States 22 years ago. He earned his doctorate in Philosophy at the Slovak University in Bratislava. As a historian and journalist, he has dedicated himself fully to the service of the American Slovaks. He has spent all his time in the United States on the editorial staff of Jednota, the Catholic Weekly of the First Catholic Slovak Union. He is also the publisher of the oldest Slovak newspaper in America Slovak v Amerike (American Slovak) and is a contributor to many other periodicals. He is the author of over 20 books, mostly dedicated to the life of the American Slovaks, including the history of the First Catholic Slovak Union and the lives of Fr. Stephen Furdek and Fr. Matthew Jankola. His many hundreds of articles, especially the column "Slovaci a ich zivot" (Slovaks and Their Life ) in Jedno ta, systematically record the accomplishments and efforts of the American Slovaks and their institutions. Slovenski priekopnici v Amerike is in itself a pioneer book. Nothing to date has been published in such documentary detail about American Slovak pioneers. The First Catholic Slovak Union is proud to publish this vital literary work of Dr. Joseph Pauco. Joseph c. Krajsa �198 SLOVAKIA JANKOLA'S CENTENNIAL Jankola centennial Books.-Pamiitnica 100-ho vyrocia narodenia Otca Matusa Jankolu (1872-1972). - Jankola Book. Honoring the Centennial of the Birth of Father Matthew Jankola (1872-1972) Both of these books were prepared and published by the Sisters of Saints Cyril and Methodius, collaborating at Jankola Library in Danville, Pennsylvania, July-August, 1972, under the chairmanship of Sister M. Martina Tybor. The historian of the future who undertakes a study of the history of the Slovak people will inevitably reach out for the most objective of resource materials available. And it is just such a balanced, such a level and extraordinary objective and tastefully factual contribution that has appeared this year as an enrichment in the specific field of Slovak-American immigrant chronicles. The work consists of two distinct volumes, one in English and one in Slovak (similar but not identical in content), delineating the life and the achievements of Father Matthew Jankola, pioneer SlovakAmerican priest and patriot, who was a leader, educator, writer, and the founder of the American community, Sisters of Saints Cyril and Methodius. This eminently commendable publication project was endorsed and sponsored by Mother M. Valeria Romanchek, Superior General of the congregation, and it became a reality only by reason of the dedication, diligence, and scholarship of the Sisters who were fittingly associated with Jankola Library in this undertaking. Jankola Library is directed by Sister M. Martina Tybor and under her chairmanship there evolved an editorial committee consisting of Mother M. Emerentia Petra~ek, Sister M. Lilliana Kardo~, Sister M. Consuela Gregorovic, Sister M. Philomena Abbick, Sister M. Tarcisia Gregorovic and Sister Donna Marie Ivanko. By their personal effort and professional talent these Sisters worked to contribute every aspect of the publication: the researching and compiling of data, literary composition, technical composing and preparation of copy, multilith reproduction, collating and binding. Susan Oravec of Peckville, Pa. designed the artistic and becoming cover portrait, and photography was done by Joseph McGlinn of Danville and John Gre~kovic of Olyphant, Pa. The books credit items of information etc. contributed by Sisters M. John Vianney, M. Eileen McCoy, M. Regina, M. Bernardine, M. Raphael, and M. Yolanda. Each volume consists of 134 pages, is fully protected by copyright and is dedicated to the memory of the esteemed Founder of this American community of sisters whose prime apostolates are teaching and caring for the orphaned and the aged. The sisters thus express the gratitude which is justly due to Father Jankola not only by this community but by all the Slovak people both in this country and abroad, especially for his priestly zeal in promoting spirituality and culture, for his selfsacrifice on behalf of his fellowman, his leadership and vision as well as his determination to better the lot of the Slovak immigrant in America. The opening pages of each souvenir book contain commemorative poetry of high quality. The text also includes rich and informative articles such as a biography which cover the fruitful work of Father Jankola's lifetime of less than fifty �SLOVAKIA years, a historical survey of the founding of the community and reminiscences of some who knew Father J ankola well. Another important contribution in these books is the descriptive account of Jimkola Library at Danville, Pa., its holdings, areas of service, prospects, etc. Of special interest is a picture of Father J ankola's two surviving sisters, Mrs. Irma J ankola Srbova and Mrs. Luisa J ankola Sopkova of Slovakia, together with a reproduction of the congratulatory lines which they sent to grace the centennial celebration. As a special supplement in each book are the news reports and 199 photographs which record the centennial observance and the Jankola Exhibit of Memorabilia held at Danville on August 13, 1972. The news accounts were prepared by Dr. Joseph Pauco, Slovak journalist and editor, and by Rev. Augustine J. Zan, Chaplain at Maria J oseph Manor. These unique books creditably record the work of Father Jankola and honor him worthily for the legacy which he bequeathed to the Church, to the Slovak nation and to his adopted country, the USA. Although this is a limited edition, copies are still available at J ankola Library, Danville, Pa. 17821. Rev. Augustine J. Za n Annual S L O V A K I A is published by the Slovak League of America, 313 Ridge Ave., Middletown, Pa. 17057. Subscription $3.00. Editor: Joseph Pauto, Ph. D. Editorial Board: Draga 0/vlnska, Louis Kandra, Joseph M. Kirschbaum, Ph.D., Joseph A. Miku§, Ph. 0., Fr. Andrew Pier, O.S.B., M.A., Daniel F. Tanzone, M.A., Sister M. Tybor, SS.C.M., M.A. �SLOVAKIA 200 Contents The Slovak Word Abroad - Gorazd Zvonicky - 3 Twenty Years of the Slovak Institute in Cleveland - Joseph Paufo,Ph.D. -16 The Inflectional Morphology of Standard Slovak: A Descriptive Analysis John Michael Kochik, Ph:D. - 24 The Ethnical Philosophy of nudovit Stur - Stefan Polakovi~ - 29 Fortieth Anniversary Canadian Slovak League - Edward J. Behuncik -48 Youth in Search of Slovak Identity and Pride - John Llhani, Ph.D. -53 A New Phase in the Socialist Economic Reform - V. J. Hurley - 57 The Renaissance of the Slovak American Literature - P. O'Reilly - 66 Cultural Revival of American and Canadian Slovaks - Jozef Paufo, Ph.D. -72 Dr. J. M. Kirschbaum - F . Vnuk - 82 Select Bibliography of Foreign Language Writings by Prof. J. M. Kirschbaum - 92 Evaluation of Dr. Kirschbaum's Writings by Critics - 101 /Diplomatic and Consular Relations of Slovakia with Neutral States - J. M. Kirschbaum, Ph.D. - 111 Mother M . Emerentia Petrasek - 123 The Declining Democratic Facade: Czecho-Slovakia 1948-1960 - S. J.B. -129 Youth, Our Hope - Pavo! 0 . Hviezdoslav - 140 Ethnicity and Research - Dr. Steven I. Miller - 141 Ethnics Work Hard - Msgr. James T. McHugh - 153 The American Political Question - Edward M. Zelenak - 155 Current Issues - 158 As Others See It - 170 Book Reviews (J. M. Kirschbaum - Books on Slovakia - Galla Golan: The Czechoslovak Reform Movement - Wolfgang Venohr: Aufstand fiir die Tschecho-Slowakei - Slovak Studies, Volume Vlll and IX - Joseph Vravrovic: L'oecumenisme et le panslavisme de l'abbe Jean Palarik - Milan S. f>urica: La Morte di M. R. Stefanik Alla Luce Dei Documenti Militari Italiani Inediti - Michael Novak: The Rise of the Unmeltable Ethnics - Slavs in Canada, Vol. III - Jaroslaw A. Piekalkiewicz: Public Opinion Polling in Czechoslovakia - Milan S. f>urica (Ed.): II Mondo Slavo, Vol. Ill; New Collections of Slovak ~migre Poetry - Rudolf Dilong: IIladny vetrik - Jan L. Doransky: Od splnu po zatmenie - Rudolf Dilong: Pomikam chlieb so sol'ou - Jan Okal': Cielito Lindo Jan E. Bor: Eugen Vesnin; Books on Jews in Slovakia -reviewed by Dr. Arved Grebert - (Ed.): The Jews of Czechoslovakia Alexander Schreiber: Hebriiische Kodexilberreste in Ungarliindischen Eibandstafeln - Karl Baum: Nazi Anti-Jewish Legislation in the Czech Protectorate - Jednota Annual FURDEK reviewed by Rt. Rev. Jerome Koval, O.S.B. - Jozef Paufo, Ph.D.: Slovenski priekopnici v Amerike (by Joseph C. Krajsa) - Jankola Centennial Books (by Rev. Augustine J. Zan) - 174 �Our Contributors Gorazd Zvonicky - poet, professor, Rome, Italy author, historian, Middletown, Pa. Joseph Pauco, Ph.D. - assistant professor of Czech and Russian, University of Nebraska, Lincoln John M. Kochik, Ph.D. - former professor at the Slovak University, Bratislava, Slovakia, now in Argentina Stefan Polakovic, Ph;D. - attorney-at-law, Stratford, Conn. Edward J. Behuncik - professor of Hispanic Linguistics, University of John Lihani, Ph.D. - Kenrtucky Francis Vnuk - historian; professor, Institute of Technology, Adelaide, Australia Joseph M . Kirschbaum, LL.D., Ph-D. - historian, author, Toronto, Ontario Pav ol 0. Hviezdoslav - noted Slovak poet Sr. M . Martina Tybor, SS.C-M. - teacher and author, Danville, Pa. assistant professor, Sociology of Education, Loyola University, Chicago, Ill. Dr. Steven I. MiUer - Msgr. James T. McHugh - diocese of Harrisburg, Pa. Edward M. Zelenak - musician, college student, Detroit, Michigan Dr. Arved Grebert - former Slovak diplomat, now in Switzerland Rt. Rev . Jerome Koval, O.S-B. - Abbot, St. Andrew's Svorad Slovak Abbey, Cleveland, Ohio Joseph C. Krajsa - Editor, Jednota, Middletown, Pa. Rev. Augustine J . Zan - author, Danville, Pa. V . J . Hurley; P. O'ReiUy and S. J. B. - Slovak American students �PRI NTI D IN U.S. A. JIDN OTA PlllN TER Y, MID DLli TOW N, PA. � 158 SLOVAKIA CURRENT ISSUES ·Proclamation Adopted by Sf oval< League of America CHICAGO, ILL. - MAY 27, 1972 Assembled in the Congress, the delegates to the 43rd Biennial Congress of the Slovak League of America, unanimously adopt this resolution: 1. The Slovak League of America will continue with all its energies to support, to advance and to spread the doctrine of self determination and freedom for all nations, as these are principles espoused by our own United States of America. 2. The Slovak League of America will continue with its cultural and civic programs, by means of its scholarships and other undertakings. Thus, we will better inform the free world, especially here in our own country, of the centuries-old aspirations and rights of Slovak nation. We feel these rights will be best enjoyed in some type of European federation or union in which the citizens of a free and independent Slovakia will decide their own destiny. 3. In furtherance of the above goals, the Slovak League of America will continue to work closely with all Slovak organizations, publications and institutions everywhere; thereby giving moral, financial and practical support to the aspirations of more than three million Slovaks torn away from their native soil, as well as to the downtrodden brethren in subjugated Slovakia. 4. As one of the founders of the Slovak World Congress, the Slovak League of America endorses the program of the Slovak World Congress and make available to it all its powers and resources. �SLOVAKIA 159 5. The Slovak League of America makes special request to all Slovak groups to appeal to the Slovak youthfor they are our future-without them the Slovak cause, especially here in the United States of America, will not long endure. 6. Finally, we solicit the continued sacrifices and dedication of all Slovak-Americans and American-Slovaks, fortunate enough to enjoy the freedom and privileges of our great Country, so that in our hopes for peace to men of goodvill, our subjugated brethren, may in God's good time likewise enjoy such freedoms. THE SWVAK LEAGUE OF AMERICA Edward J. B eh u n c i k, President Joseph Pa u co, Secretary MEMORANDUM of the Slovak Catholic Mission in Australia Director-General UNESCO Place De Fontenoy Paris vrre France Dear Sir: The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization has proclaimed the year 1972 as "International Book Year". This is a worthy undertaking and deserves every good success, but it is to be regretted that not all of mankind is in a position to freely participate in it. \ rticle IX of the Charter of the Book states: "The free flow of books between countries is an essential supplement to national supplies and promotes international understanding." �168 SLOVAKIA Contrary to this statement and the current year program of UNESCO is the practice of the Government of the Czecho-Slovak Socialistic Republic and the Governments of other countries under Communist rule and culturally dominated by Moscow. These countries discriminate in the exchange of books and printed matter in general. While the free world is flooded with propaganda and literature issued by the Soviet Block countries, there is great discrimination in the Communist countries against literature published in the free world, and into CzechoSlovakia the entry of religious and the like books is actually prohibited. This is being done in spite of the fact that Communist Block countries are members of the United Nation organization and are signitories of the Charter of the United Nations and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The purpose of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization according to its constitution is "To contribute to peace and security by promoting collaboration among the nations through education, science and culture in order to further universal respect for justice, for the rule of law and for the human rights and fundamental freedoms which are affirmed for the peoples of the world, without distinction of race, sex, language or religion, by the Charter of the United Nations." The Slovak Nation, one of many enslaved by Communism, has a high regard for this noble objective of UNESCO but is prevented in carrying out its part in it. The purpose of this memorandum is to draw your attention to the plight in which the Slovak Nation has been placed by no fault of its own, and also to point out that the action required to remedy the ills of the systems dominating the life of Slovaks under Moscow supremacy is long overdue. The Slovak Nation is the oldest Christian Nation in Central Europe. Its country is Slovakia with a population of 4,542,098. This Nation is not in a position to exercise the rights as enumerated for every human being by the United Nations. At the time when the most fundamental freedoms of �SLOVAKIA 161 mankind were announced by the United Nations, the Slovak Nation was stripped of them by the power of Moscow which marked the end of the Slovak Independent Republic, .and Slovakia was forcibly joined with Bohemia and Moravia in the Czecho-Slovak Socialistic Republic. By this arbitrary act the Slovak Nation was in 1945 deprived of the principle of self-determination affirmed by the Charter of the United Nations. Chapter I, article 1, paragraph 2 reads: (The purposes of the United Nations are) "To develop friendly relations among nations based on respect for the principle of equal rights and selfdetermination of peoples, and to take other appropriate measures to strengthen universal peace." The Slovak Nation is not free to choose its form of government and is ruled by the totalitarian system under the banner of international Communism. Consequently with regard to the objectives of UNESCO the Slovak Nation is not in a position to develop itself according to its Christian character and thus it is not free either to contribute to the cultural wealth of the human family or to enjoy its benefits. UNESCO holds that for the promotion of its activities, three of the rights, enumerated in the Universal Declaration are of outstanding importance: 1. "The right to education ( article 26) 2. "The right of culture (article 27) 3. "The right to freedom of information (article 19)". The Slovak Nation does not enjoy freedom to claim and exercise any of these rights. 1. Paragraph 2, of article 26 reads: "Education shall be directed to the full development of the human personality and the strengthening of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. It shall promote understanding, tolerance and friendship among all nations, racial or religious groups, and shall further the activities of the United Nations for the maintenance of peace." �162 SLOVAKIA Human personality can be fully developed when an individual enjoys the most fundamental freedoms such as: freedom freedom freedom freedom of speech, of belief, from fear, from want. The Slovak Nation enjoys none of these. The whole educational system in Slovakia is saturated with Marxism, which is contrary to the Christian character of the Slovak Nation. The promoting of tolerance is unknown to Communism which is disseminating hatred and it is disrupting unity on all levels of life. For Communism "peace" means the domination of private and public life according to the teaching of Marxism. According to paragraph 3 of article 26, "Parents have a prior right to choose the kind of education that shall be given to their children." The Slovak parents are denied this right for in Slovakia there is only the Communist system of education. In 1945 Slovakia had 1887 Catholic schools. All of them were confiscated by Communists and the children of Catholic parents (also other religions) were indoctrinated in Marxism. 2. Article 27, paragraph 1, reads: "Everyone has the right freely participate in the cultural life of the community, to enjoy the arts and to share in scientific advancement and it..s benefits." In Slovakia culture, arts, science have been made servants of Communism and they have no value unless they are guided by principles of Marxism and unless they are designed for the promotion of Communism. 3. According Article 19: "Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers." �163 SLOVAKIA In Slovakia there is no freedom of opinion and expression. These have to be in conformity with Marxism. Ideas and opinions are usually communicated by books, newspapers, radio, television and public addresses. But in Slovakia, these medias are Communist controlled and are designed to promote militant atheism. What has been said about the situation in Slovakia, applies also to a lesser or greater degree to other countries under Communist rule, and while Communist propaganda and literature is freely distributed in the countries of the Western Democracies, the frontiers of the countries under Communist domination are virtually sealted to the printed word from the West. This especially applies to articles of a religious nature. This state of affairs is contrary to the spirit of the United Nations and is alien to the objectives of UNESCO. Its toleration would only strengthen the hand of international Communism and encourage all actual or potential dictators in their drive to enslave the rights and freedom of mankind. Having this in mind, we respectfully request that: a) You bring the plight of the Slovak Nation to the attention of the General Assembly of the United Nations Organization, b) the dignity of Slovaks be fully restored, so that the Slovak Nation can take an honorable place in the family of free Nations according to the spirit of the United Nations and aims of UNESCO. We trust that you will assist us in our request that justice be done to the Slovak Nation and so fulfill the principles of the United Nations and aims of UNESCO. Yours respectfully, Rev. Jan Krasnansky, s. V.D. Chaplain to the Slovak Community in Sydney Jan Secansky Sydney, August 1972 Delegate to the Religious Section of the Slovak World Congress �164 SLOVAKIA Ethnic Studies at C.C.N.Y. and the First Course on the Slavic American Heritage The City College of the City University of New York has long taken pride both in the achievements of its students and in the leading role it has played in recognizing and adapting to new ethnic and cultural developments in New York's multi-cultural and multi-national community. For many years C.C.N.Y. has ranked with Harvard and the University of California at Berkeley in the number of its graduates who go on for doctorates. This year The City College again took a leadership role by initiating the nation's first college level course on the Slavic American Heritage. Different ethnic groups at City College have long struggled for recognition and have broadened the college's involvement in the community by pressing for the establishment of new programs and courses more "relevant" to their ethnic backgrounds. In response to the students' demands at C.C.N.Y. in 1969, New York's Board of Higher Education authorized The City College to establish a Department of Urban and Ethnic Studies (UES) which would engage in both instruction and research. This department assists students in preparing for new careers in community leadership, public service, education, and work with voluntary agencies in urban areas. In September of 1969 the new Department of Urban and Ethnic Studies opened its doors with 183 students enrolled in two courses in Afro-American and Puerto Rican Studies. The following semester courses in urban and community affairs were added. During the second year the curriculum was expanded to include the beginnings of Chinese-American and Carribean Studies. From the beginning the Department of Urban and Ethnic Studies exhibited striking vitality and growth. The number of courses given by the Department rose from two (in the fall of 1969) to thirteen (in the spring of 1970) and then to twenty-three (in the spring of 1971). From �SLOVAKIA 165 seven sections in the first semester it grew to forty-two in the spring of 1971, while student enrollment rose from 183 to about 1400. By Fall 1971, UES had been divided into three separate departments: Black Studies, Puerto Rican Studies, and Asian Studies. At the same time a separate department of Jewish Studies had been created. It became administration policy that an ethnic studies department could be established only if the particular ethnic group consisted of at least 5 percent of the student population at C.C.N.Y. Only the four ethnic groups listed above contributed this much. Others would have to be satisfied with basic courses only. At present, City College's four ethnic studies departments offer a total of over 120 courses; these are attended by more than 2300 students. Courses cover such varied subjects as "Asian Women", "Black Folklore", "Community Power Analysis and Research", "Political Modernization in Black America", "The Contemporary Puerto Rican Family", "Jewish Identity", "Jewish American Community", "Ethnic Leaders", "Field Work Experience in a Bilingual Environment", and "Creative Research in Urban and Ethnic Studies". Although hundreds of Slavic-American students attend The City College, they do not constitute 5 percent of the student body. Nonetheless many of them are eager to explore their ethnic heritage within the context of college study. America's Slavic-speaking population constitutes one of the most significant "white minority" groups in the country. Today, when all minority groups are trying to assert their contribution to the nation's growth, very little has been done to explore this group's history, culture, social problems and its struggle to maintain its identity in the United States. Systematic study of Slavic-Americans and their heritage is long overdue. There is a strong feeling of ethnic awareness among some members of the younger generation, there are also strong indications that the melting pot conception can not be maintained any longer and that America is beginning to recognize and appreciate the diversity of its ethnic elements in terms of a new cultural pluralism . .As Prof. Michael Novak puts it in his new book, The Rise of the Unmeltable Ethnics, "It is time for a new cultural pluralism �166 SLOVAKIA and a politics that requires this new cultural pluralism -one that draws from resources other than Anglo-Saxon history and values." The first course (being offered at City College), called Slavic American Heritage, is listed among the College's core requirements and is open to all interested students. The course is presented by Prof. Peter Goy and is being attended by 19 students. It is a survey of Slavic American Heritage. It attempts to explore the history of Slavic Americans. The course encompasses all Slavic-speaking groups in the country (Belorussian, Bulgarian, Croatian, Czech, Polish, Russian, Serbian, Slovenian, Slovak and Ukrainian, to mention a few) and includes a brief history of Slavs in the U.S.A. from the early XVII century to the present. It stresses their struggle for survival in the New World while emphasizing the participation of Slavs in American life and the role they have played in U.S. History. It expands upon current problems of identity and assimilation facing the younger generation. It takes into scope the Slavic historical background, characteristics of the Slavic population, economic conditions, religious conditions, education and contemporary literatures of the different ethnic groups. One of the aspects of this course is original research and analysis made by the students on various aspects of our contemporary Slavic groups, such as: Polish Ethnic Press, Ukrainian Scientific Institutions, Contemporary Ethnic Leaders, Czech Community in New York, Contemporary Slovak Women in America, Rhuthenians in U.S.A., Youth Organizations and the Impact of Assimilation on SelfIdentity, Bicultural Conflict and Synthesis, etc. In order to facilitate and further the original research of the students and faculty, a collection of a Slavic Contemporary ethnic archive and library materials is essential. Therefore, we would appreciate a donation of materials such as books, pamphlets, periodicals, newspapers, leaflets, films, etc, from all Slavic ethnic groups (Belorussian, Bulgarian, Croatian, Czech, Polish, Russian, Serbian, Slovenian, Slovak, Ukrainian and others) in the United States, a~ well as their organizations and patriotic individuals. We strongly believe that in the near future other colleges and universities, specifically those located in large �SLOVAKIA 167 Slavic communities such as Detroit, Chicago, Cleveland, Buffalo, etc., will accommodate their Slavic residents and open the door to the vast richness, resourcefulness and abundance of Slavic American Heritage. Professor P. G o y 201 Goethals Hall The City College of the University of New York New York, N. Y. 10031 What Did the Slovak Communists Want in 1968? Dr. John M. Kochik (A translation from the Slovak of Viktor Pavlenda's co chcu Slovdci published in Svet socializmu, No. 32, August 6, 1968 by Obzor Publishers, Bratislava.) "In January the movement was initiated for a democratic Czech and Slovak socialism which would be economically more dynamic, socially more just, ideologically more progressive, comprehensively more human,-making it more attractive than any existing socio-economic system. The movement for this type of socialism is fast developing across the country which two peoples and nationalities inhabit. From the very essence of this movement proceeds its most basically inherent feature, namely, the very democratization of the relationship between the two peoples, between them and the nationalities living among them, and between the nationalities living side-byside. However, should this essential element be disregarded the movement would become pseudodemocratic, despite the fact that one sector of society has been the ruling nation until now and is reputedly the most democratic. Therefore, the Slovaks have the complete right to formulate their national claims, while the Czechs have the moral responsibility of seriously considering and democratically accepting them in the new democratic atmosphere of thought and action. �168 SLOVAKIA What is the Basis of Our National Movement as a Natural Ri ght,-A Right Suppressed and Ignored in the Past? 1. A half-century should suffice for an elder brother to recognize the younger as thoroughly related, not adopted, without a stepmother, but having his same very own Czecho-Slovakian homeland. There could be no more fitting occasion to acknowledge this self-same truth than the fiftieth October-anniversary of governing together. 2. In its current history "something" always went wrong in the real autonomy of the Slovak nation. First, a word only about autonomy, later about all the remaining issues. We regard as our most natural and sacred rights the proclamation and recognition of the actual, genuine self-rule of our people. This presupposes the elimination, not only in words but in actual fact, of the present humiliating- position of Slovakia, and the providing of it with an equal opportunity of realization in all aspects of social life. 3. The road to a new, just solution of the relationships between our peoples should proceed through a politicaleconomic Czecho-Slovakian federation: an economicallyrational and nationally-just federation. Thus, we desire neither that kind of federation which would crush the Republic through a rigid control of the greater over the lesser, nor such as would shatter the Republic by indecisive free choice, one yelling 'To the left!', the other 'To the right!'. 4. The Czecho-Slovak federation should systematically transfer the inclusive spirit of the democratizing process as such into the living conditions of both nations and into the relationship between them. That means that, taken objectively, henceforth it would insure more intensively the acceleration of the process of raising the quality of conditions in realizing the Czech and Slovak labor potential both on the job as well as in life. But, simultaneously-and this indeed holds true for socialist society-it must accelerate the process of making conditions of realization of the national labor forces approach each other, and of further equalizing the comparatively large discrepancies in economic and living standards between Slovakia and the Czech regions . In these processes-the quality of conditions of utilizing the citizen as such and the relatively-equal utiliza- �SLOVAKIA 169 tion of both peoples-we realize the sense o! an economically-rational and a nationally-just federation. 5. It is completely natural (especially from the experiences of their former development) that nowadays the Slovaks are not satisfied with promises nor with a referral to the good intentions of another even though be is one's very own brother, but they require the systematic guarantee of inclusive national autonomy in a federation. We visualize the starting-point as in a nationally-just pyramid of authoritative governmental bodies; national governmental bodies with original authority-federal governmental bodies with derived competency agreed upon by the national governmental bodies. 6. We wish to establish a federation and the functioning of federal governmental bodies upon three principles: economy, flexibility and effectiveness, and national justice. The realization of these principles are demanded so that federal governmental bodies would be numerically minimal with a small apparatus. We demand the nationallyjust activity of federal governmental bodies in: the prohibition of majority-rule in legislative acts, the equal structuring of the administration and applicable solutions (that is, the prohibition of majority-rule, parity, agreements) in the federal executive governmental bodies. We implore the second, Czech, party, that is the Czech citizen:-consider this matter in silence, without prejudice, and give an answer six times! It is not an expression most completely natural that from these six basic principles the Slovaks proceed, placing one bother on an equal footing with the other brother? Or, does someone wish to shout us down repeatedly with the renewed expression: "Co vlastne ti Slovdci chteji?" (In the original Slovak text this question is given in the Czech language and meaning "What do those Slovaks actually want?", note that this question relates to the title and theme of the article.-Translator's comment.) I will not cease being an optimist. I still believe that the answer of our Czech brother will be non-Antonine (A passible reference to Antonin Novotny, First Party Secretary and the President of the Republic, his regime, policies and character.-Translator's comment), different in substance from its present usage, and that it will be worthy to the development of the Czech people." �170 SLOVAKIA AS OTHERS SEE IT The Church in Czecho-Slovakia been forced into early retirement is very weak, but it will continue to make them scarcer. Yet, strange as it may sound, the to survive. There are 14 dioceses, but only two bishops. The govern- government is not suppressing rement will not permit any more to ligion altogether. Firstly, it is be consecrated, so 12 of the 14 afraid to do so. Secondly, the Comdioceses must function with a munist Party is split on the issue priest who serves as vicar for the of how much to suppress religion. diocese. The vicars are chosen Some argue that it must be persecuted as fiercely as it is in Red largely by the state. No Catholic schools are permit- China. Others say that if it is kept ted in Czecho-Slovakia, though two weak, it will gradually die out as seminaries are still functioning, Communism takes over. A third one for Czechs and one for Slovaks. point: Communist leaders for the There are about 150 in the Czech most part are becoming increasingseminary, not many for 10 million ly pragmatic. They persecute religion only in Czechs, most of whom are Catholic. There are about 200 seminarians a ritualistic way, paying lip service in the seminary for Slovaks, in to Communist ideology. They persecute it mostly inasmuch as it Bratislava. About 3,500 priests are active. constitutes a force outside of the Another 500 must work as laymen, total power structure they have since the government does not re- allocated to themselves. Absolute cognize them as priests. Approxi- dictators have always tried to permately 35 priests are ordained each secute religion and weaken it to year. Worst of all, most of the the point where it has no power, nuns have recently been confined unless they have the power in their to work as staff in mental institu- hands. The police are not much in evition. Had we a Catholic Anti-Defamation League in the United dence in Czecho-Slovakia. Nor are States, we could bring enough there Russian soldiers on the street. pressure to bear to stop such but everyone knows there are 80,000 Soviet troops stationed just abuses. Remember how Stalin used to 30 miles away. Everyone rememcall it "changing the guard" when bers how Moscow sent in 650,000 he had a purge of Party officials? troops in a great hurry four years It still goes on. Three hundred ago, to crush the "human face" thousand members of the Commu- type of Communism Alexander nist Party have been purged in Dubcek had tried to introduce. One of the first buildings I saw Czecho-Slovakia in the past four years. Forty per cent of the writers in Prague was a training school have been forced out of their pro- for future members of the Party. fession. Fifty thousand union mem- It is the Party members and they bers were purged. The remaining alone who get all the good jobs writers stick to the Communist and who run every facet of governline, attacking the clergy as "fas- ment. Membership is limited to cists" and "Nazi." A large percent- those the Party invites, such as age of the monasteries have been sons or friends of Party members, closed recently, and priests have or those who do not practice their �SLOVAKIA religion and for other reasons appeal to the ruling class. Only Party members can be candidates in a system where to be nominated by the Party is a guarantee of "election." Only Party members can hold trusted position. Only they have all the power. Communists argue that if the whole world were Communist, there would be no wars. But Czecho-Slovakia is a direct refutation of that theory. The country was brutally invaded in 1968 when it tried to humanize its type of Communism. Nor is it true that Communism lessens crime. Any visitor to Czecho-Slovakia sees prostitutes walking the main streets at night. Cars are often stripped or stolen. Drugs are not a problem, though they are in Moscow. Alcohol, which we often fail to think of as a drug, is a huge problem in all those countries. Stealing stocks and bonds is not a problem. But stealing from the state is on a much greater scale than anything we can imagine. "The whole system," I was told repeatedly, "is built on stealing."-Father Dan Lyons. Twin Circle, November 10, 1972. VIENNA (AP) - Travel fo a Westerner may be occassionally troublesome, but this is nothing compared to the battle with red tape an East European traveler encounters, if he just goes from one Communist country to another. The Slovak Assn. of Journalists recently issued what it called "a recipe for avoiding difficulties with passport and customs control" which lists so many things to do that it might in fact discourage anybody from making the trip in the first place. The association's biweekly publication, listed the regulations applying in the various East Europe- 171 an countries, which in the case of the Soviet Union alone covered 21 lines. The hard-core measures are nearly the same in every East European country. Each wants to know who crosses the border, watches that not too much of its national currency is taken out, nor rare consumer goods which the East European countries prefer to sell in the West for hard currency. Red tape starts at home. Slovaks have to file customs and foreign currency declarations; in some cases they must also have exit permits. Anyone intending to take a gift exceeding $20 along must obtain permission. Anyone wanting to visit the Soviet Union or Poland must have a visa. Joining a tour of a state travel agency makes this relatively simple. But anyone who wants to visit privately must have an invitation authenticated by a Soviet militia.-Werner Olimann WAKE FOREST, N. C. (NC)Ethnic Americans are "neither angels nor devils" but an unusual combination of political liberals and old fashioned patriots, according to Father Andrew Greeley. The ethnic "believes that progress is possible and that change is desirable," Father Greeley told a conference here on Civil Religion in America. "If he is less likely now than he was 20 years ago to describe himself as a liberal, the reason is not that he is any less committed to change or any less sympathetic with the oppressed but simply that he has much less confidence in American liberalism now." The ethnics, Father Greeley said, "like the United States of America. The flag, the 'Star Spangled Banner,' the Constitution, the Declaration of Independence, the �172 SLOVAKIA Capitol building, the office of the presidency-all of these are admired symbols which together sum up the gratitude the ethnic feels for what the United States has made possible for him: freedom, dignity, comfort, security-things which his ancestors in the countries from which they fled or were driven would not have dreamt possible." Father Greeley, director of the University of Chicago's Center for the study of American Pluralism, said that members of ethnic groups are "less likely" than other Americans to favor the Vietnam war and, despite a tradition of anti-communism, they do not object to reapproachment with China or the Soviet Union." Members of ethnic groups, descendants of the most recent waves of European immigrants, have not been in America "long enough or achieved that level of security where it becomes easy to hate and despite the United States," the priest-sociologist said. "An appeal to the conscience of the ethnic against war and against injustice that is based on American patriotism has much better chance of being effective than one based on denunciation of America as a sick society, burning American flags, and ridiculing American institutions," Father Greeley said. Ethnics want to eliminate "hunger, misery, poverty, bad housing, bad education, and every other sort of social ill wherever is can be found in America," he said. "They supported the New Deal social reforms and have continued to vote for liberal congressional candidates who have extended and enlarged the New Deal." At the same time, Father Greeley said, ethnics place "a strong emphasis on the freedom and dignity of the individual person. A person should not be messed with or hassled by large bureaucratic agencies, be they governmental, labor, business, or ecclesiastical." Father Greeley spoke at a conference sponsored by the ~outhwestern Baptist Theological Seminary here and the American Jewish Committee. PITISBURGH-Tbey aren't the Same Old Steelers anymore. Just ask Gerela's Gorillas, Franco's Italian Army or the newly formed Dobra Shunka fan club. All those have been spawned by the success of the Pittsburgh Steelers, making a strong bid for the first division title in their 40-year pro football history. Gerela\s GO!fillas favor placekicker Roy Gerela, and rookie running sensation Franco Harris is the honorary commander of Franco's Italian Army. But what about Dobra Shunka? "That's Slovak for 'Great Ham,' " says Steeler linebacker Jack Ham, whose ancestors were European. "They're a great bunch of guys," Ham added. "Most of them live over in Port Vue, same as Gerela's Gorillas. You can't beat enthusiasm like that." Ham knows first hand the degree of Steeler mania. He's probably the only pro football player ever to get an ovation during a church sermon. "It happened at evening Mass the Sunday we beat Kansas City," recalls Ham, who attends St. Bernard's Roman Catholic Church in suburban Dormont. The monsignor was sermonizing on parish matters when suddenly he decided to switch topics and proclaimed from the pulpit, "How about those Steelers!" During the ensuing praise, he asked if Steeler vice President Dan �SLOVAKIA Roomey, a member of the parish, was in attendance. Rooney wasn't but Ham was and one of the faithful stood up and introduced him as "Jack Ham-the Steelers great linebacker. " 173 "It was really something," recalls Ham. "They gave me a big ovation just like we were out at the stadium, I even stayed after Mass and signed autographs."( Associated Press) Astronaut Gene Cernan is of Slovak origin. His grandfather migrated to the U.S.A. from Vysoka, Kysuce region, Slovakia �174 SLOVAKIA BOOK REVIEWS BOOKS ON SLOVAKIA Reviewed by J.M. Kirschbaum The Czechoslovak Reform Move- of view. It also put into proper ment by Galla Golan, Cambridge, perspective the economic as well at the University Press, 1971, as political and national reasons for which young Slovak intellectuBibl., 334 pages. Among the dozens of books on als, all of them staunch supporters the de-Stalinization and liberation of the Communist Party, began to movement in Czecho-Slovakia, the rebel against the Stalinist system. present book by Galia Golan, Lec- There is no doubt that economic turer in Political Science and Rus- as well as political disparity betsian Studies at the Hebrew Univer- ween Slovakia and the Czech lands sity in Jerusalem, is one of the became intolerable even to Slovak most objective and best research- Communists. The spark for the ed works. Whereas many authors moment came, however, from the of books on the reform movement writers and intellectuals who cravin Czecho-Slovakia viewed the situ- ed for more freedom and could not ation from Prague and dealt with tolerate the injustice committed on the events mostly on the basis of so-called Slovak "bourgeois nationCzech sources (see our reviews in alists" who were freed from prisSlovakia for 1970 and 1971, and in ons, but not rehabilitated. The Slavica Canadiana A. D.1970), the Czech intellectuals joined the present book does not suffer from movement three or four years any anti-Slovak bias. The author later, in 1967 and 1968, and gave objectively analyzed the beginnings it the weight which paved the way of the reform movement from 1963 for the events of 1968. Unfortuto 1968, and recognized the role nately, it would appear that they which was played by Slovak writ- not only helped the movement to ers, journalists and politicians. As get momentum, but also pushed it a result, the picture is quite dif- to the extreme and in the end gave ferent from many other books on the Soviets a prete~t for the inthe subject. Because except for vasion. the books by Skilling, Shawcross, The book is an excellent survey Fejto, Lungi and Ello, the reform of the whole period from 1963 to movement in Czecho-Slovakia and 1968. It is divided into six chapespecially its last phase, was a- ters. In its Introduction the book scribed by Western observers and surveys the years 1956-1962 and analysts to Czech intellectuals and then it analyzes the revolt of the several books were published under intellectuals, the economic reforms, the title: The Prague Spring. In reforms in the social cultural some instances, even Dubcek's .role spheres, political reforms, the ewas played down and other Slovaks vents of 1967 and 1968. The author wei"e omitted or ignored. paid special attention to Slovaks Galla Golan's book is, however, in the second chapter, as well as obje<:tive not only from this point in Chapters V and VI. In one chap- �SLOVAKIA ter the author analyzes specially the "pressures from the Slovaks and the youth." In the chapter on economic reforms, the book gives credit to the efforts of Dr. Eugen Loebl and to his plan for reforming the bankrupt economy. Other Slovak reformers, either in economic fields or in the political structure of Czecho-Slovakia are equally mentioned and so are Slovak periodicals, especially Kulturny Zivot and Slovenske Pohl'ady. Galia Golan seems to understand much better than other specialists in Eastern Europe the basic issues which separate Slovaks and Czechs and which dramatically came to the surface during the years 19631968. Trying to present an objective picture of the whole situation she avoided simplifications and, therefore, her book will remain as one of the best researched and scholarly written analysis of the attempts by Slovaks and Czechs to give Communism a human face. Wolfgang Venohr: Aufstand fii,r die Tschecho-Slowakei (Uprising for Czecho-Slovakia), Christian Wegner Verlag, Hamburg, 1969, bibl., ill., doc., 372 p. The War period of the Slovak history has been avoided for a long time in German historiography. Many more books were published in English than in the German language. When finally books on Slovakia appeared in Germany, they were written by historians coming not from Germany but from other Eastern European countries (Ludwig von Gogolak, Jorg K. Hoensch, Almar Reitzner) and the backgrounds of the authors influenced their attitudes and interpretation of the dramatic period of modern Slovak history. The book under review is the first one by a Western writer on the uprising which occured in Slo- 175 vakia in the Fall of 1944 and was presented until now only by memoirs or books written by the Communist participants, except for one volume of documents edited by V. Precan. Venohr's book does not agree completely with the Communist interpretation and sheds a new light on the bloody and controversial rebellion which was at least three times re-interpreted by the Communists themselves. There is no note on the author of the book and of his credentials. The work is comprehensive and refers not only to many printed sources but also to personal interviews with the Communist participants and officers of the Slovak army involved in the uprising. Interviews with non-Communist participants, even though some of them live in Germany, are missing. In view of the fact that the non-Communist organizers and participants of the uprising did not publish uptil now their version of the political aims and of the part played by the Slovak army or non-Communist population, Venohr's book fills an important gap. It is, however, very hard to say how far his interpretation is free of any bias, in spite of the fact that he states in his epilogue that he tried to avoid an ideological approach. As he says, the aim of his book was to "help the Slovaks to gain their international respect and develop brotherly relations built on equality of rights with the Czechs." At the same time the book should "serve to create a better understanding between Germany and Czecho-Slovakia." Venohr's presentation of the Slovak Republic and his survey of Slovak history would indicate that he endeavored to look at Slovaks without the usual bias which we can find in some Western and �17~ SLOVAKIA Communist history books. Throughout the book, there is an effort to avoid the negative attitude towards the Slovak struggle for independence. There is no a priori denial of bonafide actions and goodwill on the part of the Slovak politicians and in one instance the author even states that from the scientific point of view nobody can seriously speak about Fascism in Slovakia (p. 30). Nevertheless, on many pages of the book he uses the term "Klerikal Faschismus" ( clerofascism) coined by the Communists. Venohr accepted as valid the statement by President Dr. Tiso that the existence of the Slovak Republic will be of great importance for the future generations, but in his view the uprising is even of greater importance for historical claims of Slovak national identity. This is, of course, a debatable view but it sums up Venohr's attitude towards the uprising. From this premise, the author approached all the events and persons involved in the history of Slovakia from 1938 to 1945. The volume is composed of two parts. In the first part he writes about the independent Slovakia, the Slovak army until 1943, about the political opposition; the unwanted partizan war; the military conspiracy; the memorandum by General Catlo§ and the mission to Moscow by Smidke. The second part is entitled: "Occupation and Uprising." It contains six chapters in which the author speaks about military events of the uprising from the time Germany sent two divisions to fight the Soviet partizans. Their arrival, however, triggered off the uprising of the Slovak army units and led to events of historical importance. Venohr describes the battles in various parts of Slovakia with the Slovak army which was preparing an uprising against Germans independently of ,t he Soviet partizans, as well as the political aims of the whole uprising. It is mainly in this part of the book where the author differs from the Communist historiographers but it is to be regretted that he did not confront statements of the people with whom he had interviews with the writings and opinions of the nonCommunist participants who live in the West. He also failed to mention that the Communists originally aimed at establishing a Slovak Soviet Republic and not Czecho-Slovakia. In spite of this, Venohr's description and evaluation of the events seems to be much more objective and closer to the historical truth than the one-sided interpretation published in today's Slovakia by Communist writers, or by some Western historians who adopted the Czech or the Communist interpretation. His stress on the divergence of views between the Communists and military leadership on one side and the Bene§ Government on the other sheds a new light on the uprising whose final history is still to be written. The memorandum and the attempts by the Minister of National Defense of the Slovak Republic, General F. Catlo§, to come to an agreement with Moscow to save Slovakia of occupation is another important revelation in the book, since it has not been taken into consideration by Western historians. A number of documents attached to the book also enhance its value. However, in spite of Venohr's endeavor to be objective towards the leaders of the Slovak Republic, there are, of course, still some inaccuracies in his book which could have been corrected if the author �SLOVAKIA had interviewed the emigre Slovak historians or political leaders. His survey of Slovak history also suffers accepting the Czech rather than the Slovak interpretation of the Slovak past. There is no doubt that Slovakia suffered a sort of social decapitation and lost their leading classes to Hungarian assimilation and policy. There was, however, Slovak national consciousness a long time before Stt'.ir's period and we can safely say that Slovak national renaissance started in the 17th century and the Bernolak group, which is not even mentioned by Venohr, deserves credit for the national awakening of the Slovak people. Economically, Slovakia also presented a different picture. Even with these shortcomings Venohr's book is, however, much closer to the historical facts and objective interpretation of the War period in Slovak history than . any other work published in the West, exept for books written by Slovak exiled historians who defe nd the right of the Slovak people to self determination and independence. vm and IX. · Historica 5-6, Slovak Institute, Cleveland-Rome, 1969, pp. 216 and 231, bibl., ill. Slovak Studies, Volume The recent volumes of Slovak Studies are an additional contribution to the research into. the Slovak history in ,t he English language. In comparison with the previous volµmes, the contributors are mostly from the younger generation and several of them from among Slovak intellectuals educa.ted at American universities. For this reason, both volumes also contain essays on American Slovaks. In view of the fact that there is no history book on the achievements and contribution of American Slovaks to Slovak national develop- 177 ment, these contributions are of particular value. The first volume contain four contributions: "The Role of American Slovaks in the Creation of Czecho-Slovakia, 1914-1918," by M. M. Stolarik; a study "Education in Slovakia" by M. I. Angelovic SS.C.M.; "The Quadrennial Reports of the Bishops of Nitra to Rome," by E. Bouydosh; and "A Short Survey of the Eastern Catholic Churches," by Prof. M. Lacko, S.J. To the second volume contributed Msgr. J . Rekem "Selected Chapters from the Slovak Cultural History"; F. Vnuk, a study "British Recognition of Independent Slovalda in 1939"; M. Tybor, "Fa_ther Matthew Jankola (1872-1916)"; J . J. Karch, . Slovakia Under Communism, 1944-1964"; Prof. M. Lacko, "A Historical Song from Eastern Slovakia" and "Camaldulese Red Monastery-Cerveny Klastor." All contributions are on the level of academic papers and point to new aspects and new knowledge of the Slovak past. From the historical point of view, the most relevant is, of course, the well researched and well written assay on British recognition of independent Slovakia in 1939 and Stolarik's M.A. thesis on the role of American Slovaks in the creation of Czechoslovakia, while from the cultural point of view the thesis on education in Slovakia by Sister .Angelovic and the essay on J ankola by Sister Tybor deserve particular mention. F. Vnuk's research into the British archives brought forth some very interesting information on the attitude of Great Britain towards Slovakia and many unknown documents which prove· that the Government of Great Britain and British diplomats had quite a different view of the Slovak problem than the Czech exiles, headed by Dr. �178 SLOVAKIA Bene§, made us believe and smuggled into Western historiography. It would appear from Vnuk's study that Great Britain was neither eager to recognize the Czecho-Slovak government in exile, nor believed to adverse reports on Slovakia, and that Slovaks needed only some good diplomats in London to put Slovakia and her striving for independence into a different light in the West. Vnuk certainly deserves recognition for studying the British archives because our knowledge of Great Britain's attitude towards Slovakia was very limited until now. Msgr. Rekem's contribution "Selected Chapters from the Slovak Cultural History" is a concise view of Slovak cultural development from the Middle Ages to the Bernolak period, written on the pattern of his previous studies either in English, German, or Slovak and, as usual, well documented. The essay would deserve to be distributed as a separate publication. M. Stolarik's contribution to the volume is an M. A. thesis and as such indicating that we can expect from the young historian further valuable contribution to the exploration of the history of Slovaks in the United States. His thesis is well balanced and based on research into the unknown as well as published sources, and enhanced by a useful bibliography. There is no need to write about Prof. Lacko's contribution since he has been an accepted authority on the subjects he writes about and his contributions are marked by thorough knowledge and originality. E. Bouydosh's contribution is a continuation of his previous research and writings and of interest for Slovak religious past. From - the Slovak point of view the contributions by the Sisters of SS. Cyril and Methodius, M. I. An- gelovic and M. Tybor deserve special mention. It would seem that both contributions are M. A. theses or parts thereof. They are valuable not only by their contents but also by their originality and research into the unknown and unpublished sources. In view of the fact that scholars in today's Slovakia are not allowed to extend their research into the history of Slovaks abroad, both contributions are of particular interest for Slovak historiography. The essay by J. J. Karch "Slovakia Under Communism, 1944-1964" is a well written account but too short to give a complete picture. It would be useful if this theme could be enlarged in Slovak Studies by the author or other Slovak specialists in modem Slovak history. To conclude, we can say that both volumes honorably represent the efforts of Slovak intellectuals in the West to fill the gap of knowledge of the Slovak past among Western historians and students of Central Eastern Europe. L'oecumenisme at le panslavisme de l'abbe JEAN PALARIK, par Joseph Vavrovic; These presentee a la Faculte des Arts de l'Universite d'Ottawa en vue l'obtention du Ph.D. en Etudes Slaves, Ottawa, 1972, 470 p. The thesis under review is a mature scholarly work, apparently the result of a long and thorough research into the archives and published sources pertaining to the historical background and to the activities of Jan Palarlk, whose dramatic works survived until the present time, but whose ecumenism was forgotten and his panslavic ideas were over-shadowed by his famous countrymen: Jan Koll.Ar and L'udovit Stur. In view of tlle present trend in the Catholic �SLOVAKIA Church, and the misuse of the idealistic panslavism by the Soviet Union, Palarik's 19th century ideas, for which he suffered persecution from the ecclesiastic superiors and was scorned by adherents of panslavism based on Russian leadership, are actual and timely and the thesis is, in many ways, an original work. The thesis is divided into three parts: historical background of the activities of Jan Palarik; the ecumenism of Palarik, and the panslavism of Palarik. In the first part the author of the thesis discusses the nationalist wave in Hungary after the Congress of Vienna, the insurrection in 1848 and the period of absolutism of Bach and the di· vision of the monarchy into the Austrian and Hungarian part. In part two, the thesis deals with the origins of Palarik's ecumenism, his activities as editor of the monthly Cyrill a Method and with the con·flict with his ecclesiastic superiors. Part three gives a survey of the origins of panslavism and draws a distinction between Palarik's idea of panslavism and that of Jan Kollar. Palarik's ecumenism stemmed from his concern for the Slovak people who were menaced by Magyarization and weakened by religious division. The Slovak Catholic clergy made many efforts towards uniting with Slovak Protestants in cultural and literary activities even before Palarik's time. Encouraged by J. M. Hurban's work on the union of Slovak Lu• therans with Calvinists in Hungary (Unia cili spojeni Lutheranu s Kalviny v Uhrach, Budin, 1846, 240 p.), Palarik took, however, a step further. He recommended also a religious union, basing his views on similar tendencies of Catholic theologians in Germany and France and insisting on it for patriotic rea- 179 sons. Palarik developed his national ecumenism in a series of articles published in the monthly Cyrill a Method of which he was editor. Supported by several other young Catholic clergymen who advocated not only the union with Slovak Protestants but also far reaching reforms of the Catholic Church in Hungary, Palarik came into conflict with the hierarchy and especially with the Archbishop-Primas Scitovsky. His progressive and democratic ideas gained him, nevertheless, many adherents amongst Slovak Catholics. Unfortunately, he failed to obtain an adequate response on the part of Slovak Lutherans and after Palarik had to submit to the Church authorities, the movement for uniting Slovaks in their religion slowly died down. In Msgr. Vavrovic's analysis it was nevertheless an interesting movement on the part of Slovak Catholics and Palarik emerges from the thesis as a well educated idealistic patriot concerned about the progress of the Slovak people and about the reform in the Catholic Church on much similar lines as have been accepted by the last Vatican Council. In his series on the necessity of union of Catholics with Lutherans in Slovakia, he referred to well-known contemporary theologians and fought for his ideas in prose as well as in verses to make an impact on the leaders and believers of both churches. Palarik's panslavism was generally as idealistic as Kollar's or Stur's concept of Slavic reciprocity. He differed, however, from them in his favorable attitude towards Poland and not only failed to advocate Russian supremacy and leadership but also insisted on the necessity of equality of all Slavic peoples. There are echoes of Herder's and Hegel's philosophy and prophecies about the role the Slavs �180 SLOVAKIA will play in the world in Palarik's panslavism, ·. even though he did not refer to them. From Stur who advocated . the acceptance .of the Russian orthodoxy · by all Slavic peoples Palarik also differed in religious respect by advocl;l.ting the union of all Slavs in the Catholic Church, referring to the words of Christ about "one shepherd and one fold." His defense of Poles who were subjugated by the Russians caused him criticism from other Slovak panslavists. Nevertheless Palarik deserves recognition for creating two concepts of panslavism in Slovakia, and the present Soviet domination of Slavic peoples proves that he was right in refuting panslavism based on Russian leadership and supremacy. Since Palarik has been known for the past 100 years mostly as a playwright and dramatist, whose works : Incognito (i858), D'rotar (1860), Smierenie and Dobrodruzstvo pri Obzinkach (1862), Dimitrij samozvanec (1870), have been played until the present day, the thesis by Msgr. Vavrovic contributes to the knowledge of Palarik's activities and ideas which make him one of the most progressive and democratic Slovak leader of the 19th century. In conclusion we can say that the thesis is a valuable piece of academic writing. In view of the role played by panslavism in Slavic literatures and in the awakening of Slavic peoples, the thesis will add to this movement a new dimension: the ecumenic idea and a new conception of mutuality among Slavs. The knowledge of numerous languages by the author and his intellectual training made it possible to shed light on both movements from various points of view: philosophical, theological and literary. He also presented the subject in a clear style and methodically well balanced. The author of the thesis used practically all relevant sources in several languages and displayed a thorough knowledge of ·the basic works on panslavism and ecumenism. At the same time, he seems to know all writings by and on Palarik as his numerous quotations and bibliography indicate. Editor's remark: The reviewer, Prof. Joseph M. Kirschbaum, was a member of the jury which examined the a:uthor at the defense of his thesis · and recommended its acceptance summa cum laude. Milan S. :i'>urica: La Morte di M. R. Stefanik Alla Luce Dei Documenti Militari Italiani Inediti, Collana di Studi Sull'Europa 0rientale, Univsersita Degli Studi di Padova, Padova, 1971, pp. 94. For the past fifty years, the mysterious death of. one of the co~ founder of Czec.ho-Slovakia, General Milan R. Stefanik, gave ground to various hypotheses and accusations and created dissensions between Czechs and Slovaks. While on the part of the Prague government Stefanik's death was attributed to an accident, on the Slovak side persisted the belief t];J.at Stefanik lost his life because Dr. Benes and also T. G. Masaryk disagreed with Stefanik's political views and wanted to prevent him from taking part in the political life of Czecho-Slovakia. The circumstances in which the aeroplane bringing Stefanik from Italy to his native land crashed near Bratislava favored the . hypothesis that the crash was due to an artillery attack ordered by an officer of the Czecho-Slovak army who allegedly mistook the Italian aircraft for a Hungarian one. Also the manner in which the �SLOVAKIA 181 Prague government handled the investigation of the accident and fought the rumors and allegations accusing Dr. Benes of the responsibility for Stef{mik's death, helped to strengthen the belief that Stefanik actually was a victim of a political plot. Even though he was a member of the Czecho-Slovak government and his arrival was announced, there were no preparations for his reception and the archives containing the investigation records were kept top-secret during the whole existence of the pre-war Czecho-Slovakia. directly confirms the belief that Stefanik was the victim of a political plot. As all historical works by !Jurica, also the present one is well researched and well written. Its scholarly value is enhanced by references to practically all known books and articles on Stefanik's life and death, in addition to his own thorough research of Italian military archives. The essay was originally published in the periodical n Mondo Slavo of which Prof. !Jurica is one of the founders and editors. For the above reasons, the death of Stefanik attracted writers as well as historians. Professor :i'.>urica has reviewed in his publication riot only the circumstances of Stefanik's death, but also analyzed the probability of all hypotheses advanced in the past. In addition, he ~xamined for the first time the Italian military archives pertaining to the departure of General M. R. Stefanik from Italy to his native Slovakia. In the past, the life and death of Stefanik were usually treated on the basis of French, Slovak and Czech sources, memoirs, . and reminiscences. Professor nurica rightly considered it necessary to study the Italian archives and by doing so, he made a valuable contribution to the efforts of solving the mystery of Stefanik's death. He was successful in proving incorrect several assertions of the Prague government especially those concerning the meteorological conditions, the alleged inexperience of the pilot and the allegation that Stefanik's arrival was not announced before. As historian, :i'.>urica avoided pronouncing any firm conclusion as to which hyphothesis is correct but his research destroyed the Prague government's version of Stefanik's death and in- Michael Novak, The Rise of the Unmeltable Ethnics, The McMillan Company, New York, N. Y., 1972, pp. 321, Price $7.95. For the past four or five years, many American scholars expressed their doubts as to whether the United States became a "melting pot" or if that theory was just a myth. Several conferences of historical societies and sociologists and linguists suddenly discovered that America was a multi-cultural society and that the ethnic groups were not melted. The result of this academic discovery called the attention of the politicians and results in debates and finally in a Bill on Centers of Ethnic Studies in the Congress. However, neither the studies of sociologists and historians, nor the recent Bill of Schweiker and Pucinski are as palatable and, by their approach, as human as is the book by Prof. Novak. Besides being well researched, the book is a real confession and a deep reflection on the human structure of America of today, written in excellent style, placing the book between a work of science and a novel. The author is professor of philosophy and religious studies at the State University of New York at �182 SLOVAKIA Old Westbury and has to his credit the reader; his hardly ornamental ten books, mostly dealing with name for the ethnic groups "PIGS." philosophy, theology and Catholics. He also separates Poles from other Prof. Novak is a third generation Slavs, even though the Polish AAmerican Slovak whose conscious- mericans preserved some of the ness of ethnic background was a- most Slavic characteristics. wakened not long ago during the Novak's book is bound to shake presidential campaigns by Barry the conscience of many Americans, Goldwater and Governor George and will probably do so for a deWallace in 1966. As Novak writes cade to come. It may be worthwhile in his book, he was "alarmed by the for many American Slovaks to concleavage between the old WASP sider as to whether they should and the new technological con- actively join this new political sciousness" and "felt increasingly force. It would perhaps be good to uncomfortable with the condescen- do so not only for their own sake sion and disdain heaped upon and the United States but also for Catholics." So he found himself the country of their fathers and beginning to say "we" rather than forefathers-Slovakia. "they" when he spoke of ethnics (page 63). Since that time, Prof. Slavs in Canada, Vol. m, Compiled and Edited by Prof. Cornelius J. Novak made a thorough study of Jaenen, University of Ottawa, the ethnic problem in the United 1971, 348 pages. Price: $7.00. States, mostly in its psychological, sociological and political aspects. The third volume of Slavs in Due to his philosophical educa- Canada contains proceeding of the tion and writing talent, Novak Third National Conference on Cawrote in his book some of the , nadian Slavs held in 1969 at York most interesting insights into the ' University in Toronto. Professors life, aspiration and problems of the of Slavic Studies at various Canamany millions of Americans who dian universities organized in 1965 are neither WASPS nor Blacks. under the leadership of Professor It is a delight to read for instance B. Bociurkiw a committee whose his chapter "Confessions of a task was to study the problems of White Ethnic" in which he ana- Canadian Slavs. The committee was lyses some of the basic psycho- successful in organizing the first logical problems which various Conference on Canadian Slavs in ethnic groups, especially Slavs, and Banff, the second in Ottawa, and as far as religion is concerned, all the third in Toronto, attracting American Catholics, had to face many specialists in Slavic and ethfrom the time of their immigration nic studies. While the first and up to the present day. second Conferences were dealing Prof. Novak who has been a staff predominantly with the general member in several recent political problems of Canadian Slavs, the campaigns, envisages the "unmelt- third Conference was divided into able ethnics" as the new political six sections dealing with research, force of the seventies. politics and law, education, IanHe came to that conclusion as guages and literature, journalism a result of the study of numerous and folklore. Altogether 22 papers books dealing with present day were presented and discussed in America, as his many references those sections and the volume unand quotations indicate. There is der review contains the edited text one thing which bothers, however, of the papers. �SLOVAKIA One of the most interesting studies in the volume is a volumi• nous paper on the ethnic identification and attitudes of university students of Ukrainian descent by Prof. B. Bociurkiw. His conclusions can apply to students of other Slavic groups not only in Canada but apparently also in the United States. Another paper of general interest was presented by Prof. V. Szyrynski on the subject "Ethnic Integration and Psychological Adjustment," while Prof. J . D. Gagnon from the Universite de Montreal gave his views about the position of immigrants in Quebec if that Province became independent 183 Jaroslaw A. Piekalkiewicz: Public Opinion PoUing in Czechoslovakia, 1968-69, Results and Analysis of Surveys Conducted During the Dubcek Era, Praeger Publishers, New York, Washington, London, 1972. The number of books which dealt with the political upheavals in Czecho-Slovakia in 1968, was so great that another book would seem superfluous. Some 60 books were published in the English language alone, and there were a dozen books in other West European languages. Nevertheless, the present volume on Public Opinion Besides these basic studies, the Polling will be very useful for hisvolume contains interesting intorians and students of Eastern sights into the Canadian education and minority rights, a study on the Europe. influence of the English language Its specific value lies in the fact on Slavic languages and the por• that it embraces the whole territory trayal of Canada's ethnic groups in of Czecho-Slovakia and pays attensome French Canadian novels. For tion to the relations between Slothe first time, the Conference paid vaks and Czechs which, in many attention to the ethnic press and other publications, was overlooked the papers dealing with the sub- or minimized. In addition, this book ject contained an essay on Byelo- expresses the opinions of many russian publications in Canada by Czechs and Slovaks and, as a result, A. A. Hrycuk, "The Ideological is not a write-up by an observer Orientation of the Canadian Slavic who was only partly familiar with Press" by J. M. Kirschbaum, and the problems and judged them on "Analysis of the Periodical Pub- the basis of his observations or lications of Canadian Slavs," by A. limited information received in Malycky. Prague. The book also seems to be free of the usual anti-Slovak bias, Some of these papers were of which we often find in political strictly scientific character while writings by Western historians and others contained general informa- specialists on Eastern Europe. tion or basic facts for further studies, and, therefore, the contents of The book is divided into 11 chapthe volume are uneven in their ters in which the author endeavorscholarly value. Nevertheless, the ed to find an answer to the quesbook is of importance not only for tion as to whether there was a acquainting Canadians with the revolution or counter-revolution; Slavic groups but it should also be what kind of socialism the Czechs considered as a valuable contribu- and Slovaks wanted to achieve; the tion to the general trend to build role of the existing non-communist Canada as a multi-cultural society. parties; the role of the National �184 SLOVAKIA Front, political parties and political opposition; popularity of individual leaders and attitudes on the economic system. _In conclusion, the author applied the findings to other communist states of Eastern Europe. The Slovaks resented their subjection aiid both physically and theoretically opposed the real or imaginary political, economic and cultum l dominance of the Czechs. With this dissatisfaction simmering throughout the years, it is not surprising to £ind that the 1968 Reformist Movement originated in Slovakia and was led by many Slovak individuals. It seems apparent...:....Concludes the author-that the Slovak · people viewed the Reformist Movement as an opportunity to gain . a real and equal autonomy within the Czechoslovak Federal system." If we take into consideration that all polls display flaws and inaccuracies, we could question s·ome of the results of the polls which the . author organized in Czecho-Slovakia and based thereon his conclusions. Nevertheless, his book seems to be closer to the real situation and feelings of the Slovaks and Czechs than the works of According to the polls, 94% of many observers who relied on more limited information either in per- Slovaks expressed the opinion that sonal contacts or printed sources. there was a· need for a new form of relationship between the Czechs One of the topics of interest for and Slovaks. Contrary to the opinSlovaks in this book is unboubtedly ion of other writers on the upheav"the traditional conflict between als in Czecho-Slovakia in 1968, the Czechs and Slovaks." This topic author also found a great number was treated in many books publish- of Czechs who supported the need ed in the West either inadequately for .a re-definition of the relationwith parti pris or else it was over- ship of Slovaks and Czechs within looked completely. In the view of the Republic. According to his the author "a discussion of the pub- findings, "of all the individuals lic's conception of the new politi- surveyed, only one out of 14 discal system in Czechoslovakia would agreed with the need for a ·re-definbe incomplete wi.thout considering ed relationship; This evidence the role and relationship of the says ,t he author-leaves no doubt two nations that composed the that the future realization of socialCzechoslovak Socialist Republic. He ist democracy . in Czechoslovakia dwelt, therefore, on this problem was to include a democratic and and found out that "historically, equal relationship between the the post-war communist govern- Czech and Slovak peoples" (pp. ment in Czechoslovakia closely fol- 110-112). There is no doubt · that lowed the one-nation philosophy about the same ·number would opt outlined in 1918 by ,t he founders for independence; if Slovaks had of Czechoslovak Republic. Urider full freedom of choice. this theory the Czechs and Slovaks were a single nation divided not by Milan S. f>urica (Ed.). Il Mondo ethnic differences but only by disSlavo, Vol. ni Ceseo, Centro similar historical patterns of deStudi Europa Orientale, Padova, velopment. These two peoples were 1971. to be bound together in a unified While in Slovakia books dealing state· under which the Slovaks enjoyed only a minimum autonomy. wrth Slovak culture, history, liter- �SLOVAKIA ature or philology are still directed predominantly towards Eastern Europe, Slovak intellectuals in the West have the duty to fulfill the gap which has been created by separating Slovakia from the free world. Among Slovak intellectuals in Europe Prof. Milan s. :Ourica distinguished himself by performing this role not only by his books and lectures in Western European countries, but since 1969, by editing the Italian academic periodical n Mondo Slavo (The Slavic World). In all three volumes of the periodical, which appeared until now, the contributions . on Slovak matters contain valuable information on history, language and culture of the Slovak people. The first volume, published in 1969, contained a well-written survey on the development of the Slovak literary language during the past 50 years by Adriana Feriencikova, and an article on Italian artizans and merchants in Slovakia in the 18th century by Anton Spiesz. In the second volume, published in 1970, Lisa Guarda Nardini analyzed the political and social doctrine of the late Slovak President, Dr. Joseph Tiso, under the title "Ideological Premises of Czecho-Slovak Federalism." In the third volume, Prof. Milan S. :Ourica, published some unknown and very interesting military documents from Italian archives about the death of M. R. Stefanik. (The essay is available also in a reprint and has been reviewed separately in Slovakia). From the Slovak point of view all these contributions are of special value. Not only for the reasons that under the present regime in Slovakia cultural contacts with the West are practically non-existent, 185 but also for the fact that there are still many misconceptions about Slovak culture, language and history among Western Slavists. The essay on the development of the Slovak literary language during the past 50 years by A. Feriencikova has also the merit of being well researched and containing all the basic facts and sources which can put the development of the Slovak language into proper perspective. In spite of many efforts of Slovak intellectuals in the West, historl still lln-·1 ...n th ans 5.....,.., or ere ~ 1 who W?te about the Slovak as being a dialect of the Czech language. Studies on the subject in Western languages are, therefore, never superfluous. Since Slavic studies considerably developed in all Western countries after the Second World War, n Mondo Slavo will acquaint Slavists with Slovakia not only in Italy, but also in many Western countries. This can be expected all the more in view of the high academic value of all contributions and careful edition of the periodical by Prof. !>urica. Among the contributors there are in all three volumes known Slavists of Italian or Slav origin, teaching at Italian universities. While several periodicals on Slavic matters published in other Western countries deal mostly with Russian culture and literature, 1l Mondo Slavo has shown distinction in paying attention to smaller Slavic nations and their cultures such as Slovenes, Croats and Slovaks. Students of Eastern Europe will, therefore, welcome Il Mondo Slavo since it will provide reliable scholarly information on Slavic peoples which are either misrepresented or rarely mentioned in academic periodicals published in French, English or German languages. �186 SLOVAKIA NEW COLLECTIONS OF SLOVAK EMIGRE POETRY Rudolf Diloni, Hladn11 vetrf.k (Hun- poetic biography in short poems gry Breeze), Edition Polana, full of grace, imagination and deep feelings. The collection, as well as Zurich, 1972, 86 pages. the entire Dilong's literary work Jan L. Dorfmsky, Od splnu po za- in exile would deserve a thorough tmenie (From the Full Moon to analytic evaluation, and not only the Eclipse), Series Lyra, Slovak passing reviews as this one, to apInstitute of SS. Cyril and Meth- preciate fully his work. odius, Rome, 1972, 110 pages. Doransky's book From the Full Slovak emigre literature is grow- Moon to the Eclipse deserves our ing inspite of the fact that we are special appreciation because due to again cut off from Slovakia and the unfavorable circumstances in exile, assimilation of the younger genera- we know -only a very small pa1t of tions is rapidly progressing among his literary work. Doransky is a Slovaks abroad. It is, however, poet of considerable versatility, mostly the first wave of Slovak and besides many lyrical verses post-war emigres who still create and patriotic poems, he wrote in belles lettres, and not the writers Canada a drama called Stara mat', who left Slovakia in recent years neopust'ajte nas (Grandmother Do Not Leave Us Alone, 1953), sucfor Western countries. The two collections of verses cessfully played by Slovak groups under review are by poets whose across Canada. Before coming to reputations were established in Canada, Doransky had published Slovakia and who during the past a play called Novou cestou (On A two decades belonged to the best New Path, 1930), and a collection and most prolific Slovak emigre of satirical verses Slep£ pasazieri (Blind Passengers, 1943). writers. In exile Doransky's poetry was Dilong's Hungry Breeze is again personal lyrical poetry in which published in various anthologies: his talent and mastership remind Vo vyhnanstve (1947); Zdravica sv. us of pleasant spiritual vibrations Cyrilovi a M etodovi ( 1963) ; in litfull of color, joy, sadness, mixed erary periodicals and in almanacs with hope and faith. The book is and newpapers. In recent years his divided into four chapters, each epigrams, published either in the chapter starting with appropriate quarterly Most, Literarn11 Almaillustrations by Jan Mraz, a talent- nach Slovaka 11 Amerike or in ed graphic artist from the new newspapers and almanacs, became preferred reading among Slovak wave of Slovak emigration. While all chapters contain beauti- intelligentsia in the free world. ful lyrical poetry, readers will wel- Besides poetry, Doransky wrote a come especially Chapter 4 entitled: number of short novels and other Slovak Women (Album). Dilong prose contributions under the penpublished here some of the most name Hamornik and J. D. Oravee. Doransky came from a part of beautiful verses which we can find in modern Slovak poetry and in Slovakia which gave to Slovak litSlovak poetry in general, except erature and public life many outfor Mari na by Sladkovic. In the first standini poets and novelists. He three chapters Dilong dreams a- inherited a love for literature and bout his young years, his parents, began to write in his early youth, his native Orava. It is a sort of first for students' periodicals, later �SLOVAKIA for literary and cultural monthlies. When the Russian armies over-ran Slovakia, Doransky with thousands of other Slovak intellectuals left with his family for the West. After spending a few months in Austria and two years in Assissi and Rome, he landed in Canada in 1949 and has lived in Montreal for the past 23 years. Very recently a collection of his epigrams was published with a lengthy commentary by F. Vnuk and enthusiastically received by critics and readers. Those who know Doransk:y are aware of the fact that the published epigrams are just a selection of the large number he wrote during his lifetime. We can say the same about the present collection of Iyrical and patriotic verses. They are also a selection from his many verses and we have to acknowledge that it is an excellent selection. The book is dd.vided into four parts and presents a spiritual profile of the poet and poetic sketches from his journey from Slovakia through Italy to Canada, as well as fine lyrical verses dedicated to his wife, daughter and grand-daughter. As in Dilongs's collection, the best part seems to be his chapter on Slovak women, in Doransky's book the finest verses are about his mother, and mothers in general. The title of the book expresses accurately the contents of the collection which certainly will rank among the best lyrical Slovak poetry in exile. A short biographical note was added to the collection by J . M. Rydlo and the cover was artistically designed by the poet's son :Cudovit In the opinion of this reviewer, Doransky deserves a thorough analysis and evaluation of his literary work in order that we may appreciate it adequately. 187 Rudolf Dilong: Ponukam chlieb so sol'ou-I Offer Bread and Salt, Translated by Sister M. Martina Tybor. Published by Dobra kniha 1971, Galt, Ontario, Bilingual, 151 pages. By publishing this bilingual collection of poetry in prose, Rudolf Dilong proved once more that he is the most prolific and versatile contemporary poet in exile. The number of books he published in Slovakia, which he left in defiance of her Communist rulers, as well as the number of books published during his long exile in Argentina and the U.S.A., is impressive and unrivalled by any other Slovak writer. Attracted by new currents in French inter-war Catholic poetry and surrealism, Dilong experimented in many poetic forms and due to his great love for life and gay temper, was the "enfant terrible" among the Slovak Catholic poets of his generation. The present book is another experiment in fo rm and contents and by publishing it in English and Slovak, it was the merit for acquainting foreign readers with an interesting sample of Slovak literature as well as with the author himself. Dilong's reputation as a poet was well established before he left his native country. Besides publishing 14 collections of poems, two dramas, and two collections of prose, he also was very active in organizing literary journals, and contributed practically to all Slovak cuttural periodicals and anthologies of Slovak poetry. In addition, he was either co-founder or editor of two literary periodicals Postup (193436) and Nove Slovo (1939-40). In exile he remained one of the leading and again most profilic poets. His poetry remained strongly nationalistic, deeply religious in essence but not homiletic in form �188 SLOVAKIA or content, humble and rebellious and usually expressed in beautiful images and practically varied forms. While several other Slovak poets did not find opportunities in exile to publish their works, Dilong's books were published in rapid succession. From 1950 to 1970 he produced and published some 20 books either in Buenos Aires, where he spent nearly 20 years of his exile, or recently in the United States. Many of his manuscripts perished together with his books, when Peron was burning churches in Argentina. As in Slovakia, his poetic production in exile has been varied in forms and themes but the basic overtones of a patriot and Franciscan friar, even if not following always the dogma and rules of his religious order, remained the main characteristic of his entire literary work in immigration. Some of his verses became hymns for Slovak exiles, recited on various solemn occasions and re-published many times in Slovak periodicals and newspapers. Several of Dilong's poems were translated into Spanish, Polish and French. With his great love for life and because of his patriotic zeal and fiery poetry, he became one of the most interesting figures among Slovak writers. Some of his first poems inspired by their contents and musical rhythm Slovak composers in their compositions, and several poems became songs of the Slovak youth, as well as of the Slovak army. The book under review is divided into three parts: The house will bleach to ash; Out of bounds without bounds, and Human hands. Each part contains a number of short reflective and highly imaginative poems in prose which compel the reader to meditate and think about our age, our neighbor, poverty, suffering, rebellion, smile; about our life and death, emotions and beliefs, about God and man. As such, it is a valuable addition to Dilong's work and to Slovak literature. Jan Okal': Cielito Lindo, Edicia Dobra kniha, Galt, Ontario, 1972, Illustration by J. G. Cincik, 65 p. For the past several years Slovak emigre poetry was enriched by a number of beautifully illustrated collections of verse by leading Slovak poets abroad. While some of the collections contained patriotic verses and personal lyrical poetry with Slovak topics, in other collections we find poetry inspired by the beauty of foreign countries in which Slovaks either lived or visited. Okal"s masterfully illustrated collection Cielito Lindo is an outstanding example of this new poetry, and it is not easy to say if the reader enjoys more the verses or the beautiful illustrations. In any case, there is a lot of artistic value and enjoyment for the reader and we cannot but feel a certain pride that in the modest circumstances in exile, Slovak literature can afford the luxury of such books. In a certain way, Jan Okal' deserves credit for introducing into Slovak literature this combination of poetry and visual arts. Already his first published collection George Janosik: A Carpathian Saga, published in 1953, and his chronicle in 13 poems entitled Kronika Slovakov (The Chronicle of Slovaks, 1954), were published in the same form. Then for a number of years, this gifted Slovak poet remained silent, except for publishing here and there verses in the literary journal Most or the Literarny Almanach Slovaka v Amerike. In �SLOVAKIA 1970, appeared his colleetion of verses Vada a vino (Water and Wine), in which Okal' reminisced about the years spent in Italy and especially in Rome. The present collection is a sort of continuation of the book Voda a vino. This time he is drawing in his poems, usually not longer than one or two verses, beautiful images of places in Mexico. Jan Okal' is a gifted and refined poet, and we hope that he will continue to publish poetry of such outstanding taste and artistic value. Jan E. Bor, Eugen Vesnin - Un poeta Eslovaco en tierras Mediterraneas, Buenos Aires, 1972, 71 pages. Among Slovak intellectuals who assiduously worked in exile for the past 20 years in order to make Slovak literature known to the Spanish reading public, Jan E. Bor has been the most prolific. Either in his own writings or in translations, he published a considerable number of essays and studies on Slovak poetry and prose not only in periodicals but also in book form. The present essay on the poet Eugen Vesnin is one of his most recent publications. The publication is divided into eight chapters in which Bor analyzes Vesnin's poetry, his personality, the reaction to Vesnin's poetry by readers and literary critics either on the part of Slovaks or Italians who acclaimed Vesnin for his collection of verses in Italian 189 language. In the last two chapters Bor analyzes Vesnin's attachment to Etruria and his enchantment with feminine beauty. Bor writes on Vesnin's poetry with the usual skill and knowledge of literary science for which he was known already in Slovakia where he belonged to the best known literary critics of his generation. In exile he lowered sometimes his yardstick when writing on Slovak emigre writers and poets, but his erudition in literary science has been evident in every book and essay he had published during the past twenty years. The portrait of Vesnin in Bor's publication is not only favorable but also well balanced and presented in Bor's baroque style. According to Bor, Vesnin belongs to the best Slovak lyrical poets among Slovak emigre writers and enriched Slovak literature by many themes inspired by the beauty of Rome and the Mediterranean area where Vesnin has lived the past three or four decades. Several collections of Vesnin's poetry undoubtedly prove that Italy enchanted him, though many of his verses were written with patriotic overtones and "heimweh" for his native Slovakia. Since every book on Slovak literature in foreign languages is a valuable contribution to our efforts to acquaint the Western world with Slovak culture, we cannot but welcome the newest publication by Prof. Jan E. Bor. J. M. K i r s c h b a um THE SLOVAK LEAGUE OF AMERICA heartily commends all efforts of our governmental and other organs to ferret out and unmask all Communists and fellow travellers, as well as all persons and organizations who wittingly or unwittingly give aid and comfort to the conspiracy of Communism promoted by the Soviet Union. �190 SLOVAKIA BOOKS ON JEWS IN SLOVAKIA Reviewed by Dr. Arved G r e b e r t during the past several centuries. The first volume contains an especially worthwhile article in two parts by Dr. Lidia Rothkirchen, a member of the research staff of Yad Vashem in Jerusalem. Her contribution, "Slovakia (1848-1938)" presents a very keen and rather accurate picture of the history of Slovakia and the Jews in that country. Naturally, in all of the articles dealing with the law, religion, social organization, etc., the writers faithfully record the history of the Jews in Slovakia. The second volume contains the article of Rabbi Hugo Stransky who was a former chief rabbi in Zilina. His is an arresting chapter on "The Religious Life in Slovakia and Subcarpathian Ruthenia," Then, too, Frank Reichenthal's "Jewish Art in Slovakia" is a very interesting review by the former chief of the department of decorative art at the State School of Applied Arts in Bratislava from 1932 to 1938. Before emigrating to United States in 1948 he served as president of the Slovak Artists' Association from 1946 to 1947. This first volume contains Eugen Barkany's "Jewish Cemeteries in Slovakia" article by the late architect and builder ( 1886-1967) and co-founder of the Jewish Museum in Presov, Slovakia. Some of the artistic motives on the gravestones, the writer observes, show a definite influence of Slovak folk art, indicating a close, intimate relationship between the Jews and the Slovaks. Gertrude Hirschler's "The His- The Jews of Czechoslovakia, histori- Europe cal studies and surveys, edited by "The Jewish Publication Society of America," Philadelphia, and the "Society for the History of Czechoslovak Jews," New York, Vol. I, 5728-1968, pp. 583, Vol. II, 5732-1971, pp. 707. Library of Congress Catalog Card No. 67-12372. Up to the present time two volumes on the history of the Jews in Czecho-Slovakia constitute an unusually valuable contribution on the history of the inhabitants of that state. The Jews in Czech lands, in Slovakia and in Sub-Carpathian Russia (Ruthenia) made a vital contribution to the Jews in general but also to the history of the people in those regions, namely, the Czechs, Germans, Slovaks, Magyars and the Ukrainians. The authors of the various articles by their objective and calm tone do not digress from a strictly scientific analysis, even when the themes, which in their tragic dimensions and consequences, understandably provide the occasion for an outburst of wrath and recrimination. In this respect the work is extraordinary effective and convincing. In no way do the authors avoid sensitive subjects. They neither ignore nor sidestep realities that have frequently been used as pretexts for criticism by the enemies of Jewry. These they explain and place in special categories in the destiny of the Jews, for example, in the framework of the historical evaluation of central and eastern �SLOVAKIA tory of Agudah Israel in Slovakia (1918-1939)" is interesting, too. Of course, in all of the articles ranging from studies of various movements, organizational life, religious welfare, education, art, etc., there is a large number of facts about the life of the Jews in Slovakia and their relationship to the local inhabitants, chiefly, the Slovaks and Magyars. The number is so great that it is virtually impossible to review them all but at least we have mentioned some of them relating specifically to Slovakia. Dr. Lidia Rothkirchen's "Slovakia (1848-1938)" deserves special attention. Her article in two parts covers 53 pages. A number of facts mentioned are known only by Slovak historians and experts. For instance, the writer states that in 1858 there were 308 Jewish schools in Hungary. Of this number 131, ie., almost 45%, were located in the Bratislava school district. Bratislava, therefore, was a very important center of Jewish learning in the kingdom of Hungary. Among the charter members of the Matica Slovenska (the leading cultural organization of the Slovaks in the last century) we find a number of Jews. When the government in Budapest gave orders to close down the Slovak central schools (junior colleges) in Revuca, Klastor pod Znievom and Turciansky Svaty Martin (all in Slovakia at the time under Hungarian imperial rule), two Jewish members of the Diet (Moritz Wehrman and Eduard Horn) spoke up and requested that the schools be kept open. Dr. Lidia Rothkirchen notes that before the Jews won equal rights in Hungary, the people of Liptovsky Sv. Mikulas elected Izak Diner, a Jew, as Mayor of the city. A number of Jews later served as mayors in the same city. She 191 reminds the reader that Slovak Jews played an important role in the Zionist movement in the kingdom of Hungary. Two Jews from Bardejov (eastern Slovakia), Julius Davidsohn and Julius Davidovic, attended the first Zionist Congress in Basle, Switzerland (1897). Eight of thirteeen Zionist chapters established in Hungary were located in Slovakia, namely, in Bratislava, Nitra, Trnava, Prefov, Ko~ice, Kezmarok, Dolny Kubin and Banska Bystrica, and the first Zionist congress in Hungary convened in Bratislava in 1903. The following year the World Mizrahi Congress met in the Slovak capital. The writer notes that the Magyar government in Budapest considered the Zionist movement with the same disfavor as it did the nationalistic movement of the Slovaks in their country. During World War I both the Zionist movement and the activities of the Slovak patriots were banned by law. Names of outstanding Jewish writers and scientists are listed by Dr. Rothkirchen. She points out that Jewish writers in their novels and romances touched upon the J ewish problem in the framework of a Slovak historical background. Dr. Lidia Rothkirchen cites that in 1921 of a totaI of 135,918 Jews in Slovakia, 70,522 were registered as Jews, 29,290 as Slovaks and the rest as Magyars, Germans, Rusins, etc. The 1930 census showed 44,009 registered as Slovaks and 72,644 as J ews. This figure represents quite convincing proof of the rapid Slovakization of the Jewish population. Had it not been for the tragic events of World War II, this process of amalgamation would have inevitably resulted in a very advantageous symbiosis of the Slovak Jews and the Slovaks. She writes (page 105): From 1933 on "the Slovaks more and more o- �192 SLOVAKIA penly advocated either detachment from Czechoslovakia altogether and establishment of an independent Slovakia, or a Slovakia which would enjoy much wider autonomy and self-rule." In general this work may be accepted as a very valuable contribution to the history of the people inhabiting Czecho-Slovakia. Every public or private library should have it on its shelves. No scholar who is interested in the history of this area can be without it. To a large extent without the untiring efforts of L'udovit Sturc, president of the Society for the History of the Czechoslovak Jews in New York, this important work in two volumes would not have come to press. Mr. Sturc is a native of Slovakia and a friend of Slovak writers and artists. Unfortunately, so far his work has not been adequately appreciated. cin, Kosice, Jasov, Spisske Podhradie, Levoca, Kezmarok, Podolinec, Nove Zamky and Hlohovec. Kosice, Bardejov, Trencin, Skalica, Hlohovec, Trnava, Pezinok and Bratislava are listed separately as centers of Jewish libraries and culture. Dr. Schreiber, recognized universally as an authority in his field, considers the material found in the area now known as Slovakia as an important part of the culture of the Jews who inhabited Hungary during the Middle Ages. This work, which was lacking in scientific literature, is the beginning of further research in the archives and libraries in this direction throughout Slovakia. It is, at the same time an interesting proof, or evidence, for the tradition of the high degree of culture of the population in Slovakia during the Medieval era. Karl Baum: Nazi Anti-Jewish Legislation in the Czech Protectorate, a Documentary, in "Soviet Jewish Affairs," a Journal on Jewish Problems in the USSR and Eastern Europe, London, No. 3, May, 1972. Published by the Institute Dr. Alexander Schreiber, director of Jewish Affairs, London, in asof the Rabbinical Seminary in Busociation with the World Jewish dapest, has written a very noteCongress in Geneva. worthy book on the cultural history Karl Baum's article is noteworthy of the Jews in Slovakia during the Medieval era. The book contains a for several reasons. In his introlist and analysis of 172 Hebrew duction the writer states that the codex fragments which were used anti-Jewish legislation in the Czech protectorate (1939-1945) has not for book-bindings. Together with Arpad Zoltan of been properly treated in ternationthe Slovak Academy of Sciences in al scientific writings so far, while Bratislava the author studied the a rich and documented literature archives and libraries in the fol- about anti-Jewish regulations in lowing Slovak cities and towns: Hitler's Germany does exist. Those Bratislava, Cerveny Kamen pri who studied this question outside Modre, Pezinok, Jur near Bratisla- of Hitler's sphere ordinarily did va, Trnava, Nitra, Nova Bana, Ban- not study the laws of the protectorska Bystrica, Turciansky Svaty ate, which they assumed were an Martin, Dolny Kubin, Bytca, Tren- integral part of the Reich and those Alexander Schreiber: Hebriiische Kodexuberreste in Ungarlb."ndischen Eibandstafeln. Heber Kodexmaradvanyok magyarorszagi kotestablakban. Budapest, 1969. I �SLOVAKIA who studied anti-Jewish laws in Hitler's Germany did not consider the protectorate because it did not belong directly to the framework of the Third Reich. Baum, at least, partially fills this void. The writer gives a detailed study on anti-Jewish legislation in the Czech Protectorate and traces the execution of the laws not only by the Nazis but also by the Czech government officials in the Protectorate. Baum's study from this viewpoint is highly important because he has brought to the international forum little known or unknown facts which were hidden on the pages of "The Collection of Laws and Regulations" promulsignatures of President (Dr.) Hacha or Czech ministers. Baum emphasizes that these laws of the wartime Czech protectorate "reflect only part of the unmitigated evil to which one of the leading Jewish communities was to fall victim. They carry little evidence of persecution and harassment on the local level, nor do they mirror the share of those of non-German vintage in Czechoslovakia who had come in to participate in the great hunt of the century and to divide its spoils. It must be left to future historians to establish their contribution to the tragedy of Czechoslovak Jewry." Baum calls attention to the December 1, 1930, Census in CzechoSlovakia as listing the number of Jews as 356,830, which is inaccurate inasmuch 15,000 Jews from Germany found refuge there when Hitler came to power. Of 854,600 who were registered as atheists in Czecho-Slovakia, according to Baum, at least 10% were of Jewish origin. Moreover, there was no provision for a natural increase of the Jewish population from 1930 to 1939. Consequently, the author's estimate has some 457,000 Jews in Czecho-Slo- 193 vakia by 1938, hence actually 100,000 more than is generally indicated in the figures. All of the above, the author concludes, became innocent victims of inhumane discrimination and inhuman mistreatment in the lands of the Czech Protectorate during World War II. ANNUAL FURDEK Jednota Annual FURDEK 1973, Vol. XII, 1973. Edited by Joseph C. Krajsa. Publisher, The First Catholic Slovak Union. Printed by Jednota Press, Middletown, Pa. 208 pages. This publication, Jednota Annual Furdek, continues commendably in the footsteps of Philip A. Hrobak, the first editor who conceived the idea of addressing it to our youth for their benefit. The present volume offers the youthful reader valuable information and inspiration as well. The 12th volume is definitely youth oriented, for it gives several phases of the background of our early Slovak immigrants to American shores and a look at the historic homeland of our parents and grandparents. Quite appropriately the Furdek leads off with a pictorial introduction of the officers of the Jednota because they are the official representatives of the organization that has a membership close to 100,000. Daniel Tanzone discusses fraternalism and the Slovak immigrant in a highly readable and documented study of the origins and growth of Slovak fraternal organizations in this country. Introduction of Janko Kral', Slovak revolutionary poet of the 19th century, by Joseph Kirschbaum, Ph.D., LL.D., of Toronto, Canada, is rather timely in view of current �194 SLOVAKIA Catholic unity is a .serious reminder in our times to stand united in the Faith of our Fathers when diversity of opinions, various modes of liturgical worship, and even divergent doctrinal proposals are dangerous challenges to the orthodoxy of our faith. Father Franko's Slovak Christmas Eve sacred vignette should be adopted by every Christian family to help preserve the spirit and true meaning of a genuinely Christian yuletide season. Reproductions (in exquisite color) of the stained glass windows adorning the Chapel of the Jednota Home are a pictorial portrayal of the spirit of faith that inspired their creation and at the same time a public testimonial of honor of two of the most famous Slovak priests of our age, namely, Father Furdek, founder of the Jednota, and Father Tiso, the martyr-president of the Slovak Republic. Clevelanders will no doubt find the article by Slovak Bet1edictine scribe, Fr. Andrew V. Pier, 0.S.B., on early Slovak immigrants interesting . . . and his other contributions informative. The story about Staff Sergeant Frank Mitka, a Veteran of the U.S. Army for more than thirty years, brings into the limelight a career soldier who enjoyed military life . . . he was a forerunner of the present-day volunteer army. The valaska, a traditional Slovak weapon designed for protection ... not aggression . . . is a national symbol of strength and resistance The Slovak Catholic Federation against the forces of injustice and of America is primarily an associa- tyranny. Sheep and their shepherds in tion of Slovak Catholic fraternal organizations that hold the Church Slovakia are the subjects of a roin highest esteem because their mantic setting (an idyllic scene on members accept it as a society the mountainside) with the venerestablished by Christ for the salva- able 'baca' holding his young proteges spell-bound as they listen to tion of their immortal souls. Monsignor Gallik's article on an endless series of thrilling epi- trends that are characterized by the same spirit of restlessness, r adical change, disillusionment and a mixture of hope and despair that marked the life and work of a Slovak poet who was in the forefront of the struggle for social justice and political freedom. St. Joseph the Workman, the universal patron of workingmen everywhere, is a favorite saint of men who must toil at manual labor. The statue of St. Joseph overlooking the industrial environs of St. Michael Slovak parish, Munhall, Pa., in the heart of the steel industry of the Pittsburgh area is a constant inspiration to the passerby. Tribute to Karl Pacanovsky, 'a philosopher-craftsma n' at the Hill School in Pottstown, Pa. for more than three decades, is a well deserved one for a Slovak worker who was dedicated to his tasks in his workshop. R. H. Andrews' article on India is an eye-opener for those who know so little about the great work accomplished by Catholic missionaries in the Far East. Furdek's youth panel of scholarship winners (39 young men and 2:5 young women) is a fine representation of Jednota's honor students of the past year. Paul Berish in his Relevant contribution finds fault ... and rightly so . . . with the mishandling of facts about the Slovaks and their history by American journalists, newsreporters, and even socalled editorial writers and historians. �SLOVAKIA sodes around the fireside after the evening chores are done, but members of a definite economic class that is an asset to the country and its people. Even the Croatians, by exception, get a boost in this year's Furdek as Father Wuerl recalls the 1,000th anniversary of the feast of St. Blaise, celebrated in the town of Dubrovnik, Croatia, on February 3, 1972. Paul Berish uncovers the 'hidden life of Brother Rudolf' over a span of fifty years as a tailor in the service of the Lord in the tailorshop of a monastic Redemptorist community. Salt in Slovakia has been a rich commodity for Slovakia and neighboring states in central Europe for many centuries. Solivar, near Pre~ov, continues to mine salt to the present day by modern methods and techniques. Michael Kurak of the Holy Trinity Slovak parochial school in Yonkers, N. Y. tells the world he is a Slovak . . . and proud of it! Father Robert Terentieff is presented by Dr. Michael Simko to our readers as an artist, teacher, dramatist, zealous shepherd of souls and preserver of Slovak customs in Connecticut. The pictorial contribution of Paul C. Fallat, Slovak artist, on an important phase in the life of Father Hlinka who was 'a fearless fighter for Slovak freedom' is an atractive re-enactment of the highlights of the Slovak leader's dynamic career that helped win the struggle for the Slovak nation's political freedom before World War II. American and Canadian Translators of Slovak poetry by Dr. J . M. Kirschbaum, Slovak diplomat and writer, not only touches upon translations of Slovak poems but lists a considerable number of 195 translations from Slovak prose. Included in the list of translators with such world known personalities as Bjornson, Seton-Watson and Denis are W. Kirkconnell, J. Vajda, I. Kramoris, M. Sprinc, K. Strmen and Sister M. Tybor, SS.C.M. The Tool Box by Alvin Lehar brings to light an amusing incident in the early life of Stan Sladek, a Slovak professional football player from the Bronx in the 1950's and 1960's. Dorothy Day, the 74-year-old Catholic social worker, speaker, publisher and activist during most of her lifetime, is given tribute by Joseph McLellan who characterizes the remarkable champion of social justice and evangelical poverty as 'a prophet of Catholic social concern.' Dr. Kirschbaum attempts to sift the truth from falsehood in the conflicting accounts involving the creation of the Slovak Republic on March 14, 1939 . . . almost six months before the German invasion of Poland started the war. Australia beckoned several thousand freedom-loving Slovaks to seek their livelihood there after their country was locked up behind the Iron Curtain. Approximately ten thousand Slovaks in exile are found in southern Australia. Father Matthew Jankola (founder of the Religious Order of SS. Cyril and Methodius in Danville, Pa.) has a proper evaluation of his lifework in the biographical sketch of Daniel Tanzone, young Slovak writer. Another promising young Slovak writer, Michael J. Krajsa, rightly gives credit to our early American Slovak leaders for establishing fraternal societies, churches, schools and social-cultural centers that flourished in their time. Krajsa concentrates on the story of the Jednota primarily. �196 SLOVAKIA Interspersed throughout the volume are short poems, designed no doubt for inspiration as well as variety . . . these adequately fulfill their purpose. Rt. Rev. Jerome Koval, 0.S.B SLOVAK PIONEERS IN AMERICA Jozef Pauco, Ph.D. Slovenski priekopnici v Amerike (Slovak Pioneers in America). First Catholic Slovak Union, Cleveland, 0. , 1972. 358 pages. Illustrated. $4.95. Slovak Pioneers in America (Slovenski priekopnici v Amerike), from the pen of Dr. Joseph Pauco, is another publication of the Jednota Press of the First Catholic Slovak Union. The book is dedicated as a living witness to the staunch and lasting accomplishments of those Slovak pioneerspriests, religious and laity-who with their whole being stood in the service of the American Slovaks. Many made outstanding cultural and literary contributions that have become part of the lasting treasury of America's worth. On these factual pages, the author and the First Catholic Slovak Union fulfill an obligation which is due to Slovak nation since it gave to America fully one-third of its people. These immigrants filled all facets of American labor and pulled themselves up from the mines, the iron pits and steel mills to the ranks of Generals, professional men, and business men, but most of all they led their people to be loyal citizens of their new country, the United States of America. It is in this vein that Pauco presents his new book Slovenski priekopnici v Amerike. When the book is translated into English, the third and fourth generations of American Slovaks will be able to fully evaluate all the accomplishments and contributions of their pioneer parents and grandparents-not only what they did for them, but for the over three million American Slovaks and for the whole of America. Pauco's work required serious research and documentation. In an objective manner he credits the life and works of the pioneers and categorizes them in their proper niche in the history of the American Slovaks, in America and the Slovak nation. He presents those leading pioneers who played the greatest role in the cultural field; those who organized fraternal societies, parishes, schools, and religious orders; those who preserved the literary culture with the publication of newspapers and books; and those who were fired with the ideal of liberty that even permeated to Slovakia. It was the American Slovaks who initiated the movement for an independent Slovakia prior to World War I. They were proud of the document known as the "Pittsburgh Pact" which became the platform of the political party in Slovakia seeking autonomy for the Slovak people. This was a unique display of cooperation and a symbolic gesture between the Slovak nation and the emigrated American Slovaks. Father J oseph A. Gajdosik, Supreme Chaplain of the First Catholic Slovak Union and Chairman of its Literary Committee-himself an eloquent and gifted writergave a few thoughts concerning Pauco's new book as he remembered reading the installments in the Jednota. "The stories of the Slovak pioneers are very provocative, enlightening and very stimulating. They reveal the joyous faith that the Slovak pioneers had, which in �197 SLOVAKIA turn motivated them in their endeavors to better their lives, and help assure a better future for their loved ones, and for Slovaks in general. The realism that FAITH has many faces is beautifully depicted in the lives of the many characters who appear in the Priekopnici! "The lives of these pioneers communicate the personal and devoted consecration to the Slovak motto of living for God and People, to such a degree, that undoubtedly young adults of the second, third, etc., Slovak generation, who perhaps have difficulty of choosing a career, will be aided by the publication of this book to select a career, which will fulfill their vocation for life. "The 'Slovak Cause' is no longer a hot issue in the average life of an American of Slovak ancestry, in fact, I find a reversing trend. However, if this book can make one cognizant of his Slovak origin, it may serve to help one gain heights which otherwise would be out of bounds, e.g. Michael Novak, and his noted book The Rise of the Unmeltable Ethnics. "Pauco's book is one sure way to arousing interest in the Slovak heritage on a personal and individual basis, especially among our younger people. Hopefully, an English translation will be made in the near future, so that devotion to the Slovak ethnicity will be fostered. "The book should bolster Dr. Joseph Pauco's strong thoughts about the termination and death of the Slovak language in the United States. The book is also a warning to our fair-weather-Slovaks, who claim that they received little if anything from their Slovak ancestors, for it teaches that much Slovak affluence and prestige is di- rectly the result of the conduct and work of our pioneers. "It behooves our brethren who are ashamed of their Slovak ethnicity, to study their history, and learn how everything they have was given to them, and that they should give themselves for others as our pioneers did. The ultimate lesson is that we, Americans of Slovak ancestry, should foster and serve the Slovak cause and ideal, at least as much, if not better then our pioneers in early America." Dr. Joseph Pauco came to the United States 22 years ago. He earned his doctorate in Philosophy at the Slovak University in Bratislava. As a historian and journalist, he has dedicated himself fully to the service of the American Slovaks. He has spent all his time in the United States on the editorial staff of Jednota, the Catholic Weekly of the First Catholic Slovak Union. He is also the publisher of the oldest Slovak newspaper in America Slovak v Amerike (American Slovak) and is a contributor to many other periodicals. He is the author of over 20 books, mostly dedicated to the life of the American Slovaks, including the history of the First Catholic Slovak Union and the lives of Fr. Stephen Furdek and Fr. Matthew Jankola. His many hundreds of articles, especially the column "Slovaci a ich zivot" (Slovaks and Their Life ) in Jedno ta, systematically record the accomplishments and efforts of the American Slovaks and their institutions. Slovenski priekopnici v Amerike is in itself a pioneer book. Nothing to date has been published in such documentary detail about American Slovak pioneers. The First Catholic Slovak Union is proud to publish this vital literary work of Dr. Joseph Pauco. Joseph c. Krajsa �198 SLOVAKIA JANKOLA'S CENTENNIAL Jankola centennial Books.-Pamiitnica 100-ho vyrocia narodenia Otca Matusa Jankolu (1872-1972). - Jankola Book. Honoring the Centennial of the Birth of Father Matthew Jankola (1872-1972) Both of these books were prepared and published by the Sisters of Saints Cyril and Methodius, collaborating at Jankola Library in Danville, Pennsylvania, July-August, 1972, under the chairmanship of Sister M. Martina Tybor. The historian of the future who undertakes a study of the history of the Slovak people will inevitably reach out for the most objective of resource materials available. And it is just such a balanced, such a level and extraordinary objective and tastefully factual contribution that has appeared this year as an enrichment in the specific field of Slovak-American immigrant chronicles. The work consists of two distinct volumes, one in English and one in Slovak (similar but not identical in content), delineating the life and the achievements of Father Matthew Jankola, pioneer SlovakAmerican priest and patriot, who was a leader, educator, writer, and the founder of the American community, Sisters of Saints Cyril and Methodius. This eminently commendable publication project was endorsed and sponsored by Mother M. Valeria Romanchek, Superior General of the congregation, and it became a reality only by reason of the dedication, diligence, and scholarship of the Sisters who were fittingly associated with Jankola Library in this undertaking. Jankola Library is directed by Sister M. Martina Tybor and under her chairmanship there evolved an editorial committee consisting of Mother M. Emerentia Petra~ek, Sister M. Lilliana Kardo~, Sister M. Consuela Gregorovic, Sister M. Philomena Abbick, Sister M. Tarcisia Gregorovic and Sister Donna Marie Ivanko. By their personal effort and professional talent these Sisters worked to contribute every aspect of the publication: the researching and compiling of data, literary composition, technical composing and preparation of copy, multilith reproduction, collating and binding. Susan Oravec of Peckville, Pa. designed the artistic and becoming cover portrait, and photography was done by Joseph McGlinn of Danville and John Gre~kovic of Olyphant, Pa. The books credit items of information etc. contributed by Sisters M. John Vianney, M. Eileen McCoy, M. Regina, M. Bernardine, M. Raphael, and M. Yolanda. Each volume consists of 134 pages, is fully protected by copyright and is dedicated to the memory of the esteemed Founder of this American community of sisters whose prime apostolates are teaching and caring for the orphaned and the aged. The sisters thus express the gratitude which is justly due to Father Jankola not only by this community but by all the Slovak people both in this country and abroad, especially for his priestly zeal in promoting spirituality and culture, for his selfsacrifice on behalf of his fellowman, his leadership and vision as well as his determination to better the lot of the Slovak immigrant in America. The opening pages of each souvenir book contain commemorative poetry of high quality. The text also includes rich and informative articles such as a biography which cover the fruitful work of Father Jankola's lifetime of less than fifty �SLOVAKIA years, a historical survey of the founding of the community and reminiscences of some who knew Father J ankola well. Another important contribution in these books is the descriptive account of Jimkola Library at Danville, Pa., its holdings, areas of service, prospects, etc. Of special interest is a picture of Father J ankola's two surviving sisters, Mrs. Irma J ankola Srbova and Mrs. Luisa J ankola Sopkova of Slovakia, together with a reproduction of the congratulatory lines which they sent to grace the centennial celebration. As a special supplement in each book are the news reports and 199 photographs which record the centennial observance and the Jankola Exhibit of Memorabilia held at Danville on August 13, 1972. The news accounts were prepared by Dr. Joseph Pauco, Slovak journalist and editor, and by Rev. Augustine J. Zan, Chaplain at Maria J oseph Manor. These unique books creditably record the work of Father Jankola and honor him worthily for the legacy which he bequeathed to the Church, to the Slovak nation and to his adopted country, the USA. Although this is a limited edition, copies are still available at J ankola Library, Danville, Pa. 17821. Rev. Augustine J. Za n Annual S L O V A K I A is published by the Slovak League of America, 313 Ridge Ave., Middletown, Pa. 17057. Subscription $3.00. Editor: Joseph Pauto, Ph. D. Editorial Board: Draga 0/vlnska, Louis Kandra, Joseph M. Kirschbaum, Ph.D., Joseph A. Miku§, Ph. 0., Fr. Andrew Pier, O.S.B., M.A., Daniel F. Tanzone, M.A., Sister M. Tybor, SS.C.M., M.A. �SLOVAKIA 200 Contents The Slovak Word Abroad - Gorazd Zvonicky - 3 Twenty Years of the Slovak Institute in Cleveland - Joseph Paufo,Ph.D. -16 The Inflectional Morphology of Standard Slovak: A Descriptive Analysis John Michael Kochik, Ph:D. - 24 The Ethnical Philosophy of nudovit Stur - Stefan Polakovi~ - 29 Fortieth Anniversary Canadian Slovak League - Edward J. Behuncik -48 Youth in Search of Slovak Identity and Pride - John Llhani, Ph.D. -53 A New Phase in the Socialist Economic Reform - V. J. Hurley - 57 The Renaissance of the Slovak American Literature - P. O'Reilly - 66 Cultural Revival of American and Canadian Slovaks - Jozef Paufo, Ph.D. -72 Dr. J. M. Kirschbaum - F . Vnuk - 82 Select Bibliography of Foreign Language Writings by Prof. J. M. Kirschbaum - 92 Evaluation of Dr. Kirschbaum's Writings by Critics - 101 /Diplomatic and Consular Relations of Slovakia with Neutral States - J. M. Kirschbaum, Ph.D. - 111 Mother M . Emerentia Petrasek - 123 The Declining Democratic Facade: Czecho-Slovakia 1948-1960 - S. J.B. -129 Youth, Our Hope - Pavo! 0 . Hviezdoslav - 140 Ethnicity and Research - Dr. Steven I. Miller - 141 Ethnics Work Hard - Msgr. James T. McHugh - 153 The American Political Question - Edward M. Zelenak - 155 Current Issues - 158 As Others See It - 170 Book Reviews (J. M. Kirschbaum - Books on Slovakia - Galla Golan: The Czechoslovak Reform Movement - Wolfgang Venohr: Aufstand fiir die Tschecho-Slowakei - Slovak Studies, Volume Vlll and IX - Joseph Vravrovic: L'oecumenisme et le panslavisme de l'abbe Jean Palarik - Milan S. f>urica: La Morte di M. R. Stefanik Alla Luce Dei Documenti Militari Italiani Inediti - Michael Novak: The Rise of the Unmeltable Ethnics - Slavs in Canada, Vol. III - Jaroslaw A. Piekalkiewicz: Public Opinion Polling in Czechoslovakia - Milan S. f>urica (Ed.): II Mondo Slavo, Vol. Ill; New Collections of Slovak ~migre Poetry - Rudolf Dilong: IIladny vetrik - Jan L. Doransky: Od splnu po zatmenie - Rudolf Dilong: Pomikam chlieb so sol'ou - Jan Okal': Cielito Lindo Jan E. Bor: Eugen Vesnin; Books on Jews in Slovakia -reviewed by Dr. Arved Grebert - (Ed.): The Jews of Czechoslovakia Alexander Schreiber: Hebriiische Kodexilberreste in Ungarliindischen Eibandstafeln - Karl Baum: Nazi Anti-Jewish Legislation in the Czech Protectorate - Jednota Annual FURDEK reviewed by Rt. Rev. Jerome Koval, O.S.B. - Jozef Paufo, Ph.D.: Slovenski priekopnici v Amerike (by Joseph C. Krajsa) - Jankola Centennial Books (by Rev. Augustine J. Zan) - 174 �Our Contributors Gorazd Zvonicky - poet, professor, Rome, Italy author, historian, Middletown, Pa. Joseph Pauco, Ph.D. - assistant professor of Czech and Russian, University of Nebraska, Lincoln John M. Kochik, Ph.D. - former professor at the Slovak University, Bratislava, Slovakia, now in Argentina Stefan Polakovic, Ph;D. - attorney-at-law, Stratford, Conn. Edward J. Behuncik - professor of Hispanic Linguistics, University of John Lihani, Ph.D. - Kenrtucky Francis Vnuk - historian; professor, Institute of Technology, Adelaide, Australia Joseph M . Kirschbaum, LL.D., Ph-D. - historian, author, Toronto, Ontario Pav ol 0. Hviezdoslav - noted Slovak poet Sr. M . Martina Tybor, SS.C-M. - teacher and author, Danville, Pa. assistant professor, Sociology of Education, Loyola University, Chicago, Ill. Dr. Steven I. MiUer - Msgr. James T. McHugh - diocese of Harrisburg, Pa. Edward M. Zelenak - musician, college student, Detroit, Michigan Dr. Arved Grebert - former Slovak diplomat, now in Switzerland Rt. Rev . Jerome Koval, O.S-B. - Abbot, St. Andrew's Svorad Slovak Abbey, Cleveland, Ohio Joseph C. Krajsa - Editor, Jednota, Middletown, Pa. Rev. Augustine J . Zan - author, Danville, Pa. V . J . Hurley; P. O'ReiUy and S. J. B. - Slovak American students �PRI NTI D IN U.S. A. JIDN OTA PlllN TER Y, MID DLli TOW N, PA. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource 1973, Vol. 23 Description An account of the resource Vol. 23 (No. 46), 1973. Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available The Slovak League of America Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1973 Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document 158 SLOVAKIA CURRENT ISSUES ·Proclamation Adopted by Sf oval< League of America CHICAGO, ILL. - MAY 27, 1972 Assembled in the Congress, the delegates to the 43rd Biennial Congress of the Slovak League of America, unanimously adopt this resolution: 1. The Slovak League of America will continue with all its energies to support, to advance and to spread the doctrine of self determination and freedom for all nations, as these are principles espoused by our own United States of America. 2. The Slovak League of America will continue with its cultural and civic programs, by means of its scholarships and other undertakings. Thus, we will better inform the free world, especially here in our own country, of the centuries-old aspirations and rights of Slovak nation. We feel these rights will be best enjoyed in some type of European federation or union in which the citizens of a free and independent Slovakia will decide their own destiny. 3. In furtherance of the above goals, the Slovak League of America will continue to work closely with all Slovak organizations, publications and institutions everywhere; thereby giving moral, financial and practical support to the aspirations of more than three million Slovaks torn away from their native soil, as well as to the downtrodden brethren in subjugated Slovakia. 4. As one of the founders of the Slovak World Congress, the Slovak League of America endorses the program of the Slovak World Congress and make available to it all its powers and resources. SLOVAKIA 159 5. The Slovak League of America makes special request to all Slovak groups to appeal to the Slovak youthfor they are our future-without them the Slovak cause, especially here in the United States of America, will not long endure. 6. Finally, we solicit the continued sacrifices and dedication of all Slovak-Americans and American-Slovaks, fortunate enough to enjoy the freedom and privileges of our great Country, so that in our hopes for peace to men of goodvill, our subjugated brethren, may in God's good time likewise enjoy such freedoms. THE SWVAK LEAGUE OF AMERICA Edward J. B eh u n c i k, President Joseph Pa u co, Secretary MEMORANDUM of the Slovak Catholic Mission in Australia Director-General UNESCO Place De Fontenoy Paris vrre France Dear Sir: The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization has proclaimed the year 1972 as "International Book Year". This is a worthy undertaking and deserves every good success, but it is to be regretted that not all of mankind is in a position to freely participate in it. \ rticle IX of the Charter of the Book states: "The free flow of books between countries is an essential supplement to national supplies and promotes international understanding." 168 SLOVAKIA Contrary to this statement and the current year program of UNESCO is the practice of the Government of the Czecho-Slovak Socialistic Republic and the Governments of other countries under Communist rule and culturally dominated by Moscow. These countries discriminate in the exchange of books and printed matter in general. While the free world is flooded with propaganda and literature issued by the Soviet Block countries, there is great discrimination in the Communist countries against literature published in the free world, and into CzechoSlovakia the entry of religious and the like books is actually prohibited. This is being done in spite of the fact that Communist Block countries are members of the United Nation organization and are signitories of the Charter of the United Nations and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The purpose of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization according to its constitution is "To contribute to peace and security by promoting collaboration among the nations through education, science and culture in order to further universal respect for justice, for the rule of law and for the human rights and fundamental freedoms which are affirmed for the peoples of the world, without distinction of race, sex, language or religion, by the Charter of the United Nations." The Slovak Nation, one of many enslaved by Communism, has a high regard for this noble objective of UNESCO but is prevented in carrying out its part in it. The purpose of this memorandum is to draw your attention to the plight in which the Slovak Nation has been placed by no fault of its own, and also to point out that the action required to remedy the ills of the systems dominating the life of Slovaks under Moscow supremacy is long overdue. The Slovak Nation is the oldest Christian Nation in Central Europe. Its country is Slovakia with a population of 4,542,098. This Nation is not in a position to exercise the rights as enumerated for every human being by the United Nations. At the time when the most fundamental freedoms of SLOVAKIA 161 mankind were announced by the United Nations, the Slovak Nation was stripped of them by the power of Moscow which marked the end of the Slovak Independent Republic, .and Slovakia was forcibly joined with Bohemia and Moravia in the Czecho-Slovak Socialistic Republic. By this arbitrary act the Slovak Nation was in 1945 deprived of the principle of self-determination affirmed by the Charter of the United Nations. Chapter I, article 1, paragraph 2 reads: (The purposes of the United Nations are) "To develop friendly relations among nations based on respect for the principle of equal rights and selfdetermination of peoples, and to take other appropriate measures to strengthen universal peace." The Slovak Nation is not free to choose its form of government and is ruled by the totalitarian system under the banner of international Communism. Consequently with regard to the objectives of UNESCO the Slovak Nation is not in a position to develop itself according to its Christian character and thus it is not free either to contribute to the cultural wealth of the human family or to enjoy its benefits. UNESCO holds that for the promotion of its activities, three of the rights, enumerated in the Universal Declaration are of outstanding importance: 1. "The right to education ( article 26) 2. "The right of culture (article 27) 3. "The right to freedom of information (article 19)". The Slovak Nation does not enjoy freedom to claim and exercise any of these rights. 1. Paragraph 2, of article 26 reads: "Education shall be directed to the full development of the human personality and the strengthening of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. It shall promote understanding, tolerance and friendship among all nations, racial or religious groups, and shall further the activities of the United Nations for the maintenance of peace." 162 SLOVAKIA Human personality can be fully developed when an individual enjoys the most fundamental freedoms such as: freedom freedom freedom freedom of speech, of belief, from fear, from want. The Slovak Nation enjoys none of these. The whole educational system in Slovakia is saturated with Marxism, which is contrary to the Christian character of the Slovak Nation. The promoting of tolerance is unknown to Communism which is disseminating hatred and it is disrupting unity on all levels of life. For Communism "peace" means the domination of private and public life according to the teaching of Marxism. According to paragraph 3 of article 26, "Parents have a prior right to choose the kind of education that shall be given to their children." The Slovak parents are denied this right for in Slovakia there is only the Communist system of education. In 1945 Slovakia had 1887 Catholic schools. All of them were confiscated by Communists and the children of Catholic parents (also other religions) were indoctrinated in Marxism. 2. Article 27, paragraph 1, reads: "Everyone has the right freely participate in the cultural life of the community, to enjoy the arts and to share in scientific advancement and it..s benefits." In Slovakia culture, arts, science have been made servants of Communism and they have no value unless they are guided by principles of Marxism and unless they are designed for the promotion of Communism. 3. According Article 19: "Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers." 163 SLOVAKIA In Slovakia there is no freedom of opinion and expression. These have to be in conformity with Marxism. Ideas and opinions are usually communicated by books, newspapers, radio, television and public addresses. But in Slovakia, these medias are Communist controlled and are designed to promote militant atheism. What has been said about the situation in Slovakia, applies also to a lesser or greater degree to other countries under Communist rule, and while Communist propaganda and literature is freely distributed in the countries of the Western Democracies, the frontiers of the countries under Communist domination are virtually sealted to the printed word from the West. This especially applies to articles of a religious nature. This state of affairs is contrary to the spirit of the United Nations and is alien to the objectives of UNESCO. Its toleration would only strengthen the hand of international Communism and encourage all actual or potential dictators in their drive to enslave the rights and freedom of mankind. Having this in mind, we respectfully request that: a) You bring the plight of the Slovak Nation to the attention of the General Assembly of the United Nations Organization, b) the dignity of Slovaks be fully restored, so that the Slovak Nation can take an honorable place in the family of free Nations according to the spirit of the United Nations and aims of UNESCO. We trust that you will assist us in our request that justice be done to the Slovak Nation and so fulfill the principles of the United Nations and aims of UNESCO. Yours respectfully, Rev. Jan Krasnansky, s. V.D. Chaplain to the Slovak Community in Sydney Jan Secansky Sydney, August 1972 Delegate to the Religious Section of the Slovak World Congress 164 SLOVAKIA Ethnic Studies at C.C.N.Y. and the First Course on the Slavic American Heritage The City College of the City University of New York has long taken pride both in the achievements of its students and in the leading role it has played in recognizing and adapting to new ethnic and cultural developments in New York's multi-cultural and multi-national community. For many years C.C.N.Y. has ranked with Harvard and the University of California at Berkeley in the number of its graduates who go on for doctorates. This year The City College again took a leadership role by initiating the nation's first college level course on the Slavic American Heritage. Different ethnic groups at City College have long struggled for recognition and have broadened the college's involvement in the community by pressing for the establishment of new programs and courses more "relevant" to their ethnic backgrounds. In response to the students' demands at C.C.N.Y. in 1969, New York's Board of Higher Education authorized The City College to establish a Department of Urban and Ethnic Studies (UES) which would engage in both instruction and research. This department assists students in preparing for new careers in community leadership, public service, education, and work with voluntary agencies in urban areas. In September of 1969 the new Department of Urban and Ethnic Studies opened its doors with 183 students enrolled in two courses in Afro-American and Puerto Rican Studies. The following semester courses in urban and community affairs were added. During the second year the curriculum was expanded to include the beginnings of Chinese-American and Carribean Studies. From the beginning the Department of Urban and Ethnic Studies exhibited striking vitality and growth. The number of courses given by the Department rose from two (in the fall of 1969) to thirteen (in the spring of 1970) and then to twenty-three (in the spring of 1971). From SLOVAKIA 165 seven sections in the first semester it grew to forty-two in the spring of 1971, while student enrollment rose from 183 to about 1400. By Fall 1971, UES had been divided into three separate departments: Black Studies, Puerto Rican Studies, and Asian Studies. At the same time a separate department of Jewish Studies had been created. It became administration policy that an ethnic studies department could be established only if the particular ethnic group consisted of at least 5 percent of the student population at C.C.N.Y. Only the four ethnic groups listed above contributed this much. Others would have to be satisfied with basic courses only. At present, City College's four ethnic studies departments offer a total of over 120 courses; these are attended by more than 2300 students. Courses cover such varied subjects as "Asian Women", "Black Folklore", "Community Power Analysis and Research", "Political Modernization in Black America", "The Contemporary Puerto Rican Family", "Jewish Identity", "Jewish American Community", "Ethnic Leaders", "Field Work Experience in a Bilingual Environment", and "Creative Research in Urban and Ethnic Studies". Although hundreds of Slavic-American students attend The City College, they do not constitute 5 percent of the student body. Nonetheless many of them are eager to explore their ethnic heritage within the context of college study. America's Slavic-speaking population constitutes one of the most significant "white minority" groups in the country. Today, when all minority groups are trying to assert their contribution to the nation's growth, very little has been done to explore this group's history, culture, social problems and its struggle to maintain its identity in the United States. Systematic study of Slavic-Americans and their heritage is long overdue. There is a strong feeling of ethnic awareness among some members of the younger generation, there are also strong indications that the melting pot conception can not be maintained any longer and that America is beginning to recognize and appreciate the diversity of its ethnic elements in terms of a new cultural pluralism . .As Prof. Michael Novak puts it in his new book, The Rise of the Unmeltable Ethnics, "It is time for a new cultural pluralism 166 SLOVAKIA and a politics that requires this new cultural pluralism -one that draws from resources other than Anglo-Saxon history and values." The first course (being offered at City College), called Slavic American Heritage, is listed among the College's core requirements and is open to all interested students. The course is presented by Prof. Peter Goy and is being attended by 19 students. It is a survey of Slavic American Heritage. It attempts to explore the history of Slavic Americans. The course encompasses all Slavic-speaking groups in the country (Belorussian, Bulgarian, Croatian, Czech, Polish, Russian, Serbian, Slovenian, Slovak and Ukrainian, to mention a few) and includes a brief history of Slavs in the U.S.A. from the early XVII century to the present. It stresses their struggle for survival in the New World while emphasizing the participation of Slavs in American life and the role they have played in U.S. History. It expands upon current problems of identity and assimilation facing the younger generation. It takes into scope the Slavic historical background, characteristics of the Slavic population, economic conditions, religious conditions, education and contemporary literatures of the different ethnic groups. One of the aspects of this course is original research and analysis made by the students on various aspects of our contemporary Slavic groups, such as: Polish Ethnic Press, Ukrainian Scientific Institutions, Contemporary Ethnic Leaders, Czech Community in New York, Contemporary Slovak Women in America, Rhuthenians in U.S.A., Youth Organizations and the Impact of Assimilation on SelfIdentity, Bicultural Conflict and Synthesis, etc. In order to facilitate and further the original research of the students and faculty, a collection of a Slavic Contemporary ethnic archive and library materials is essential. Therefore, we would appreciate a donation of materials such as books, pamphlets, periodicals, newspapers, leaflets, films, etc, from all Slavic ethnic groups (Belorussian, Bulgarian, Croatian, Czech, Polish, Russian, Serbian, Slovenian, Slovak, Ukrainian and others) in the United States, a~ well as their organizations and patriotic individuals. We strongly believe that in the near future other colleges and universities, specifically those located in large SLOVAKIA 167 Slavic communities such as Detroit, Chicago, Cleveland, Buffalo, etc., will accommodate their Slavic residents and open the door to the vast richness, resourcefulness and abundance of Slavic American Heritage. Professor P. G o y 201 Goethals Hall The City College of the University of New York New York, N. Y. 10031 What Did the Slovak Communists Want in 1968? Dr. John M. Kochik (A translation from the Slovak of Viktor Pavlenda's co chcu Slovdci published in Svet socializmu, No. 32, August 6, 1968 by Obzor Publishers, Bratislava.) "In January the movement was initiated for a democratic Czech and Slovak socialism which would be economically more dynamic, socially more just, ideologically more progressive, comprehensively more human,-making it more attractive than any existing socio-economic system. The movement for this type of socialism is fast developing across the country which two peoples and nationalities inhabit. From the very essence of this movement proceeds its most basically inherent feature, namely, the very democratization of the relationship between the two peoples, between them and the nationalities living among them, and between the nationalities living side-byside. However, should this essential element be disregarded the movement would become pseudodemocratic, despite the fact that one sector of society has been the ruling nation until now and is reputedly the most democratic. Therefore, the Slovaks have the complete right to formulate their national claims, while the Czechs have the moral responsibility of seriously considering and democratically accepting them in the new democratic atmosphere of thought and action. 168 SLOVAKIA What is the Basis of Our National Movement as a Natural Ri ght,-A Right Suppressed and Ignored in the Past? 1. A half-century should suffice for an elder brother to recognize the younger as thoroughly related, not adopted, without a stepmother, but having his same very own Czecho-Slovakian homeland. There could be no more fitting occasion to acknowledge this self-same truth than the fiftieth October-anniversary of governing together. 2. In its current history "something" always went wrong in the real autonomy of the Slovak nation. First, a word only about autonomy, later about all the remaining issues. We regard as our most natural and sacred rights the proclamation and recognition of the actual, genuine self-rule of our people. This presupposes the elimination, not only in words but in actual fact, of the present humiliating- position of Slovakia, and the providing of it with an equal opportunity of realization in all aspects of social life. 3. The road to a new, just solution of the relationships between our peoples should proceed through a politicaleconomic Czecho-Slovakian federation: an economicallyrational and nationally-just federation. Thus, we desire neither that kind of federation which would crush the Republic through a rigid control of the greater over the lesser, nor such as would shatter the Republic by indecisive free choice, one yelling 'To the left!', the other 'To the right!'. 4. The Czecho-Slovak federation should systematically transfer the inclusive spirit of the democratizing process as such into the living conditions of both nations and into the relationship between them. That means that, taken objectively, henceforth it would insure more intensively the acceleration of the process of raising the quality of conditions in realizing the Czech and Slovak labor potential both on the job as well as in life. But, simultaneously-and this indeed holds true for socialist society-it must accelerate the process of making conditions of realization of the national labor forces approach each other, and of further equalizing the comparatively large discrepancies in economic and living standards between Slovakia and the Czech regions . In these processes-the quality of conditions of utilizing the citizen as such and the relatively-equal utiliza- SLOVAKIA 169 tion of both peoples-we realize the sense o! an economically-rational and a nationally-just federation. 5. It is completely natural (especially from the experiences of their former development) that nowadays the Slovaks are not satisfied with promises nor with a referral to the good intentions of another even though be is one's very own brother, but they require the systematic guarantee of inclusive national autonomy in a federation. We visualize the starting-point as in a nationally-just pyramid of authoritative governmental bodies; national governmental bodies with original authority-federal governmental bodies with derived competency agreed upon by the national governmental bodies. 6. We wish to establish a federation and the functioning of federal governmental bodies upon three principles: economy, flexibility and effectiveness, and national justice. The realization of these principles are demanded so that federal governmental bodies would be numerically minimal with a small apparatus. We demand the nationallyjust activity of federal governmental bodies in: the prohibition of majority-rule in legislative acts, the equal structuring of the administration and applicable solutions (that is, the prohibition of majority-rule, parity, agreements) in the federal executive governmental bodies. We implore the second, Czech, party, that is the Czech citizen:-consider this matter in silence, without prejudice, and give an answer six times! It is not an expression most completely natural that from these six basic principles the Slovaks proceed, placing one bother on an equal footing with the other brother? Or, does someone wish to shout us down repeatedly with the renewed expression: "Co vlastne ti Slovdci chteji?" (In the original Slovak text this question is given in the Czech language and meaning "What do those Slovaks actually want?", note that this question relates to the title and theme of the article.-Translator's comment.) I will not cease being an optimist. I still believe that the answer of our Czech brother will be non-Antonine (A passible reference to Antonin Novotny, First Party Secretary and the President of the Republic, his regime, policies and character.-Translator's comment), different in substance from its present usage, and that it will be worthy to the development of the Czech people." 170 SLOVAKIA AS OTHERS SEE IT The Church in Czecho-Slovakia been forced into early retirement is very weak, but it will continue to make them scarcer. Yet, strange as it may sound, the to survive. There are 14 dioceses, but only two bishops. The govern- government is not suppressing rement will not permit any more to ligion altogether. Firstly, it is be consecrated, so 12 of the 14 afraid to do so. Secondly, the Comdioceses must function with a munist Party is split on the issue priest who serves as vicar for the of how much to suppress religion. diocese. The vicars are chosen Some argue that it must be persecuted as fiercely as it is in Red largely by the state. No Catholic schools are permit- China. Others say that if it is kept ted in Czecho-Slovakia, though two weak, it will gradually die out as seminaries are still functioning, Communism takes over. A third one for Czechs and one for Slovaks. point: Communist leaders for the There are about 150 in the Czech most part are becoming increasingseminary, not many for 10 million ly pragmatic. They persecute religion only in Czechs, most of whom are Catholic. There are about 200 seminarians a ritualistic way, paying lip service in the seminary for Slovaks, in to Communist ideology. They persecute it mostly inasmuch as it Bratislava. About 3,500 priests are active. constitutes a force outside of the Another 500 must work as laymen, total power structure they have since the government does not re- allocated to themselves. Absolute cognize them as priests. Approxi- dictators have always tried to permately 35 priests are ordained each secute religion and weaken it to year. Worst of all, most of the the point where it has no power, nuns have recently been confined unless they have the power in their to work as staff in mental institu- hands. The police are not much in evition. Had we a Catholic Anti-Defamation League in the United dence in Czecho-Slovakia. Nor are States, we could bring enough there Russian soldiers on the street. pressure to bear to stop such but everyone knows there are 80,000 Soviet troops stationed just abuses. Remember how Stalin used to 30 miles away. Everyone rememcall it "changing the guard" when bers how Moscow sent in 650,000 he had a purge of Party officials? troops in a great hurry four years It still goes on. Three hundred ago, to crush the "human face" thousand members of the Commu- type of Communism Alexander nist Party have been purged in Dubcek had tried to introduce. One of the first buildings I saw Czecho-Slovakia in the past four years. Forty per cent of the writers in Prague was a training school have been forced out of their pro- for future members of the Party. fession. Fifty thousand union mem- It is the Party members and they bers were purged. The remaining alone who get all the good jobs writers stick to the Communist and who run every facet of governline, attacking the clergy as "fas- ment. Membership is limited to cists" and "Nazi." A large percent- those the Party invites, such as age of the monasteries have been sons or friends of Party members, closed recently, and priests have or those who do not practice their SLOVAKIA religion and for other reasons appeal to the ruling class. Only Party members can be candidates in a system where to be nominated by the Party is a guarantee of "election." Only Party members can hold trusted position. Only they have all the power. Communists argue that if the whole world were Communist, there would be no wars. But Czecho-Slovakia is a direct refutation of that theory. The country was brutally invaded in 1968 when it tried to humanize its type of Communism. Nor is it true that Communism lessens crime. Any visitor to Czecho-Slovakia sees prostitutes walking the main streets at night. Cars are often stripped or stolen. Drugs are not a problem, though they are in Moscow. Alcohol, which we often fail to think of as a drug, is a huge problem in all those countries. Stealing stocks and bonds is not a problem. But stealing from the state is on a much greater scale than anything we can imagine. "The whole system," I was told repeatedly, "is built on stealing."-Father Dan Lyons. Twin Circle, November 10, 1972. VIENNA (AP) - Travel fo a Westerner may be occassionally troublesome, but this is nothing compared to the battle with red tape an East European traveler encounters, if he just goes from one Communist country to another. The Slovak Assn. of Journalists recently issued what it called "a recipe for avoiding difficulties with passport and customs control" which lists so many things to do that it might in fact discourage anybody from making the trip in the first place. The association's biweekly publication, listed the regulations applying in the various East Europe- 171 an countries, which in the case of the Soviet Union alone covered 21 lines. The hard-core measures are nearly the same in every East European country. Each wants to know who crosses the border, watches that not too much of its national currency is taken out, nor rare consumer goods which the East European countries prefer to sell in the West for hard currency. Red tape starts at home. Slovaks have to file customs and foreign currency declarations; in some cases they must also have exit permits. Anyone intending to take a gift exceeding $20 along must obtain permission. Anyone wanting to visit the Soviet Union or Poland must have a visa. Joining a tour of a state travel agency makes this relatively simple. But anyone who wants to visit privately must have an invitation authenticated by a Soviet militia.-Werner Olimann WAKE FOREST, N. C. (NC)Ethnic Americans are "neither angels nor devils" but an unusual combination of political liberals and old fashioned patriots, according to Father Andrew Greeley. The ethnic "believes that progress is possible and that change is desirable," Father Greeley told a conference here on Civil Religion in America. "If he is less likely now than he was 20 years ago to describe himself as a liberal, the reason is not that he is any less committed to change or any less sympathetic with the oppressed but simply that he has much less confidence in American liberalism now." The ethnics, Father Greeley said, "like the United States of America. The flag, the 'Star Spangled Banner,' the Constitution, the Declaration of Independence, the 172 SLOVAKIA Capitol building, the office of the presidency-all of these are admired symbols which together sum up the gratitude the ethnic feels for what the United States has made possible for him: freedom, dignity, comfort, security-things which his ancestors in the countries from which they fled or were driven would not have dreamt possible." Father Greeley, director of the University of Chicago's Center for the study of American Pluralism, said that members of ethnic groups are "less likely" than other Americans to favor the Vietnam war and, despite a tradition of anti-communism, they do not object to reapproachment with China or the Soviet Union." Members of ethnic groups, descendants of the most recent waves of European immigrants, have not been in America "long enough or achieved that level of security where it becomes easy to hate and despite the United States," the priest-sociologist said. "An appeal to the conscience of the ethnic against war and against injustice that is based on American patriotism has much better chance of being effective than one based on denunciation of America as a sick society, burning American flags, and ridiculing American institutions," Father Greeley said. Ethnics want to eliminate "hunger, misery, poverty, bad housing, bad education, and every other sort of social ill wherever is can be found in America," he said. "They supported the New Deal social reforms and have continued to vote for liberal congressional candidates who have extended and enlarged the New Deal." At the same time, Father Greeley said, ethnics place "a strong emphasis on the freedom and dignity of the individual person. A person should not be messed with or hassled by large bureaucratic agencies, be they governmental, labor, business, or ecclesiastical." Father Greeley spoke at a conference sponsored by the ~outhwestern Baptist Theological Seminary here and the American Jewish Committee. PITISBURGH-Tbey aren't the Same Old Steelers anymore. Just ask Gerela's Gorillas, Franco's Italian Army or the newly formed Dobra Shunka fan club. All those have been spawned by the success of the Pittsburgh Steelers, making a strong bid for the first division title in their 40-year pro football history. Gerela\s GO!fillas favor placekicker Roy Gerela, and rookie running sensation Franco Harris is the honorary commander of Franco's Italian Army. But what about Dobra Shunka? "That's Slovak for 'Great Ham,' " says Steeler linebacker Jack Ham, whose ancestors were European. "They're a great bunch of guys," Ham added. "Most of them live over in Port Vue, same as Gerela's Gorillas. You can't beat enthusiasm like that." Ham knows first hand the degree of Steeler mania. He's probably the only pro football player ever to get an ovation during a church sermon. "It happened at evening Mass the Sunday we beat Kansas City," recalls Ham, who attends St. Bernard's Roman Catholic Church in suburban Dormont. The monsignor was sermonizing on parish matters when suddenly he decided to switch topics and proclaimed from the pulpit, "How about those Steelers!" During the ensuing praise, he asked if Steeler vice President Dan SLOVAKIA Roomey, a member of the parish, was in attendance. Rooney wasn't but Ham was and one of the faithful stood up and introduced him as "Jack Ham-the Steelers great linebacker. " 173 "It was really something," recalls Ham. "They gave me a big ovation just like we were out at the stadium, I even stayed after Mass and signed autographs."( Associated Press) Astronaut Gene Cernan is of Slovak origin. His grandfather migrated to the U.S.A. from Vysoka, Kysuce region, Slovakia 174 SLOVAKIA BOOK REVIEWS BOOKS ON SLOVAKIA Reviewed by J.M. Kirschbaum The Czechoslovak Reform Move- of view. It also put into proper ment by Galla Golan, Cambridge, perspective the economic as well at the University Press, 1971, as political and national reasons for which young Slovak intellectuBibl., 334 pages. Among the dozens of books on als, all of them staunch supporters the de-Stalinization and liberation of the Communist Party, began to movement in Czecho-Slovakia, the rebel against the Stalinist system. present book by Galia Golan, Lec- There is no doubt that economic turer in Political Science and Rus- as well as political disparity betsian Studies at the Hebrew Univer- ween Slovakia and the Czech lands sity in Jerusalem, is one of the became intolerable even to Slovak most objective and best research- Communists. The spark for the ed works. Whereas many authors moment came, however, from the of books on the reform movement writers and intellectuals who cravin Czecho-Slovakia viewed the situ- ed for more freedom and could not ation from Prague and dealt with tolerate the injustice committed on the events mostly on the basis of so-called Slovak "bourgeois nationCzech sources (see our reviews in alists" who were freed from prisSlovakia for 1970 and 1971, and in ons, but not rehabilitated. The Slavica Canadiana A. D.1970), the Czech intellectuals joined the present book does not suffer from movement three or four years any anti-Slovak bias. The author later, in 1967 and 1968, and gave objectively analyzed the beginnings it the weight which paved the way of the reform movement from 1963 for the events of 1968. Unfortuto 1968, and recognized the role nately, it would appear that they which was played by Slovak writ- not only helped the movement to ers, journalists and politicians. As get momentum, but also pushed it a result, the picture is quite dif- to the extreme and in the end gave ferent from many other books on the Soviets a prete~t for the inthe subject. Because except for vasion. the books by Skilling, Shawcross, The book is an excellent survey Fejto, Lungi and Ello, the reform of the whole period from 1963 to movement in Czecho-Slovakia and 1968. It is divided into six chapespecially its last phase, was a- ters. In its Introduction the book scribed by Western observers and surveys the years 1956-1962 and analysts to Czech intellectuals and then it analyzes the revolt of the several books were published under intellectuals, the economic reforms, the title: The Prague Spring. In reforms in the social cultural some instances, even Dubcek's .role spheres, political reforms, the ewas played down and other Slovaks vents of 1967 and 1968. The author wei"e omitted or ignored. paid special attention to Slovaks Galla Golan's book is, however, in the second chapter, as well as obje<:tive not only from this point in Chapters V and VI. In one chap- SLOVAKIA ter the author analyzes specially the "pressures from the Slovaks and the youth." In the chapter on economic reforms, the book gives credit to the efforts of Dr. Eugen Loebl and to his plan for reforming the bankrupt economy. Other Slovak reformers, either in economic fields or in the political structure of Czecho-Slovakia are equally mentioned and so are Slovak periodicals, especially Kulturny Zivot and Slovenske Pohl'ady. Galia Golan seems to understand much better than other specialists in Eastern Europe the basic issues which separate Slovaks and Czechs and which dramatically came to the surface during the years 19631968. Trying to present an objective picture of the whole situation she avoided simplifications and, therefore, her book will remain as one of the best researched and scholarly written analysis of the attempts by Slovaks and Czechs to give Communism a human face. Wolfgang Venohr: Aufstand fii,r die Tschecho-Slowakei (Uprising for Czecho-Slovakia), Christian Wegner Verlag, Hamburg, 1969, bibl., ill., doc., 372 p. The War period of the Slovak history has been avoided for a long time in German historiography. Many more books were published in English than in the German language. When finally books on Slovakia appeared in Germany, they were written by historians coming not from Germany but from other Eastern European countries (Ludwig von Gogolak, Jorg K. Hoensch, Almar Reitzner) and the backgrounds of the authors influenced their attitudes and interpretation of the dramatic period of modern Slovak history. The book under review is the first one by a Western writer on the uprising which occured in Slo- 175 vakia in the Fall of 1944 and was presented until now only by memoirs or books written by the Communist participants, except for one volume of documents edited by V. Precan. Venohr's book does not agree completely with the Communist interpretation and sheds a new light on the bloody and controversial rebellion which was at least three times re-interpreted by the Communists themselves. There is no note on the author of the book and of his credentials. The work is comprehensive and refers not only to many printed sources but also to personal interviews with the Communist participants and officers of the Slovak army involved in the uprising. Interviews with non-Communist participants, even though some of them live in Germany, are missing. In view of the fact that the non-Communist organizers and participants of the uprising did not publish uptil now their version of the political aims and of the part played by the Slovak army or non-Communist population, Venohr's book fills an important gap. It is, however, very hard to say how far his interpretation is free of any bias, in spite of the fact that he states in his epilogue that he tried to avoid an ideological approach. As he says, the aim of his book was to "help the Slovaks to gain their international respect and develop brotherly relations built on equality of rights with the Czechs." At the same time the book should "serve to create a better understanding between Germany and Czecho-Slovakia." Venohr's presentation of the Slovak Republic and his survey of Slovak history would indicate that he endeavored to look at Slovaks without the usual bias which we can find in some Western and 17~ SLOVAKIA Communist history books. Throughout the book, there is an effort to avoid the negative attitude towards the Slovak struggle for independence. There is no a priori denial of bonafide actions and goodwill on the part of the Slovak politicians and in one instance the author even states that from the scientific point of view nobody can seriously speak about Fascism in Slovakia (p. 30). Nevertheless, on many pages of the book he uses the term "Klerikal Faschismus" ( clerofascism) coined by the Communists. Venohr accepted as valid the statement by President Dr. Tiso that the existence of the Slovak Republic will be of great importance for the future generations, but in his view the uprising is even of greater importance for historical claims of Slovak national identity. This is, of course, a debatable view but it sums up Venohr's attitude towards the uprising. From this premise, the author approached all the events and persons involved in the history of Slovakia from 1938 to 1945. The volume is composed of two parts. In the first part he writes about the independent Slovakia, the Slovak army until 1943, about the political opposition; the unwanted partizan war; the military conspiracy; the memorandum by General Catlo§ and the mission to Moscow by Smidke. The second part is entitled: "Occupation and Uprising." It contains six chapters in which the author speaks about military events of the uprising from the time Germany sent two divisions to fight the Soviet partizans. Their arrival, however, triggered off the uprising of the Slovak army units and led to events of historical importance. Venohr describes the battles in various parts of Slovakia with the Slovak army which was preparing an uprising against Germans independently of ,t he Soviet partizans, as well as the political aims of the whole uprising. It is mainly in this part of the book where the author differs from the Communist historiographers but it is to be regretted that he did not confront statements of the people with whom he had interviews with the writings and opinions of the nonCommunist participants who live in the West. He also failed to mention that the Communists originally aimed at establishing a Slovak Soviet Republic and not Czecho-Slovakia. In spite of this, Venohr's description and evaluation of the events seems to be much more objective and closer to the historical truth than the one-sided interpretation published in today's Slovakia by Communist writers, or by some Western historians who adopted the Czech or the Communist interpretation. His stress on the divergence of views between the Communists and military leadership on one side and the Bene§ Government on the other sheds a new light on the uprising whose final history is still to be written. The memorandum and the attempts by the Minister of National Defense of the Slovak Republic, General F. Catlo§, to come to an agreement with Moscow to save Slovakia of occupation is another important revelation in the book, since it has not been taken into consideration by Western historians. A number of documents attached to the book also enhance its value. However, in spite of Venohr's endeavor to be objective towards the leaders of the Slovak Republic, there are, of course, still some inaccuracies in his book which could have been corrected if the author SLOVAKIA had interviewed the emigre Slovak historians or political leaders. His survey of Slovak history also suffers accepting the Czech rather than the Slovak interpretation of the Slovak past. There is no doubt that Slovakia suffered a sort of social decapitation and lost their leading classes to Hungarian assimilation and policy. There was, however, Slovak national consciousness a long time before Stt'.ir's period and we can safely say that Slovak national renaissance started in the 17th century and the Bernolak group, which is not even mentioned by Venohr, deserves credit for the national awakening of the Slovak people. Economically, Slovakia also presented a different picture. Even with these shortcomings Venohr's book is, however, much closer to the historical facts and objective interpretation of the War period in Slovak history than . any other work published in the West, exept for books written by Slovak exiled historians who defe nd the right of the Slovak people to self determination and independence. vm and IX. · Historica 5-6, Slovak Institute, Cleveland-Rome, 1969, pp. 216 and 231, bibl., ill. Slovak Studies, Volume The recent volumes of Slovak Studies are an additional contribution to the research into. the Slovak history in ,t he English language. In comparison with the previous volµmes, the contributors are mostly from the younger generation and several of them from among Slovak intellectuals educa.ted at American universities. For this reason, both volumes also contain essays on American Slovaks. In view of the fact that there is no history book on the achievements and contribution of American Slovaks to Slovak national develop- 177 ment, these contributions are of particular value. The first volume contain four contributions: "The Role of American Slovaks in the Creation of Czecho-Slovakia, 1914-1918," by M. M. Stolarik; a study "Education in Slovakia" by M. I. Angelovic SS.C.M.; "The Quadrennial Reports of the Bishops of Nitra to Rome," by E. Bouydosh; and "A Short Survey of the Eastern Catholic Churches," by Prof. M. Lacko, S.J. To the second volume contributed Msgr. J . Rekem "Selected Chapters from the Slovak Cultural History"; F. Vnuk, a study "British Recognition of Independent Slovalda in 1939"; M. Tybor, "Fa_ther Matthew Jankola (1872-1916)"; J . J. Karch, . Slovakia Under Communism, 1944-1964"; Prof. M. Lacko, "A Historical Song from Eastern Slovakia" and "Camaldulese Red Monastery-Cerveny Klastor." All contributions are on the level of academic papers and point to new aspects and new knowledge of the Slovak past. From the historical point of view, the most relevant is, of course, the well researched and well written assay on British recognition of independent Slovakia in 1939 and Stolarik's M.A. thesis on the role of American Slovaks in the creation of Czechoslovakia, while from the cultural point of view the thesis on education in Slovakia by Sister .Angelovic and the essay on J ankola by Sister Tybor deserve particular mention. F. Vnuk's research into the British archives brought forth some very interesting information on the attitude of Great Britain towards Slovakia and many unknown documents which prove· that the Government of Great Britain and British diplomats had quite a different view of the Slovak problem than the Czech exiles, headed by Dr. 178 SLOVAKIA Bene§, made us believe and smuggled into Western historiography. It would appear from Vnuk's study that Great Britain was neither eager to recognize the Czecho-Slovak government in exile, nor believed to adverse reports on Slovakia, and that Slovaks needed only some good diplomats in London to put Slovakia and her striving for independence into a different light in the West. Vnuk certainly deserves recognition for studying the British archives because our knowledge of Great Britain's attitude towards Slovakia was very limited until now. Msgr. Rekem's contribution "Selected Chapters from the Slovak Cultural History" is a concise view of Slovak cultural development from the Middle Ages to the Bernolak period, written on the pattern of his previous studies either in English, German, or Slovak and, as usual, well documented. The essay would deserve to be distributed as a separate publication. M. Stolarik's contribution to the volume is an M. A. thesis and as such indicating that we can expect from the young historian further valuable contribution to the exploration of the history of Slovaks in the United States. His thesis is well balanced and based on research into the unknown as well as published sources, and enhanced by a useful bibliography. There is no need to write about Prof. Lacko's contribution since he has been an accepted authority on the subjects he writes about and his contributions are marked by thorough knowledge and originality. E. Bouydosh's contribution is a continuation of his previous research and writings and of interest for Slovak religious past. From - the Slovak point of view the contributions by the Sisters of SS. Cyril and Methodius, M. I. An- gelovic and M. Tybor deserve special mention. It would seem that both contributions are M. A. theses or parts thereof. They are valuable not only by their contents but also by their originality and research into the unknown and unpublished sources. In view of the fact that scholars in today's Slovakia are not allowed to extend their research into the history of Slovaks abroad, both contributions are of particular interest for Slovak historiography. The essay by J. J. Karch "Slovakia Under Communism, 1944-1964" is a well written account but too short to give a complete picture. It would be useful if this theme could be enlarged in Slovak Studies by the author or other Slovak specialists in modem Slovak history. To conclude, we can say that both volumes honorably represent the efforts of Slovak intellectuals in the West to fill the gap of knowledge of the Slovak past among Western historians and students of Central Eastern Europe. L'oecumenisme at le panslavisme de l'abbe JEAN PALARIK, par Joseph Vavrovic; These presentee a la Faculte des Arts de l'Universite d'Ottawa en vue l'obtention du Ph.D. en Etudes Slaves, Ottawa, 1972, 470 p. The thesis under review is a mature scholarly work, apparently the result of a long and thorough research into the archives and published sources pertaining to the historical background and to the activities of Jan Palarlk, whose dramatic works survived until the present time, but whose ecumenism was forgotten and his panslavic ideas were over-shadowed by his famous countrymen: Jan Koll.Ar and L'udovit Stur. In view of tlle present trend in the Catholic SLOVAKIA Church, and the misuse of the idealistic panslavism by the Soviet Union, Palarik's 19th century ideas, for which he suffered persecution from the ecclesiastic superiors and was scorned by adherents of panslavism based on Russian leadership, are actual and timely and the thesis is, in many ways, an original work. The thesis is divided into three parts: historical background of the activities of Jan Palarik; the ecumenism of Palarik, and the panslavism of Palarik. In the first part the author of the thesis discusses the nationalist wave in Hungary after the Congress of Vienna, the insurrection in 1848 and the period of absolutism of Bach and the di· vision of the monarchy into the Austrian and Hungarian part. In part two, the thesis deals with the origins of Palarik's ecumenism, his activities as editor of the monthly Cyrill a Method and with the con·flict with his ecclesiastic superiors. Part three gives a survey of the origins of panslavism and draws a distinction between Palarik's idea of panslavism and that of Jan Kollar. Palarik's ecumenism stemmed from his concern for the Slovak people who were menaced by Magyarization and weakened by religious division. The Slovak Catholic clergy made many efforts towards uniting with Slovak Protestants in cultural and literary activities even before Palarik's time. Encouraged by J. M. Hurban's work on the union of Slovak Lu• therans with Calvinists in Hungary (Unia cili spojeni Lutheranu s Kalviny v Uhrach, Budin, 1846, 240 p.), Palarik took, however, a step further. He recommended also a religious union, basing his views on similar tendencies of Catholic theologians in Germany and France and insisting on it for patriotic rea- 179 sons. Palarik developed his national ecumenism in a series of articles published in the monthly Cyrill a Method of which he was editor. Supported by several other young Catholic clergymen who advocated not only the union with Slovak Protestants but also far reaching reforms of the Catholic Church in Hungary, Palarik came into conflict with the hierarchy and especially with the Archbishop-Primas Scitovsky. His progressive and democratic ideas gained him, nevertheless, many adherents amongst Slovak Catholics. Unfortunately, he failed to obtain an adequate response on the part of Slovak Lutherans and after Palarik had to submit to the Church authorities, the movement for uniting Slovaks in their religion slowly died down. In Msgr. Vavrovic's analysis it was nevertheless an interesting movement on the part of Slovak Catholics and Palarik emerges from the thesis as a well educated idealistic patriot concerned about the progress of the Slovak people and about the reform in the Catholic Church on much similar lines as have been accepted by the last Vatican Council. In his series on the necessity of union of Catholics with Lutherans in Slovakia, he referred to well-known contemporary theologians and fought for his ideas in prose as well as in verses to make an impact on the leaders and believers of both churches. Palarik's panslavism was generally as idealistic as Kollar's or Stur's concept of Slavic reciprocity. He differed, however, from them in his favorable attitude towards Poland and not only failed to advocate Russian supremacy and leadership but also insisted on the necessity of equality of all Slavic peoples. There are echoes of Herder's and Hegel's philosophy and prophecies about the role the Slavs 180 SLOVAKIA will play in the world in Palarik's panslavism, ·. even though he did not refer to them. From Stur who advocated . the acceptance .of the Russian orthodoxy · by all Slavic peoples Palarik also differed in religious respect by advocl;l.ting the union of all Slavs in the Catholic Church, referring to the words of Christ about "one shepherd and one fold." His defense of Poles who were subjugated by the Russians caused him criticism from other Slovak panslavists. Nevertheless Palarik deserves recognition for creating two concepts of panslavism in Slovakia, and the present Soviet domination of Slavic peoples proves that he was right in refuting panslavism based on Russian leadership and supremacy. Since Palarik has been known for the past 100 years mostly as a playwright and dramatist, whose works : Incognito (i858), D'rotar (1860), Smierenie and Dobrodruzstvo pri Obzinkach (1862), Dimitrij samozvanec (1870), have been played until the present day, the thesis by Msgr. Vavrovic contributes to the knowledge of Palarik's activities and ideas which make him one of the most progressive and democratic Slovak leader of the 19th century. In conclusion we can say that the thesis is a valuable piece of academic writing. In view of the role played by panslavism in Slavic literatures and in the awakening of Slavic peoples, the thesis will add to this movement a new dimension: the ecumenic idea and a new conception of mutuality among Slavs. The knowledge of numerous languages by the author and his intellectual training made it possible to shed light on both movements from various points of view: philosophical, theological and literary. He also presented the subject in a clear style and methodically well balanced. The author of the thesis used practically all relevant sources in several languages and displayed a thorough knowledge of ·the basic works on panslavism and ecumenism. At the same time, he seems to know all writings by and on Palarik as his numerous quotations and bibliography indicate. Editor's remark: The reviewer, Prof. Joseph M. Kirschbaum, was a member of the jury which examined the a:uthor at the defense of his thesis · and recommended its acceptance summa cum laude. Milan S. :i'>urica: La Morte di M. R. Stefanik Alla Luce Dei Documenti Militari Italiani Inediti, Collana di Studi Sull'Europa 0rientale, Univsersita Degli Studi di Padova, Padova, 1971, pp. 94. For the past fifty years, the mysterious death of. one of the co~ founder of Czec.ho-Slovakia, General Milan R. Stefanik, gave ground to various hypotheses and accusations and created dissensions between Czechs and Slovaks. While on the part of the Prague government Stefanik's death was attributed to an accident, on the Slovak side persisted the belief t];J.at Stefanik lost his life because Dr. Benes and also T. G. Masaryk disagreed with Stefanik's political views and wanted to prevent him from taking part in the political life of Czecho-Slovakia. The circumstances in which the aeroplane bringing Stefanik from Italy to his native land crashed near Bratislava favored the . hypothesis that the crash was due to an artillery attack ordered by an officer of the Czecho-Slovak army who allegedly mistook the Italian aircraft for a Hungarian one. Also the manner in which the SLOVAKIA 181 Prague government handled the investigation of the accident and fought the rumors and allegations accusing Dr. Benes of the responsibility for Stef{mik's death, helped to strengthen the belief that Stefanik actually was a victim of a political plot. Even though he was a member of the Czecho-Slovak government and his arrival was announced, there were no preparations for his reception and the archives containing the investigation records were kept top-secret during the whole existence of the pre-war Czecho-Slovakia. directly confirms the belief that Stefanik was the victim of a political plot. As all historical works by !Jurica, also the present one is well researched and well written. Its scholarly value is enhanced by references to practically all known books and articles on Stefanik's life and death, in addition to his own thorough research of Italian military archives. The essay was originally published in the periodical n Mondo Slavo of which Prof. !Jurica is one of the founders and editors. For the above reasons, the death of Stefanik attracted writers as well as historians. Professor :i'.>urica has reviewed in his publication riot only the circumstances of Stefanik's death, but also analyzed the probability of all hypotheses advanced in the past. In addition, he ~xamined for the first time the Italian military archives pertaining to the departure of General M. R. Stefanik from Italy to his native Slovakia. In the past, the life and death of Stefanik were usually treated on the basis of French, Slovak and Czech sources, memoirs, . and reminiscences. Professor nurica rightly considered it necessary to study the Italian archives and by doing so, he made a valuable contribution to the efforts of solving the mystery of Stefanik's death. He was successful in proving incorrect several assertions of the Prague government especially those concerning the meteorological conditions, the alleged inexperience of the pilot and the allegation that Stefanik's arrival was not announced before. As historian, :i'.>urica avoided pronouncing any firm conclusion as to which hyphothesis is correct but his research destroyed the Prague government's version of Stefanik's death and in- Michael Novak, The Rise of the Unmeltable Ethnics, The McMillan Company, New York, N. Y., 1972, pp. 321, Price $7.95. For the past four or five years, many American scholars expressed their doubts as to whether the United States became a "melting pot" or if that theory was just a myth. Several conferences of historical societies and sociologists and linguists suddenly discovered that America was a multi-cultural society and that the ethnic groups were not melted. The result of this academic discovery called the attention of the politicians and results in debates and finally in a Bill on Centers of Ethnic Studies in the Congress. However, neither the studies of sociologists and historians, nor the recent Bill of Schweiker and Pucinski are as palatable and, by their approach, as human as is the book by Prof. Novak. Besides being well researched, the book is a real confession and a deep reflection on the human structure of America of today, written in excellent style, placing the book between a work of science and a novel. The author is professor of philosophy and religious studies at the State University of New York at 182 SLOVAKIA Old Westbury and has to his credit the reader; his hardly ornamental ten books, mostly dealing with name for the ethnic groups "PIGS." philosophy, theology and Catholics. He also separates Poles from other Prof. Novak is a third generation Slavs, even though the Polish AAmerican Slovak whose conscious- mericans preserved some of the ness of ethnic background was a- most Slavic characteristics. wakened not long ago during the Novak's book is bound to shake presidential campaigns by Barry the conscience of many Americans, Goldwater and Governor George and will probably do so for a deWallace in 1966. As Novak writes cade to come. It may be worthwhile in his book, he was "alarmed by the for many American Slovaks to concleavage between the old WASP sider as to whether they should and the new technological con- actively join this new political sciousness" and "felt increasingly force. It would perhaps be good to uncomfortable with the condescen- do so not only for their own sake sion and disdain heaped upon and the United States but also for Catholics." So he found himself the country of their fathers and beginning to say "we" rather than forefathers-Slovakia. "they" when he spoke of ethnics (page 63). Since that time, Prof. Slavs in Canada, Vol. m, Compiled and Edited by Prof. Cornelius J. Novak made a thorough study of Jaenen, University of Ottawa, the ethnic problem in the United 1971, 348 pages. Price: $7.00. States, mostly in its psychological, sociological and political aspects. The third volume of Slavs in Due to his philosophical educa- Canada contains proceeding of the tion and writing talent, Novak Third National Conference on Cawrote in his book some of the , nadian Slavs held in 1969 at York most interesting insights into the ' University in Toronto. Professors life, aspiration and problems of the of Slavic Studies at various Canamany millions of Americans who dian universities organized in 1965 are neither WASPS nor Blacks. under the leadership of Professor It is a delight to read for instance B. Bociurkiw a committee whose his chapter "Confessions of a task was to study the problems of White Ethnic" in which he ana- Canadian Slavs. The committee was lyses some of the basic psycho- successful in organizing the first logical problems which various Conference on Canadian Slavs in ethnic groups, especially Slavs, and Banff, the second in Ottawa, and as far as religion is concerned, all the third in Toronto, attracting American Catholics, had to face many specialists in Slavic and ethfrom the time of their immigration nic studies. While the first and up to the present day. second Conferences were dealing Prof. Novak who has been a staff predominantly with the general member in several recent political problems of Canadian Slavs, the campaigns, envisages the "unmelt- third Conference was divided into able ethnics" as the new political six sections dealing with research, force of the seventies. politics and law, education, IanHe came to that conclusion as guages and literature, journalism a result of the study of numerous and folklore. Altogether 22 papers books dealing with present day were presented and discussed in America, as his many references those sections and the volume unand quotations indicate. There is der review contains the edited text one thing which bothers, however, of the papers. SLOVAKIA One of the most interesting studies in the volume is a volumi• nous paper on the ethnic identification and attitudes of university students of Ukrainian descent by Prof. B. Bociurkiw. His conclusions can apply to students of other Slavic groups not only in Canada but apparently also in the United States. Another paper of general interest was presented by Prof. V. Szyrynski on the subject "Ethnic Integration and Psychological Adjustment," while Prof. J . D. Gagnon from the Universite de Montreal gave his views about the position of immigrants in Quebec if that Province became independent 183 Jaroslaw A. Piekalkiewicz: Public Opinion PoUing in Czechoslovakia, 1968-69, Results and Analysis of Surveys Conducted During the Dubcek Era, Praeger Publishers, New York, Washington, London, 1972. The number of books which dealt with the political upheavals in Czecho-Slovakia in 1968, was so great that another book would seem superfluous. Some 60 books were published in the English language alone, and there were a dozen books in other West European languages. Nevertheless, the present volume on Public Opinion Besides these basic studies, the Polling will be very useful for hisvolume contains interesting intorians and students of Eastern sights into the Canadian education and minority rights, a study on the Europe. influence of the English language Its specific value lies in the fact on Slavic languages and the por• that it embraces the whole territory trayal of Canada's ethnic groups in of Czecho-Slovakia and pays attensome French Canadian novels. For tion to the relations between Slothe first time, the Conference paid vaks and Czechs which, in many attention to the ethnic press and other publications, was overlooked the papers dealing with the sub- or minimized. In addition, this book ject contained an essay on Byelo- expresses the opinions of many russian publications in Canada by Czechs and Slovaks and, as a result, A. A. Hrycuk, "The Ideological is not a write-up by an observer Orientation of the Canadian Slavic who was only partly familiar with Press" by J. M. Kirschbaum, and the problems and judged them on "Analysis of the Periodical Pub- the basis of his observations or lications of Canadian Slavs," by A. limited information received in Malycky. Prague. The book also seems to be free of the usual anti-Slovak bias, Some of these papers were of which we often find in political strictly scientific character while writings by Western historians and others contained general informa- specialists on Eastern Europe. tion or basic facts for further studies, and, therefore, the contents of The book is divided into 11 chapthe volume are uneven in their ters in which the author endeavorscholarly value. Nevertheless, the ed to find an answer to the quesbook is of importance not only for tion as to whether there was a acquainting Canadians with the revolution or counter-revolution; Slavic groups but it should also be what kind of socialism the Czechs considered as a valuable contribu- and Slovaks wanted to achieve; the tion to the general trend to build role of the existing non-communist Canada as a multi-cultural society. parties; the role of the National 184 SLOVAKIA Front, political parties and political opposition; popularity of individual leaders and attitudes on the economic system. _In conclusion, the author applied the findings to other communist states of Eastern Europe. The Slovaks resented their subjection aiid both physically and theoretically opposed the real or imaginary political, economic and cultum l dominance of the Czechs. With this dissatisfaction simmering throughout the years, it is not surprising to £ind that the 1968 Reformist Movement originated in Slovakia and was led by many Slovak individuals. It seems apparent...:....Concludes the author-that the Slovak · people viewed the Reformist Movement as an opportunity to gain . a real and equal autonomy within the Czechoslovak Federal system." If we take into consideration that all polls display flaws and inaccuracies, we could question s·ome of the results of the polls which the . author organized in Czecho-Slovakia and based thereon his conclusions. Nevertheless, his book seems to be closer to the real situation and feelings of the Slovaks and Czechs than the works of According to the polls, 94% of many observers who relied on more limited information either in per- Slovaks expressed the opinion that sonal contacts or printed sources. there was a· need for a new form of relationship between the Czechs One of the topics of interest for and Slovaks. Contrary to the opinSlovaks in this book is unboubtedly ion of other writers on the upheav"the traditional conflict between als in Czecho-Slovakia in 1968, the Czechs and Slovaks." This topic author also found a great number was treated in many books publish- of Czechs who supported the need ed in the West either inadequately for .a re-definition of the relationwith parti pris or else it was over- ship of Slovaks and Czechs within looked completely. In the view of the Republic. According to his the author "a discussion of the pub- findings, "of all the individuals lic's conception of the new politi- surveyed, only one out of 14 discal system in Czechoslovakia would agreed with the need for a ·re-definbe incomplete wi.thout considering ed relationship; This evidence the role and relationship of the says ,t he author-leaves no doubt two nations that composed the that the future realization of socialCzechoslovak Socialist Republic. He ist democracy . in Czechoslovakia dwelt, therefore, on this problem was to include a democratic and and found out that "historically, equal relationship between the the post-war communist govern- Czech and Slovak peoples" (pp. ment in Czechoslovakia closely fol- 110-112). There is no doubt · that lowed the one-nation philosophy about the same ·number would opt outlined in 1918 by ,t he founders for independence; if Slovaks had of Czechoslovak Republic. Urider full freedom of choice. this theory the Czechs and Slovaks were a single nation divided not by Milan S. f>urica (Ed.). Il Mondo ethnic differences but only by disSlavo, Vol. ni Ceseo, Centro similar historical patterns of deStudi Europa Orientale, Padova, velopment. These two peoples were 1971. to be bound together in a unified While in Slovakia books dealing state· under which the Slovaks enjoyed only a minimum autonomy. wrth Slovak culture, history, liter- SLOVAKIA ature or philology are still directed predominantly towards Eastern Europe, Slovak intellectuals in the West have the duty to fulfill the gap which has been created by separating Slovakia from the free world. Among Slovak intellectuals in Europe Prof. Milan s. :Ourica distinguished himself by performing this role not only by his books and lectures in Western European countries, but since 1969, by editing the Italian academic periodical n Mondo Slavo (The Slavic World). In all three volumes of the periodical, which appeared until now, the contributions . on Slovak matters contain valuable information on history, language and culture of the Slovak people. The first volume, published in 1969, contained a well-written survey on the development of the Slovak literary language during the past 50 years by Adriana Feriencikova, and an article on Italian artizans and merchants in Slovakia in the 18th century by Anton Spiesz. In the second volume, published in 1970, Lisa Guarda Nardini analyzed the political and social doctrine of the late Slovak President, Dr. Joseph Tiso, under the title "Ideological Premises of Czecho-Slovak Federalism." In the third volume, Prof. Milan S. :Ourica, published some unknown and very interesting military documents from Italian archives about the death of M. R. Stefanik. (The essay is available also in a reprint and has been reviewed separately in Slovakia). From the Slovak point of view all these contributions are of special value. Not only for the reasons that under the present regime in Slovakia cultural contacts with the West are practically non-existent, 185 but also for the fact that there are still many misconceptions about Slovak culture, language and history among Western Slavists. The essay on the development of the Slovak literary language during the past 50 years by A. Feriencikova has also the merit of being well researched and containing all the basic facts and sources which can put the development of the Slovak language into proper perspective. In spite of many efforts of Slovak intellectuals in the West, historl still lln-·1 ...n th ans 5.....,.., or ere ~ 1 who W?te about the Slovak as being a dialect of the Czech language. Studies on the subject in Western languages are, therefore, never superfluous. Since Slavic studies considerably developed in all Western countries after the Second World War, n Mondo Slavo will acquaint Slavists with Slovakia not only in Italy, but also in many Western countries. This can be expected all the more in view of the high academic value of all contributions and careful edition of the periodical by Prof. !>urica. Among the contributors there are in all three volumes known Slavists of Italian or Slav origin, teaching at Italian universities. While several periodicals on Slavic matters published in other Western countries deal mostly with Russian culture and literature, 1l Mondo Slavo has shown distinction in paying attention to smaller Slavic nations and their cultures such as Slovenes, Croats and Slovaks. Students of Eastern Europe will, therefore, welcome Il Mondo Slavo since it will provide reliable scholarly information on Slavic peoples which are either misrepresented or rarely mentioned in academic periodicals published in French, English or German languages. 186 SLOVAKIA NEW COLLECTIONS OF SLOVAK EMIGRE POETRY Rudolf Diloni, Hladn11 vetrf.k (Hun- poetic biography in short poems gry Breeze), Edition Polana, full of grace, imagination and deep feelings. The collection, as well as Zurich, 1972, 86 pages. the entire Dilong's literary work Jan L. Dorfmsky, Od splnu po za- in exile would deserve a thorough tmenie (From the Full Moon to analytic evaluation, and not only the Eclipse), Series Lyra, Slovak passing reviews as this one, to apInstitute of SS. Cyril and Meth- preciate fully his work. odius, Rome, 1972, 110 pages. Doransky's book From the Full Slovak emigre literature is grow- Moon to the Eclipse deserves our ing inspite of the fact that we are special appreciation because due to again cut off from Slovakia and the unfavorable circumstances in exile, assimilation of the younger genera- we know -only a very small pa1t of tions is rapidly progressing among his literary work. Doransky is a Slovaks abroad. It is, however, poet of considerable versatility, mostly the first wave of Slovak and besides many lyrical verses post-war emigres who still create and patriotic poems, he wrote in belles lettres, and not the writers Canada a drama called Stara mat', who left Slovakia in recent years neopust'ajte nas (Grandmother Do Not Leave Us Alone, 1953), sucfor Western countries. The two collections of verses cessfully played by Slovak groups under review are by poets whose across Canada. Before coming to reputations were established in Canada, Doransky had published Slovakia and who during the past a play called Novou cestou (On A two decades belonged to the best New Path, 1930), and a collection and most prolific Slovak emigre of satirical verses Slep£ pasazieri (Blind Passengers, 1943). writers. In exile Doransky's poetry was Dilong's Hungry Breeze is again personal lyrical poetry in which published in various anthologies: his talent and mastership remind Vo vyhnanstve (1947); Zdravica sv. us of pleasant spiritual vibrations Cyrilovi a M etodovi ( 1963) ; in litfull of color, joy, sadness, mixed erary periodicals and in almanacs with hope and faith. The book is and newpapers. In recent years his divided into four chapters, each epigrams, published either in the chapter starting with appropriate quarterly Most, Literarn11 Almaillustrations by Jan Mraz, a talent- nach Slovaka 11 Amerike or in ed graphic artist from the new newspapers and almanacs, became preferred reading among Slovak wave of Slovak emigration. While all chapters contain beauti- intelligentsia in the free world. ful lyrical poetry, readers will wel- Besides poetry, Doransky wrote a come especially Chapter 4 entitled: number of short novels and other Slovak Women (Album). Dilong prose contributions under the penpublished here some of the most name Hamornik and J. D. Oravee. Doransky came from a part of beautiful verses which we can find in modern Slovak poetry and in Slovakia which gave to Slovak litSlovak poetry in general, except erature and public life many outfor Mari na by Sladkovic. In the first standini poets and novelists. He three chapters Dilong dreams a- inherited a love for literature and bout his young years, his parents, began to write in his early youth, his native Orava. It is a sort of first for students' periodicals, later SLOVAKIA for literary and cultural monthlies. When the Russian armies over-ran Slovakia, Doransky with thousands of other Slovak intellectuals left with his family for the West. After spending a few months in Austria and two years in Assissi and Rome, he landed in Canada in 1949 and has lived in Montreal for the past 23 years. Very recently a collection of his epigrams was published with a lengthy commentary by F. Vnuk and enthusiastically received by critics and readers. Those who know Doransk:y are aware of the fact that the published epigrams are just a selection of the large number he wrote during his lifetime. We can say the same about the present collection of Iyrical and patriotic verses. They are also a selection from his many verses and we have to acknowledge that it is an excellent selection. The book is dd.vided into four parts and presents a spiritual profile of the poet and poetic sketches from his journey from Slovakia through Italy to Canada, as well as fine lyrical verses dedicated to his wife, daughter and grand-daughter. As in Dilongs's collection, the best part seems to be his chapter on Slovak women, in Doransky's book the finest verses are about his mother, and mothers in general. The title of the book expresses accurately the contents of the collection which certainly will rank among the best lyrical Slovak poetry in exile. A short biographical note was added to the collection by J . M. Rydlo and the cover was artistically designed by the poet's son :Cudovit In the opinion of this reviewer, Doransky deserves a thorough analysis and evaluation of his literary work in order that we may appreciate it adequately. 187 Rudolf Dilong: Ponukam chlieb so sol'ou-I Offer Bread and Salt, Translated by Sister M. Martina Tybor. Published by Dobra kniha 1971, Galt, Ontario, Bilingual, 151 pages. By publishing this bilingual collection of poetry in prose, Rudolf Dilong proved once more that he is the most prolific and versatile contemporary poet in exile. The number of books he published in Slovakia, which he left in defiance of her Communist rulers, as well as the number of books published during his long exile in Argentina and the U.S.A., is impressive and unrivalled by any other Slovak writer. Attracted by new currents in French inter-war Catholic poetry and surrealism, Dilong experimented in many poetic forms and due to his great love for life and gay temper, was the "enfant terrible" among the Slovak Catholic poets of his generation. The present book is another experiment in fo rm and contents and by publishing it in English and Slovak, it was the merit for acquainting foreign readers with an interesting sample of Slovak literature as well as with the author himself. Dilong's reputation as a poet was well established before he left his native country. Besides publishing 14 collections of poems, two dramas, and two collections of prose, he also was very active in organizing literary journals, and contributed practically to all Slovak cuttural periodicals and anthologies of Slovak poetry. In addition, he was either co-founder or editor of two literary periodicals Postup (193436) and Nove Slovo (1939-40). In exile he remained one of the leading and again most profilic poets. His poetry remained strongly nationalistic, deeply religious in essence but not homiletic in form 188 SLOVAKIA or content, humble and rebellious and usually expressed in beautiful images and practically varied forms. While several other Slovak poets did not find opportunities in exile to publish their works, Dilong's books were published in rapid succession. From 1950 to 1970 he produced and published some 20 books either in Buenos Aires, where he spent nearly 20 years of his exile, or recently in the United States. Many of his manuscripts perished together with his books, when Peron was burning churches in Argentina. As in Slovakia, his poetic production in exile has been varied in forms and themes but the basic overtones of a patriot and Franciscan friar, even if not following always the dogma and rules of his religious order, remained the main characteristic of his entire literary work in immigration. Some of his verses became hymns for Slovak exiles, recited on various solemn occasions and re-published many times in Slovak periodicals and newspapers. Several of Dilong's poems were translated into Spanish, Polish and French. With his great love for life and because of his patriotic zeal and fiery poetry, he became one of the most interesting figures among Slovak writers. Some of his first poems inspired by their contents and musical rhythm Slovak composers in their compositions, and several poems became songs of the Slovak youth, as well as of the Slovak army. The book under review is divided into three parts: The house will bleach to ash; Out of bounds without bounds, and Human hands. Each part contains a number of short reflective and highly imaginative poems in prose which compel the reader to meditate and think about our age, our neighbor, poverty, suffering, rebellion, smile; about our life and death, emotions and beliefs, about God and man. As such, it is a valuable addition to Dilong's work and to Slovak literature. Jan Okal': Cielito Lindo, Edicia Dobra kniha, Galt, Ontario, 1972, Illustration by J. G. Cincik, 65 p. For the past several years Slovak emigre poetry was enriched by a number of beautifully illustrated collections of verse by leading Slovak poets abroad. While some of the collections contained patriotic verses and personal lyrical poetry with Slovak topics, in other collections we find poetry inspired by the beauty of foreign countries in which Slovaks either lived or visited. Okal"s masterfully illustrated collection Cielito Lindo is an outstanding example of this new poetry, and it is not easy to say if the reader enjoys more the verses or the beautiful illustrations. In any case, there is a lot of artistic value and enjoyment for the reader and we cannot but feel a certain pride that in the modest circumstances in exile, Slovak literature can afford the luxury of such books. In a certain way, Jan Okal' deserves credit for introducing into Slovak literature this combination of poetry and visual arts. Already his first published collection George Janosik: A Carpathian Saga, published in 1953, and his chronicle in 13 poems entitled Kronika Slovakov (The Chronicle of Slovaks, 1954), were published in the same form. Then for a number of years, this gifted Slovak poet remained silent, except for publishing here and there verses in the literary journal Most or the Literarny Almanach Slovaka v Amerike. In SLOVAKIA 1970, appeared his colleetion of verses Vada a vino (Water and Wine), in which Okal' reminisced about the years spent in Italy and especially in Rome. The present collection is a sort of continuation of the book Voda a vino. This time he is drawing in his poems, usually not longer than one or two verses, beautiful images of places in Mexico. Jan Okal' is a gifted and refined poet, and we hope that he will continue to publish poetry of such outstanding taste and artistic value. Jan E. Bor, Eugen Vesnin - Un poeta Eslovaco en tierras Mediterraneas, Buenos Aires, 1972, 71 pages. Among Slovak intellectuals who assiduously worked in exile for the past 20 years in order to make Slovak literature known to the Spanish reading public, Jan E. Bor has been the most prolific. Either in his own writings or in translations, he published a considerable number of essays and studies on Slovak poetry and prose not only in periodicals but also in book form. The present essay on the poet Eugen Vesnin is one of his most recent publications. The publication is divided into eight chapters in which Bor analyzes Vesnin's poetry, his personality, the reaction to Vesnin's poetry by readers and literary critics either on the part of Slovaks or Italians who acclaimed Vesnin for his collection of verses in Italian 189 language. In the last two chapters Bor analyzes Vesnin's attachment to Etruria and his enchantment with feminine beauty. Bor writes on Vesnin's poetry with the usual skill and knowledge of literary science for which he was known already in Slovakia where he belonged to the best known literary critics of his generation. In exile he lowered sometimes his yardstick when writing on Slovak emigre writers and poets, but his erudition in literary science has been evident in every book and essay he had published during the past twenty years. The portrait of Vesnin in Bor's publication is not only favorable but also well balanced and presented in Bor's baroque style. According to Bor, Vesnin belongs to the best Slovak lyrical poets among Slovak emigre writers and enriched Slovak literature by many themes inspired by the beauty of Rome and the Mediterranean area where Vesnin has lived the past three or four decades. Several collections of Vesnin's poetry undoubtedly prove that Italy enchanted him, though many of his verses were written with patriotic overtones and "heimweh" for his native Slovakia. Since every book on Slovak literature in foreign languages is a valuable contribution to our efforts to acquaint the Western world with Slovak culture, we cannot but welcome the newest publication by Prof. Jan E. Bor. J. M. K i r s c h b a um THE SLOVAK LEAGUE OF AMERICA heartily commends all efforts of our governmental and other organs to ferret out and unmask all Communists and fellow travellers, as well as all persons and organizations who wittingly or unwittingly give aid and comfort to the conspiracy of Communism promoted by the Soviet Union. 190 SLOVAKIA BOOKS ON JEWS IN SLOVAKIA Reviewed by Dr. Arved G r e b e r t during the past several centuries. The first volume contains an especially worthwhile article in two parts by Dr. Lidia Rothkirchen, a member of the research staff of Yad Vashem in Jerusalem. Her contribution, "Slovakia (1848-1938)" presents a very keen and rather accurate picture of the history of Slovakia and the Jews in that country. Naturally, in all of the articles dealing with the law, religion, social organization, etc., the writers faithfully record the history of the Jews in Slovakia. The second volume contains the article of Rabbi Hugo Stransky who was a former chief rabbi in Zilina. His is an arresting chapter on "The Religious Life in Slovakia and Subcarpathian Ruthenia," Then, too, Frank Reichenthal's "Jewish Art in Slovakia" is a very interesting review by the former chief of the department of decorative art at the State School of Applied Arts in Bratislava from 1932 to 1938. Before emigrating to United States in 1948 he served as president of the Slovak Artists' Association from 1946 to 1947. This first volume contains Eugen Barkany's "Jewish Cemeteries in Slovakia" article by the late architect and builder ( 1886-1967) and co-founder of the Jewish Museum in Presov, Slovakia. Some of the artistic motives on the gravestones, the writer observes, show a definite influence of Slovak folk art, indicating a close, intimate relationship between the Jews and the Slovaks. Gertrude Hirschler's "The His- The Jews of Czechoslovakia, histori- Europe cal studies and surveys, edited by "The Jewish Publication Society of America," Philadelphia, and the "Society for the History of Czechoslovak Jews," New York, Vol. I, 5728-1968, pp. 583, Vol. II, 5732-1971, pp. 707. Library of Congress Catalog Card No. 67-12372. Up to the present time two volumes on the history of the Jews in Czecho-Slovakia constitute an unusually valuable contribution on the history of the inhabitants of that state. The Jews in Czech lands, in Slovakia and in Sub-Carpathian Russia (Ruthenia) made a vital contribution to the Jews in general but also to the history of the people in those regions, namely, the Czechs, Germans, Slovaks, Magyars and the Ukrainians. The authors of the various articles by their objective and calm tone do not digress from a strictly scientific analysis, even when the themes, which in their tragic dimensions and consequences, understandably provide the occasion for an outburst of wrath and recrimination. In this respect the work is extraordinary effective and convincing. In no way do the authors avoid sensitive subjects. They neither ignore nor sidestep realities that have frequently been used as pretexts for criticism by the enemies of Jewry. These they explain and place in special categories in the destiny of the Jews, for example, in the framework of the historical evaluation of central and eastern SLOVAKIA tory of Agudah Israel in Slovakia (1918-1939)" is interesting, too. Of course, in all of the articles ranging from studies of various movements, organizational life, religious welfare, education, art, etc., there is a large number of facts about the life of the Jews in Slovakia and their relationship to the local inhabitants, chiefly, the Slovaks and Magyars. The number is so great that it is virtually impossible to review them all but at least we have mentioned some of them relating specifically to Slovakia. Dr. Lidia Rothkirchen's "Slovakia (1848-1938)" deserves special attention. Her article in two parts covers 53 pages. A number of facts mentioned are known only by Slovak historians and experts. For instance, the writer states that in 1858 there were 308 Jewish schools in Hungary. Of this number 131, ie., almost 45%, were located in the Bratislava school district. Bratislava, therefore, was a very important center of Jewish learning in the kingdom of Hungary. Among the charter members of the Matica Slovenska (the leading cultural organization of the Slovaks in the last century) we find a number of Jews. When the government in Budapest gave orders to close down the Slovak central schools (junior colleges) in Revuca, Klastor pod Znievom and Turciansky Svaty Martin (all in Slovakia at the time under Hungarian imperial rule), two Jewish members of the Diet (Moritz Wehrman and Eduard Horn) spoke up and requested that the schools be kept open. Dr. Lidia Rothkirchen notes that before the Jews won equal rights in Hungary, the people of Liptovsky Sv. Mikulas elected Izak Diner, a Jew, as Mayor of the city. A number of Jews later served as mayors in the same city. She 191 reminds the reader that Slovak Jews played an important role in the Zionist movement in the kingdom of Hungary. Two Jews from Bardejov (eastern Slovakia), Julius Davidsohn and Julius Davidovic, attended the first Zionist Congress in Basle, Switzerland (1897). Eight of thirteeen Zionist chapters established in Hungary were located in Slovakia, namely, in Bratislava, Nitra, Trnava, Prefov, Ko~ice, Kezmarok, Dolny Kubin and Banska Bystrica, and the first Zionist congress in Hungary convened in Bratislava in 1903. The following year the World Mizrahi Congress met in the Slovak capital. The writer notes that the Magyar government in Budapest considered the Zionist movement with the same disfavor as it did the nationalistic movement of the Slovaks in their country. During World War I both the Zionist movement and the activities of the Slovak patriots were banned by law. Names of outstanding Jewish writers and scientists are listed by Dr. Rothkirchen. She points out that Jewish writers in their novels and romances touched upon the J ewish problem in the framework of a Slovak historical background. Dr. Lidia Rothkirchen cites that in 1921 of a totaI of 135,918 Jews in Slovakia, 70,522 were registered as Jews, 29,290 as Slovaks and the rest as Magyars, Germans, Rusins, etc. The 1930 census showed 44,009 registered as Slovaks and 72,644 as J ews. This figure represents quite convincing proof of the rapid Slovakization of the Jewish population. Had it not been for the tragic events of World War II, this process of amalgamation would have inevitably resulted in a very advantageous symbiosis of the Slovak Jews and the Slovaks. She writes (page 105): From 1933 on "the Slovaks more and more o- 192 SLOVAKIA penly advocated either detachment from Czechoslovakia altogether and establishment of an independent Slovakia, or a Slovakia which would enjoy much wider autonomy and self-rule." In general this work may be accepted as a very valuable contribution to the history of the people inhabiting Czecho-Slovakia. Every public or private library should have it on its shelves. No scholar who is interested in the history of this area can be without it. To a large extent without the untiring efforts of L'udovit Sturc, president of the Society for the History of the Czechoslovak Jews in New York, this important work in two volumes would not have come to press. Mr. Sturc is a native of Slovakia and a friend of Slovak writers and artists. Unfortunately, so far his work has not been adequately appreciated. cin, Kosice, Jasov, Spisske Podhradie, Levoca, Kezmarok, Podolinec, Nove Zamky and Hlohovec. Kosice, Bardejov, Trencin, Skalica, Hlohovec, Trnava, Pezinok and Bratislava are listed separately as centers of Jewish libraries and culture. Dr. Schreiber, recognized universally as an authority in his field, considers the material found in the area now known as Slovakia as an important part of the culture of the Jews who inhabited Hungary during the Middle Ages. This work, which was lacking in scientific literature, is the beginning of further research in the archives and libraries in this direction throughout Slovakia. It is, at the same time an interesting proof, or evidence, for the tradition of the high degree of culture of the population in Slovakia during the Medieval era. Karl Baum: Nazi Anti-Jewish Legislation in the Czech Protectorate, a Documentary, in "Soviet Jewish Affairs," a Journal on Jewish Problems in the USSR and Eastern Europe, London, No. 3, May, 1972. Published by the Institute Dr. Alexander Schreiber, director of Jewish Affairs, London, in asof the Rabbinical Seminary in Busociation with the World Jewish dapest, has written a very noteCongress in Geneva. worthy book on the cultural history Karl Baum's article is noteworthy of the Jews in Slovakia during the Medieval era. The book contains a for several reasons. In his introlist and analysis of 172 Hebrew duction the writer states that the codex fragments which were used anti-Jewish legislation in the Czech protectorate (1939-1945) has not for book-bindings. Together with Arpad Zoltan of been properly treated in ternationthe Slovak Academy of Sciences in al scientific writings so far, while Bratislava the author studied the a rich and documented literature archives and libraries in the fol- about anti-Jewish regulations in lowing Slovak cities and towns: Hitler's Germany does exist. Those Bratislava, Cerveny Kamen pri who studied this question outside Modre, Pezinok, Jur near Bratisla- of Hitler's sphere ordinarily did va, Trnava, Nitra, Nova Bana, Ban- not study the laws of the protectorska Bystrica, Turciansky Svaty ate, which they assumed were an Martin, Dolny Kubin, Bytca, Tren- integral part of the Reich and those Alexander Schreiber: Hebriiische Kodexuberreste in Ungarlb."ndischen Eibandstafeln. Heber Kodexmaradvanyok magyarorszagi kotestablakban. Budapest, 1969. I SLOVAKIA who studied anti-Jewish laws in Hitler's Germany did not consider the protectorate because it did not belong directly to the framework of the Third Reich. Baum, at least, partially fills this void. The writer gives a detailed study on anti-Jewish legislation in the Czech Protectorate and traces the execution of the laws not only by the Nazis but also by the Czech government officials in the Protectorate. Baum's study from this viewpoint is highly important because he has brought to the international forum little known or unknown facts which were hidden on the pages of "The Collection of Laws and Regulations" promulsignatures of President (Dr.) Hacha or Czech ministers. Baum emphasizes that these laws of the wartime Czech protectorate "reflect only part of the unmitigated evil to which one of the leading Jewish communities was to fall victim. They carry little evidence of persecution and harassment on the local level, nor do they mirror the share of those of non-German vintage in Czechoslovakia who had come in to participate in the great hunt of the century and to divide its spoils. It must be left to future historians to establish their contribution to the tragedy of Czechoslovak Jewry." Baum calls attention to the December 1, 1930, Census in CzechoSlovakia as listing the number of Jews as 356,830, which is inaccurate inasmuch 15,000 Jews from Germany found refuge there when Hitler came to power. Of 854,600 who were registered as atheists in Czecho-Slovakia, according to Baum, at least 10% were of Jewish origin. Moreover, there was no provision for a natural increase of the Jewish population from 1930 to 1939. Consequently, the author's estimate has some 457,000 Jews in Czecho-Slo- 193 vakia by 1938, hence actually 100,000 more than is generally indicated in the figures. All of the above, the author concludes, became innocent victims of inhumane discrimination and inhuman mistreatment in the lands of the Czech Protectorate during World War II. ANNUAL FURDEK Jednota Annual FURDEK 1973, Vol. XII, 1973. Edited by Joseph C. Krajsa. Publisher, The First Catholic Slovak Union. Printed by Jednota Press, Middletown, Pa. 208 pages. This publication, Jednota Annual Furdek, continues commendably in the footsteps of Philip A. Hrobak, the first editor who conceived the idea of addressing it to our youth for their benefit. The present volume offers the youthful reader valuable information and inspiration as well. The 12th volume is definitely youth oriented, for it gives several phases of the background of our early Slovak immigrants to American shores and a look at the historic homeland of our parents and grandparents. Quite appropriately the Furdek leads off with a pictorial introduction of the officers of the Jednota because they are the official representatives of the organization that has a membership close to 100,000. Daniel Tanzone discusses fraternalism and the Slovak immigrant in a highly readable and documented study of the origins and growth of Slovak fraternal organizations in this country. Introduction of Janko Kral', Slovak revolutionary poet of the 19th century, by Joseph Kirschbaum, Ph.D., LL.D., of Toronto, Canada, is rather timely in view of current 194 SLOVAKIA Catholic unity is a .serious reminder in our times to stand united in the Faith of our Fathers when diversity of opinions, various modes of liturgical worship, and even divergent doctrinal proposals are dangerous challenges to the orthodoxy of our faith. Father Franko's Slovak Christmas Eve sacred vignette should be adopted by every Christian family to help preserve the spirit and true meaning of a genuinely Christian yuletide season. Reproductions (in exquisite color) of the stained glass windows adorning the Chapel of the Jednota Home are a pictorial portrayal of the spirit of faith that inspired their creation and at the same time a public testimonial of honor of two of the most famous Slovak priests of our age, namely, Father Furdek, founder of the Jednota, and Father Tiso, the martyr-president of the Slovak Republic. Clevelanders will no doubt find the article by Slovak Bet1edictine scribe, Fr. Andrew V. Pier, 0.S.B., on early Slovak immigrants interesting . . . and his other contributions informative. The story about Staff Sergeant Frank Mitka, a Veteran of the U.S. Army for more than thirty years, brings into the limelight a career soldier who enjoyed military life . . . he was a forerunner of the present-day volunteer army. The valaska, a traditional Slovak weapon designed for protection ... not aggression . . . is a national symbol of strength and resistance The Slovak Catholic Federation against the forces of injustice and of America is primarily an associa- tyranny. Sheep and their shepherds in tion of Slovak Catholic fraternal organizations that hold the Church Slovakia are the subjects of a roin highest esteem because their mantic setting (an idyllic scene on members accept it as a society the mountainside) with the venerestablished by Christ for the salva- able 'baca' holding his young proteges spell-bound as they listen to tion of their immortal souls. Monsignor Gallik's article on an endless series of thrilling epi- trends that are characterized by the same spirit of restlessness, r adical change, disillusionment and a mixture of hope and despair that marked the life and work of a Slovak poet who was in the forefront of the struggle for social justice and political freedom. St. Joseph the Workman, the universal patron of workingmen everywhere, is a favorite saint of men who must toil at manual labor. The statue of St. Joseph overlooking the industrial environs of St. Michael Slovak parish, Munhall, Pa., in the heart of the steel industry of the Pittsburgh area is a constant inspiration to the passerby. Tribute to Karl Pacanovsky, 'a philosopher-craftsma n' at the Hill School in Pottstown, Pa. for more than three decades, is a well deserved one for a Slovak worker who was dedicated to his tasks in his workshop. R. H. Andrews' article on India is an eye-opener for those who know so little about the great work accomplished by Catholic missionaries in the Far East. Furdek's youth panel of scholarship winners (39 young men and 2:5 young women) is a fine representation of Jednota's honor students of the past year. Paul Berish in his Relevant contribution finds fault ... and rightly so . . . with the mishandling of facts about the Slovaks and their history by American journalists, newsreporters, and even socalled editorial writers and historians. SLOVAKIA sodes around the fireside after the evening chores are done, but members of a definite economic class that is an asset to the country and its people. Even the Croatians, by exception, get a boost in this year's Furdek as Father Wuerl recalls the 1,000th anniversary of the feast of St. Blaise, celebrated in the town of Dubrovnik, Croatia, on February 3, 1972. Paul Berish uncovers the 'hidden life of Brother Rudolf' over a span of fifty years as a tailor in the service of the Lord in the tailorshop of a monastic Redemptorist community. Salt in Slovakia has been a rich commodity for Slovakia and neighboring states in central Europe for many centuries. Solivar, near Pre~ov, continues to mine salt to the present day by modern methods and techniques. Michael Kurak of the Holy Trinity Slovak parochial school in Yonkers, N. Y. tells the world he is a Slovak . . . and proud of it! Father Robert Terentieff is presented by Dr. Michael Simko to our readers as an artist, teacher, dramatist, zealous shepherd of souls and preserver of Slovak customs in Connecticut. The pictorial contribution of Paul C. Fallat, Slovak artist, on an important phase in the life of Father Hlinka who was 'a fearless fighter for Slovak freedom' is an atractive re-enactment of the highlights of the Slovak leader's dynamic career that helped win the struggle for the Slovak nation's political freedom before World War II. American and Canadian Translators of Slovak poetry by Dr. J . M. Kirschbaum, Slovak diplomat and writer, not only touches upon translations of Slovak poems but lists a considerable number of 195 translations from Slovak prose. Included in the list of translators with such world known personalities as Bjornson, Seton-Watson and Denis are W. Kirkconnell, J. Vajda, I. Kramoris, M. Sprinc, K. Strmen and Sister M. Tybor, SS.C.M. The Tool Box by Alvin Lehar brings to light an amusing incident in the early life of Stan Sladek, a Slovak professional football player from the Bronx in the 1950's and 1960's. Dorothy Day, the 74-year-old Catholic social worker, speaker, publisher and activist during most of her lifetime, is given tribute by Joseph McLellan who characterizes the remarkable champion of social justice and evangelical poverty as 'a prophet of Catholic social concern.' Dr. Kirschbaum attempts to sift the truth from falsehood in the conflicting accounts involving the creation of the Slovak Republic on March 14, 1939 . . . almost six months before the German invasion of Poland started the war. Australia beckoned several thousand freedom-loving Slovaks to seek their livelihood there after their country was locked up behind the Iron Curtain. Approximately ten thousand Slovaks in exile are found in southern Australia. Father Matthew Jankola (founder of the Religious Order of SS. Cyril and Methodius in Danville, Pa.) has a proper evaluation of his lifework in the biographical sketch of Daniel Tanzone, young Slovak writer. Another promising young Slovak writer, Michael J. Krajsa, rightly gives credit to our early American Slovak leaders for establishing fraternal societies, churches, schools and social-cultural centers that flourished in their time. Krajsa concentrates on the story of the Jednota primarily. 196 SLOVAKIA Interspersed throughout the volume are short poems, designed no doubt for inspiration as well as variety . . . these adequately fulfill their purpose. Rt. Rev. Jerome Koval, 0.S.B SLOVAK PIONEERS IN AMERICA Jozef Pauco, Ph.D. Slovenski priekopnici v Amerike (Slovak Pioneers in America). First Catholic Slovak Union, Cleveland, 0. , 1972. 358 pages. Illustrated. $4.95. Slovak Pioneers in America (Slovenski priekopnici v Amerike), from the pen of Dr. Joseph Pauco, is another publication of the Jednota Press of the First Catholic Slovak Union. The book is dedicated as a living witness to the staunch and lasting accomplishments of those Slovak pioneerspriests, religious and laity-who with their whole being stood in the service of the American Slovaks. Many made outstanding cultural and literary contributions that have become part of the lasting treasury of America's worth. On these factual pages, the author and the First Catholic Slovak Union fulfill an obligation which is due to Slovak nation since it gave to America fully one-third of its people. These immigrants filled all facets of American labor and pulled themselves up from the mines, the iron pits and steel mills to the ranks of Generals, professional men, and business men, but most of all they led their people to be loyal citizens of their new country, the United States of America. It is in this vein that Pauco presents his new book Slovenski priekopnici v Amerike. When the book is translated into English, the third and fourth generations of American Slovaks will be able to fully evaluate all the accomplishments and contributions of their pioneer parents and grandparents-not only what they did for them, but for the over three million American Slovaks and for the whole of America. Pauco's work required serious research and documentation. In an objective manner he credits the life and works of the pioneers and categorizes them in their proper niche in the history of the American Slovaks, in America and the Slovak nation. He presents those leading pioneers who played the greatest role in the cultural field; those who organized fraternal societies, parishes, schools, and religious orders; those who preserved the literary culture with the publication of newspapers and books; and those who were fired with the ideal of liberty that even permeated to Slovakia. It was the American Slovaks who initiated the movement for an independent Slovakia prior to World War I. They were proud of the document known as the "Pittsburgh Pact" which became the platform of the political party in Slovakia seeking autonomy for the Slovak people. This was a unique display of cooperation and a symbolic gesture between the Slovak nation and the emigrated American Slovaks. Father J oseph A. Gajdosik, Supreme Chaplain of the First Catholic Slovak Union and Chairman of its Literary Committee-himself an eloquent and gifted writergave a few thoughts concerning Pauco's new book as he remembered reading the installments in the Jednota. "The stories of the Slovak pioneers are very provocative, enlightening and very stimulating. They reveal the joyous faith that the Slovak pioneers had, which in 197 SLOVAKIA turn motivated them in their endeavors to better their lives, and help assure a better future for their loved ones, and for Slovaks in general. The realism that FAITH has many faces is beautifully depicted in the lives of the many characters who appear in the Priekopnici! "The lives of these pioneers communicate the personal and devoted consecration to the Slovak motto of living for God and People, to such a degree, that undoubtedly young adults of the second, third, etc., Slovak generation, who perhaps have difficulty of choosing a career, will be aided by the publication of this book to select a career, which will fulfill their vocation for life. "The 'Slovak Cause' is no longer a hot issue in the average life of an American of Slovak ancestry, in fact, I find a reversing trend. However, if this book can make one cognizant of his Slovak origin, it may serve to help one gain heights which otherwise would be out of bounds, e.g. Michael Novak, and his noted book The Rise of the Unmeltable Ethnics. "Pauco's book is one sure way to arousing interest in the Slovak heritage on a personal and individual basis, especially among our younger people. Hopefully, an English translation will be made in the near future, so that devotion to the Slovak ethnicity will be fostered. "The book should bolster Dr. Joseph Pauco's strong thoughts about the termination and death of the Slovak language in the United States. The book is also a warning to our fair-weather-Slovaks, who claim that they received little if anything from their Slovak ancestors, for it teaches that much Slovak affluence and prestige is di- rectly the result of the conduct and work of our pioneers. "It behooves our brethren who are ashamed of their Slovak ethnicity, to study their history, and learn how everything they have was given to them, and that they should give themselves for others as our pioneers did. The ultimate lesson is that we, Americans of Slovak ancestry, should foster and serve the Slovak cause and ideal, at least as much, if not better then our pioneers in early America." Dr. Joseph Pauco came to the United States 22 years ago. He earned his doctorate in Philosophy at the Slovak University in Bratislava. As a historian and journalist, he has dedicated himself fully to the service of the American Slovaks. He has spent all his time in the United States on the editorial staff of Jednota, the Catholic Weekly of the First Catholic Slovak Union. He is also the publisher of the oldest Slovak newspaper in America Slovak v Amerike (American Slovak) and is a contributor to many other periodicals. He is the author of over 20 books, mostly dedicated to the life of the American Slovaks, including the history of the First Catholic Slovak Union and the lives of Fr. Stephen Furdek and Fr. Matthew Jankola. His many hundreds of articles, especially the column "Slovaci a ich zivot" (Slovaks and Their Life ) in Jedno ta, systematically record the accomplishments and efforts of the American Slovaks and their institutions. Slovenski priekopnici v Amerike is in itself a pioneer book. Nothing to date has been published in such documentary detail about American Slovak pioneers. The First Catholic Slovak Union is proud to publish this vital literary work of Dr. Joseph Pauco. Joseph c. Krajsa 198 SLOVAKIA JANKOLA'S CENTENNIAL Jankola centennial Books.-Pamiitnica 100-ho vyrocia narodenia Otca Matusa Jankolu (1872-1972). - Jankola Book. Honoring the Centennial of the Birth of Father Matthew Jankola (1872-1972) Both of these books were prepared and published by the Sisters of Saints Cyril and Methodius, collaborating at Jankola Library in Danville, Pennsylvania, July-August, 1972, under the chairmanship of Sister M. Martina Tybor. The historian of the future who undertakes a study of the history of the Slovak people will inevitably reach out for the most objective of resource materials available. And it is just such a balanced, such a level and extraordinary objective and tastefully factual contribution that has appeared this year as an enrichment in the specific field of Slovak-American immigrant chronicles. The work consists of two distinct volumes, one in English and one in Slovak (similar but not identical in content), delineating the life and the achievements of Father Matthew Jankola, pioneer SlovakAmerican priest and patriot, who was a leader, educator, writer, and the founder of the American community, Sisters of Saints Cyril and Methodius. This eminently commendable publication project was endorsed and sponsored by Mother M. Valeria Romanchek, Superior General of the congregation, and it became a reality only by reason of the dedication, diligence, and scholarship of the Sisters who were fittingly associated with Jankola Library in this undertaking. Jankola Library is directed by Sister M. Martina Tybor and under her chairmanship there evolved an editorial committee consisting of Mother M. Emerentia Petra~ek, Sister M. Lilliana Kardo~, Sister M. Consuela Gregorovic, Sister M. Philomena Abbick, Sister M. Tarcisia Gregorovic and Sister Donna Marie Ivanko. By their personal effort and professional talent these Sisters worked to contribute every aspect of the publication: the researching and compiling of data, literary composition, technical composing and preparation of copy, multilith reproduction, collating and binding. Susan Oravec of Peckville, Pa. designed the artistic and becoming cover portrait, and photography was done by Joseph McGlinn of Danville and John Gre~kovic of Olyphant, Pa. The books credit items of information etc. contributed by Sisters M. John Vianney, M. Eileen McCoy, M. Regina, M. Bernardine, M. Raphael, and M. Yolanda. Each volume consists of 134 pages, is fully protected by copyright and is dedicated to the memory of the esteemed Founder of this American community of sisters whose prime apostolates are teaching and caring for the orphaned and the aged. The sisters thus express the gratitude which is justly due to Father Jankola not only by this community but by all the Slovak people both in this country and abroad, especially for his priestly zeal in promoting spirituality and culture, for his selfsacrifice on behalf of his fellowman, his leadership and vision as well as his determination to better the lot of the Slovak immigrant in America. The opening pages of each souvenir book contain commemorative poetry of high quality. The text also includes rich and informative articles such as a biography which cover the fruitful work of Father Jankola's lifetime of less than fifty SLOVAKIA years, a historical survey of the founding of the community and reminiscences of some who knew Father J ankola well. Another important contribution in these books is the descriptive account of Jimkola Library at Danville, Pa., its holdings, areas of service, prospects, etc. Of special interest is a picture of Father J ankola's two surviving sisters, Mrs. Irma J ankola Srbova and Mrs. Luisa J ankola Sopkova of Slovakia, together with a reproduction of the congratulatory lines which they sent to grace the centennial celebration. As a special supplement in each book are the news reports and 199 photographs which record the centennial observance and the Jankola Exhibit of Memorabilia held at Danville on August 13, 1972. The news accounts were prepared by Dr. Joseph Pauco, Slovak journalist and editor, and by Rev. Augustine J. Zan, Chaplain at Maria J oseph Manor. These unique books creditably record the work of Father Jankola and honor him worthily for the legacy which he bequeathed to the Church, to the Slovak nation and to his adopted country, the USA. Although this is a limited edition, copies are still available at J ankola Library, Danville, Pa. 17821. Rev. Augustine J. Za n Annual S L O V A K I A is published by the Slovak League of America, 313 Ridge Ave., Middletown, Pa. 17057. Subscription $3.00. Editor: Joseph Pauto, Ph. D. Editorial Board: Draga 0/vlnska, Louis Kandra, Joseph M. Kirschbaum, Ph.D., Joseph A. Miku§, Ph. 0., Fr. Andrew Pier, O.S.B., M.A., Daniel F. Tanzone, M.A., Sister M. Tybor, SS.C.M., M.A. SLOVAKIA 200 Contents The Slovak Word Abroad - Gorazd Zvonicky - 3 Twenty Years of the Slovak Institute in Cleveland - Joseph Paufo,Ph.D. -16 The Inflectional Morphology of Standard Slovak: A Descriptive Analysis John Michael Kochik, Ph:D. - 24 The Ethnical Philosophy of nudovit Stur - Stefan Polakovi~ - 29 Fortieth Anniversary Canadian Slovak League - Edward J. Behuncik -48 Youth in Search of Slovak Identity and Pride - John Llhani, Ph.D. -53 A New Phase in the Socialist Economic Reform - V. J. Hurley - 57 The Renaissance of the Slovak American Literature - P. O'Reilly - 66 Cultural Revival of American and Canadian Slovaks - Jozef Paufo, Ph.D. -72 Dr. J. M. Kirschbaum - F . Vnuk - 82 Select Bibliography of Foreign Language Writings by Prof. J. M. Kirschbaum - 92 Evaluation of Dr. Kirschbaum's Writings by Critics - 101 /Diplomatic and Consular Relations of Slovakia with Neutral States - J. M. Kirschbaum, Ph.D. - 111 Mother M . Emerentia Petrasek - 123 The Declining Democratic Facade: Czecho-Slovakia 1948-1960 - S. J.B. -129 Youth, Our Hope - Pavo! 0 . Hviezdoslav - 140 Ethnicity and Research - Dr. Steven I. Miller - 141 Ethnics Work Hard - Msgr. James T. McHugh - 153 The American Political Question - Edward M. Zelenak - 155 Current Issues - 158 As Others See It - 170 Book Reviews (J. M. Kirschbaum - Books on Slovakia - Galla Golan: The Czechoslovak Reform Movement - Wolfgang Venohr: Aufstand fiir die Tschecho-Slowakei - Slovak Studies, Volume Vlll and IX - Joseph Vravrovic: L'oecumenisme et le panslavisme de l'abbe Jean Palarik - Milan S. f>urica: La Morte di M. R. Stefanik Alla Luce Dei Documenti Militari Italiani Inediti - Michael Novak: The Rise of the Unmeltable Ethnics - Slavs in Canada, Vol. III - Jaroslaw A. Piekalkiewicz: Public Opinion Polling in Czechoslovakia - Milan S. f>urica (Ed.): II Mondo Slavo, Vol. Ill; New Collections of Slovak ~migre Poetry - Rudolf Dilong: IIladny vetrik - Jan L. Doransky: Od splnu po zatmenie - Rudolf Dilong: Pomikam chlieb so sol'ou - Jan Okal': Cielito Lindo Jan E. Bor: Eugen Vesnin; Books on Jews in Slovakia -reviewed by Dr. Arved Grebert - (Ed.): The Jews of Czechoslovakia Alexander Schreiber: Hebriiische Kodexilberreste in Ungarliindischen Eibandstafeln - Karl Baum: Nazi Anti-Jewish Legislation in the Czech Protectorate - Jednota Annual FURDEK reviewed by Rt. Rev. Jerome Koval, O.S.B. - Jozef Paufo, Ph.D.: Slovenski priekopnici v Amerike (by Joseph C. Krajsa) - Jankola Centennial Books (by Rev. Augustine J. Zan) - 174 Our Contributors Gorazd Zvonicky - poet, professor, Rome, Italy author, historian, Middletown, Pa. Joseph Pauco, Ph.D. - assistant professor of Czech and Russian, University of Nebraska, Lincoln John M. Kochik, Ph.D. - former professor at the Slovak University, Bratislava, Slovakia, now in Argentina Stefan Polakovic, Ph;D. - attorney-at-law, Stratford, Conn. Edward J. Behuncik - professor of Hispanic Linguistics, University of John Lihani, Ph.D. - Kenrtucky Francis Vnuk - historian; professor, Institute of Technology, Adelaide, Australia Joseph M . Kirschbaum, LL.D., Ph-D. - historian, author, Toronto, Ontario Pav ol 0. Hviezdoslav - noted Slovak poet Sr. M . Martina Tybor, SS.C-M. - teacher and author, Danville, Pa. assistant professor, Sociology of Education, Loyola University, Chicago, Ill. Dr. Steven I. MiUer - Msgr. James T. McHugh - diocese of Harrisburg, Pa. Edward M. Zelenak - musician, college student, Detroit, Michigan Dr. Arved Grebert - former Slovak diplomat, now in Switzerland Rt. Rev . Jerome Koval, O.S-B. - Abbot, St. Andrew's Svorad Slovak Abbey, Cleveland, Ohio Joseph C. Krajsa - Editor, Jednota, Middletown, Pa. Rev. Augustine J . Zan - author, Danville, Pa. V . J . Hurley; P. O'ReiUy and S. J. B. - Slovak American students PRI NTI D IN U.S. A. JIDN OTA PlllN TER Y, MID DLli TOW N, PA.  Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Back Matter, Slovakia, Vol. 23 (No. 46) Description An account of the resource includes Current Issues; As Others See It; Book Reviews; Contributors Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1973 https://slovakia.wordsofpassage.net/files/original/5c84ba193349ca8be719af99811dfa73.pdf 026bfe83c00414990c13fcfa434d188c PDF Text Text 210 SLOVAKIA CURRENT ISSUES RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED AT CONFERENCE OF THE SLOVAK LEAGUE OF AMERICA IN NEW YORK CITY, MAY 19, 1973 Your Holiness: In the name of more than 350,000 American-Slovaks, the greater majority Catholic, and supporting the Slovak League of America and its cultural and civic programs, we extend cordial greetings. We appreciate your efforts and dedication to obtain equal rights for all Catholics and to continue the ecumenical co-operation with all Christians and believers throughout the whole world. We also present to you a petition asking that you give particular attention to the land of our forefathers-Slovakia -cradle in 833 of Christianity in Central Europe and ever devotedly loyal to the Holy See. Notwithstanding this historic fact, Slovakia, oppressed by the atheistic Soviet regime in civil affairs, lacks, in the spiritual domain, its own province, does not have a single archbishop and for so long a time, no Slovak has achieved cardinalhood. Of course, Slovak Catholics share their sufferings with their Lutheran and Greek Catholic brethren. We respectfully suggest that Slovakia be accorded similar recognition as Bohemia, Moravia, Slovenia, Croatia and many other countries in Africa and Asia. We are confident that among dedicated and oppressed Slovak clergy can be found an archbishop to lead a Slovak ;irovince as in days gone by. Such a magnanimous gesture would invigorate all Slovaks at home as well as here in America. We believe that your Holiness by such a decision will strengthen us and thus fortify our fidelity to the Vatican and reverence to the throne of St. Peter. Very respectfully and sincerely, Edward J. Behuncik, President Dr. Joseph Pauco, Secretary Dear Mr. President: The Slovak League of America on the occasion of its 1973 Conference here in New York extends cordial greetings. We hope you will continue to enjoy good health and achieve even greater success in your efforts on behalf of all citizens of whatever origin. We unequivocally endorse your stand in Vietnam and welcome your policy in Europe and Asia. As you are well aware, our origins are in Central Europe, in �SLOVAKIA 211 Slovakia, which has a more than 1100 year Christian history and which for many centuries, excepting a brief period, has lived in subjugation. Now, Slovakia is in its fifth year of Soviet occupation and deprivation by the communists of all human, spiritual and political rights. So, today, we again respectfully request that you, individually as our leader, as well as your entire administration, continue to remember Slovakia and the other oppressed nations behind the Iron Curtain. All thes•e subjugated peoples seek and des·erve statehood and democratic freedom such as we in the United States are so fortunate to enjoy. In your discussions with the leaders of the totalitarian world, we ask that you give high priority to this humane cause. W!! are confident that if permitted free elections, our brethren in Slovakia would officially confirm their dedication and devotion to the United States of America as the stalwart guardian of human freedoms . Most Sincerely, Edward J. Behuncik, President Dr. Joseph Pauco, Secretary DECLARATION ADOPTED AT THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE SLOVAK WORLD CONGRESS HELD IN CHICAGO ON JUNE 30TH 1973 The representatives of Slovaks abroad gathered at the General Assembly of the Slovak World Congress, held in Chicago on June 28-30th, 1973, adopted the following Declaration: (1) We consider ourselves an integral part of the Slovak people. We are conscious of our co-responsibility for their destiny and for their contribution to the overall culture of humanity. (2) We claim for the Slovak nation, on the basis of its national individuality, recognition for an equal status with other sovereign nations of the world. (3) We deny any Great Power the right to interfere with the destiny of the Slovak people and to integrate Slovakia in other states or zones of influence which are opposed to the will of the Slovak people and their national interests. We consider such actions, condemned as they are by all civilized people of the world, to be a violation of the Charter of the United Nations. (4) We demand the departure of all occupation forces from Central Europe in order that, after more than a quarter �212 SLOVAKIA of a century since the end of the War, the nations of that area can finally govern themselves. (5) As representatives of a nation conscious of its responsibility towards others, we consider the principles of democracy and humanism the basis for peace and co-operation among the peoples of the world. (6) On these principles alone, life in freedom and a free culture can develop in Slovakia according to the traditions of the Slovak people and in harmony with the progress of the world. PHILIP A. HROBAK YEAR January 10, 1974 marked the tenth anniversary of the death of Philip A. Hrobak, and on May 1, 1974 we will mark the seventieth anniversary of his birth. These special dates impel us to honor his memory in a special way. He was one of the most deserving of our cultural and civic workers from among the many American-born Slovaks and one who dedicated himself to the Slovak cause since early manhoJd. Philip A. Hrobak, as a newspaperman, writer, histocian, linguist, fraternalist and organizer rose to heights in American Slovak life. His contributions to the Slovak cause in both English and Slovak are most noteworthy and memorable in Slovak history. Therefore, the Slovak League of America deems it a special honor to be able to lend itself to the legacy of Philip A. Hrobak. Not only did he honorably serve as a long time editor of JEDNOTA, as the founder and editor of "Slovak Newsletters," "Jednota Annual Furdek" and "Slo·v akia", but also as a distinguished President and member of the Executive Committee of the Slovak League of America-all this is his eternal monument. Bowing before his genius, we turn to our Slovak people and we seek recognition in 1974 of the unfinished dreams of Philip A. Hrobak and so-licit continued help in proving that we i>..re all worthy followers of this g,r eat son of our people. For the Slovak League of America, the year 1974 will be the time of increased activity, as he idealized and set by his example. In tribute to his linguistic talents, we can have the opportunity to help build a strong scholarship fund for the League, because the main purpose of this fund is to preserve and enhance, as he desired, the Slovak conscience in America. Surely, there cannot be any American Slovak who would not make his or her contribution to our scholarship fund in memory of Philip .A. Hirobak. The Slovak League of America also feels compelled to follow the �SLOVAKIA 213 footsteps of Philip A. Hrobak in other fields. In the firat place, we must preserve and continue with the annual "Slovakia", we must daily and fairly continue to inform the American public of the ideals and accomplishments of the American Slovaks, and we must continue our cl-forts to renew the rightful place of the Slovak nation as an independent unit in the family of nations. These were the goals of Philip A. Hrobak, and our Slovak League has so proceeded in the last ten years since we with heavy hearts bid a sad farewell to our never-forgotten leader. With prayer, with labor, and with sacrifices we thus honor this meritocious Slovak son. May the memory of Philip A. Hrobak be perpetual. Edward J. Behuncik, President Dr. Joseph Pauco, Secretary As the others see it represented. What to me is more worse, is the attempt to sublimate the Slovaks into the Czech people. That's why we hear about a 'Czechoslovak nation'. It does not exists! Czecho-Slovakia is a political entity of two nations - the Czechs and the Slovaks. I never think of myself as Czech. I am Slovak and nothing else."- Rev. John Zornan, President of the Slovak Zion Synod, "What kind of man is Alex Del- National News, Pittsburgh, Pa., vecchio? (Playing for Detroit Red August 1, 1973. Wings.) He's middle aged, 41. A guy who you can't get in an "Despite the courage and per• argument with. His salt-and-pepper severance the Slovaks and other gray hair is impeccably coiffured peoples of Eastern Europe have around round Eastern European displayed time and again in their face (his late mother was a Slovak; relentless search for internal liberhis father Italian.)" - Bob Naylor, ties and external sovereignty, they Detroit Free Press, December 9, cannot achieve their goals without 1973. outside help. It is our duty, and only in keeping with our own "The idea of 'Slovak Heritage' is to extend our support. The ideals, quite intriguing to me. It implies world will not know genuine that we have one. Looking at hisevery country enjoys tory books, however, you might peace until freedom and can exercise the right have doubts. Even when discussing to self-determination. Central Europe, the Slovaks as a "The history of Slovakia is one nation are often forgotten or mis- "Call a Slovak Czechoslovak and you plant a burr under his skin. To a Slovak, named for a geograph• ic region divided by the wars and politics, that frequent error is more than just misnomer; it conveys a complete historical misunderstanding of who he is." - Sue Morse, The Herald Statesman, Yonkers, N. Y., November 30, 1973. �214 SLOVAKIA of turmoil, frustration, and heroic struggle. Your continued devotion to the cause of a free and independent Slovakia - despite hundreds of years of oppression - is an inspiration to those of us who cherish freedom as you do. These are the characteristics that help us, in maintaining a better and stronger America. "The existence of the World Congress is an important step in achieving your long delayed place among the family of the free naRobert P. Hanrahan, tions." Member of Congress. U.S. Senator Adlai E. Stevenson. "I am sure all of the American Slovaks sincerely wish to acknowledge the plight of their brethren under Communist oppression. The Slovak people strongly pursue the course that someday freedom will reign in all corners of the world. People of America need to be remainded of the severe repressing of Communist-held nations of the world endure." - U.S. Senator Hugh Scott. "Slovaks of Cleveland brought many Christmas customs from the old country, notably the custom of caroling. Among the most cherished Slovak folk songs are those sung at Christmas time. These carols are sung not only in churches, but also in the homes of the faithful, no matter how many generations they have lived here." - Sun Herald, Cleveland, 0., December 20, 1973. "We must re-dedicate ourselves to cause of all captives of Communism. Recognizing that the world cannot enjoy peace until all peoples are free from yoke of Communism. Please continue your dedication to the traditions, cultural life, religious beliefs, and desire for independence on behalf of Slo"There is a strong feeling of vak people everywhere."- Edward awareness among some ethnic J. Derwinski, Member of Congress. members of the younger generation. "I do want you to know I share There are also strong indications your commitment to the Slovak that the melting pot concept can people and to strengthening the no longer be maintained and that ties with their sons and daughters America is beginning to recognize throughout the world. I know we and appreciate the diversity of its will not falter in our efforts to ethnic populations in terms of a insure that no people need face re- new cultural pluralism."- Dr. Goy, pression and indignity as a result a member of City College's library of their yearning to be free." - faculty, New York, N. Y. �SLOVAKIA 215 -------------- WHO'S WHO Among American Slovaks JOSEPH C. K RAJ SA It was a mark of social maturity when the Chamber of Commerce of the Greater Harrisburg Area decided to have "Slovak power" for its presidency. Such is progress that it is hardly news anymore when a second-generation American of ethnic background and working-class origins becomes the leader of the town's top capitalists. Pardon us, Karl Marx. Joseph Charles Krajsa is the 60th president of the Harrisburg Chamber. He is so ethnic that more than half the Chamber's members can't pronounce his name correctly: It is "Crysa," and Anglicized it would mean "nicer." Well beyond his own physical size - 6-foot-1 and 240 pounds Krajsa is a big man. He was manager of the Allentown Finance Co. for 14 years, which is owned by his older brother, John. He has the equivalent of two college degrees and has a speaking knowledge of seven languages. He was an outstanding football, baseball and basketball coach for 11 years. And, lastly, he served as auditor and vice president of the First Catholic Slovak Union, and is now the editor of its bilingual weekly, Jednota, and manager of the Jednota home, farm and printery. Very much a Slovak as a warm convivial person, Krajsa also is a Rotarian, Elk, Legionaire and democrat. He once was a topflight golfer who won country-club trophies. "I find more businessmen in this Chamber, for example, wanting to be more human, wanting to share their good fortune," he said. "The single-minded emphasis on economics has diminished. A person must be involved politically, socially and religiously, as well as economically, to be well-rounded, and more and more businessmen understand that." Krajsa, 56, grew up in Allentown. His father was a wire-worker from Skalica in Slovakia and emigrated to America in 1906. Old Joe Krajsa married a girl living here, Agnes Baranek, a native of Horna Krupa, Slovakia. He built his own home and started a corner grocery. Everybody knew and loved the Krajsas. "Put it on the book," or "na knizku," they said as Father Krajsa had a credit book, so the neighborhood could have its groceries. One of the articles in Krajsa's published Furdek 1974 is entitled "Slovaks Are Lovers." The author asserts, "Slovak mothers can equally match the 'Good Jewish Mother' of book fame." A Slovak mother will say to her daughter, "Ja som t'a nevychovala, aby si behala za muzami," or "I didn'-t raise you to go chasing after men." Many Slovaks came to America between 1880 and 1920, with most of them settling here between 1900 and 1910. Thousands settled in Pennsylvania, and the men became the muscle of this commonwealth's steel, coal and railroading indus- �216 SLOVAKIA tries. Of Slovak descent are Astronaut Eugene A. Cernan, Penn State's great lineman, Mark Markovich; Will Hartack, Chuck Bednarik, Johnny Bucha and George Blanda. Stan Musial is half-Polish and half-Slovak. Blanda's mother is president of the Jednota lodge in Youngwood. There were 277 scattered Slovak fraternal organizations and widoworphan funds when in 1890 the Rev. Stephen Furdek, of Cleveland, organized the national union called Jednota (the word means union, or united). Nineteen years later the Middletown property of the aristocrat Simon Cameron Young was purchased for $38,000. What originally was 298 acres is now 255 acres, but worth well over one million dollars. The old orphanage, now phased out, cared for 4,000 children in its history. The newspaper Krajsa edits and writes for has a circulation of 40,000. Jednota also publishes 15 book titles annually. It is building a million dollar printery. Krajsa was elected editor for a three-year term in 1964, and he keeps being re-elected. He arrived in Middletown when Olmsted Air Force Base was closing, so immediately he plunged into civic activity. It got him involved in Chamber of Commerce work, and he did so well that the Chamber named him president last October. Krajsa had a typical Americanimmigrant family upbringing. He did well in his studies. He captained Allentown Central Catholic High School's basketball team, was center on the football team and pitched for the baseball team. He went on to East Stroudsburg State College, where he was a stellar athlete, and then was a Navy chief petty officer in World War II. After the war, he married Romanza Fairman, from Kansas City, and settled in Allentown. He put in 11 years at Central Catholic High lurning in several state championship teams and ending up as athletic director. Meanwhile, he was in the finance business, too. The Krajsas have four children: Joe, in insurance, Mike, administrative assistant in the Agriculture Department; Maryagnes, assistant to the Dauphin County Democratic chairman, and George, an athlete at Middletown High. Krajsa's desire for the Chamber of Commerce is a Slovak's wish for more unity, more strength of purpose and more aggressiveness for the community. "We can get unity and not take a thing away from anybody," he said looking toward the West Shore. He believes that the county line should be easier to cross than the ethnic line over which his presidency already has triumphed. Paul B. Beers, Associated Editor The Evening News Harrisburg, Pa. THE SLOVAK LEAGUE OF AMERICA heartily commends all efforts of our governmental and other organs to ferret out and unmask all Communists and fellow travellers, as well as all persons and organizations who wittingly or unwittingly give aid and comfort to the conspiracy of Communism promoted by the Soviet Union. �SLOVAKIA - 217 Book Reviews Books on Slovakia and Slovaks Reviewed by Prof. J. M. Kirschbaum writes about the Czech l.'esistance during the last years of the War. Three contributions deal with the Slovak problem. Hans Kaiser writes about integration of Slovakia into national socialist war economy; In this carefully edited volume, Ladislav Lipscher examines the in12 German scholars and specialists fluence of the Third Reich on the in Czecho-Slovak affairs analyze the policy of the Slovak government eventful year of 1945 in Czecho- with regard to the Jewish problem, Slovakia. Some of the contributors and Jorg K. Hoensch gives a generare known as experts in the prob- al survey of the situation in Slovalems of Eastern Europe. Others kia in 1945. specialized in the German-Czech The remaining contributions deal relations or in the Slovak problem. with the transfer of the Sudeten Since until recently the German Germans and its consequences (Pescholars avoided publishing the re- ter Burian); with rebuilding of the sults of their research on Czecho- Communist Party of Czecho-SlovaSlovakia, their views will be of lda in 1945 (Heinrich Kuhn); with interest for schoiars in the West. the constitutional problems in The volume gives a survey of Czecho-Slovakia in 1945 (Helmut international, national and socio- Slapnicka); and with the integraeconomic problems in Czecho-Slova- tion of the Sudeten German expelkia in 1945, but two contributions, lees in Germany. The book provides abundant inone by Ferdinand Seibt, and the other by Karl Bosl, outline the formation on each topic and referhistorical background of boundary ences to sources used indicate that problems and basic information on German scholars weve dealing with the division of Germany by the their subjects with great effort to present an objective picture of Allies. Further contributions deal with Czecho-Slovakia in 1945. Their Czecho-Slovakia itself during the views and conclusions will, thereWar and her l'estoration in 1945. fore, be at variance with some Peter Kruger gives a survey of the Western specialists in East Central views of the Allies on Czecho-Slo- ; Europe, including the emigre Czech vakia from the Atlantic Charter to j historians. Czecho-Slovakia has the Potsdam Conference; Martin K. been presented in the West during Bachstein outlines the policy of I the past decades with evident relithe social democratic exiles from ance on Czech sources and favoring Czecho-Slovakia and Detlef Brandes I the Czechs. Especially Slovakia was Karl Bosl: Das Jahr 1945 in der Tschechoslowakei, Vortrag,e der wissenschaftlichen Tagung des Collegium Carolinum, R. Oldenbourg, Mlinchen-Wien, 1971, 316 p. �218 SLOVAKIA treated with bias, mostly as a "postscriptum" to Czech history, and the cruel and often inhuman treatment of minorities or political adversaries was overlooked. German scholars endeavored to be factual and objective and since some of them were born or raised in Czecho-Slovakia, their knowledge of the prob!ems discussed in their contribution cannot be doubted. Nevertheless, they present a German view, because nobody can separate himself fr.om his own background and personal or national experience. · And the manner in which Prague solved the Sudeten German problem in 1945 was bound to create deep resentiment and animosity, which is not easy to overcome. Slovakia is treated in the book with more understanding and impa.rtiality than is the usual case in Western historiography; there is nevertheless certain bias in all three contributors "with regard to the Slovak republic, including the article ·by Jorg Hoensch. Hoensch published two well researched books on Slovakia in the past but, in many instances, adopted the Czech or the Slovak Marxist view of the wartime Slovakia. This also occurred in his present contribution which is well researched and refers also to Slovak emigre political literature. Nevertheless, some conclusions were made by Hoensch on assumptions and not on facts. For instance, his view that "the majority of the Slovak leading strata and, even more, the large masses of the population believed during the war that their social ,i nterest and political rights would be better preserved in the restored Czechoslovakia" and that the Slovak Republic "could not give proof -of its viability (Lebensfiihigkeit)" is a part of Czech and Communist propaganda which was recen_tly contradicted and abandoned even by Slovak Marxist historians (see books by L. Liptak and S. Falt'an). Likewise is disputable his statement that the "Slovak population accepted with equal passivity the introduction of the peoples democracy and the declaration of the Slovak Republic." The enthusiastic manifestations in Slovakia in 1939 can hardly be compared with the fear from rape, confiscation, deportation and hiding in cellars which ·could be witness in Slovakia ' during the first months of the restoration of Czecho-Slovakia. Also treated in the volume are two important problems for Slovakia during the war years: the integration of Slovakia into the German war economy and the policy of the Slovak government with regard to the Jewish problem. Hans Kaiser deals with the first topic and gives a well researched survey of the impact of Germany on Slovak economy, and of the pressures used by Berlin on the Slovak government. Kaiser's contribution is the first one in the West to deal expertly · with the subject. So far, only the Marxist historians or economists published studies on the economic situation in Slovakia during th e War and their approach was a priori hostile. The views of the members of the Slovak government and Slovak economists who did not side with the regime imposed upon Slovakia in 1945, are buried in the archives of the "people's courts" and only in part were published by Slovak emigre politicians and writers. The picture of Slovak :war economy presented by Kaiser cannot, therefore, be without flaws. It is, in any case, a useful basis for further research and full presentation of the economic development of Slovakia during the Second , World War. �SLOVAKIA · 219 The third contributio n dealing I Horst Glass!: Die slowakische Geschichtswis senschaft nach 1945 with Slovakia touches on the prob(Slovak Historiogra phy After !em which harmed Slovaks and 1945), Otto Harrassowi tz, Wies their reputation in the world, but baden, 1971, 166 pages, Register. the11e were only a few attempts to put the policy of the Slovak governThe author and the publisher of ment towa!'ds Jews into a proper this book deserve recognition for perspective. making available to Western scholars and students of history an Lipscher's contributio n analyzes objective survey of Slovak historithe influence of the Third Reich on ography after 1945. Except for that policy on the basis of G€rman short summaries in one or two archives and partly also on the foreign languages, writings of Slohave been published Slovak sources. In comparison vak historians 1945 exclusively in Slovak since with many articles published on and, as such, they have remained this subject in the West, Lipscher's inaccessible to most of foreign hiscontributio n is marked by an effort torians. Glassl's book provides at to present the policy of the Slovak least those Western historians who impartial governmen t more objectively and read German with an phy and historiogra Slovak at look with considerab le restraint from during blaming only the Slovak govern- its remarkable developme nt decades. two past the ment in harsh terms, as has been the case until now. Lipscher does The book is the result of a thornot make any reference to sources ough research in Slovakia itself. of Slovak emigre historians and The author compiled considerab le political writers who dealt with the knowledge of writings on Slovak subject and he recognized that the history by both the old traditionalproblem would require further ist and the recent Marxist historistudy. This indicates that he enIn his attempt to give an obans. deJvored to approach the problem pictul'e he points to the jective wi th impartiality and, as a result, and ideological interrestrictions his contributio n may be a beginwhich Slovak histounder ference ning of dealing with the tragedy or remain silent write to had rians of Jews in Slovakia with more "It lasted 1956. until 1948 after understand ing of the circumstan ces "before Glassl, says years," several and pressures under which the developthe that possible was it Slovaks could not save more Jewment of Slovak historiogra phy and ish citizens than they did. research could come up with noA complete review of this volume ticeable results. Under the pressure would, of course, require to deal of the circumstan ces in those years with all the other contributio ns (Slovak) histo1ians had to take into which give a survey of many prob- considerati on the political goals lems in the Czech part of Czecho- and requiremen ts. The Communist Slovakia, and analyze the relations Party which took over power in between Czechs and G€rmans in- Czecho-Slovakia required complete cluding the expulsion, often under re-writing of the whole historiinhuman circumstan ces, of the Su- ography acco11ding to Marxist crideten Germans. teria ... many historians were fired �220 SLOVAKIA from their positions, and some of works on Slovakia. The author made undoubtedly a very thorough th,em were even sent to jails." On the other hand, the author research into the writings and publications of Slovak historians and underlines that there was a remarkable development of Slovak produced a standard work on a historiography since the War either high academic level. in the number of books published or in the number of institutes and people involved in research. Unlike Marxist or some Western historians, Glass! also states that "during the period of the Slovak Republic (]939-1945) , there was a fruitful development in the field of historical research even though the war was not the right time for a successful build-up of this discipline." He considers it as wrong and unjust of the Marxist historians to belittle the results of this period in research into the history of Slovakia. Glass! also refers to the writings of Slovak scholars in Western countries but for some reason he became acquainted only with the works published by Prof. M. Lacko and with one book and one essay by this reviewer. Writings of other Slovak historians, especially those pertaining to the period of the 18th and 19th centuries, escaped the author, which is regrettable, because they shed a different light on Slovak national awakening from that of Marxist historiography. The book stops at the year 1918 and leaves out the past 60 years during which Slovakia, as well as Slovak historiography, experienced an unexpected development. The explanation for this is given by the author in the Preface by one sentence: "For understandable political reasons, the inclusion in this survey of the writings dealing exclusive,l y with the period 1918-1960 was abandoned." Even in the present form the book is a very valuable scholarly addition to the foreign language MORE ABOUT BOOKS Slov akia in the 19th and 20th Centuries, Edited by Prof. Joseph M. Kirschbaum ; Preface by S. B. Roman, published by the Slovak World Congress, Toronto, Ont. , 1973, 368 p., bibl., $12.50. The Slovak World Congress published for the General Meeting held in Chicago on June 28th-July 1st, 1973, another English book on Slovakia which deserves special attention. While the first publication by the Congress outlined the historical and cultural background of Slovakia, this new voluminous work will give the readers an insight into the political and literary developments in Slovakia in the 19th and 20th centuries. In his Preface to the book, the President of the Slovak World Congress, Stephen B. Roman, explains that the Slovak World Congress "undertook to publish this book with the desire to contribute to the search for historical truth about Slovaks and thereby to help better understanding and co-operation among the nations of Central Europe. It is our firm belief that peoples of that vital area can regain their political freedom and build their future only in close co-oper ation and only if each recognizes the equal rights to independence that each has." One cannot but agree with such aim and the contents of the book confirm that it was also the intention of the editor and contributors. The book is composed of contributions by 20 authors, four of �221 SLOVAKIA whom are of non-Slovak origin, and it is divided into four parts. The first part deals with Slovak national philosophy and the subject is treated by two known Slovak professors, Charles Murin from the University of Montreal, and Stefan Polakovic, former professor at the University of Bratislava. The second part deals with Slovak politics and culture in the 19th and 20th centuries and contains contributions by Prof. J. A. Mikus, Msgr. J. Rekem, Dr. Stefan Osusky, Prof. F . Vnuk, Dr. F. f>urcansky, Prof. E. Loebl, Prof. Stefan Glejdura, Dr. lmrich Kruzliak and Rev. Mikulas Sprinc. Part three deals with the relations of Slovakia with her neighbors and among the contributors are mostly authors of non-Slovak origin. On Slovakia under the Habsburg rule, an interesting survey was written by a members of the Jlabsburg dynasty, Archduke Robert of Austria while Slovak-Hungarian relations are treated by Prof. George Perenyi-Lukacs with comments by Dr. Arved Grebert and Prof. J . M. Kirschbaum. Prof. Thaddeus Gromada contributed an excellent essay on Slovak-Polish relations and Slovak-Russian relations are analyzed and evaluated by Prof. Stefan Glejdura and Miroslav Licko. Prof. Kurt Glaser, author of the book, Czecho-Slovakia - A Critical History, closed this chapter with a scholarly treatise on "National States Versus Federalism in Central European Future," commented upon by Prof J. A. Mikus and Prof. J. M. Kirschbaum. In the last part, the book deals with Slovaks abroad and their attitude towards Slovakia. It contains two essays, one by Dr. Joseph Pauro and another by Dr. F . Braxator. An extensive Select Bibliography on Slovakia completes the contents of this standard work. We cannot but welcome this new English book on Slovakia and Slovaks abroad. It fills an important gap which existed for a long time in presenting Slovakia's political and cultural development in the 19th and 20th centuries to the Western world in an objective manner. For the first time 20 experts are expressing their opinions on various subjects pertaining to Slovakia. They belong not only to two generations, as the editor of the book observed, but "also represent two schools of thought and, therefore, the book presents a confrontation of views on the Slovak p:i.st and present." In form and contents, the book is a scholarly work. The editor, Prof. J . M. Kirschbaum, took his task seriously and enhanced the volume by an extensive bibliography in several languages. He also paid tribute to American Slovaks by stating that "at the end of the First World War, Slovakia was freed from Hungarian rule above all by the efforts of Slovaks who settled in the United States and by Slovak legionaries fighting on the side of the victorious powers. This gave American Slovaks and all Slovaks abroad not only recognition and a new sense of patriotism but also a consciousness of their mission to speak on behalf of the Slovak people when they are silenced." It would be desirable that this volume be followed by a book on Slovak culture, especially arts and literature of the past two hundred years. A conference on these topics, at the next general meeting of the Congress could help to achieve this goal. Joseph P a u co �222 SLOVAKIA TWO PUBLICATIONS BY l\'lATICA SLOVENSKA Matica slovenska was degraded by the Communist regime and went through several periods of regimentation and persecution of her leading representatives and cultural workers. Independent of political pressure and refusing to serve political parties or ideologies, Matica slovenska was, before 1945, a cultural institution which belonged to the nation and represented the highest aspirations of all Slovaks. The Communist Party made Matica slovenska a subservient tool of the regimes imposed upon S'lovakia since 1945. In spite of this nefarious situation, Matica slovenska succeeded in developing Slovak culture at least in some sectors. Among these sectors, literary history and philology deserve our consideration. vakia from literary to musical. This was a neglected sector in the past mainly due to the lack of experts and, therefore, we have to welcome this publication. Of special interest for elucidating some periods of Slovak history is, however, the essay by Jozef Kuzmik : Book Culture Among the Slova/c Slavs in the Years 863-1000. The period of Great Moravia became a favored subject for Slovak intellectuals during the past two decades. In Kuzmik's contribution we find some interesting information about the territorial extent of the ancestors of today's Slovaks, as well as about their book culture which were in the past hardly known or were insufficiently explored. Unfortunately, the publication has only a Russian and German summary and, therefore, it is accessible to a very limited number For several years, Matica has of scholars in the Anglo-Saxon published a series of publications world where there are still many dealing with Slovak literary life misconceptions about the Slovak entitled:Letopis pamiitnika sloven- past. A new confusion was created s/cej literatury and Literarny ar- even recently by scholars of Magchiv. We have revi,ewed some issues yar background who tried to deny in the past in Slovakia, underlying the cultural heritage of the Great their significance for Slovak litera- Moravian period to Slovaks. Li t erarny archiv 8/ 71 is a valuture. We have now received Litercirny archiv 8/ 71, edited by Michal able source for literary history on Elias, and Letopis 19 72 , edited by several Slovak poets and writers Juraj Chovan-Rehak, and some not only of the 19th century but comments would perhaps be ap- also of the 20th century. The publication deals mostly with archive propriate. Letopis 1972 contains a number of materials, unknown manuscripts, or contributions dealing with various correspondence among leading Slosubjects from book culture (kniz- vak literary figures and cultural na kultura) among Slovak Slavs in workers. Even though the Commuthe years 863-1000 to several in- nist regime tried to regiment Sloteresting contributions on the de- vak literary history and endeavorvelopment of museums in Slovakia ed to impose Marxist criteria, Sloand the idiomatic vocabulary in vak intellectuals display more or the writing of Martin Kukucin. The less equal interest in the literary main part of the book is dedicated life of poets and writers who were to the history and development of I neglected in the past because of various types of museums in Slo- their religion or ideological orien- �SLOVAKIA 223 Literature, government, law, education, etc. Even though hardly complete, the Bibliography shows that Canadian Slavists were not idle during the twenty post-war years. In spite of the fact that Slavic studies had to start in Canada from scratch, the Bibliography contains many titles of books, essays, studies and articles, which have given Canadian students a new picture of the history, culture and civilization of the Slavic peoples. From the Slovak point of view, we have many reasons to welcome this Bibliography. Similar American or European bibliographies either overlooked books, publicaJ.M. Kirschbaum tions and essays on Slovak history, Daniel Dorotich (ed.) : A Bibliogra- Language and literature by Slovak phy of Canadian Slavists 1951- authors, or made selection of writ1971 , University of Saskatchewan ings which presented Slovakia and Publications, Saskatoon, Sask., Slovak culture in the light of ad1972. verse propaganda and Czech linAfter the Second World War, a guistic and literary theses. The misnumber of Canadian universities conceptions about the Slovak people added to their usual curricular and their culture were cultivated courses on Slavic languages, litera- especially by the older generations ture and civilization. At some uni- of Slavists who studied at the Universities special Centres or Depart- versity of Prague and use as their ments of Slavic Studies were organ- source of information books pubized, while at other universities lished by Czech scholars before Slavic languages, literature and and during the Second World War. The new generation of Slavists history were taught within Departm ents of Modern Languages and at American and Canadian univerLiteratures and in History Depart- sities gradually detached itself from the old school. Using source ments. In Canada, professors of Slavic materials published in today's Slostudies were soon organized in the vakia and other socialist countries Ca nadian Association of Slavists ' as well as in Western countries' which held every year an annual they have no more any doubt that meeting within the framework of Slovaks are a distinct nation and Canadian Learned Societies. The their language and literature have present Bibliography gives an in- developed independently of the sight into the writings and pub- Czechs or other Slavs. The Bibliography compiled and lications of the members of the edited by Prof. Dorotich reflects Association. Prof. Dorotich, in compiling and this new trend in Slavic studies editing the Bibliography, followed with regard to Slovakia. By inlhe •usual division of subject mat- eluding over 50 titles (books, monoters _into general history, languages, graphs, essays, articles) published talion and those who were closer to the socialist outlook. As a result, Literarny archiv contains interesting information on Bernolak, Stur, Vajansky and Radlinsky, as well as on Janko Kral', Roy, Hamuljak and others. It is regrettable that also in this publication the summary is only in Russian and German. For Slovak literary history, both publications are nevertheless of importance and unveil to a great degree some periods of Slovak cultural development which were intentionally neglected before 1938 as well as during the Stalinist period. �224 SLOVAKIA by Prof. J . M. Kirschbaum in five languages, the Bibliography presents a new picture of Slovak history, culture, language and literature. Not only the main works on Slovakia in English are recorded, but also one book published in Slovak, monographs and essays in French, English, German and Spanish. In fact, the Bibliography is more complete in this respect that the Slovak Bibliography Abroad compiled by Prof. M. Lacko and published by the Slovak Institute (Rome, 1967). Since the Bibliography will go into the hands of many Slavists and into university libraries, we welcome this publication as a very useful guide for students and professors of Slavic studies. Joseph Pauco Joseph Pauco: Slovenski priekopnici v Amerike (Slovak Pioneers in America), The First Catholic Slovak Union, Cleveland, Ohio, 1972, English Introduction by J. C. Krajsa, Ill., 360 pages. Slovaks in the United States played an important role in the history of the Slovak people, but a complete story of their endeavors on behalf of Slovakia, their struggle for preserving national consciousness and cultural heritage has not yet been published. Due to political circumstances in Slovakia, historians either were not allowed or had no possibility to carry out research in order to compile a standard work which would present Slovaks in the United States in an objective light. It was only during the Second World War that two volumes: Dejiny Slovakov v Amerike (History of Slovaks in America) by Konstantin Culen were published in Slovakia. Since that time, only Slovak exiled intellectuals, including Culen, carried out a research and published monographs on the life and achievements of the large Slovak ethnic group in the United States. Historians in Slovakia were either not allowed by ,t he Communist regime or for ideological reasons avoided recording their struggle for survival and the many contributions of American Slovaks not only to their own national life but also to the fight for freedom and independence of the Slovak people. After Prof. F . Hrusovsky and K. Culen, Dr. Joseph Pauco deserves main credit for systematic research into the past and present of American Slovaks. For the past 20 years he published monographs on individual Slovak leaders and organizations of which the voluminous history of the First Catholic Slovak union deserves particular mention. In the present book he deals with 55 outstanding Slovak leaders who did the pioneering organizational, cultural and religious work among American Slovaks. The importance of this book should be, however, measured not only according to its literary value, but also against the fact that there are no organized archives and many printed documents are perishing. In spite of this, Dr. Pauco gathered many valuable facts about the individual leaders among whom there are clergymen of both denominations - Catholic and Lutheran - outstanding organizers of Slovak fraternal and cultural life, men and women of great dedication to the cause of preservation of Slovak cultural heritage. The author approached his subjects with great abjectivity and painted their profiles in a fluent, uncomplicated style to make the book readab1e to the general public and, at the same time, by many references to printed sources, useful to historians and researchers. �SLOVAKIA Some of the chapters are shorter and contain only the most important data. Others present a full life story and evaluation of the activities and of the role the individual leaders played in the Slovak organizational, religious and cultural life in America. The reason for the uneven treatment of some pioneers was given by the author in the introduction to the book. As he says he was sometimes unable to gather, even the most neces~ary information, because there was no organization and no individuals in the past who would have preserved old newpapers, almanacs, minutes of meetings, or other archive materials. Since the Second World War the Slovak Institute in Cleveland and the recently organized Jankola Library have made an effort to gather and preserve archive materials pertaining to the Slovak ethnic group in the United States. In these circumstances, Pauco's present work, as well as his book on the First Catholic Slovak Union and numerous monographs, deserve special recognition. The book has, however, also its own value due to its composition, contents and style. Dr. Pauco produced a standard work comparable with writings of this kind on any other ethnic groups in America. The book also has a useful introduction by Joseph C. Krajsa, but it lack an English summary which would have given to the younger generations of American Slovaks and researchers at least the basic information on Slovak pioneers in America. Unless the author and the publisher intend to publish this work in English, it would be a useful thing to attach to the second edition an extensive English summary. J. M. Ki rs c h b au m 225 Joseph L. Dieska: "Faith and Reason" in the Life and Philosophy of Jacques Maritain, An Offprint from Most, Vol. XIX, No. 3-4, Cleveland, Ohio, 1973. Shortly before the death of the famous French philosopher, Jacques Maritain, Slovaks paid his tribute on the occasion of his 90th birthday in a commemorative study by Prof. Joseph L. Dieska under the title The Religious and Philo sophical Profile of Jacques Maritain. The scholarly essay was pub- lished in Slovak but the author prepared also an English version under the above title. Prof. Dieska was one of the known adherents of Maritain's philosophy already in Slovakia, and pursued his interests in the great Catholic philosopher's concepts also as Professor of Philosophy at the University of Dayton, Ohio, where he has taught for the past several years. The present essay is one of his numerous articles on the subjects. The Slovak and English texts contain a well written and well documented insight and analysis of Maritain's religious and philosophical profile. Dieska approached Maritain's philosophy from the position of "Faith and Reason" and explains the role of reason as well as the mystery of faith in Maritain's philosophy which became a part of the Catholic doctrine and influenced the thinking of several generations in Europe and elsewhere. His theories of creative evolution and his ability to find basic reality through intuition ,e xalted the spirit of man in many parts of the world. Known as neo-Thomism Maritain's philosophy anchors in the works and philosophical concepts of St. Thomas Aquinas. As Dieska explains, Maritain became adherent to the philosophy of St. Thomas as a result of his own independent reflections and �226 SLOVAKIA studies of various philosophers and ing tribute to Maritain also on because of the comparison he made behalf of Slovak intellectuals who between them. He found the truth are silenced in their native counhe was searching for in the an- try where Maritain's philosophy had a strong influence before Marxswers of St. Thomas. However, if it is true that Mari- ism was imposed as the only philotain followed the logic and argu- sophical concept tolerated by the mentation of St. Thomas, he put regime. J. M. Ki rs c h b au m both, in the view of Prof. Dieska, in a " new, modern, and contemporary setting. His language was ad- Encydopedic Directory of Ethnic Newspapers and P eriodicals in justed to the philosophical expresthe United States. By Lubomyr sions used today. His arguments R. Wynar. 260 pp. Libraries Unare aimed at and against modern limited, Inc., Littleton, Colorado, and recent objectors and critics. 1972. $12.50. And above all, when he speaks of For those interested in ethnic the necessity of taking faith and supernatural, revealed truths into studies a valuable tool has recentconsiderations while solving the ly been published to aid in learning political, social, ethical and estheti- 1 about the complex mosaic that is cal difficulties and 'crises' of our ' the United States of America. time, Maritain must transcend Tho- Whereas in the past the student mas and go much farther not, of of ethnic Americana had to wade course, in essential immutable, and through Ulrich's directories, or universally valid principles but in through state manuals, or specialtheir applications to the new, dif- ized histories, facility in locating Icrent and more complex situations data about 903 ethnic publications and issues. In these new approach- can now be had by utilizing Luboes lie the tremendous responsibility myr R. Wynar's Encyclopedic Diand significance of Maritain's Tho- rectory of Ethnic Newspapers and mistic solutions, proposals and Periodicals in the United States. often even sharp and merciless Included in this directory are escriticisms of the 'evils of time'"- scntials about 53 ethnic presses, ranging from the Albanian Press, concludes Dieska. As St. Thomas had found in Assyrian Press, Italian Press, JaAristotle a philosophical basis for panese Pr,ess, Slovak Press, Ukrainreconciling man's reason and ian Press, etc. , to some not poChristian faith, so Maritain, in half pular enough presses such as the a lifetime of philosophical study, Cossack, Cax,patho-Ruthenian, Flembrought a rejuvenated Thomism ish, Swiss, and Welsh. In cases such as Croatian, Sloveinto a modern age of scepticism and science. After the Second nian, and Serbian, there is a generWorld War, Maritain's vision and al heading as Yugoslav, which in philosophy helped lend strength effect increases the number of also to the whole Christian demo- presses substantially beyond the cratic movement which stood as a figure of 53. Data cited for pub1.Julwark against Communism and lications are: title translations, year founded, complete address to the Catholic Church. The author and the editor of (including ZIP), name of editor, Most deserve recognition for pub- language(s) , sponsor, circulation, Jishing both versions and for pay- frequency of publication, and sub- �SLOVAKIA scription rate. In additions commentaries aid in explaining the scope of publications., e.g., the following for "The Handbook Ilbo'' (The Korea Times): "This publication, the only Korean daily in the United States, carries international, national, and local news of interest of the Korean community. Jllustrated. " Professor Wynar of Kent State University, both a librarian and an ethnic specialist, includes a very interesting Appendix of Statistical Analysis for each ethnic group, summarizing the number of publications, weekly circulation totals, monthly circulation totals, totals for native language publications, bi-lingual totals, and English language totals. An index to the publications completes the book. An interesting addendum to the book would have been an analysis of ethnic publications in each of the fifty states. This directory truly is the first comprehensive annotated guide to the current ethnic press in the United States and with its clear type and excellent alphabetical format clearly rates an A. Paul F e n c h a k Panorama: A H i storical Review of the Czechs and Slovaks i n the United States of America. Pub- lished by the Czechoslovak National Council of America, Cicero, Ill., U.S.A. Cicero-Berwyn Press, 1970, pp. 328, index. It is quite evident that there exists today in America a need for authorative works on the histories of the various ethnic groups which have contributed to the development of America. Objective, factual and concise histories of the various groups is essential. This volume of the dual histories of the Czech 227 and Slovak immigrations to America, unfortunately from a viewpoint of abjective Slovak history, seems to lack sufficient factual data to be accepted as a history of the Slovak immigration to America. From the standpoint of the history of the Czech immigration it is factu al, unbiased history but even then much is amiss particularly in the area of the religious development of the Czech community in the United States. Two basic criticisms can be found in the basic format of the work. The single most important error in the work is the fact that the various writers of Slovak topics are weak in objective reporting, so necessary in a historical work of this kind . Unfortunately the writers, who are of the " Czechoslovak" philosophical persuasion, would wa nt the reader to actually believe that only those Slovak organizations which support that philosophy have contributed to the development of the Slovak American community. In fact it must be remembered that over eighty per cent of the organized Slovak American community does not support the '· Czechoslovak" philosophy but ra ther a distinct Slovak philosophy within the family of nations. The authors seem to infer that the staunch Catholic mass of Slovak immigrants contributed little if anything at all to the development of the Slovak community in Am erica. It appears that such notables as Father Stephen Furdek, founder of the First Catholic Slovak Union, the co-founder of the First Catholic Slovak Ladies. Association and the founder of the Slovak League of America played a very minor role in the development of the Slovak community. Other prominent leaders such as Father Matthew Jankola, Joseph Rusek, �228 SLOVAKIA Anna Hurban and Philip Hrobak are not even mentioned. The second most important ingredient which is lacking in this work is organization. Various bits and pieces are scattered throughout the work on both the Czech and Slovak development in America and from an academic journalistic point of view it is quite primitive in its presentation. Too many writers cover certain geographical areas of the Slovak immigration but much is ignored and almost always repetitious. Too often the writers are offering opinionated biased reporting which is not acc-eptable by the vast majority of the Slovak community today. There exists a certain disorganization present in the work and most often it effects an objective Slovak history. In one area in particular the work is both factually deficient and openly opinionated, that is the area of the Slovak organization" in the United States. Such organizations as "Catholic Slovak Unity, Catholic Slovak Women's Unity. Unity of Catholic Sokols" are not acceptable as Slovak organizations, as such do not exist. Again faulty research is evidenced in the presentation of Slovak organizations. One area lists "all" the Czech and Slovak organizations in America and the largest and most important Slovak societies are not listed. Subjective reporting would lead one to believe that indeed the Slovak Gymnastic Union Sokol is the most importa nt and influential organization of Americans of Slovak descent. However factual research will reveal to the alert writer that in fact the above named organization has a membership of less than 24,000 while the First Catholic Slovak Union, the First Catholic Slovak Ladies Association, the Slovak Catholic Sokol, the Pennsyl- vania Slovak Catholic Union, the Ladies Pennsylvania Slovak Catholic Union and the First Slovak Wreath of the Free Eagle have a combined membership of over 300,000. The informed reader will at once note that Sokol U.S.A., as it is commonly associated and pubblicised in the America press is of the "Czechoslovak" philosophical persuasion while the other Catholic Slovak organizations representing the overwhelming majority of organized Americans of Slovak descent are not of the appendage philosophy but rather support a distinct Slovak path completely free of Czech domination. Another noteworthy fact is that the Sokol U.S.A. is the only Slovak organization of any magnitude which is a member of the Czechoslovak National Council of America. Included in the work is a Who's Who among Americans of Czech and Slovak ancestry. Again only those Slovaks who support the idea of a "Czechoslovak" culture, language and heritage are included. Not only are the above mentioned Slovaks notably absent but such luminary as Bishop Andrew G. Grutka, D.D., the Roman Catholic Bishop of Gary, Indiana and countless others who have contributed to the growth and development of the Slovak American Community. In the final analysis the work offers little insight into the history and development of the Slovaks in America. The history of the Czechs in America is acceptable but no t commendable since again the underlining theme is to discredit any theistic organizational development. The work in general is primitive in the Slovak sense and therefore can not be accepted as a factual history of the Slovaks in America. This work is a prime example of Czech and "Czechoslovak" chauvin- �SLOVAKIA 229 ism in the interpretation of Slovak suring Czech hegemony in CzechoSlovakia, regardless of the fact history. Daniel F. Tanzone that the Communist movement is discredited by their policy. In some Eugen Steiner: The Slovak Dilem- ways Czech Communists resemble ma, Cambridge, at the University to Czech non-Communists or antiPress, 1973, 229 pages. Series Communists who used and still are International Studies, Published using democracy, socialism, liberalfor the Centre for International ism or Catholicism for imposing or Studies, London School of Eco- maintaining Czech hegemony over nomics and Political Sciences. others, especially Slovaks. The situation in Czecho-Slovakia between inthe in writes author the As troduction his aim was "to trace 1918-1938 attests to it sufficiently. the Communist attitude to national- The policy of Prague Governments ism, and to define the effects of from 1918 to this day proved that this attitude as far as the Slovaks Czechs are not capable to fulfill the arc concerned." Or in other words mission which the victorious Powhe "deals in microcosm with a ers entrusted to them in 1918 or major problem which lies at the again in 1945. Czecho-Slovalda did heart of the Soviet Union's policies, not become a barrier against German expansion or a bridge between internal and external." (p. 3) and West. Czech governments East Dr. Steiner uses the case of Slovakia to show how Communism forced into opposition against the fa iled to solve nationality problems. European block which created Not only in the Soviet Union was Czecho-Slovakia, not only the mithis problem hidden behind slogans norities but also Slovaks. Czech on the equality of nations, while politicians did not honor any agreethe Russians are the rulers, but ment, promise or pledge given to also in restored and by Communists Slovaks. They practiced such a policy regoverned Czecho-Slovakia. Steiner's book leaves no doubt that the Marx- gardless of the danger for the Leninist thesis on the problems of existence of the state or the misnationalities did not bring a satis- sion Czecho-Slovakia was to fulfill factory solution to the relations according to its friends and creabetween the Czechs and Slovaks; tors. After occupying Slovakia with on the contrary, since 1945 when the help of French and Italian Czecho-Slovakia was restored (a- military units in 1918, and with the gainst the will of majority of Slo- help of the Soviet armies in 1945, vaks) the Czech rule was imposed they disregarded their promises on Slovaks step by step, brutally and the rights of Slovaks to selfand without regard to promises and government. About the period of agreements. Up to 1948, the Czech 1918-1938 there is in Western lanCommunists found accomplices in guages comparatively large literanon-Communists. After 1948, they ture dealing with this subject. The imposed their rule on Slovaks with book by Dr. Steiner gives to Westthe help of a handful of collabora- ern readers sufficient information tors from Slovakia, mostly of non- and documentary evidence for the Slovak origin (Bacilek, Bil'ak, Mos- period of 1945-1968. Dr. Steiner writes in the introkovic, Daubner, Siroky and others). Czech Communists are using Com- duction to his book that he has munism as an instrument for as- "chosen exile as a Jew, as a Com- �230 SLOVAK.IA On the cover of Steiner's book munist and as a Slovak." He wrote his book from this point of view, there are reproductions of pictures which makes his work more inter- from demonstrations of Slovak esting and more valuable. It is a youth in Bratislava against the testimony of a "Jew, Communist Soviet occupation in August 1968. and Slovak" about the political On the posters we can read: "Slodevelopments in Slovakia in this vaks stand firm, they won't pass! Occupa nts go home!" These slogans century. His background and ideological o- express the feelings of Slovaks in rientation explain to a great degree Slovakia as well as abroad not only not only his favorable attitude to- against the So·,iet occupants, but wards regimes in 1918-1938 (though any occupants, including the Czechs. Czech Statistics can easily prove This conclusion can be found, if the opposite) but his negative stand carefully read, also in Dr. Steiner's towards the Slovak republic of book: The Slovak Dilemma. Dr. A. Gr eb er t, 1939-1945 as well. We understand Geneva, Switzerland that the anti-communist and antijewish measures of the Slovak Government could not meet with Slovak Studies, Historica 7 and 8, Vol. X and XI, Slovak Institute, his approval. It is, however, hard Rome-Cleveland, Editor Prof. M. to understand his attitude towards Lacko, S. J . Dr. Benes and his Government-inBoth volumes of Slovak Studies exile. Even such adherents of "Czechoslovakism" as were Dr. M. deal with history of Slovakia and Hodfu and Dr. S. Osusky disagreed except for the contribution by Dr. and at the end fought against Be- S. Nahalka, with the events of our nes and his anti-Slovak policy which century. Since the Marxist historihe later (after 1945) also practiced ans not only avoid certain subjects in co-operation with Czech Commu- but also write with prejudice and nists and non-Communists. Unfor- strictly from the Marxist point of tunately, Dr. Steiner deals with view, these volumes perform specific this rather superficially and un- role in historiography on Slovakia. convincingly. The post-war develop- In addition, their value is enhanced ments in Czecho-Slovakia prove by the fact that they are published that the Slovak-Czech antagonism in foreign language and two of the is not a matter of temporary politi - contributors were educated abroad. Students of modern Slovak hiscal situation but a fundamental and lasting feature of Slovak-Czech tory will welcome especially the relations. It is impossible to solve Ph.D. thesis by Sister M. E. Lubek, this problem within the "Czecho- "An Inquiry into the United States Slovak" framework. The successive _ Czechoslovak Relations between a_bolition, ~~er 1969, _of C~nstitu- I 1918-1948." There were many myths t10nal prov1S1ons dealing with the published on this subjects, but to federalization of Czecho-Slovakia, my knowledge, no scholarly work. mentioned in Dr. Steiner's book, Some years ago Prof. M. Mamatey prove convincingly the validity of shed some light on the period of the First World War, later years the above conclusions. In spite of some shortcomings, Dr. remained, however, unresearched. Steiner's book is a valuable contri- Yet, this is an interesting topic, bution to the historiography on since the United States played an important role in the emergence Eastern Europe. �231 SLOVAKIA of Czecho-Slovakia in 1918 and in her re-emergence in 1945. Needless to say that the treatise by M. E. Lubek does not cover all the aspects of the inter-state relations, remaining mostly in the field of politics and diplomacy. The study is nevertheless of the importance and will be useful for further research. For foreign historians dealing with Slovakia of special interest will also be the contributions by Prof. M. S. :l'.>urica, who researched Italian Military Documents in order to shed a new light on the tragic death of M. R. Stefanik, one of the founders of Czecho-Slovakia, and German biography of President Dr. J. Tiso by F. H. Schneider. We commented on the value of Prof. Durica's study when it was first published in Italian language (Slovalcia, Vol. XXIII, 1973) , and cannot but welcome the English version. Schneider's essay on the life and historical role of Dr. J . Tiso in Slovak politics is of importance for more than one reason. The adversaries of Slovak aspirations for independence - Communists and non-Communists - succeeded in presenting Dr. Tiso and his policies in Western countries in a distorted light. Even though, Dr. Tiso mostly suffered for his forced cooperation with Germany, there was a long silence about him and Slovakia among German historians. Schneider's contribution does not exhaust the subject and shows gaps, but it was high time to draw a little differe nt picture of President Tiso in ♦ ♦ German language than it was done by Prague and Slovak Communists. Unfortunately, Schneider overlooked some books and articles which contain substantial information on Dr. Tiso's life and politics, such as Prof. Murin's articles, one of Dr. Polakovic's books, many articles in Sl.ovakia and other sources. Dr. S. Nahalka's istructive article on "Holy Scripture among Slovaks" is a valuable contribution to the religious and cultural history of Slovaks. Religious history of Slovakia is one of the completely neglected fields in today's historiography in Slovakia, even though Slova ks survived as a nation mostly due to the fact that clergy (Catholic and Protestant) took over the cultural leadership and national struggle. Professor Lacko in his contributions presents the synthesis of the studies on Great-Moravian and Cyrillo-Methodian period and a survey of events which led to the reestablishment of the Greek-Catholic Church in Slovakia. The latter study would deserve to be completed by documents and names of people who in Slovakia and abroad helped the re-establishment. Both contributions are timely and instructive. Prof. Lacko deserves recognition also for his efforts to continue publishing the Slovak Studies. Slovak cultural activities abroad would be much poorer without this series. J. M. Ki rs c h b au m ♦ Life Membership in the Slovak League of America is $100.00 - join us! Write to: Slovak League of America, 313 Ridge Avenue, Middletown, Pa. 17057. �SLOVAKlA 232 Our Contributor s theologian, author, Cambridge, Ontario Stephen Sencik, S.J. - Anthony X. Sutherland, Ph.D ., Columbus, Ohio Sr. Martina Tybor, SS.C.M. - author, Director, Slovak Institute, Cleveland, 0 . Andrew Pier, O.S.B. Joseph C. Krajsa - teacher, author, Danville, Pa. Editor, Jednota, Middletown, Pa. industrialist, Toronto, Ontario Stephen B. Roman - attorney-at-law, Stratford, Conn. Edward J. Behuncik - Joseph M. Kirschbaum, LL.D., Ph.D . Jozef Pauco, Ph.D. - historian, author, Toronto, Ont. author, historian, Middletown, Pa. Michael O'Pake, Esq. - State Senator, Reading, Pa. Daniel F. Tanzone, M.A. - teacher, Yonkers, N. Y. Susan Pojer, B.A., Yonkers, N. Y. professor, author, consultant for Rockefeller Foundation, New York, N. Y. Michael Novak, Ph.D. Paul Fenchak - teacher, Baltimore, Md. Steven I. Miller, Ph.D. - assistant professor, Loyola University, Chicago, Illinois Junior history major, Susquehanna University, Selinsgrove, Pa. William Wagner Francis Vnuk - historian; professor, Institute of Technology, Adelaide, Australia Dr. Arved Grebert - former Slovak diplomat, now in Switzerland Jane Noonan, Marlene Bartos, Stephen J. Knoblock - America Scholarship Winners Slovak League of �OFFICERS OF THE SLOVAK LEAGUE OF AMERICA Honorary President : EDWARD J. BEHUNCIK President 2385 Main Street Stratford, Conn. 06497 Stephen J. Tkach , DR. JOSEPH PAUCO Secretary 313 Ridge Avenue Middletown, Pa. 17057 Vice Presidents: Milan V. Blazek, Stephen Suhajcik, Mary Piroch ' Executive Committee : Edward J. Behuncik, John A. Holy, Paul C. Kazimer, Tibor Kovalovsky, Joseph R. Kristotik, Dr. Joseph Pauco, John A. Sabol SLOVAK FRATERNAL ORGANIZATIONS (Affiliated with the Slovak League of America) THE FIRST CATHOLIC SLOVAK UNION Cleveland, Ohio - Membership: 104,500 ·-:i THE FIRST CATHOLIC SLOVAK LADIES ASSOCIATION Cleveland, Ohio .;_ Membership: 96,000 THE SLOVAK CATHOLIC SOKOL Passaic, N. J. - Membership: 53,000 PENNSYLVANIA SLOVAK CATHOLIC UNION Wilkes-Barre, Pa: - Membership: 18,000 LADIES PENNSYLVANIA SLOVAK CATHOLIC UNION Wilkes-Barre, Pa. - Membership: 16,500 SLOVAK NEWSPAPER'S JOURNALISTS' ASSOCI.A.TION (Affiliated with the Slovak League of America) SLOVAK NEWSPAPERS (Affiliated with the Slovak League of Americ,a) BRATSTVO Wilkes-Barre, Pa. SLOVAK V AMERIKE Middletown, Pa. JEDNOTA Middletown, Pa. ZENSKA JEDNOTA Cleveland, Ohio KATOLICKY SOKOL Passaic, N. J. ZORNICK_A Wilkes-Barre, Pa. SLOVAKIA $4.00 per annum in the U.S.A. - $5.00 elsewhere PRINTED IN THE U.S.A. JEDNOTA PRESS Middletown, Pennsylvania 17057 � 210 SLOVAKIA CURRENT ISSUES RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED AT CONFERENCE OF THE SLOVAK LEAGUE OF AMERICA IN NEW YORK CITY, MAY 19, 1973 Your Holiness: In the name of more than 350,000 American-Slovaks, the greater majority Catholic, and supporting the Slovak League of America and its cultural and civic programs, we extend cordial greetings. We appreciate your efforts and dedication to obtain equal rights for all Catholics and to continue the ecumenical co-operation with all Christians and believers throughout the whole world. We also present to you a petition asking that you give particular attention to the land of our forefathers-Slovakia -cradle in 833 of Christianity in Central Europe and ever devotedly loyal to the Holy See. Notwithstanding this historic fact, Slovakia, oppressed by the atheistic Soviet regime in civil affairs, lacks, in the spiritual domain, its own province, does not have a single archbishop and for so long a time, no Slovak has achieved cardinalhood. Of course, Slovak Catholics share their sufferings with their Lutheran and Greek Catholic brethren. We respectfully suggest that Slovakia be accorded similar recognition as Bohemia, Moravia, Slovenia, Croatia and many other countries in Africa and Asia. We are confident that among dedicated and oppressed Slovak clergy can be found an archbishop to lead a Slovak ;irovince as in days gone by. Such a magnanimous gesture would invigorate all Slovaks at home as well as here in America. We believe that your Holiness by such a decision will strengthen us and thus fortify our fidelity to the Vatican and reverence to the throne of St. Peter. Very respectfully and sincerely, Edward J. Behuncik, President Dr. Joseph Pauco, Secretary Dear Mr. President: The Slovak League of America on the occasion of its 1973 Conference here in New York extends cordial greetings. We hope you will continue to enjoy good health and achieve even greater success in your efforts on behalf of all citizens of whatever origin. We unequivocally endorse your stand in Vietnam and welcome your policy in Europe and Asia. As you are well aware, our origins are in Central Europe, in �SLOVAKIA 211 Slovakia, which has a more than 1100 year Christian history and which for many centuries, excepting a brief period, has lived in subjugation. Now, Slovakia is in its fifth year of Soviet occupation and deprivation by the communists of all human, spiritual and political rights. So, today, we again respectfully request that you, individually as our leader, as well as your entire administration, continue to remember Slovakia and the other oppressed nations behind the Iron Curtain. All thes•e subjugated peoples seek and des·erve statehood and democratic freedom such as we in the United States are so fortunate to enjoy. In your discussions with the leaders of the totalitarian world, we ask that you give high priority to this humane cause. W!! are confident that if permitted free elections, our brethren in Slovakia would officially confirm their dedication and devotion to the United States of America as the stalwart guardian of human freedoms . Most Sincerely, Edward J. Behuncik, President Dr. Joseph Pauco, Secretary DECLARATION ADOPTED AT THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE SLOVAK WORLD CONGRESS HELD IN CHICAGO ON JUNE 30TH 1973 The representatives of Slovaks abroad gathered at the General Assembly of the Slovak World Congress, held in Chicago on June 28-30th, 1973, adopted the following Declaration: (1) We consider ourselves an integral part of the Slovak people. We are conscious of our co-responsibility for their destiny and for their contribution to the overall culture of humanity. (2) We claim for the Slovak nation, on the basis of its national individuality, recognition for an equal status with other sovereign nations of the world. (3) We deny any Great Power the right to interfere with the destiny of the Slovak people and to integrate Slovakia in other states or zones of influence which are opposed to the will of the Slovak people and their national interests. We consider such actions, condemned as they are by all civilized people of the world, to be a violation of the Charter of the United Nations. (4) We demand the departure of all occupation forces from Central Europe in order that, after more than a quarter �212 SLOVAKIA of a century since the end of the War, the nations of that area can finally govern themselves. (5) As representatives of a nation conscious of its responsibility towards others, we consider the principles of democracy and humanism the basis for peace and co-operation among the peoples of the world. (6) On these principles alone, life in freedom and a free culture can develop in Slovakia according to the traditions of the Slovak people and in harmony with the progress of the world. PHILIP A. HROBAK YEAR January 10, 1974 marked the tenth anniversary of the death of Philip A. Hrobak, and on May 1, 1974 we will mark the seventieth anniversary of his birth. These special dates impel us to honor his memory in a special way. He was one of the most deserving of our cultural and civic workers from among the many American-born Slovaks and one who dedicated himself to the Slovak cause since early manhoJd. Philip A. Hrobak, as a newspaperman, writer, histocian, linguist, fraternalist and organizer rose to heights in American Slovak life. His contributions to the Slovak cause in both English and Slovak are most noteworthy and memorable in Slovak history. Therefore, the Slovak League of America deems it a special honor to be able to lend itself to the legacy of Philip A. Hrobak. Not only did he honorably serve as a long time editor of JEDNOTA, as the founder and editor of "Slovak Newsletters," "Jednota Annual Furdek" and "Slo·v akia", but also as a distinguished President and member of the Executive Committee of the Slovak League of America-all this is his eternal monument. Bowing before his genius, we turn to our Slovak people and we seek recognition in 1974 of the unfinished dreams of Philip A. Hrobak and so-licit continued help in proving that we i>..re all worthy followers of this g,r eat son of our people. For the Slovak League of America, the year 1974 will be the time of increased activity, as he idealized and set by his example. In tribute to his linguistic talents, we can have the opportunity to help build a strong scholarship fund for the League, because the main purpose of this fund is to preserve and enhance, as he desired, the Slovak conscience in America. Surely, there cannot be any American Slovak who would not make his or her contribution to our scholarship fund in memory of Philip .A. Hirobak. The Slovak League of America also feels compelled to follow the �SLOVAKIA 213 footsteps of Philip A. Hrobak in other fields. In the firat place, we must preserve and continue with the annual "Slovakia", we must daily and fairly continue to inform the American public of the ideals and accomplishments of the American Slovaks, and we must continue our cl-forts to renew the rightful place of the Slovak nation as an independent unit in the family of nations. These were the goals of Philip A. Hrobak, and our Slovak League has so proceeded in the last ten years since we with heavy hearts bid a sad farewell to our never-forgotten leader. With prayer, with labor, and with sacrifices we thus honor this meritocious Slovak son. May the memory of Philip A. Hrobak be perpetual. Edward J. Behuncik, President Dr. Joseph Pauco, Secretary As the others see it represented. What to me is more worse, is the attempt to sublimate the Slovaks into the Czech people. That's why we hear about a 'Czechoslovak nation'. It does not exists! Czecho-Slovakia is a political entity of two nations - the Czechs and the Slovaks. I never think of myself as Czech. I am Slovak and nothing else."- Rev. John Zornan, President of the Slovak Zion Synod, "What kind of man is Alex Del- National News, Pittsburgh, Pa., vecchio? (Playing for Detroit Red August 1, 1973. Wings.) He's middle aged, 41. A guy who you can't get in an "Despite the courage and per• argument with. His salt-and-pepper severance the Slovaks and other gray hair is impeccably coiffured peoples of Eastern Europe have around round Eastern European displayed time and again in their face (his late mother was a Slovak; relentless search for internal liberhis father Italian.)" - Bob Naylor, ties and external sovereignty, they Detroit Free Press, December 9, cannot achieve their goals without 1973. outside help. It is our duty, and only in keeping with our own "The idea of 'Slovak Heritage' is to extend our support. The ideals, quite intriguing to me. It implies world will not know genuine that we have one. Looking at hisevery country enjoys tory books, however, you might peace until freedom and can exercise the right have doubts. Even when discussing to self-determination. Central Europe, the Slovaks as a "The history of Slovakia is one nation are often forgotten or mis- "Call a Slovak Czechoslovak and you plant a burr under his skin. To a Slovak, named for a geograph• ic region divided by the wars and politics, that frequent error is more than just misnomer; it conveys a complete historical misunderstanding of who he is." - Sue Morse, The Herald Statesman, Yonkers, N. Y., November 30, 1973. �214 SLOVAKIA of turmoil, frustration, and heroic struggle. Your continued devotion to the cause of a free and independent Slovakia - despite hundreds of years of oppression - is an inspiration to those of us who cherish freedom as you do. These are the characteristics that help us, in maintaining a better and stronger America. "The existence of the World Congress is an important step in achieving your long delayed place among the family of the free naRobert P. Hanrahan, tions." Member of Congress. U.S. Senator Adlai E. Stevenson. "I am sure all of the American Slovaks sincerely wish to acknowledge the plight of their brethren under Communist oppression. The Slovak people strongly pursue the course that someday freedom will reign in all corners of the world. People of America need to be remainded of the severe repressing of Communist-held nations of the world endure." - U.S. Senator Hugh Scott. "Slovaks of Cleveland brought many Christmas customs from the old country, notably the custom of caroling. Among the most cherished Slovak folk songs are those sung at Christmas time. These carols are sung not only in churches, but also in the homes of the faithful, no matter how many generations they have lived here." - Sun Herald, Cleveland, 0., December 20, 1973. "We must re-dedicate ourselves to cause of all captives of Communism. Recognizing that the world cannot enjoy peace until all peoples are free from yoke of Communism. Please continue your dedication to the traditions, cultural life, religious beliefs, and desire for independence on behalf of Slo"There is a strong feeling of vak people everywhere."- Edward awareness among some ethnic J. Derwinski, Member of Congress. members of the younger generation. "I do want you to know I share There are also strong indications your commitment to the Slovak that the melting pot concept can people and to strengthening the no longer be maintained and that ties with their sons and daughters America is beginning to recognize throughout the world. I know we and appreciate the diversity of its will not falter in our efforts to ethnic populations in terms of a insure that no people need face re- new cultural pluralism."- Dr. Goy, pression and indignity as a result a member of City College's library of their yearning to be free." - faculty, New York, N. Y. �SLOVAKIA 215 -------------- WHO'S WHO Among American Slovaks JOSEPH C. K RAJ SA It was a mark of social maturity when the Chamber of Commerce of the Greater Harrisburg Area decided to have "Slovak power" for its presidency. Such is progress that it is hardly news anymore when a second-generation American of ethnic background and working-class origins becomes the leader of the town's top capitalists. Pardon us, Karl Marx. Joseph Charles Krajsa is the 60th president of the Harrisburg Chamber. He is so ethnic that more than half the Chamber's members can't pronounce his name correctly: It is "Crysa," and Anglicized it would mean "nicer." Well beyond his own physical size - 6-foot-1 and 240 pounds Krajsa is a big man. He was manager of the Allentown Finance Co. for 14 years, which is owned by his older brother, John. He has the equivalent of two college degrees and has a speaking knowledge of seven languages. He was an outstanding football, baseball and basketball coach for 11 years. And, lastly, he served as auditor and vice president of the First Catholic Slovak Union, and is now the editor of its bilingual weekly, Jednota, and manager of the Jednota home, farm and printery. Very much a Slovak as a warm convivial person, Krajsa also is a Rotarian, Elk, Legionaire and democrat. He once was a topflight golfer who won country-club trophies. "I find more businessmen in this Chamber, for example, wanting to be more human, wanting to share their good fortune," he said. "The single-minded emphasis on economics has diminished. A person must be involved politically, socially and religiously, as well as economically, to be well-rounded, and more and more businessmen understand that." Krajsa, 56, grew up in Allentown. His father was a wire-worker from Skalica in Slovakia and emigrated to America in 1906. Old Joe Krajsa married a girl living here, Agnes Baranek, a native of Horna Krupa, Slovakia. He built his own home and started a corner grocery. Everybody knew and loved the Krajsas. "Put it on the book," or "na knizku," they said as Father Krajsa had a credit book, so the neighborhood could have its groceries. One of the articles in Krajsa's published Furdek 1974 is entitled "Slovaks Are Lovers." The author asserts, "Slovak mothers can equally match the 'Good Jewish Mother' of book fame." A Slovak mother will say to her daughter, "Ja som t'a nevychovala, aby si behala za muzami," or "I didn'-t raise you to go chasing after men." Many Slovaks came to America between 1880 and 1920, with most of them settling here between 1900 and 1910. Thousands settled in Pennsylvania, and the men became the muscle of this commonwealth's steel, coal and railroading indus- �216 SLOVAKIA tries. Of Slovak descent are Astronaut Eugene A. Cernan, Penn State's great lineman, Mark Markovich; Will Hartack, Chuck Bednarik, Johnny Bucha and George Blanda. Stan Musial is half-Polish and half-Slovak. Blanda's mother is president of the Jednota lodge in Youngwood. There were 277 scattered Slovak fraternal organizations and widoworphan funds when in 1890 the Rev. Stephen Furdek, of Cleveland, organized the national union called Jednota (the word means union, or united). Nineteen years later the Middletown property of the aristocrat Simon Cameron Young was purchased for $38,000. What originally was 298 acres is now 255 acres, but worth well over one million dollars. The old orphanage, now phased out, cared for 4,000 children in its history. The newspaper Krajsa edits and writes for has a circulation of 40,000. Jednota also publishes 15 book titles annually. It is building a million dollar printery. Krajsa was elected editor for a three-year term in 1964, and he keeps being re-elected. He arrived in Middletown when Olmsted Air Force Base was closing, so immediately he plunged into civic activity. It got him involved in Chamber of Commerce work, and he did so well that the Chamber named him president last October. Krajsa had a typical Americanimmigrant family upbringing. He did well in his studies. He captained Allentown Central Catholic High School's basketball team, was center on the football team and pitched for the baseball team. He went on to East Stroudsburg State College, where he was a stellar athlete, and then was a Navy chief petty officer in World War II. After the war, he married Romanza Fairman, from Kansas City, and settled in Allentown. He put in 11 years at Central Catholic High lurning in several state championship teams and ending up as athletic director. Meanwhile, he was in the finance business, too. The Krajsas have four children: Joe, in insurance, Mike, administrative assistant in the Agriculture Department; Maryagnes, assistant to the Dauphin County Democratic chairman, and George, an athlete at Middletown High. Krajsa's desire for the Chamber of Commerce is a Slovak's wish for more unity, more strength of purpose and more aggressiveness for the community. "We can get unity and not take a thing away from anybody," he said looking toward the West Shore. He believes that the county line should be easier to cross than the ethnic line over which his presidency already has triumphed. Paul B. Beers, Associated Editor The Evening News Harrisburg, Pa. THE SLOVAK LEAGUE OF AMERICA heartily commends all efforts of our governmental and other organs to ferret out and unmask all Communists and fellow travellers, as well as all persons and organizations who wittingly or unwittingly give aid and comfort to the conspiracy of Communism promoted by the Soviet Union. �SLOVAKIA - 217 Book Reviews Books on Slovakia and Slovaks Reviewed by Prof. J. M. Kirschbaum writes about the Czech l.'esistance during the last years of the War. Three contributions deal with the Slovak problem. Hans Kaiser writes about integration of Slovakia into national socialist war economy; In this carefully edited volume, Ladislav Lipscher examines the in12 German scholars and specialists fluence of the Third Reich on the in Czecho-Slovak affairs analyze the policy of the Slovak government eventful year of 1945 in Czecho- with regard to the Jewish problem, Slovakia. Some of the contributors and Jorg K. Hoensch gives a generare known as experts in the prob- al survey of the situation in Slovalems of Eastern Europe. Others kia in 1945. specialized in the German-Czech The remaining contributions deal relations or in the Slovak problem. with the transfer of the Sudeten Since until recently the German Germans and its consequences (Pescholars avoided publishing the re- ter Burian); with rebuilding of the sults of their research on Czecho- Communist Party of Czecho-SlovaSlovakia, their views will be of lda in 1945 (Heinrich Kuhn); with interest for schoiars in the West. the constitutional problems in The volume gives a survey of Czecho-Slovakia in 1945 (Helmut international, national and socio- Slapnicka); and with the integraeconomic problems in Czecho-Slova- tion of the Sudeten German expelkia in 1945, but two contributions, lees in Germany. The book provides abundant inone by Ferdinand Seibt, and the other by Karl Bosl, outline the formation on each topic and referhistorical background of boundary ences to sources used indicate that problems and basic information on German scholars weve dealing with the division of Germany by the their subjects with great effort to present an objective picture of Allies. Further contributions deal with Czecho-Slovakia in 1945. Their Czecho-Slovakia itself during the views and conclusions will, thereWar and her l'estoration in 1945. fore, be at variance with some Peter Kruger gives a survey of the Western specialists in East Central views of the Allies on Czecho-Slo- ; Europe, including the emigre Czech vakia from the Atlantic Charter to j historians. Czecho-Slovakia has the Potsdam Conference; Martin K. been presented in the West during Bachstein outlines the policy of I the past decades with evident relithe social democratic exiles from ance on Czech sources and favoring Czecho-Slovakia and Detlef Brandes I the Czechs. Especially Slovakia was Karl Bosl: Das Jahr 1945 in der Tschechoslowakei, Vortrag,e der wissenschaftlichen Tagung des Collegium Carolinum, R. Oldenbourg, Mlinchen-Wien, 1971, 316 p. �218 SLOVAKIA treated with bias, mostly as a "postscriptum" to Czech history, and the cruel and often inhuman treatment of minorities or political adversaries was overlooked. German scholars endeavored to be factual and objective and since some of them were born or raised in Czecho-Slovakia, their knowledge of the prob!ems discussed in their contribution cannot be doubted. Nevertheless, they present a German view, because nobody can separate himself fr.om his own background and personal or national experience. · And the manner in which Prague solved the Sudeten German problem in 1945 was bound to create deep resentiment and animosity, which is not easy to overcome. Slovakia is treated in the book with more understanding and impa.rtiality than is the usual case in Western historiography; there is nevertheless certain bias in all three contributors "with regard to the Slovak republic, including the article ·by Jorg Hoensch. Hoensch published two well researched books on Slovakia in the past but, in many instances, adopted the Czech or the Slovak Marxist view of the wartime Slovakia. This also occurred in his present contribution which is well researched and refers also to Slovak emigre political literature. Nevertheless, some conclusions were made by Hoensch on assumptions and not on facts. For instance, his view that "the majority of the Slovak leading strata and, even more, the large masses of the population believed during the war that their social ,i nterest and political rights would be better preserved in the restored Czechoslovakia" and that the Slovak Republic "could not give proof -of its viability (Lebensfiihigkeit)" is a part of Czech and Communist propaganda which was recen_tly contradicted and abandoned even by Slovak Marxist historians (see books by L. Liptak and S. Falt'an). Likewise is disputable his statement that the "Slovak population accepted with equal passivity the introduction of the peoples democracy and the declaration of the Slovak Republic." The enthusiastic manifestations in Slovakia in 1939 can hardly be compared with the fear from rape, confiscation, deportation and hiding in cellars which ·could be witness in Slovakia ' during the first months of the restoration of Czecho-Slovakia. Also treated in the volume are two important problems for Slovakia during the war years: the integration of Slovakia into the German war economy and the policy of the Slovak government with regard to the Jewish problem. Hans Kaiser deals with the first topic and gives a well researched survey of the impact of Germany on Slovak economy, and of the pressures used by Berlin on the Slovak government. Kaiser's contribution is the first one in the West to deal expertly · with the subject. So far, only the Marxist historians or economists published studies on the economic situation in Slovakia during th e War and their approach was a priori hostile. The views of the members of the Slovak government and Slovak economists who did not side with the regime imposed upon Slovakia in 1945, are buried in the archives of the "people's courts" and only in part were published by Slovak emigre politicians and writers. The picture of Slovak :war economy presented by Kaiser cannot, therefore, be without flaws. It is, in any case, a useful basis for further research and full presentation of the economic development of Slovakia during the Second , World War. �SLOVAKIA · 219 The third contributio n dealing I Horst Glass!: Die slowakische Geschichtswis senschaft nach 1945 with Slovakia touches on the prob(Slovak Historiogra phy After !em which harmed Slovaks and 1945), Otto Harrassowi tz, Wies their reputation in the world, but baden, 1971, 166 pages, Register. the11e were only a few attempts to put the policy of the Slovak governThe author and the publisher of ment towa!'ds Jews into a proper this book deserve recognition for perspective. making available to Western scholars and students of history an Lipscher's contributio n analyzes objective survey of Slovak historithe influence of the Third Reich on ography after 1945. Except for that policy on the basis of G€rman short summaries in one or two archives and partly also on the foreign languages, writings of Slohave been published Slovak sources. In comparison vak historians 1945 exclusively in Slovak since with many articles published on and, as such, they have remained this subject in the West, Lipscher's inaccessible to most of foreign hiscontributio n is marked by an effort torians. Glassl's book provides at to present the policy of the Slovak least those Western historians who impartial governmen t more objectively and read German with an phy and historiogra Slovak at look with considerab le restraint from during blaming only the Slovak govern- its remarkable developme nt decades. two past the ment in harsh terms, as has been the case until now. Lipscher does The book is the result of a thornot make any reference to sources ough research in Slovakia itself. of Slovak emigre historians and The author compiled considerab le political writers who dealt with the knowledge of writings on Slovak subject and he recognized that the history by both the old traditionalproblem would require further ist and the recent Marxist historistudy. This indicates that he enIn his attempt to give an obans. deJvored to approach the problem pictul'e he points to the jective wi th impartiality and, as a result, and ideological interrestrictions his contributio n may be a beginwhich Slovak histounder ference ning of dealing with the tragedy or remain silent write to had rians of Jews in Slovakia with more "It lasted 1956. until 1948 after understand ing of the circumstan ces "before Glassl, says years," several and pressures under which the developthe that possible was it Slovaks could not save more Jewment of Slovak historiogra phy and ish citizens than they did. research could come up with noA complete review of this volume ticeable results. Under the pressure would, of course, require to deal of the circumstan ces in those years with all the other contributio ns (Slovak) histo1ians had to take into which give a survey of many prob- considerati on the political goals lems in the Czech part of Czecho- and requiremen ts. The Communist Slovakia, and analyze the relations Party which took over power in between Czechs and G€rmans in- Czecho-Slovakia required complete cluding the expulsion, often under re-writing of the whole historiinhuman circumstan ces, of the Su- ography acco11ding to Marxist crideten Germans. teria ... many historians were fired �220 SLOVAKIA from their positions, and some of works on Slovakia. The author made undoubtedly a very thorough th,em were even sent to jails." On the other hand, the author research into the writings and publications of Slovak historians and underlines that there was a remarkable development of Slovak produced a standard work on a historiography since the War either high academic level. in the number of books published or in the number of institutes and people involved in research. Unlike Marxist or some Western historians, Glass! also states that "during the period of the Slovak Republic (]939-1945) , there was a fruitful development in the field of historical research even though the war was not the right time for a successful build-up of this discipline." He considers it as wrong and unjust of the Marxist historians to belittle the results of this period in research into the history of Slovakia. Glass! also refers to the writings of Slovak scholars in Western countries but for some reason he became acquainted only with the works published by Prof. M. Lacko and with one book and one essay by this reviewer. Writings of other Slovak historians, especially those pertaining to the period of the 18th and 19th centuries, escaped the author, which is regrettable, because they shed a different light on Slovak national awakening from that of Marxist historiography. The book stops at the year 1918 and leaves out the past 60 years during which Slovakia, as well as Slovak historiography, experienced an unexpected development. The explanation for this is given by the author in the Preface by one sentence: "For understandable political reasons, the inclusion in this survey of the writings dealing exclusive,l y with the period 1918-1960 was abandoned." Even in the present form the book is a very valuable scholarly addition to the foreign language MORE ABOUT BOOKS Slov akia in the 19th and 20th Centuries, Edited by Prof. Joseph M. Kirschbaum ; Preface by S. B. Roman, published by the Slovak World Congress, Toronto, Ont. , 1973, 368 p., bibl., $12.50. The Slovak World Congress published for the General Meeting held in Chicago on June 28th-July 1st, 1973, another English book on Slovakia which deserves special attention. While the first publication by the Congress outlined the historical and cultural background of Slovakia, this new voluminous work will give the readers an insight into the political and literary developments in Slovakia in the 19th and 20th centuries. In his Preface to the book, the President of the Slovak World Congress, Stephen B. Roman, explains that the Slovak World Congress "undertook to publish this book with the desire to contribute to the search for historical truth about Slovaks and thereby to help better understanding and co-operation among the nations of Central Europe. It is our firm belief that peoples of that vital area can regain their political freedom and build their future only in close co-oper ation and only if each recognizes the equal rights to independence that each has." One cannot but agree with such aim and the contents of the book confirm that it was also the intention of the editor and contributors. The book is composed of contributions by 20 authors, four of �221 SLOVAKIA whom are of non-Slovak origin, and it is divided into four parts. The first part deals with Slovak national philosophy and the subject is treated by two known Slovak professors, Charles Murin from the University of Montreal, and Stefan Polakovic, former professor at the University of Bratislava. The second part deals with Slovak politics and culture in the 19th and 20th centuries and contains contributions by Prof. J. A. Mikus, Msgr. J. Rekem, Dr. Stefan Osusky, Prof. F . Vnuk, Dr. F. f>urcansky, Prof. E. Loebl, Prof. Stefan Glejdura, Dr. lmrich Kruzliak and Rev. Mikulas Sprinc. Part three deals with the relations of Slovakia with her neighbors and among the contributors are mostly authors of non-Slovak origin. On Slovakia under the Habsburg rule, an interesting survey was written by a members of the Jlabsburg dynasty, Archduke Robert of Austria while Slovak-Hungarian relations are treated by Prof. George Perenyi-Lukacs with comments by Dr. Arved Grebert and Prof. J . M. Kirschbaum. Prof. Thaddeus Gromada contributed an excellent essay on Slovak-Polish relations and Slovak-Russian relations are analyzed and evaluated by Prof. Stefan Glejdura and Miroslav Licko. Prof. Kurt Glaser, author of the book, Czecho-Slovakia - A Critical History, closed this chapter with a scholarly treatise on "National States Versus Federalism in Central European Future," commented upon by Prof J. A. Mikus and Prof. J. M. Kirschbaum. In the last part, the book deals with Slovaks abroad and their attitude towards Slovakia. It contains two essays, one by Dr. Joseph Pauro and another by Dr. F . Braxator. An extensive Select Bibliography on Slovakia completes the contents of this standard work. We cannot but welcome this new English book on Slovakia and Slovaks abroad. It fills an important gap which existed for a long time in presenting Slovakia's political and cultural development in the 19th and 20th centuries to the Western world in an objective manner. For the first time 20 experts are expressing their opinions on various subjects pertaining to Slovakia. They belong not only to two generations, as the editor of the book observed, but "also represent two schools of thought and, therefore, the book presents a confrontation of views on the Slovak p:i.st and present." In form and contents, the book is a scholarly work. The editor, Prof. J . M. Kirschbaum, took his task seriously and enhanced the volume by an extensive bibliography in several languages. He also paid tribute to American Slovaks by stating that "at the end of the First World War, Slovakia was freed from Hungarian rule above all by the efforts of Slovaks who settled in the United States and by Slovak legionaries fighting on the side of the victorious powers. This gave American Slovaks and all Slovaks abroad not only recognition and a new sense of patriotism but also a consciousness of their mission to speak on behalf of the Slovak people when they are silenced." It would be desirable that this volume be followed by a book on Slovak culture, especially arts and literature of the past two hundred years. A conference on these topics, at the next general meeting of the Congress could help to achieve this goal. Joseph P a u co �222 SLOVAKIA TWO PUBLICATIONS BY l\'lATICA SLOVENSKA Matica slovenska was degraded by the Communist regime and went through several periods of regimentation and persecution of her leading representatives and cultural workers. Independent of political pressure and refusing to serve political parties or ideologies, Matica slovenska was, before 1945, a cultural institution which belonged to the nation and represented the highest aspirations of all Slovaks. The Communist Party made Matica slovenska a subservient tool of the regimes imposed upon S'lovakia since 1945. In spite of this nefarious situation, Matica slovenska succeeded in developing Slovak culture at least in some sectors. Among these sectors, literary history and philology deserve our consideration. vakia from literary to musical. This was a neglected sector in the past mainly due to the lack of experts and, therefore, we have to welcome this publication. Of special interest for elucidating some periods of Slovak history is, however, the essay by Jozef Kuzmik : Book Culture Among the Slova/c Slavs in the Years 863-1000. The period of Great Moravia became a favored subject for Slovak intellectuals during the past two decades. In Kuzmik's contribution we find some interesting information about the territorial extent of the ancestors of today's Slovaks, as well as about their book culture which were in the past hardly known or were insufficiently explored. Unfortunately, the publication has only a Russian and German summary and, therefore, it is accessible to a very limited number For several years, Matica has of scholars in the Anglo-Saxon published a series of publications world where there are still many dealing with Slovak literary life misconceptions about the Slovak entitled:Letopis pamiitnika sloven- past. A new confusion was created s/cej literatury and Literarny ar- even recently by scholars of Magchiv. We have revi,ewed some issues yar background who tried to deny in the past in Slovakia, underlying the cultural heritage of the Great their significance for Slovak litera- Moravian period to Slovaks. Li t erarny archiv 8/ 71 is a valuture. We have now received Litercirny archiv 8/ 71, edited by Michal able source for literary history on Elias, and Letopis 19 72 , edited by several Slovak poets and writers Juraj Chovan-Rehak, and some not only of the 19th century but comments would perhaps be ap- also of the 20th century. The publication deals mostly with archive propriate. Letopis 1972 contains a number of materials, unknown manuscripts, or contributions dealing with various correspondence among leading Slosubjects from book culture (kniz- vak literary figures and cultural na kultura) among Slovak Slavs in workers. Even though the Commuthe years 863-1000 to several in- nist regime tried to regiment Sloteresting contributions on the de- vak literary history and endeavorvelopment of museums in Slovakia ed to impose Marxist criteria, Sloand the idiomatic vocabulary in vak intellectuals display more or the writing of Martin Kukucin. The less equal interest in the literary main part of the book is dedicated life of poets and writers who were to the history and development of I neglected in the past because of various types of museums in Slo- their religion or ideological orien- �SLOVAKIA 223 Literature, government, law, education, etc. Even though hardly complete, the Bibliography shows that Canadian Slavists were not idle during the twenty post-war years. In spite of the fact that Slavic studies had to start in Canada from scratch, the Bibliography contains many titles of books, essays, studies and articles, which have given Canadian students a new picture of the history, culture and civilization of the Slavic peoples. From the Slovak point of view, we have many reasons to welcome this Bibliography. Similar American or European bibliographies either overlooked books, publicaJ.M. Kirschbaum tions and essays on Slovak history, Daniel Dorotich (ed.) : A Bibliogra- Language and literature by Slovak phy of Canadian Slavists 1951- authors, or made selection of writ1971 , University of Saskatchewan ings which presented Slovakia and Publications, Saskatoon, Sask., Slovak culture in the light of ad1972. verse propaganda and Czech linAfter the Second World War, a guistic and literary theses. The misnumber of Canadian universities conceptions about the Slovak people added to their usual curricular and their culture were cultivated courses on Slavic languages, litera- especially by the older generations ture and civilization. At some uni- of Slavists who studied at the Universities special Centres or Depart- versity of Prague and use as their ments of Slavic Studies were organ- source of information books pubized, while at other universities lished by Czech scholars before Slavic languages, literature and and during the Second World War. The new generation of Slavists history were taught within Departm ents of Modern Languages and at American and Canadian univerLiteratures and in History Depart- sities gradually detached itself from the old school. Using source ments. In Canada, professors of Slavic materials published in today's Slostudies were soon organized in the vakia and other socialist countries Ca nadian Association of Slavists ' as well as in Western countries' which held every year an annual they have no more any doubt that meeting within the framework of Slovaks are a distinct nation and Canadian Learned Societies. The their language and literature have present Bibliography gives an in- developed independently of the sight into the writings and pub- Czechs or other Slavs. The Bibliography compiled and lications of the members of the edited by Prof. Dorotich reflects Association. Prof. Dorotich, in compiling and this new trend in Slavic studies editing the Bibliography, followed with regard to Slovakia. By inlhe •usual division of subject mat- eluding over 50 titles (books, monoters _into general history, languages, graphs, essays, articles) published talion and those who were closer to the socialist outlook. As a result, Literarny archiv contains interesting information on Bernolak, Stur, Vajansky and Radlinsky, as well as on Janko Kral', Roy, Hamuljak and others. It is regrettable that also in this publication the summary is only in Russian and German. For Slovak literary history, both publications are nevertheless of importance and unveil to a great degree some periods of Slovak cultural development which were intentionally neglected before 1938 as well as during the Stalinist period. �224 SLOVAKIA by Prof. J . M. Kirschbaum in five languages, the Bibliography presents a new picture of Slovak history, culture, language and literature. Not only the main works on Slovakia in English are recorded, but also one book published in Slovak, monographs and essays in French, English, German and Spanish. In fact, the Bibliography is more complete in this respect that the Slovak Bibliography Abroad compiled by Prof. M. Lacko and published by the Slovak Institute (Rome, 1967). Since the Bibliography will go into the hands of many Slavists and into university libraries, we welcome this publication as a very useful guide for students and professors of Slavic studies. Joseph Pauco Joseph Pauco: Slovenski priekopnici v Amerike (Slovak Pioneers in America), The First Catholic Slovak Union, Cleveland, Ohio, 1972, English Introduction by J. C. Krajsa, Ill., 360 pages. Slovaks in the United States played an important role in the history of the Slovak people, but a complete story of their endeavors on behalf of Slovakia, their struggle for preserving national consciousness and cultural heritage has not yet been published. Due to political circumstances in Slovakia, historians either were not allowed or had no possibility to carry out research in order to compile a standard work which would present Slovaks in the United States in an objective light. It was only during the Second World War that two volumes: Dejiny Slovakov v Amerike (History of Slovaks in America) by Konstantin Culen were published in Slovakia. Since that time, only Slovak exiled intellectuals, including Culen, carried out a research and published monographs on the life and achievements of the large Slovak ethnic group in the United States. Historians in Slovakia were either not allowed by ,t he Communist regime or for ideological reasons avoided recording their struggle for survival and the many contributions of American Slovaks not only to their own national life but also to the fight for freedom and independence of the Slovak people. After Prof. F . Hrusovsky and K. Culen, Dr. Joseph Pauco deserves main credit for systematic research into the past and present of American Slovaks. For the past 20 years he published monographs on individual Slovak leaders and organizations of which the voluminous history of the First Catholic Slovak union deserves particular mention. In the present book he deals with 55 outstanding Slovak leaders who did the pioneering organizational, cultural and religious work among American Slovaks. The importance of this book should be, however, measured not only according to its literary value, but also against the fact that there are no organized archives and many printed documents are perishing. In spite of this, Dr. Pauco gathered many valuable facts about the individual leaders among whom there are clergymen of both denominations - Catholic and Lutheran - outstanding organizers of Slovak fraternal and cultural life, men and women of great dedication to the cause of preservation of Slovak cultural heritage. The author approached his subjects with great abjectivity and painted their profiles in a fluent, uncomplicated style to make the book readab1e to the general public and, at the same time, by many references to printed sources, useful to historians and researchers. �SLOVAKIA Some of the chapters are shorter and contain only the most important data. Others present a full life story and evaluation of the activities and of the role the individual leaders played in the Slovak organizational, religious and cultural life in America. The reason for the uneven treatment of some pioneers was given by the author in the introduction to the book. As he says he was sometimes unable to gather, even the most neces~ary information, because there was no organization and no individuals in the past who would have preserved old newpapers, almanacs, minutes of meetings, or other archive materials. Since the Second World War the Slovak Institute in Cleveland and the recently organized Jankola Library have made an effort to gather and preserve archive materials pertaining to the Slovak ethnic group in the United States. In these circumstances, Pauco's present work, as well as his book on the First Catholic Slovak Union and numerous monographs, deserve special recognition. The book has, however, also its own value due to its composition, contents and style. Dr. Pauco produced a standard work comparable with writings of this kind on any other ethnic groups in America. The book also has a useful introduction by Joseph C. Krajsa, but it lack an English summary which would have given to the younger generations of American Slovaks and researchers at least the basic information on Slovak pioneers in America. Unless the author and the publisher intend to publish this work in English, it would be a useful thing to attach to the second edition an extensive English summary. J. M. Ki rs c h b au m 225 Joseph L. Dieska: "Faith and Reason" in the Life and Philosophy of Jacques Maritain, An Offprint from Most, Vol. XIX, No. 3-4, Cleveland, Ohio, 1973. Shortly before the death of the famous French philosopher, Jacques Maritain, Slovaks paid his tribute on the occasion of his 90th birthday in a commemorative study by Prof. Joseph L. Dieska under the title The Religious and Philo sophical Profile of Jacques Maritain. The scholarly essay was pub- lished in Slovak but the author prepared also an English version under the above title. Prof. Dieska was one of the known adherents of Maritain's philosophy already in Slovakia, and pursued his interests in the great Catholic philosopher's concepts also as Professor of Philosophy at the University of Dayton, Ohio, where he has taught for the past several years. The present essay is one of his numerous articles on the subjects. The Slovak and English texts contain a well written and well documented insight and analysis of Maritain's religious and philosophical profile. Dieska approached Maritain's philosophy from the position of "Faith and Reason" and explains the role of reason as well as the mystery of faith in Maritain's philosophy which became a part of the Catholic doctrine and influenced the thinking of several generations in Europe and elsewhere. His theories of creative evolution and his ability to find basic reality through intuition ,e xalted the spirit of man in many parts of the world. Known as neo-Thomism Maritain's philosophy anchors in the works and philosophical concepts of St. Thomas Aquinas. As Dieska explains, Maritain became adherent to the philosophy of St. Thomas as a result of his own independent reflections and �226 SLOVAKIA studies of various philosophers and ing tribute to Maritain also on because of the comparison he made behalf of Slovak intellectuals who between them. He found the truth are silenced in their native counhe was searching for in the an- try where Maritain's philosophy had a strong influence before Marxswers of St. Thomas. However, if it is true that Mari- ism was imposed as the only philotain followed the logic and argu- sophical concept tolerated by the mentation of St. Thomas, he put regime. J. M. Ki rs c h b au m both, in the view of Prof. Dieska, in a " new, modern, and contemporary setting. His language was ad- Encydopedic Directory of Ethnic Newspapers and P eriodicals in justed to the philosophical expresthe United States. By Lubomyr sions used today. His arguments R. Wynar. 260 pp. Libraries Unare aimed at and against modern limited, Inc., Littleton, Colorado, and recent objectors and critics. 1972. $12.50. And above all, when he speaks of For those interested in ethnic the necessity of taking faith and supernatural, revealed truths into studies a valuable tool has recentconsiderations while solving the ly been published to aid in learning political, social, ethical and estheti- 1 about the complex mosaic that is cal difficulties and 'crises' of our ' the United States of America. time, Maritain must transcend Tho- Whereas in the past the student mas and go much farther not, of of ethnic Americana had to wade course, in essential immutable, and through Ulrich's directories, or universally valid principles but in through state manuals, or specialtheir applications to the new, dif- ized histories, facility in locating Icrent and more complex situations data about 903 ethnic publications and issues. In these new approach- can now be had by utilizing Luboes lie the tremendous responsibility myr R. Wynar's Encyclopedic Diand significance of Maritain's Tho- rectory of Ethnic Newspapers and mistic solutions, proposals and Periodicals in the United States. often even sharp and merciless Included in this directory are escriticisms of the 'evils of time'"- scntials about 53 ethnic presses, ranging from the Albanian Press, concludes Dieska. As St. Thomas had found in Assyrian Press, Italian Press, JaAristotle a philosophical basis for panese Pr,ess, Slovak Press, Ukrainreconciling man's reason and ian Press, etc. , to some not poChristian faith, so Maritain, in half pular enough presses such as the a lifetime of philosophical study, Cossack, Cax,patho-Ruthenian, Flembrought a rejuvenated Thomism ish, Swiss, and Welsh. In cases such as Croatian, Sloveinto a modern age of scepticism and science. After the Second nian, and Serbian, there is a generWorld War, Maritain's vision and al heading as Yugoslav, which in philosophy helped lend strength effect increases the number of also to the whole Christian demo- presses substantially beyond the cratic movement which stood as a figure of 53. Data cited for pub1.Julwark against Communism and lications are: title translations, year founded, complete address to the Catholic Church. The author and the editor of (including ZIP), name of editor, Most deserve recognition for pub- language(s) , sponsor, circulation, Jishing both versions and for pay- frequency of publication, and sub- �SLOVAKIA scription rate. In additions commentaries aid in explaining the scope of publications., e.g., the following for "The Handbook Ilbo'' (The Korea Times): "This publication, the only Korean daily in the United States, carries international, national, and local news of interest of the Korean community. Jllustrated. " Professor Wynar of Kent State University, both a librarian and an ethnic specialist, includes a very interesting Appendix of Statistical Analysis for each ethnic group, summarizing the number of publications, weekly circulation totals, monthly circulation totals, totals for native language publications, bi-lingual totals, and English language totals. An index to the publications completes the book. An interesting addendum to the book would have been an analysis of ethnic publications in each of the fifty states. This directory truly is the first comprehensive annotated guide to the current ethnic press in the United States and with its clear type and excellent alphabetical format clearly rates an A. Paul F e n c h a k Panorama: A H i storical Review of the Czechs and Slovaks i n the United States of America. Pub- lished by the Czechoslovak National Council of America, Cicero, Ill., U.S.A. Cicero-Berwyn Press, 1970, pp. 328, index. It is quite evident that there exists today in America a need for authorative works on the histories of the various ethnic groups which have contributed to the development of America. Objective, factual and concise histories of the various groups is essential. This volume of the dual histories of the Czech 227 and Slovak immigrations to America, unfortunately from a viewpoint of abjective Slovak history, seems to lack sufficient factual data to be accepted as a history of the Slovak immigration to America. From the standpoint of the history of the Czech immigration it is factu al, unbiased history but even then much is amiss particularly in the area of the religious development of the Czech community in the United States. Two basic criticisms can be found in the basic format of the work. The single most important error in the work is the fact that the various writers of Slovak topics are weak in objective reporting, so necessary in a historical work of this kind . Unfortunately the writers, who are of the " Czechoslovak" philosophical persuasion, would wa nt the reader to actually believe that only those Slovak organizations which support that philosophy have contributed to the development of the Slovak American community. In fact it must be remembered that over eighty per cent of the organized Slovak American community does not support the '· Czechoslovak" philosophy but ra ther a distinct Slovak philosophy within the family of nations. The authors seem to infer that the staunch Catholic mass of Slovak immigrants contributed little if anything at all to the development of the Slovak community in Am erica. It appears that such notables as Father Stephen Furdek, founder of the First Catholic Slovak Union, the co-founder of the First Catholic Slovak Ladies. Association and the founder of the Slovak League of America played a very minor role in the development of the Slovak community. Other prominent leaders such as Father Matthew Jankola, Joseph Rusek, �228 SLOVAKIA Anna Hurban and Philip Hrobak are not even mentioned. The second most important ingredient which is lacking in this work is organization. Various bits and pieces are scattered throughout the work on both the Czech and Slovak development in America and from an academic journalistic point of view it is quite primitive in its presentation. Too many writers cover certain geographical areas of the Slovak immigration but much is ignored and almost always repetitious. Too often the writers are offering opinionated biased reporting which is not acc-eptable by the vast majority of the Slovak community today. There exists a certain disorganization present in the work and most often it effects an objective Slovak history. In one area in particular the work is both factually deficient and openly opinionated, that is the area of the Slovak organization" in the United States. Such organizations as "Catholic Slovak Unity, Catholic Slovak Women's Unity. Unity of Catholic Sokols" are not acceptable as Slovak organizations, as such do not exist. Again faulty research is evidenced in the presentation of Slovak organizations. One area lists "all" the Czech and Slovak organizations in America and the largest and most important Slovak societies are not listed. Subjective reporting would lead one to believe that indeed the Slovak Gymnastic Union Sokol is the most importa nt and influential organization of Americans of Slovak descent. However factual research will reveal to the alert writer that in fact the above named organization has a membership of less than 24,000 while the First Catholic Slovak Union, the First Catholic Slovak Ladies Association, the Slovak Catholic Sokol, the Pennsyl- vania Slovak Catholic Union, the Ladies Pennsylvania Slovak Catholic Union and the First Slovak Wreath of the Free Eagle have a combined membership of over 300,000. The informed reader will at once note that Sokol U.S.A., as it is commonly associated and pubblicised in the America press is of the "Czechoslovak" philosophical persuasion while the other Catholic Slovak organizations representing the overwhelming majority of organized Americans of Slovak descent are not of the appendage philosophy but rather support a distinct Slovak path completely free of Czech domination. Another noteworthy fact is that the Sokol U.S.A. is the only Slovak organization of any magnitude which is a member of the Czechoslovak National Council of America. Included in the work is a Who's Who among Americans of Czech and Slovak ancestry. Again only those Slovaks who support the idea of a "Czechoslovak" culture, language and heritage are included. Not only are the above mentioned Slovaks notably absent but such luminary as Bishop Andrew G. Grutka, D.D., the Roman Catholic Bishop of Gary, Indiana and countless others who have contributed to the growth and development of the Slovak American Community. In the final analysis the work offers little insight into the history and development of the Slovaks in America. The history of the Czechs in America is acceptable but no t commendable since again the underlining theme is to discredit any theistic organizational development. The work in general is primitive in the Slovak sense and therefore can not be accepted as a factual history of the Slovaks in America. This work is a prime example of Czech and "Czechoslovak" chauvin- �SLOVAKIA 229 ism in the interpretation of Slovak suring Czech hegemony in CzechoSlovakia, regardless of the fact history. Daniel F. Tanzone that the Communist movement is discredited by their policy. In some Eugen Steiner: The Slovak Dilem- ways Czech Communists resemble ma, Cambridge, at the University to Czech non-Communists or antiPress, 1973, 229 pages. Series Communists who used and still are International Studies, Published using democracy, socialism, liberalfor the Centre for International ism or Catholicism for imposing or Studies, London School of Eco- maintaining Czech hegemony over nomics and Political Sciences. others, especially Slovaks. The situation in Czecho-Slovakia between inthe in writes author the As troduction his aim was "to trace 1918-1938 attests to it sufficiently. the Communist attitude to national- The policy of Prague Governments ism, and to define the effects of from 1918 to this day proved that this attitude as far as the Slovaks Czechs are not capable to fulfill the arc concerned." Or in other words mission which the victorious Powhe "deals in microcosm with a ers entrusted to them in 1918 or major problem which lies at the again in 1945. Czecho-Slovalda did heart of the Soviet Union's policies, not become a barrier against German expansion or a bridge between internal and external." (p. 3) and West. Czech governments East Dr. Steiner uses the case of Slovakia to show how Communism forced into opposition against the fa iled to solve nationality problems. European block which created Not only in the Soviet Union was Czecho-Slovakia, not only the mithis problem hidden behind slogans norities but also Slovaks. Czech on the equality of nations, while politicians did not honor any agreethe Russians are the rulers, but ment, promise or pledge given to also in restored and by Communists Slovaks. They practiced such a policy regoverned Czecho-Slovakia. Steiner's book leaves no doubt that the Marx- gardless of the danger for the Leninist thesis on the problems of existence of the state or the misnationalities did not bring a satis- sion Czecho-Slovakia was to fulfill factory solution to the relations according to its friends and creabetween the Czechs and Slovaks; tors. After occupying Slovakia with on the contrary, since 1945 when the help of French and Italian Czecho-Slovakia was restored (a- military units in 1918, and with the gainst the will of majority of Slo- help of the Soviet armies in 1945, vaks) the Czech rule was imposed they disregarded their promises on Slovaks step by step, brutally and the rights of Slovaks to selfand without regard to promises and government. About the period of agreements. Up to 1948, the Czech 1918-1938 there is in Western lanCommunists found accomplices in guages comparatively large literanon-Communists. After 1948, they ture dealing with this subject. The imposed their rule on Slovaks with book by Dr. Steiner gives to Westthe help of a handful of collabora- ern readers sufficient information tors from Slovakia, mostly of non- and documentary evidence for the Slovak origin (Bacilek, Bil'ak, Mos- period of 1945-1968. Dr. Steiner writes in the introkovic, Daubner, Siroky and others). Czech Communists are using Com- duction to his book that he has munism as an instrument for as- "chosen exile as a Jew, as a Com- �230 SLOVAK.IA On the cover of Steiner's book munist and as a Slovak." He wrote his book from this point of view, there are reproductions of pictures which makes his work more inter- from demonstrations of Slovak esting and more valuable. It is a youth in Bratislava against the testimony of a "Jew, Communist Soviet occupation in August 1968. and Slovak" about the political On the posters we can read: "Slodevelopments in Slovakia in this vaks stand firm, they won't pass! Occupa nts go home!" These slogans century. His background and ideological o- express the feelings of Slovaks in rientation explain to a great degree Slovakia as well as abroad not only not only his favorable attitude to- against the So·,iet occupants, but wards regimes in 1918-1938 (though any occupants, including the Czechs. Czech Statistics can easily prove This conclusion can be found, if the opposite) but his negative stand carefully read, also in Dr. Steiner's towards the Slovak republic of book: The Slovak Dilemma. Dr. A. Gr eb er t, 1939-1945 as well. We understand Geneva, Switzerland that the anti-communist and antijewish measures of the Slovak Government could not meet with Slovak Studies, Historica 7 and 8, Vol. X and XI, Slovak Institute, his approval. It is, however, hard Rome-Cleveland, Editor Prof. M. to understand his attitude towards Lacko, S. J . Dr. Benes and his Government-inBoth volumes of Slovak Studies exile. Even such adherents of "Czechoslovakism" as were Dr. M. deal with history of Slovakia and Hodfu and Dr. S. Osusky disagreed except for the contribution by Dr. and at the end fought against Be- S. Nahalka, with the events of our nes and his anti-Slovak policy which century. Since the Marxist historihe later (after 1945) also practiced ans not only avoid certain subjects in co-operation with Czech Commu- but also write with prejudice and nists and non-Communists. Unfor- strictly from the Marxist point of tunately, Dr. Steiner deals with view, these volumes perform specific this rather superficially and un- role in historiography on Slovakia. convincingly. The post-war develop- In addition, their value is enhanced ments in Czecho-Slovakia prove by the fact that they are published that the Slovak-Czech antagonism in foreign language and two of the is not a matter of temporary politi - contributors were educated abroad. Students of modern Slovak hiscal situation but a fundamental and lasting feature of Slovak-Czech tory will welcome especially the relations. It is impossible to solve Ph.D. thesis by Sister M. E. Lubek, this problem within the "Czecho- "An Inquiry into the United States Slovak" framework. The successive _ Czechoslovak Relations between a_bolition, ~~er 1969, _of C~nstitu- I 1918-1948." There were many myths t10nal prov1S1ons dealing with the published on this subjects, but to federalization of Czecho-Slovakia, my knowledge, no scholarly work. mentioned in Dr. Steiner's book, Some years ago Prof. M. Mamatey prove convincingly the validity of shed some light on the period of the First World War, later years the above conclusions. In spite of some shortcomings, Dr. remained, however, unresearched. Steiner's book is a valuable contri- Yet, this is an interesting topic, bution to the historiography on since the United States played an important role in the emergence Eastern Europe. �231 SLOVAKIA of Czecho-Slovakia in 1918 and in her re-emergence in 1945. Needless to say that the treatise by M. E. Lubek does not cover all the aspects of the inter-state relations, remaining mostly in the field of politics and diplomacy. The study is nevertheless of the importance and will be useful for further research. For foreign historians dealing with Slovakia of special interest will also be the contributions by Prof. M. S. :l'.>urica, who researched Italian Military Documents in order to shed a new light on the tragic death of M. R. Stefanik, one of the founders of Czecho-Slovakia, and German biography of President Dr. J. Tiso by F. H. Schneider. We commented on the value of Prof. Durica's study when it was first published in Italian language (Slovalcia, Vol. XXIII, 1973) , and cannot but welcome the English version. Schneider's essay on the life and historical role of Dr. J . Tiso in Slovak politics is of importance for more than one reason. The adversaries of Slovak aspirations for independence - Communists and non-Communists - succeeded in presenting Dr. Tiso and his policies in Western countries in a distorted light. Even though, Dr. Tiso mostly suffered for his forced cooperation with Germany, there was a long silence about him and Slovakia among German historians. Schneider's contribution does not exhaust the subject and shows gaps, but it was high time to draw a little differe nt picture of President Tiso in ♦ ♦ German language than it was done by Prague and Slovak Communists. Unfortunately, Schneider overlooked some books and articles which contain substantial information on Dr. Tiso's life and politics, such as Prof. Murin's articles, one of Dr. Polakovic's books, many articles in Sl.ovakia and other sources. Dr. S. Nahalka's istructive article on "Holy Scripture among Slovaks" is a valuable contribution to the religious and cultural history of Slovaks. Religious history of Slovakia is one of the completely neglected fields in today's historiography in Slovakia, even though Slova ks survived as a nation mostly due to the fact that clergy (Catholic and Protestant) took over the cultural leadership and national struggle. Professor Lacko in his contributions presents the synthesis of the studies on Great-Moravian and Cyrillo-Methodian period and a survey of events which led to the reestablishment of the Greek-Catholic Church in Slovakia. The latter study would deserve to be completed by documents and names of people who in Slovakia and abroad helped the re-establishment. Both contributions are timely and instructive. Prof. Lacko deserves recognition also for his efforts to continue publishing the Slovak Studies. Slovak cultural activities abroad would be much poorer without this series. J. M. Ki rs c h b au m ♦ Life Membership in the Slovak League of America is $100.00 - join us! Write to: Slovak League of America, 313 Ridge Avenue, Middletown, Pa. 17057. �SLOVAKlA 232 Our Contributor s theologian, author, Cambridge, Ontario Stephen Sencik, S.J. - Anthony X. Sutherland, Ph.D ., Columbus, Ohio Sr. Martina Tybor, SS.C.M. - author, Director, Slovak Institute, Cleveland, 0 . Andrew Pier, O.S.B. Joseph C. Krajsa - teacher, author, Danville, Pa. Editor, Jednota, Middletown, Pa. industrialist, Toronto, Ontario Stephen B. Roman - attorney-at-law, Stratford, Conn. Edward J. Behuncik - Joseph M. Kirschbaum, LL.D., Ph.D . Jozef Pauco, Ph.D. - historian, author, Toronto, Ont. author, historian, Middletown, Pa. Michael O'Pake, Esq. - State Senator, Reading, Pa. Daniel F. Tanzone, M.A. - teacher, Yonkers, N. Y. Susan Pojer, B.A., Yonkers, N. Y. professor, author, consultant for Rockefeller Foundation, New York, N. Y. Michael Novak, Ph.D. Paul Fenchak - teacher, Baltimore, Md. Steven I. Miller, Ph.D. - assistant professor, Loyola University, Chicago, Illinois Junior history major, Susquehanna University, Selinsgrove, Pa. William Wagner Francis Vnuk - historian; professor, Institute of Technology, Adelaide, Australia Dr. Arved Grebert - former Slovak diplomat, now in Switzerland Jane Noonan, Marlene Bartos, Stephen J. Knoblock - America Scholarship Winners Slovak League of �OFFICERS OF THE SLOVAK LEAGUE OF AMERICA Honorary President : EDWARD J. BEHUNCIK President 2385 Main Street Stratford, Conn. 06497 Stephen J. Tkach , DR. JOSEPH PAUCO Secretary 313 Ridge Avenue Middletown, Pa. 17057 Vice Presidents: Milan V. Blazek, Stephen Suhajcik, Mary Piroch ' Executive Committee : Edward J. Behuncik, John A. Holy, Paul C. Kazimer, Tibor Kovalovsky, Joseph R. Kristotik, Dr. Joseph Pauco, John A. Sabol SLOVAK FRATERNAL ORGANIZATIONS (Affiliated with the Slovak League of America) THE FIRST CATHOLIC SLOVAK UNION Cleveland, Ohio - Membership: 104,500 ·-:i THE FIRST CATHOLIC SLOVAK LADIES ASSOCIATION Cleveland, Ohio .;_ Membership: 96,000 THE SLOVAK CATHOLIC SOKOL Passaic, N. J. - Membership: 53,000 PENNSYLVANIA SLOVAK CATHOLIC UNION Wilkes-Barre, Pa: - Membership: 18,000 LADIES PENNSYLVANIA SLOVAK CATHOLIC UNION Wilkes-Barre, Pa. - Membership: 16,500 SLOVAK NEWSPAPER'S JOURNALISTS' ASSOCI.A.TION (Affiliated with the Slovak League of America) SLOVAK NEWSPAPERS (Affiliated with the Slovak League of Americ,a) BRATSTVO Wilkes-Barre, Pa. SLOVAK V AMERIKE Middletown, Pa. JEDNOTA Middletown, Pa. ZENSKA JEDNOTA Cleveland, Ohio KATOLICKY SOKOL Passaic, N. J. ZORNICK_A Wilkes-Barre, Pa. SLOVAKIA $4.00 per annum in the U.S.A. - $5.00 elsewhere PRINTED IN THE U.S.A. JEDNOTA PRESS Middletown, Pennsylvania 17057 � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource 1974, Vol. 24 Description An account of the resource Vol. 24 (No. 47), 1974. Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available The Slovak League of America Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1974 Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document 210 SLOVAKIA CURRENT ISSUES RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED AT CONFERENCE OF THE SLOVAK LEAGUE OF AMERICA IN NEW YORK CITY, MAY 19, 1973 Your Holiness: In the name of more than 350,000 American-Slovaks, the greater majority Catholic, and supporting the Slovak League of America and its cultural and civic programs, we extend cordial greetings. We appreciate your efforts and dedication to obtain equal rights for all Catholics and to continue the ecumenical co-operation with all Christians and believers throughout the whole world. We also present to you a petition asking that you give particular attention to the land of our forefathers-Slovakia -cradle in 833 of Christianity in Central Europe and ever devotedly loyal to the Holy See. Notwithstanding this historic fact, Slovakia, oppressed by the atheistic Soviet regime in civil affairs, lacks, in the spiritual domain, its own province, does not have a single archbishop and for so long a time, no Slovak has achieved cardinalhood. Of course, Slovak Catholics share their sufferings with their Lutheran and Greek Catholic brethren. We respectfully suggest that Slovakia be accorded similar recognition as Bohemia, Moravia, Slovenia, Croatia and many other countries in Africa and Asia. We are confident that among dedicated and oppressed Slovak clergy can be found an archbishop to lead a Slovak ;irovince as in days gone by. Such a magnanimous gesture would invigorate all Slovaks at home as well as here in America. We believe that your Holiness by such a decision will strengthen us and thus fortify our fidelity to the Vatican and reverence to the throne of St. Peter. Very respectfully and sincerely, Edward J. Behuncik, President Dr. Joseph Pauco, Secretary Dear Mr. President: The Slovak League of America on the occasion of its 1973 Conference here in New York extends cordial greetings. We hope you will continue to enjoy good health and achieve even greater success in your efforts on behalf of all citizens of whatever origin. We unequivocally endorse your stand in Vietnam and welcome your policy in Europe and Asia. As you are well aware, our origins are in Central Europe, in SLOVAKIA 211 Slovakia, which has a more than 1100 year Christian history and which for many centuries, excepting a brief period, has lived in subjugation. Now, Slovakia is in its fifth year of Soviet occupation and deprivation by the communists of all human, spiritual and political rights. So, today, we again respectfully request that you, individually as our leader, as well as your entire administration, continue to remember Slovakia and the other oppressed nations behind the Iron Curtain. All thes•e subjugated peoples seek and des·erve statehood and democratic freedom such as we in the United States are so fortunate to enjoy. In your discussions with the leaders of the totalitarian world, we ask that you give high priority to this humane cause. W!! are confident that if permitted free elections, our brethren in Slovakia would officially confirm their dedication and devotion to the United States of America as the stalwart guardian of human freedoms . Most Sincerely, Edward J. Behuncik, President Dr. Joseph Pauco, Secretary DECLARATION ADOPTED AT THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE SLOVAK WORLD CONGRESS HELD IN CHICAGO ON JUNE 30TH 1973 The representatives of Slovaks abroad gathered at the General Assembly of the Slovak World Congress, held in Chicago on June 28-30th, 1973, adopted the following Declaration: (1) We consider ourselves an integral part of the Slovak people. We are conscious of our co-responsibility for their destiny and for their contribution to the overall culture of humanity. (2) We claim for the Slovak nation, on the basis of its national individuality, recognition for an equal status with other sovereign nations of the world. (3) We deny any Great Power the right to interfere with the destiny of the Slovak people and to integrate Slovakia in other states or zones of influence which are opposed to the will of the Slovak people and their national interests. We consider such actions, condemned as they are by all civilized people of the world, to be a violation of the Charter of the United Nations. (4) We demand the departure of all occupation forces from Central Europe in order that, after more than a quarter 212 SLOVAKIA of a century since the end of the War, the nations of that area can finally govern themselves. (5) As representatives of a nation conscious of its responsibility towards others, we consider the principles of democracy and humanism the basis for peace and co-operation among the peoples of the world. (6) On these principles alone, life in freedom and a free culture can develop in Slovakia according to the traditions of the Slovak people and in harmony with the progress of the world. PHILIP A. HROBAK YEAR January 10, 1974 marked the tenth anniversary of the death of Philip A. Hrobak, and on May 1, 1974 we will mark the seventieth anniversary of his birth. These special dates impel us to honor his memory in a special way. He was one of the most deserving of our cultural and civic workers from among the many American-born Slovaks and one who dedicated himself to the Slovak cause since early manhoJd. Philip A. Hrobak, as a newspaperman, writer, histocian, linguist, fraternalist and organizer rose to heights in American Slovak life. His contributions to the Slovak cause in both English and Slovak are most noteworthy and memorable in Slovak history. Therefore, the Slovak League of America deems it a special honor to be able to lend itself to the legacy of Philip A. Hrobak. Not only did he honorably serve as a long time editor of JEDNOTA, as the founder and editor of "Slovak Newsletters," "Jednota Annual Furdek" and "Slo·v akia", but also as a distinguished President and member of the Executive Committee of the Slovak League of America-all this is his eternal monument. Bowing before his genius, we turn to our Slovak people and we seek recognition in 1974 of the unfinished dreams of Philip A. Hrobak and so-licit continued help in proving that we i>..re all worthy followers of this g,r eat son of our people. For the Slovak League of America, the year 1974 will be the time of increased activity, as he idealized and set by his example. In tribute to his linguistic talents, we can have the opportunity to help build a strong scholarship fund for the League, because the main purpose of this fund is to preserve and enhance, as he desired, the Slovak conscience in America. Surely, there cannot be any American Slovak who would not make his or her contribution to our scholarship fund in memory of Philip .A. Hirobak. The Slovak League of America also feels compelled to follow the SLOVAKIA 213 footsteps of Philip A. Hrobak in other fields. In the firat place, we must preserve and continue with the annual "Slovakia", we must daily and fairly continue to inform the American public of the ideals and accomplishments of the American Slovaks, and we must continue our cl-forts to renew the rightful place of the Slovak nation as an independent unit in the family of nations. These were the goals of Philip A. Hrobak, and our Slovak League has so proceeded in the last ten years since we with heavy hearts bid a sad farewell to our never-forgotten leader. With prayer, with labor, and with sacrifices we thus honor this meritocious Slovak son. May the memory of Philip A. Hrobak be perpetual. Edward J. Behuncik, President Dr. Joseph Pauco, Secretary As the others see it represented. What to me is more worse, is the attempt to sublimate the Slovaks into the Czech people. That's why we hear about a 'Czechoslovak nation'. It does not exists! Czecho-Slovakia is a political entity of two nations - the Czechs and the Slovaks. I never think of myself as Czech. I am Slovak and nothing else."- Rev. John Zornan, President of the Slovak Zion Synod, "What kind of man is Alex Del- National News, Pittsburgh, Pa., vecchio? (Playing for Detroit Red August 1, 1973. Wings.) He's middle aged, 41. A guy who you can't get in an "Despite the courage and per• argument with. His salt-and-pepper severance the Slovaks and other gray hair is impeccably coiffured peoples of Eastern Europe have around round Eastern European displayed time and again in their face (his late mother was a Slovak; relentless search for internal liberhis father Italian.)" - Bob Naylor, ties and external sovereignty, they Detroit Free Press, December 9, cannot achieve their goals without 1973. outside help. It is our duty, and only in keeping with our own "The idea of 'Slovak Heritage' is to extend our support. The ideals, quite intriguing to me. It implies world will not know genuine that we have one. Looking at hisevery country enjoys tory books, however, you might peace until freedom and can exercise the right have doubts. Even when discussing to self-determination. Central Europe, the Slovaks as a "The history of Slovakia is one nation are often forgotten or mis- "Call a Slovak Czechoslovak and you plant a burr under his skin. To a Slovak, named for a geograph• ic region divided by the wars and politics, that frequent error is more than just misnomer; it conveys a complete historical misunderstanding of who he is." - Sue Morse, The Herald Statesman, Yonkers, N. Y., November 30, 1973. 214 SLOVAKIA of turmoil, frustration, and heroic struggle. Your continued devotion to the cause of a free and independent Slovakia - despite hundreds of years of oppression - is an inspiration to those of us who cherish freedom as you do. These are the characteristics that help us, in maintaining a better and stronger America. "The existence of the World Congress is an important step in achieving your long delayed place among the family of the free naRobert P. Hanrahan, tions." Member of Congress. U.S. Senator Adlai E. Stevenson. "I am sure all of the American Slovaks sincerely wish to acknowledge the plight of their brethren under Communist oppression. The Slovak people strongly pursue the course that someday freedom will reign in all corners of the world. People of America need to be remainded of the severe repressing of Communist-held nations of the world endure." - U.S. Senator Hugh Scott. "Slovaks of Cleveland brought many Christmas customs from the old country, notably the custom of caroling. Among the most cherished Slovak folk songs are those sung at Christmas time. These carols are sung not only in churches, but also in the homes of the faithful, no matter how many generations they have lived here." - Sun Herald, Cleveland, 0., December 20, 1973. "We must re-dedicate ourselves to cause of all captives of Communism. Recognizing that the world cannot enjoy peace until all peoples are free from yoke of Communism. Please continue your dedication to the traditions, cultural life, religious beliefs, and desire for independence on behalf of Slo"There is a strong feeling of vak people everywhere."- Edward awareness among some ethnic J. Derwinski, Member of Congress. members of the younger generation. "I do want you to know I share There are also strong indications your commitment to the Slovak that the melting pot concept can people and to strengthening the no longer be maintained and that ties with their sons and daughters America is beginning to recognize throughout the world. I know we and appreciate the diversity of its will not falter in our efforts to ethnic populations in terms of a insure that no people need face re- new cultural pluralism."- Dr. Goy, pression and indignity as a result a member of City College's library of their yearning to be free." - faculty, New York, N. Y. SLOVAKIA 215 -------------- WHO'S WHO Among American Slovaks JOSEPH C. K RAJ SA It was a mark of social maturity when the Chamber of Commerce of the Greater Harrisburg Area decided to have "Slovak power" for its presidency. Such is progress that it is hardly news anymore when a second-generation American of ethnic background and working-class origins becomes the leader of the town's top capitalists. Pardon us, Karl Marx. Joseph Charles Krajsa is the 60th president of the Harrisburg Chamber. He is so ethnic that more than half the Chamber's members can't pronounce his name correctly: It is "Crysa," and Anglicized it would mean "nicer." Well beyond his own physical size - 6-foot-1 and 240 pounds Krajsa is a big man. He was manager of the Allentown Finance Co. for 14 years, which is owned by his older brother, John. He has the equivalent of two college degrees and has a speaking knowledge of seven languages. He was an outstanding football, baseball and basketball coach for 11 years. And, lastly, he served as auditor and vice president of the First Catholic Slovak Union, and is now the editor of its bilingual weekly, Jednota, and manager of the Jednota home, farm and printery. Very much a Slovak as a warm convivial person, Krajsa also is a Rotarian, Elk, Legionaire and democrat. He once was a topflight golfer who won country-club trophies. "I find more businessmen in this Chamber, for example, wanting to be more human, wanting to share their good fortune," he said. "The single-minded emphasis on economics has diminished. A person must be involved politically, socially and religiously, as well as economically, to be well-rounded, and more and more businessmen understand that." Krajsa, 56, grew up in Allentown. His father was a wire-worker from Skalica in Slovakia and emigrated to America in 1906. Old Joe Krajsa married a girl living here, Agnes Baranek, a native of Horna Krupa, Slovakia. He built his own home and started a corner grocery. Everybody knew and loved the Krajsas. "Put it on the book," or "na knizku," they said as Father Krajsa had a credit book, so the neighborhood could have its groceries. One of the articles in Krajsa's published Furdek 1974 is entitled "Slovaks Are Lovers." The author asserts, "Slovak mothers can equally match the 'Good Jewish Mother' of book fame." A Slovak mother will say to her daughter, "Ja som t'a nevychovala, aby si behala za muzami," or "I didn'-t raise you to go chasing after men." Many Slovaks came to America between 1880 and 1920, with most of them settling here between 1900 and 1910. Thousands settled in Pennsylvania, and the men became the muscle of this commonwealth's steel, coal and railroading indus- 216 SLOVAKIA tries. Of Slovak descent are Astronaut Eugene A. Cernan, Penn State's great lineman, Mark Markovich; Will Hartack, Chuck Bednarik, Johnny Bucha and George Blanda. Stan Musial is half-Polish and half-Slovak. Blanda's mother is president of the Jednota lodge in Youngwood. There were 277 scattered Slovak fraternal organizations and widoworphan funds when in 1890 the Rev. Stephen Furdek, of Cleveland, organized the national union called Jednota (the word means union, or united). Nineteen years later the Middletown property of the aristocrat Simon Cameron Young was purchased for $38,000. What originally was 298 acres is now 255 acres, but worth well over one million dollars. The old orphanage, now phased out, cared for 4,000 children in its history. The newspaper Krajsa edits and writes for has a circulation of 40,000. Jednota also publishes 15 book titles annually. It is building a million dollar printery. Krajsa was elected editor for a three-year term in 1964, and he keeps being re-elected. He arrived in Middletown when Olmsted Air Force Base was closing, so immediately he plunged into civic activity. It got him involved in Chamber of Commerce work, and he did so well that the Chamber named him president last October. Krajsa had a typical Americanimmigrant family upbringing. He did well in his studies. He captained Allentown Central Catholic High School's basketball team, was center on the football team and pitched for the baseball team. He went on to East Stroudsburg State College, where he was a stellar athlete, and then was a Navy chief petty officer in World War II. After the war, he married Romanza Fairman, from Kansas City, and settled in Allentown. He put in 11 years at Central Catholic High lurning in several state championship teams and ending up as athletic director. Meanwhile, he was in the finance business, too. The Krajsas have four children: Joe, in insurance, Mike, administrative assistant in the Agriculture Department; Maryagnes, assistant to the Dauphin County Democratic chairman, and George, an athlete at Middletown High. Krajsa's desire for the Chamber of Commerce is a Slovak's wish for more unity, more strength of purpose and more aggressiveness for the community. "We can get unity and not take a thing away from anybody," he said looking toward the West Shore. He believes that the county line should be easier to cross than the ethnic line over which his presidency already has triumphed. Paul B. Beers, Associated Editor The Evening News Harrisburg, Pa. THE SLOVAK LEAGUE OF AMERICA heartily commends all efforts of our governmental and other organs to ferret out and unmask all Communists and fellow travellers, as well as all persons and organizations who wittingly or unwittingly give aid and comfort to the conspiracy of Communism promoted by the Soviet Union. SLOVAKIA - 217 Book Reviews Books on Slovakia and Slovaks Reviewed by Prof. J. M. Kirschbaum writes about the Czech l.'esistance during the last years of the War. Three contributions deal with the Slovak problem. Hans Kaiser writes about integration of Slovakia into national socialist war economy; In this carefully edited volume, Ladislav Lipscher examines the in12 German scholars and specialists fluence of the Third Reich on the in Czecho-Slovak affairs analyze the policy of the Slovak government eventful year of 1945 in Czecho- with regard to the Jewish problem, Slovakia. Some of the contributors and Jorg K. Hoensch gives a generare known as experts in the prob- al survey of the situation in Slovalems of Eastern Europe. Others kia in 1945. specialized in the German-Czech The remaining contributions deal relations or in the Slovak problem. with the transfer of the Sudeten Since until recently the German Germans and its consequences (Pescholars avoided publishing the re- ter Burian); with rebuilding of the sults of their research on Czecho- Communist Party of Czecho-SlovaSlovakia, their views will be of lda in 1945 (Heinrich Kuhn); with interest for schoiars in the West. the constitutional problems in The volume gives a survey of Czecho-Slovakia in 1945 (Helmut international, national and socio- Slapnicka); and with the integraeconomic problems in Czecho-Slova- tion of the Sudeten German expelkia in 1945, but two contributions, lees in Germany. The book provides abundant inone by Ferdinand Seibt, and the other by Karl Bosl, outline the formation on each topic and referhistorical background of boundary ences to sources used indicate that problems and basic information on German scholars weve dealing with the division of Germany by the their subjects with great effort to present an objective picture of Allies. Further contributions deal with Czecho-Slovakia in 1945. Their Czecho-Slovakia itself during the views and conclusions will, thereWar and her l'estoration in 1945. fore, be at variance with some Peter Kruger gives a survey of the Western specialists in East Central views of the Allies on Czecho-Slo- ; Europe, including the emigre Czech vakia from the Atlantic Charter to j historians. Czecho-Slovakia has the Potsdam Conference; Martin K. been presented in the West during Bachstein outlines the policy of I the past decades with evident relithe social democratic exiles from ance on Czech sources and favoring Czecho-Slovakia and Detlef Brandes I the Czechs. Especially Slovakia was Karl Bosl: Das Jahr 1945 in der Tschechoslowakei, Vortrag,e der wissenschaftlichen Tagung des Collegium Carolinum, R. Oldenbourg, Mlinchen-Wien, 1971, 316 p. 218 SLOVAKIA treated with bias, mostly as a "postscriptum" to Czech history, and the cruel and often inhuman treatment of minorities or political adversaries was overlooked. German scholars endeavored to be factual and objective and since some of them were born or raised in Czecho-Slovakia, their knowledge of the prob!ems discussed in their contribution cannot be doubted. Nevertheless, they present a German view, because nobody can separate himself fr.om his own background and personal or national experience. · And the manner in which Prague solved the Sudeten German problem in 1945 was bound to create deep resentiment and animosity, which is not easy to overcome. Slovakia is treated in the book with more understanding and impa.rtiality than is the usual case in Western historiography; there is nevertheless certain bias in all three contributors "with regard to the Slovak republic, including the article ·by Jorg Hoensch. Hoensch published two well researched books on Slovakia in the past but, in many instances, adopted the Czech or the Slovak Marxist view of the wartime Slovakia. This also occurred in his present contribution which is well researched and refers also to Slovak emigre political literature. Nevertheless, some conclusions were made by Hoensch on assumptions and not on facts. For instance, his view that "the majority of the Slovak leading strata and, even more, the large masses of the population believed during the war that their social ,i nterest and political rights would be better preserved in the restored Czechoslovakia" and that the Slovak Republic "could not give proof -of its viability (Lebensfiihigkeit)" is a part of Czech and Communist propaganda which was recen_tly contradicted and abandoned even by Slovak Marxist historians (see books by L. Liptak and S. Falt'an). Likewise is disputable his statement that the "Slovak population accepted with equal passivity the introduction of the peoples democracy and the declaration of the Slovak Republic." The enthusiastic manifestations in Slovakia in 1939 can hardly be compared with the fear from rape, confiscation, deportation and hiding in cellars which ·could be witness in Slovakia ' during the first months of the restoration of Czecho-Slovakia. Also treated in the volume are two important problems for Slovakia during the war years: the integration of Slovakia into the German war economy and the policy of the Slovak government with regard to the Jewish problem. Hans Kaiser deals with the first topic and gives a well researched survey of the impact of Germany on Slovak economy, and of the pressures used by Berlin on the Slovak government. Kaiser's contribution is the first one in the West to deal expertly · with the subject. So far, only the Marxist historians or economists published studies on the economic situation in Slovakia during th e War and their approach was a priori hostile. The views of the members of the Slovak government and Slovak economists who did not side with the regime imposed upon Slovakia in 1945, are buried in the archives of the "people's courts" and only in part were published by Slovak emigre politicians and writers. The picture of Slovak :war economy presented by Kaiser cannot, therefore, be without flaws. It is, in any case, a useful basis for further research and full presentation of the economic development of Slovakia during the Second , World War. SLOVAKIA · 219 The third contributio n dealing I Horst Glass!: Die slowakische Geschichtswis senschaft nach 1945 with Slovakia touches on the prob(Slovak Historiogra phy After !em which harmed Slovaks and 1945), Otto Harrassowi tz, Wies their reputation in the world, but baden, 1971, 166 pages, Register. the11e were only a few attempts to put the policy of the Slovak governThe author and the publisher of ment towa!'ds Jews into a proper this book deserve recognition for perspective. making available to Western scholars and students of history an Lipscher's contributio n analyzes objective survey of Slovak historithe influence of the Third Reich on ography after 1945. Except for that policy on the basis of G€rman short summaries in one or two archives and partly also on the foreign languages, writings of Slohave been published Slovak sources. In comparison vak historians 1945 exclusively in Slovak since with many articles published on and, as such, they have remained this subject in the West, Lipscher's inaccessible to most of foreign hiscontributio n is marked by an effort torians. Glassl's book provides at to present the policy of the Slovak least those Western historians who impartial governmen t more objectively and read German with an phy and historiogra Slovak at look with considerab le restraint from during blaming only the Slovak govern- its remarkable developme nt decades. two past the ment in harsh terms, as has been the case until now. Lipscher does The book is the result of a thornot make any reference to sources ough research in Slovakia itself. of Slovak emigre historians and The author compiled considerab le political writers who dealt with the knowledge of writings on Slovak subject and he recognized that the history by both the old traditionalproblem would require further ist and the recent Marxist historistudy. This indicates that he enIn his attempt to give an obans. deJvored to approach the problem pictul'e he points to the jective wi th impartiality and, as a result, and ideological interrestrictions his contributio n may be a beginwhich Slovak histounder ference ning of dealing with the tragedy or remain silent write to had rians of Jews in Slovakia with more "It lasted 1956. until 1948 after understand ing of the circumstan ces "before Glassl, says years," several and pressures under which the developthe that possible was it Slovaks could not save more Jewment of Slovak historiogra phy and ish citizens than they did. research could come up with noA complete review of this volume ticeable results. Under the pressure would, of course, require to deal of the circumstan ces in those years with all the other contributio ns (Slovak) histo1ians had to take into which give a survey of many prob- considerati on the political goals lems in the Czech part of Czecho- and requiremen ts. The Communist Slovakia, and analyze the relations Party which took over power in between Czechs and G€rmans in- Czecho-Slovakia required complete cluding the expulsion, often under re-writing of the whole historiinhuman circumstan ces, of the Su- ography acco11ding to Marxist crideten Germans. teria ... many historians were fired 220 SLOVAKIA from their positions, and some of works on Slovakia. The author made undoubtedly a very thorough th,em were even sent to jails." On the other hand, the author research into the writings and publications of Slovak historians and underlines that there was a remarkable development of Slovak produced a standard work on a historiography since the War either high academic level. in the number of books published or in the number of institutes and people involved in research. Unlike Marxist or some Western historians, Glass! also states that "during the period of the Slovak Republic (]939-1945) , there was a fruitful development in the field of historical research even though the war was not the right time for a successful build-up of this discipline." He considers it as wrong and unjust of the Marxist historians to belittle the results of this period in research into the history of Slovakia. Glass! also refers to the writings of Slovak scholars in Western countries but for some reason he became acquainted only with the works published by Prof. M. Lacko and with one book and one essay by this reviewer. Writings of other Slovak historians, especially those pertaining to the period of the 18th and 19th centuries, escaped the author, which is regrettable, because they shed a different light on Slovak national awakening from that of Marxist historiography. The book stops at the year 1918 and leaves out the past 60 years during which Slovakia, as well as Slovak historiography, experienced an unexpected development. The explanation for this is given by the author in the Preface by one sentence: "For understandable political reasons, the inclusion in this survey of the writings dealing exclusive,l y with the period 1918-1960 was abandoned." Even in the present form the book is a very valuable scholarly addition to the foreign language MORE ABOUT BOOKS Slov akia in the 19th and 20th Centuries, Edited by Prof. Joseph M. Kirschbaum ; Preface by S. B. Roman, published by the Slovak World Congress, Toronto, Ont. , 1973, 368 p., bibl., $12.50. The Slovak World Congress published for the General Meeting held in Chicago on June 28th-July 1st, 1973, another English book on Slovakia which deserves special attention. While the first publication by the Congress outlined the historical and cultural background of Slovakia, this new voluminous work will give the readers an insight into the political and literary developments in Slovakia in the 19th and 20th centuries. In his Preface to the book, the President of the Slovak World Congress, Stephen B. Roman, explains that the Slovak World Congress "undertook to publish this book with the desire to contribute to the search for historical truth about Slovaks and thereby to help better understanding and co-operation among the nations of Central Europe. It is our firm belief that peoples of that vital area can regain their political freedom and build their future only in close co-oper ation and only if each recognizes the equal rights to independence that each has." One cannot but agree with such aim and the contents of the book confirm that it was also the intention of the editor and contributors. The book is composed of contributions by 20 authors, four of 221 SLOVAKIA whom are of non-Slovak origin, and it is divided into four parts. The first part deals with Slovak national philosophy and the subject is treated by two known Slovak professors, Charles Murin from the University of Montreal, and Stefan Polakovic, former professor at the University of Bratislava. The second part deals with Slovak politics and culture in the 19th and 20th centuries and contains contributions by Prof. J. A. Mikus, Msgr. J. Rekem, Dr. Stefan Osusky, Prof. F . Vnuk, Dr. F. f>urcansky, Prof. E. Loebl, Prof. Stefan Glejdura, Dr. lmrich Kruzliak and Rev. Mikulas Sprinc. Part three deals with the relations of Slovakia with her neighbors and among the contributors are mostly authors of non-Slovak origin. On Slovakia under the Habsburg rule, an interesting survey was written by a members of the Jlabsburg dynasty, Archduke Robert of Austria while Slovak-Hungarian relations are treated by Prof. George Perenyi-Lukacs with comments by Dr. Arved Grebert and Prof. J . M. Kirschbaum. Prof. Thaddeus Gromada contributed an excellent essay on Slovak-Polish relations and Slovak-Russian relations are analyzed and evaluated by Prof. Stefan Glejdura and Miroslav Licko. Prof. Kurt Glaser, author of the book, Czecho-Slovakia - A Critical History, closed this chapter with a scholarly treatise on "National States Versus Federalism in Central European Future," commented upon by Prof J. A. Mikus and Prof. J. M. Kirschbaum. In the last part, the book deals with Slovaks abroad and their attitude towards Slovakia. It contains two essays, one by Dr. Joseph Pauro and another by Dr. F . Braxator. An extensive Select Bibliography on Slovakia completes the contents of this standard work. We cannot but welcome this new English book on Slovakia and Slovaks abroad. It fills an important gap which existed for a long time in presenting Slovakia's political and cultural development in the 19th and 20th centuries to the Western world in an objective manner. For the first time 20 experts are expressing their opinions on various subjects pertaining to Slovakia. They belong not only to two generations, as the editor of the book observed, but "also represent two schools of thought and, therefore, the book presents a confrontation of views on the Slovak p:i.st and present." In form and contents, the book is a scholarly work. The editor, Prof. J . M. Kirschbaum, took his task seriously and enhanced the volume by an extensive bibliography in several languages. He also paid tribute to American Slovaks by stating that "at the end of the First World War, Slovakia was freed from Hungarian rule above all by the efforts of Slovaks who settled in the United States and by Slovak legionaries fighting on the side of the victorious powers. This gave American Slovaks and all Slovaks abroad not only recognition and a new sense of patriotism but also a consciousness of their mission to speak on behalf of the Slovak people when they are silenced." It would be desirable that this volume be followed by a book on Slovak culture, especially arts and literature of the past two hundred years. A conference on these topics, at the next general meeting of the Congress could help to achieve this goal. Joseph P a u co 222 SLOVAKIA TWO PUBLICATIONS BY l\'lATICA SLOVENSKA Matica slovenska was degraded by the Communist regime and went through several periods of regimentation and persecution of her leading representatives and cultural workers. Independent of political pressure and refusing to serve political parties or ideologies, Matica slovenska was, before 1945, a cultural institution which belonged to the nation and represented the highest aspirations of all Slovaks. The Communist Party made Matica slovenska a subservient tool of the regimes imposed upon S'lovakia since 1945. In spite of this nefarious situation, Matica slovenska succeeded in developing Slovak culture at least in some sectors. Among these sectors, literary history and philology deserve our consideration. vakia from literary to musical. This was a neglected sector in the past mainly due to the lack of experts and, therefore, we have to welcome this publication. Of special interest for elucidating some periods of Slovak history is, however, the essay by Jozef Kuzmik : Book Culture Among the Slova/c Slavs in the Years 863-1000. The period of Great Moravia became a favored subject for Slovak intellectuals during the past two decades. In Kuzmik's contribution we find some interesting information about the territorial extent of the ancestors of today's Slovaks, as well as about their book culture which were in the past hardly known or were insufficiently explored. Unfortunately, the publication has only a Russian and German summary and, therefore, it is accessible to a very limited number For several years, Matica has of scholars in the Anglo-Saxon published a series of publications world where there are still many dealing with Slovak literary life misconceptions about the Slovak entitled:Letopis pamiitnika sloven- past. A new confusion was created s/cej literatury and Literarny ar- even recently by scholars of Magchiv. We have revi,ewed some issues yar background who tried to deny in the past in Slovakia, underlying the cultural heritage of the Great their significance for Slovak litera- Moravian period to Slovaks. Li t erarny archiv 8/ 71 is a valuture. We have now received Litercirny archiv 8/ 71, edited by Michal able source for literary history on Elias, and Letopis 19 72 , edited by several Slovak poets and writers Juraj Chovan-Rehak, and some not only of the 19th century but comments would perhaps be ap- also of the 20th century. The publication deals mostly with archive propriate. Letopis 1972 contains a number of materials, unknown manuscripts, or contributions dealing with various correspondence among leading Slosubjects from book culture (kniz- vak literary figures and cultural na kultura) among Slovak Slavs in workers. Even though the Commuthe years 863-1000 to several in- nist regime tried to regiment Sloteresting contributions on the de- vak literary history and endeavorvelopment of museums in Slovakia ed to impose Marxist criteria, Sloand the idiomatic vocabulary in vak intellectuals display more or the writing of Martin Kukucin. The less equal interest in the literary main part of the book is dedicated life of poets and writers who were to the history and development of I neglected in the past because of various types of museums in Slo- their religion or ideological orien- SLOVAKIA 223 Literature, government, law, education, etc. Even though hardly complete, the Bibliography shows that Canadian Slavists were not idle during the twenty post-war years. In spite of the fact that Slavic studies had to start in Canada from scratch, the Bibliography contains many titles of books, essays, studies and articles, which have given Canadian students a new picture of the history, culture and civilization of the Slavic peoples. From the Slovak point of view, we have many reasons to welcome this Bibliography. Similar American or European bibliographies either overlooked books, publicaJ.M. Kirschbaum tions and essays on Slovak history, Daniel Dorotich (ed.) : A Bibliogra- Language and literature by Slovak phy of Canadian Slavists 1951- authors, or made selection of writ1971 , University of Saskatchewan ings which presented Slovakia and Publications, Saskatoon, Sask., Slovak culture in the light of ad1972. verse propaganda and Czech linAfter the Second World War, a guistic and literary theses. The misnumber of Canadian universities conceptions about the Slovak people added to their usual curricular and their culture were cultivated courses on Slavic languages, litera- especially by the older generations ture and civilization. At some uni- of Slavists who studied at the Universities special Centres or Depart- versity of Prague and use as their ments of Slavic Studies were organ- source of information books pubized, while at other universities lished by Czech scholars before Slavic languages, literature and and during the Second World War. The new generation of Slavists history were taught within Departm ents of Modern Languages and at American and Canadian univerLiteratures and in History Depart- sities gradually detached itself from the old school. Using source ments. In Canada, professors of Slavic materials published in today's Slostudies were soon organized in the vakia and other socialist countries Ca nadian Association of Slavists ' as well as in Western countries' which held every year an annual they have no more any doubt that meeting within the framework of Slovaks are a distinct nation and Canadian Learned Societies. The their language and literature have present Bibliography gives an in- developed independently of the sight into the writings and pub- Czechs or other Slavs. The Bibliography compiled and lications of the members of the edited by Prof. Dorotich reflects Association. Prof. Dorotich, in compiling and this new trend in Slavic studies editing the Bibliography, followed with regard to Slovakia. By inlhe •usual division of subject mat- eluding over 50 titles (books, monoters _into general history, languages, graphs, essays, articles) published talion and those who were closer to the socialist outlook. As a result, Literarny archiv contains interesting information on Bernolak, Stur, Vajansky and Radlinsky, as well as on Janko Kral', Roy, Hamuljak and others. It is regrettable that also in this publication the summary is only in Russian and German. For Slovak literary history, both publications are nevertheless of importance and unveil to a great degree some periods of Slovak cultural development which were intentionally neglected before 1938 as well as during the Stalinist period. 224 SLOVAKIA by Prof. J . M. Kirschbaum in five languages, the Bibliography presents a new picture of Slovak history, culture, language and literature. Not only the main works on Slovakia in English are recorded, but also one book published in Slovak, monographs and essays in French, English, German and Spanish. In fact, the Bibliography is more complete in this respect that the Slovak Bibliography Abroad compiled by Prof. M. Lacko and published by the Slovak Institute (Rome, 1967). Since the Bibliography will go into the hands of many Slavists and into university libraries, we welcome this publication as a very useful guide for students and professors of Slavic studies. Joseph Pauco Joseph Pauco: Slovenski priekopnici v Amerike (Slovak Pioneers in America), The First Catholic Slovak Union, Cleveland, Ohio, 1972, English Introduction by J. C. Krajsa, Ill., 360 pages. Slovaks in the United States played an important role in the history of the Slovak people, but a complete story of their endeavors on behalf of Slovakia, their struggle for preserving national consciousness and cultural heritage has not yet been published. Due to political circumstances in Slovakia, historians either were not allowed or had no possibility to carry out research in order to compile a standard work which would present Slovaks in the United States in an objective light. It was only during the Second World War that two volumes: Dejiny Slovakov v Amerike (History of Slovaks in America) by Konstantin Culen were published in Slovakia. Since that time, only Slovak exiled intellectuals, including Culen, carried out a research and published monographs on the life and achievements of the large Slovak ethnic group in the United States. Historians in Slovakia were either not allowed by ,t he Communist regime or for ideological reasons avoided recording their struggle for survival and the many contributions of American Slovaks not only to their own national life but also to the fight for freedom and independence of the Slovak people. After Prof. F . Hrusovsky and K. Culen, Dr. Joseph Pauco deserves main credit for systematic research into the past and present of American Slovaks. For the past 20 years he published monographs on individual Slovak leaders and organizations of which the voluminous history of the First Catholic Slovak union deserves particular mention. In the present book he deals with 55 outstanding Slovak leaders who did the pioneering organizational, cultural and religious work among American Slovaks. The importance of this book should be, however, measured not only according to its literary value, but also against the fact that there are no organized archives and many printed documents are perishing. In spite of this, Dr. Pauco gathered many valuable facts about the individual leaders among whom there are clergymen of both denominations - Catholic and Lutheran - outstanding organizers of Slovak fraternal and cultural life, men and women of great dedication to the cause of preservation of Slovak cultural heritage. The author approached his subjects with great abjectivity and painted their profiles in a fluent, uncomplicated style to make the book readab1e to the general public and, at the same time, by many references to printed sources, useful to historians and researchers. SLOVAKIA Some of the chapters are shorter and contain only the most important data. Others present a full life story and evaluation of the activities and of the role the individual leaders played in the Slovak organizational, religious and cultural life in America. The reason for the uneven treatment of some pioneers was given by the author in the introduction to the book. As he says he was sometimes unable to gather, even the most neces~ary information, because there was no organization and no individuals in the past who would have preserved old newpapers, almanacs, minutes of meetings, or other archive materials. Since the Second World War the Slovak Institute in Cleveland and the recently organized Jankola Library have made an effort to gather and preserve archive materials pertaining to the Slovak ethnic group in the United States. In these circumstances, Pauco's present work, as well as his book on the First Catholic Slovak Union and numerous monographs, deserve special recognition. The book has, however, also its own value due to its composition, contents and style. Dr. Pauco produced a standard work comparable with writings of this kind on any other ethnic groups in America. The book also has a useful introduction by Joseph C. Krajsa, but it lack an English summary which would have given to the younger generations of American Slovaks and researchers at least the basic information on Slovak pioneers in America. Unless the author and the publisher intend to publish this work in English, it would be a useful thing to attach to the second edition an extensive English summary. J. M. Ki rs c h b au m 225 Joseph L. Dieska: "Faith and Reason" in the Life and Philosophy of Jacques Maritain, An Offprint from Most, Vol. XIX, No. 3-4, Cleveland, Ohio, 1973. Shortly before the death of the famous French philosopher, Jacques Maritain, Slovaks paid his tribute on the occasion of his 90th birthday in a commemorative study by Prof. Joseph L. Dieska under the title The Religious and Philo sophical Profile of Jacques Maritain. The scholarly essay was pub- lished in Slovak but the author prepared also an English version under the above title. Prof. Dieska was one of the known adherents of Maritain's philosophy already in Slovakia, and pursued his interests in the great Catholic philosopher's concepts also as Professor of Philosophy at the University of Dayton, Ohio, where he has taught for the past several years. The present essay is one of his numerous articles on the subjects. The Slovak and English texts contain a well written and well documented insight and analysis of Maritain's religious and philosophical profile. Dieska approached Maritain's philosophy from the position of "Faith and Reason" and explains the role of reason as well as the mystery of faith in Maritain's philosophy which became a part of the Catholic doctrine and influenced the thinking of several generations in Europe and elsewhere. His theories of creative evolution and his ability to find basic reality through intuition ,e xalted the spirit of man in many parts of the world. Known as neo-Thomism Maritain's philosophy anchors in the works and philosophical concepts of St. Thomas Aquinas. As Dieska explains, Maritain became adherent to the philosophy of St. Thomas as a result of his own independent reflections and 226 SLOVAKIA studies of various philosophers and ing tribute to Maritain also on because of the comparison he made behalf of Slovak intellectuals who between them. He found the truth are silenced in their native counhe was searching for in the an- try where Maritain's philosophy had a strong influence before Marxswers of St. Thomas. However, if it is true that Mari- ism was imposed as the only philotain followed the logic and argu- sophical concept tolerated by the mentation of St. Thomas, he put regime. J. M. Ki rs c h b au m both, in the view of Prof. Dieska, in a " new, modern, and contemporary setting. His language was ad- Encydopedic Directory of Ethnic Newspapers and P eriodicals in justed to the philosophical expresthe United States. By Lubomyr sions used today. His arguments R. Wynar. 260 pp. Libraries Unare aimed at and against modern limited, Inc., Littleton, Colorado, and recent objectors and critics. 1972. $12.50. And above all, when he speaks of For those interested in ethnic the necessity of taking faith and supernatural, revealed truths into studies a valuable tool has recentconsiderations while solving the ly been published to aid in learning political, social, ethical and estheti- 1 about the complex mosaic that is cal difficulties and 'crises' of our ' the United States of America. time, Maritain must transcend Tho- Whereas in the past the student mas and go much farther not, of of ethnic Americana had to wade course, in essential immutable, and through Ulrich's directories, or universally valid principles but in through state manuals, or specialtheir applications to the new, dif- ized histories, facility in locating Icrent and more complex situations data about 903 ethnic publications and issues. In these new approach- can now be had by utilizing Luboes lie the tremendous responsibility myr R. Wynar's Encyclopedic Diand significance of Maritain's Tho- rectory of Ethnic Newspapers and mistic solutions, proposals and Periodicals in the United States. often even sharp and merciless Included in this directory are escriticisms of the 'evils of time'"- scntials about 53 ethnic presses, ranging from the Albanian Press, concludes Dieska. As St. Thomas had found in Assyrian Press, Italian Press, JaAristotle a philosophical basis for panese Pr,ess, Slovak Press, Ukrainreconciling man's reason and ian Press, etc. , to some not poChristian faith, so Maritain, in half pular enough presses such as the a lifetime of philosophical study, Cossack, Cax,patho-Ruthenian, Flembrought a rejuvenated Thomism ish, Swiss, and Welsh. In cases such as Croatian, Sloveinto a modern age of scepticism and science. After the Second nian, and Serbian, there is a generWorld War, Maritain's vision and al heading as Yugoslav, which in philosophy helped lend strength effect increases the number of also to the whole Christian demo- presses substantially beyond the cratic movement which stood as a figure of 53. Data cited for pub1.Julwark against Communism and lications are: title translations, year founded, complete address to the Catholic Church. The author and the editor of (including ZIP), name of editor, Most deserve recognition for pub- language(s) , sponsor, circulation, Jishing both versions and for pay- frequency of publication, and sub- SLOVAKIA scription rate. In additions commentaries aid in explaining the scope of publications., e.g., the following for "The Handbook Ilbo'' (The Korea Times): "This publication, the only Korean daily in the United States, carries international, national, and local news of interest of the Korean community. Jllustrated. " Professor Wynar of Kent State University, both a librarian and an ethnic specialist, includes a very interesting Appendix of Statistical Analysis for each ethnic group, summarizing the number of publications, weekly circulation totals, monthly circulation totals, totals for native language publications, bi-lingual totals, and English language totals. An index to the publications completes the book. An interesting addendum to the book would have been an analysis of ethnic publications in each of the fifty states. This directory truly is the first comprehensive annotated guide to the current ethnic press in the United States and with its clear type and excellent alphabetical format clearly rates an A. Paul F e n c h a k Panorama: A H i storical Review of the Czechs and Slovaks i n the United States of America. Pub- lished by the Czechoslovak National Council of America, Cicero, Ill., U.S.A. Cicero-Berwyn Press, 1970, pp. 328, index. It is quite evident that there exists today in America a need for authorative works on the histories of the various ethnic groups which have contributed to the development of America. Objective, factual and concise histories of the various groups is essential. This volume of the dual histories of the Czech 227 and Slovak immigrations to America, unfortunately from a viewpoint of abjective Slovak history, seems to lack sufficient factual data to be accepted as a history of the Slovak immigration to America. From the standpoint of the history of the Czech immigration it is factu al, unbiased history but even then much is amiss particularly in the area of the religious development of the Czech community in the United States. Two basic criticisms can be found in the basic format of the work. The single most important error in the work is the fact that the various writers of Slovak topics are weak in objective reporting, so necessary in a historical work of this kind . Unfortunately the writers, who are of the " Czechoslovak" philosophical persuasion, would wa nt the reader to actually believe that only those Slovak organizations which support that philosophy have contributed to the development of the Slovak American community. In fact it must be remembered that over eighty per cent of the organized Slovak American community does not support the '· Czechoslovak" philosophy but ra ther a distinct Slovak philosophy within the family of nations. The authors seem to infer that the staunch Catholic mass of Slovak immigrants contributed little if anything at all to the development of the Slovak community in Am erica. It appears that such notables as Father Stephen Furdek, founder of the First Catholic Slovak Union, the co-founder of the First Catholic Slovak Ladies. Association and the founder of the Slovak League of America played a very minor role in the development of the Slovak community. Other prominent leaders such as Father Matthew Jankola, Joseph Rusek, 228 SLOVAKIA Anna Hurban and Philip Hrobak are not even mentioned. The second most important ingredient which is lacking in this work is organization. Various bits and pieces are scattered throughout the work on both the Czech and Slovak development in America and from an academic journalistic point of view it is quite primitive in its presentation. Too many writers cover certain geographical areas of the Slovak immigration but much is ignored and almost always repetitious. Too often the writers are offering opinionated biased reporting which is not acc-eptable by the vast majority of the Slovak community today. There exists a certain disorganization present in the work and most often it effects an objective Slovak history. In one area in particular the work is both factually deficient and openly opinionated, that is the area of the Slovak organization" in the United States. Such organizations as "Catholic Slovak Unity, Catholic Slovak Women's Unity. Unity of Catholic Sokols" are not acceptable as Slovak organizations, as such do not exist. Again faulty research is evidenced in the presentation of Slovak organizations. One area lists "all" the Czech and Slovak organizations in America and the largest and most important Slovak societies are not listed. Subjective reporting would lead one to believe that indeed the Slovak Gymnastic Union Sokol is the most importa nt and influential organization of Americans of Slovak descent. However factual research will reveal to the alert writer that in fact the above named organization has a membership of less than 24,000 while the First Catholic Slovak Union, the First Catholic Slovak Ladies Association, the Slovak Catholic Sokol, the Pennsyl- vania Slovak Catholic Union, the Ladies Pennsylvania Slovak Catholic Union and the First Slovak Wreath of the Free Eagle have a combined membership of over 300,000. The informed reader will at once note that Sokol U.S.A., as it is commonly associated and pubblicised in the America press is of the "Czechoslovak" philosophical persuasion while the other Catholic Slovak organizations representing the overwhelming majority of organized Americans of Slovak descent are not of the appendage philosophy but rather support a distinct Slovak path completely free of Czech domination. Another noteworthy fact is that the Sokol U.S.A. is the only Slovak organization of any magnitude which is a member of the Czechoslovak National Council of America. Included in the work is a Who's Who among Americans of Czech and Slovak ancestry. Again only those Slovaks who support the idea of a "Czechoslovak" culture, language and heritage are included. Not only are the above mentioned Slovaks notably absent but such luminary as Bishop Andrew G. Grutka, D.D., the Roman Catholic Bishop of Gary, Indiana and countless others who have contributed to the growth and development of the Slovak American Community. In the final analysis the work offers little insight into the history and development of the Slovaks in America. The history of the Czechs in America is acceptable but no t commendable since again the underlining theme is to discredit any theistic organizational development. The work in general is primitive in the Slovak sense and therefore can not be accepted as a factual history of the Slovaks in America. This work is a prime example of Czech and "Czechoslovak" chauvin- SLOVAKIA 229 ism in the interpretation of Slovak suring Czech hegemony in CzechoSlovakia, regardless of the fact history. Daniel F. Tanzone that the Communist movement is discredited by their policy. In some Eugen Steiner: The Slovak Dilem- ways Czech Communists resemble ma, Cambridge, at the University to Czech non-Communists or antiPress, 1973, 229 pages. Series Communists who used and still are International Studies, Published using democracy, socialism, liberalfor the Centre for International ism or Catholicism for imposing or Studies, London School of Eco- maintaining Czech hegemony over nomics and Political Sciences. others, especially Slovaks. The situation in Czecho-Slovakia between inthe in writes author the As troduction his aim was "to trace 1918-1938 attests to it sufficiently. the Communist attitude to national- The policy of Prague Governments ism, and to define the effects of from 1918 to this day proved that this attitude as far as the Slovaks Czechs are not capable to fulfill the arc concerned." Or in other words mission which the victorious Powhe "deals in microcosm with a ers entrusted to them in 1918 or major problem which lies at the again in 1945. Czecho-Slovalda did heart of the Soviet Union's policies, not become a barrier against German expansion or a bridge between internal and external." (p. 3) and West. Czech governments East Dr. Steiner uses the case of Slovakia to show how Communism forced into opposition against the fa iled to solve nationality problems. European block which created Not only in the Soviet Union was Czecho-Slovakia, not only the mithis problem hidden behind slogans norities but also Slovaks. Czech on the equality of nations, while politicians did not honor any agreethe Russians are the rulers, but ment, promise or pledge given to also in restored and by Communists Slovaks. They practiced such a policy regoverned Czecho-Slovakia. Steiner's book leaves no doubt that the Marx- gardless of the danger for the Leninist thesis on the problems of existence of the state or the misnationalities did not bring a satis- sion Czecho-Slovakia was to fulfill factory solution to the relations according to its friends and creabetween the Czechs and Slovaks; tors. After occupying Slovakia with on the contrary, since 1945 when the help of French and Italian Czecho-Slovakia was restored (a- military units in 1918, and with the gainst the will of majority of Slo- help of the Soviet armies in 1945, vaks) the Czech rule was imposed they disregarded their promises on Slovaks step by step, brutally and the rights of Slovaks to selfand without regard to promises and government. About the period of agreements. Up to 1948, the Czech 1918-1938 there is in Western lanCommunists found accomplices in guages comparatively large literanon-Communists. After 1948, they ture dealing with this subject. The imposed their rule on Slovaks with book by Dr. Steiner gives to Westthe help of a handful of collabora- ern readers sufficient information tors from Slovakia, mostly of non- and documentary evidence for the Slovak origin (Bacilek, Bil'ak, Mos- period of 1945-1968. Dr. Steiner writes in the introkovic, Daubner, Siroky and others). Czech Communists are using Com- duction to his book that he has munism as an instrument for as- "chosen exile as a Jew, as a Com- 230 SLOVAK.IA On the cover of Steiner's book munist and as a Slovak." He wrote his book from this point of view, there are reproductions of pictures which makes his work more inter- from demonstrations of Slovak esting and more valuable. It is a youth in Bratislava against the testimony of a "Jew, Communist Soviet occupation in August 1968. and Slovak" about the political On the posters we can read: "Slodevelopments in Slovakia in this vaks stand firm, they won't pass! Occupa nts go home!" These slogans century. His background and ideological o- express the feelings of Slovaks in rientation explain to a great degree Slovakia as well as abroad not only not only his favorable attitude to- against the So·,iet occupants, but wards regimes in 1918-1938 (though any occupants, including the Czechs. Czech Statistics can easily prove This conclusion can be found, if the opposite) but his negative stand carefully read, also in Dr. Steiner's towards the Slovak republic of book: The Slovak Dilemma. Dr. A. Gr eb er t, 1939-1945 as well. We understand Geneva, Switzerland that the anti-communist and antijewish measures of the Slovak Government could not meet with Slovak Studies, Historica 7 and 8, Vol. X and XI, Slovak Institute, his approval. It is, however, hard Rome-Cleveland, Editor Prof. M. to understand his attitude towards Lacko, S. J . Dr. Benes and his Government-inBoth volumes of Slovak Studies exile. Even such adherents of "Czechoslovakism" as were Dr. M. deal with history of Slovakia and Hodfu and Dr. S. Osusky disagreed except for the contribution by Dr. and at the end fought against Be- S. Nahalka, with the events of our nes and his anti-Slovak policy which century. Since the Marxist historihe later (after 1945) also practiced ans not only avoid certain subjects in co-operation with Czech Commu- but also write with prejudice and nists and non-Communists. Unfor- strictly from the Marxist point of tunately, Dr. Steiner deals with view, these volumes perform specific this rather superficially and un- role in historiography on Slovakia. convincingly. The post-war develop- In addition, their value is enhanced ments in Czecho-Slovakia prove by the fact that they are published that the Slovak-Czech antagonism in foreign language and two of the is not a matter of temporary politi - contributors were educated abroad. Students of modern Slovak hiscal situation but a fundamental and lasting feature of Slovak-Czech tory will welcome especially the relations. It is impossible to solve Ph.D. thesis by Sister M. E. Lubek, this problem within the "Czecho- "An Inquiry into the United States Slovak" framework. The successive _ Czechoslovak Relations between a_bolition, ~~er 1969, _of C~nstitu- I 1918-1948." There were many myths t10nal prov1S1ons dealing with the published on this subjects, but to federalization of Czecho-Slovakia, my knowledge, no scholarly work. mentioned in Dr. Steiner's book, Some years ago Prof. M. Mamatey prove convincingly the validity of shed some light on the period of the First World War, later years the above conclusions. In spite of some shortcomings, Dr. remained, however, unresearched. Steiner's book is a valuable contri- Yet, this is an interesting topic, bution to the historiography on since the United States played an important role in the emergence Eastern Europe. 231 SLOVAKIA of Czecho-Slovakia in 1918 and in her re-emergence in 1945. Needless to say that the treatise by M. E. Lubek does not cover all the aspects of the inter-state relations, remaining mostly in the field of politics and diplomacy. The study is nevertheless of the importance and will be useful for further research. For foreign historians dealing with Slovakia of special interest will also be the contributions by Prof. M. S. :l'.>urica, who researched Italian Military Documents in order to shed a new light on the tragic death of M. R. Stefanik, one of the founders of Czecho-Slovakia, and German biography of President Dr. J. Tiso by F. H. Schneider. We commented on the value of Prof. Durica's study when it was first published in Italian language (Slovalcia, Vol. XXIII, 1973) , and cannot but welcome the English version. Schneider's essay on the life and historical role of Dr. J . Tiso in Slovak politics is of importance for more than one reason. The adversaries of Slovak aspirations for independence - Communists and non-Communists - succeeded in presenting Dr. Tiso and his policies in Western countries in a distorted light. Even though, Dr. Tiso mostly suffered for his forced cooperation with Germany, there was a long silence about him and Slovakia among German historians. Schneider's contribution does not exhaust the subject and shows gaps, but it was high time to draw a little differe nt picture of President Tiso in ♦ ♦ German language than it was done by Prague and Slovak Communists. Unfortunately, Schneider overlooked some books and articles which contain substantial information on Dr. Tiso's life and politics, such as Prof. Murin's articles, one of Dr. Polakovic's books, many articles in Sl.ovakia and other sources. Dr. S. Nahalka's istructive article on "Holy Scripture among Slovaks" is a valuable contribution to the religious and cultural history of Slovaks. Religious history of Slovakia is one of the completely neglected fields in today's historiography in Slovakia, even though Slova ks survived as a nation mostly due to the fact that clergy (Catholic and Protestant) took over the cultural leadership and national struggle. Professor Lacko in his contributions presents the synthesis of the studies on Great-Moravian and Cyrillo-Methodian period and a survey of events which led to the reestablishment of the Greek-Catholic Church in Slovakia. The latter study would deserve to be completed by documents and names of people who in Slovakia and abroad helped the re-establishment. Both contributions are timely and instructive. Prof. Lacko deserves recognition also for his efforts to continue publishing the Slovak Studies. Slovak cultural activities abroad would be much poorer without this series. J. M. Ki rs c h b au m ♦ Life Membership in the Slovak League of America is $100.00 - join us! Write to: Slovak League of America, 313 Ridge Avenue, Middletown, Pa. 17057. SLOVAKlA 232 Our Contributor s theologian, author, Cambridge, Ontario Stephen Sencik, S.J. - Anthony X. Sutherland, Ph.D ., Columbus, Ohio Sr. Martina Tybor, SS.C.M. - author, Director, Slovak Institute, Cleveland, 0 . Andrew Pier, O.S.B. Joseph C. Krajsa - teacher, author, Danville, Pa. Editor, Jednota, Middletown, Pa. industrialist, Toronto, Ontario Stephen B. Roman - attorney-at-law, Stratford, Conn. Edward J. Behuncik - Joseph M. Kirschbaum, LL.D., Ph.D . Jozef Pauco, Ph.D. - historian, author, Toronto, Ont. author, historian, Middletown, Pa. Michael O'Pake, Esq. - State Senator, Reading, Pa. Daniel F. Tanzone, M.A. - teacher, Yonkers, N. Y. Susan Pojer, B.A., Yonkers, N. Y. professor, author, consultant for Rockefeller Foundation, New York, N. Y. Michael Novak, Ph.D. Paul Fenchak - teacher, Baltimore, Md. Steven I. Miller, Ph.D. - assistant professor, Loyola University, Chicago, Illinois Junior history major, Susquehanna University, Selinsgrove, Pa. William Wagner Francis Vnuk - historian; professor, Institute of Technology, Adelaide, Australia Dr. Arved Grebert - former Slovak diplomat, now in Switzerland Jane Noonan, Marlene Bartos, Stephen J. Knoblock - America Scholarship Winners Slovak League of OFFICERS OF THE SLOVAK LEAGUE OF AMERICA Honorary President : EDWARD J. BEHUNCIK President 2385 Main Street Stratford, Conn. 06497 Stephen J. Tkach , DR. JOSEPH PAUCO Secretary 313 Ridge Avenue Middletown, Pa. 17057 Vice Presidents: Milan V. Blazek, Stephen Suhajcik, Mary Piroch ' Executive Committee : Edward J. Behuncik, John A. Holy, Paul C. Kazimer, Tibor Kovalovsky, Joseph R. Kristotik, Dr. Joseph Pauco, John A. Sabol SLOVAK FRATERNAL ORGANIZATIONS (Affiliated with the Slovak League of America) THE FIRST CATHOLIC SLOVAK UNION Cleveland, Ohio - Membership: 104,500 ·-:i THE FIRST CATHOLIC SLOVAK LADIES ASSOCIATION Cleveland, Ohio .;_ Membership: 96,000 THE SLOVAK CATHOLIC SOKOL Passaic, N. J. - Membership: 53,000 PENNSYLVANIA SLOVAK CATHOLIC UNION Wilkes-Barre, Pa: - Membership: 18,000 LADIES PENNSYLVANIA SLOVAK CATHOLIC UNION Wilkes-Barre, Pa. - Membership: 16,500 SLOVAK NEWSPAPER'S JOURNALISTS' ASSOCI.A.TION (Affiliated with the Slovak League of America) SLOVAK NEWSPAPERS (Affiliated with the Slovak League of Americ,a) BRATSTVO Wilkes-Barre, Pa. SLOVAK V AMERIKE Middletown, Pa. JEDNOTA Middletown, Pa. ZENSKA JEDNOTA Cleveland, Ohio KATOLICKY SOKOL Passaic, N. J. ZORNICK_A Wilkes-Barre, Pa. SLOVAKIA $4.00 per annum in the U.S.A. - $5.00 elsewhere PRINTED IN THE U.S.A. JEDNOTA PRESS Middletown, Pennsylvania 17057  Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Back Matter, Slovakia, Vol. 24 (No. 47) Description An account of the resource includes Current Issues; As the Others See It; Who's Who Among American Slovaks; Book Reviews; Our Contributors Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1974 https://slovakia.wordsofpassage.net/files/original/4cbae7fea8b7e3f8c4251b2c9630727d.pdf 41c21b9199ef2a157e0d8b63f1258f09 PDF Text Text SLOVAKIA 190 As others see it We are fortunate, in Canada, in having within our midst, a strong and vital Slovak community. Our many traditions, mingled together throughout society cannot but make us a stronger, more resilient, more tolerant and understanding people. - Pierre EUiot Trudeau Freedom and independence have long been the backbone of Slovak national thought. The Slovak people now suffer under Communist domination and yet have made tremendous sacrifices on both personal and national levels to preserve their native culture, language, and religion. One-third of all Slovak people now live in the United States and in other parts of the Western World. Freedom-loving people throughout Michigan and the world join with Slovak people in their desire to reestablish independence from totalW illiam G. Militarian rule. liken, Governor of the State of Michigan Your continuing efforts to share Slovak traditions and culture are a source of pride to all Americans. - Robert P. Griffin, U.S. Senator As one whose ancestors grew up and lived in Slovakia, I am very proud of my Slovak heritage. Moreover, we Americans of Slovak background can also point with pride to the tremendous contributions the people of the American Slovak Community have made to our great nation. - Philip E . Ruppe, Member of Congress In my own experience, I have found Slovak Americans to be bright, industrious, and filled with a zest for life. Moreover, you have successfully preserved a sense of identity and pride in the Slovak roots, a passion which has been further nourished by the more recent arrivals. As a Slovak citizen recently told a western newsman, "Here we have absolutely no shortage of unful filled desires." Some day in our lifetimes, I trust, democracy and individual liberty will live again in the land of your forefathers. - Lucien N. Nedzi, Member of Congress America is an immeasurably better nation because of the tremen dous contributions of Slovaks. Vigor and dedication to excellence have epitomized the Slovak way of life on America's farmlands, in her cities and educational institution3 and on the Apollo flight to the moon of Commander Eugene Cernan. In remembering Slovakia, you are reminding the world of the special ethnic heritage of Slovaks around the world. - Marvin L . Esch, Member of Congress The Slovak people are a proud and talented people who have enriched the lives of the many countries in which they live. We can all be proud of the contribution of Slovak people to the development of America. The Slovak people have helped to build this country into a great democracy, while retaining their ethnic identity. William S. Broomfield, Member of Congress Although self-determination and democracy have been denied them, the freedom-loving Slovak people have maintained their traditions even after many centuries of foreign oppression. �SLOVAKIA Slovaks living in the western world continue to cherish the dream of an independent Slovak nation. Coieman A. Young, Mayor, City of Detroit Catholic Church is the prime target of the Communists in Slovakia because she is considered an organization that is administered by the Vatican and is in contradiction with the idea of a state-controlled church as is the case in Russia. The major pressure is on the practising Catholics who live their faith, and not so much on the so-called "Catholics of the baptismal register." State employees in influential positions and the teachers are hardest hit. After the removal of Dubcek, they were all carefully scrutinized and their files updated. Only the teachers and professors who are considered reliable Marxists can teach in the high schools and universities. It is requiried of them to sever their affiliation with their Church. That is a condition which must be fulfilled if they wish to keep their post. , In the high schools the teaching of religion is forbidden. In the elementary schools, religion can be taught only if both parents demand it for their children. The headmasters are obliged to try to persuade them not to send the children to religion classes. They have to warn the parents about the grave and adverse consequences this would have if they persist. The parents could lose their good positions in employment, and the children may find it difficult to be accepted for higher studies. All teachers and higheT-ranking white collar workers must be party members or they are subject to obligatory courses in Marxistatheistic ideology. After the fall of 191 Dubcek, more than 30,000 Marxist agitators were trained and no w they are conducting re-educational courses among the students and the intelligentsia. Anybody who refuses such courses is considrered an opponent of the regime and his " negative attitude" is entered into his "cadre" file which accompanies every citizen. The assessment in the file can make it hard to get or to change employment for which the person may have qualifications. The ideological pressure is felt, too, in the family circle. The communist ideal is a family without religion. The generation gap in socialism is intensified because in the family circle unity is destroyed - there is two-track thinking. The open practice of the Faith is in conflict with the ideology of the state. Therefore, the parents have to hide their religious conviction from their children or from each other. If they dare to bring up their children in the Faith, if they teach them to pray, there is the danger that the children will betray them in the school and that leads to stress and conflicts in the family. The denial of religious freedom has, in practice, painful consequences in the very nucleus of human society. Bishop Dominic Kai'ata Slovak Communist authorities have stepped up their promotion of "civil ceremonies" to replace baptism, confirmation, wedding and funeral ceremonies in church. Austrian Catholic sources reported from Slovakia, that "wedding centers" and "funeral halls" for civil ceremonies have been installed in many areas. More than 1750 committees were formed to organize the ceremonies. The sources said such civil rites �192 SLOVAKIA have failed to meet with much suecess. Slovak Interior Minister Egyd Pepych has complained that only 3.4 per cent of people who died in Czecho-Slovakia were buried with civil ceremonies. "The Citizens Committees still have much work to do," he said. Communist officials intensified propaganda in recent w1ieks, our sources said. They distributed booklets explaining the purpose and advantages of the ceremonies. Moreover, "presents" are distributed in the civil program that seeks to replace Christian baptism, confirmation and matrimony. Slovak newpapers and I!'lagazines have published reports of civil ceremonies to increase interest. One Communist daily described a civil "baptism" as follows: "A committee secretary took the baby out of the hands of the mother and placed it into a hand-carved cradle. The parents-both teachers -vecited a promise: "We, the parents, solemnly declare that we will do everything in our power to educate our son as an outstanding citizen of our Socialist country." _ (RNS) Communist professors and state officials in Czecho-Slovakia have been waging a persistent campaign against religion despite constitutional guarantees of freedom of thought and religious choice. This is the central point of Italian Jesuit Father Guiseppe Rulli, writing in the Rome Jesuit review Civilta Cattolica. In a long analytical article, Fr. Rulli examines the writings of several eminent Marxist professors attacking religion and the Roman Catholic Church in particular over the past several years. Among the authors cited by Fr. Rulli were Ladislav Tomasek of the Marxist Leninist Institute of Bratislava; Frantisek Kubovic of the Slovak University, and Minister of Culture Jaroslav Hajek. Despite the Communist government's claims that it is tolerant of religion, Father Rulli stressed that over the past few years a consistent campaign has been mounted against religious freedom . The professors in particular have called for "a battle against idealistic philosophy," which for Fr. Rulli is "without a doubt religious philosophy." Father Rulli cited an article by Frantisek Kubovic in which the Slovak professor declared : "to Catholicism in socialist countries it is not possible to grant 'freedom of action,' because that would mean going along with its anti-socialistic, anti-communist, anti-state and antinational attitudes. Therefove, it is indispensable that it be placed under the control of the socialist state so that political activity and the exploitation of the religious feelings of believers may be halt1id ." Demands by the bishops to be allowed to carry out their religious functions in freedom, to run their seminaries without state control and to enjoy the right of giving instruction freely have been interpreted as examples of their antisocialist, anticommunist attitudes, Father Rulli stated. He also pointed out: "The Czech and Slovak communists accuse the Catholic Church of being an expression of an unilluminating idealism of defending a nonscientific and negative vision of the world and of always having been opposed to communism." In the early 70's both Slovak and Czech public officials moved in on the Catholic Church to restrict its freedom. In 1970, Fr. Rulli report- �SLOVAKIA ed, the Slovak Socialist Republic made it a requirement that priests get government permission to celebrate even a private Mass. Authorities of the Czech Republic followed suit. This was only the beginning of greater and more restrictive controls placed on the bishops and the parishes, Father Rulli reported. Concluding his observations, Fr. Rulli declared that from the opening attacks on religion, "religious faith has been considered an expression of sentiment," and there fore must be controlled by the state to safeguard the people. (NC) In the struggle against communism the Church has always offered the stiffest resistance and countless members of the clergy have sacrificed their lives for their faith and country. The Catholic Church ')f Lithuania was brutally persecuted by the Kremlin regime as were thC' Churches of other nations under the despotic yoke of Moscow. Msgr. Jozef Tiso was the wartime president of the Slovak Republic (Independent Lithuania officially recognized Slovakia in 1939) and was executed by the communists in 1947 because he refused to betray his people and proclaim Slovakia a Soviet republic. As the prelatepresident of his country, Msgr. Tiso provided his beloved Slovakia with a Christian-democratic ideology and based his politics on papal encyclicals, Christian philosophy and national Slovak traditions. Two hours before his execution on the gallows Msgr. Tiso wrote this final message from prison to the Slovak people. The eloquence of this fare well also symbolizes the spirit with which -the heroic priests of Lithuania offered up their lives on the altar of freedom for the salvation of their country and in Heaven in 193 the pFesence of the Almighty became the radiant hope of the Lith uanian people. "In the spirit of this sacrifice which I am about to make," wrot':l Dr. Tiso, "these are my words to the Slovak people: Be unanimous and united in pursuing always, everywhere and in every respect the great principle : For God and for the Nation! This is not only the unequivocal intent of Slovak history, but also the explicit command of God, who mad e it the law of nature, and inculcated it in the nation and all its members. This law I have served all my life and for this reason I regard myself as a martyr in the defense of Chri,tianity against Bolshevism, against which our nation must in all possible ways defend itself, and n ot only in order to remain true to its Christian character, but also in th'} interest of its future survival. In the same way as I am as!dng all of you to remember me in your prayers, so will I also pray to God Al mighty on your behalf and supplicate that He bless the Slovak people in their life-struggle for God and for the nation, and that the Slovak nation shall always remain a faithful and devoted son to the Church of Christ." Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord! - Bulletin of the Lithuanian Affairs Committ ee In Slovakia, dozens of churches stand half-finished because of an edict forbidding new building of them. Unofficially, childrm, who go to church can't go to trade school or the university. But that doesn't matter as much as being home, even though strange things are happening to that home. I expected to find little old ladies, safe in the security of family �194 SLOVAKIA doing folk arts and embroidery. In stead, Slovakia has gone doubleknit. "Do you have a car?" was the first question, usually. And then, "Do you have a color television set?" . There is a song they sing over endless vodkas when the sun goes down, a song that obviously has never been written down. "Our lives are much better here," is the rough translation, "since our fath• ers went to work in America." In some of the villages we visit, social and economic status is determined by who has relatives in the U.S. If your father happened to go there to work, you get Social Security benefits, and you are comfortable . If he worked in the mines around Wilkes-Barl'le and caught the black lung, you are wealthy. American money is important, because Czecho-Slovak money won't buy much. It's not unusual to find houses with television sets but no toilets, simply because it's easier to buy television sets than plumbing materials. But if you have American money, you can buy "boni" - special certificates which must be spent in six months - to use in the Tuzex. And perhaps the Tuzex is the most telling memory of Slovakia. It is a store that accepts only foreign currency. There is fruit juice and liquor, dry goods and clothing. The!'le are baby carriages and radios. The people crowd in, sometimes pushing each other like so many American suburbanites at a bargain basement sale. In a corner, one woman is selling her "boni." When I pull out a notebook to mark down prices, people stare. A friend cautions me to put away the notebook, and the tension ebbs. Over it all, staring down on the Ban-Lon and baby carriages, is a picture of Lenin. - Carol Towarnicky, Philadelphia Daily News, December 28, 1974. Book Reviews BOOKS AND STUDIES ON SLOVAKIA AND SLOVAKS Reviewed by Prof. J. M. K i r s c h b a u m Robert W. Dean, Nationalism and historiography mostly as a footnote Political Change in Eastern Eu· or a postscript to Czech history rope: The Slovak Question and and were seen "through the Czech the Czechoslovak Reform Move- eyes" by specialists in Eastern Eument, University of Denver, Col- rope, several recent studies (Galia orado, The Social Science Foun- Golan, Eugene Steiner, John Condation and Graduate School of way etc.) departed from this politiInternational Studies, Monograph cally and ideologically oriented Series in World Affairs, Vol. 10, tradition. 1973. Among the large numbers of While in the past Slovakia and books published on post-war politiSlovaks were treated in Western cal developments in Czecho-Slova- �SLOVAKIA kia and especially on the "Dubcek period," Robert W. Dean's concise study seems to be the most objective and his analysis of the reform movement free of anti-Slovak bias. Moreover, the value of Dean's book lies in its research and evaluation of original sources published in Czech Lands or in Slovakia during the period under his examination. As a result, Dean is drawing quite a different picturie of Slovakia's post-war political situation and aspirations of her leadership and population from the account of some other specia1.sts in that area. Communist governments in Prague were not more successful in solving the Slovak question than were the bourgeois governments before the war, and even the purges of leading Slovak Communists for alleged "bourgeois nationalism" were not able to silence the cries for equality, justice and self-government. Slovak intellectuals fought, therefore, not only for the reform of the system, but also for the solution of the Slovak question, because "In Slovakia, the distortion of the Novotny system had been expressed by the subjugation of national aspirations - political, economic and cultural." (p. 28) In 1968, the year of liberalization brought also by the opposition of Slovak intellectuals, Slovaks cla imed more than federalization in Dean's view. There were clear voices of leading intellectuals for confederation and the Slovak Republic of 1939-45 was not only put into a more objective light, but its existence was to remind Prague that there was another solution of the Slovak question. Dean quotes from Kuiturny zivot: " ... it will nevertheless remain true that the Slovak Republic existed as the national state of the 195 Slovaks, the only one in our history ... Let us not turn away from it; it is part of our national traditions. It is important for an accurate scrutiny of our national idea to know that the idea or the remembrance of the Slovak state's independence is alive in the national memory. It connot be ignored forever in examining the alterna tives in the solution of the perspectives of a small nation .. ." (Pavol Stevcek, "Sev,e.ral Theses on the Situation of the Slovak Nation," Kulturny zivot, No. 3, August 2, 1968) . Husak is portrayed by Dean as one of the most articulate promoters of federalization but he did not fail to notice that Husak used the movement for federalization to come to power and abandoned it in order to remain in power. As a result, the Slovak question remained unsolved. The present situation is "centralism in a new guise" (see pages 28-37 ) and the persecution of intellectuals by Husak's regime is but a confirmation of his fear that they could expose the true aspirations of the Slovak people. Die Slowakische Volkskultur (Slo- vak Folk Arts and Culture) . Edited by Emilia Horvathova and Viera Urbancova. Published by Slovak Academy of Sciences, (Bratislava, 1972), 304 pages, 342 illustrations. Slovak folk arts and folk culture have long attracted the attention of foreign visitors and ethnographers by their beauty, richness of colors and inexhaustible fantasy. Some observers regard Slovaks "artists by birth," whose songs and national costumes have a natural expression of a poetry full of sensibility and freshness and whose carvings, toolmakings, paintings and architecture of peasant houses �196 SLOVAKIA excell by a constructive sense of color and design. Exposed for centuries to foreign domination and assimilation, Slovaks cultivated folk arts, songs and costumes as an expression of national consciousness and national identity and pre served a great part of them to this day. The book Die Slowakische Volkskultur deals with and reflects the rich cultural heritage of the Slovak people. It contains elev,e n contributions by eight authors, of whom 5 are women. All contributors belong to the younger generation educated at post-war universities in Slovakia, but they also refer to essays and studies by scholars of earlier periods. The title of the book is actually the same as was the title of the first book in German on Slovak folk art and culture by R. Bednarik, published during the Slovak Republic (Bratislava, 1943) . The present book is larger in scope and relies on new research and scholarly methods. The growth of universities in Slovakia is reflected in many fields of academic endeavor previously neglected. Ethnography was one of these fields even though the first known ,e thnographer among Slavs, P. J. Safarik, was from Slovakia. In spite of regimentation and political pressures, the present Slovak universities produced experts in many disciplines, including ethnography. The book Die Slowakische Volkskultur is a product of this new cultural atmosphere in Slovakia. Divided into eleven chapters, the volume deals with practically all aspects of the life of Slovakia's population - from agriculture and came breeding to family life, housebuilding, folk arts, superstitions and customs. Individual chap- ters are illustrated by photographs, many of them well chosen and enhancing the value of the book. It should be stressed, however, that foreign readers should not visualize present day Slovakia as depicted in this book. Folk arts and folk culture belong to the past in Slovakia as in any other Europ!7 an country and are but a part of Slovak cultural heritage. Slovakia kept pace with European cultural development and is adorned by hundreds of medieval fortresses, cast1es and churches of Renaissance and Baroque art. The beautiful valleys and hills lost their original beauty to industrialization and technological progress did not bypass Slovaks and Slovakia. J. Stasko, Slovaks in the United States of America, Edition Dobra Kniha, (Galt, Ontario, 1974) 79 pages, bibl. and statistics. This concise study contains valuable basic information on a number of topics pertaining to the history of the Slovaks in the United States. There are several mohographs by F . Hrusovsky, J. Pauco and others and two volumes history of American Slovaks by K. culen in the Slovak language but Stasko's work is the first scholarly outline in English and as such should be welcome. The author divided his study into 14 short chapters co·v ering the his- torical background of the Slovak nation, causes and effects of the migration of Slovaks, statistical survey of Slovaks in the United States and their hard beginnings and life in America. Briefly but with solid knowledge of the subjects and appropriate statistics Dr. Stasko analyses the social conditions, religions and civic organizations, education, contributions to American political and economic �SLOVAKIA development and the assimilation process. The booklet is an intelligent look at the basic questions which a historian has to deal with in writing a history of an ethnic group in today's United States. It is, however, rather an outline for a longer book, than a comprehensive story of some 3 million Americans of Slovak origin. No doubt, scholars and students of American history will welcome Dr. Stasko's study as a valuable source of information, while American Slovak historians should be encouraged to use it as a solid foundation and a well balanced structure for a comprehensive history of Slovaks in the United States. The large number of monographs on Slovak-American fraternal organizations, parishes, religious orders, regional histories and preserved newspapers and publica tions will make it possible, even in the absence of regular archives, to prepare for the second centennial of America a history book which will tell other Americans and Slovaks as well the fascinating saga of struggles, trials and final success of American Slovaks. The value of Stasko's work for American historians also lies in his brief survey of Slovak history and in his suggested approach to studying and understanding Slovak history. As often mentioned, the neighbors of Slovakia who wanted to dominate and rule Slovaks, suc ceeded in misleading many historians to accept a false concept of the history of the Slovak people. Even if recent history books seem to be more free of anti-Slovak bias and conceptional errors, there will be for a long time urgent need for serious literature in English and other work. languages on Slovakia and Slovaks. 197 Eckbert K. Jahn, Die Deutschen in der Slowakei 1918-1929, (Germans in Slovakia 1918-1929) , Collegium Carolinum (Munich, 1971), 186 pages, bib!. Jahn's book on German minority in Slovakia is a valuable contribution to the history of Slovakia and it is only to be regretted that he limited his research to such a short period. Neglected before the War and written with ideological prejudice by communist historians since 1948, the history of national minorities in Slovakia is very little known. Yet, the role of minorities in Slovakia's history was of great political, cultural and economic importance. German settlements in Slovakia go back to the 14th century at which time, according to the author, there were over 200,000 Germans on Slovak territory. In 19181929 the German minority counted some 150,000 people. Before the first World War Germans of Slovakia were closer to Magyars than to Slovaks in their political and cultural leanings, but during the centuries which proceed the era of nationalism they helped to develop Slovak cities, mining industries, trades and commerce to the benefit of Slovakia. On the other hand, they were at the origin of the religious division of Slovaks. After the First World War Germans in Slovakia did not take part in Slovak struggle for autonomy and equal status with the Czechs. Affiliated with the socialist and partly with the communist parties, they fought in Prague for minority rights together with other German3 of Czecho-Slovakia. Jahn's study sheds light on many aspects of the life of the German minority in Slovakia and even though the author was not allowed �198 SLOVAKIA by the communist regime to study the archives, except for statistics concerning the elections, he wrote an interesting book, well researched and remarkably free of bias. It is predominantly a political history with special emphasis on the interplay of nationalism and patriotism. -,'he book is divided into six chapters and contains interesting statistics about political and linguistic polarization not only among Germans but also among Jews in Slovakia who claimed German or Hungarian as their mothertongue. The fate of German minority in Slovakia was tragic. First they were indiscriminately murdered by Soviet and Slovak communist partisans and then expelled from Slorakia within the scheme of Dr. Benes' policy of revenge which the Slovaks were unable to change. An extensive bibliography of works in German, Slovak and Engli,h enhanced the value of the book. Victor Mamatey and R. Luza, (ed.) A H isto ry of the Czechoslovak Republic 1918-1948, Princeton U- niversity Press (Princeton, N. J. 1973). More than a score of writers contributed to this volume and while some of them are known as historians with established reputation (Mamatey, Taborsky, Hoensch, Rhode, Wandycz, etc), others are less known or do not belong to the academic community at all (A. J osko) . As a result, the value of individual contributions varies and the points of view differ, except for the general tendency which favors Czechs and views the Slovak question through Czech eyes. In the contributions by Professor Mamatey and J. K. Hoensch, which belong to the best in the volume, this bias was to a great degree avoided. Both are thoroughly acquainted with the subject and they even corrected some malicious accusations of Slovaks (e.g. cooperation with Germans before 1938) spread in the West by Czechs and their Slovak fellow-travelers (J. Lettrich) . Nevertheless, we can also say about this volume what the Canadian historiaq Z. Pech wrote about Western specialists in Eastern European History: "The history of Slovaks in the West has usually been presented from the point of view of 'Czechoslovakism' and has appeared as hardly more than a postscript to Czech history." (Canadian Slavonic Papers, X, 4, 1968). The most conspicuous example of bias in this volume is the contribution by Anna Jasko, whose article -in style and concept-is of such value that it would not be accepted by any serious journal. In R. Lufa's selected bibliography the prejudice against Slovaks who do not advocate Czech domination over Slovakia, attained the point of the ridiculous. And more or less the same can be said about the selection of sources and references quoted. With one or two exceptions, the majority of contributors quoted or referred exclusively to sources which favor the Czechoslovak concept and are hostile to Slovak aspirations for national independence. If we disregard the bias of many contributions, the book can be re garded as a vast source of informa tion. Especially the two chapters by Prof. Mamatey (The Establishment of the Republic and The Development of Czechoslovak Dem0cracy) and Hoensch's survey of the Slovak Republic present well documented accounts of the periods treated by the authors. Taborsky's contribution on "Politics in Exile" �SLOVAKIA has all the attributes of academic writing but he displays the usual Czech unfounded conceit when writing about Slovaks. As the .thorough research of British archives by Prof. F. Vnuk indicates, it is hardly true that "Benes prevailed with ease over his few challengers among the exiled statesmen, such as the former Czecho-Slovak premier, Milan Hodza and Czecho-Slovakia's envoy to Paris, Stefan 0 susky ... ". And it is completely untrue that Benes "fully respected the opposite view holding the Czechs and Slovaks to be two different Slav nations" or that "the Czech-Slovak relations created no problem during the war." It is regrettable that even a historian of Taborsky's reputation wrote such mystifications. 199 riodicals, published in Europe, the United States and Canada. The essays have been written mostly by historians of the younger generation of foreign and Slovak origin, the latter predominantly educated in the West. Notheworthy among the essays is John S. Conway's article in The Slavonic and East European Review (Volume LIi, 126, January, 1974, London, England): "The Churches, the Slovak State and the Jews 1939-1945." The subject was treated in the past by several spe cialists in Eastern Europe (:l'.lurica, Lipscher, Jellinek) and further studies are to be expected. Conway's treatise seems to be the most objective by a foreign historian, and free of usual bias against Slovaks advocating the independence The editors expressed thanks to of Slovakia. Czech emigre politicians who left Prof. Mark Stolarik's essay on their country after their unsuccess- "Agrarian Problems in Slovakia ful collaboration with the commu- 1848-1918," published in Histoire nists "for their advice and encour- Sociale - Social History (Vol. VIII, agement in organizing this study," 3, University of Ottawa, May, 1974), and they "have greatly profited is a valuable contribution to a field from the valuable help of the which was generally neglected by Council of Free Czechoslovakia in Slovak historians until recently. It Washington, D. C." This clearly in- is an historiographic essay and will dicates the background and purpose provide useful information for of the book. The fact that there is further study. among the contributors from the Contemporary political developSlovak side only Prof. Mamatey and ments in Slovakia have been a clerk of the Library of Congress, treated by Prof. Stanislav J . KirschAnna Josko, confirms the prejudice baum of York University in Toand political bias mentioned above. ronto in two essays. Canadian JourAnd this is to be regretted especial- nal of Political Science (Vol. VII, ly for the reason that the book wiH 2, June, 1974) published his French be listed under the name of Prof. essay "Le nationalisme minoritaire: Mamatey who is a reputable hisle cas de la Tcheco-Slovaquie" (Natorian. tionalism of Minorities - the Case Czecho-Slovakia) in which the of ESSAYS ON SLOVAKIA Slovak question is subject to a In recent years, Slovak histol") thorough and objective analysis. The events of 1968 with special and the present political situation in Slovakia became the subject of regard for Slovakia are treated by essays and articles in academic pe- Dr. Stanislav Kirschbaum in the �200 SLOVAKIA (Vol. 15, Munich, 1973), an annual published by Collegium Carolinum and specialized in problems of Czecho-Slovakia. Under the title "Kontinuitat und politischen Wechsels in der Tschecho-Slowakei 1968" (Continu ity ,a nd Political Change in CzechoSlovakia 1968) Prof. Kirschbaum gives Western historians a well documented view of the reform and liberalization movement which was generally ascribed to Czechs in Western historiography even though Slovaks were its spearhead. Bohemia- Jahrbuch Eran Laor: Vergangen und ausgeloscht (Erinnerungen an das slowakisch-ungarische Judentum Reminiscences about Slovak-Magyar Jews), Deutsche Verlags-Anstalt, Stuttgart, 1972, 280 pp. Review by Dr. Arved G r e b e r t, Geneva. - A translation A. P. The author of this book until recently was director of a Jewish Travel Agency in Geneva, Switzerland. Eran Laor was born in 1900 in the Slovak town of Cifer in southwestern Slovakia. In this fas cinating book, which is only the first volume of a projected trilogy, he describes town life in Cifer during the first twenty-two years of his own life there, and his student days at the Slovak cultural center in Trnava and later in Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia at the present time. This book by Eran Laor is an invaluable record of Jewish life in Slovakia at the beginning of this century. Laor's father was a well known and highly r•e spected doctor in the region. When he died, writes the author, the people and priests from nearby villages came to pay their last respects to a highly revered humanitarian. Interesting incidents in the book illustrate the symbiosis between the Jews and Slovak people. The history of the Skvarenina, Du~insky and Peterselka (Petrzelka) families from· 1700 portrays in miniature the destiny of the Jews in Slovakia: by their customs, and a revelation of their thoughts and feelings, and a list of their successes and tragedies. Slovakia became a refuge and an island of freedom for the Jews in the 17th and 18th centuries when the author's predecessors settled in the western town of Sen ic1 in 1700. They came from nearby Moravia on the Slovak border because stringent restrictions .h ad been placed on the Jews in all Czech-ruled lands at the time. The author's narrative is chiefly based on family documents such a, family correspondence, locll registries and other official documents, and inscriptions on tombstones , as well as on oral traditions in his immediate family circle. Laor's work is a valuable addition to the history of Slovakil. His concluding chapters, in wh ich he describes the war years in Bratislava (first World War) and subsequently Czech domination of the country, is very interesting. He correctly terms this period as "Czech occup1tion," and he admits tha t he personally participated in demonstrations protesting against the pos~war regime. From his early youth Eran Laor was active as a writer, as a poet and philosophical reviewer. Ha published these in German, Magyar, Hebrew, French and En ] lish. Although originally he wrote chiefly in Magyar, he stopped writing in this language in protest to the wave of anti-semitism that swept ove:· Hungary immediately after the first World War. Today he writes exclusively in Hebrew, German and �SLOVAKIA French but speaks Slovak fluently. From a literary standpoint the book has great value. His style is elegant and his interpretations of events far-reaching. Laor's commentaries give the reader an impression of his wide and rich experiences and wisdom. Above all, he manifests warm effection for his people and love for the country where he was born and spent the most wonderful years of his life : his childh0od and youth. A grand seigneur, in the ful! sense of the word, a person ·µho actually existed in the flesh, an ideal person, is depicted by the author in his book, and he has preserved this image of a sterling personality for our materialisticminded world. Character was still admired in the common homeland of the J ews and Slovaks in his time. Many full page photographs enrich the book. There are pictures of the tombstones of his ancestors: the Skvareninas, Dusinskys in Nadas, his parents in Cifer, and the picture of the Palfy castle in' Pudmerice, photos of Trnava and Bratislava. As we have stated above, this is the first volume of his memoirs. Future volumes promise to be equally interesting, for the author went to live in Constantinople (Istanbul) where he was manager of a family commercial firm. He continued to write poetry, translated poetic works from Turkish and Greek writers, and became intensely involved in the Zionistic movement. During the second World War he worked indefatigably in various high positions to save his £ellow Jews in Europe. After the establishment of the independent state of Israel he became one of the chief founders of the Jewish navy. 201 As director of the Jewish Agency he has rendered invaluable service to his people. One of the most serious problems faced by the fledgling Jewish state of Israel in the beginning was the small number of Jewish inhabitants. Under Laor's dynamic leadership this was soon remedied through the work of the Jewish Agency in Geneva, Switzerland. In a few short years fully one and a half million Jews were transported from Europe to Israel. This influx of Jewish immigrants from the Continent at a critical stage strengthened the economy of the new state and furnished man-power for Israel, all of which enabled Israel to defend itself successfully against the attacks of the neighboring Arabic countries in the ensuing years. Eran Laor's contributions for the establishment and preservation of the state of Israel have been important and vital from the very beginning of its history in our times. Woodlands Above - Mines Below, by Rev. Andrew V. Pier, O.S.B Published by the First Catholic Slovak Union, Cleveland, Ohio. Printed by the Jednota Press, Middletown, Pa. 120 pp., with pictorial supplement, 1974. Price: $2.00 soft cover and $3.00 hard cover. The latest English publication of the First Catholic Slovak Union, printed by its Jednota Press in Middletown, Pa., "Woodlands Above-Mines Below," is virtually a translation by the author, Father Andrew V. Pier, O.S.B., M.A., of his original Slovak edition "Nau nami hory-pod nami bane," which came off the press under his ancient family name, "Pir". The Slovak book was published by the Slovak Institute in Rome, Italy in �202 SLOVAKIA 1972. The English version is revised somewhat and at least eight new episodes have been added. Father Pier is a Slovak Benedictine Monk of St. Andrew's Abbey in Cleveland, Ohio, so it was proper that his superior, the Rt. Rev. Abbot Jerome Koval, O.S.B., wrote the Foreword to his new book. Abbot Koval introduces the mountain village of Blandburg, Pennsylvania, to the readers of this unique volume on life there more than a half century ago. His personal impressions of the locale of the series of boyhood experiences of the author prepare the reader for many pleasant surprises in the book. The book has been selling very v.rell to date. Aside from hundreds of single orders, there have been orders for six, a dozen, fifty, and even for a 100 copies. The early sales indicate that the book will be going to its second printing. The reactions of the readers so far range from such exclamations as 'unbelievable,' 'colorful,' 'a bittersweet work of nostalgia,' 'true to life,' 'the good old days,' 'sweet memories,' 'told simply and beautifully, ' to immediate criticism as 'a modern utopia,' 'a town that never existed' and 'a too, too sweet picture of a town this side of heaven.' At the very outset, however, the author gives his word of honor that all the episodes recounted occured in actual life. At any rate, each reader can judge for himself what rings true or what is imaginative in the book of memories of happenings in a small town in the heart of the Alleghenies in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Christmas scenes are given the spotlight with no less than three incidents in the very beginningincidents that tug at the heartstrings and set the stage for a happy childhood as seen through the eyes of a bright-eyed, care-free, though pensive boy who never ceased to gaze at the parade of life around him with wonder and joy of being alive. School, not the in-thing for most schoolboys, proved to be a pleasant interlude in early life for a boy to learn and anxious to please his parents and teachers-but he was by no means a teacher's pet. A well-merited tribute is given to the zealous priests who paid parlicular attention to the spiritual needs of their immigrant parishioners. Teachers, physicians, and even the businessmen rate a note of genuine appreciation, while a much admired high school principal gets a special chapter dedicated to his immortal memory. Probably the most popular story in the entire book is that of a recalcitrant bovine creature. Wild life-rabbits, grouse, deer, snakes and bears-is discussed from various angles, as are guns that are both a menace to nature's woodland creatures or a means of maintaining a balance in our ecologydepending on one's point of view. Lightening from the sky, the $20 cigar and a fire are true-to-life acc:mnts of the author in the unusual procession of experiences that are narrated in simple inimitable style. Reference to the work in the brickyard and toil in the mines give a prosaic but realistic touch to an otherwise nostalgic, and in many respects, a utopian picture of the writer's hometown. Moreover, the account of the sudd-e n mysterious appearance of the Ku Klux Klan appears like an ominous black cloud obliterating the rainbow in the sky above Blandburg, but it disappear~ as quickly as it appeared on the horizon. Meditative reflections on "The Good Earth" provide the back- �SLOVAKIA ground to the types of people who lived in the village: 1) Oldtimers, 2) Immigrants, 3) The Justice of Peace, and 4) Boarders. All in all, the book presents an authentic portrayal of a phase of life that was and probably will never again be repeated. Doubtless, the book has not exhausted the memory bank, either of the writer or of the people who experienced a similar way of life. That's the key to the popularity of this book - -people can say, "Why I too re member an incident .... " In fact, Father Pier is writing the episodes for them in this book. So this collection of vignettes will stimulate others to recall and record their experiences so that our generation, and future generations, will not only find pleasure in reading about them, but derive inspiration in the great adventure of life under God. There is a pictorial supplement at the end of the book which seems like an afterthought, but it serves to strengthen the authenticity of th~ work that will hopefully open the door to a whole series of narrations of life in America at the early part of the 20th century. Joseph C. Krajsa Jednota Annual FURDEK. Edited by Joseph C. Krajsa. Published ny the First. Catholic Slovak Unnion, Cleveland, Ohio. l-rinted by Jednota Press, Middletown, Pa. Vol. XIV, 175 pages. Price : $3.00. This year's edition ot the annual Furdek, publication of the Jednota, features a number of new writers who join such regular standbys as Msgr. Jan Rekem, S.T.I'., and Dr. Joseph Kirschbaum, LL.D., Ph.D., of Canada, and Rev. Andrew Pier, O.S.B., and Daniel Tanzone of this country. Edward Kovac's "Ca., tles and Chateaux in Slovakia" with striking photographs of Bojnice, Orava, Lupca, Nedeca, Trencin, Strecno, Devin and Bratislava castles gives the reader a graphic picture of the beauty and gra11deur of only a few of the medieval strongholds in Slovakia, for altogether there are approximately two hundred castles and more than a thousand mansions scattered throughout the historic homeland of our Slovak forefathers. Father Stevko's pictorial montage of his variegated work as missioner, doctor and teacher in the Indonesian missions on the island of West Flores is a reminder of the fact that many Slovak priests, nuns, and Brothers are in the missions in Asia (Indonesia, the Philippines, Japan, South Korea, Burma, India), Africa and South America, as well as in New Guinea and a number of islands in the South Pacific, and Australia. "The Apostolate of Msgr . .C:ugen Filkorn" is a tribute to a dedicated and holy Slovak educator at the University of Bratislava by a former student at the Svoradov Catholic fraternity house at the Slovak university_ Daniel Tanzone's review of the life of Father K11basek on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the Slovak leader's death in Yonkers, N.Y. is a timely rememberance of a remarkable personality. The panel with photographs of Slovak college students who won Jednota scholarships in 1974 (36 handsome boys and 25 attractive girls) is proof positive of the vital interest of the Jednota organization in higher education and of the high quality of intelligence in our talented youth. May our hopes in their future contributions to our �204 SLOVAKIA Slovak cause, our Jednota society and to American life be justified in the years ahead. By far the most colorful of the contents of the volume is the series of photos of the Sarisan Slovak folk-dancers of Detroit-Windsor and Pittsburgh's Slovakians directed by the dedicated Roman Niznik. "At the Lake" by Helen Majorossy, a new contributor (a talented linguist in Cleveland), is a pensive nature study. Sister M. Mercedes Voytko, SS. C.M., of Danville, Pa., analyzes the much debated controversy of the hyphen in "Czecho-Slovakia" and goes on to give an objective historical survey of the years from 1939 (the year of Slovak Independence and the formation of the Slovak Republic) to 1968 when the Soviet armies invaded the country and sealed its fate (for the time being at least) by leaving a permanent army of occupation. Slovak recruits for the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart are listed by name and contributing Slovak parishes: St. Michael's, Lansford, Pa., St. John's, Allentown, Pa., SS. Cyril and Methodius, Bethlehem, Pa., SS. Cy;ril and Methodius, Coaldale, Pa., St. Andrew's, Catasauqua, Pa., St. Mary's, Northampton, Pa., St. Mary's, McAdoo, Pa., Sacred Heart, Palmerton, Pa., SS. Cyril and Methodius, Reading, Pa., Our Mother of Sorrows, Bridgeport, Pa. Sister M. Bridget Ulicny, M.SE.C., a Slovak nun, has been general superior of the 1700 Sisters of the Sacred Heart the past three years with headquarters in Rome, Italy. A somber and profound note is added to the Furdek annual by Msgr. Jan Rekem, S.T.D., by his "Philosophy of History of the Slovak nation." Dr. Kirschbaum's highly documented commentary "Slovak Language under Communism'' gives the reaqer insight into how the historic language of the Slovak nation has been strongly subjected to pressures by the postwar communist regime in the past three decades. Undoubtedly, the ground-breaking ceremonies that are depicted at the beginning of the annual show that our Jednota is forging ahead and keeping pace with the pressing needs of a hew era. The highly important event that marked the start of a building development program and expansion of the Jednota Press headquarters is truly historic. It is another great milestone in the progress of our fraternal society that is meeting the challenge of our times with renewed hope and vigor. Joyce Iezzi's "Slovak Traditions" and the accompanying picture of the mixed Church choir of St. Florian's parish in United, Pa., provide incontrovertible evidence that our ancient and time-honored liturgy is very much alive despite recent radica•l changes in Church worship in many quarters. Paul Berish's "Chit-Chats with a Giant" is so genuine and heartwarming that the article merits a niche in the literary hall of fame, and the incidental meeting with Karol Sidor reflects the lasting impression the great Slovak political leader and diplomat at the Vatican made upon a total stranger who was a true son of St. Francis. Our Lady of Levocha Shrine in Bedford, Ohio, rates a well deserv• ed historical background furnished origin;illy by Sister M. Augustine, V.S.C., from Slovak sources for her collaborator, Sr. M. Regis, V.S.C., �SLOVAKIA the author of "The History of Our Lady of Levoca." Levoca (Levocha) is known to thousands of American Slovaks from the eastern Spis region where they were accustomed to go on pilgrimage each year to the famous Marian shrine in Slovakia. Editor's Note: On October 5, 1975, the Slovak nuns at the Marian shrine of Our Lady of Levocha in Bedford, Ohio, will commemorate the 45th anniversary of the Blessing of the statue (carved from the wood of an apple tree in Slovakia, touched by the miraculous statue of Mt. Levoca and sent to the U.S. in the summer of 1930) by Archbishop Joseph Schrembs, D.D. Nellie Kovalik, R.N., strikes an ecumenical note in her article, "New St. Gabriel's Candle" while Father Schmieder recalls the delightful activity of a lovable prelate "The Good Monsignor." Rev. Andrew V. Pier, O.S.B, Krcisa slovenskych pamiatkovych kostolov (The Beauty of Slovak Churches). Published by the St. Adalbert Society, Trnava, Slovakia. St. Adalbert Society Press, 1970. Slovakia can boast of many rare monuments of historical and artistic value, besides its wealth of natural beauty. One of the most important places among these monuments is taken by the old Roman Catholic churches which are unique from a historic, architectural and artistic point of view. These Slovak churches, whether they be cathe drals, or local parish churches are gems of sacred art from the gothic and baroque periods and are admired throughout international spheres of culture. Besides reflecting the art heritage of Slovakia 205 during specific periods, these churches remain a valuable source of art history. The review was published by the St. Adalbert Society (Spolok svateho Vojtecha ) in Trnava to com memorate the centenary of its founding in 1870. The front covel' depicts the majestic gothic sanctuary of St. Nicholas Cathedral in Trnava, enclosed by a septagonal apse and four sections of artistically worked reticulated vaulting. It was in this cathedral, which dates from the 14th century, that the founding meeting of the St. Adalbert Society took place on September 14, 1870. The following Slovak churchi:?s or shrines are depicted in this commemorative work: 1. The Holy Rood altar with the neo-gothic pulpit of the Cathedral of St. Martin in Bratislava. 2. The baroque altar in the sanctuary of the Good Church in thr Nitra Cathedral which dates from the year 1732 together with frescoes by G. A. Galliardi dating from 1720. 3. The gothic sanctuary and renaissance baroque main altar of the Roziiava cathedral dating from 1672. 4. The renaissance baroque main altar of St. Adalbert, dating from the 17th century in the Saris pilgrim shrine of Gaboltov. 5. The baroque main altar with the statue of the Sorrowful Mother, patroness of Slovakia in the basilica of Sastin. 6. The 15th century sanctuary and main altar of the pilgrim church at Stare Hory. 7. The gothic main altar, the work of Master Pavol of Levoca, together with frescoes dating from the 14th century in the pari,h church of St. James in Levoca. 8. The interior of the Marianka �206 SLOVAKIA pilgrim church, originally a gothic church today ornamented in baroque style. 9. The main altar of the Kosice Cathedral of Saint Elizabeth, the largest gothic altar in the world. 10. The reconstructed baroque Cathedral of the Assumption ln Banska Bystrica displaying main altar painting by J. L. Kracker dating from 1774. 11. The baroque Lady chapel, the work of G. R. Donner from the first half of the 18th century in the Cathedral of St. Nicholas in Trna'\la. 12. The 15th century altar of St. Michael the Archangel together with the main altar dating from the 19th century in the Church of St. Martin in Spisske Podhradie. The collection offers the student of Slovak ecclesiastical art a wide range of Slovak church art and architecture as found in Slovakia. Daniel F. Tanzone Slovak American Bicentennial Commission Through the initiative of the Slovak League of America and with the cooperative effort of the great majority of Slovak organizations, publications and other entities, a Slovak American Bicentennial Commission was formulated in 1974. The purpose of the Commission is to provide national celebrations commemorating the 200th Birthday of the United States of America in 1976. The first event will be held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in March, and the second week-long celebration will be held in Detroit, Michigan in June. It is expected that many tens of thousands of Slovak Americans will attend the festivities in Detroit. The Commission will also publish a commemorative book Slovaks in America-A Bicentennial Study, which will encompass a brief history of the Slovak Americans. The officers of the Slovak American Bicentennial Commission are: President, Frances Mizenko, National Secretary of the First Catholic Slovak Ladies Association; Vice President, Dr. Joseph Pauco, National Secretary of the Slovak League of America; and Secretary, Joseph Kristofik, Detroit, Michigan. The Chairman of the Editorial Board for the publication of the book Slovaks in America-A Bicentennial Study is Joseph C. Kra,isa, Editor of Jednota �SLOVAKIA 207 Who's Who Among Slovak Americans Ml CHAE L NOVAK Michael Novak has written two novels and several influential books, including The Rise of the Unmeltable Ethnics (1972), Choosing Our King (1974), The Experience of Nothingness (1970),A New Generation (1964), and Ascent of the Mountain, Flight of the Dove (1971). His books and articles have been published in nine languages. In two of his three years on the faculty at Stanford, 1967 and 1968, the Senior Class elected him "most influential professor." He was a judge for the National Bank Awards in 1972 and has been a juror for the DuPont Awards in Broadcast Journalism since 1971. He leads a seminar in television criticism for the Aspen Institute, and also chairs a private study group on the future of the city of Jerusalem. In 1970, he was a senior staff advisor for Sargent Shriver in congressional campaigns across the nation, and in 1972 he served with McGovern and then with Shriver. As associate director for humanities at the Rockefel- ler Foundation during 1973 and 1974, he created a new program for the humanities, ra1smg the Foundation's spending for the humanities from $400,000 to $4 million per year. He established a widely acclaimed Fellowship program, and instigated programs for working people and high school students under the title of "The Public Humanities.'' He has been a consultant to AT&T, IBM (for an interview in Think magazine), and has participated in many corporate seminars, including the annual seminar of Northern States Power Company in Minnesota. He is Executive Director of EMPAC (Ethnic Millions Political Action Committee), a consulting firm and membership organization, with a nationally recognized board and groups of active advisors in virtually every urban center. EMPAC supports aspirations for equality and justice on the part of the one in four Americans of white ethnic b a ck ground, particularly from Southern and Eastern European cultures. The firm is bi-partisan. �!08 SLOVAKIA Annual S L O V A K I A is published by the Slovak league of America, 313 Ridge Ave., Middletown, Pa. 17057. Subscription $4.00. Editor: Joseph Pauco, Ph.D. Editorial Board: Draga Divinska, Louis Kandra, Joseph M. Kirschbaum, Ph.D., Susan Mikula, Ph.D., Joseph A. Mikus, Ph.D., Fr. Andrew Pier O.S.B., M.A., Daniel F. Tanzone, Sister M. Tybor, SS.C.M., M.A. Our Contributo rs Dr. Arved Grebert, former Slovak diplomat, now in Switzerland Sonya Jason, Slovak American author, Woodland Hills, Ca:it. Joseph Pauco, Ph.D., author, historian, Middletown, Pa. Theodoric J. Zubek, O.F.M., author, Joliet, Ill. Konstantin Cu/en, author, historian (deceased) Anthony X. Sutherland, Ph.D., Columbus, Ohio Daniel F. Tanzone, teacher, Yonkers, N. Y. Sister M. Pamela Smith, SS .C.M., teacher, Danville, Pa. Andrew V. Pier, O.S.B., author, Cleveland, Ohio Antonia Mazanova, on faculty of music, University of Western Ontario Gabor Vermes, department of history, Rutgers Universi ty J. M. Kirschbaum, LL.D., Ph.D., historian, Toronto, Ontario Joseph C. Krajsa , Editor, Jednota, Middletown, Pa. Paul Fia/kovic, Robert Pojer, John Berta - Slovak League of America Scholarship Winners �PRI NTI D IN U.S. A. JIDN OTA PlllN TER Y, MID DLli TOW N, PA. � SLOVAKIA 190 As others see it We are fortunate, in Canada, in having within our midst, a strong and vital Slovak community. Our many traditions, mingled together throughout society cannot but make us a stronger, more resilient, more tolerant and understanding people. - Pierre EUiot Trudeau Freedom and independence have long been the backbone of Slovak national thought. The Slovak people now suffer under Communist domination and yet have made tremendous sacrifices on both personal and national levels to preserve their native culture, language, and religion. One-third of all Slovak people now live in the United States and in other parts of the Western World. Freedom-loving people throughout Michigan and the world join with Slovak people in their desire to reestablish independence from totalW illiam G. Militarian rule. liken, Governor of the State of Michigan Your continuing efforts to share Slovak traditions and culture are a source of pride to all Americans. - Robert P. Griffin, U.S. Senator As one whose ancestors grew up and lived in Slovakia, I am very proud of my Slovak heritage. Moreover, we Americans of Slovak background can also point with pride to the tremendous contributions the people of the American Slovak Community have made to our great nation. - Philip E . Ruppe, Member of Congress In my own experience, I have found Slovak Americans to be bright, industrious, and filled with a zest for life. Moreover, you have successfully preserved a sense of identity and pride in the Slovak roots, a passion which has been further nourished by the more recent arrivals. As a Slovak citizen recently told a western newsman, "Here we have absolutely no shortage of unful filled desires." Some day in our lifetimes, I trust, democracy and individual liberty will live again in the land of your forefathers. - Lucien N. Nedzi, Member of Congress America is an immeasurably better nation because of the tremen dous contributions of Slovaks. Vigor and dedication to excellence have epitomized the Slovak way of life on America's farmlands, in her cities and educational institution3 and on the Apollo flight to the moon of Commander Eugene Cernan. In remembering Slovakia, you are reminding the world of the special ethnic heritage of Slovaks around the world. - Marvin L . Esch, Member of Congress The Slovak people are a proud and talented people who have enriched the lives of the many countries in which they live. We can all be proud of the contribution of Slovak people to the development of America. The Slovak people have helped to build this country into a great democracy, while retaining their ethnic identity. William S. Broomfield, Member of Congress Although self-determination and democracy have been denied them, the freedom-loving Slovak people have maintained their traditions even after many centuries of foreign oppression. �SLOVAKIA Slovaks living in the western world continue to cherish the dream of an independent Slovak nation. Coieman A. Young, Mayor, City of Detroit Catholic Church is the prime target of the Communists in Slovakia because she is considered an organization that is administered by the Vatican and is in contradiction with the idea of a state-controlled church as is the case in Russia. The major pressure is on the practising Catholics who live their faith, and not so much on the so-called "Catholics of the baptismal register." State employees in influential positions and the teachers are hardest hit. After the removal of Dubcek, they were all carefully scrutinized and their files updated. Only the teachers and professors who are considered reliable Marxists can teach in the high schools and universities. It is requiried of them to sever their affiliation with their Church. That is a condition which must be fulfilled if they wish to keep their post. , In the high schools the teaching of religion is forbidden. In the elementary schools, religion can be taught only if both parents demand it for their children. The headmasters are obliged to try to persuade them not to send the children to religion classes. They have to warn the parents about the grave and adverse consequences this would have if they persist. The parents could lose their good positions in employment, and the children may find it difficult to be accepted for higher studies. All teachers and higheT-ranking white collar workers must be party members or they are subject to obligatory courses in Marxistatheistic ideology. After the fall of 191 Dubcek, more than 30,000 Marxist agitators were trained and no w they are conducting re-educational courses among the students and the intelligentsia. Anybody who refuses such courses is considrered an opponent of the regime and his " negative attitude" is entered into his "cadre" file which accompanies every citizen. The assessment in the file can make it hard to get or to change employment for which the person may have qualifications. The ideological pressure is felt, too, in the family circle. The communist ideal is a family without religion. The generation gap in socialism is intensified because in the family circle unity is destroyed - there is two-track thinking. The open practice of the Faith is in conflict with the ideology of the state. Therefore, the parents have to hide their religious conviction from their children or from each other. If they dare to bring up their children in the Faith, if they teach them to pray, there is the danger that the children will betray them in the school and that leads to stress and conflicts in the family. The denial of religious freedom has, in practice, painful consequences in the very nucleus of human society. Bishop Dominic Kai'ata Slovak Communist authorities have stepped up their promotion of "civil ceremonies" to replace baptism, confirmation, wedding and funeral ceremonies in church. Austrian Catholic sources reported from Slovakia, that "wedding centers" and "funeral halls" for civil ceremonies have been installed in many areas. More than 1750 committees were formed to organize the ceremonies. The sources said such civil rites �192 SLOVAKIA have failed to meet with much suecess. Slovak Interior Minister Egyd Pepych has complained that only 3.4 per cent of people who died in Czecho-Slovakia were buried with civil ceremonies. "The Citizens Committees still have much work to do," he said. Communist officials intensified propaganda in recent w1ieks, our sources said. They distributed booklets explaining the purpose and advantages of the ceremonies. Moreover, "presents" are distributed in the civil program that seeks to replace Christian baptism, confirmation and matrimony. Slovak newpapers and I!'lagazines have published reports of civil ceremonies to increase interest. One Communist daily described a civil "baptism" as follows: "A committee secretary took the baby out of the hands of the mother and placed it into a hand-carved cradle. The parents-both teachers -vecited a promise: "We, the parents, solemnly declare that we will do everything in our power to educate our son as an outstanding citizen of our Socialist country." _ (RNS) Communist professors and state officials in Czecho-Slovakia have been waging a persistent campaign against religion despite constitutional guarantees of freedom of thought and religious choice. This is the central point of Italian Jesuit Father Guiseppe Rulli, writing in the Rome Jesuit review Civilta Cattolica. In a long analytical article, Fr. Rulli examines the writings of several eminent Marxist professors attacking religion and the Roman Catholic Church in particular over the past several years. Among the authors cited by Fr. Rulli were Ladislav Tomasek of the Marxist Leninist Institute of Bratislava; Frantisek Kubovic of the Slovak University, and Minister of Culture Jaroslav Hajek. Despite the Communist government's claims that it is tolerant of religion, Father Rulli stressed that over the past few years a consistent campaign has been mounted against religious freedom . The professors in particular have called for "a battle against idealistic philosophy," which for Fr. Rulli is "without a doubt religious philosophy." Father Rulli cited an article by Frantisek Kubovic in which the Slovak professor declared : "to Catholicism in socialist countries it is not possible to grant 'freedom of action,' because that would mean going along with its anti-socialistic, anti-communist, anti-state and antinational attitudes. Therefove, it is indispensable that it be placed under the control of the socialist state so that political activity and the exploitation of the religious feelings of believers may be halt1id ." Demands by the bishops to be allowed to carry out their religious functions in freedom, to run their seminaries without state control and to enjoy the right of giving instruction freely have been interpreted as examples of their antisocialist, anticommunist attitudes, Father Rulli stated. He also pointed out: "The Czech and Slovak communists accuse the Catholic Church of being an expression of an unilluminating idealism of defending a nonscientific and negative vision of the world and of always having been opposed to communism." In the early 70's both Slovak and Czech public officials moved in on the Catholic Church to restrict its freedom. In 1970, Fr. Rulli report- �SLOVAKIA ed, the Slovak Socialist Republic made it a requirement that priests get government permission to celebrate even a private Mass. Authorities of the Czech Republic followed suit. This was only the beginning of greater and more restrictive controls placed on the bishops and the parishes, Father Rulli reported. Concluding his observations, Fr. Rulli declared that from the opening attacks on religion, "religious faith has been considered an expression of sentiment," and there fore must be controlled by the state to safeguard the people. (NC) In the struggle against communism the Church has always offered the stiffest resistance and countless members of the clergy have sacrificed their lives for their faith and country. The Catholic Church ')f Lithuania was brutally persecuted by the Kremlin regime as were thC' Churches of other nations under the despotic yoke of Moscow. Msgr. Jozef Tiso was the wartime president of the Slovak Republic (Independent Lithuania officially recognized Slovakia in 1939) and was executed by the communists in 1947 because he refused to betray his people and proclaim Slovakia a Soviet republic. As the prelatepresident of his country, Msgr. Tiso provided his beloved Slovakia with a Christian-democratic ideology and based his politics on papal encyclicals, Christian philosophy and national Slovak traditions. Two hours before his execution on the gallows Msgr. Tiso wrote this final message from prison to the Slovak people. The eloquence of this fare well also symbolizes the spirit with which -the heroic priests of Lithuania offered up their lives on the altar of freedom for the salvation of their country and in Heaven in 193 the pFesence of the Almighty became the radiant hope of the Lith uanian people. "In the spirit of this sacrifice which I am about to make," wrot':l Dr. Tiso, "these are my words to the Slovak people: Be unanimous and united in pursuing always, everywhere and in every respect the great principle : For God and for the Nation! This is not only the unequivocal intent of Slovak history, but also the explicit command of God, who mad e it the law of nature, and inculcated it in the nation and all its members. This law I have served all my life and for this reason I regard myself as a martyr in the defense of Chri,tianity against Bolshevism, against which our nation must in all possible ways defend itself, and n ot only in order to remain true to its Christian character, but also in th'} interest of its future survival. In the same way as I am as!dng all of you to remember me in your prayers, so will I also pray to God Al mighty on your behalf and supplicate that He bless the Slovak people in their life-struggle for God and for the nation, and that the Slovak nation shall always remain a faithful and devoted son to the Church of Christ." Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord! - Bulletin of the Lithuanian Affairs Committ ee In Slovakia, dozens of churches stand half-finished because of an edict forbidding new building of them. Unofficially, childrm, who go to church can't go to trade school or the university. But that doesn't matter as much as being home, even though strange things are happening to that home. I expected to find little old ladies, safe in the security of family �194 SLOVAKIA doing folk arts and embroidery. In stead, Slovakia has gone doubleknit. "Do you have a car?" was the first question, usually. And then, "Do you have a color television set?" . There is a song they sing over endless vodkas when the sun goes down, a song that obviously has never been written down. "Our lives are much better here," is the rough translation, "since our fath• ers went to work in America." In some of the villages we visit, social and economic status is determined by who has relatives in the U.S. If your father happened to go there to work, you get Social Security benefits, and you are comfortable . If he worked in the mines around Wilkes-Barl'le and caught the black lung, you are wealthy. American money is important, because Czecho-Slovak money won't buy much. It's not unusual to find houses with television sets but no toilets, simply because it's easier to buy television sets than plumbing materials. But if you have American money, you can buy "boni" - special certificates which must be spent in six months - to use in the Tuzex. And perhaps the Tuzex is the most telling memory of Slovakia. It is a store that accepts only foreign currency. There is fruit juice and liquor, dry goods and clothing. The!'le are baby carriages and radios. The people crowd in, sometimes pushing each other like so many American suburbanites at a bargain basement sale. In a corner, one woman is selling her "boni." When I pull out a notebook to mark down prices, people stare. A friend cautions me to put away the notebook, and the tension ebbs. Over it all, staring down on the Ban-Lon and baby carriages, is a picture of Lenin. - Carol Towarnicky, Philadelphia Daily News, December 28, 1974. Book Reviews BOOKS AND STUDIES ON SLOVAKIA AND SLOVAKS Reviewed by Prof. J. M. K i r s c h b a u m Robert W. Dean, Nationalism and historiography mostly as a footnote Political Change in Eastern Eu· or a postscript to Czech history rope: The Slovak Question and and were seen "through the Czech the Czechoslovak Reform Move- eyes" by specialists in Eastern Eument, University of Denver, Col- rope, several recent studies (Galia orado, The Social Science Foun- Golan, Eugene Steiner, John Condation and Graduate School of way etc.) departed from this politiInternational Studies, Monograph cally and ideologically oriented Series in World Affairs, Vol. 10, tradition. 1973. Among the large numbers of While in the past Slovakia and books published on post-war politiSlovaks were treated in Western cal developments in Czecho-Slova- �SLOVAKIA kia and especially on the "Dubcek period," Robert W. Dean's concise study seems to be the most objective and his analysis of the reform movement free of anti-Slovak bias. Moreover, the value of Dean's book lies in its research and evaluation of original sources published in Czech Lands or in Slovakia during the period under his examination. As a result, Dean is drawing quite a different picturie of Slovakia's post-war political situation and aspirations of her leadership and population from the account of some other specia1.sts in that area. Communist governments in Prague were not more successful in solving the Slovak question than were the bourgeois governments before the war, and even the purges of leading Slovak Communists for alleged "bourgeois nationalism" were not able to silence the cries for equality, justice and self-government. Slovak intellectuals fought, therefore, not only for the reform of the system, but also for the solution of the Slovak question, because "In Slovakia, the distortion of the Novotny system had been expressed by the subjugation of national aspirations - political, economic and cultural." (p. 28) In 1968, the year of liberalization brought also by the opposition of Slovak intellectuals, Slovaks cla imed more than federalization in Dean's view. There were clear voices of leading intellectuals for confederation and the Slovak Republic of 1939-45 was not only put into a more objective light, but its existence was to remind Prague that there was another solution of the Slovak question. Dean quotes from Kuiturny zivot: " ... it will nevertheless remain true that the Slovak Republic existed as the national state of the 195 Slovaks, the only one in our history ... Let us not turn away from it; it is part of our national traditions. It is important for an accurate scrutiny of our national idea to know that the idea or the remembrance of the Slovak state's independence is alive in the national memory. It connot be ignored forever in examining the alterna tives in the solution of the perspectives of a small nation .. ." (Pavol Stevcek, "Sev,e.ral Theses on the Situation of the Slovak Nation," Kulturny zivot, No. 3, August 2, 1968) . Husak is portrayed by Dean as one of the most articulate promoters of federalization but he did not fail to notice that Husak used the movement for federalization to come to power and abandoned it in order to remain in power. As a result, the Slovak question remained unsolved. The present situation is "centralism in a new guise" (see pages 28-37 ) and the persecution of intellectuals by Husak's regime is but a confirmation of his fear that they could expose the true aspirations of the Slovak people. Die Slowakische Volkskultur (Slo- vak Folk Arts and Culture) . Edited by Emilia Horvathova and Viera Urbancova. Published by Slovak Academy of Sciences, (Bratislava, 1972), 304 pages, 342 illustrations. Slovak folk arts and folk culture have long attracted the attention of foreign visitors and ethnographers by their beauty, richness of colors and inexhaustible fantasy. Some observers regard Slovaks "artists by birth," whose songs and national costumes have a natural expression of a poetry full of sensibility and freshness and whose carvings, toolmakings, paintings and architecture of peasant houses �196 SLOVAKIA excell by a constructive sense of color and design. Exposed for centuries to foreign domination and assimilation, Slovaks cultivated folk arts, songs and costumes as an expression of national consciousness and national identity and pre served a great part of them to this day. The book Die Slowakische Volkskultur deals with and reflects the rich cultural heritage of the Slovak people. It contains elev,e n contributions by eight authors, of whom 5 are women. All contributors belong to the younger generation educated at post-war universities in Slovakia, but they also refer to essays and studies by scholars of earlier periods. The title of the book is actually the same as was the title of the first book in German on Slovak folk art and culture by R. Bednarik, published during the Slovak Republic (Bratislava, 1943) . The present book is larger in scope and relies on new research and scholarly methods. The growth of universities in Slovakia is reflected in many fields of academic endeavor previously neglected. Ethnography was one of these fields even though the first known ,e thnographer among Slavs, P. J. Safarik, was from Slovakia. In spite of regimentation and political pressures, the present Slovak universities produced experts in many disciplines, including ethnography. The book Die Slowakische Volkskultur is a product of this new cultural atmosphere in Slovakia. Divided into eleven chapters, the volume deals with practically all aspects of the life of Slovakia's population - from agriculture and came breeding to family life, housebuilding, folk arts, superstitions and customs. Individual chap- ters are illustrated by photographs, many of them well chosen and enhancing the value of the book. It should be stressed, however, that foreign readers should not visualize present day Slovakia as depicted in this book. Folk arts and folk culture belong to the past in Slovakia as in any other Europ!7 an country and are but a part of Slovak cultural heritage. Slovakia kept pace with European cultural development and is adorned by hundreds of medieval fortresses, cast1es and churches of Renaissance and Baroque art. The beautiful valleys and hills lost their original beauty to industrialization and technological progress did not bypass Slovaks and Slovakia. J. Stasko, Slovaks in the United States of America, Edition Dobra Kniha, (Galt, Ontario, 1974) 79 pages, bibl. and statistics. This concise study contains valuable basic information on a number of topics pertaining to the history of the Slovaks in the United States. There are several mohographs by F . Hrusovsky, J. Pauco and others and two volumes history of American Slovaks by K. culen in the Slovak language but Stasko's work is the first scholarly outline in English and as such should be welcome. The author divided his study into 14 short chapters co·v ering the his- torical background of the Slovak nation, causes and effects of the migration of Slovaks, statistical survey of Slovaks in the United States and their hard beginnings and life in America. Briefly but with solid knowledge of the subjects and appropriate statistics Dr. Stasko analyses the social conditions, religions and civic organizations, education, contributions to American political and economic �SLOVAKIA development and the assimilation process. The booklet is an intelligent look at the basic questions which a historian has to deal with in writing a history of an ethnic group in today's United States. It is, however, rather an outline for a longer book, than a comprehensive story of some 3 million Americans of Slovak origin. No doubt, scholars and students of American history will welcome Dr. Stasko's study as a valuable source of information, while American Slovak historians should be encouraged to use it as a solid foundation and a well balanced structure for a comprehensive history of Slovaks in the United States. The large number of monographs on Slovak-American fraternal organizations, parishes, religious orders, regional histories and preserved newspapers and publica tions will make it possible, even in the absence of regular archives, to prepare for the second centennial of America a history book which will tell other Americans and Slovaks as well the fascinating saga of struggles, trials and final success of American Slovaks. The value of Stasko's work for American historians also lies in his brief survey of Slovak history and in his suggested approach to studying and understanding Slovak history. As often mentioned, the neighbors of Slovakia who wanted to dominate and rule Slovaks, suc ceeded in misleading many historians to accept a false concept of the history of the Slovak people. Even if recent history books seem to be more free of anti-Slovak bias and conceptional errors, there will be for a long time urgent need for serious literature in English and other work. languages on Slovakia and Slovaks. 197 Eckbert K. Jahn, Die Deutschen in der Slowakei 1918-1929, (Germans in Slovakia 1918-1929) , Collegium Carolinum (Munich, 1971), 186 pages, bib!. Jahn's book on German minority in Slovakia is a valuable contribution to the history of Slovakia and it is only to be regretted that he limited his research to such a short period. Neglected before the War and written with ideological prejudice by communist historians since 1948, the history of national minorities in Slovakia is very little known. Yet, the role of minorities in Slovakia's history was of great political, cultural and economic importance. German settlements in Slovakia go back to the 14th century at which time, according to the author, there were over 200,000 Germans on Slovak territory. In 19181929 the German minority counted some 150,000 people. Before the first World War Germans of Slovakia were closer to Magyars than to Slovaks in their political and cultural leanings, but during the centuries which proceed the era of nationalism they helped to develop Slovak cities, mining industries, trades and commerce to the benefit of Slovakia. On the other hand, they were at the origin of the religious division of Slovaks. After the First World War Germans in Slovakia did not take part in Slovak struggle for autonomy and equal status with the Czechs. Affiliated with the socialist and partly with the communist parties, they fought in Prague for minority rights together with other German3 of Czecho-Slovakia. Jahn's study sheds light on many aspects of the life of the German minority in Slovakia and even though the author was not allowed �198 SLOVAKIA by the communist regime to study the archives, except for statistics concerning the elections, he wrote an interesting book, well researched and remarkably free of bias. It is predominantly a political history with special emphasis on the interplay of nationalism and patriotism. -,'he book is divided into six chapters and contains interesting statistics about political and linguistic polarization not only among Germans but also among Jews in Slovakia who claimed German or Hungarian as their mothertongue. The fate of German minority in Slovakia was tragic. First they were indiscriminately murdered by Soviet and Slovak communist partisans and then expelled from Slorakia within the scheme of Dr. Benes' policy of revenge which the Slovaks were unable to change. An extensive bibliography of works in German, Slovak and Engli,h enhanced the value of the book. Victor Mamatey and R. Luza, (ed.) A H isto ry of the Czechoslovak Republic 1918-1948, Princeton U- niversity Press (Princeton, N. J. 1973). More than a score of writers contributed to this volume and while some of them are known as historians with established reputation (Mamatey, Taborsky, Hoensch, Rhode, Wandycz, etc), others are less known or do not belong to the academic community at all (A. J osko) . As a result, the value of individual contributions varies and the points of view differ, except for the general tendency which favors Czechs and views the Slovak question through Czech eyes. In the contributions by Professor Mamatey and J. K. Hoensch, which belong to the best in the volume, this bias was to a great degree avoided. Both are thoroughly acquainted with the subject and they even corrected some malicious accusations of Slovaks (e.g. cooperation with Germans before 1938) spread in the West by Czechs and their Slovak fellow-travelers (J. Lettrich) . Nevertheless, we can also say about this volume what the Canadian historiaq Z. Pech wrote about Western specialists in Eastern European History: "The history of Slovaks in the West has usually been presented from the point of view of 'Czechoslovakism' and has appeared as hardly more than a postscript to Czech history." (Canadian Slavonic Papers, X, 4, 1968). The most conspicuous example of bias in this volume is the contribution by Anna Jasko, whose article -in style and concept-is of such value that it would not be accepted by any serious journal. In R. Lufa's selected bibliography the prejudice against Slovaks who do not advocate Czech domination over Slovakia, attained the point of the ridiculous. And more or less the same can be said about the selection of sources and references quoted. With one or two exceptions, the majority of contributors quoted or referred exclusively to sources which favor the Czechoslovak concept and are hostile to Slovak aspirations for national independence. If we disregard the bias of many contributions, the book can be re garded as a vast source of informa tion. Especially the two chapters by Prof. Mamatey (The Establishment of the Republic and The Development of Czechoslovak Dem0cracy) and Hoensch's survey of the Slovak Republic present well documented accounts of the periods treated by the authors. Taborsky's contribution on "Politics in Exile" �SLOVAKIA has all the attributes of academic writing but he displays the usual Czech unfounded conceit when writing about Slovaks. As the .thorough research of British archives by Prof. F. Vnuk indicates, it is hardly true that "Benes prevailed with ease over his few challengers among the exiled statesmen, such as the former Czecho-Slovak premier, Milan Hodza and Czecho-Slovakia's envoy to Paris, Stefan 0 susky ... ". And it is completely untrue that Benes "fully respected the opposite view holding the Czechs and Slovaks to be two different Slav nations" or that "the Czech-Slovak relations created no problem during the war." It is regrettable that even a historian of Taborsky's reputation wrote such mystifications. 199 riodicals, published in Europe, the United States and Canada. The essays have been written mostly by historians of the younger generation of foreign and Slovak origin, the latter predominantly educated in the West. Notheworthy among the essays is John S. Conway's article in The Slavonic and East European Review (Volume LIi, 126, January, 1974, London, England): "The Churches, the Slovak State and the Jews 1939-1945." The subject was treated in the past by several spe cialists in Eastern Europe (:l'.lurica, Lipscher, Jellinek) and further studies are to be expected. Conway's treatise seems to be the most objective by a foreign historian, and free of usual bias against Slovaks advocating the independence The editors expressed thanks to of Slovakia. Czech emigre politicians who left Prof. Mark Stolarik's essay on their country after their unsuccess- "Agrarian Problems in Slovakia ful collaboration with the commu- 1848-1918," published in Histoire nists "for their advice and encour- Sociale - Social History (Vol. VIII, agement in organizing this study," 3, University of Ottawa, May, 1974), and they "have greatly profited is a valuable contribution to a field from the valuable help of the which was generally neglected by Council of Free Czechoslovakia in Slovak historians until recently. It Washington, D. C." This clearly in- is an historiographic essay and will dicates the background and purpose provide useful information for of the book. The fact that there is further study. among the contributors from the Contemporary political developSlovak side only Prof. Mamatey and ments in Slovakia have been a clerk of the Library of Congress, treated by Prof. Stanislav J . KirschAnna Josko, confirms the prejudice baum of York University in Toand political bias mentioned above. ronto in two essays. Canadian JourAnd this is to be regretted especial- nal of Political Science (Vol. VII, ly for the reason that the book wiH 2, June, 1974) published his French be listed under the name of Prof. essay "Le nationalisme minoritaire: Mamatey who is a reputable hisle cas de la Tcheco-Slovaquie" (Natorian. tionalism of Minorities - the Case Czecho-Slovakia) in which the of ESSAYS ON SLOVAKIA Slovak question is subject to a In recent years, Slovak histol") thorough and objective analysis. The events of 1968 with special and the present political situation in Slovakia became the subject of regard for Slovakia are treated by essays and articles in academic pe- Dr. Stanislav Kirschbaum in the �200 SLOVAKIA (Vol. 15, Munich, 1973), an annual published by Collegium Carolinum and specialized in problems of Czecho-Slovakia. Under the title "Kontinuitat und politischen Wechsels in der Tschecho-Slowakei 1968" (Continu ity ,a nd Political Change in CzechoSlovakia 1968) Prof. Kirschbaum gives Western historians a well documented view of the reform and liberalization movement which was generally ascribed to Czechs in Western historiography even though Slovaks were its spearhead. Bohemia- Jahrbuch Eran Laor: Vergangen und ausgeloscht (Erinnerungen an das slowakisch-ungarische Judentum Reminiscences about Slovak-Magyar Jews), Deutsche Verlags-Anstalt, Stuttgart, 1972, 280 pp. Review by Dr. Arved G r e b e r t, Geneva. - A translation A. P. The author of this book until recently was director of a Jewish Travel Agency in Geneva, Switzerland. Eran Laor was born in 1900 in the Slovak town of Cifer in southwestern Slovakia. In this fas cinating book, which is only the first volume of a projected trilogy, he describes town life in Cifer during the first twenty-two years of his own life there, and his student days at the Slovak cultural center in Trnava and later in Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia at the present time. This book by Eran Laor is an invaluable record of Jewish life in Slovakia at the beginning of this century. Laor's father was a well known and highly r•e spected doctor in the region. When he died, writes the author, the people and priests from nearby villages came to pay their last respects to a highly revered humanitarian. Interesting incidents in the book illustrate the symbiosis between the Jews and Slovak people. The history of the Skvarenina, Du~insky and Peterselka (Petrzelka) families from· 1700 portrays in miniature the destiny of the Jews in Slovakia: by their customs, and a revelation of their thoughts and feelings, and a list of their successes and tragedies. Slovakia became a refuge and an island of freedom for the Jews in the 17th and 18th centuries when the author's predecessors settled in the western town of Sen ic1 in 1700. They came from nearby Moravia on the Slovak border because stringent restrictions .h ad been placed on the Jews in all Czech-ruled lands at the time. The author's narrative is chiefly based on family documents such a, family correspondence, locll registries and other official documents, and inscriptions on tombstones , as well as on oral traditions in his immediate family circle. Laor's work is a valuable addition to the history of Slovakil. His concluding chapters, in wh ich he describes the war years in Bratislava (first World War) and subsequently Czech domination of the country, is very interesting. He correctly terms this period as "Czech occup1tion," and he admits tha t he personally participated in demonstrations protesting against the pos~war regime. From his early youth Eran Laor was active as a writer, as a poet and philosophical reviewer. Ha published these in German, Magyar, Hebrew, French and En ] lish. Although originally he wrote chiefly in Magyar, he stopped writing in this language in protest to the wave of anti-semitism that swept ove:· Hungary immediately after the first World War. Today he writes exclusively in Hebrew, German and �SLOVAKIA French but speaks Slovak fluently. From a literary standpoint the book has great value. His style is elegant and his interpretations of events far-reaching. Laor's commentaries give the reader an impression of his wide and rich experiences and wisdom. Above all, he manifests warm effection for his people and love for the country where he was born and spent the most wonderful years of his life : his childh0od and youth. A grand seigneur, in the ful! sense of the word, a person ·µho actually existed in the flesh, an ideal person, is depicted by the author in his book, and he has preserved this image of a sterling personality for our materialisticminded world. Character was still admired in the common homeland of the J ews and Slovaks in his time. Many full page photographs enrich the book. There are pictures of the tombstones of his ancestors: the Skvareninas, Dusinskys in Nadas, his parents in Cifer, and the picture of the Palfy castle in' Pudmerice, photos of Trnava and Bratislava. As we have stated above, this is the first volume of his memoirs. Future volumes promise to be equally interesting, for the author went to live in Constantinople (Istanbul) where he was manager of a family commercial firm. He continued to write poetry, translated poetic works from Turkish and Greek writers, and became intensely involved in the Zionistic movement. During the second World War he worked indefatigably in various high positions to save his £ellow Jews in Europe. After the establishment of the independent state of Israel he became one of the chief founders of the Jewish navy. 201 As director of the Jewish Agency he has rendered invaluable service to his people. One of the most serious problems faced by the fledgling Jewish state of Israel in the beginning was the small number of Jewish inhabitants. Under Laor's dynamic leadership this was soon remedied through the work of the Jewish Agency in Geneva, Switzerland. In a few short years fully one and a half million Jews were transported from Europe to Israel. This influx of Jewish immigrants from the Continent at a critical stage strengthened the economy of the new state and furnished man-power for Israel, all of which enabled Israel to defend itself successfully against the attacks of the neighboring Arabic countries in the ensuing years. Eran Laor's contributions for the establishment and preservation of the state of Israel have been important and vital from the very beginning of its history in our times. Woodlands Above - Mines Below, by Rev. Andrew V. Pier, O.S.B Published by the First Catholic Slovak Union, Cleveland, Ohio. Printed by the Jednota Press, Middletown, Pa. 120 pp., with pictorial supplement, 1974. Price: $2.00 soft cover and $3.00 hard cover. The latest English publication of the First Catholic Slovak Union, printed by its Jednota Press in Middletown, Pa., "Woodlands Above-Mines Below," is virtually a translation by the author, Father Andrew V. Pier, O.S.B., M.A., of his original Slovak edition "Nau nami hory-pod nami bane," which came off the press under his ancient family name, "Pir". The Slovak book was published by the Slovak Institute in Rome, Italy in �202 SLOVAKIA 1972. The English version is revised somewhat and at least eight new episodes have been added. Father Pier is a Slovak Benedictine Monk of St. Andrew's Abbey in Cleveland, Ohio, so it was proper that his superior, the Rt. Rev. Abbot Jerome Koval, O.S.B., wrote the Foreword to his new book. Abbot Koval introduces the mountain village of Blandburg, Pennsylvania, to the readers of this unique volume on life there more than a half century ago. His personal impressions of the locale of the series of boyhood experiences of the author prepare the reader for many pleasant surprises in the book. The book has been selling very v.rell to date. Aside from hundreds of single orders, there have been orders for six, a dozen, fifty, and even for a 100 copies. The early sales indicate that the book will be going to its second printing. The reactions of the readers so far range from such exclamations as 'unbelievable,' 'colorful,' 'a bittersweet work of nostalgia,' 'true to life,' 'the good old days,' 'sweet memories,' 'told simply and beautifully, ' to immediate criticism as 'a modern utopia,' 'a town that never existed' and 'a too, too sweet picture of a town this side of heaven.' At the very outset, however, the author gives his word of honor that all the episodes recounted occured in actual life. At any rate, each reader can judge for himself what rings true or what is imaginative in the book of memories of happenings in a small town in the heart of the Alleghenies in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Christmas scenes are given the spotlight with no less than three incidents in the very beginningincidents that tug at the heartstrings and set the stage for a happy childhood as seen through the eyes of a bright-eyed, care-free, though pensive boy who never ceased to gaze at the parade of life around him with wonder and joy of being alive. School, not the in-thing for most schoolboys, proved to be a pleasant interlude in early life for a boy to learn and anxious to please his parents and teachers-but he was by no means a teacher's pet. A well-merited tribute is given to the zealous priests who paid parlicular attention to the spiritual needs of their immigrant parishioners. Teachers, physicians, and even the businessmen rate a note of genuine appreciation, while a much admired high school principal gets a special chapter dedicated to his immortal memory. Probably the most popular story in the entire book is that of a recalcitrant bovine creature. Wild life-rabbits, grouse, deer, snakes and bears-is discussed from various angles, as are guns that are both a menace to nature's woodland creatures or a means of maintaining a balance in our ecologydepending on one's point of view. Lightening from the sky, the $20 cigar and a fire are true-to-life acc:mnts of the author in the unusual procession of experiences that are narrated in simple inimitable style. Reference to the work in the brickyard and toil in the mines give a prosaic but realistic touch to an otherwise nostalgic, and in many respects, a utopian picture of the writer's hometown. Moreover, the account of the sudd-e n mysterious appearance of the Ku Klux Klan appears like an ominous black cloud obliterating the rainbow in the sky above Blandburg, but it disappear~ as quickly as it appeared on the horizon. Meditative reflections on "The Good Earth" provide the back- �SLOVAKIA ground to the types of people who lived in the village: 1) Oldtimers, 2) Immigrants, 3) The Justice of Peace, and 4) Boarders. All in all, the book presents an authentic portrayal of a phase of life that was and probably will never again be repeated. Doubtless, the book has not exhausted the memory bank, either of the writer or of the people who experienced a similar way of life. That's the key to the popularity of this book - -people can say, "Why I too re member an incident .... " In fact, Father Pier is writing the episodes for them in this book. So this collection of vignettes will stimulate others to recall and record their experiences so that our generation, and future generations, will not only find pleasure in reading about them, but derive inspiration in the great adventure of life under God. There is a pictorial supplement at the end of the book which seems like an afterthought, but it serves to strengthen the authenticity of th~ work that will hopefully open the door to a whole series of narrations of life in America at the early part of the 20th century. Joseph C. Krajsa Jednota Annual FURDEK. Edited by Joseph C. Krajsa. Published ny the First. Catholic Slovak Unnion, Cleveland, Ohio. l-rinted by Jednota Press, Middletown, Pa. Vol. XIV, 175 pages. Price : $3.00. This year's edition ot the annual Furdek, publication of the Jednota, features a number of new writers who join such regular standbys as Msgr. Jan Rekem, S.T.I'., and Dr. Joseph Kirschbaum, LL.D., Ph.D., of Canada, and Rev. Andrew Pier, O.S.B., and Daniel Tanzone of this country. Edward Kovac's "Ca., tles and Chateaux in Slovakia" with striking photographs of Bojnice, Orava, Lupca, Nedeca, Trencin, Strecno, Devin and Bratislava castles gives the reader a graphic picture of the beauty and gra11deur of only a few of the medieval strongholds in Slovakia, for altogether there are approximately two hundred castles and more than a thousand mansions scattered throughout the historic homeland of our Slovak forefathers. Father Stevko's pictorial montage of his variegated work as missioner, doctor and teacher in the Indonesian missions on the island of West Flores is a reminder of the fact that many Slovak priests, nuns, and Brothers are in the missions in Asia (Indonesia, the Philippines, Japan, South Korea, Burma, India), Africa and South America, as well as in New Guinea and a number of islands in the South Pacific, and Australia. "The Apostolate of Msgr . .C:ugen Filkorn" is a tribute to a dedicated and holy Slovak educator at the University of Bratislava by a former student at the Svoradov Catholic fraternity house at the Slovak university_ Daniel Tanzone's review of the life of Father K11basek on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the Slovak leader's death in Yonkers, N.Y. is a timely rememberance of a remarkable personality. The panel with photographs of Slovak college students who won Jednota scholarships in 1974 (36 handsome boys and 25 attractive girls) is proof positive of the vital interest of the Jednota organization in higher education and of the high quality of intelligence in our talented youth. May our hopes in their future contributions to our �204 SLOVAKIA Slovak cause, our Jednota society and to American life be justified in the years ahead. By far the most colorful of the contents of the volume is the series of photos of the Sarisan Slovak folk-dancers of Detroit-Windsor and Pittsburgh's Slovakians directed by the dedicated Roman Niznik. "At the Lake" by Helen Majorossy, a new contributor (a talented linguist in Cleveland), is a pensive nature study. Sister M. Mercedes Voytko, SS. C.M., of Danville, Pa., analyzes the much debated controversy of the hyphen in "Czecho-Slovakia" and goes on to give an objective historical survey of the years from 1939 (the year of Slovak Independence and the formation of the Slovak Republic) to 1968 when the Soviet armies invaded the country and sealed its fate (for the time being at least) by leaving a permanent army of occupation. Slovak recruits for the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart are listed by name and contributing Slovak parishes: St. Michael's, Lansford, Pa., St. John's, Allentown, Pa., SS. Cyril and Methodius, Bethlehem, Pa., SS. Cy;ril and Methodius, Coaldale, Pa., St. Andrew's, Catasauqua, Pa., St. Mary's, Northampton, Pa., St. Mary's, McAdoo, Pa., Sacred Heart, Palmerton, Pa., SS. Cyril and Methodius, Reading, Pa., Our Mother of Sorrows, Bridgeport, Pa. Sister M. Bridget Ulicny, M.SE.C., a Slovak nun, has been general superior of the 1700 Sisters of the Sacred Heart the past three years with headquarters in Rome, Italy. A somber and profound note is added to the Furdek annual by Msgr. Jan Rekem, S.T.D., by his "Philosophy of History of the Slovak nation." Dr. Kirschbaum's highly documented commentary "Slovak Language under Communism'' gives the reaqer insight into how the historic language of the Slovak nation has been strongly subjected to pressures by the postwar communist regime in the past three decades. Undoubtedly, the ground-breaking ceremonies that are depicted at the beginning of the annual show that our Jednota is forging ahead and keeping pace with the pressing needs of a hew era. The highly important event that marked the start of a building development program and expansion of the Jednota Press headquarters is truly historic. It is another great milestone in the progress of our fraternal society that is meeting the challenge of our times with renewed hope and vigor. Joyce Iezzi's "Slovak Traditions" and the accompanying picture of the mixed Church choir of St. Florian's parish in United, Pa., provide incontrovertible evidence that our ancient and time-honored liturgy is very much alive despite recent radica•l changes in Church worship in many quarters. Paul Berish's "Chit-Chats with a Giant" is so genuine and heartwarming that the article merits a niche in the literary hall of fame, and the incidental meeting with Karol Sidor reflects the lasting impression the great Slovak political leader and diplomat at the Vatican made upon a total stranger who was a true son of St. Francis. Our Lady of Levocha Shrine in Bedford, Ohio, rates a well deserv• ed historical background furnished origin;illy by Sister M. Augustine, V.S.C., from Slovak sources for her collaborator, Sr. M. Regis, V.S.C., �SLOVAKIA the author of "The History of Our Lady of Levoca." Levoca (Levocha) is known to thousands of American Slovaks from the eastern Spis region where they were accustomed to go on pilgrimage each year to the famous Marian shrine in Slovakia. Editor's Note: On October 5, 1975, the Slovak nuns at the Marian shrine of Our Lady of Levocha in Bedford, Ohio, will commemorate the 45th anniversary of the Blessing of the statue (carved from the wood of an apple tree in Slovakia, touched by the miraculous statue of Mt. Levoca and sent to the U.S. in the summer of 1930) by Archbishop Joseph Schrembs, D.D. Nellie Kovalik, R.N., strikes an ecumenical note in her article, "New St. Gabriel's Candle" while Father Schmieder recalls the delightful activity of a lovable prelate "The Good Monsignor." Rev. Andrew V. Pier, O.S.B, Krcisa slovenskych pamiatkovych kostolov (The Beauty of Slovak Churches). Published by the St. Adalbert Society, Trnava, Slovakia. St. Adalbert Society Press, 1970. Slovakia can boast of many rare monuments of historical and artistic value, besides its wealth of natural beauty. One of the most important places among these monuments is taken by the old Roman Catholic churches which are unique from a historic, architectural and artistic point of view. These Slovak churches, whether they be cathe drals, or local parish churches are gems of sacred art from the gothic and baroque periods and are admired throughout international spheres of culture. Besides reflecting the art heritage of Slovakia 205 during specific periods, these churches remain a valuable source of art history. The review was published by the St. Adalbert Society (Spolok svateho Vojtecha ) in Trnava to com memorate the centenary of its founding in 1870. The front covel' depicts the majestic gothic sanctuary of St. Nicholas Cathedral in Trnava, enclosed by a septagonal apse and four sections of artistically worked reticulated vaulting. It was in this cathedral, which dates from the 14th century, that the founding meeting of the St. Adalbert Society took place on September 14, 1870. The following Slovak churchi:?s or shrines are depicted in this commemorative work: 1. The Holy Rood altar with the neo-gothic pulpit of the Cathedral of St. Martin in Bratislava. 2. The baroque altar in the sanctuary of the Good Church in thr Nitra Cathedral which dates from the year 1732 together with frescoes by G. A. Galliardi dating from 1720. 3. The gothic sanctuary and renaissance baroque main altar of the Roziiava cathedral dating from 1672. 4. The renaissance baroque main altar of St. Adalbert, dating from the 17th century in the Saris pilgrim shrine of Gaboltov. 5. The baroque main altar with the statue of the Sorrowful Mother, patroness of Slovakia in the basilica of Sastin. 6. The 15th century sanctuary and main altar of the pilgrim church at Stare Hory. 7. The gothic main altar, the work of Master Pavol of Levoca, together with frescoes dating from the 14th century in the pari,h church of St. James in Levoca. 8. The interior of the Marianka �206 SLOVAKIA pilgrim church, originally a gothic church today ornamented in baroque style. 9. The main altar of the Kosice Cathedral of Saint Elizabeth, the largest gothic altar in the world. 10. The reconstructed baroque Cathedral of the Assumption ln Banska Bystrica displaying main altar painting by J. L. Kracker dating from 1774. 11. The baroque Lady chapel, the work of G. R. Donner from the first half of the 18th century in the Cathedral of St. Nicholas in Trna'\la. 12. The 15th century altar of St. Michael the Archangel together with the main altar dating from the 19th century in the Church of St. Martin in Spisske Podhradie. The collection offers the student of Slovak ecclesiastical art a wide range of Slovak church art and architecture as found in Slovakia. Daniel F. Tanzone Slovak American Bicentennial Commission Through the initiative of the Slovak League of America and with the cooperative effort of the great majority of Slovak organizations, publications and other entities, a Slovak American Bicentennial Commission was formulated in 1974. The purpose of the Commission is to provide national celebrations commemorating the 200th Birthday of the United States of America in 1976. The first event will be held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in March, and the second week-long celebration will be held in Detroit, Michigan in June. It is expected that many tens of thousands of Slovak Americans will attend the festivities in Detroit. The Commission will also publish a commemorative book Slovaks in America-A Bicentennial Study, which will encompass a brief history of the Slovak Americans. The officers of the Slovak American Bicentennial Commission are: President, Frances Mizenko, National Secretary of the First Catholic Slovak Ladies Association; Vice President, Dr. Joseph Pauco, National Secretary of the Slovak League of America; and Secretary, Joseph Kristofik, Detroit, Michigan. The Chairman of the Editorial Board for the publication of the book Slovaks in America-A Bicentennial Study is Joseph C. Kra,isa, Editor of Jednota �SLOVAKIA 207 Who's Who Among Slovak Americans Ml CHAE L NOVAK Michael Novak has written two novels and several influential books, including The Rise of the Unmeltable Ethnics (1972), Choosing Our King (1974), The Experience of Nothingness (1970),A New Generation (1964), and Ascent of the Mountain, Flight of the Dove (1971). His books and articles have been published in nine languages. In two of his three years on the faculty at Stanford, 1967 and 1968, the Senior Class elected him "most influential professor." He was a judge for the National Bank Awards in 1972 and has been a juror for the DuPont Awards in Broadcast Journalism since 1971. He leads a seminar in television criticism for the Aspen Institute, and also chairs a private study group on the future of the city of Jerusalem. In 1970, he was a senior staff advisor for Sargent Shriver in congressional campaigns across the nation, and in 1972 he served with McGovern and then with Shriver. As associate director for humanities at the Rockefel- ler Foundation during 1973 and 1974, he created a new program for the humanities, ra1smg the Foundation's spending for the humanities from $400,000 to $4 million per year. He established a widely acclaimed Fellowship program, and instigated programs for working people and high school students under the title of "The Public Humanities.'' He has been a consultant to AT&T, IBM (for an interview in Think magazine), and has participated in many corporate seminars, including the annual seminar of Northern States Power Company in Minnesota. He is Executive Director of EMPAC (Ethnic Millions Political Action Committee), a consulting firm and membership organization, with a nationally recognized board and groups of active advisors in virtually every urban center. EMPAC supports aspirations for equality and justice on the part of the one in four Americans of white ethnic b a ck ground, particularly from Southern and Eastern European cultures. The firm is bi-partisan. �!08 SLOVAKIA Annual S L O V A K I A is published by the Slovak league of America, 313 Ridge Ave., Middletown, Pa. 17057. Subscription $4.00. Editor: Joseph Pauco, Ph.D. Editorial Board: Draga Divinska, Louis Kandra, Joseph M. Kirschbaum, Ph.D., Susan Mikula, Ph.D., Joseph A. Mikus, Ph.D., Fr. Andrew Pier O.S.B., M.A., Daniel F. Tanzone, Sister M. Tybor, SS.C.M., M.A. Our Contributo rs Dr. Arved Grebert, former Slovak diplomat, now in Switzerland Sonya Jason, Slovak American author, Woodland Hills, Ca:it. Joseph Pauco, Ph.D., author, historian, Middletown, Pa. Theodoric J. Zubek, O.F.M., author, Joliet, Ill. Konstantin Cu/en, author, historian (deceased) Anthony X. Sutherland, Ph.D., Columbus, Ohio Daniel F. Tanzone, teacher, Yonkers, N. Y. Sister M. Pamela Smith, SS .C.M., teacher, Danville, Pa. Andrew V. Pier, O.S.B., author, Cleveland, Ohio Antonia Mazanova, on faculty of music, University of Western Ontario Gabor Vermes, department of history, Rutgers Universi ty J. M. Kirschbaum, LL.D., Ph.D., historian, Toronto, Ontario Joseph C. Krajsa , Editor, Jednota, Middletown, Pa. Paul Fia/kovic, Robert Pojer, John Berta - Slovak League of America Scholarship Winners �PRI NTI D IN U.S. A. JIDN OTA PlllN TER Y, MID DLli TOW N, PA. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource 1975, Vol. 25 Description An account of the resource Vol. 25 (No. 48), 1975. Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available The Slovak League of America Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1975 Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document SLOVAKIA 190 As others see it We are fortunate, in Canada, in having within our midst, a strong and vital Slovak community. Our many traditions, mingled together throughout society cannot but make us a stronger, more resilient, more tolerant and understanding people. - Pierre EUiot Trudeau Freedom and independence have long been the backbone of Slovak national thought. The Slovak people now suffer under Communist domination and yet have made tremendous sacrifices on both personal and national levels to preserve their native culture, language, and religion. One-third of all Slovak people now live in the United States and in other parts of the Western World. Freedom-loving people throughout Michigan and the world join with Slovak people in their desire to reestablish independence from totalW illiam G. Militarian rule. liken, Governor of the State of Michigan Your continuing efforts to share Slovak traditions and culture are a source of pride to all Americans. - Robert P. Griffin, U.S. Senator As one whose ancestors grew up and lived in Slovakia, I am very proud of my Slovak heritage. Moreover, we Americans of Slovak background can also point with pride to the tremendous contributions the people of the American Slovak Community have made to our great nation. - Philip E . Ruppe, Member of Congress In my own experience, I have found Slovak Americans to be bright, industrious, and filled with a zest for life. Moreover, you have successfully preserved a sense of identity and pride in the Slovak roots, a passion which has been further nourished by the more recent arrivals. As a Slovak citizen recently told a western newsman, "Here we have absolutely no shortage of unful filled desires." Some day in our lifetimes, I trust, democracy and individual liberty will live again in the land of your forefathers. - Lucien N. Nedzi, Member of Congress America is an immeasurably better nation because of the tremen dous contributions of Slovaks. Vigor and dedication to excellence have epitomized the Slovak way of life on America's farmlands, in her cities and educational institution3 and on the Apollo flight to the moon of Commander Eugene Cernan. In remembering Slovakia, you are reminding the world of the special ethnic heritage of Slovaks around the world. - Marvin L . Esch, Member of Congress The Slovak people are a proud and talented people who have enriched the lives of the many countries in which they live. We can all be proud of the contribution of Slovak people to the development of America. The Slovak people have helped to build this country into a great democracy, while retaining their ethnic identity. William S. Broomfield, Member of Congress Although self-determination and democracy have been denied them, the freedom-loving Slovak people have maintained their traditions even after many centuries of foreign oppression. SLOVAKIA Slovaks living in the western world continue to cherish the dream of an independent Slovak nation. Coieman A. Young, Mayor, City of Detroit Catholic Church is the prime target of the Communists in Slovakia because she is considered an organization that is administered by the Vatican and is in contradiction with the idea of a state-controlled church as is the case in Russia. The major pressure is on the practising Catholics who live their faith, and not so much on the so-called "Catholics of the baptismal register." State employees in influential positions and the teachers are hardest hit. After the removal of Dubcek, they were all carefully scrutinized and their files updated. Only the teachers and professors who are considered reliable Marxists can teach in the high schools and universities. It is requiried of them to sever their affiliation with their Church. That is a condition which must be fulfilled if they wish to keep their post. , In the high schools the teaching of religion is forbidden. In the elementary schools, religion can be taught only if both parents demand it for their children. The headmasters are obliged to try to persuade them not to send the children to religion classes. They have to warn the parents about the grave and adverse consequences this would have if they persist. The parents could lose their good positions in employment, and the children may find it difficult to be accepted for higher studies. All teachers and higheT-ranking white collar workers must be party members or they are subject to obligatory courses in Marxistatheistic ideology. After the fall of 191 Dubcek, more than 30,000 Marxist agitators were trained and no w they are conducting re-educational courses among the students and the intelligentsia. Anybody who refuses such courses is considrered an opponent of the regime and his " negative attitude" is entered into his "cadre" file which accompanies every citizen. The assessment in the file can make it hard to get or to change employment for which the person may have qualifications. The ideological pressure is felt, too, in the family circle. The communist ideal is a family without religion. The generation gap in socialism is intensified because in the family circle unity is destroyed - there is two-track thinking. The open practice of the Faith is in conflict with the ideology of the state. Therefore, the parents have to hide their religious conviction from their children or from each other. If they dare to bring up their children in the Faith, if they teach them to pray, there is the danger that the children will betray them in the school and that leads to stress and conflicts in the family. The denial of religious freedom has, in practice, painful consequences in the very nucleus of human society. Bishop Dominic Kai'ata Slovak Communist authorities have stepped up their promotion of "civil ceremonies" to replace baptism, confirmation, wedding and funeral ceremonies in church. Austrian Catholic sources reported from Slovakia, that "wedding centers" and "funeral halls" for civil ceremonies have been installed in many areas. More than 1750 committees were formed to organize the ceremonies. The sources said such civil rites 192 SLOVAKIA have failed to meet with much suecess. Slovak Interior Minister Egyd Pepych has complained that only 3.4 per cent of people who died in Czecho-Slovakia were buried with civil ceremonies. "The Citizens Committees still have much work to do," he said. Communist officials intensified propaganda in recent w1ieks, our sources said. They distributed booklets explaining the purpose and advantages of the ceremonies. Moreover, "presents" are distributed in the civil program that seeks to replace Christian baptism, confirmation and matrimony. Slovak newpapers and I!'lagazines have published reports of civil ceremonies to increase interest. One Communist daily described a civil "baptism" as follows: "A committee secretary took the baby out of the hands of the mother and placed it into a hand-carved cradle. The parents-both teachers -vecited a promise: "We, the parents, solemnly declare that we will do everything in our power to educate our son as an outstanding citizen of our Socialist country." _ (RNS) Communist professors and state officials in Czecho-Slovakia have been waging a persistent campaign against religion despite constitutional guarantees of freedom of thought and religious choice. This is the central point of Italian Jesuit Father Guiseppe Rulli, writing in the Rome Jesuit review Civilta Cattolica. In a long analytical article, Fr. Rulli examines the writings of several eminent Marxist professors attacking religion and the Roman Catholic Church in particular over the past several years. Among the authors cited by Fr. Rulli were Ladislav Tomasek of the Marxist Leninist Institute of Bratislava; Frantisek Kubovic of the Slovak University, and Minister of Culture Jaroslav Hajek. Despite the Communist government's claims that it is tolerant of religion, Father Rulli stressed that over the past few years a consistent campaign has been mounted against religious freedom . The professors in particular have called for "a battle against idealistic philosophy," which for Fr. Rulli is "without a doubt religious philosophy." Father Rulli cited an article by Frantisek Kubovic in which the Slovak professor declared : "to Catholicism in socialist countries it is not possible to grant 'freedom of action,' because that would mean going along with its anti-socialistic, anti-communist, anti-state and antinational attitudes. Therefove, it is indispensable that it be placed under the control of the socialist state so that political activity and the exploitation of the religious feelings of believers may be halt1id ." Demands by the bishops to be allowed to carry out their religious functions in freedom, to run their seminaries without state control and to enjoy the right of giving instruction freely have been interpreted as examples of their antisocialist, anticommunist attitudes, Father Rulli stated. He also pointed out: "The Czech and Slovak communists accuse the Catholic Church of being an expression of an unilluminating idealism of defending a nonscientific and negative vision of the world and of always having been opposed to communism." In the early 70's both Slovak and Czech public officials moved in on the Catholic Church to restrict its freedom. In 1970, Fr. Rulli report- SLOVAKIA ed, the Slovak Socialist Republic made it a requirement that priests get government permission to celebrate even a private Mass. Authorities of the Czech Republic followed suit. This was only the beginning of greater and more restrictive controls placed on the bishops and the parishes, Father Rulli reported. Concluding his observations, Fr. Rulli declared that from the opening attacks on religion, "religious faith has been considered an expression of sentiment," and there fore must be controlled by the state to safeguard the people. (NC) In the struggle against communism the Church has always offered the stiffest resistance and countless members of the clergy have sacrificed their lives for their faith and country. The Catholic Church ')f Lithuania was brutally persecuted by the Kremlin regime as were thC' Churches of other nations under the despotic yoke of Moscow. Msgr. Jozef Tiso was the wartime president of the Slovak Republic (Independent Lithuania officially recognized Slovakia in 1939) and was executed by the communists in 1947 because he refused to betray his people and proclaim Slovakia a Soviet republic. As the prelatepresident of his country, Msgr. Tiso provided his beloved Slovakia with a Christian-democratic ideology and based his politics on papal encyclicals, Christian philosophy and national Slovak traditions. Two hours before his execution on the gallows Msgr. Tiso wrote this final message from prison to the Slovak people. The eloquence of this fare well also symbolizes the spirit with which -the heroic priests of Lithuania offered up their lives on the altar of freedom for the salvation of their country and in Heaven in 193 the pFesence of the Almighty became the radiant hope of the Lith uanian people. "In the spirit of this sacrifice which I am about to make," wrot':l Dr. Tiso, "these are my words to the Slovak people: Be unanimous and united in pursuing always, everywhere and in every respect the great principle : For God and for the Nation! This is not only the unequivocal intent of Slovak history, but also the explicit command of God, who mad e it the law of nature, and inculcated it in the nation and all its members. This law I have served all my life and for this reason I regard myself as a martyr in the defense of Chri,tianity against Bolshevism, against which our nation must in all possible ways defend itself, and n ot only in order to remain true to its Christian character, but also in th'} interest of its future survival. In the same way as I am as!dng all of you to remember me in your prayers, so will I also pray to God Al mighty on your behalf and supplicate that He bless the Slovak people in their life-struggle for God and for the nation, and that the Slovak nation shall always remain a faithful and devoted son to the Church of Christ." Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord! - Bulletin of the Lithuanian Affairs Committ ee In Slovakia, dozens of churches stand half-finished because of an edict forbidding new building of them. Unofficially, childrm, who go to church can't go to trade school or the university. But that doesn't matter as much as being home, even though strange things are happening to that home. I expected to find little old ladies, safe in the security of family 194 SLOVAKIA doing folk arts and embroidery. In stead, Slovakia has gone doubleknit. "Do you have a car?" was the first question, usually. And then, "Do you have a color television set?" . There is a song they sing over endless vodkas when the sun goes down, a song that obviously has never been written down. "Our lives are much better here," is the rough translation, "since our fath• ers went to work in America." In some of the villages we visit, social and economic status is determined by who has relatives in the U.S. If your father happened to go there to work, you get Social Security benefits, and you are comfortable . If he worked in the mines around Wilkes-Barl'le and caught the black lung, you are wealthy. American money is important, because Czecho-Slovak money won't buy much. It's not unusual to find houses with television sets but no toilets, simply because it's easier to buy television sets than plumbing materials. But if you have American money, you can buy "boni" - special certificates which must be spent in six months - to use in the Tuzex. And perhaps the Tuzex is the most telling memory of Slovakia. It is a store that accepts only foreign currency. There is fruit juice and liquor, dry goods and clothing. The!'le are baby carriages and radios. The people crowd in, sometimes pushing each other like so many American suburbanites at a bargain basement sale. In a corner, one woman is selling her "boni." When I pull out a notebook to mark down prices, people stare. A friend cautions me to put away the notebook, and the tension ebbs. Over it all, staring down on the Ban-Lon and baby carriages, is a picture of Lenin. - Carol Towarnicky, Philadelphia Daily News, December 28, 1974. Book Reviews BOOKS AND STUDIES ON SLOVAKIA AND SLOVAKS Reviewed by Prof. J. M. K i r s c h b a u m Robert W. Dean, Nationalism and historiography mostly as a footnote Political Change in Eastern Eu· or a postscript to Czech history rope: The Slovak Question and and were seen "through the Czech the Czechoslovak Reform Move- eyes" by specialists in Eastern Eument, University of Denver, Col- rope, several recent studies (Galia orado, The Social Science Foun- Golan, Eugene Steiner, John Condation and Graduate School of way etc.) departed from this politiInternational Studies, Monograph cally and ideologically oriented Series in World Affairs, Vol. 10, tradition. 1973. Among the large numbers of While in the past Slovakia and books published on post-war politiSlovaks were treated in Western cal developments in Czecho-Slova- SLOVAKIA kia and especially on the "Dubcek period," Robert W. Dean's concise study seems to be the most objective and his analysis of the reform movement free of anti-Slovak bias. Moreover, the value of Dean's book lies in its research and evaluation of original sources published in Czech Lands or in Slovakia during the period under his examination. As a result, Dean is drawing quite a different picturie of Slovakia's post-war political situation and aspirations of her leadership and population from the account of some other specia1.sts in that area. Communist governments in Prague were not more successful in solving the Slovak question than were the bourgeois governments before the war, and even the purges of leading Slovak Communists for alleged "bourgeois nationalism" were not able to silence the cries for equality, justice and self-government. Slovak intellectuals fought, therefore, not only for the reform of the system, but also for the solution of the Slovak question, because "In Slovakia, the distortion of the Novotny system had been expressed by the subjugation of national aspirations - political, economic and cultural." (p. 28) In 1968, the year of liberalization brought also by the opposition of Slovak intellectuals, Slovaks cla imed more than federalization in Dean's view. There were clear voices of leading intellectuals for confederation and the Slovak Republic of 1939-45 was not only put into a more objective light, but its existence was to remind Prague that there was another solution of the Slovak question. Dean quotes from Kuiturny zivot: " ... it will nevertheless remain true that the Slovak Republic existed as the national state of the 195 Slovaks, the only one in our history ... Let us not turn away from it; it is part of our national traditions. It is important for an accurate scrutiny of our national idea to know that the idea or the remembrance of the Slovak state's independence is alive in the national memory. It connot be ignored forever in examining the alterna tives in the solution of the perspectives of a small nation .. ." (Pavol Stevcek, "Sev,e.ral Theses on the Situation of the Slovak Nation," Kulturny zivot, No. 3, August 2, 1968) . Husak is portrayed by Dean as one of the most articulate promoters of federalization but he did not fail to notice that Husak used the movement for federalization to come to power and abandoned it in order to remain in power. As a result, the Slovak question remained unsolved. The present situation is "centralism in a new guise" (see pages 28-37 ) and the persecution of intellectuals by Husak's regime is but a confirmation of his fear that they could expose the true aspirations of the Slovak people. Die Slowakische Volkskultur (Slo- vak Folk Arts and Culture) . Edited by Emilia Horvathova and Viera Urbancova. Published by Slovak Academy of Sciences, (Bratislava, 1972), 304 pages, 342 illustrations. Slovak folk arts and folk culture have long attracted the attention of foreign visitors and ethnographers by their beauty, richness of colors and inexhaustible fantasy. Some observers regard Slovaks "artists by birth," whose songs and national costumes have a natural expression of a poetry full of sensibility and freshness and whose carvings, toolmakings, paintings and architecture of peasant houses 196 SLOVAKIA excell by a constructive sense of color and design. Exposed for centuries to foreign domination and assimilation, Slovaks cultivated folk arts, songs and costumes as an expression of national consciousness and national identity and pre served a great part of them to this day. The book Die Slowakische Volkskultur deals with and reflects the rich cultural heritage of the Slovak people. It contains elev,e n contributions by eight authors, of whom 5 are women. All contributors belong to the younger generation educated at post-war universities in Slovakia, but they also refer to essays and studies by scholars of earlier periods. The title of the book is actually the same as was the title of the first book in German on Slovak folk art and culture by R. Bednarik, published during the Slovak Republic (Bratislava, 1943) . The present book is larger in scope and relies on new research and scholarly methods. The growth of universities in Slovakia is reflected in many fields of academic endeavor previously neglected. Ethnography was one of these fields even though the first known ,e thnographer among Slavs, P. J. Safarik, was from Slovakia. In spite of regimentation and political pressures, the present Slovak universities produced experts in many disciplines, including ethnography. The book Die Slowakische Volkskultur is a product of this new cultural atmosphere in Slovakia. Divided into eleven chapters, the volume deals with practically all aspects of the life of Slovakia's population - from agriculture and came breeding to family life, housebuilding, folk arts, superstitions and customs. Individual chap- ters are illustrated by photographs, many of them well chosen and enhancing the value of the book. It should be stressed, however, that foreign readers should not visualize present day Slovakia as depicted in this book. Folk arts and folk culture belong to the past in Slovakia as in any other Europ!7 an country and are but a part of Slovak cultural heritage. Slovakia kept pace with European cultural development and is adorned by hundreds of medieval fortresses, cast1es and churches of Renaissance and Baroque art. The beautiful valleys and hills lost their original beauty to industrialization and technological progress did not bypass Slovaks and Slovakia. J. Stasko, Slovaks in the United States of America, Edition Dobra Kniha, (Galt, Ontario, 1974) 79 pages, bibl. and statistics. This concise study contains valuable basic information on a number of topics pertaining to the history of the Slovaks in the United States. There are several mohographs by F . Hrusovsky, J. Pauco and others and two volumes history of American Slovaks by K. culen in the Slovak language but Stasko's work is the first scholarly outline in English and as such should be welcome. The author divided his study into 14 short chapters co·v ering the his- torical background of the Slovak nation, causes and effects of the migration of Slovaks, statistical survey of Slovaks in the United States and their hard beginnings and life in America. Briefly but with solid knowledge of the subjects and appropriate statistics Dr. Stasko analyses the social conditions, religions and civic organizations, education, contributions to American political and economic SLOVAKIA development and the assimilation process. The booklet is an intelligent look at the basic questions which a historian has to deal with in writing a history of an ethnic group in today's United States. It is, however, rather an outline for a longer book, than a comprehensive story of some 3 million Americans of Slovak origin. No doubt, scholars and students of American history will welcome Dr. Stasko's study as a valuable source of information, while American Slovak historians should be encouraged to use it as a solid foundation and a well balanced structure for a comprehensive history of Slovaks in the United States. The large number of monographs on Slovak-American fraternal organizations, parishes, religious orders, regional histories and preserved newspapers and publica tions will make it possible, even in the absence of regular archives, to prepare for the second centennial of America a history book which will tell other Americans and Slovaks as well the fascinating saga of struggles, trials and final success of American Slovaks. The value of Stasko's work for American historians also lies in his brief survey of Slovak history and in his suggested approach to studying and understanding Slovak history. As often mentioned, the neighbors of Slovakia who wanted to dominate and rule Slovaks, suc ceeded in misleading many historians to accept a false concept of the history of the Slovak people. Even if recent history books seem to be more free of anti-Slovak bias and conceptional errors, there will be for a long time urgent need for serious literature in English and other work. languages on Slovakia and Slovaks. 197 Eckbert K. Jahn, Die Deutschen in der Slowakei 1918-1929, (Germans in Slovakia 1918-1929) , Collegium Carolinum (Munich, 1971), 186 pages, bib!. Jahn's book on German minority in Slovakia is a valuable contribution to the history of Slovakia and it is only to be regretted that he limited his research to such a short period. Neglected before the War and written with ideological prejudice by communist historians since 1948, the history of national minorities in Slovakia is very little known. Yet, the role of minorities in Slovakia's history was of great political, cultural and economic importance. German settlements in Slovakia go back to the 14th century at which time, according to the author, there were over 200,000 Germans on Slovak territory. In 19181929 the German minority counted some 150,000 people. Before the first World War Germans of Slovakia were closer to Magyars than to Slovaks in their political and cultural leanings, but during the centuries which proceed the era of nationalism they helped to develop Slovak cities, mining industries, trades and commerce to the benefit of Slovakia. On the other hand, they were at the origin of the religious division of Slovaks. After the First World War Germans in Slovakia did not take part in Slovak struggle for autonomy and equal status with the Czechs. Affiliated with the socialist and partly with the communist parties, they fought in Prague for minority rights together with other German3 of Czecho-Slovakia. Jahn's study sheds light on many aspects of the life of the German minority in Slovakia and even though the author was not allowed 198 SLOVAKIA by the communist regime to study the archives, except for statistics concerning the elections, he wrote an interesting book, well researched and remarkably free of bias. It is predominantly a political history with special emphasis on the interplay of nationalism and patriotism. -,'he book is divided into six chapters and contains interesting statistics about political and linguistic polarization not only among Germans but also among Jews in Slovakia who claimed German or Hungarian as their mothertongue. The fate of German minority in Slovakia was tragic. First they were indiscriminately murdered by Soviet and Slovak communist partisans and then expelled from Slorakia within the scheme of Dr. Benes' policy of revenge which the Slovaks were unable to change. An extensive bibliography of works in German, Slovak and Engli,h enhanced the value of the book. Victor Mamatey and R. Luza, (ed.) A H isto ry of the Czechoslovak Republic 1918-1948, Princeton U- niversity Press (Princeton, N. J. 1973). More than a score of writers contributed to this volume and while some of them are known as historians with established reputation (Mamatey, Taborsky, Hoensch, Rhode, Wandycz, etc), others are less known or do not belong to the academic community at all (A. J osko) . As a result, the value of individual contributions varies and the points of view differ, except for the general tendency which favors Czechs and views the Slovak question through Czech eyes. In the contributions by Professor Mamatey and J. K. Hoensch, which belong to the best in the volume, this bias was to a great degree avoided. Both are thoroughly acquainted with the subject and they even corrected some malicious accusations of Slovaks (e.g. cooperation with Germans before 1938) spread in the West by Czechs and their Slovak fellow-travelers (J. Lettrich) . Nevertheless, we can also say about this volume what the Canadian historiaq Z. Pech wrote about Western specialists in Eastern European History: "The history of Slovaks in the West has usually been presented from the point of view of 'Czechoslovakism' and has appeared as hardly more than a postscript to Czech history." (Canadian Slavonic Papers, X, 4, 1968). The most conspicuous example of bias in this volume is the contribution by Anna Jasko, whose article -in style and concept-is of such value that it would not be accepted by any serious journal. In R. Lufa's selected bibliography the prejudice against Slovaks who do not advocate Czech domination over Slovakia, attained the point of the ridiculous. And more or less the same can be said about the selection of sources and references quoted. With one or two exceptions, the majority of contributors quoted or referred exclusively to sources which favor the Czechoslovak concept and are hostile to Slovak aspirations for national independence. If we disregard the bias of many contributions, the book can be re garded as a vast source of informa tion. Especially the two chapters by Prof. Mamatey (The Establishment of the Republic and The Development of Czechoslovak Dem0cracy) and Hoensch's survey of the Slovak Republic present well documented accounts of the periods treated by the authors. Taborsky's contribution on "Politics in Exile" SLOVAKIA has all the attributes of academic writing but he displays the usual Czech unfounded conceit when writing about Slovaks. As the .thorough research of British archives by Prof. F. Vnuk indicates, it is hardly true that "Benes prevailed with ease over his few challengers among the exiled statesmen, such as the former Czecho-Slovak premier, Milan Hodza and Czecho-Slovakia's envoy to Paris, Stefan 0 susky ... ". And it is completely untrue that Benes "fully respected the opposite view holding the Czechs and Slovaks to be two different Slav nations" or that "the Czech-Slovak relations created no problem during the war." It is regrettable that even a historian of Taborsky's reputation wrote such mystifications. 199 riodicals, published in Europe, the United States and Canada. The essays have been written mostly by historians of the younger generation of foreign and Slovak origin, the latter predominantly educated in the West. Notheworthy among the essays is John S. Conway's article in The Slavonic and East European Review (Volume LIi, 126, January, 1974, London, England): "The Churches, the Slovak State and the Jews 1939-1945." The subject was treated in the past by several spe cialists in Eastern Europe (:l'.lurica, Lipscher, Jellinek) and further studies are to be expected. Conway's treatise seems to be the most objective by a foreign historian, and free of usual bias against Slovaks advocating the independence The editors expressed thanks to of Slovakia. Czech emigre politicians who left Prof. Mark Stolarik's essay on their country after their unsuccess- "Agrarian Problems in Slovakia ful collaboration with the commu- 1848-1918," published in Histoire nists "for their advice and encour- Sociale - Social History (Vol. VIII, agement in organizing this study," 3, University of Ottawa, May, 1974), and they "have greatly profited is a valuable contribution to a field from the valuable help of the which was generally neglected by Council of Free Czechoslovakia in Slovak historians until recently. It Washington, D. C." This clearly in- is an historiographic essay and will dicates the background and purpose provide useful information for of the book. The fact that there is further study. among the contributors from the Contemporary political developSlovak side only Prof. Mamatey and ments in Slovakia have been a clerk of the Library of Congress, treated by Prof. Stanislav J . KirschAnna Josko, confirms the prejudice baum of York University in Toand political bias mentioned above. ronto in two essays. Canadian JourAnd this is to be regretted especial- nal of Political Science (Vol. VII, ly for the reason that the book wiH 2, June, 1974) published his French be listed under the name of Prof. essay "Le nationalisme minoritaire: Mamatey who is a reputable hisle cas de la Tcheco-Slovaquie" (Natorian. tionalism of Minorities - the Case Czecho-Slovakia) in which the of ESSAYS ON SLOVAKIA Slovak question is subject to a In recent years, Slovak histol") thorough and objective analysis. The events of 1968 with special and the present political situation in Slovakia became the subject of regard for Slovakia are treated by essays and articles in academic pe- Dr. Stanislav Kirschbaum in the 200 SLOVAKIA (Vol. 15, Munich, 1973), an annual published by Collegium Carolinum and specialized in problems of Czecho-Slovakia. Under the title "Kontinuitat und politischen Wechsels in der Tschecho-Slowakei 1968" (Continu ity ,a nd Political Change in CzechoSlovakia 1968) Prof. Kirschbaum gives Western historians a well documented view of the reform and liberalization movement which was generally ascribed to Czechs in Western historiography even though Slovaks were its spearhead. Bohemia- Jahrbuch Eran Laor: Vergangen und ausgeloscht (Erinnerungen an das slowakisch-ungarische Judentum Reminiscences about Slovak-Magyar Jews), Deutsche Verlags-Anstalt, Stuttgart, 1972, 280 pp. Review by Dr. Arved G r e b e r t, Geneva. - A translation A. P. The author of this book until recently was director of a Jewish Travel Agency in Geneva, Switzerland. Eran Laor was born in 1900 in the Slovak town of Cifer in southwestern Slovakia. In this fas cinating book, which is only the first volume of a projected trilogy, he describes town life in Cifer during the first twenty-two years of his own life there, and his student days at the Slovak cultural center in Trnava and later in Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia at the present time. This book by Eran Laor is an invaluable record of Jewish life in Slovakia at the beginning of this century. Laor's father was a well known and highly r•e spected doctor in the region. When he died, writes the author, the people and priests from nearby villages came to pay their last respects to a highly revered humanitarian. Interesting incidents in the book illustrate the symbiosis between the Jews and Slovak people. The history of the Skvarenina, Du~insky and Peterselka (Petrzelka) families from· 1700 portrays in miniature the destiny of the Jews in Slovakia: by their customs, and a revelation of their thoughts and feelings, and a list of their successes and tragedies. Slovakia became a refuge and an island of freedom for the Jews in the 17th and 18th centuries when the author's predecessors settled in the western town of Sen ic1 in 1700. They came from nearby Moravia on the Slovak border because stringent restrictions .h ad been placed on the Jews in all Czech-ruled lands at the time. The author's narrative is chiefly based on family documents such a, family correspondence, locll registries and other official documents, and inscriptions on tombstones , as well as on oral traditions in his immediate family circle. Laor's work is a valuable addition to the history of Slovakil. His concluding chapters, in wh ich he describes the war years in Bratislava (first World War) and subsequently Czech domination of the country, is very interesting. He correctly terms this period as "Czech occup1tion," and he admits tha t he personally participated in demonstrations protesting against the pos~war regime. From his early youth Eran Laor was active as a writer, as a poet and philosophical reviewer. Ha published these in German, Magyar, Hebrew, French and En ] lish. Although originally he wrote chiefly in Magyar, he stopped writing in this language in protest to the wave of anti-semitism that swept ove:· Hungary immediately after the first World War. Today he writes exclusively in Hebrew, German and SLOVAKIA French but speaks Slovak fluently. From a literary standpoint the book has great value. His style is elegant and his interpretations of events far-reaching. Laor's commentaries give the reader an impression of his wide and rich experiences and wisdom. Above all, he manifests warm effection for his people and love for the country where he was born and spent the most wonderful years of his life : his childh0od and youth. A grand seigneur, in the ful! sense of the word, a person ·µho actually existed in the flesh, an ideal person, is depicted by the author in his book, and he has preserved this image of a sterling personality for our materialisticminded world. Character was still admired in the common homeland of the J ews and Slovaks in his time. Many full page photographs enrich the book. There are pictures of the tombstones of his ancestors: the Skvareninas, Dusinskys in Nadas, his parents in Cifer, and the picture of the Palfy castle in' Pudmerice, photos of Trnava and Bratislava. As we have stated above, this is the first volume of his memoirs. Future volumes promise to be equally interesting, for the author went to live in Constantinople (Istanbul) where he was manager of a family commercial firm. He continued to write poetry, translated poetic works from Turkish and Greek writers, and became intensely involved in the Zionistic movement. During the second World War he worked indefatigably in various high positions to save his £ellow Jews in Europe. After the establishment of the independent state of Israel he became one of the chief founders of the Jewish navy. 201 As director of the Jewish Agency he has rendered invaluable service to his people. One of the most serious problems faced by the fledgling Jewish state of Israel in the beginning was the small number of Jewish inhabitants. Under Laor's dynamic leadership this was soon remedied through the work of the Jewish Agency in Geneva, Switzerland. In a few short years fully one and a half million Jews were transported from Europe to Israel. This influx of Jewish immigrants from the Continent at a critical stage strengthened the economy of the new state and furnished man-power for Israel, all of which enabled Israel to defend itself successfully against the attacks of the neighboring Arabic countries in the ensuing years. Eran Laor's contributions for the establishment and preservation of the state of Israel have been important and vital from the very beginning of its history in our times. Woodlands Above - Mines Below, by Rev. Andrew V. Pier, O.S.B Published by the First Catholic Slovak Union, Cleveland, Ohio. Printed by the Jednota Press, Middletown, Pa. 120 pp., with pictorial supplement, 1974. Price: $2.00 soft cover and $3.00 hard cover. The latest English publication of the First Catholic Slovak Union, printed by its Jednota Press in Middletown, Pa., "Woodlands Above-Mines Below," is virtually a translation by the author, Father Andrew V. Pier, O.S.B., M.A., of his original Slovak edition "Nau nami hory-pod nami bane," which came off the press under his ancient family name, "Pir". The Slovak book was published by the Slovak Institute in Rome, Italy in 202 SLOVAKIA 1972. The English version is revised somewhat and at least eight new episodes have been added. Father Pier is a Slovak Benedictine Monk of St. Andrew's Abbey in Cleveland, Ohio, so it was proper that his superior, the Rt. Rev. Abbot Jerome Koval, O.S.B., wrote the Foreword to his new book. Abbot Koval introduces the mountain village of Blandburg, Pennsylvania, to the readers of this unique volume on life there more than a half century ago. His personal impressions of the locale of the series of boyhood experiences of the author prepare the reader for many pleasant surprises in the book. The book has been selling very v.rell to date. Aside from hundreds of single orders, there have been orders for six, a dozen, fifty, and even for a 100 copies. The early sales indicate that the book will be going to its second printing. The reactions of the readers so far range from such exclamations as 'unbelievable,' 'colorful,' 'a bittersweet work of nostalgia,' 'true to life,' 'the good old days,' 'sweet memories,' 'told simply and beautifully, ' to immediate criticism as 'a modern utopia,' 'a town that never existed' and 'a too, too sweet picture of a town this side of heaven.' At the very outset, however, the author gives his word of honor that all the episodes recounted occured in actual life. At any rate, each reader can judge for himself what rings true or what is imaginative in the book of memories of happenings in a small town in the heart of the Alleghenies in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Christmas scenes are given the spotlight with no less than three incidents in the very beginningincidents that tug at the heartstrings and set the stage for a happy childhood as seen through the eyes of a bright-eyed, care-free, though pensive boy who never ceased to gaze at the parade of life around him with wonder and joy of being alive. School, not the in-thing for most schoolboys, proved to be a pleasant interlude in early life for a boy to learn and anxious to please his parents and teachers-but he was by no means a teacher's pet. A well-merited tribute is given to the zealous priests who paid parlicular attention to the spiritual needs of their immigrant parishioners. Teachers, physicians, and even the businessmen rate a note of genuine appreciation, while a much admired high school principal gets a special chapter dedicated to his immortal memory. Probably the most popular story in the entire book is that of a recalcitrant bovine creature. Wild life-rabbits, grouse, deer, snakes and bears-is discussed from various angles, as are guns that are both a menace to nature's woodland creatures or a means of maintaining a balance in our ecologydepending on one's point of view. Lightening from the sky, the $20 cigar and a fire are true-to-life acc:mnts of the author in the unusual procession of experiences that are narrated in simple inimitable style. Reference to the work in the brickyard and toil in the mines give a prosaic but realistic touch to an otherwise nostalgic, and in many respects, a utopian picture of the writer's hometown. Moreover, the account of the sudd-e n mysterious appearance of the Ku Klux Klan appears like an ominous black cloud obliterating the rainbow in the sky above Blandburg, but it disappear~ as quickly as it appeared on the horizon. Meditative reflections on "The Good Earth" provide the back- SLOVAKIA ground to the types of people who lived in the village: 1) Oldtimers, 2) Immigrants, 3) The Justice of Peace, and 4) Boarders. All in all, the book presents an authentic portrayal of a phase of life that was and probably will never again be repeated. Doubtless, the book has not exhausted the memory bank, either of the writer or of the people who experienced a similar way of life. That's the key to the popularity of this book - -people can say, "Why I too re member an incident .... " In fact, Father Pier is writing the episodes for them in this book. So this collection of vignettes will stimulate others to recall and record their experiences so that our generation, and future generations, will not only find pleasure in reading about them, but derive inspiration in the great adventure of life under God. There is a pictorial supplement at the end of the book which seems like an afterthought, but it serves to strengthen the authenticity of th~ work that will hopefully open the door to a whole series of narrations of life in America at the early part of the 20th century. Joseph C. Krajsa Jednota Annual FURDEK. Edited by Joseph C. Krajsa. Published ny the First. Catholic Slovak Unnion, Cleveland, Ohio. l-rinted by Jednota Press, Middletown, Pa. Vol. XIV, 175 pages. Price : $3.00. This year's edition ot the annual Furdek, publication of the Jednota, features a number of new writers who join such regular standbys as Msgr. Jan Rekem, S.T.I'., and Dr. Joseph Kirschbaum, LL.D., Ph.D., of Canada, and Rev. Andrew Pier, O.S.B., and Daniel Tanzone of this country. Edward Kovac's "Ca., tles and Chateaux in Slovakia" with striking photographs of Bojnice, Orava, Lupca, Nedeca, Trencin, Strecno, Devin and Bratislava castles gives the reader a graphic picture of the beauty and gra11deur of only a few of the medieval strongholds in Slovakia, for altogether there are approximately two hundred castles and more than a thousand mansions scattered throughout the historic homeland of our Slovak forefathers. Father Stevko's pictorial montage of his variegated work as missioner, doctor and teacher in the Indonesian missions on the island of West Flores is a reminder of the fact that many Slovak priests, nuns, and Brothers are in the missions in Asia (Indonesia, the Philippines, Japan, South Korea, Burma, India), Africa and South America, as well as in New Guinea and a number of islands in the South Pacific, and Australia. "The Apostolate of Msgr . .C:ugen Filkorn" is a tribute to a dedicated and holy Slovak educator at the University of Bratislava by a former student at the Svoradov Catholic fraternity house at the Slovak university_ Daniel Tanzone's review of the life of Father K11basek on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the Slovak leader's death in Yonkers, N.Y. is a timely rememberance of a remarkable personality. The panel with photographs of Slovak college students who won Jednota scholarships in 1974 (36 handsome boys and 25 attractive girls) is proof positive of the vital interest of the Jednota organization in higher education and of the high quality of intelligence in our talented youth. May our hopes in their future contributions to our 204 SLOVAKIA Slovak cause, our Jednota society and to American life be justified in the years ahead. By far the most colorful of the contents of the volume is the series of photos of the Sarisan Slovak folk-dancers of Detroit-Windsor and Pittsburgh's Slovakians directed by the dedicated Roman Niznik. "At the Lake" by Helen Majorossy, a new contributor (a talented linguist in Cleveland), is a pensive nature study. Sister M. Mercedes Voytko, SS. C.M., of Danville, Pa., analyzes the much debated controversy of the hyphen in "Czecho-Slovakia" and goes on to give an objective historical survey of the years from 1939 (the year of Slovak Independence and the formation of the Slovak Republic) to 1968 when the Soviet armies invaded the country and sealed its fate (for the time being at least) by leaving a permanent army of occupation. Slovak recruits for the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart are listed by name and contributing Slovak parishes: St. Michael's, Lansford, Pa., St. John's, Allentown, Pa., SS. Cyril and Methodius, Bethlehem, Pa., SS. Cy;ril and Methodius, Coaldale, Pa., St. Andrew's, Catasauqua, Pa., St. Mary's, Northampton, Pa., St. Mary's, McAdoo, Pa., Sacred Heart, Palmerton, Pa., SS. Cyril and Methodius, Reading, Pa., Our Mother of Sorrows, Bridgeport, Pa. Sister M. Bridget Ulicny, M.SE.C., a Slovak nun, has been general superior of the 1700 Sisters of the Sacred Heart the past three years with headquarters in Rome, Italy. A somber and profound note is added to the Furdek annual by Msgr. Jan Rekem, S.T.D., by his "Philosophy of History of the Slovak nation." Dr. Kirschbaum's highly documented commentary "Slovak Language under Communism'' gives the reaqer insight into how the historic language of the Slovak nation has been strongly subjected to pressures by the postwar communist regime in the past three decades. Undoubtedly, the ground-breaking ceremonies that are depicted at the beginning of the annual show that our Jednota is forging ahead and keeping pace with the pressing needs of a hew era. The highly important event that marked the start of a building development program and expansion of the Jednota Press headquarters is truly historic. It is another great milestone in the progress of our fraternal society that is meeting the challenge of our times with renewed hope and vigor. Joyce Iezzi's "Slovak Traditions" and the accompanying picture of the mixed Church choir of St. Florian's parish in United, Pa., provide incontrovertible evidence that our ancient and time-honored liturgy is very much alive despite recent radica•l changes in Church worship in many quarters. Paul Berish's "Chit-Chats with a Giant" is so genuine and heartwarming that the article merits a niche in the literary hall of fame, and the incidental meeting with Karol Sidor reflects the lasting impression the great Slovak political leader and diplomat at the Vatican made upon a total stranger who was a true son of St. Francis. Our Lady of Levocha Shrine in Bedford, Ohio, rates a well deserv• ed historical background furnished origin;illy by Sister M. Augustine, V.S.C., from Slovak sources for her collaborator, Sr. M. Regis, V.S.C., SLOVAKIA the author of "The History of Our Lady of Levoca." Levoca (Levocha) is known to thousands of American Slovaks from the eastern Spis region where they were accustomed to go on pilgrimage each year to the famous Marian shrine in Slovakia. Editor's Note: On October 5, 1975, the Slovak nuns at the Marian shrine of Our Lady of Levocha in Bedford, Ohio, will commemorate the 45th anniversary of the Blessing of the statue (carved from the wood of an apple tree in Slovakia, touched by the miraculous statue of Mt. Levoca and sent to the U.S. in the summer of 1930) by Archbishop Joseph Schrembs, D.D. Nellie Kovalik, R.N., strikes an ecumenical note in her article, "New St. Gabriel's Candle" while Father Schmieder recalls the delightful activity of a lovable prelate "The Good Monsignor." Rev. Andrew V. Pier, O.S.B, Krcisa slovenskych pamiatkovych kostolov (The Beauty of Slovak Churches). Published by the St. Adalbert Society, Trnava, Slovakia. St. Adalbert Society Press, 1970. Slovakia can boast of many rare monuments of historical and artistic value, besides its wealth of natural beauty. One of the most important places among these monuments is taken by the old Roman Catholic churches which are unique from a historic, architectural and artistic point of view. These Slovak churches, whether they be cathe drals, or local parish churches are gems of sacred art from the gothic and baroque periods and are admired throughout international spheres of culture. Besides reflecting the art heritage of Slovakia 205 during specific periods, these churches remain a valuable source of art history. The review was published by the St. Adalbert Society (Spolok svateho Vojtecha ) in Trnava to com memorate the centenary of its founding in 1870. The front covel' depicts the majestic gothic sanctuary of St. Nicholas Cathedral in Trnava, enclosed by a septagonal apse and four sections of artistically worked reticulated vaulting. It was in this cathedral, which dates from the 14th century, that the founding meeting of the St. Adalbert Society took place on September 14, 1870. The following Slovak churchi:?s or shrines are depicted in this commemorative work: 1. The Holy Rood altar with the neo-gothic pulpit of the Cathedral of St. Martin in Bratislava. 2. The baroque altar in the sanctuary of the Good Church in thr Nitra Cathedral which dates from the year 1732 together with frescoes by G. A. Galliardi dating from 1720. 3. The gothic sanctuary and renaissance baroque main altar of the Roziiava cathedral dating from 1672. 4. The renaissance baroque main altar of St. Adalbert, dating from the 17th century in the Saris pilgrim shrine of Gaboltov. 5. The baroque main altar with the statue of the Sorrowful Mother, patroness of Slovakia in the basilica of Sastin. 6. The 15th century sanctuary and main altar of the pilgrim church at Stare Hory. 7. The gothic main altar, the work of Master Pavol of Levoca, together with frescoes dating from the 14th century in the pari,h church of St. James in Levoca. 8. The interior of the Marianka 206 SLOVAKIA pilgrim church, originally a gothic church today ornamented in baroque style. 9. The main altar of the Kosice Cathedral of Saint Elizabeth, the largest gothic altar in the world. 10. The reconstructed baroque Cathedral of the Assumption ln Banska Bystrica displaying main altar painting by J. L. Kracker dating from 1774. 11. The baroque Lady chapel, the work of G. R. Donner from the first half of the 18th century in the Cathedral of St. Nicholas in Trna'\la. 12. The 15th century altar of St. Michael the Archangel together with the main altar dating from the 19th century in the Church of St. Martin in Spisske Podhradie. The collection offers the student of Slovak ecclesiastical art a wide range of Slovak church art and architecture as found in Slovakia. Daniel F. Tanzone Slovak American Bicentennial Commission Through the initiative of the Slovak League of America and with the cooperative effort of the great majority of Slovak organizations, publications and other entities, a Slovak American Bicentennial Commission was formulated in 1974. The purpose of the Commission is to provide national celebrations commemorating the 200th Birthday of the United States of America in 1976. The first event will be held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in March, and the second week-long celebration will be held in Detroit, Michigan in June. It is expected that many tens of thousands of Slovak Americans will attend the festivities in Detroit. The Commission will also publish a commemorative book Slovaks in America-A Bicentennial Study, which will encompass a brief history of the Slovak Americans. The officers of the Slovak American Bicentennial Commission are: President, Frances Mizenko, National Secretary of the First Catholic Slovak Ladies Association; Vice President, Dr. Joseph Pauco, National Secretary of the Slovak League of America; and Secretary, Joseph Kristofik, Detroit, Michigan. The Chairman of the Editorial Board for the publication of the book Slovaks in America-A Bicentennial Study is Joseph C. Kra,isa, Editor of Jednota SLOVAKIA 207 Who's Who Among Slovak Americans Ml CHAE L NOVAK Michael Novak has written two novels and several influential books, including The Rise of the Unmeltable Ethnics (1972), Choosing Our King (1974), The Experience of Nothingness (1970),A New Generation (1964), and Ascent of the Mountain, Flight of the Dove (1971). His books and articles have been published in nine languages. In two of his three years on the faculty at Stanford, 1967 and 1968, the Senior Class elected him "most influential professor." He was a judge for the National Bank Awards in 1972 and has been a juror for the DuPont Awards in Broadcast Journalism since 1971. He leads a seminar in television criticism for the Aspen Institute, and also chairs a private study group on the future of the city of Jerusalem. In 1970, he was a senior staff advisor for Sargent Shriver in congressional campaigns across the nation, and in 1972 he served with McGovern and then with Shriver. As associate director for humanities at the Rockefel- ler Foundation during 1973 and 1974, he created a new program for the humanities, ra1smg the Foundation's spending for the humanities from $400,000 to $4 million per year. He established a widely acclaimed Fellowship program, and instigated programs for working people and high school students under the title of "The Public Humanities.'' He has been a consultant to AT&T, IBM (for an interview in Think magazine), and has participated in many corporate seminars, including the annual seminar of Northern States Power Company in Minnesota. He is Executive Director of EMPAC (Ethnic Millions Political Action Committee), a consulting firm and membership organization, with a nationally recognized board and groups of active advisors in virtually every urban center. EMPAC supports aspirations for equality and justice on the part of the one in four Americans of white ethnic b a ck ground, particularly from Southern and Eastern European cultures. The firm is bi-partisan. !08 SLOVAKIA Annual S L O V A K I A is published by the Slovak league of America, 313 Ridge Ave., Middletown, Pa. 17057. Subscription $4.00. Editor: Joseph Pauco, Ph.D. Editorial Board: Draga Divinska, Louis Kandra, Joseph M. Kirschbaum, Ph.D., Susan Mikula, Ph.D., Joseph A. Mikus, Ph.D., Fr. Andrew Pier O.S.B., M.A., Daniel F. Tanzone, Sister M. Tybor, SS.C.M., M.A. Our Contributo rs Dr. Arved Grebert, former Slovak diplomat, now in Switzerland Sonya Jason, Slovak American author, Woodland Hills, Ca:it. Joseph Pauco, Ph.D., author, historian, Middletown, Pa. Theodoric J. Zubek, O.F.M., author, Joliet, Ill. Konstantin Cu/en, author, historian (deceased) Anthony X. Sutherland, Ph.D., Columbus, Ohio Daniel F. Tanzone, teacher, Yonkers, N. Y. Sister M. Pamela Smith, SS .C.M., teacher, Danville, Pa. Andrew V. Pier, O.S.B., author, Cleveland, Ohio Antonia Mazanova, on faculty of music, University of Western Ontario Gabor Vermes, department of history, Rutgers Universi ty J. M. Kirschbaum, LL.D., Ph.D., historian, Toronto, Ontario Joseph C. Krajsa , Editor, Jednota, Middletown, Pa. Paul Fia/kovic, Robert Pojer, John Berta - Slovak League of America Scholarship Winners PRI NTI D IN U.S. A. JIDN OTA PlllN TER Y, MID DLli TOW N, PA.  Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Back Matter, Slovakia, Vol. 25 (No. 48) Description An account of the resource includes As Others See It; Book Reviews; Slovak American Bicentennial Commission; Who's Who Among Slovak Americans; Our Contributors Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1975 https://slovakia.wordsofpassage.net/files/original/da285e31b47ab5345aad9be6132e47c0.pdf 4d0173f8a9110e3152430014d41e1258 PDF Text Text SLOVAKIA 111 Henry Delfiner, Vienna Broadcasts to Slovakia. East European Quarterly, Boulder, Colorado, 1974. 142 pp . (Distributed by Columbia University Press, New York and London). Delfiner's study is a valuable source of information both on the German policy towards Eastern Europe on the threshhold of the Second World War and on the disruption of Czecho-Slovakia. Vienna broadcasts became influential after Berlin interpreted the Munich Agreement as giving Germany a "free hand" in Central Eastern Europe . The dissatisfied and frightened peoples and minorities, uncertain about their future, were more than inclined to consider the broadcasts as an interpreter of Berlin's foreign policy. Slovakia was one of the countries whose future was most uncertain. Hungarians , Poles and Germans claimed parts of Slovak territory and, even though the relations between the Czechs and the Slovaks improved after Slovakia was granted autonomy, Prague was unable either to defend Slovakia against her neighbors or assure her future. In fact, the government of Prague advised the Slovak autonomous government to turn to Berlin for protection against Hungarian claims. As a result, in the case of Slovakia, the broadcasts undoubtedly influenced the relations between the Czechs and the Slovaks, as well as the attitude of the Slovak population towards the Jews. The influence was, however, not as decisive as the author asserts . Mutnansky, as announcer and author of the major part of the broadcasts, was not the best person to perform the task. Unknown, without the necessary good contacts with Slovak politicians, and having a doubtful political record, he was not taken seriously in political circles. The anti-clericalism of his broadcasts and their violent anti-semitism also diminished their impact. As Delfiner rightly states, ''One of the first issues on which Slovakian Catholicism (Slovakia's population was 82 percent Catholic) and Nazi ideology clashed concerned treatment of the Jews." (p. 24) In addition, the broadcasts promoted K . Sidor at a time when Dr. Tiso was the head of the Populist Party and, from October 6, 1938, also the head of the Slovak government. The broadcasts also promoted Dr. Tuka who had no political office after he returned from Czech jails and neither Sidor nor Tiso were eager to adopt Tuka' s political views and plans. In fact Tiso protested on certain occasions against the broadcasts. It was in the March crisis of 1939, when Prague deposed the Slovak government, arrested hundreds of Slovak political and civic leaders, and militarily occupied public buildings, that the Vienna broadcasts and the Viennese politicians (Seyss-Inquart, Burckel) played the im- �112 SLOVAKIA portant role ascribed to them by the author in the final decision of the Slovaks to part with the Czechs. Since the story of the disruption of Czecho-Slovakia was presented in the West with a certain bias, the collection of these broadcasts will be useful for historians. The text of the broadcasts published in Mutnansky's books as well as his interpretation of them are not, however, necessarily accurate. He was not rewarded in Slovakia and advocated German policies even after the broadcasts were terminated. The work is enhanced by a useful bibliography and chronology. Some minor errors slipped into the glossary and chronology: Dr. Tuka made his first speech for independence on December 6, 1938 and not on December 9; Dr. Durcansky did not ask for "Hitler's intervention" on March 10. He merely hinted in his broadcast from Vienna that Slovaks '' aim to achieve national freedom with the help of our friends, the great German nation", (p. 117); Karol Sidor died in Montreal on October 20, 1953 and not 1954. - PROF. J.M. KIRSCHBAUM ••• Bohemia - Jahrbuch des Collegium Carolinum, Band 15, R. Oldenburg Verlag, (Munich, 1974). Edited by Dr. Gerhard Hanke, pp. 532. Even though the symposium Bohemia deals predominantly with the history, the culture and Czech-German relations in the present Czech part of Czecho-Slovakia, known throughout the centuries as Bohemia, many issues of this carefully edited annual publication have also paid attention to Slovakia and the Slovaks. The present volume contains three contributions dealing with Slovakia: Helmut Slapnicka writes about German lectures at the Law Academy in Bratislava in the middle of the 19th century; Ladislav Lipscher contributes an excellent essay on the constitution and regional political administration in Czecho-Slovakia during the 1920s; and Stanislav Kirschbaum deals with the contin_uity and political changes in Czecho-Slovakia in 1968. While Slapnicka i~ of German background, the two other contributors were born in Slovakia. Ladislav Lipscher is a noted historian of the political and legal organization of pre-war Czecho-Slovakia. Before escaping to the West in 1968 he published books and studies in this field in Slovakia and in spite of the difficulty of access to sources, Lipscher continues to do so from his Swiss exile . This is his third contribution published abroad, and it deserves our special attention because legal and administrative questions were by-passed by Slovak writers in the West. The institution of regional administration had political implications, being conceived as a substitute for political autonomy, promised to the Slovaks during the First World War. Based on solid knowledge and thorough research �SLOVAKIA 113 of the subject, Lipscher's study analyses political and administrative problems and presents an objective outline of the regional administration and the party politics behind it. Stanislav Kirschbaum, a specialist on Eastern Europe who teaches Political Science at York University in Toronto, deals with the political changes in Dubcek's era. There are numerous books and articles on this period in several W estem languages. Unfortunately , they are concerned predominantly with the Czech part of the country . Those that deal with Slovakia do so from a Czech perspective or treat the Slovaks as quantite negli[leable even though their role was of primary importance in the events between 1963 and 1968. Kirschbaum's contribution is a well documented scholarly analysis of the political situation in Czecho-Slovakia in the 1960s. It is a presentation of the changes which brought about the liberalization of the regime and the federalization of the State in that fateful year of 1968. Collegium Carolinum deserves our recognition for regularly including studies on Slovak topics in the annual Bohemia. - PROF. J.M. KIRSCHBAUM ••• Ludwig v. Gogolak, Beitraege zur Geschichte des slowakischen Volkes, II. Die slowakische nationale Frage in der Reformepoche Ungams 1790-1848, (Contributions to the History of the Slovak People - The Slovak National Question in the Reform Period of Hungary, 1790-1848). Verlag R. Oldenburg, (Muenchen, 1969), pp. 280. The second volume(+) of Gogolak's work on Slovakia's selfassertion in Hungary is a detailed and well-documented insight into the crucial years of Slovak history when the Slovaks had to fight not only the Magyar nationalism, but also the ''Czechoslovak'' tendencies of the Slovak Lutheran leaders. Though of Slovak origin and related to Bernolak' s family, Gogolak belonged to the Hungarian aristocracy and his interpretation of Slovak national movement is consequently quite different from the Czech or Slovak nationalist interpretations. The present volume deals predominantly with the second half of the 19th and the first decade of the 20th Centuries. Special attention was paid by the author to the Pan-Slav movement and its representatives in Slovakia and to the movement of tudovit Stur which clashed with both the Magyar assimilation policy and "Czechoslovak" orientation of some Lutheran leaders, especially Kollar and Safarik. Particular attention is paid also to Jan Holly and his influence on the Slovak national movement in the 19th Century. According to Gogolak, Holly deserves credit for giving Slovaks the consciousness of their history (Geschichtsbewusstsein) and faith in their future. In this respect Gogolak is in agreement not only with the older school of Slovak �114 SLOVAKIA historians but also with the present " Marxist" historians and clashes only with the views of the "Czechoslovak" historiography. Gogolak is not denying the oppressive policy of Budapest, but explains it in the context of European nationalism and liberalism and points out the weakness of the Slovak movement whose leaders were divided by religion into two camps, one of which looked for a solution outside Hungary, in a merger with the Czechs . There are many aspects of the Slovak national question in Gogolak's work which were by-passed in Slovak history books or interpreted with bias by Czech historians. Unfortunately, we are unable, outside Slovakia, to pass judgment on their correctness. Gogolak refers to a great number of sources in Slovak, Czech, Hungarian and German which are not accessible to us . Supported by references to reliable sources, Gogolak's conclusions and interpretations seem to be convincing, and as a result we face a new interpretation of the Slovak national movement and of the role the Catholics and the Protestans played in modem Slovak history . In some respects Gogolak is in complete disagreement with the Czech interpretation, especially with the unfounded assertion that Catholics took a minor part in national revival. In his view, "only the activity of several Catholic priests and scholars who were conscious of their goal and mission allowed the Slovak national character not to lose its own characteristics and identity in the clash with the menacing political Magyarization and the spiritual Czechoslovak in the age of modem nationalism and preponderance of the bourgeoisie .... Had the Protestant intelligentsia, which in fact lived mostly on their historical heritage and foreign German-Czech connections, remained in its leading role, the result would probably have been the complete disappearance of the Slovak people." (Vol. I. p. 229 and 238). Considering the fact that Gogolak's work was published by a wellknown publisher and, except for T. J. Locher's book Die Nazionale Differenzierung der Slowaken und Tschechen in ihren geschichtlichen Verlauf bis 1848 (Harlem, 1931), it is the only.work in German by nonSlovak writer, we should not underestimate' its importance. Slovak historians should thoroughly analyze this new interpretation of modem Slovak history. - PROF. J.M. KIRSCHBAUM (+)For my review of Volume I see Slovakia, No. 35, 1964, pp. 156-158. ■■■ Roger Portal , The Slavs. Weidenfeld & Nicolson (London, 1969), pp. 508, Bihl., index, illustrations. Portal's voluminous book is a survey of the cultural and historical development of the Slavic peoples, including the Slovaks. It was �SLOVAKIA 115 written, and originally published, in French (Librairie Armand Colin, 1965), probably as a manual for students at French universities at which Portal has been a professor. The work is illustrated by maps and pictures and presents the Slavs in a much more objective light than some American books have done in the past. French scholars were interested in the Slavs for more than a century, but rarely have any French Slavists presented a global picture similar to Portars book. Slovaks and Slovakia are treated by Portal in proportion to their place and significance among the Slavs without the usual bias encountered in the West. His interpretation of certain periods of Slovak history was apparently influenced by Czech sources, which is, to a degree, understandable. While historiography in Slovakia developed considerably during the past three decades, there are still very few books in foreign languages which could be used by Slavists outside Slovakia. Moreover, even the summaries in scholarly works are always in Russian or German, and only occasionally in French and English. As a result one can hardly reproach Portal or other foreign Slavists if their chapters or paragraphs on Slovaks are sketchy, superficial or if they omit certain periods considered as important for Slovaks but less important in the context of the general history of the Slavs . It is evident that we cannot expect an objective and complete history of Slovakia and Slovaks until there are good history books on Slovakia translated into or written in foreign languages and until there are foreign students at Slovak universities specializing in Slovak history, culture, literature, and language. The absence of statehood, resulting in limited or non-existent cultural exchanges with other countries , necessarily reflects on the knowledge of Slovakia abroad. Many books on Czech history and culture were written by former foreign students at Prague 's university or by Slavists invited to Prague and studying there on scholarships. The same goes for Poland and other Slavic countries. Except for the six years of the Slovak Republic, there was never a government ruling in Slovakia which would have been interested in making Slovakia known in the World. Looking at Portal's book from this angle, we have to welcome it as a great step ahead. Slovak intellectuals in Western Europe should carefully analyze the book and supply Professor Portal with correct information on periods or events which were omitted or misinterpreted. That is the only way to obtain a change in presenting Slovakia abroad until the Slovaks have their own government and normal cultural relations with the world. In Portal's book Slovakia is at least not a footnote to Czech history as happens so often in other books. - PROF. J.M. KIRSCHBAUM ••• �116 SLOVAKIA R. Krajcovic, Slovencina a slovanske jazyky (The Slovak and the Slavic Languages), Slovenske pedagogicke nakladatelstvo (Bratislava, 1974), pp. 324, illustrations, Russian and German summary. Slovak philology has experienced a remarkable development during the past fifty years for reasons which can properly be understood only in the context of political developments in Slovakia.(+) The attempts to make the Slovak language a dialect of the Czech or nonexistent "Czechoslovak" language gave a strong impetus to Slovak philologists to prove that there was no scientific basis for such theories. The subsequent attempts at Russification of the Slovak language worked in the same direction: they intensified the desire of Slovak philologists to elaborate their own theories about the independent place of the Slovak language among Slavic languages. As a result, Slovak philology developed favorably in all areas of philological research: dialectology, lexicology, comparative philology, morphology, phonology, etc. and the Slovak language was finally established as a distinct Slavic tongue. The book by Krajcovic expertly deals with the place of the Slovak language among Slavic languages and asserts its originality from the time when the Slavic macro-dialects split into dialects with the distinct characteristics of the present Slavic languages. He analyzes the theories which aimed at proving that the Slovak language did not have a homogeneous proto-slavic basis as well as the theories which substantiated the thesis that the Slovak language was formed on the homogeneous West Slavic basis, and corroborates the distinct character of the Slovak language. The book is destined by its terminology for scholars and philologists, but its conclusions are understandable by everybody. In many ways, the book is a good example of the high academic level of the new generation of Slovak philologists. The German summary makes the book accessible also to Wes tern scholars. - PROF. J.M. KIRSCHBAUM ( +) See Chapter II in Kirschbaum, Slovak Language and Literature, University of Manitoba (Winnipeg, 1975), I\- 25-38 . ••• Dr. J. Mesaros (ed.), Slovaci a ich narodny vyvin (The Slovaks and Their National Development). Proceedings of the V Congress of Slovak Historians. Published by Vydavatel'stvo-Slovenskej akademie vied, (Bratislava, 1969); pp. 305. This symposium is composed of 12 papers delivered at the Conference of Slovak Historians and deserves mention not only for the academic value of individual contributions, but also in connection with �SLOVAKIA 117 Gogolak's work mentioned above. While Gogolak's two volumes present an interpretation by a non-Slovak historian, this volume, edited by Dr. Mesaros, gives us an interpretation of Slovak history by the generation of Slovak historians who adopted nolens-volens, a Marxist approach to history. It is regrettable that the symposium is not available in W estem languages for it demolishes the "Czechoslovak" interpretation of Slovakia 's past and present, and substantiates the thesis that Slovaks developed independently of Czechs or other Slavs into a distinct nation culturally, linguistically and politically from the Middle Ages. The contributions by P. Ratkos , J. Tibensky, J. Butvin , K. Rebro and Mesaros are especially explicit in this regard. The contribution by Z. Holotikova is of interest for understanding the attitude of the Communists towards Slovak !llational aspirations. Like the "bourgeois" adherents of "Czechoslov'a kism" who retarded Slovak development towards full national independence, the Communists were also liable for the confusion and for Prague's rule in Slovakia, both of which were detrimental to Slovak development towards a distinct national identity and self-rule. The admission by Marxist historians that religious divisions and Communist adherence to "Czechoslovakism" were harmful to Slovak national development is expressed with caution, but it is present throughout the book and sets the record straight. The majority of Slovaks never doubted their distinct national identity and fought for equal rights with other nations. The minority - political and religious - nevertheless succeeded, with Prague's help, in creating confusion even among foreign Slavists. The post-war experiences with Prague centralism in the economy and renewed efforts to stifle Slovak nationalism resulted in the re.thinking and re-appraising of the Slovak question not only by politicians but also by historians. The publication under review presents their conclusions. Most of the contributions are well-researched and well-written and deal with problems of primary interest for the Slovak struggle for self-assertion. - PROF. J.M. KIRSCHBAUM □□□ Jednota Annual FURDEK 1977, Volume XVI, 303 pages. Edited by Joseph C. Krajsa. Published by the First Catholic Slovak Union of the United States and Canada. Printed by the Jednota Press , Middletown, Pennsylvania . FURDEK 1977, Jednota's sixteenth in a series of annuals in the English language, offers the reader a variety of articles written by a number of old pros, several new authors and semi-pros, but all have something interesting for the reader who wants to know more about his Slovak ethnic background . �118 SLOVAKIA Doctor Pauco 's invaluable contributions (superbly translated from the Slovak by Sister M . Martina Tybor, SS.C .M .) enrich this year's production , which is easily the most informative and probably the best of the series inaugurated by the late Editor Philip A. Hrobak and continued by the present editor-in-chief, Joseph C. Krajsa. Every effort should be made to send this edition to as many Slovak homes, as well as to public, college, and university libraries, as possible. Thomas (Belejcak) Bell, American novelist of Slovak ancestry, is presented, and his half dozen works are ably reviewed by John F. Berko. Bell's books generally reflect the somber and tragic side of life among Slovak (and other Slavic) immigrants in the steel city of Pittsburgh and its suburbs. By a slim margin of one, the young men hold the edge over the Jednota scholarship winners (31-30) in the past year as the fair sex scored high in the final standings. This is a sound display of nondiscrimination in a men's organization. As always, the attractive photos of our intelligent youth give us renewed hope for the future destiny of our J ednota in particular and the ethnic identity of the American Slovaks in general. Michael Novak, Ph.D . , who holds the center stage as the acknowledged champion of ethnics in America, discusses the subject in his usual profound manner and inimitable style. In his " Long Life to Slovaks" contribution, Doctor William Gombar counters Michael Simko's realistic but bleak view for the future of the ethnic population in America. Joseph Kirschbaum, Ph.D., LL.D., is well known for his many writings. In this issue of FURDEK the Slovak diplomat and author contributes a valuable review of the influence of American Slovak organizations on his fellow countrymen in Canada. Glimpses into the ancient historical past of the Slovak nation are presented by a newcomer, Michael Kolarci~, ~S.J. His sketches of the life and times of Prince Pribina, Kings Mojmir I, Rastislav, and Svatopluk the Great, are concise and accurate. Michael Krajsa's tribute to General Stefanik and Doctor Pauco's firsthand information on President Tiso during wartime recall outstanding national heroes of the First and Second World Wars respectively. Tonka Kral, Anna Maria Kulhan, and Theresa Sapak make their debut as a talented trio of promising youthful writers . Sister M . Gabriel Hricko 's biographical sketch of Doctor Joseph Pauco on the first anniversary of the death of a fearless fighter for Slovakia 's national freedom and statehood is a timely tribute to one of the greatest Slovak newspapermen and patriots in our time. Sister Gabriel's beautiful article on the Miracle of Fatima rounds out this year's publication . �SLOVAKIA 119 Two Congressmen, namely, the Honorable Daniel Flood of Pennsylvania and the Honorable Peter Rodino, Jr. of New Jersey are contributors who add prestige to this edition. Sophia Zufa finds Slovakia a picturesque country inhabited by a warm, hospitable people, and her father's hometown of Nizna nad Oravou full of memories as recalled by her aunt during her visit. Paul Fenchak's article on Slavic Studies in Maryland's public schools is typical of their place in the public schools around the country - shamefully neglected. Karol Sidor, Slovak newspaperman, diplomat, and statesman, is remembered as a distinguished author, thanks to Imrich Stolarik's contribution. Astronaut Eugene Ceman rates a photograph taken at Youngstown, Ohio's American Slovak Bicentennial celebration last year. A number of other articles of interest in this issue of FURDEK include ones by Fathers Edward Hancko, S.J., Francis Kuba, C.P., Joseph Adamec, Andrew Pier, O.S.B., as well as by Archbishop Joseph Bernardin, D.D., Monsignor J. Jaworski, S.T.D., and by Vincent Drobniak, John Herling, and Edward Svercek. Seventy-five concise articles of a diversified nature cover a wide spectrum of historical, political, cultural, religious, and social subjects. Several poems are added to enhance a rich assortment of carefully selected writings. Nevertheless, the Slovak sources of interesting subjects remain far from being exhausted. There remains a great deal more to be told about Slovakia and her people at home and scattered throughout the world. - ANDREW V. PIER, O.S.B . ••• An Anthology of Slovak Literature, by Andrew Cincura, Ph.D., University of California. Not the last but the latest and most complete and comprehensive study of Slovak prose and poetry in the English language is Dr. Cincura' s scholarly work produced after several years of research by the Slovak Professor whom the Rockefeller Foundation sponsored in compiling a truly pioneer project that merits the highest praise on the basis of its contents and superb presentation. A quarter of a century ago, Ivan Kramoris, M.A., of the Marquette University Preparatory School in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, published the first anthology of Slovak literature in English, but since then many new writers have appeared in Slovakia and in exile. This literary development necessitated an up-to-date edition to review the writings of new Slovak authors and poets. Michael Novak, Ph.D., the prolific author of a number of works on the ethnics, introduces the book as "done with taste, intelligence, �120 SLOVAKIA judgment and perception ... " Moreover, Karol Strmen, Ph.D., an eminent Slovak poet, provides the setting for a proper appreciation of a representative series of selections from the surprisingly extensive output of Slovak literary works since the beginning of the nineteenth century. His historical review of Slovak literature is enlightening and informative . While most of Slovak poets and prose writers in Dr. Cincura's selective list rate a high place in their field, some of them compare favorably with leading writers in world literature. By their imagination , workmanship, originality, realism, and idealism, the works of the Slovak nation's literary men and women prove their genuine value as enduring products that have a universal appeal. Certainly Dr. Cincura cannot be accused of male chauvinism, for he chose ten women writers of some thirty authors of prose, although only two women poets are included in approximately forty Slovak poets in his selection. And a woman dramatist is on his list of four Slovak playwrights. Doubtless, there are many more selections of prose and poetry that manifest the natural genius of the Slovak people in expressing their ideas and feelings, but the author was limited by inadequate space. Perhaps in the near future a second volume may be added to supplement this excellent book that will acquaint the English-speaking world with some of the best creative writers of Slovakia. Obviously the very nature of this work presents but a fragmentary part of the entire literary field of Slovak literature, but the reader is given a wide assortment of creative works by writers and poets who are intimately related to their historic land and its people. - ANDREW V. PIER, O.S.B . ••• J.M. Kirschbaum, Slovak Language and Literature, Series: Readings in Slavic Literatures, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, 1975, pp . XIV, 366, Index, ill., bibl. Slovak Language and Literature, the ~test publication by Dr. Joseph M. Kirschbaum, the distinguished author of historical, political and literary works relating to the Slovak nation, contains a vast wealth of facts, opinions, reflections and references to standard works of prominent Slavists in several languages. The Series Editor, Professor J.B. Rudnyckyj, in his preface acknowledges: "Slovakia, a central part of the Great Moravian Empire of the ninth century, was the cradle of Slavic letters and civilization, for there were the beginnings of the rich and highly cultivated Cyrillo-Methodian literature which spread in the tenth century to other Slavic countries, especially to the southern and eastern Slavs." �SLOVAKIA 121 The author deems a background to the development of Slovak literature ve ry helpful to the understanding of the evolution of the Slovak language itself. His book is the most comprehensive study of the Slovak language and literature in the English language. Moreover, the author, who has spent years in research and has lectured on the subject during the past two decades, alludes to historical and philosophical aspects that affected the growth of the language and literature of the Slovak people from earliest times to the present day. The impact of the Slovak literary language on the national life of historic Slovakia aided considerably in the emergence of a strong national consciousness in the 19th and 20th centuries. , '' Slovakia,'' Professor Rudnyckyj notes , ''played an important role in the Pan-Slav movement. Not only was the word Panslavism coined by a Slovak, but Slovakia also gave the Pan-Slav idea, which stirred the national consciousness of several Slavic peoples, the most prominent representatives: Jan Kollar, Pavol J. Safarik, and :Cudovit Stur. ' ' Dr. Kirschbaum points out that "Slovak literature achieved a level comparable to other Slavic literatures in the first half of the twentieth century.'' It was during this period that Slovak writers came under the influence of Slavic authors but also drew their inspiration from English, French , and Scandinavian writers . Their works reflected a wide variety of literary trends : Romanticism, Pan-Slavism, Symbolism, Modernism, and Surrealism. Despite World War II, Slovak writers (even proletarian poets) were given a free hand to publish their works in the era of the Slovak Republic (1939-1945). This freedom was sharply curtailed soon after World War II by the communist takeover in Slovakia. As a result, the boycott inaugurated officially by the regime has been in force against all Slovak writers in the free world for more than a quarter of a century. Inside Slovakia, after the ' ' liberation'' of the country by armies of the Soviet Union and the communist coup of 1948, only "proletarian" writers, surrealic;ts, and leftist poets and authors, journalists and newspapermen have been permitted to publish their writings. All others, even leading novelists like Hronsky (and to some extent Gaspar and Urban) have been excluded, as have such prominent poets as Beniak, while others (Andrej Zarnov, R. Dilong, M. Sprinc, K . Strmen) were forced to go into exile, and the poetry and prose of the latter are not acceptable in the country of their birth. Outside Slovakia, in the past three decades Slovak writers in exile from their communist-controlled homeland have published prolific works in literature and history that have offset an outpouring of communist-oriented publications of poetry and prose within the narrow limits of the ruling regime. These creative writers living in the free world have been "excommunicated" from the socialist state imposed upon their countrymen - and their works are "verboten. " Completely unlike the literary picture painted by captive artists of �122 SLOVAKIA the communist regime in present-day Slovakia, the portrait of Slovak literature both in and out of the country, produced by Dr. Kirschbaum in the free world, is a realistic work depicting the landscape and people of Slovakia in their true colors. It is also an objective delineation of the men and women of letters working under close surveillance in their homeland held captive by foreign invaders and oppressors . Although the impact of Professor Kirschbaum 's book in the field in western literature will be strongly felt, it is a foregone conclusion that it will be totally ignored or attacked in Slovakia. Meanwhile , readers, Slovak and non-Slovak alike, who are interested in true literature, will welcome this highly creditable and scholarly volume that is richly supported by an extensive bibliography. We cannot but agree with Professor Constantine Bida of the University of Ottawa, who reviewed the manuscript, that the book is ''a valuable compendium, necessary for Slovaks abroad and useful for the Anglophone peoples since it supplies a great deal of valuable information on Slovak philology and literature, by using the biobibliographical method''. - ANDREW V. PIER, O.S.B. □□□ Francesco Petrarca, Vavrin (a Slovak selection from Il Canzoniere), translated by Karol Strmen. Rome: Slovak Institute of St. Cyril and Methodius, 1974, 216 pp . The time-honored tradition of observing the anniversary of a deceased foreign author by honoring him with a volume of translations from his work found new expression in a recent Slovak selection from Francesco Petrarca' s ll Canzoniere. Translated from the Italian original by Professor Karol Strmen, who is a poet in .his own right, and titled Vavrin (The Laurel Crown), the most rece:dt Slovak rendition of Il Canzoniere commemorates the 600th anniversary of Petrarca's death. The work presents almost one-third of Petrarca's own collection as well as a scholarly resume of the life, works, and aesthetics of the Italian poet. There are likewise explanatory notes and a bibliography of Petrarca' s works and scholarly criticisms. The purpose of the work as indicated explicitly in its introduction is two-fold: (1) to present "all really important poems (from the original) in the suggested order and framework" of Petrarca's own collection; and (2) to give to Slovak readers background information necessary for a better understanding of the great Italian poet and scholar. Professor Strmen has also tried to show implicitly that able translators can render even the most profound concepts and intricate patterns of foreign masterpieces in the Slovak language without damaging distortion, and that modern Slovak scholarship, if unburdened by historical, political, �SLOVAKIA 123 and other non-literary forces, can fulfill the most challenging tasks of standard literary investigation. For at least a partial response to anticipated questions about norms for Strmen's selection, I shall at least curiously examine some fortunes of Petrarca' s poetry in Slovakia and then concentrate on the more germane relationship of Vavrin to the only other extensive Slovak selection from Il Canzoniere, the work Francesco Petrarca, Sonety pre Lauru, translated by the Slovak poet, Vojtech Mihalik, in 1968. Besides Mihalik' s extensive translation, there are also shorter selections translated by Zvonicky and Durica. Together with Strmen's new renditions from Il Can'zoniere these all testify to the great interest that Slovak men of letters and patrons of literature take in Petrarca's works. The Petrarca ''vogue,'' nevertheless, had already taken hold among Slovak poets and scholars as early as the beginning of the 19th century when Pavel Jozef Safarik, Jan Kollar, and Jan Holly employed Il Canzoniere either as a formal model for their poems or as a starting point in their arguments about the role of the Slavs in Europe. The followers of Safarik, Kollar, and Holly, including both post-Romantic and modern Slovak poets, experimented with Petrarchian forms primarily as to their conceptual and linguistic appropriateness in the spectrum of Slovak poetry. The renowned Slovak poet Pavol Orszagh-Hviezdoslav, and his contemporary Svetozar Hurban-Vajansky, used the Petrarchian sonnets mostly as prototypes for their own reflective-intellectual poems. Janko Jesensky, on the contrary, returned in his Poems (1905) to love themes inherent to the Petrarchian sonnets. Ivan Krasko followed Petrarca in the use of the so-called '' squared oxymoron'' in his collections, Nox et solitudo (1909) and Poems (1912) (cf. Slovenske pohl'ady 85 (1969; cited hereafter as SP) , No. XI, 129) . The gallery of Petrarca's followers in Slovak literature was further complemented by Valentin Beniak (Sophia, 1941) and Jan Kostra (Ave Eva, 1943). Mihalik's selection from Il Canzoniere , both as a pioneering undertaking and as a work briefly preceding Strmen's Vavrin, constitutes a valuable contribution to Slovak literature and general aesthetics. Like Strmen in the work under review, Mihalik according to one reviewer, presents parts of Il Canzoniere as faithfully as possible. His translated version of the original "sings" in Slovak as it does in the original Italian (SP, No. XI, 124). It may be noted that Mihalik and Strmen, who are both poets-translators, chose slightly different formal and conceptual paths to attain their goals. Mihalik, living in Slovakia and somewhat burdened by his limited knowledge of the Italian language, was forced to seek the assistance of a translator and depend on the present politically-motivated scholarship of the Society sphere. Strmen, residing abroad and fluent in a dozen of foreign languages, had the capacity and the circumstances to approach the task and to accomplish it singlehandedly. In each case, the net result is characterized by some �124 SLOVAKIA similarities in an overall consideration and by specific differences in matters of detail. Let us now briefly examine some prominent features of both translations. To begin with, Mihalik used the thirteen foot iambic feminine verse alternated by the masculine hexameter exclusively. Examples: Vy po-slu-cha-ci bas-ni, v kto-rych iial'-i chve-nie ai do-sial' mu-ci mo-je srd-ce u-sta-te ... (Sonnet I, vv. 1-2) Do-bro-re-ce-ne mie-sto, mo-jej Las-ky sud-ca, den, me-siac, rok a chvi-l'a, pa-miit-ny ten kut kra-ji-ny, kde ma vrh-li do ca-rov-nych put due o-ci pre-kras-ne, ie v6-bec ne-viem hnut' sa. (Sonnet LXI, vv. 1-4) An analysis of Mihalik' s translation and expository writing shows that his strict adherence to a specific form might have been prompted by several formal and quasi-polemical considerations. As the poet of a somewhat conservative bent, he tried to counteract "the wave of amorphism governing the preponderant part of (modem Slovak) poetry" (SP , No. XI , 132). As a scholar, he seems to defend some modern concepts exalting the creative role of a translator over the older claims of Kollar and Holly, who hold that no translation can surpass the artistry of the original Slovak creations. Viliam Turcany, a modem Slovak scholar , commented that Mihalik' s translations "read as if they were his own original works" (SP, No. XII, 122). In the specific reference to the form used in Mihalik's rendition of fl Canzoniere, Turcany stressed the fact that the thirteen-foot iambic line alternated with the hexameter is the metric form best sv.ited for expressing ''the similar quantitative-conceptual density of the Italian and Slovak prosody line" (SP, No. XII, 127). Strmen disregarded both the explicit and the implied claims of Mihalik and Turcany, and translated his selected parts of fl Canzoniere in accordance with his own aesthetic and semantic tenets. Cutting down the length of Petrarca's sonnet line to eleven and ten syllables respectively, he indirectly confirmed the fact that translations from Italian poetry - like translations of prose - require about 15 percent less space in Slovak. Examples: Vy, co tu v zlom-koch ver-sov za-chy-ti-te sum vzdy-chov, kto-re l'u-bost' ii-vi-li . . . (Sonnet I, vv. 1-2) �125 SLOVAKIA Bla-ho-sla-ve-ny me-siac, deii i rok i pek-ny kraj i vcas-na jar i chvi-l'a i mie-sto, kde mi Las-ka za-lo-ii-la na mih jej o-ka kru-hy ie-lie-zok .. (Sonnet LXI , vv. 1-4) On the other hand, preserving the prevailing "dynamic" subjectverb structure of Petrarca,' s sentence in his rendition of the Italian work, Strrnen established a close relationship between poet and theme . In the remarks which introduce his translation of Il Canzoniere, Strrnen underlined the importance of the original work for the quality of its translation and for general scholarly consideration. According to him every new great poet represents, so to speak, the last word , the exhaustion of literary potentials. And since, we all are willy-nilly prisoners of our era, we are all tempted to make him the criterion of the past. But the history of poetry deals with something else: the great poet stands out as an independent island (and) we approach him with the guidebooks of our aesthetic prejudices . . . A translation should be primarily a mirror (of the original, and) not ... a colonization or an extension of the translator's personality. In summing up the basic tenets of this review, it is necessary to ask how both poet-translators enriched Slovak literature by translating parts of Petrarca's masterpiece into Slovak and how each of them contributed to the advancement of general scholarly knowledge. Considering the first part of the question , I wish to point out that these translations complement each other. Each poet selected different portions from the original and consequently offered a wider selection from the Italian work to his Slovak readers. A limited number of the poems translated by both poets makes it possible, on the other hand, to study these poems in juxtaposition with each other and facilitates their close comparison. As to the second part of the question, I thank that both Slovak selections from Il Canzoniere provide new thoughts for a theoretical approach to aesthetics in general and Slovak Petrarchian studies in particular . Two basic points of this review, namely verse structure and the " kinetics" of language, are common denominators in the comparative study of specific segments of the respective works and , at the same time , of the · specifics of the individual parts within the artistic whole. Conversely , any segment of Il Canzoniere - if juxtaposed with its counterparts in Slovak translations - will give at least a hint about the character and merits of the respective work. In practical terms, the lines cited in Slovak from Mihalik's and Strmen's translations (as well as any other lines from their selections) �126 SLOVAKIA will give the reader at least a broad idea about the formal aspects of either translation. Italian Slavists will, even by a dissection of these brief segments, gain insight into "hidden" linguistic and artistic concepts governing Strmen's and Mihalik's translations. Economy, idea, and sound quality were the most importat denominators shaping Petrarca's masterpiece. Without expressing any subjective valuejudgment about the Slovak selections from Il Canzoniere, I can state that Mihalik and Strmen fulfilled scholarly expectations in coping with these three fundamental principles of Petrarca's work. ANDREW CINCURA □□□ Joseph M. Kirschbaum, Slovak Language and Literature: Essays. Winnipeg and Cleveland: University of Manitoba, Department of Slavic Studies, 1975. (Readings in Slavic Literature, 12). 336 pages. This is a collection of twelve essays on various aspects of Slovak language and literature which Prof. Kirschbaum has read at conferences and-or published in journals over the past twenty years. He has divided them into three parts, the first (2 essays) discussing questions of language, the second (7 essays) presenting selected topics in Slovak literature through the latter part of the nineteenth century, and the third (3 essays) surveying post-World War II trends. There is a fourth part which purports to be a '' French summary'', but in reality is a slightly rearranged translation of the first and third English chapters. Prof. Kirschbaum's purpose is "to acquaint students and scholars . . . with the development of the Slovak vernacular into a literary medium and with the literature created by the Slovaks in their own language as well as other languages used in Slovakia ... '' The goal is admirable, but he has missed a splendid opportunity to create a solid synthetic survey. There are several reasons to regret his choice of method. As is unfortunately true with much material published by Slovaks in the West, one is left in doubt as to precisely what audience he is trying to reach. Part of the time, Prof. Kirschbaum devotes essays to polemics, particularly with those who sub,s cribe to the concept of Czechoslovakism. He uses expressions such 'as ''misconceptions'' and ''errors' ', charging that these ''wrongs' ' are based on flimsy evidence. But in turn, Kirschbaum himself offers minimal ''proof'' for some of his assertions. Nevertheless, it is disappointing to see polemical essays alongside more serious academic treatments (particularly those chapters on Jan Kollar, Pavol Safarik, and :Cudovit Stur). Further, Western scholars in recent years have taken note of changing perceptions of the development of Slovak national consciousness. (See, for example, Joseph Zacek's remarks in his study of "Nationalism in �SLOVAKIA 127 Czechoslovakia" in Peter F. Sugar and Ivo J. Lederer, eds., Nationalism in Eastern Europe - 1969.) The second problem is that Prof. Kirschbaum has several times repeated his use of the same evidence. He indicates in his introduction that he has done some editing to avoid repetitions, but what are we to make of his double use of a statement by the Polish philologist Tadeusz Lehr-Splawinski (pp. 20 and 68), or of "western" discussions of the origin of Slovak as a literazy language (pp . 18-19 and 52-53)? This is also a problem in books in · which the essays of multiple authors are collected, but one wishes Prof. Kirschbaum had been more diligent in overcoming it. Why, though , when such a golden opportunity presented itself, didn't Prof. Kirschbaum give us a synthetic survey of Slovak literature? There would have been no fear of his repeating himself, and the scholars and students, for whom he says he is writing, would have had an overall view of the evolving Slovak language and literature. Kirschbaum himself remarks on the particular importance of Slovak literature between the wars, but he allows as that would require too much space to discuss, and so he skips the subject. Similarly, his discussion of post1945 literary development is a bare outline of the 1945-1956 period, with only a couple of paragraphs given over to the extremely important dozen years after that, a period so necessary for an understanding of the events of 1968 and after. Kirschbaum alludes to a few important matters after 1956, such as the rapidly growing research on Slovak language and literature in the early 1960s (pp. 35-36). He suggests that this development resulted from the Communist Party's perception of language and literature as being a neutral field. The reader is left wondering why it was, then, that manifestations of Slovak nationalism developed precisely in those areas. The plea of complexity is inadequate. The inclusion of the two chapters of Slovak emigre literature is puzzling, since Kirschbaum tells us twice that only about 50 writers are involved. He does cite their availablity to the reader in the West, but in fact, after the passage of three decades, they now belong more among Slovak ethnic writers in the United States and Canada (or wherever else they live) than to continuing Slovak literary trends in Czecho-Slovakia. Sad as it might be, these authors are writing for a decreasing number of readers. The interesting aspect of these chapters is the report of the publication in post-February Czecho-Slovakia of works · by :Cudo Besenovsky and Milos Mlynarovic. Prof. Kirschbaum should be cautioned in his use of Robert Kann's praise of Slovak cultural development in the whole of the nineteenth century (pp. 147-8). It is clear from Kann's context that he includes Kollar, Safarik, Stefanik, and Masaryk in his kudos, a quartet who are usually ascribed major roles in the Czecho-Slovak movement, a concept Prof. Kirschbaum would certainly take strong offense to. �128 SLOVAKIA The number of printing errors is atrocious . Thus, R. W. SetonWatson becomes Seton-Weston (p. 9), Nicholas Spulber is Spuller (p. 9), Jan Tibensky comes out T. Tibeasky (p . 119) , the Spolok sv. Vojtecha is said to have been founded in 1780, rather than 1870 (p. 206), Timrava and Podjavorinska become Timarava and Podajavorisnka (also p. 206), Cyrillic is spelled in at least 5 or 6 different ways, ad infinitum. The French resume fares no better. I counted at least a half dozen errors in the first paragraph on page 286. An inserted errata catches a small number of errors, but tells us, "The word 'Slovensky' in Chapter III should have an accent on the letter e (! ) unavailable to the printers.' ' A couple of other minor carps: (1) the use of Loe. cit., op. cit., etc., is functional for article-length material, but not very feasible in a monograph. A reference to Robert Auty, loc. cit., on page 117 requires the reader to go all the way back to page 21. A reference to Noge, op. cit. on page 203 lacks any earlier reference whatsoever. It belongs to Julius Noge, An Outline of Slovakian Literature (Bratislava, 1968) which certainly also belongs in the bibliography. (2) In Chapter XII we suddenly have titles of Slovak works given only in English, making them harder to locate. In sum, a book whose title held so much promise turns out to be a disappointment. I share Prof. J. B. Rudnyckyj's prefaced complaint that there is far too little scholarly material available in English about Slovak literature, and I would add, about Slovak history, and Slovakia in general. Unfortunately, this compendium has not improved the situation. - OWENV. JOHNSON \ �Our Contributors Edward J. Behuncik, J.D., attorney; America, Stratford, Connecticut president, Slovak League of John Bodnar, Ph.D., historian, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania Andrew Cincura, Ph.D., author; professor, Riverside, California Owen V. Johnson, Ph.D., historian, University of Michigan Joseph M. Kirschbaum, LLD., Ph.D., historian; author, Toronto, Ontario, Canada Margaret Matus, student, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Michael Novak, Ph.D., author; lecturer; professor, Bayville, New York Andrew V. Pier, O.S.B., M.A., historian; author, Cleveland, Ohio M. Mark Stolarik, Ph.D., historian; professor, Cleveland, Ohio Anthony X. Sutherland, Ph.D., historian, Stony Point, New York Daniel F. Tanzone, 8.A., author; fraternalist, Yonkers, New York Francis Vnuk, M.A., author; historian, Broadview, Australia �OFFICERS OF THE SLOVAK LEAGUE OF AMERICA Honorary President: Stephen J. Tkach, K.H.S. JOHN A. HOLY Secretary 870 Rifle Camp Road West Paterson, N.J. 07424 EDWARD J. BEHUNCIK President 178 Elliott Street Stratford, Conn. 06497 Vice Presidents: Milan V. Blazek Frances L. Mizenko Daniel F. Tanzone Executive Committee: Edward J . Behuncik, John A. Holy, Louise Yash, Irma A. Vrbancic, John A. Sabol, George J. Kostelnik, Stephen J. Kavulich, Andrew Hudak, Jr., Dr. Joseph Mikula Anna E. Hletko Auditors: Dr. Stanislav Duris George N. Kantor SLOVAK FRATERNAL ORGANIZATIONS (Affiliated with the Slovak League of America) THE FIRST CATHOLIC SLOVAK UNION Cleveland, Ohio - Membership 104,000 THE FIRST CATHOLIC SLOVAK LADIES ASSOCIATION Beachwood, Ohio - Membership 100,000 THE SLOVAK CATHOLIC SOKOL Passaic, N.J. - Membership 53,000 THE LADIES PENNSYLVANIA SLOVAK CATHOLIC UNION Wilkes-Barre, Pa. - Membership 16,500 PENNSYLVANIA SLOVAK CATHOLIC UNION Wilkes-Barre, Pa. - Membership 15,000 SLOVAK NEWSPAPERMEN'S ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA John C. Sciranka, President SLOVAK AMERICAN NEWSPAPERS (Affiliated with the Slovak League of America) JEDNOTA (circulation 40,000) SLOVAK v AMERIKE (circulation 3,000) ZENS KA JEDNOTA (circulation 35,000) ZORNICKA (circulation 5,000) KATOLICKY SOKOL (circulation 20,000) BRATSTVO (circulation 7,000) PR IA TEL DIETOK (circulation 9,000) SLOVAKIA $4.00 per annum in the U.S.A. - $5.00 elsewhere Printed by JEDNOTA PRINTERY Middletown, Pennsylvania U.S.A. � SLOVAKIA 111 Henry Delfiner, Vienna Broadcasts to Slovakia. East European Quarterly, Boulder, Colorado, 1974. 142 pp . (Distributed by Columbia University Press, New York and London). Delfiner's study is a valuable source of information both on the German policy towards Eastern Europe on the threshhold of the Second World War and on the disruption of Czecho-Slovakia. Vienna broadcasts became influential after Berlin interpreted the Munich Agreement as giving Germany a "free hand" in Central Eastern Europe . The dissatisfied and frightened peoples and minorities, uncertain about their future, were more than inclined to consider the broadcasts as an interpreter of Berlin's foreign policy. Slovakia was one of the countries whose future was most uncertain. Hungarians , Poles and Germans claimed parts of Slovak territory and, even though the relations between the Czechs and the Slovaks improved after Slovakia was granted autonomy, Prague was unable either to defend Slovakia against her neighbors or assure her future. In fact, the government of Prague advised the Slovak autonomous government to turn to Berlin for protection against Hungarian claims. As a result, in the case of Slovakia, the broadcasts undoubtedly influenced the relations between the Czechs and the Slovaks, as well as the attitude of the Slovak population towards the Jews. The influence was, however, not as decisive as the author asserts . Mutnansky, as announcer and author of the major part of the broadcasts, was not the best person to perform the task. Unknown, without the necessary good contacts with Slovak politicians, and having a doubtful political record, he was not taken seriously in political circles. The anti-clericalism of his broadcasts and their violent anti-semitism also diminished their impact. As Delfiner rightly states, ''One of the first issues on which Slovakian Catholicism (Slovakia's population was 82 percent Catholic) and Nazi ideology clashed concerned treatment of the Jews." (p. 24) In addition, the broadcasts promoted K . Sidor at a time when Dr. Tiso was the head of the Populist Party and, from October 6, 1938, also the head of the Slovak government. The broadcasts also promoted Dr. Tuka who had no political office after he returned from Czech jails and neither Sidor nor Tiso were eager to adopt Tuka' s political views and plans. In fact Tiso protested on certain occasions against the broadcasts. It was in the March crisis of 1939, when Prague deposed the Slovak government, arrested hundreds of Slovak political and civic leaders, and militarily occupied public buildings, that the Vienna broadcasts and the Viennese politicians (Seyss-Inquart, Burckel) played the im- �112 SLOVAKIA portant role ascribed to them by the author in the final decision of the Slovaks to part with the Czechs. Since the story of the disruption of Czecho-Slovakia was presented in the West with a certain bias, the collection of these broadcasts will be useful for historians. The text of the broadcasts published in Mutnansky's books as well as his interpretation of them are not, however, necessarily accurate. He was not rewarded in Slovakia and advocated German policies even after the broadcasts were terminated. The work is enhanced by a useful bibliography and chronology. Some minor errors slipped into the glossary and chronology: Dr. Tuka made his first speech for independence on December 6, 1938 and not on December 9; Dr. Durcansky did not ask for "Hitler's intervention" on March 10. He merely hinted in his broadcast from Vienna that Slovaks '' aim to achieve national freedom with the help of our friends, the great German nation", (p. 117); Karol Sidor died in Montreal on October 20, 1953 and not 1954. - PROF. J.M. KIRSCHBAUM ••• Bohemia - Jahrbuch des Collegium Carolinum, Band 15, R. Oldenburg Verlag, (Munich, 1974). Edited by Dr. Gerhard Hanke, pp. 532. Even though the symposium Bohemia deals predominantly with the history, the culture and Czech-German relations in the present Czech part of Czecho-Slovakia, known throughout the centuries as Bohemia, many issues of this carefully edited annual publication have also paid attention to Slovakia and the Slovaks. The present volume contains three contributions dealing with Slovakia: Helmut Slapnicka writes about German lectures at the Law Academy in Bratislava in the middle of the 19th century; Ladislav Lipscher contributes an excellent essay on the constitution and regional political administration in Czecho-Slovakia during the 1920s; and Stanislav Kirschbaum deals with the contin_uity and political changes in Czecho-Slovakia in 1968. While Slapnicka i~ of German background, the two other contributors were born in Slovakia. Ladislav Lipscher is a noted historian of the political and legal organization of pre-war Czecho-Slovakia. Before escaping to the West in 1968 he published books and studies in this field in Slovakia and in spite of the difficulty of access to sources, Lipscher continues to do so from his Swiss exile . This is his third contribution published abroad, and it deserves our special attention because legal and administrative questions were by-passed by Slovak writers in the West. The institution of regional administration had political implications, being conceived as a substitute for political autonomy, promised to the Slovaks during the First World War. Based on solid knowledge and thorough research �SLOVAKIA 113 of the subject, Lipscher's study analyses political and administrative problems and presents an objective outline of the regional administration and the party politics behind it. Stanislav Kirschbaum, a specialist on Eastern Europe who teaches Political Science at York University in Toronto, deals with the political changes in Dubcek's era. There are numerous books and articles on this period in several W estem languages. Unfortunately , they are concerned predominantly with the Czech part of the country . Those that deal with Slovakia do so from a Czech perspective or treat the Slovaks as quantite negli[leable even though their role was of primary importance in the events between 1963 and 1968. Kirschbaum's contribution is a well documented scholarly analysis of the political situation in Czecho-Slovakia in the 1960s. It is a presentation of the changes which brought about the liberalization of the regime and the federalization of the State in that fateful year of 1968. Collegium Carolinum deserves our recognition for regularly including studies on Slovak topics in the annual Bohemia. - PROF. J.M. KIRSCHBAUM ••• Ludwig v. Gogolak, Beitraege zur Geschichte des slowakischen Volkes, II. Die slowakische nationale Frage in der Reformepoche Ungams 1790-1848, (Contributions to the History of the Slovak People - The Slovak National Question in the Reform Period of Hungary, 1790-1848). Verlag R. Oldenburg, (Muenchen, 1969), pp. 280. The second volume(+) of Gogolak's work on Slovakia's selfassertion in Hungary is a detailed and well-documented insight into the crucial years of Slovak history when the Slovaks had to fight not only the Magyar nationalism, but also the ''Czechoslovak'' tendencies of the Slovak Lutheran leaders. Though of Slovak origin and related to Bernolak' s family, Gogolak belonged to the Hungarian aristocracy and his interpretation of Slovak national movement is consequently quite different from the Czech or Slovak nationalist interpretations. The present volume deals predominantly with the second half of the 19th and the first decade of the 20th Centuries. Special attention was paid by the author to the Pan-Slav movement and its representatives in Slovakia and to the movement of tudovit Stur which clashed with both the Magyar assimilation policy and "Czechoslovak" orientation of some Lutheran leaders, especially Kollar and Safarik. Particular attention is paid also to Jan Holly and his influence on the Slovak national movement in the 19th Century. According to Gogolak, Holly deserves credit for giving Slovaks the consciousness of their history (Geschichtsbewusstsein) and faith in their future. In this respect Gogolak is in agreement not only with the older school of Slovak �114 SLOVAKIA historians but also with the present " Marxist" historians and clashes only with the views of the "Czechoslovak" historiography. Gogolak is not denying the oppressive policy of Budapest, but explains it in the context of European nationalism and liberalism and points out the weakness of the Slovak movement whose leaders were divided by religion into two camps, one of which looked for a solution outside Hungary, in a merger with the Czechs . There are many aspects of the Slovak national question in Gogolak's work which were by-passed in Slovak history books or interpreted with bias by Czech historians. Unfortunately, we are unable, outside Slovakia, to pass judgment on their correctness. Gogolak refers to a great number of sources in Slovak, Czech, Hungarian and German which are not accessible to us . Supported by references to reliable sources, Gogolak's conclusions and interpretations seem to be convincing, and as a result we face a new interpretation of the Slovak national movement and of the role the Catholics and the Protestans played in modem Slovak history . In some respects Gogolak is in complete disagreement with the Czech interpretation, especially with the unfounded assertion that Catholics took a minor part in national revival. In his view, "only the activity of several Catholic priests and scholars who were conscious of their goal and mission allowed the Slovak national character not to lose its own characteristics and identity in the clash with the menacing political Magyarization and the spiritual Czechoslovak in the age of modem nationalism and preponderance of the bourgeoisie .... Had the Protestant intelligentsia, which in fact lived mostly on their historical heritage and foreign German-Czech connections, remained in its leading role, the result would probably have been the complete disappearance of the Slovak people." (Vol. I. p. 229 and 238). Considering the fact that Gogolak's work was published by a wellknown publisher and, except for T. J. Locher's book Die Nazionale Differenzierung der Slowaken und Tschechen in ihren geschichtlichen Verlauf bis 1848 (Harlem, 1931), it is the only.work in German by nonSlovak writer, we should not underestimate' its importance. Slovak historians should thoroughly analyze this new interpretation of modem Slovak history. - PROF. J.M. KIRSCHBAUM (+)For my review of Volume I see Slovakia, No. 35, 1964, pp. 156-158. ■■■ Roger Portal , The Slavs. Weidenfeld & Nicolson (London, 1969), pp. 508, Bihl., index, illustrations. Portal's voluminous book is a survey of the cultural and historical development of the Slavic peoples, including the Slovaks. It was �SLOVAKIA 115 written, and originally published, in French (Librairie Armand Colin, 1965), probably as a manual for students at French universities at which Portal has been a professor. The work is illustrated by maps and pictures and presents the Slavs in a much more objective light than some American books have done in the past. French scholars were interested in the Slavs for more than a century, but rarely have any French Slavists presented a global picture similar to Portars book. Slovaks and Slovakia are treated by Portal in proportion to their place and significance among the Slavs without the usual bias encountered in the West. His interpretation of certain periods of Slovak history was apparently influenced by Czech sources, which is, to a degree, understandable. While historiography in Slovakia developed considerably during the past three decades, there are still very few books in foreign languages which could be used by Slavists outside Slovakia. Moreover, even the summaries in scholarly works are always in Russian or German, and only occasionally in French and English. As a result one can hardly reproach Portal or other foreign Slavists if their chapters or paragraphs on Slovaks are sketchy, superficial or if they omit certain periods considered as important for Slovaks but less important in the context of the general history of the Slavs . It is evident that we cannot expect an objective and complete history of Slovakia and Slovaks until there are good history books on Slovakia translated into or written in foreign languages and until there are foreign students at Slovak universities specializing in Slovak history, culture, literature, and language. The absence of statehood, resulting in limited or non-existent cultural exchanges with other countries , necessarily reflects on the knowledge of Slovakia abroad. Many books on Czech history and culture were written by former foreign students at Prague 's university or by Slavists invited to Prague and studying there on scholarships. The same goes for Poland and other Slavic countries. Except for the six years of the Slovak Republic, there was never a government ruling in Slovakia which would have been interested in making Slovakia known in the World. Looking at Portal's book from this angle, we have to welcome it as a great step ahead. Slovak intellectuals in Western Europe should carefully analyze the book and supply Professor Portal with correct information on periods or events which were omitted or misinterpreted. That is the only way to obtain a change in presenting Slovakia abroad until the Slovaks have their own government and normal cultural relations with the world. In Portal's book Slovakia is at least not a footnote to Czech history as happens so often in other books. - PROF. J.M. KIRSCHBAUM ••• �116 SLOVAKIA R. Krajcovic, Slovencina a slovanske jazyky (The Slovak and the Slavic Languages), Slovenske pedagogicke nakladatelstvo (Bratislava, 1974), pp. 324, illustrations, Russian and German summary. Slovak philology has experienced a remarkable development during the past fifty years for reasons which can properly be understood only in the context of political developments in Slovakia.(+) The attempts to make the Slovak language a dialect of the Czech or nonexistent "Czechoslovak" language gave a strong impetus to Slovak philologists to prove that there was no scientific basis for such theories. The subsequent attempts at Russification of the Slovak language worked in the same direction: they intensified the desire of Slovak philologists to elaborate their own theories about the independent place of the Slovak language among Slavic languages. As a result, Slovak philology developed favorably in all areas of philological research: dialectology, lexicology, comparative philology, morphology, phonology, etc. and the Slovak language was finally established as a distinct Slavic tongue. The book by Krajcovic expertly deals with the place of the Slovak language among Slavic languages and asserts its originality from the time when the Slavic macro-dialects split into dialects with the distinct characteristics of the present Slavic languages. He analyzes the theories which aimed at proving that the Slovak language did not have a homogeneous proto-slavic basis as well as the theories which substantiated the thesis that the Slovak language was formed on the homogeneous West Slavic basis, and corroborates the distinct character of the Slovak language. The book is destined by its terminology for scholars and philologists, but its conclusions are understandable by everybody. In many ways, the book is a good example of the high academic level of the new generation of Slovak philologists. The German summary makes the book accessible also to Wes tern scholars. - PROF. J.M. KIRSCHBAUM ( +) See Chapter II in Kirschbaum, Slovak Language and Literature, University of Manitoba (Winnipeg, 1975), I\- 25-38 . ••• Dr. J. Mesaros (ed.), Slovaci a ich narodny vyvin (The Slovaks and Their National Development). Proceedings of the V Congress of Slovak Historians. Published by Vydavatel'stvo-Slovenskej akademie vied, (Bratislava, 1969); pp. 305. This symposium is composed of 12 papers delivered at the Conference of Slovak Historians and deserves mention not only for the academic value of individual contributions, but also in connection with �SLOVAKIA 117 Gogolak's work mentioned above. While Gogolak's two volumes present an interpretation by a non-Slovak historian, this volume, edited by Dr. Mesaros, gives us an interpretation of Slovak history by the generation of Slovak historians who adopted nolens-volens, a Marxist approach to history. It is regrettable that the symposium is not available in W estem languages for it demolishes the "Czechoslovak" interpretation of Slovakia 's past and present, and substantiates the thesis that Slovaks developed independently of Czechs or other Slavs into a distinct nation culturally, linguistically and politically from the Middle Ages. The contributions by P. Ratkos , J. Tibensky, J. Butvin , K. Rebro and Mesaros are especially explicit in this regard. The contribution by Z. Holotikova is of interest for understanding the attitude of the Communists towards Slovak !llational aspirations. Like the "bourgeois" adherents of "Czechoslov'a kism" who retarded Slovak development towards full national independence, the Communists were also liable for the confusion and for Prague's rule in Slovakia, both of which were detrimental to Slovak development towards a distinct national identity and self-rule. The admission by Marxist historians that religious divisions and Communist adherence to "Czechoslovakism" were harmful to Slovak national development is expressed with caution, but it is present throughout the book and sets the record straight. The majority of Slovaks never doubted their distinct national identity and fought for equal rights with other nations. The minority - political and religious - nevertheless succeeded, with Prague's help, in creating confusion even among foreign Slavists. The post-war experiences with Prague centralism in the economy and renewed efforts to stifle Slovak nationalism resulted in the re.thinking and re-appraising of the Slovak question not only by politicians but also by historians. The publication under review presents their conclusions. Most of the contributions are well-researched and well-written and deal with problems of primary interest for the Slovak struggle for self-assertion. - PROF. J.M. KIRSCHBAUM □□□ Jednota Annual FURDEK 1977, Volume XVI, 303 pages. Edited by Joseph C. Krajsa. Published by the First Catholic Slovak Union of the United States and Canada. Printed by the Jednota Press , Middletown, Pennsylvania . FURDEK 1977, Jednota's sixteenth in a series of annuals in the English language, offers the reader a variety of articles written by a number of old pros, several new authors and semi-pros, but all have something interesting for the reader who wants to know more about his Slovak ethnic background . �118 SLOVAKIA Doctor Pauco 's invaluable contributions (superbly translated from the Slovak by Sister M . Martina Tybor, SS.C .M .) enrich this year's production , which is easily the most informative and probably the best of the series inaugurated by the late Editor Philip A. Hrobak and continued by the present editor-in-chief, Joseph C. Krajsa. Every effort should be made to send this edition to as many Slovak homes, as well as to public, college, and university libraries, as possible. Thomas (Belejcak) Bell, American novelist of Slovak ancestry, is presented, and his half dozen works are ably reviewed by John F. Berko. Bell's books generally reflect the somber and tragic side of life among Slovak (and other Slavic) immigrants in the steel city of Pittsburgh and its suburbs. By a slim margin of one, the young men hold the edge over the Jednota scholarship winners (31-30) in the past year as the fair sex scored high in the final standings. This is a sound display of nondiscrimination in a men's organization. As always, the attractive photos of our intelligent youth give us renewed hope for the future destiny of our J ednota in particular and the ethnic identity of the American Slovaks in general. Michael Novak, Ph.D . , who holds the center stage as the acknowledged champion of ethnics in America, discusses the subject in his usual profound manner and inimitable style. In his " Long Life to Slovaks" contribution, Doctor William Gombar counters Michael Simko's realistic but bleak view for the future of the ethnic population in America. Joseph Kirschbaum, Ph.D., LL.D., is well known for his many writings. In this issue of FURDEK the Slovak diplomat and author contributes a valuable review of the influence of American Slovak organizations on his fellow countrymen in Canada. Glimpses into the ancient historical past of the Slovak nation are presented by a newcomer, Michael Kolarci~, ~S.J. His sketches of the life and times of Prince Pribina, Kings Mojmir I, Rastislav, and Svatopluk the Great, are concise and accurate. Michael Krajsa's tribute to General Stefanik and Doctor Pauco's firsthand information on President Tiso during wartime recall outstanding national heroes of the First and Second World Wars respectively. Tonka Kral, Anna Maria Kulhan, and Theresa Sapak make their debut as a talented trio of promising youthful writers . Sister M . Gabriel Hricko 's biographical sketch of Doctor Joseph Pauco on the first anniversary of the death of a fearless fighter for Slovakia 's national freedom and statehood is a timely tribute to one of the greatest Slovak newspapermen and patriots in our time. Sister Gabriel's beautiful article on the Miracle of Fatima rounds out this year's publication . �SLOVAKIA 119 Two Congressmen, namely, the Honorable Daniel Flood of Pennsylvania and the Honorable Peter Rodino, Jr. of New Jersey are contributors who add prestige to this edition. Sophia Zufa finds Slovakia a picturesque country inhabited by a warm, hospitable people, and her father's hometown of Nizna nad Oravou full of memories as recalled by her aunt during her visit. Paul Fenchak's article on Slavic Studies in Maryland's public schools is typical of their place in the public schools around the country - shamefully neglected. Karol Sidor, Slovak newspaperman, diplomat, and statesman, is remembered as a distinguished author, thanks to Imrich Stolarik's contribution. Astronaut Eugene Ceman rates a photograph taken at Youngstown, Ohio's American Slovak Bicentennial celebration last year. A number of other articles of interest in this issue of FURDEK include ones by Fathers Edward Hancko, S.J., Francis Kuba, C.P., Joseph Adamec, Andrew Pier, O.S.B., as well as by Archbishop Joseph Bernardin, D.D., Monsignor J. Jaworski, S.T.D., and by Vincent Drobniak, John Herling, and Edward Svercek. Seventy-five concise articles of a diversified nature cover a wide spectrum of historical, political, cultural, religious, and social subjects. Several poems are added to enhance a rich assortment of carefully selected writings. Nevertheless, the Slovak sources of interesting subjects remain far from being exhausted. There remains a great deal more to be told about Slovakia and her people at home and scattered throughout the world. - ANDREW V. PIER, O.S.B . ••• An Anthology of Slovak Literature, by Andrew Cincura, Ph.D., University of California. Not the last but the latest and most complete and comprehensive study of Slovak prose and poetry in the English language is Dr. Cincura' s scholarly work produced after several years of research by the Slovak Professor whom the Rockefeller Foundation sponsored in compiling a truly pioneer project that merits the highest praise on the basis of its contents and superb presentation. A quarter of a century ago, Ivan Kramoris, M.A., of the Marquette University Preparatory School in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, published the first anthology of Slovak literature in English, but since then many new writers have appeared in Slovakia and in exile. This literary development necessitated an up-to-date edition to review the writings of new Slovak authors and poets. Michael Novak, Ph.D., the prolific author of a number of works on the ethnics, introduces the book as "done with taste, intelligence, �120 SLOVAKIA judgment and perception ... " Moreover, Karol Strmen, Ph.D., an eminent Slovak poet, provides the setting for a proper appreciation of a representative series of selections from the surprisingly extensive output of Slovak literary works since the beginning of the nineteenth century. His historical review of Slovak literature is enlightening and informative . While most of Slovak poets and prose writers in Dr. Cincura's selective list rate a high place in their field, some of them compare favorably with leading writers in world literature. By their imagination , workmanship, originality, realism, and idealism, the works of the Slovak nation's literary men and women prove their genuine value as enduring products that have a universal appeal. Certainly Dr. Cincura cannot be accused of male chauvinism, for he chose ten women writers of some thirty authors of prose, although only two women poets are included in approximately forty Slovak poets in his selection. And a woman dramatist is on his list of four Slovak playwrights. Doubtless, there are many more selections of prose and poetry that manifest the natural genius of the Slovak people in expressing their ideas and feelings, but the author was limited by inadequate space. Perhaps in the near future a second volume may be added to supplement this excellent book that will acquaint the English-speaking world with some of the best creative writers of Slovakia. Obviously the very nature of this work presents but a fragmentary part of the entire literary field of Slovak literature, but the reader is given a wide assortment of creative works by writers and poets who are intimately related to their historic land and its people. - ANDREW V. PIER, O.S.B . ••• J.M. Kirschbaum, Slovak Language and Literature, Series: Readings in Slavic Literatures, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, 1975, pp . XIV, 366, Index, ill., bibl. Slovak Language and Literature, the ~test publication by Dr. Joseph M. Kirschbaum, the distinguished author of historical, political and literary works relating to the Slovak nation, contains a vast wealth of facts, opinions, reflections and references to standard works of prominent Slavists in several languages. The Series Editor, Professor J.B. Rudnyckyj, in his preface acknowledges: "Slovakia, a central part of the Great Moravian Empire of the ninth century, was the cradle of Slavic letters and civilization, for there were the beginnings of the rich and highly cultivated Cyrillo-Methodian literature which spread in the tenth century to other Slavic countries, especially to the southern and eastern Slavs." �SLOVAKIA 121 The author deems a background to the development of Slovak literature ve ry helpful to the understanding of the evolution of the Slovak language itself. His book is the most comprehensive study of the Slovak language and literature in the English language. Moreover, the author, who has spent years in research and has lectured on the subject during the past two decades, alludes to historical and philosophical aspects that affected the growth of the language and literature of the Slovak people from earliest times to the present day. The impact of the Slovak literary language on the national life of historic Slovakia aided considerably in the emergence of a strong national consciousness in the 19th and 20th centuries. , '' Slovakia,'' Professor Rudnyckyj notes , ''played an important role in the Pan-Slav movement. Not only was the word Panslavism coined by a Slovak, but Slovakia also gave the Pan-Slav idea, which stirred the national consciousness of several Slavic peoples, the most prominent representatives: Jan Kollar, Pavol J. Safarik, and :Cudovit Stur. ' ' Dr. Kirschbaum points out that "Slovak literature achieved a level comparable to other Slavic literatures in the first half of the twentieth century.'' It was during this period that Slovak writers came under the influence of Slavic authors but also drew their inspiration from English, French , and Scandinavian writers . Their works reflected a wide variety of literary trends : Romanticism, Pan-Slavism, Symbolism, Modernism, and Surrealism. Despite World War II, Slovak writers (even proletarian poets) were given a free hand to publish their works in the era of the Slovak Republic (1939-1945). This freedom was sharply curtailed soon after World War II by the communist takeover in Slovakia. As a result, the boycott inaugurated officially by the regime has been in force against all Slovak writers in the free world for more than a quarter of a century. Inside Slovakia, after the ' ' liberation'' of the country by armies of the Soviet Union and the communist coup of 1948, only "proletarian" writers, surrealic;ts, and leftist poets and authors, journalists and newspapermen have been permitted to publish their writings. All others, even leading novelists like Hronsky (and to some extent Gaspar and Urban) have been excluded, as have such prominent poets as Beniak, while others (Andrej Zarnov, R. Dilong, M. Sprinc, K . Strmen) were forced to go into exile, and the poetry and prose of the latter are not acceptable in the country of their birth. Outside Slovakia, in the past three decades Slovak writers in exile from their communist-controlled homeland have published prolific works in literature and history that have offset an outpouring of communist-oriented publications of poetry and prose within the narrow limits of the ruling regime. These creative writers living in the free world have been "excommunicated" from the socialist state imposed upon their countrymen - and their works are "verboten. " Completely unlike the literary picture painted by captive artists of �122 SLOVAKIA the communist regime in present-day Slovakia, the portrait of Slovak literature both in and out of the country, produced by Dr. Kirschbaum in the free world, is a realistic work depicting the landscape and people of Slovakia in their true colors. It is also an objective delineation of the men and women of letters working under close surveillance in their homeland held captive by foreign invaders and oppressors . Although the impact of Professor Kirschbaum 's book in the field in western literature will be strongly felt, it is a foregone conclusion that it will be totally ignored or attacked in Slovakia. Meanwhile , readers, Slovak and non-Slovak alike, who are interested in true literature, will welcome this highly creditable and scholarly volume that is richly supported by an extensive bibliography. We cannot but agree with Professor Constantine Bida of the University of Ottawa, who reviewed the manuscript, that the book is ''a valuable compendium, necessary for Slovaks abroad and useful for the Anglophone peoples since it supplies a great deal of valuable information on Slovak philology and literature, by using the biobibliographical method''. - ANDREW V. PIER, O.S.B. □□□ Francesco Petrarca, Vavrin (a Slovak selection from Il Canzoniere), translated by Karol Strmen. Rome: Slovak Institute of St. Cyril and Methodius, 1974, 216 pp . The time-honored tradition of observing the anniversary of a deceased foreign author by honoring him with a volume of translations from his work found new expression in a recent Slovak selection from Francesco Petrarca' s ll Canzoniere. Translated from the Italian original by Professor Karol Strmen, who is a poet in .his own right, and titled Vavrin (The Laurel Crown), the most rece:dt Slovak rendition of Il Canzoniere commemorates the 600th anniversary of Petrarca's death. The work presents almost one-third of Petrarca's own collection as well as a scholarly resume of the life, works, and aesthetics of the Italian poet. There are likewise explanatory notes and a bibliography of Petrarca' s works and scholarly criticisms. The purpose of the work as indicated explicitly in its introduction is two-fold: (1) to present "all really important poems (from the original) in the suggested order and framework" of Petrarca's own collection; and (2) to give to Slovak readers background information necessary for a better understanding of the great Italian poet and scholar. Professor Strmen has also tried to show implicitly that able translators can render even the most profound concepts and intricate patterns of foreign masterpieces in the Slovak language without damaging distortion, and that modern Slovak scholarship, if unburdened by historical, political, �SLOVAKIA 123 and other non-literary forces, can fulfill the most challenging tasks of standard literary investigation. For at least a partial response to anticipated questions about norms for Strmen's selection, I shall at least curiously examine some fortunes of Petrarca' s poetry in Slovakia and then concentrate on the more germane relationship of Vavrin to the only other extensive Slovak selection from Il Canzoniere, the work Francesco Petrarca, Sonety pre Lauru, translated by the Slovak poet, Vojtech Mihalik, in 1968. Besides Mihalik' s extensive translation, there are also shorter selections translated by Zvonicky and Durica. Together with Strmen's new renditions from Il Can'zoniere these all testify to the great interest that Slovak men of letters and patrons of literature take in Petrarca's works. The Petrarca ''vogue,'' nevertheless, had already taken hold among Slovak poets and scholars as early as the beginning of the 19th century when Pavel Jozef Safarik, Jan Kollar, and Jan Holly employed Il Canzoniere either as a formal model for their poems or as a starting point in their arguments about the role of the Slavs in Europe. The followers of Safarik, Kollar, and Holly, including both post-Romantic and modern Slovak poets, experimented with Petrarchian forms primarily as to their conceptual and linguistic appropriateness in the spectrum of Slovak poetry. The renowned Slovak poet Pavol Orszagh-Hviezdoslav, and his contemporary Svetozar Hurban-Vajansky, used the Petrarchian sonnets mostly as prototypes for their own reflective-intellectual poems. Janko Jesensky, on the contrary, returned in his Poems (1905) to love themes inherent to the Petrarchian sonnets. Ivan Krasko followed Petrarca in the use of the so-called '' squared oxymoron'' in his collections, Nox et solitudo (1909) and Poems (1912) (cf. Slovenske pohl'ady 85 (1969; cited hereafter as SP) , No. XI, 129) . The gallery of Petrarca's followers in Slovak literature was further complemented by Valentin Beniak (Sophia, 1941) and Jan Kostra (Ave Eva, 1943). Mihalik's selection from Il Canzoniere , both as a pioneering undertaking and as a work briefly preceding Strmen's Vavrin, constitutes a valuable contribution to Slovak literature and general aesthetics. Like Strmen in the work under review, Mihalik according to one reviewer, presents parts of Il Canzoniere as faithfully as possible. His translated version of the original "sings" in Slovak as it does in the original Italian (SP, No. XI, 124). It may be noted that Mihalik and Strmen, who are both poets-translators, chose slightly different formal and conceptual paths to attain their goals. Mihalik, living in Slovakia and somewhat burdened by his limited knowledge of the Italian language, was forced to seek the assistance of a translator and depend on the present politically-motivated scholarship of the Society sphere. Strmen, residing abroad and fluent in a dozen of foreign languages, had the capacity and the circumstances to approach the task and to accomplish it singlehandedly. In each case, the net result is characterized by some �124 SLOVAKIA similarities in an overall consideration and by specific differences in matters of detail. Let us now briefly examine some prominent features of both translations. To begin with, Mihalik used the thirteen foot iambic feminine verse alternated by the masculine hexameter exclusively. Examples: Vy po-slu-cha-ci bas-ni, v kto-rych iial'-i chve-nie ai do-sial' mu-ci mo-je srd-ce u-sta-te ... (Sonnet I, vv. 1-2) Do-bro-re-ce-ne mie-sto, mo-jej Las-ky sud-ca, den, me-siac, rok a chvi-l'a, pa-miit-ny ten kut kra-ji-ny, kde ma vrh-li do ca-rov-nych put due o-ci pre-kras-ne, ie v6-bec ne-viem hnut' sa. (Sonnet LXI, vv. 1-4) An analysis of Mihalik' s translation and expository writing shows that his strict adherence to a specific form might have been prompted by several formal and quasi-polemical considerations. As the poet of a somewhat conservative bent, he tried to counteract "the wave of amorphism governing the preponderant part of (modem Slovak) poetry" (SP , No. XI , 132). As a scholar, he seems to defend some modern concepts exalting the creative role of a translator over the older claims of Kollar and Holly, who hold that no translation can surpass the artistry of the original Slovak creations. Viliam Turcany, a modem Slovak scholar , commented that Mihalik' s translations "read as if they were his own original works" (SP, No. XII, 122). In the specific reference to the form used in Mihalik's rendition of fl Canzoniere, Turcany stressed the fact that the thirteen-foot iambic line alternated with the hexameter is the metric form best sv.ited for expressing ''the similar quantitative-conceptual density of the Italian and Slovak prosody line" (SP, No. XII, 127). Strmen disregarded both the explicit and the implied claims of Mihalik and Turcany, and translated his selected parts of fl Canzoniere in accordance with his own aesthetic and semantic tenets. Cutting down the length of Petrarca's sonnet line to eleven and ten syllables respectively, he indirectly confirmed the fact that translations from Italian poetry - like translations of prose - require about 15 percent less space in Slovak. Examples: Vy, co tu v zlom-koch ver-sov za-chy-ti-te sum vzdy-chov, kto-re l'u-bost' ii-vi-li . . . (Sonnet I, vv. 1-2) �125 SLOVAKIA Bla-ho-sla-ve-ny me-siac, deii i rok i pek-ny kraj i vcas-na jar i chvi-l'a i mie-sto, kde mi Las-ka za-lo-ii-la na mih jej o-ka kru-hy ie-lie-zok .. (Sonnet LXI , vv. 1-4) On the other hand, preserving the prevailing "dynamic" subjectverb structure of Petrarca,' s sentence in his rendition of the Italian work, Strrnen established a close relationship between poet and theme . In the remarks which introduce his translation of Il Canzoniere, Strrnen underlined the importance of the original work for the quality of its translation and for general scholarly consideration. According to him every new great poet represents, so to speak, the last word , the exhaustion of literary potentials. And since, we all are willy-nilly prisoners of our era, we are all tempted to make him the criterion of the past. But the history of poetry deals with something else: the great poet stands out as an independent island (and) we approach him with the guidebooks of our aesthetic prejudices . . . A translation should be primarily a mirror (of the original, and) not ... a colonization or an extension of the translator's personality. In summing up the basic tenets of this review, it is necessary to ask how both poet-translators enriched Slovak literature by translating parts of Petrarca's masterpiece into Slovak and how each of them contributed to the advancement of general scholarly knowledge. Considering the first part of the question , I wish to point out that these translations complement each other. Each poet selected different portions from the original and consequently offered a wider selection from the Italian work to his Slovak readers. A limited number of the poems translated by both poets makes it possible, on the other hand, to study these poems in juxtaposition with each other and facilitates their close comparison. As to the second part of the question, I thank that both Slovak selections from Il Canzoniere provide new thoughts for a theoretical approach to aesthetics in general and Slovak Petrarchian studies in particular . Two basic points of this review, namely verse structure and the " kinetics" of language, are common denominators in the comparative study of specific segments of the respective works and , at the same time , of the · specifics of the individual parts within the artistic whole. Conversely , any segment of Il Canzoniere - if juxtaposed with its counterparts in Slovak translations - will give at least a hint about the character and merits of the respective work. In practical terms, the lines cited in Slovak from Mihalik's and Strmen's translations (as well as any other lines from their selections) �126 SLOVAKIA will give the reader at least a broad idea about the formal aspects of either translation. Italian Slavists will, even by a dissection of these brief segments, gain insight into "hidden" linguistic and artistic concepts governing Strmen's and Mihalik's translations. Economy, idea, and sound quality were the most importat denominators shaping Petrarca's masterpiece. Without expressing any subjective valuejudgment about the Slovak selections from Il Canzoniere, I can state that Mihalik and Strmen fulfilled scholarly expectations in coping with these three fundamental principles of Petrarca's work. ANDREW CINCURA □□□ Joseph M. Kirschbaum, Slovak Language and Literature: Essays. Winnipeg and Cleveland: University of Manitoba, Department of Slavic Studies, 1975. (Readings in Slavic Literature, 12). 336 pages. This is a collection of twelve essays on various aspects of Slovak language and literature which Prof. Kirschbaum has read at conferences and-or published in journals over the past twenty years. He has divided them into three parts, the first (2 essays) discussing questions of language, the second (7 essays) presenting selected topics in Slovak literature through the latter part of the nineteenth century, and the third (3 essays) surveying post-World War II trends. There is a fourth part which purports to be a '' French summary'', but in reality is a slightly rearranged translation of the first and third English chapters. Prof. Kirschbaum's purpose is "to acquaint students and scholars . . . with the development of the Slovak vernacular into a literary medium and with the literature created by the Slovaks in their own language as well as other languages used in Slovakia ... '' The goal is admirable, but he has missed a splendid opportunity to create a solid synthetic survey. There are several reasons to regret his choice of method. As is unfortunately true with much material published by Slovaks in the West, one is left in doubt as to precisely what audience he is trying to reach. Part of the time, Prof. Kirschbaum devotes essays to polemics, particularly with those who sub,s cribe to the concept of Czechoslovakism. He uses expressions such 'as ''misconceptions'' and ''errors' ', charging that these ''wrongs' ' are based on flimsy evidence. But in turn, Kirschbaum himself offers minimal ''proof'' for some of his assertions. Nevertheless, it is disappointing to see polemical essays alongside more serious academic treatments (particularly those chapters on Jan Kollar, Pavol Safarik, and :Cudovit Stur). Further, Western scholars in recent years have taken note of changing perceptions of the development of Slovak national consciousness. (See, for example, Joseph Zacek's remarks in his study of "Nationalism in �SLOVAKIA 127 Czechoslovakia" in Peter F. Sugar and Ivo J. Lederer, eds., Nationalism in Eastern Europe - 1969.) The second problem is that Prof. Kirschbaum has several times repeated his use of the same evidence. He indicates in his introduction that he has done some editing to avoid repetitions, but what are we to make of his double use of a statement by the Polish philologist Tadeusz Lehr-Splawinski (pp. 20 and 68), or of "western" discussions of the origin of Slovak as a literazy language (pp . 18-19 and 52-53)? This is also a problem in books in · which the essays of multiple authors are collected, but one wishes Prof. Kirschbaum had been more diligent in overcoming it. Why, though , when such a golden opportunity presented itself, didn't Prof. Kirschbaum give us a synthetic survey of Slovak literature? There would have been no fear of his repeating himself, and the scholars and students, for whom he says he is writing, would have had an overall view of the evolving Slovak language and literature. Kirschbaum himself remarks on the particular importance of Slovak literature between the wars, but he allows as that would require too much space to discuss, and so he skips the subject. Similarly, his discussion of post1945 literary development is a bare outline of the 1945-1956 period, with only a couple of paragraphs given over to the extremely important dozen years after that, a period so necessary for an understanding of the events of 1968 and after. Kirschbaum alludes to a few important matters after 1956, such as the rapidly growing research on Slovak language and literature in the early 1960s (pp. 35-36). He suggests that this development resulted from the Communist Party's perception of language and literature as being a neutral field. The reader is left wondering why it was, then, that manifestations of Slovak nationalism developed precisely in those areas. The plea of complexity is inadequate. The inclusion of the two chapters of Slovak emigre literature is puzzling, since Kirschbaum tells us twice that only about 50 writers are involved. He does cite their availablity to the reader in the West, but in fact, after the passage of three decades, they now belong more among Slovak ethnic writers in the United States and Canada (or wherever else they live) than to continuing Slovak literary trends in Czecho-Slovakia. Sad as it might be, these authors are writing for a decreasing number of readers. The interesting aspect of these chapters is the report of the publication in post-February Czecho-Slovakia of works · by :Cudo Besenovsky and Milos Mlynarovic. Prof. Kirschbaum should be cautioned in his use of Robert Kann's praise of Slovak cultural development in the whole of the nineteenth century (pp. 147-8). It is clear from Kann's context that he includes Kollar, Safarik, Stefanik, and Masaryk in his kudos, a quartet who are usually ascribed major roles in the Czecho-Slovak movement, a concept Prof. Kirschbaum would certainly take strong offense to. �128 SLOVAKIA The number of printing errors is atrocious . Thus, R. W. SetonWatson becomes Seton-Weston (p. 9), Nicholas Spulber is Spuller (p. 9), Jan Tibensky comes out T. Tibeasky (p . 119) , the Spolok sv. Vojtecha is said to have been founded in 1780, rather than 1870 (p. 206), Timrava and Podjavorinska become Timarava and Podajavorisnka (also p. 206), Cyrillic is spelled in at least 5 or 6 different ways, ad infinitum. The French resume fares no better. I counted at least a half dozen errors in the first paragraph on page 286. An inserted errata catches a small number of errors, but tells us, "The word 'Slovensky' in Chapter III should have an accent on the letter e (! ) unavailable to the printers.' ' A couple of other minor carps: (1) the use of Loe. cit., op. cit., etc., is functional for article-length material, but not very feasible in a monograph. A reference to Robert Auty, loc. cit., on page 117 requires the reader to go all the way back to page 21. A reference to Noge, op. cit. on page 203 lacks any earlier reference whatsoever. It belongs to Julius Noge, An Outline of Slovakian Literature (Bratislava, 1968) which certainly also belongs in the bibliography. (2) In Chapter XII we suddenly have titles of Slovak works given only in English, making them harder to locate. In sum, a book whose title held so much promise turns out to be a disappointment. I share Prof. J. B. Rudnyckyj's prefaced complaint that there is far too little scholarly material available in English about Slovak literature, and I would add, about Slovak history, and Slovakia in general. Unfortunately, this compendium has not improved the situation. - OWENV. JOHNSON \ �Our Contributors Edward J. Behuncik, J.D., attorney; America, Stratford, Connecticut president, Slovak League of John Bodnar, Ph.D., historian, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania Andrew Cincura, Ph.D., author; professor, Riverside, California Owen V. Johnson, Ph.D., historian, University of Michigan Joseph M. Kirschbaum, LLD., Ph.D., historian; author, Toronto, Ontario, Canada Margaret Matus, student, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Michael Novak, Ph.D., author; lecturer; professor, Bayville, New York Andrew V. Pier, O.S.B., M.A., historian; author, Cleveland, Ohio M. Mark Stolarik, Ph.D., historian; professor, Cleveland, Ohio Anthony X. Sutherland, Ph.D., historian, Stony Point, New York Daniel F. Tanzone, 8.A., author; fraternalist, Yonkers, New York Francis Vnuk, M.A., author; historian, Broadview, Australia �OFFICERS OF THE SLOVAK LEAGUE OF AMERICA Honorary President: Stephen J. Tkach, K.H.S. JOHN A. HOLY Secretary 870 Rifle Camp Road West Paterson, N.J. 07424 EDWARD J. 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Sciranka, President SLOVAK AMERICAN NEWSPAPERS (Affiliated with the Slovak League of America) JEDNOTA (circulation 40,000) SLOVAK v AMERIKE (circulation 3,000) ZENS KA JEDNOTA (circulation 35,000) ZORNICKA (circulation 5,000) KATOLICKY SOKOL (circulation 20,000) BRATSTVO (circulation 7,000) PR IA TEL DIETOK (circulation 9,000) SLOVAKIA $4.00 per annum in the U.S.A. - $5.00 elsewhere Printed by JEDNOTA PRINTERY Middletown, Pennsylvania U.S.A. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource 1976, Vol. 26 Description An account of the resource Vol. 26 (No. 49), 1976. Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available The Slovak League of America Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1976 Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document SLOVAKIA 111 Henry Delfiner, Vienna Broadcasts to Slovakia. East European Quarterly, Boulder, Colorado, 1974. 142 pp . (Distributed by Columbia University Press, New York and London). Delfiner's study is a valuable source of information both on the German policy towards Eastern Europe on the threshhold of the Second World War and on the disruption of Czecho-Slovakia. Vienna broadcasts became influential after Berlin interpreted the Munich Agreement as giving Germany a "free hand" in Central Eastern Europe . The dissatisfied and frightened peoples and minorities, uncertain about their future, were more than inclined to consider the broadcasts as an interpreter of Berlin's foreign policy. Slovakia was one of the countries whose future was most uncertain. Hungarians , Poles and Germans claimed parts of Slovak territory and, even though the relations between the Czechs and the Slovaks improved after Slovakia was granted autonomy, Prague was unable either to defend Slovakia against her neighbors or assure her future. In fact, the government of Prague advised the Slovak autonomous government to turn to Berlin for protection against Hungarian claims. As a result, in the case of Slovakia, the broadcasts undoubtedly influenced the relations between the Czechs and the Slovaks, as well as the attitude of the Slovak population towards the Jews. The influence was, however, not as decisive as the author asserts . Mutnansky, as announcer and author of the major part of the broadcasts, was not the best person to perform the task. Unknown, without the necessary good contacts with Slovak politicians, and having a doubtful political record, he was not taken seriously in political circles. The anti-clericalism of his broadcasts and their violent anti-semitism also diminished their impact. As Delfiner rightly states, ''One of the first issues on which Slovakian Catholicism (Slovakia's population was 82 percent Catholic) and Nazi ideology clashed concerned treatment of the Jews." (p. 24) In addition, the broadcasts promoted K . Sidor at a time when Dr. Tiso was the head of the Populist Party and, from October 6, 1938, also the head of the Slovak government. The broadcasts also promoted Dr. Tuka who had no political office after he returned from Czech jails and neither Sidor nor Tiso were eager to adopt Tuka' s political views and plans. In fact Tiso protested on certain occasions against the broadcasts. It was in the March crisis of 1939, when Prague deposed the Slovak government, arrested hundreds of Slovak political and civic leaders, and militarily occupied public buildings, that the Vienna broadcasts and the Viennese politicians (Seyss-Inquart, Burckel) played the im- 112 SLOVAKIA portant role ascribed to them by the author in the final decision of the Slovaks to part with the Czechs. Since the story of the disruption of Czecho-Slovakia was presented in the West with a certain bias, the collection of these broadcasts will be useful for historians. The text of the broadcasts published in Mutnansky's books as well as his interpretation of them are not, however, necessarily accurate. He was not rewarded in Slovakia and advocated German policies even after the broadcasts were terminated. The work is enhanced by a useful bibliography and chronology. Some minor errors slipped into the glossary and chronology: Dr. Tuka made his first speech for independence on December 6, 1938 and not on December 9; Dr. Durcansky did not ask for "Hitler's intervention" on March 10. He merely hinted in his broadcast from Vienna that Slovaks '' aim to achieve national freedom with the help of our friends, the great German nation", (p. 117); Karol Sidor died in Montreal on October 20, 1953 and not 1954. - PROF. J.M. KIRSCHBAUM ••• Bohemia - Jahrbuch des Collegium Carolinum, Band 15, R. Oldenburg Verlag, (Munich, 1974). Edited by Dr. Gerhard Hanke, pp. 532. Even though the symposium Bohemia deals predominantly with the history, the culture and Czech-German relations in the present Czech part of Czecho-Slovakia, known throughout the centuries as Bohemia, many issues of this carefully edited annual publication have also paid attention to Slovakia and the Slovaks. The present volume contains three contributions dealing with Slovakia: Helmut Slapnicka writes about German lectures at the Law Academy in Bratislava in the middle of the 19th century; Ladislav Lipscher contributes an excellent essay on the constitution and regional political administration in Czecho-Slovakia during the 1920s; and Stanislav Kirschbaum deals with the contin_uity and political changes in Czecho-Slovakia in 1968. While Slapnicka i~ of German background, the two other contributors were born in Slovakia. Ladislav Lipscher is a noted historian of the political and legal organization of pre-war Czecho-Slovakia. Before escaping to the West in 1968 he published books and studies in this field in Slovakia and in spite of the difficulty of access to sources, Lipscher continues to do so from his Swiss exile . This is his third contribution published abroad, and it deserves our special attention because legal and administrative questions were by-passed by Slovak writers in the West. The institution of regional administration had political implications, being conceived as a substitute for political autonomy, promised to the Slovaks during the First World War. Based on solid knowledge and thorough research SLOVAKIA 113 of the subject, Lipscher's study analyses political and administrative problems and presents an objective outline of the regional administration and the party politics behind it. Stanislav Kirschbaum, a specialist on Eastern Europe who teaches Political Science at York University in Toronto, deals with the political changes in Dubcek's era. There are numerous books and articles on this period in several W estem languages. Unfortunately , they are concerned predominantly with the Czech part of the country . Those that deal with Slovakia do so from a Czech perspective or treat the Slovaks as quantite negli[leable even though their role was of primary importance in the events between 1963 and 1968. Kirschbaum's contribution is a well documented scholarly analysis of the political situation in Czecho-Slovakia in the 1960s. It is a presentation of the changes which brought about the liberalization of the regime and the federalization of the State in that fateful year of 1968. Collegium Carolinum deserves our recognition for regularly including studies on Slovak topics in the annual Bohemia. - PROF. J.M. KIRSCHBAUM ••• Ludwig v. Gogolak, Beitraege zur Geschichte des slowakischen Volkes, II. Die slowakische nationale Frage in der Reformepoche Ungams 1790-1848, (Contributions to the History of the Slovak People - The Slovak National Question in the Reform Period of Hungary, 1790-1848). Verlag R. Oldenburg, (Muenchen, 1969), pp. 280. The second volume(+) of Gogolak's work on Slovakia's selfassertion in Hungary is a detailed and well-documented insight into the crucial years of Slovak history when the Slovaks had to fight not only the Magyar nationalism, but also the ''Czechoslovak'' tendencies of the Slovak Lutheran leaders. Though of Slovak origin and related to Bernolak' s family, Gogolak belonged to the Hungarian aristocracy and his interpretation of Slovak national movement is consequently quite different from the Czech or Slovak nationalist interpretations. The present volume deals predominantly with the second half of the 19th and the first decade of the 20th Centuries. Special attention was paid by the author to the Pan-Slav movement and its representatives in Slovakia and to the movement of tudovit Stur which clashed with both the Magyar assimilation policy and "Czechoslovak" orientation of some Lutheran leaders, especially Kollar and Safarik. Particular attention is paid also to Jan Holly and his influence on the Slovak national movement in the 19th Century. According to Gogolak, Holly deserves credit for giving Slovaks the consciousness of their history (Geschichtsbewusstsein) and faith in their future. In this respect Gogolak is in agreement not only with the older school of Slovak 114 SLOVAKIA historians but also with the present " Marxist" historians and clashes only with the views of the "Czechoslovak" historiography. Gogolak is not denying the oppressive policy of Budapest, but explains it in the context of European nationalism and liberalism and points out the weakness of the Slovak movement whose leaders were divided by religion into two camps, one of which looked for a solution outside Hungary, in a merger with the Czechs . There are many aspects of the Slovak national question in Gogolak's work which were by-passed in Slovak history books or interpreted with bias by Czech historians. Unfortunately, we are unable, outside Slovakia, to pass judgment on their correctness. Gogolak refers to a great number of sources in Slovak, Czech, Hungarian and German which are not accessible to us . Supported by references to reliable sources, Gogolak's conclusions and interpretations seem to be convincing, and as a result we face a new interpretation of the Slovak national movement and of the role the Catholics and the Protestans played in modem Slovak history . In some respects Gogolak is in complete disagreement with the Czech interpretation, especially with the unfounded assertion that Catholics took a minor part in national revival. In his view, "only the activity of several Catholic priests and scholars who were conscious of their goal and mission allowed the Slovak national character not to lose its own characteristics and identity in the clash with the menacing political Magyarization and the spiritual Czechoslovak in the age of modem nationalism and preponderance of the bourgeoisie .... Had the Protestant intelligentsia, which in fact lived mostly on their historical heritage and foreign German-Czech connections, remained in its leading role, the result would probably have been the complete disappearance of the Slovak people." (Vol. I. p. 229 and 238). Considering the fact that Gogolak's work was published by a wellknown publisher and, except for T. J. Locher's book Die Nazionale Differenzierung der Slowaken und Tschechen in ihren geschichtlichen Verlauf bis 1848 (Harlem, 1931), it is the only.work in German by nonSlovak writer, we should not underestimate' its importance. Slovak historians should thoroughly analyze this new interpretation of modem Slovak history. - PROF. J.M. KIRSCHBAUM (+)For my review of Volume I see Slovakia, No. 35, 1964, pp. 156-158. ■■■ Roger Portal , The Slavs. Weidenfeld & Nicolson (London, 1969), pp. 508, Bihl., index, illustrations. Portal's voluminous book is a survey of the cultural and historical development of the Slavic peoples, including the Slovaks. It was SLOVAKIA 115 written, and originally published, in French (Librairie Armand Colin, 1965), probably as a manual for students at French universities at which Portal has been a professor. The work is illustrated by maps and pictures and presents the Slavs in a much more objective light than some American books have done in the past. French scholars were interested in the Slavs for more than a century, but rarely have any French Slavists presented a global picture similar to Portars book. Slovaks and Slovakia are treated by Portal in proportion to their place and significance among the Slavs without the usual bias encountered in the West. His interpretation of certain periods of Slovak history was apparently influenced by Czech sources, which is, to a degree, understandable. While historiography in Slovakia developed considerably during the past three decades, there are still very few books in foreign languages which could be used by Slavists outside Slovakia. Moreover, even the summaries in scholarly works are always in Russian or German, and only occasionally in French and English. As a result one can hardly reproach Portal or other foreign Slavists if their chapters or paragraphs on Slovaks are sketchy, superficial or if they omit certain periods considered as important for Slovaks but less important in the context of the general history of the Slavs . It is evident that we cannot expect an objective and complete history of Slovakia and Slovaks until there are good history books on Slovakia translated into or written in foreign languages and until there are foreign students at Slovak universities specializing in Slovak history, culture, literature, and language. The absence of statehood, resulting in limited or non-existent cultural exchanges with other countries , necessarily reflects on the knowledge of Slovakia abroad. Many books on Czech history and culture were written by former foreign students at Prague 's university or by Slavists invited to Prague and studying there on scholarships. The same goes for Poland and other Slavic countries. Except for the six years of the Slovak Republic, there was never a government ruling in Slovakia which would have been interested in making Slovakia known in the World. Looking at Portal's book from this angle, we have to welcome it as a great step ahead. Slovak intellectuals in Western Europe should carefully analyze the book and supply Professor Portal with correct information on periods or events which were omitted or misinterpreted. That is the only way to obtain a change in presenting Slovakia abroad until the Slovaks have their own government and normal cultural relations with the world. In Portal's book Slovakia is at least not a footnote to Czech history as happens so often in other books. - PROF. J.M. KIRSCHBAUM ••• 116 SLOVAKIA R. Krajcovic, Slovencina a slovanske jazyky (The Slovak and the Slavic Languages), Slovenske pedagogicke nakladatelstvo (Bratislava, 1974), pp. 324, illustrations, Russian and German summary. Slovak philology has experienced a remarkable development during the past fifty years for reasons which can properly be understood only in the context of political developments in Slovakia.(+) The attempts to make the Slovak language a dialect of the Czech or nonexistent "Czechoslovak" language gave a strong impetus to Slovak philologists to prove that there was no scientific basis for such theories. The subsequent attempts at Russification of the Slovak language worked in the same direction: they intensified the desire of Slovak philologists to elaborate their own theories about the independent place of the Slovak language among Slavic languages. As a result, Slovak philology developed favorably in all areas of philological research: dialectology, lexicology, comparative philology, morphology, phonology, etc. and the Slovak language was finally established as a distinct Slavic tongue. The book by Krajcovic expertly deals with the place of the Slovak language among Slavic languages and asserts its originality from the time when the Slavic macro-dialects split into dialects with the distinct characteristics of the present Slavic languages. He analyzes the theories which aimed at proving that the Slovak language did not have a homogeneous proto-slavic basis as well as the theories which substantiated the thesis that the Slovak language was formed on the homogeneous West Slavic basis, and corroborates the distinct character of the Slovak language. The book is destined by its terminology for scholars and philologists, but its conclusions are understandable by everybody. In many ways, the book is a good example of the high academic level of the new generation of Slovak philologists. The German summary makes the book accessible also to Wes tern scholars. - PROF. J.M. KIRSCHBAUM ( +) See Chapter II in Kirschbaum, Slovak Language and Literature, University of Manitoba (Winnipeg, 1975), I\- 25-38 . ••• Dr. J. Mesaros (ed.), Slovaci a ich narodny vyvin (The Slovaks and Their National Development). Proceedings of the V Congress of Slovak Historians. Published by Vydavatel'stvo-Slovenskej akademie vied, (Bratislava, 1969); pp. 305. This symposium is composed of 12 papers delivered at the Conference of Slovak Historians and deserves mention not only for the academic value of individual contributions, but also in connection with SLOVAKIA 117 Gogolak's work mentioned above. While Gogolak's two volumes present an interpretation by a non-Slovak historian, this volume, edited by Dr. Mesaros, gives us an interpretation of Slovak history by the generation of Slovak historians who adopted nolens-volens, a Marxist approach to history. It is regrettable that the symposium is not available in W estem languages for it demolishes the "Czechoslovak" interpretation of Slovakia 's past and present, and substantiates the thesis that Slovaks developed independently of Czechs or other Slavs into a distinct nation culturally, linguistically and politically from the Middle Ages. The contributions by P. Ratkos , J. Tibensky, J. Butvin , K. Rebro and Mesaros are especially explicit in this regard. The contribution by Z. Holotikova is of interest for understanding the attitude of the Communists towards Slovak !llational aspirations. Like the "bourgeois" adherents of "Czechoslov'a kism" who retarded Slovak development towards full national independence, the Communists were also liable for the confusion and for Prague's rule in Slovakia, both of which were detrimental to Slovak development towards a distinct national identity and self-rule. The admission by Marxist historians that religious divisions and Communist adherence to "Czechoslovakism" were harmful to Slovak national development is expressed with caution, but it is present throughout the book and sets the record straight. The majority of Slovaks never doubted their distinct national identity and fought for equal rights with other nations. The minority - political and religious - nevertheless succeeded, with Prague's help, in creating confusion even among foreign Slavists. The post-war experiences with Prague centralism in the economy and renewed efforts to stifle Slovak nationalism resulted in the re.thinking and re-appraising of the Slovak question not only by politicians but also by historians. The publication under review presents their conclusions. Most of the contributions are well-researched and well-written and deal with problems of primary interest for the Slovak struggle for self-assertion. - PROF. J.M. KIRSCHBAUM □□□ Jednota Annual FURDEK 1977, Volume XVI, 303 pages. Edited by Joseph C. Krajsa. Published by the First Catholic Slovak Union of the United States and Canada. Printed by the Jednota Press , Middletown, Pennsylvania . FURDEK 1977, Jednota's sixteenth in a series of annuals in the English language, offers the reader a variety of articles written by a number of old pros, several new authors and semi-pros, but all have something interesting for the reader who wants to know more about his Slovak ethnic background . 118 SLOVAKIA Doctor Pauco 's invaluable contributions (superbly translated from the Slovak by Sister M . Martina Tybor, SS.C .M .) enrich this year's production , which is easily the most informative and probably the best of the series inaugurated by the late Editor Philip A. Hrobak and continued by the present editor-in-chief, Joseph C. Krajsa. Every effort should be made to send this edition to as many Slovak homes, as well as to public, college, and university libraries, as possible. Thomas (Belejcak) Bell, American novelist of Slovak ancestry, is presented, and his half dozen works are ably reviewed by John F. Berko. Bell's books generally reflect the somber and tragic side of life among Slovak (and other Slavic) immigrants in the steel city of Pittsburgh and its suburbs. By a slim margin of one, the young men hold the edge over the Jednota scholarship winners (31-30) in the past year as the fair sex scored high in the final standings. This is a sound display of nondiscrimination in a men's organization. As always, the attractive photos of our intelligent youth give us renewed hope for the future destiny of our J ednota in particular and the ethnic identity of the American Slovaks in general. Michael Novak, Ph.D . , who holds the center stage as the acknowledged champion of ethnics in America, discusses the subject in his usual profound manner and inimitable style. In his " Long Life to Slovaks" contribution, Doctor William Gombar counters Michael Simko's realistic but bleak view for the future of the ethnic population in America. Joseph Kirschbaum, Ph.D., LL.D., is well known for his many writings. In this issue of FURDEK the Slovak diplomat and author contributes a valuable review of the influence of American Slovak organizations on his fellow countrymen in Canada. Glimpses into the ancient historical past of the Slovak nation are presented by a newcomer, Michael Kolarci~, ~S.J. His sketches of the life and times of Prince Pribina, Kings Mojmir I, Rastislav, and Svatopluk the Great, are concise and accurate. Michael Krajsa's tribute to General Stefanik and Doctor Pauco's firsthand information on President Tiso during wartime recall outstanding national heroes of the First and Second World Wars respectively. Tonka Kral, Anna Maria Kulhan, and Theresa Sapak make their debut as a talented trio of promising youthful writers . Sister M . Gabriel Hricko 's biographical sketch of Doctor Joseph Pauco on the first anniversary of the death of a fearless fighter for Slovakia 's national freedom and statehood is a timely tribute to one of the greatest Slovak newspapermen and patriots in our time. Sister Gabriel's beautiful article on the Miracle of Fatima rounds out this year's publication . SLOVAKIA 119 Two Congressmen, namely, the Honorable Daniel Flood of Pennsylvania and the Honorable Peter Rodino, Jr. of New Jersey are contributors who add prestige to this edition. Sophia Zufa finds Slovakia a picturesque country inhabited by a warm, hospitable people, and her father's hometown of Nizna nad Oravou full of memories as recalled by her aunt during her visit. Paul Fenchak's article on Slavic Studies in Maryland's public schools is typical of their place in the public schools around the country - shamefully neglected. Karol Sidor, Slovak newspaperman, diplomat, and statesman, is remembered as a distinguished author, thanks to Imrich Stolarik's contribution. Astronaut Eugene Ceman rates a photograph taken at Youngstown, Ohio's American Slovak Bicentennial celebration last year. A number of other articles of interest in this issue of FURDEK include ones by Fathers Edward Hancko, S.J., Francis Kuba, C.P., Joseph Adamec, Andrew Pier, O.S.B., as well as by Archbishop Joseph Bernardin, D.D., Monsignor J. Jaworski, S.T.D., and by Vincent Drobniak, John Herling, and Edward Svercek. Seventy-five concise articles of a diversified nature cover a wide spectrum of historical, political, cultural, religious, and social subjects. Several poems are added to enhance a rich assortment of carefully selected writings. Nevertheless, the Slovak sources of interesting subjects remain far from being exhausted. There remains a great deal more to be told about Slovakia and her people at home and scattered throughout the world. - ANDREW V. PIER, O.S.B . ••• An Anthology of Slovak Literature, by Andrew Cincura, Ph.D., University of California. Not the last but the latest and most complete and comprehensive study of Slovak prose and poetry in the English language is Dr. Cincura' s scholarly work produced after several years of research by the Slovak Professor whom the Rockefeller Foundation sponsored in compiling a truly pioneer project that merits the highest praise on the basis of its contents and superb presentation. A quarter of a century ago, Ivan Kramoris, M.A., of the Marquette University Preparatory School in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, published the first anthology of Slovak literature in English, but since then many new writers have appeared in Slovakia and in exile. This literary development necessitated an up-to-date edition to review the writings of new Slovak authors and poets. Michael Novak, Ph.D., the prolific author of a number of works on the ethnics, introduces the book as "done with taste, intelligence, 120 SLOVAKIA judgment and perception ... " Moreover, Karol Strmen, Ph.D., an eminent Slovak poet, provides the setting for a proper appreciation of a representative series of selections from the surprisingly extensive output of Slovak literary works since the beginning of the nineteenth century. His historical review of Slovak literature is enlightening and informative . While most of Slovak poets and prose writers in Dr. Cincura's selective list rate a high place in their field, some of them compare favorably with leading writers in world literature. By their imagination , workmanship, originality, realism, and idealism, the works of the Slovak nation's literary men and women prove their genuine value as enduring products that have a universal appeal. Certainly Dr. Cincura cannot be accused of male chauvinism, for he chose ten women writers of some thirty authors of prose, although only two women poets are included in approximately forty Slovak poets in his selection. And a woman dramatist is on his list of four Slovak playwrights. Doubtless, there are many more selections of prose and poetry that manifest the natural genius of the Slovak people in expressing their ideas and feelings, but the author was limited by inadequate space. Perhaps in the near future a second volume may be added to supplement this excellent book that will acquaint the English-speaking world with some of the best creative writers of Slovakia. Obviously the very nature of this work presents but a fragmentary part of the entire literary field of Slovak literature, but the reader is given a wide assortment of creative works by writers and poets who are intimately related to their historic land and its people. - ANDREW V. PIER, O.S.B . ••• J.M. Kirschbaum, Slovak Language and Literature, Series: Readings in Slavic Literatures, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, 1975, pp . XIV, 366, Index, ill., bibl. Slovak Language and Literature, the ~test publication by Dr. Joseph M. Kirschbaum, the distinguished author of historical, political and literary works relating to the Slovak nation, contains a vast wealth of facts, opinions, reflections and references to standard works of prominent Slavists in several languages. The Series Editor, Professor J.B. Rudnyckyj, in his preface acknowledges: "Slovakia, a central part of the Great Moravian Empire of the ninth century, was the cradle of Slavic letters and civilization, for there were the beginnings of the rich and highly cultivated Cyrillo-Methodian literature which spread in the tenth century to other Slavic countries, especially to the southern and eastern Slavs." SLOVAKIA 121 The author deems a background to the development of Slovak literature ve ry helpful to the understanding of the evolution of the Slovak language itself. His book is the most comprehensive study of the Slovak language and literature in the English language. Moreover, the author, who has spent years in research and has lectured on the subject during the past two decades, alludes to historical and philosophical aspects that affected the growth of the language and literature of the Slovak people from earliest times to the present day. The impact of the Slovak literary language on the national life of historic Slovakia aided considerably in the emergence of a strong national consciousness in the 19th and 20th centuries. , '' Slovakia,'' Professor Rudnyckyj notes , ''played an important role in the Pan-Slav movement. Not only was the word Panslavism coined by a Slovak, but Slovakia also gave the Pan-Slav idea, which stirred the national consciousness of several Slavic peoples, the most prominent representatives: Jan Kollar, Pavol J. Safarik, and :Cudovit Stur. ' ' Dr. Kirschbaum points out that "Slovak literature achieved a level comparable to other Slavic literatures in the first half of the twentieth century.'' It was during this period that Slovak writers came under the influence of Slavic authors but also drew their inspiration from English, French , and Scandinavian writers . Their works reflected a wide variety of literary trends : Romanticism, Pan-Slavism, Symbolism, Modernism, and Surrealism. Despite World War II, Slovak writers (even proletarian poets) were given a free hand to publish their works in the era of the Slovak Republic (1939-1945). This freedom was sharply curtailed soon after World War II by the communist takeover in Slovakia. As a result, the boycott inaugurated officially by the regime has been in force against all Slovak writers in the free world for more than a quarter of a century. Inside Slovakia, after the ' ' liberation'' of the country by armies of the Soviet Union and the communist coup of 1948, only "proletarian" writers, surrealic;ts, and leftist poets and authors, journalists and newspapermen have been permitted to publish their writings. All others, even leading novelists like Hronsky (and to some extent Gaspar and Urban) have been excluded, as have such prominent poets as Beniak, while others (Andrej Zarnov, R. Dilong, M. Sprinc, K . Strmen) were forced to go into exile, and the poetry and prose of the latter are not acceptable in the country of their birth. Outside Slovakia, in the past three decades Slovak writers in exile from their communist-controlled homeland have published prolific works in literature and history that have offset an outpouring of communist-oriented publications of poetry and prose within the narrow limits of the ruling regime. These creative writers living in the free world have been "excommunicated" from the socialist state imposed upon their countrymen - and their works are "verboten. " Completely unlike the literary picture painted by captive artists of 122 SLOVAKIA the communist regime in present-day Slovakia, the portrait of Slovak literature both in and out of the country, produced by Dr. Kirschbaum in the free world, is a realistic work depicting the landscape and people of Slovakia in their true colors. It is also an objective delineation of the men and women of letters working under close surveillance in their homeland held captive by foreign invaders and oppressors . Although the impact of Professor Kirschbaum 's book in the field in western literature will be strongly felt, it is a foregone conclusion that it will be totally ignored or attacked in Slovakia. Meanwhile , readers, Slovak and non-Slovak alike, who are interested in true literature, will welcome this highly creditable and scholarly volume that is richly supported by an extensive bibliography. We cannot but agree with Professor Constantine Bida of the University of Ottawa, who reviewed the manuscript, that the book is ''a valuable compendium, necessary for Slovaks abroad and useful for the Anglophone peoples since it supplies a great deal of valuable information on Slovak philology and literature, by using the biobibliographical method''. - ANDREW V. PIER, O.S.B. □□□ Francesco Petrarca, Vavrin (a Slovak selection from Il Canzoniere), translated by Karol Strmen. Rome: Slovak Institute of St. Cyril and Methodius, 1974, 216 pp . The time-honored tradition of observing the anniversary of a deceased foreign author by honoring him with a volume of translations from his work found new expression in a recent Slovak selection from Francesco Petrarca' s ll Canzoniere. Translated from the Italian original by Professor Karol Strmen, who is a poet in .his own right, and titled Vavrin (The Laurel Crown), the most rece:dt Slovak rendition of Il Canzoniere commemorates the 600th anniversary of Petrarca's death. The work presents almost one-third of Petrarca's own collection as well as a scholarly resume of the life, works, and aesthetics of the Italian poet. There are likewise explanatory notes and a bibliography of Petrarca' s works and scholarly criticisms. The purpose of the work as indicated explicitly in its introduction is two-fold: (1) to present "all really important poems (from the original) in the suggested order and framework" of Petrarca's own collection; and (2) to give to Slovak readers background information necessary for a better understanding of the great Italian poet and scholar. Professor Strmen has also tried to show implicitly that able translators can render even the most profound concepts and intricate patterns of foreign masterpieces in the Slovak language without damaging distortion, and that modern Slovak scholarship, if unburdened by historical, political, SLOVAKIA 123 and other non-literary forces, can fulfill the most challenging tasks of standard literary investigation. For at least a partial response to anticipated questions about norms for Strmen's selection, I shall at least curiously examine some fortunes of Petrarca' s poetry in Slovakia and then concentrate on the more germane relationship of Vavrin to the only other extensive Slovak selection from Il Canzoniere, the work Francesco Petrarca, Sonety pre Lauru, translated by the Slovak poet, Vojtech Mihalik, in 1968. Besides Mihalik' s extensive translation, there are also shorter selections translated by Zvonicky and Durica. Together with Strmen's new renditions from Il Can'zoniere these all testify to the great interest that Slovak men of letters and patrons of literature take in Petrarca's works. The Petrarca ''vogue,'' nevertheless, had already taken hold among Slovak poets and scholars as early as the beginning of the 19th century when Pavel Jozef Safarik, Jan Kollar, and Jan Holly employed Il Canzoniere either as a formal model for their poems or as a starting point in their arguments about the role of the Slavs in Europe. The followers of Safarik, Kollar, and Holly, including both post-Romantic and modern Slovak poets, experimented with Petrarchian forms primarily as to their conceptual and linguistic appropriateness in the spectrum of Slovak poetry. The renowned Slovak poet Pavol Orszagh-Hviezdoslav, and his contemporary Svetozar Hurban-Vajansky, used the Petrarchian sonnets mostly as prototypes for their own reflective-intellectual poems. Janko Jesensky, on the contrary, returned in his Poems (1905) to love themes inherent to the Petrarchian sonnets. Ivan Krasko followed Petrarca in the use of the so-called '' squared oxymoron'' in his collections, Nox et solitudo (1909) and Poems (1912) (cf. Slovenske pohl'ady 85 (1969; cited hereafter as SP) , No. XI, 129) . The gallery of Petrarca's followers in Slovak literature was further complemented by Valentin Beniak (Sophia, 1941) and Jan Kostra (Ave Eva, 1943). Mihalik's selection from Il Canzoniere , both as a pioneering undertaking and as a work briefly preceding Strmen's Vavrin, constitutes a valuable contribution to Slovak literature and general aesthetics. Like Strmen in the work under review, Mihalik according to one reviewer, presents parts of Il Canzoniere as faithfully as possible. His translated version of the original "sings" in Slovak as it does in the original Italian (SP, No. XI, 124). It may be noted that Mihalik and Strmen, who are both poets-translators, chose slightly different formal and conceptual paths to attain their goals. Mihalik, living in Slovakia and somewhat burdened by his limited knowledge of the Italian language, was forced to seek the assistance of a translator and depend on the present politically-motivated scholarship of the Society sphere. Strmen, residing abroad and fluent in a dozen of foreign languages, had the capacity and the circumstances to approach the task and to accomplish it singlehandedly. In each case, the net result is characterized by some 124 SLOVAKIA similarities in an overall consideration and by specific differences in matters of detail. Let us now briefly examine some prominent features of both translations. To begin with, Mihalik used the thirteen foot iambic feminine verse alternated by the masculine hexameter exclusively. Examples: Vy po-slu-cha-ci bas-ni, v kto-rych iial'-i chve-nie ai do-sial' mu-ci mo-je srd-ce u-sta-te ... (Sonnet I, vv. 1-2) Do-bro-re-ce-ne mie-sto, mo-jej Las-ky sud-ca, den, me-siac, rok a chvi-l'a, pa-miit-ny ten kut kra-ji-ny, kde ma vrh-li do ca-rov-nych put due o-ci pre-kras-ne, ie v6-bec ne-viem hnut' sa. (Sonnet LXI, vv. 1-4) An analysis of Mihalik' s translation and expository writing shows that his strict adherence to a specific form might have been prompted by several formal and quasi-polemical considerations. As the poet of a somewhat conservative bent, he tried to counteract "the wave of amorphism governing the preponderant part of (modem Slovak) poetry" (SP , No. XI , 132). As a scholar, he seems to defend some modern concepts exalting the creative role of a translator over the older claims of Kollar and Holly, who hold that no translation can surpass the artistry of the original Slovak creations. Viliam Turcany, a modem Slovak scholar , commented that Mihalik' s translations "read as if they were his own original works" (SP, No. XII, 122). In the specific reference to the form used in Mihalik's rendition of fl Canzoniere, Turcany stressed the fact that the thirteen-foot iambic line alternated with the hexameter is the metric form best sv.ited for expressing ''the similar quantitative-conceptual density of the Italian and Slovak prosody line" (SP, No. XII, 127). Strmen disregarded both the explicit and the implied claims of Mihalik and Turcany, and translated his selected parts of fl Canzoniere in accordance with his own aesthetic and semantic tenets. Cutting down the length of Petrarca's sonnet line to eleven and ten syllables respectively, he indirectly confirmed the fact that translations from Italian poetry - like translations of prose - require about 15 percent less space in Slovak. Examples: Vy, co tu v zlom-koch ver-sov za-chy-ti-te sum vzdy-chov, kto-re l'u-bost' ii-vi-li . . . (Sonnet I, vv. 1-2) 125 SLOVAKIA Bla-ho-sla-ve-ny me-siac, deii i rok i pek-ny kraj i vcas-na jar i chvi-l'a i mie-sto, kde mi Las-ka za-lo-ii-la na mih jej o-ka kru-hy ie-lie-zok .. (Sonnet LXI , vv. 1-4) On the other hand, preserving the prevailing "dynamic" subjectverb structure of Petrarca,' s sentence in his rendition of the Italian work, Strrnen established a close relationship between poet and theme . In the remarks which introduce his translation of Il Canzoniere, Strrnen underlined the importance of the original work for the quality of its translation and for general scholarly consideration. According to him every new great poet represents, so to speak, the last word , the exhaustion of literary potentials. And since, we all are willy-nilly prisoners of our era, we are all tempted to make him the criterion of the past. But the history of poetry deals with something else: the great poet stands out as an independent island (and) we approach him with the guidebooks of our aesthetic prejudices . . . A translation should be primarily a mirror (of the original, and) not ... a colonization or an extension of the translator's personality. In summing up the basic tenets of this review, it is necessary to ask how both poet-translators enriched Slovak literature by translating parts of Petrarca's masterpiece into Slovak and how each of them contributed to the advancement of general scholarly knowledge. Considering the first part of the question , I wish to point out that these translations complement each other. Each poet selected different portions from the original and consequently offered a wider selection from the Italian work to his Slovak readers. A limited number of the poems translated by both poets makes it possible, on the other hand, to study these poems in juxtaposition with each other and facilitates their close comparison. As to the second part of the question, I thank that both Slovak selections from Il Canzoniere provide new thoughts for a theoretical approach to aesthetics in general and Slovak Petrarchian studies in particular . Two basic points of this review, namely verse structure and the " kinetics" of language, are common denominators in the comparative study of specific segments of the respective works and , at the same time , of the · specifics of the individual parts within the artistic whole. Conversely , any segment of Il Canzoniere - if juxtaposed with its counterparts in Slovak translations - will give at least a hint about the character and merits of the respective work. In practical terms, the lines cited in Slovak from Mihalik's and Strmen's translations (as well as any other lines from their selections) 126 SLOVAKIA will give the reader at least a broad idea about the formal aspects of either translation. Italian Slavists will, even by a dissection of these brief segments, gain insight into "hidden" linguistic and artistic concepts governing Strmen's and Mihalik's translations. Economy, idea, and sound quality were the most importat denominators shaping Petrarca's masterpiece. Without expressing any subjective valuejudgment about the Slovak selections from Il Canzoniere, I can state that Mihalik and Strmen fulfilled scholarly expectations in coping with these three fundamental principles of Petrarca's work. ANDREW CINCURA □□□ Joseph M. Kirschbaum, Slovak Language and Literature: Essays. Winnipeg and Cleveland: University of Manitoba, Department of Slavic Studies, 1975. (Readings in Slavic Literature, 12). 336 pages. This is a collection of twelve essays on various aspects of Slovak language and literature which Prof. Kirschbaum has read at conferences and-or published in journals over the past twenty years. He has divided them into three parts, the first (2 essays) discussing questions of language, the second (7 essays) presenting selected topics in Slovak literature through the latter part of the nineteenth century, and the third (3 essays) surveying post-World War II trends. There is a fourth part which purports to be a '' French summary'', but in reality is a slightly rearranged translation of the first and third English chapters. Prof. Kirschbaum's purpose is "to acquaint students and scholars . . . with the development of the Slovak vernacular into a literary medium and with the literature created by the Slovaks in their own language as well as other languages used in Slovakia ... '' The goal is admirable, but he has missed a splendid opportunity to create a solid synthetic survey. There are several reasons to regret his choice of method. As is unfortunately true with much material published by Slovaks in the West, one is left in doubt as to precisely what audience he is trying to reach. Part of the time, Prof. Kirschbaum devotes essays to polemics, particularly with those who sub,s cribe to the concept of Czechoslovakism. He uses expressions such 'as ''misconceptions'' and ''errors' ', charging that these ''wrongs' ' are based on flimsy evidence. But in turn, Kirschbaum himself offers minimal ''proof'' for some of his assertions. Nevertheless, it is disappointing to see polemical essays alongside more serious academic treatments (particularly those chapters on Jan Kollar, Pavol Safarik, and :Cudovit Stur). Further, Western scholars in recent years have taken note of changing perceptions of the development of Slovak national consciousness. (See, for example, Joseph Zacek's remarks in his study of "Nationalism in SLOVAKIA 127 Czechoslovakia" in Peter F. Sugar and Ivo J. Lederer, eds., Nationalism in Eastern Europe - 1969.) The second problem is that Prof. Kirschbaum has several times repeated his use of the same evidence. He indicates in his introduction that he has done some editing to avoid repetitions, but what are we to make of his double use of a statement by the Polish philologist Tadeusz Lehr-Splawinski (pp. 20 and 68), or of "western" discussions of the origin of Slovak as a literazy language (pp . 18-19 and 52-53)? This is also a problem in books in · which the essays of multiple authors are collected, but one wishes Prof. Kirschbaum had been more diligent in overcoming it. Why, though , when such a golden opportunity presented itself, didn't Prof. Kirschbaum give us a synthetic survey of Slovak literature? There would have been no fear of his repeating himself, and the scholars and students, for whom he says he is writing, would have had an overall view of the evolving Slovak language and literature. Kirschbaum himself remarks on the particular importance of Slovak literature between the wars, but he allows as that would require too much space to discuss, and so he skips the subject. Similarly, his discussion of post1945 literary development is a bare outline of the 1945-1956 period, with only a couple of paragraphs given over to the extremely important dozen years after that, a period so necessary for an understanding of the events of 1968 and after. Kirschbaum alludes to a few important matters after 1956, such as the rapidly growing research on Slovak language and literature in the early 1960s (pp. 35-36). He suggests that this development resulted from the Communist Party's perception of language and literature as being a neutral field. The reader is left wondering why it was, then, that manifestations of Slovak nationalism developed precisely in those areas. The plea of complexity is inadequate. The inclusion of the two chapters of Slovak emigre literature is puzzling, since Kirschbaum tells us twice that only about 50 writers are involved. He does cite their availablity to the reader in the West, but in fact, after the passage of three decades, they now belong more among Slovak ethnic writers in the United States and Canada (or wherever else they live) than to continuing Slovak literary trends in Czecho-Slovakia. Sad as it might be, these authors are writing for a decreasing number of readers. The interesting aspect of these chapters is the report of the publication in post-February Czecho-Slovakia of works · by :Cudo Besenovsky and Milos Mlynarovic. Prof. Kirschbaum should be cautioned in his use of Robert Kann's praise of Slovak cultural development in the whole of the nineteenth century (pp. 147-8). It is clear from Kann's context that he includes Kollar, Safarik, Stefanik, and Masaryk in his kudos, a quartet who are usually ascribed major roles in the Czecho-Slovak movement, a concept Prof. Kirschbaum would certainly take strong offense to. 128 SLOVAKIA The number of printing errors is atrocious . Thus, R. W. SetonWatson becomes Seton-Weston (p. 9), Nicholas Spulber is Spuller (p. 9), Jan Tibensky comes out T. Tibeasky (p . 119) , the Spolok sv. Vojtecha is said to have been founded in 1780, rather than 1870 (p. 206), Timrava and Podjavorinska become Timarava and Podajavorisnka (also p. 206), Cyrillic is spelled in at least 5 or 6 different ways, ad infinitum. The French resume fares no better. I counted at least a half dozen errors in the first paragraph on page 286. An inserted errata catches a small number of errors, but tells us, "The word 'Slovensky' in Chapter III should have an accent on the letter e (! ) unavailable to the printers.' ' A couple of other minor carps: (1) the use of Loe. cit., op. cit., etc., is functional for article-length material, but not very feasible in a monograph. A reference to Robert Auty, loc. cit., on page 117 requires the reader to go all the way back to page 21. A reference to Noge, op. cit. on page 203 lacks any earlier reference whatsoever. It belongs to Julius Noge, An Outline of Slovakian Literature (Bratislava, 1968) which certainly also belongs in the bibliography. (2) In Chapter XII we suddenly have titles of Slovak works given only in English, making them harder to locate. In sum, a book whose title held so much promise turns out to be a disappointment. I share Prof. J. B. Rudnyckyj's prefaced complaint that there is far too little scholarly material available in English about Slovak literature, and I would add, about Slovak history, and Slovakia in general. Unfortunately, this compendium has not improved the situation. - OWENV. JOHNSON \ Our Contributors Edward J. Behuncik, J.D., attorney; America, Stratford, Connecticut president, Slovak League of John Bodnar, Ph.D., historian, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania Andrew Cincura, Ph.D., author; professor, Riverside, California Owen V. Johnson, Ph.D., historian, University of Michigan Joseph M. Kirschbaum, LLD., Ph.D., historian; author, Toronto, Ontario, Canada Margaret Matus, student, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Michael Novak, Ph.D., author; lecturer; professor, Bayville, New York Andrew V. Pier, O.S.B., M.A., historian; author, Cleveland, Ohio M. Mark Stolarik, Ph.D., historian; professor, Cleveland, Ohio Anthony X. Sutherland, Ph.D., historian, Stony Point, New York Daniel F. Tanzone, 8.A., author; fraternalist, Yonkers, New York Francis Vnuk, M.A., author; historian, Broadview, Australia OFFICERS OF THE SLOVAK LEAGUE OF AMERICA Honorary President: Stephen J. Tkach, K.H.S. JOHN A. HOLY Secretary 870 Rifle Camp Road West Paterson, N.J. 07424 EDWARD J. BEHUNCIK President 178 Elliott Street Stratford, Conn. 06497 Vice Presidents: Milan V. Blazek Frances L. Mizenko Daniel F. Tanzone Executive Committee: Edward J . Behuncik, John A. Holy, Louise Yash, Irma A. Vrbancic, John A. Sabol, George J. Kostelnik, Stephen J. Kavulich, Andrew Hudak, Jr., Dr. Joseph Mikula Anna E. Hletko Auditors: Dr. Stanislav Duris George N. Kantor SLOVAK FRATERNAL ORGANIZATIONS (Affiliated with the Slovak League of America) THE FIRST CATHOLIC SLOVAK UNION Cleveland, Ohio - Membership 104,000 THE FIRST CATHOLIC SLOVAK LADIES ASSOCIATION Beachwood, Ohio - Membership 100,000 THE SLOVAK CATHOLIC SOKOL Passaic, N.J. - Membership 53,000 THE LADIES PENNSYLVANIA SLOVAK CATHOLIC UNION Wilkes-Barre, Pa. - Membership 16,500 PENNSYLVANIA SLOVAK CATHOLIC UNION Wilkes-Barre, Pa. - Membership 15,000 SLOVAK NEWSPAPERMEN'S ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA John C. Sciranka, President SLOVAK AMERICAN NEWSPAPERS (Affiliated with the Slovak League of America) JEDNOTA (circulation 40,000) SLOVAK v AMERIKE (circulation 3,000) ZENS KA JEDNOTA (circulation 35,000) ZORNICKA (circulation 5,000) KATOLICKY SOKOL (circulation 20,000) BRATSTVO (circulation 7,000) PR IA TEL DIETOK (circulation 9,000) SLOVAKIA $4.00 per annum in the U.S.A. - $5.00 elsewhere Printed by JEDNOTA PRINTERY Middletown, Pennsylvania U.S.A.  Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Back Matter, Slovakia, Vol. 26 (No. 49) Description An account of the resource includes Book Reviews; Our Contributors Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1976 https://slovakia.wordsofpassage.net/files/original/894a29529d1ccedc4958ffe5adb07761.pdf b28eebfb81ec55f900de720ddd87dccd PDF Text Text 144 SLOVAKIA Book Reuiew Dr. Gordon Skilling, Czechoslovakia's Interrupted Revolution, Princeton University Press (Princeton, 1976) XVI, 924 pp. $45.00. Among some one hundred books published on the events in Czecho-Slovakia in 1968 which aimed at "socialism with a human face," Professor Skilling's extensive study is the best and most authoritative of them all. For nearly 40 years, Skilling has followed the political scene and in numerous articles and several books has presented them to Western readers. His knowledge of local languages, his frequent stays in Prague, and visits to Slovakia, enabled him to write more authoritatively and with deeper perception of the problems than many other specialists in Eastern Europe could do by observing the developments from afar or compiling their books from other writings. It is Skilling's "opus magnum," not only because of its size, but also due to his thorough knowledge of the historical background of Czechs and Slovaks, their mutual relations, tensions and clashes, and of the ideological forces and men belying the efforts to reform the social system imposed on peoples of East Central Europe by the Soviet Union. More than anybody else up to the present, the author used all accessible published and unpublished sources of information in the Czech and Slovak languages, including secret documents and extensive interviews with leading figures of the Government, the Party, and the reform movement. Some parts of the book sound familiar, for the author has written extensively on Czechoslovakia during the past 30 years. He now gives a global view and provides an analysis of the events he calls an ''interrupted revolution.'' He assesses their impact on Czechs and Slovaks, and on Soviet policy in general. It should also be said that his approach to the Slovak problem, and his assessment of the role of Slovaks in the reform movement headed by Alexander Dubcek (mistakenly presented in many other books as a Czech), is remarkably free of bias. He admits without reservation that the Communist Party, having reunited its Czech and Slovak branches in 1948, was predominantly Czech in membership and leadership. The campaign against Slovak nationalism in the fifties resulted in the execution of Vladimir Clementis, the imprisonment of Husak and others, and the subordination of the Slovak party to Prague. Czechoslovakia again became a state ruled by Czechs, but this time with even greater indifference to Slovak rights than before 1939. The 1960 Constitution openly articulated extreme centralism and reduced the forms of Slovak self-government to nil. After 1963 there was a resurgence of Slovak cultural nationalism and a certain advance in the political position of the Slovaks, but they continued to be minor partners in a predominantly Czech state and party. (p. 10) �SLOVAKIA 145 Skilling also admits, contrary to those who write only about the Slovak collaboration with Germans: ''During the years of war (in both World Wars) there was a readiness on the part of some Czechs (and Slovaks) to adapt themselves to the prevailing system and to collaborate with their German rulers.'' He adds that Svejk, ''the typical model of Czech behavior toward authority,'' relates '' only to the Czechs and not to the Slovaks, who possess, in their history, the figure of Janosik, a kind of Robin Hood of the 18th century, who became, in literature and folklore, a legendary symbol of Slovak nationalism and rebellion against social injustice." (p. 16-17) With objectivity uncommon in the West, Skilling also presents the divergence of opinions between Slovaks and Czechs during the period of Dubcek's regime, a period when "Slovak opinion crystallized rapidly in favor of federalism, and the Czech public evinced little or no interest in the matter" (p. 456). Earlier he notes, "In almost all institutions, for instance, the trade unions, the Academy of Sciences, the youth league, and the cultural associations, Slovaks were in a subordinate position, subject to bureaucratic rule from Prague" (p. 53). The role of Slovaks in the struggle for de-Stalinization and for liberalization also seems to be presented more objectively than in other books. After 1963, Slovak writers and journalists were either in the forefront of or kept pace with Czech intellectuals. The Slovak question played an important part from the beginning to the end of the revolution interrupted by Soviet tanks. The book is divided into six parts, and contains 22 chapters with an interesting epilogue on Dubcek's decline and fall. In the epilogue, Skilling deals with theoretical questions of the Dubcek era, and then adds useful appendixes and a bibliography. Throughout the book, Skilling maintains a high level of scholarship, amply documenting his presentation of events. The structure of the book is well planned. Its global view is not obscured by the author's richly detailed descriptions of the crisis and its final tragic end; the author's narrative skills are many. Skilling is too serious a scholar to look for slogans . From the Slovak side, at least one objection should be raised. Skilling writes that "Husak had come to resemble not so much President Hacha, a conservative but reluctant collaborator of Hitler, but rather Father Tiso, who ruled Slovakia, under Hitler's auspices, with a strong commitment to Nazi policy.'' Since I presume that Professor Skilling has read V. Nastny's book: The Czechs Under Nazi Rule and Hacha's telegrams and speeches therein, he seems to be too generous to Hacha and ill-informed about President Tiso. It is not true that Tiso "ruled with a strong commitment to Nazi policy." If a comparison is necessary, then Husak can be compared with Prime Minister Tuka, whom Husak put to the gallows because he trusted �146 SLOVAKIA Berlin and executed its orders - in the same way Husak now does with regard to Moscow. J . M . Kirschbaum �SLOVAKIA 147 Our Contributors Edward J. Behuncik, J .D., attorney; President, Slovak League of America; Stratford, Connecticut Konstantin Culen, author, historian Joseph M. Kirschbaum, LL.D. , Ph.D. , historian , author; Toronto, Ontario, Canada Stanley Z. Pech Hana Ponicka Alexander J . Rudinsky, student M. Mark Stolarik, Ph.D., historian, professor; Cleveland, Ohio Harry B. Schooley, III, Buffalo, New York George A. Turner Theodoric J . Zubek , O.F.M., S.T.D., author, lecturer; Easton, Pennsylvania ���Plll NT ID IN U.S.A. JIO NO TA PIU NTI RY , MID DLi TO WN , PA. � 144 SLOVAKIA Book Reuiew Dr. Gordon Skilling, Czechoslovakia's Interrupted Revolution, Princeton University Press (Princeton, 1976) XVI, 924 pp. $45.00. Among some one hundred books published on the events in Czecho-Slovakia in 1968 which aimed at "socialism with a human face," Professor Skilling's extensive study is the best and most authoritative of them all. For nearly 40 years, Skilling has followed the political scene and in numerous articles and several books has presented them to Western readers. His knowledge of local languages, his frequent stays in Prague, and visits to Slovakia, enabled him to write more authoritatively and with deeper perception of the problems than many other specialists in Eastern Europe could do by observing the developments from afar or compiling their books from other writings. It is Skilling's "opus magnum," not only because of its size, but also due to his thorough knowledge of the historical background of Czechs and Slovaks, their mutual relations, tensions and clashes, and of the ideological forces and men belying the efforts to reform the social system imposed on peoples of East Central Europe by the Soviet Union. More than anybody else up to the present, the author used all accessible published and unpublished sources of information in the Czech and Slovak languages, including secret documents and extensive interviews with leading figures of the Government, the Party, and the reform movement. Some parts of the book sound familiar, for the author has written extensively on Czechoslovakia during the past 30 years. He now gives a global view and provides an analysis of the events he calls an ''interrupted revolution.'' He assesses their impact on Czechs and Slovaks, and on Soviet policy in general. It should also be said that his approach to the Slovak problem, and his assessment of the role of Slovaks in the reform movement headed by Alexander Dubcek (mistakenly presented in many other books as a Czech), is remarkably free of bias. He admits without reservation that the Communist Party, having reunited its Czech and Slovak branches in 1948, was predominantly Czech in membership and leadership. The campaign against Slovak nationalism in the fifties resulted in the execution of Vladimir Clementis, the imprisonment of Husak and others, and the subordination of the Slovak party to Prague. Czechoslovakia again became a state ruled by Czechs, but this time with even greater indifference to Slovak rights than before 1939. The 1960 Constitution openly articulated extreme centralism and reduced the forms of Slovak self-government to nil. After 1963 there was a resurgence of Slovak cultural nationalism and a certain advance in the political position of the Slovaks, but they continued to be minor partners in a predominantly Czech state and party. (p. 10) �SLOVAKIA 145 Skilling also admits, contrary to those who write only about the Slovak collaboration with Germans: ''During the years of war (in both World Wars) there was a readiness on the part of some Czechs (and Slovaks) to adapt themselves to the prevailing system and to collaborate with their German rulers.'' He adds that Svejk, ''the typical model of Czech behavior toward authority,'' relates '' only to the Czechs and not to the Slovaks, who possess, in their history, the figure of Janosik, a kind of Robin Hood of the 18th century, who became, in literature and folklore, a legendary symbol of Slovak nationalism and rebellion against social injustice." (p. 16-17) With objectivity uncommon in the West, Skilling also presents the divergence of opinions between Slovaks and Czechs during the period of Dubcek's regime, a period when "Slovak opinion crystallized rapidly in favor of federalism, and the Czech public evinced little or no interest in the matter" (p. 456). Earlier he notes, "In almost all institutions, for instance, the trade unions, the Academy of Sciences, the youth league, and the cultural associations, Slovaks were in a subordinate position, subject to bureaucratic rule from Prague" (p. 53). The role of Slovaks in the struggle for de-Stalinization and for liberalization also seems to be presented more objectively than in other books. After 1963, Slovak writers and journalists were either in the forefront of or kept pace with Czech intellectuals. The Slovak question played an important part from the beginning to the end of the revolution interrupted by Soviet tanks. The book is divided into six parts, and contains 22 chapters with an interesting epilogue on Dubcek's decline and fall. In the epilogue, Skilling deals with theoretical questions of the Dubcek era, and then adds useful appendixes and a bibliography. Throughout the book, Skilling maintains a high level of scholarship, amply documenting his presentation of events. The structure of the book is well planned. Its global view is not obscured by the author's richly detailed descriptions of the crisis and its final tragic end; the author's narrative skills are many. Skilling is too serious a scholar to look for slogans . From the Slovak side, at least one objection should be raised. Skilling writes that "Husak had come to resemble not so much President Hacha, a conservative but reluctant collaborator of Hitler, but rather Father Tiso, who ruled Slovakia, under Hitler's auspices, with a strong commitment to Nazi policy.'' Since I presume that Professor Skilling has read V. Nastny's book: The Czechs Under Nazi Rule and Hacha's telegrams and speeches therein, he seems to be too generous to Hacha and ill-informed about President Tiso. It is not true that Tiso "ruled with a strong commitment to Nazi policy." If a comparison is necessary, then Husak can be compared with Prime Minister Tuka, whom Husak put to the gallows because he trusted �146 SLOVAKIA Berlin and executed its orders - in the same way Husak now does with regard to Moscow. J . M . Kirschbaum �SLOVAKIA 147 Our Contributors Edward J. Behuncik, J .D., attorney; President, Slovak League of America; Stratford, Connecticut Konstantin Culen, author, historian Joseph M. Kirschbaum, LL.D. , Ph.D. , historian , author; Toronto, Ontario, Canada Stanley Z. Pech Hana Ponicka Alexander J . Rudinsky, student M. Mark Stolarik, Ph.D., historian, professor; Cleveland, Ohio Harry B. Schooley, III, Buffalo, New York George A. Turner Theodoric J . Zubek , O.F.M., S.T.D., author, lecturer; Easton, Pennsylvania ���Plll NT ID IN U.S.A. JIO NO TA PIU NTI RY , MID DLi TO WN , PA. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource 1977, Vol. 27 Description An account of the resource Vol. 27 (No. 50), 1977. Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available The Slovak League of America Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1977 Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document 144 SLOVAKIA Book Reuiew Dr. Gordon Skilling, Czechoslovakia's Interrupted Revolution, Princeton University Press (Princeton, 1976) XVI, 924 pp. $45.00. Among some one hundred books published on the events in Czecho-Slovakia in 1968 which aimed at "socialism with a human face," Professor Skilling's extensive study is the best and most authoritative of them all. For nearly 40 years, Skilling has followed the political scene and in numerous articles and several books has presented them to Western readers. His knowledge of local languages, his frequent stays in Prague, and visits to Slovakia, enabled him to write more authoritatively and with deeper perception of the problems than many other specialists in Eastern Europe could do by observing the developments from afar or compiling their books from other writings. It is Skilling's "opus magnum," not only because of its size, but also due to his thorough knowledge of the historical background of Czechs and Slovaks, their mutual relations, tensions and clashes, and of the ideological forces and men belying the efforts to reform the social system imposed on peoples of East Central Europe by the Soviet Union. More than anybody else up to the present, the author used all accessible published and unpublished sources of information in the Czech and Slovak languages, including secret documents and extensive interviews with leading figures of the Government, the Party, and the reform movement. Some parts of the book sound familiar, for the author has written extensively on Czechoslovakia during the past 30 years. He now gives a global view and provides an analysis of the events he calls an ''interrupted revolution.'' He assesses their impact on Czechs and Slovaks, and on Soviet policy in general. It should also be said that his approach to the Slovak problem, and his assessment of the role of Slovaks in the reform movement headed by Alexander Dubcek (mistakenly presented in many other books as a Czech), is remarkably free of bias. He admits without reservation that the Communist Party, having reunited its Czech and Slovak branches in 1948, was predominantly Czech in membership and leadership. The campaign against Slovak nationalism in the fifties resulted in the execution of Vladimir Clementis, the imprisonment of Husak and others, and the subordination of the Slovak party to Prague. Czechoslovakia again became a state ruled by Czechs, but this time with even greater indifference to Slovak rights than before 1939. The 1960 Constitution openly articulated extreme centralism and reduced the forms of Slovak self-government to nil. After 1963 there was a resurgence of Slovak cultural nationalism and a certain advance in the political position of the Slovaks, but they continued to be minor partners in a predominantly Czech state and party. (p. 10) SLOVAKIA 145 Skilling also admits, contrary to those who write only about the Slovak collaboration with Germans: ''During the years of war (in both World Wars) there was a readiness on the part of some Czechs (and Slovaks) to adapt themselves to the prevailing system and to collaborate with their German rulers.'' He adds that Svejk, ''the typical model of Czech behavior toward authority,'' relates '' only to the Czechs and not to the Slovaks, who possess, in their history, the figure of Janosik, a kind of Robin Hood of the 18th century, who became, in literature and folklore, a legendary symbol of Slovak nationalism and rebellion against social injustice." (p. 16-17) With objectivity uncommon in the West, Skilling also presents the divergence of opinions between Slovaks and Czechs during the period of Dubcek's regime, a period when "Slovak opinion crystallized rapidly in favor of federalism, and the Czech public evinced little or no interest in the matter" (p. 456). Earlier he notes, "In almost all institutions, for instance, the trade unions, the Academy of Sciences, the youth league, and the cultural associations, Slovaks were in a subordinate position, subject to bureaucratic rule from Prague" (p. 53). The role of Slovaks in the struggle for de-Stalinization and for liberalization also seems to be presented more objectively than in other books. After 1963, Slovak writers and journalists were either in the forefront of or kept pace with Czech intellectuals. The Slovak question played an important part from the beginning to the end of the revolution interrupted by Soviet tanks. The book is divided into six parts, and contains 22 chapters with an interesting epilogue on Dubcek's decline and fall. In the epilogue, Skilling deals with theoretical questions of the Dubcek era, and then adds useful appendixes and a bibliography. Throughout the book, Skilling maintains a high level of scholarship, amply documenting his presentation of events. The structure of the book is well planned. Its global view is not obscured by the author's richly detailed descriptions of the crisis and its final tragic end; the author's narrative skills are many. Skilling is too serious a scholar to look for slogans . From the Slovak side, at least one objection should be raised. Skilling writes that "Husak had come to resemble not so much President Hacha, a conservative but reluctant collaborator of Hitler, but rather Father Tiso, who ruled Slovakia, under Hitler's auspices, with a strong commitment to Nazi policy.'' Since I presume that Professor Skilling has read V. Nastny's book: The Czechs Under Nazi Rule and Hacha's telegrams and speeches therein, he seems to be too generous to Hacha and ill-informed about President Tiso. It is not true that Tiso "ruled with a strong commitment to Nazi policy." If a comparison is necessary, then Husak can be compared with Prime Minister Tuka, whom Husak put to the gallows because he trusted 146 SLOVAKIA Berlin and executed its orders - in the same way Husak now does with regard to Moscow. J . M . Kirschbaum SLOVAKIA 147 Our Contributors Edward J. Behuncik, J .D., attorney; President, Slovak League of America; Stratford, Connecticut Konstantin Culen, author, historian Joseph M. Kirschbaum, LL.D. , Ph.D. , historian , author; Toronto, Ontario, Canada Stanley Z. Pech Hana Ponicka Alexander J . Rudinsky, student M. Mark Stolarik, Ph.D., historian, professor; Cleveland, Ohio Harry B. Schooley, III, Buffalo, New York George A. Turner Theodoric J . Zubek , O.F.M., S.T.D., author, lecturer; Easton, Pennsylvania Plll NT ID IN U.S.A. JIO NO TA PIU NTI RY , MID DLi TO WN , PA.  Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Back Matter, Slovakia, Vol. 27 (No. 50) Description An account of the resource includes Book Reviews; Our Contributors Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1977 https://slovakia.wordsofpassage.net/files/original/3b8af822c65ba828deef44e1353fb2b1.pdf 11dee0bf0858df101dd6d3ed494a52b9 PDF Text Text \ ' BOOK REVIEWS ��SLOVAKIA 145 \ The 'Guns of Lattimer Review by PAUL WILKES Michael Novak, THE GUNS OF LATTIMER: The true story of a massacre and trial, August 1897-March 1898 (Basic Books, New York, 1978), XX-276p., $10.95. It's so difficult for those of us Slovaks, born in this country and who never have had to escape from or face open oppression, to get an accurate picture of what members of our families had to face when they came to America in the mass migration near the tum of the century. Yes, we've heard or read that living conditions were intolerable in Europe and working conditions here deplorable. But, we have little notion of the abuse our grandparents faced from allegedly '' good Americans." We may have an inkling today that we are often considered peripheral to the political and economic centers of power, but do we really know anything about the scorn that our forebears faced? That they survived economically is a triumph; that they did not succumb to the psychological abuse is a miracle . In Michael Novak's The Guns of Lattimer we see that Slavic people, Slovaks among them, were looked upon as amoral, shiftless drunks, a lower class of people, part of a "dung heap of humanity." And so, when a group of Pennsylvania anthracite coal miners presented some simple .demands (for example, that they not be required to do business with a company store that charged exorbitant prices nor be physically abused by their bosses) the police and mine owners banded together to crush these " Hunkies" who dared petition for the redress of grievances. After all, who did they think they were? The Slavs were supposed to go into the mines, be paid only for the coal they brought out and should ask for no more. The miners, plagued by low wages, limited work, an alien tax and virtually no benefits, marched through coal towns and patches around Hazleton , gathering strength until they numbered two thousand . Armed with only spirit - now free after nine centuries of repression in Europe - and an American flag they thought would be a symbol of their patriotism and their protection, they were stopped by a heavily armed force near the tiny hamlet of Lattimer Mines on September 10, 1897 . The flag they so proudly carried infuriated the sheriff's deputies, who tore it up before their eyes. �146 SLOVAKIA The rest is history. Although unarmed, the miners were later accused of fomenting the fight and of firing the first shot. The deputies began firing into the crowd and three inch bullets, which were capable of piercing metal, and powerful buckshot tore into human flesh. Nineteen men died, the majority of them Slovak. Thirty-nine were seriously injured and some never worked again . Most were shot in the back. Michael Novak has given us an historically thorough and vivid picture of the march and the massacre and a look into the lives of Slovaks at that time. His is a balanced approach . He does not idealize the miners; he's quite willing to point out their shortcomings, to talk about their meekness as well as their latent hostility. The overwhelming sentiment that comes through in reading the book is one of sadness and the realization that peaceful demonstrators have faced the ire of threatened power structures from Lattimer to Kent State to Jackson State and were mercilessly butchered for their beliefs. In each case, they did not seek violence, but violence and death were meted out to them. Lattimer is a classic case of the haves and have nots; the handful of powerful families , with their intermarriages and interlocking directorships and ownerships , effectively telling the rest of the community how they will live . And when the have nots want more they are not looked upon as reasonable men and women but automatically and categorically as potential destroyers of the fabric of society . Instead of listening to just demands for food and safer conditions (on the average, two miners died in accidents every three days) the ruling powers struck out, with force far beyond what was required. Novak 's portions about immigrant family life (particularly of conditions in the mines and a beautiful section about the romance of Ben Sakmar and Maureen, an Irish girl) made me hunger for more . Also. a tightly reasoned introduction to the book is of inestimable value in understanding the Slovak mentality of the time . The literature about the Slovak immigrants is so scanty and often romanticized so I hope The Guns of Lattimer is just the first of many books about the immig rant experience so that we can better understand ourselves today by knowing what we were like yesterday. �SLOVAKIA 147 The Czec_hs in. America/Slovaks in America \ Review by JUNE GRANATIR ALEXANDER University of Minnesota THE CZECHS IN AMERICA 1633-1977 - A CHRONOLOGY AND FACT BOOK. Compiled by Vera Laska. (Dobbs Ferry, New York: Oceana Publications, Inc., 1978), 152 pages, $6.50. SLOVAKS IN AMERICA - A BICENTENNIAL STUDY. Compiled by Joseph C. Krajsa et al. (Middletown, Pennsylvania: Jednota Slovak American Publishing House, 1978), xi-494 pages, $26.50 . During the last decade the surging interest in America's ethnic groups has spurred many Americans , especially those tracing their origins to Eastern, Central, and Southern Europe to seek more information about the history of their ancestors in America. Responding to this intensified interest , members of various ethnic groups have undertaken to compile bibliographies , "fact" books, and histories of their respective groups. The Czechs in America 1633-1977 by Vera Laska and Slovaks in America, published unde r the auspices of the Slovak League of America, attempt to detail information about Czech and Slovak immigrants and their descendants in the United States . Vera Laska 's Czechs in America is divided into three parts . The first section, entitled "Chronology," gives a year-by-year listing of events in Czech American history from the seventeenth century to the present . The second part, labeled ''Documents,'' contains selections describing Czech life in America and the third section is an Appendix of tables which provides statistics on population , geographical distribution, religion , and education of Czech Americans . A short bibliography is also included. The scholar looking to Laska 's chronology for facts will be quickly and sadly disappointed . This section is a listing of often unrelated items ranging from one sentence entries noting isolated events such as marriage , purchase of land , or some other activity by a person presumably of Czech origin, to longer slightly more detailed entries. In several cases Professor Laska makes claims that persons included in the chronology are Czech on the highly questionable basis of name alone. Professor Laska 's occasional use of phrases " it is said, " "the story is told, " and "some say," makes some of her entries more �148 SLOVAKIA hearsay than historical fact. The work is further marred by various types of factual errors. In some instances Laska fails to present her material accurately. For example she cites Cotton Mather's Magnalia Christi Americana as the source for the fact that Jan Amos Komensky was offered the presidency of Harvard College in 1642 (p. 2) when her source actually says this occurred in 1654. Samuel Eliot Morison (The Founding of Harvard College, 1936) explains the discrepancy in dates but clearly Mather was not the source for the 1642 date. Contrary to Laska' s claim, the Lincoln Rifle Company (p. 18) was actually "The Lincoln Riflemen of Slavonic Origin, '' and included Magyars, Slovaks , and Czechs; whether it " was framed by 50 Czech volunteers " is highly questionable. These represent only a few examples of errors in the chronology. Much of the material presented by Laska, especially for the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries can be found in Thomas Capek's The Cechs in America (1920) in a more expanded form. Indeed, several of Professor Laska' s entries are strikingly and disturbingly similar to material contained in Capek. (E.g., compare Laska pp. 7-8 to Capek pp. 159-160 and Laska p . 8 to Capek pp. 25-26.) However, Capek although extolling the role of Czechs in American history, often exercised more caution and revealed more objectivity in presenting his material than Laska does. If Professor Laska's goal was to present a factual, chronological picture of Czech history in America, she fell short of her goal. The documents section of Czechs in America is more useful. Some may quibble with the inclusion of published articles from Charities , an early twentieth century magazine, and selections from histories published in 1928 , 1929, 1939 and 1962 as "documents. " Still, Laska chose excerpts from these works that attempt to relate the history and experiences of the common immigrants - sometimes in their own words - instead of focusing on " leaders" as so many works on immigrants are prone to do. Professor Laska offers translations of early newspaper articles and works published in Czech and thereby provides the general public unable to read Czech with an opportunity to read material otherwise unavailable. However, scholars of Czech American history will probably find this section of little benefit. The Appendix consists of tables copied mainly from Capek's Cech's in America and three annual reports on immigration. Again, the general public may find these interesting but scholars will want ,to examine the original sources. ' For a chronology and fact book, the index leaves much to be desired. It includes entries only for the ''Chronology'' section and often lists only the last name of a person if that is all that is included in the �SLOVAKIA 149 main entry. In some cases, Laska may have been unable to locate names of lesser known i:Q1migrants such as a physician in Chicago but a quick check of the Dict(onary of American Biography would have revealed the first name of Ziegler, the sponsor of a Polar expedition, as William. Since the index includes only names and excludes organizations and geographical locations one is forced to plod through the entire book for desired information. In sum, because of the factual errors, questionable claims, and lack of careful verification of material Czechs in America is not a reliable source and contributes little information to the history of Czechs in America. Slovaks in America represents an attempt to chronicle the history of Slovak immigrants and their organizations in the United States. Compiled as a Bicentennial study by an eight-member editorial board, Slovaks in America is divided into six parts arranged on a topical instead of chronological basis. The first part, under the general rubric "Historical and Cultural Studies," consists of seven essays by six different authors. The selections, culled primarily from secondary sources, are in the main readable and will be informative to the general public, even though they often lack real objectivity. The essays "The Slovak Presence in America to 1890," by Sister M. Martina Tybor and "Slovak American Fraternal, Civic and Cultural Organizations" by Stephanie 0. Husek represent the best attempts to offer interpretative analysis. The other essays in this first part concern: religion, the Slovak League, journalism, Slovakia, and the Slovak heritage in America. The authors of these essays tend to narrate rather than analyze their topics in any depth. The other major sections of Slovaks in America are divided into the following categories: fraternals, religious organizations, local organizations and lodges, local parishes, and ''representative cultural organizations." These sections give general histories of various organizations from their inception to the present and include a final part of various Bicentennial activities conducted by Slovaks. But, the editors should have more clearly and carefully alerted readers that these sections are not inclusive. The "Forward" to Slovaks in America describes this work "as a truly encyclopedic presentation of the origin, growth and development of Slovak American colonies with their local and regional organizations.'' However, in a brief explanation of methods used to compile the volume, which is located near the end of the book, the editor explains that the volume is not inclusive. If the editors did not receive material from an organization or group by a printing deadline, that group or organization, it appears, was simply ignored. Consequently, because of this editorial policy, some major Slovak organiza- �150 SLOVAKIA tions are not included in Slovaks in America. Given the title of this work and the description given in the " Forward, " as a service to their potential readers, the editors should not have buried this crucial explanation about the contents and limitations of the volume near the end of the book under the inadvertently misleading title of "In Appreciation. ' ' Due to the editorial policy adopted for compiling Slovaks in America, the various sections within this volume offer a select sampling of Slovak institutions. The section on churches does not include all the Slovak parishes in the United States. Many Catholic churches are missing but more noticeable is the lack of Protestant ones. Only two Lutheran parishes found their way into the collection and no Calvin (Presbyterian) churches are mentioned. The tendency to accentuate Roman Catholic institutions over Protestant is evident in all the other sections as well. The history of the First Catholic Slovak Union merits 68 pages with a year by year chronicle of events. The history of the National Slovak Society is included in a two page biography of Peter V. Rovnianek which does, however, offer a refreshingly objective analysis of the causes for the failure of his Pittsburgh bank. The First Catholic Slovak Ladies Union receives twenty-four pages as opposed to its nonsecular counterpart , Zivena's one . There is no history of the Slovak Evangelical Union, the Slovak Calvin Presbyterian Union or even the Greek Catholic Union. The only references to non-Catholic Slovak religious groups are a 3 ¼ page history of the Slovak Zion Synod and approximately two pages on Lutherans by Daniel F. Tanzone in his essay on religious developments among Slovaks which also includes one short paragraph on Calvins. In a lengthy book with the pretentious title of Slovaks in America, more attention should have been devoted to Slovak Protestants who, like Roman Catholics, recognized their nationality by forming and joining "Slovak" organizations. Overall, Slovaks in America displays a weakness that is unfortunately evident in many ethnic histories: in its desire to praise the accomplishments of prominent Slovak Americans, Slovak churches and organizations, the work lacks balanced objectivity. In addition , the book contains generalizations about Slovak immigrants that need further study and it makes subjective observations about such ambiguous topics as ' 'the Slovak character. ' ' The segm~nted format of presenting numerous histories, while gratifying to the \respective organizations , does not present a unified history of Slovaks in· America. Still, the book is useful to the general public and, to a lesser extent, to scholars of Slovak American history. It can serve as a reference to anyone desiring general knowledge about prominent Slovaks and Slovak organizations �SLOVAKIA 151 in America , especially Catholic organizations. The collection of material is well or-ganizetl but the index covers only the ' ' Historical and Cultural " section and indpdes mostly people's names, which makes it difficult to locate other information . The work would have profited by a more careful editing of the selections to delete redundancies. Many of the short organizational and church histories begin with quite similar comments about Slovak immigration to the United States in general which makes for tedious reading. Finally, it should be stressed that despite its length and title, Slovaks in America is not a history of the common Slovak immigrants : it focuses on prominent Slovaks and Slovak organizations. Slovaks in America is an informative collection of short institutional histories and biographies . But, the history of Slovak institutions and prominent people is not the history of Slovak immigrants and their experiences in the United States. �152 SLOVAKIA The Hussite Movement and the Reformation in Bohemia, Moravia and Slovakia (1350-1650) Review by PETER BROCK University of Toronto Jarold K. Zeman, THE HUSSITE MOVEMENT AND THEREFORMATION IN BOHEMIA, MORAVIA AND SLOVAKIA (1350-1650). A Bibliographical Study Guide (with Particular Reference to Resources in North America). Published under the auspices of the Center for Reformation Research by Michigan Slavic Publications (Ann Arbor, 1977), 390 pages. This ''bibliographical study guide'' was prepared by Professor J. K . Zeman of Acadia University Divinity School in Wolfville, Nova Scotia. It lists around 3,850 entries - mainly printed materials but including some unpublished items too - in as many as fourteen different languages, with titles in Czech naturally being the most numerous. As the editor explains, his book, while ''prepared, first of all, to serve the needs of students in North America ... should be helpful to scholars and students in other countries" (p. xxix) . It, therefore, makes no claim to the fullness which would be required in a work prepared by '' a professional bibliographer.'' It is in fact deliberately selective, its compiler's aim being to present as full a list as possible of items of importance available in the libraries of the North American continent and thus to provide interested persons with sufficient data to carry on their studies. For easy reference, works in English are marked with an asterisk. On the whole Professor Zeman refrains from commenting on the quality of the books and articles he lists . In a few cases, however, he issues the timely warning: "unreliable. " There are abundant cross references to assist the reader in finding his way around the guide's rather complex organization. The work opens with an eleven-page essay Here Professor Zeman first attempts a typology of the Hussite movement and the later Protestant Reformation into which Hussitism eventually merged. He �SLOVAKIA 153 then reviews briefly the main trends in the historiography of Hussitism, and concludes with a look at current resources for Hussite studies on this continent. Further space is devoted to outlining editorial policies and listing abbre:viations.used in the main part of the work. The indexes included at the end. increa~e the guide' s usefulness to the reader. The listings themselvi:ls are divided into four parts . The first part covers the history of the movement from the forerunners of Hus in the fourteenth century to the supression of Protestantism in the Czech lands by the end of the Thirty Years War. Part I, section 12, we may note, is devoted to the Reformation in Slovakia but these pages (122126) by no means exhaust the items of interest to students of Slovak intellectual history, in which the Hussite tradition for long played a conspicuous role. The remaining three parts cover, respectively, biographical studies, special topics relating to Hussitism (including Hussite contacts with Slovakia and Hungary), and study aids. Whereas the table of contents at the beginning sets out the titles of the sections into which Part I is divided, it does not do this for the parts that follow . This is especially a pity in the case of Part ill (' 'Topical Studies ' ') for, although the topics are dealt with in alphabetical order, it is not always easy to follow the editor in his choice of titles for the various section headings. Many of the topics are indeed only loosely connected with Hussitism, e .g., alchemy and magic, astronomy, history of law, medicine, witchcraft, etc. There is also a brief section on ''Catholic Reform and Counter-Reformation. '' In respect to "Biographical Studies" Professor Zeman has wisely refrained from attempting an extensive bibliographical listing for Jan Hus and Jerome of Prague: their lives and writings, he observes, "constitute a research field in its own right" (p . 53). In other instances where adequate specialized bibliographies exist (e.g., for Peter Chelcicky) he refers the reader to such works and limits his own listings to the most important books and articles. In conclusion, Professor Zeman's book, despite a few shortcomings inevitable in a pioneer work of this kind, will long remain an indispensable research tool for all who wish to study Hussitism in its many and varied aspects. ��SLOVAKIA 155 Our Contributors JUNE GRANATIR ALEXANDER EDWARD J . BEHUNCIK, President, Slovak League of America THOMAS BELL (1903-1961) PETER BROCK , University of Toronto DAVID P. DANIEL, The Pennsylvania State University , Erie FRANTISEK HECKO (1905-1960) LUBY HOLY YESHAYAHU JELINEK, Denison University OWEN V. JOHNSON STANLEY B. KIMBALL V. S. KOBAN I..:UDO ONDREJOV (1901-1962) GEORGE P . RESICK AL VEN A SEC KAR M . MARK STOLARIK , Director, The Balch Institute, Philadelphia PAUL WILKES ��Printed by JEDNOTA PRINTERY, Middletown, Pennsylvania, U.S.A. �OFFICERS OF THE SLOVAK LEAGUE OF AMERICA Honorary President: Stephen J. Tkach, K.H.S. JOHN A . HOLY Secretary EDWARD J. BEHUNCIK President Vice Presidents: Michael J . Krajsa Frances L. Mizenko Daniel F. Tanzone Regional Vice-Presidents: Rudolf Gregus, New York, New Jersey, New England States John Huk, Pennsylvania Joseph Ondis, Ohio David Zelenak, Michigan Ivan Kralik, Illinois, Indiana Bernadine Wandke, Wisconsin, Weftern States Executive Committee: Edward J . Behuncik, John A. Holy, Milan V. Blazek, Andrew F. Hudak, Jr. George N. Kantor, Michael J . Zahorsky, Louise M . Yash George J . Kostelnik, Cecilia Sarocky, Stephen J . Kavulic Slovak League of America Ladies' Auxiliary Anna M. Vizza, President Auditors: Anna Blahusiak Dr. Stanislav Duris Joseph Valencik SLOVAK FRATERNAL ORGANIZATIONS (Affiliated with the Slovak League of America) THE FIRST CATHOLIC SLOVAK UNION Cleveland, Ohio - Membership 105,800 THE FIRST CATHOLIC SLOVAK LADIES ASSOCIATION Beachwood, Ohio - Membership 104,500 THE SLOVAK CATHOLIC SOKOL Passaic, N.J . - Membership 50,000 THE LADIES PENNSYLVANIA SLOVAK CATHOLIC UNION Wilkes-Barre, Pa . - Membership 16,500 PENNSYLVANIA SLOVAK CATHOLIC UNION Wilkes-Barre, Pa . - Membership 10,000 SLOVAK NEWSPAPERMEN ' S ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA John C. Sciranka , President SLOVAK AMERICAN NEWSPAPERS (Affiliated with the Slovak League of America) SLOVAK v AMER I KE (circulation 3,000) JEDNOTA (circu lation 40,000) ZENSKA JEDNOTA (circulation 35,000) ZORNICKA (circulation 5,000) KATOLICKY SOKOL (circulation 20,000) BRATSTVO (circulation 7,000) PRIATEL DIETOK (circulation 9,000) SLOVAKIA $5.00 per annum in the U.S.A. - $6.00 elsewhere Printed by JEDNOTA PRINTERY Middletown, Pennsylvania U.S.A . � \ ' BOOK REVIEWS ��SLOVAKIA 145 \ The 'Guns of Lattimer Review by PAUL WILKES Michael Novak, THE GUNS OF LATTIMER: The true story of a massacre and trial, August 1897-March 1898 (Basic Books, New York, 1978), XX-276p., $10.95. It's so difficult for those of us Slovaks, born in this country and who never have had to escape from or face open oppression, to get an accurate picture of what members of our families had to face when they came to America in the mass migration near the tum of the century. Yes, we've heard or read that living conditions were intolerable in Europe and working conditions here deplorable. But, we have little notion of the abuse our grandparents faced from allegedly '' good Americans." We may have an inkling today that we are often considered peripheral to the political and economic centers of power, but do we really know anything about the scorn that our forebears faced? That they survived economically is a triumph; that they did not succumb to the psychological abuse is a miracle . In Michael Novak's The Guns of Lattimer we see that Slavic people, Slovaks among them, were looked upon as amoral, shiftless drunks, a lower class of people, part of a "dung heap of humanity." And so, when a group of Pennsylvania anthracite coal miners presented some simple .demands (for example, that they not be required to do business with a company store that charged exorbitant prices nor be physically abused by their bosses) the police and mine owners banded together to crush these " Hunkies" who dared petition for the redress of grievances. After all, who did they think they were? The Slavs were supposed to go into the mines, be paid only for the coal they brought out and should ask for no more. The miners, plagued by low wages, limited work, an alien tax and virtually no benefits, marched through coal towns and patches around Hazleton , gathering strength until they numbered two thousand . Armed with only spirit - now free after nine centuries of repression in Europe - and an American flag they thought would be a symbol of their patriotism and their protection, they were stopped by a heavily armed force near the tiny hamlet of Lattimer Mines on September 10, 1897 . The flag they so proudly carried infuriated the sheriff's deputies, who tore it up before their eyes. �146 SLOVAKIA The rest is history. Although unarmed, the miners were later accused of fomenting the fight and of firing the first shot. The deputies began firing into the crowd and three inch bullets, which were capable of piercing metal, and powerful buckshot tore into human flesh. Nineteen men died, the majority of them Slovak. Thirty-nine were seriously injured and some never worked again . Most were shot in the back. Michael Novak has given us an historically thorough and vivid picture of the march and the massacre and a look into the lives of Slovaks at that time. His is a balanced approach . He does not idealize the miners; he's quite willing to point out their shortcomings, to talk about their meekness as well as their latent hostility. The overwhelming sentiment that comes through in reading the book is one of sadness and the realization that peaceful demonstrators have faced the ire of threatened power structures from Lattimer to Kent State to Jackson State and were mercilessly butchered for their beliefs. In each case, they did not seek violence, but violence and death were meted out to them. Lattimer is a classic case of the haves and have nots; the handful of powerful families , with their intermarriages and interlocking directorships and ownerships , effectively telling the rest of the community how they will live . And when the have nots want more they are not looked upon as reasonable men and women but automatically and categorically as potential destroyers of the fabric of society . Instead of listening to just demands for food and safer conditions (on the average, two miners died in accidents every three days) the ruling powers struck out, with force far beyond what was required. Novak 's portions about immigrant family life (particularly of conditions in the mines and a beautiful section about the romance of Ben Sakmar and Maureen, an Irish girl) made me hunger for more . Also. a tightly reasoned introduction to the book is of inestimable value in understanding the Slovak mentality of the time . The literature about the Slovak immigrants is so scanty and often romanticized so I hope The Guns of Lattimer is just the first of many books about the immig rant experience so that we can better understand ourselves today by knowing what we were like yesterday. �SLOVAKIA 147 The Czec_hs in. America/Slovaks in America \ Review by JUNE GRANATIR ALEXANDER University of Minnesota THE CZECHS IN AMERICA 1633-1977 - A CHRONOLOGY AND FACT BOOK. Compiled by Vera Laska. (Dobbs Ferry, New York: Oceana Publications, Inc., 1978), 152 pages, $6.50. SLOVAKS IN AMERICA - A BICENTENNIAL STUDY. Compiled by Joseph C. Krajsa et al. (Middletown, Pennsylvania: Jednota Slovak American Publishing House, 1978), xi-494 pages, $26.50 . During the last decade the surging interest in America's ethnic groups has spurred many Americans , especially those tracing their origins to Eastern, Central, and Southern Europe to seek more information about the history of their ancestors in America. Responding to this intensified interest , members of various ethnic groups have undertaken to compile bibliographies , "fact" books, and histories of their respective groups. The Czechs in America 1633-1977 by Vera Laska and Slovaks in America, published unde r the auspices of the Slovak League of America, attempt to detail information about Czech and Slovak immigrants and their descendants in the United States . Vera Laska 's Czechs in America is divided into three parts . The first section, entitled "Chronology," gives a year-by-year listing of events in Czech American history from the seventeenth century to the present . The second part, labeled ''Documents,'' contains selections describing Czech life in America and the third section is an Appendix of tables which provides statistics on population , geographical distribution, religion , and education of Czech Americans . A short bibliography is also included. The scholar looking to Laska 's chronology for facts will be quickly and sadly disappointed . This section is a listing of often unrelated items ranging from one sentence entries noting isolated events such as marriage , purchase of land , or some other activity by a person presumably of Czech origin, to longer slightly more detailed entries. In several cases Professor Laska makes claims that persons included in the chronology are Czech on the highly questionable basis of name alone. Professor Laska 's occasional use of phrases " it is said, " "the story is told, " and "some say," makes some of her entries more �148 SLOVAKIA hearsay than historical fact. The work is further marred by various types of factual errors. In some instances Laska fails to present her material accurately. For example she cites Cotton Mather's Magnalia Christi Americana as the source for the fact that Jan Amos Komensky was offered the presidency of Harvard College in 1642 (p. 2) when her source actually says this occurred in 1654. Samuel Eliot Morison (The Founding of Harvard College, 1936) explains the discrepancy in dates but clearly Mather was not the source for the 1642 date. Contrary to Laska' s claim, the Lincoln Rifle Company (p. 18) was actually "The Lincoln Riflemen of Slavonic Origin, '' and included Magyars, Slovaks , and Czechs; whether it " was framed by 50 Czech volunteers " is highly questionable. These represent only a few examples of errors in the chronology. Much of the material presented by Laska, especially for the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries can be found in Thomas Capek's The Cechs in America (1920) in a more expanded form. Indeed, several of Professor Laska' s entries are strikingly and disturbingly similar to material contained in Capek. (E.g., compare Laska pp. 7-8 to Capek pp. 159-160 and Laska p . 8 to Capek pp. 25-26.) However, Capek although extolling the role of Czechs in American history, often exercised more caution and revealed more objectivity in presenting his material than Laska does. If Professor Laska's goal was to present a factual, chronological picture of Czech history in America, she fell short of her goal. The documents section of Czechs in America is more useful. Some may quibble with the inclusion of published articles from Charities , an early twentieth century magazine, and selections from histories published in 1928 , 1929, 1939 and 1962 as "documents. " Still, Laska chose excerpts from these works that attempt to relate the history and experiences of the common immigrants - sometimes in their own words - instead of focusing on " leaders" as so many works on immigrants are prone to do. Professor Laska offers translations of early newspaper articles and works published in Czech and thereby provides the general public unable to read Czech with an opportunity to read material otherwise unavailable. However, scholars of Czech American history will probably find this section of little benefit. The Appendix consists of tables copied mainly from Capek's Cech's in America and three annual reports on immigration. Again, the general public may find these interesting but scholars will want ,to examine the original sources. ' For a chronology and fact book, the index leaves much to be desired. It includes entries only for the ''Chronology'' section and often lists only the last name of a person if that is all that is included in the �SLOVAKIA 149 main entry. In some cases, Laska may have been unable to locate names of lesser known i:Q1migrants such as a physician in Chicago but a quick check of the Dict(onary of American Biography would have revealed the first name of Ziegler, the sponsor of a Polar expedition, as William. Since the index includes only names and excludes organizations and geographical locations one is forced to plod through the entire book for desired information. In sum, because of the factual errors, questionable claims, and lack of careful verification of material Czechs in America is not a reliable source and contributes little information to the history of Czechs in America. Slovaks in America represents an attempt to chronicle the history of Slovak immigrants and their organizations in the United States. Compiled as a Bicentennial study by an eight-member editorial board, Slovaks in America is divided into six parts arranged on a topical instead of chronological basis. The first part, under the general rubric "Historical and Cultural Studies," consists of seven essays by six different authors. The selections, culled primarily from secondary sources, are in the main readable and will be informative to the general public, even though they often lack real objectivity. The essays "The Slovak Presence in America to 1890," by Sister M. Martina Tybor and "Slovak American Fraternal, Civic and Cultural Organizations" by Stephanie 0. Husek represent the best attempts to offer interpretative analysis. The other essays in this first part concern: religion, the Slovak League, journalism, Slovakia, and the Slovak heritage in America. The authors of these essays tend to narrate rather than analyze their topics in any depth. The other major sections of Slovaks in America are divided into the following categories: fraternals, religious organizations, local organizations and lodges, local parishes, and ''representative cultural organizations." These sections give general histories of various organizations from their inception to the present and include a final part of various Bicentennial activities conducted by Slovaks. But, the editors should have more clearly and carefully alerted readers that these sections are not inclusive. The "Forward" to Slovaks in America describes this work "as a truly encyclopedic presentation of the origin, growth and development of Slovak American colonies with their local and regional organizations.'' However, in a brief explanation of methods used to compile the volume, which is located near the end of the book, the editor explains that the volume is not inclusive. If the editors did not receive material from an organization or group by a printing deadline, that group or organization, it appears, was simply ignored. Consequently, because of this editorial policy, some major Slovak organiza- �150 SLOVAKIA tions are not included in Slovaks in America. Given the title of this work and the description given in the " Forward, " as a service to their potential readers, the editors should not have buried this crucial explanation about the contents and limitations of the volume near the end of the book under the inadvertently misleading title of "In Appreciation. ' ' Due to the editorial policy adopted for compiling Slovaks in America, the various sections within this volume offer a select sampling of Slovak institutions. The section on churches does not include all the Slovak parishes in the United States. Many Catholic churches are missing but more noticeable is the lack of Protestant ones. Only two Lutheran parishes found their way into the collection and no Calvin (Presbyterian) churches are mentioned. The tendency to accentuate Roman Catholic institutions over Protestant is evident in all the other sections as well. The history of the First Catholic Slovak Union merits 68 pages with a year by year chronicle of events. The history of the National Slovak Society is included in a two page biography of Peter V. Rovnianek which does, however, offer a refreshingly objective analysis of the causes for the failure of his Pittsburgh bank. The First Catholic Slovak Ladies Union receives twenty-four pages as opposed to its nonsecular counterpart , Zivena's one . There is no history of the Slovak Evangelical Union, the Slovak Calvin Presbyterian Union or even the Greek Catholic Union. The only references to non-Catholic Slovak religious groups are a 3 ¼ page history of the Slovak Zion Synod and approximately two pages on Lutherans by Daniel F. Tanzone in his essay on religious developments among Slovaks which also includes one short paragraph on Calvins. In a lengthy book with the pretentious title of Slovaks in America, more attention should have been devoted to Slovak Protestants who, like Roman Catholics, recognized their nationality by forming and joining "Slovak" organizations. Overall, Slovaks in America displays a weakness that is unfortunately evident in many ethnic histories: in its desire to praise the accomplishments of prominent Slovak Americans, Slovak churches and organizations, the work lacks balanced objectivity. In addition , the book contains generalizations about Slovak immigrants that need further study and it makes subjective observations about such ambiguous topics as ' 'the Slovak character. ' ' The segm~nted format of presenting numerous histories, while gratifying to the \respective organizations , does not present a unified history of Slovaks in· America. Still, the book is useful to the general public and, to a lesser extent, to scholars of Slovak American history. It can serve as a reference to anyone desiring general knowledge about prominent Slovaks and Slovak organizations �SLOVAKIA 151 in America , especially Catholic organizations. The collection of material is well or-ganizetl but the index covers only the ' ' Historical and Cultural " section and indpdes mostly people's names, which makes it difficult to locate other information . The work would have profited by a more careful editing of the selections to delete redundancies. Many of the short organizational and church histories begin with quite similar comments about Slovak immigration to the United States in general which makes for tedious reading. Finally, it should be stressed that despite its length and title, Slovaks in America is not a history of the common Slovak immigrants : it focuses on prominent Slovaks and Slovak organizations. Slovaks in America is an informative collection of short institutional histories and biographies . But, the history of Slovak institutions and prominent people is not the history of Slovak immigrants and their experiences in the United States. �152 SLOVAKIA The Hussite Movement and the Reformation in Bohemia, Moravia and Slovakia (1350-1650) Review by PETER BROCK University of Toronto Jarold K. Zeman, THE HUSSITE MOVEMENT AND THEREFORMATION IN BOHEMIA, MORAVIA AND SLOVAKIA (1350-1650). A Bibliographical Study Guide (with Particular Reference to Resources in North America). Published under the auspices of the Center for Reformation Research by Michigan Slavic Publications (Ann Arbor, 1977), 390 pages. This ''bibliographical study guide'' was prepared by Professor J. K . Zeman of Acadia University Divinity School in Wolfville, Nova Scotia. It lists around 3,850 entries - mainly printed materials but including some unpublished items too - in as many as fourteen different languages, with titles in Czech naturally being the most numerous. As the editor explains, his book, while ''prepared, first of all, to serve the needs of students in North America ... should be helpful to scholars and students in other countries" (p. xxix) . It, therefore, makes no claim to the fullness which would be required in a work prepared by '' a professional bibliographer.'' It is in fact deliberately selective, its compiler's aim being to present as full a list as possible of items of importance available in the libraries of the North American continent and thus to provide interested persons with sufficient data to carry on their studies. For easy reference, works in English are marked with an asterisk. On the whole Professor Zeman refrains from commenting on the quality of the books and articles he lists . In a few cases, however, he issues the timely warning: "unreliable. " There are abundant cross references to assist the reader in finding his way around the guide's rather complex organization. The work opens with an eleven-page essay Here Professor Zeman first attempts a typology of the Hussite movement and the later Protestant Reformation into which Hussitism eventually merged. He �SLOVAKIA 153 then reviews briefly the main trends in the historiography of Hussitism, and concludes with a look at current resources for Hussite studies on this continent. Further space is devoted to outlining editorial policies and listing abbre:viations.used in the main part of the work. The indexes included at the end. increa~e the guide' s usefulness to the reader. The listings themselvi:ls are divided into four parts . The first part covers the history of the movement from the forerunners of Hus in the fourteenth century to the supression of Protestantism in the Czech lands by the end of the Thirty Years War. Part I, section 12, we may note, is devoted to the Reformation in Slovakia but these pages (122126) by no means exhaust the items of interest to students of Slovak intellectual history, in which the Hussite tradition for long played a conspicuous role. The remaining three parts cover, respectively, biographical studies, special topics relating to Hussitism (including Hussite contacts with Slovakia and Hungary), and study aids. Whereas the table of contents at the beginning sets out the titles of the sections into which Part I is divided, it does not do this for the parts that follow . This is especially a pity in the case of Part ill (' 'Topical Studies ' ') for, although the topics are dealt with in alphabetical order, it is not always easy to follow the editor in his choice of titles for the various section headings. Many of the topics are indeed only loosely connected with Hussitism, e .g., alchemy and magic, astronomy, history of law, medicine, witchcraft, etc. There is also a brief section on ''Catholic Reform and Counter-Reformation. '' In respect to "Biographical Studies" Professor Zeman has wisely refrained from attempting an extensive bibliographical listing for Jan Hus and Jerome of Prague: their lives and writings, he observes, "constitute a research field in its own right" (p . 53). In other instances where adequate specialized bibliographies exist (e.g., for Peter Chelcicky) he refers the reader to such works and limits his own listings to the most important books and articles. In conclusion, Professor Zeman's book, despite a few shortcomings inevitable in a pioneer work of this kind, will long remain an indispensable research tool for all who wish to study Hussitism in its many and varied aspects. ��SLOVAKIA 155 Our Contributors JUNE GRANATIR ALEXANDER EDWARD J . BEHUNCIK, President, Slovak League of America THOMAS BELL (1903-1961) PETER BROCK , University of Toronto DAVID P. DANIEL, The Pennsylvania State University , Erie FRANTISEK HECKO (1905-1960) LUBY HOLY YESHAYAHU JELINEK, Denison University OWEN V. JOHNSON STANLEY B. KIMBALL V. S. KOBAN I..:UDO ONDREJOV (1901-1962) GEORGE P . RESICK AL VEN A SEC KAR M . MARK STOLARIK , Director, The Balch Institute, Philadelphia PAUL WILKES ��Printed by JEDNOTA PRINTERY, Middletown, Pennsylvania, U.S.A. �OFFICERS OF THE SLOVAK LEAGUE OF AMERICA Honorary President: Stephen J. Tkach, K.H.S. JOHN A . HOLY Secretary EDWARD J. BEHUNCIK President Vice Presidents: Michael J . Krajsa Frances L. Mizenko Daniel F. Tanzone Regional Vice-Presidents: Rudolf Gregus, New York, New Jersey, New England States John Huk, Pennsylvania Joseph Ondis, Ohio David Zelenak, Michigan Ivan Kralik, Illinois, Indiana Bernadine Wandke, Wisconsin, Weftern States Executive Committee: Edward J . Behuncik, John A. Holy, Milan V. Blazek, Andrew F. Hudak, Jr. George N. Kantor, Michael J . Zahorsky, Louise M . Yash George J . Kostelnik, Cecilia Sarocky, Stephen J . Kavulic Slovak League of America Ladies' Auxiliary Anna M. Vizza, President Auditors: Anna Blahusiak Dr. Stanislav Duris Joseph Valencik SLOVAK FRATERNAL ORGANIZATIONS (Affiliated with the Slovak League of America) THE FIRST CATHOLIC SLOVAK UNION Cleveland, Ohio - Membership 105,800 THE FIRST CATHOLIC SLOVAK LADIES ASSOCIATION Beachwood, Ohio - Membership 104,500 THE SLOVAK CATHOLIC SOKOL Passaic, N.J . - Membership 50,000 THE LADIES PENNSYLVANIA SLOVAK CATHOLIC UNION Wilkes-Barre, Pa . - Membership 16,500 PENNSYLVANIA SLOVAK CATHOLIC UNION Wilkes-Barre, Pa . - Membership 10,000 SLOVAK NEWSPAPERMEN ' S ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA John C. Sciranka , President SLOVAK AMERICAN NEWSPAPERS (Affiliated with the Slovak League of America) SLOVAK v AMER I KE (circulation 3,000) JEDNOTA (circu lation 40,000) ZENSKA JEDNOTA (circulation 35,000) ZORNICKA (circulation 5,000) KATOLICKY SOKOL (circulation 20,000) BRATSTVO (circulation 7,000) PRIATEL DIETOK (circulation 9,000) SLOVAKIA $5.00 per annum in the U.S.A. - $6.00 elsewhere Printed by JEDNOTA PRINTERY Middletown, Pennsylvania U.S.A . � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource 1978-79, Vol. 28 Description An account of the resource Vol. 28 (No. 51-52), 1978-79. Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available The Slovak League of America Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1978-79 Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Back Matter, Slovakia, Vol. 28 (No. 51-52) Description An account of the resource includes Book Reviews; Our Contributors Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1978-79 https://slovakia.wordsofpassage.net/files/original/12e36433df515cc7aec6093d7ae5416b.pdf dd12c427b51c39393594e7cd883dad8b PDF Text Text REVIEWS ��SLOVAKIA 135 ' Peter Brock The Slovak National Awakening Peterirock. THE SLOVAK NATIONAL AWAKENING: AN ESSAY IN THE INTELLECTUAL HISTORY OF EAST CENTRAL EUROPE. Toronto and Buffalo: University of Toronto Press, 1976. x, 104 pp . This three-chapter monograph with extensive notes, bibliography, and index presents the intellectual growth ' ' of an idea, the Slovak idea of nationality" (p.x). Written primarily to fill a gap on "which scarcely any reliable literature exists in English" (ibid.), Professor Brock's study does precisely that - non-English subsidiary sources are evaluated, unsubstantiated claims of biased scholarship are pointed out, and perennial misunderstandings of specific historical issues are put in proper perspective. With the exception of a few flaws that will be listed below, the book is well-organized and written in a style that favorably ties the author's learning with his common sense. The main thrust of the work, as the author has emphasized at the very outset of the text, was to be found in the interrelationship of the concept of Slovak "cultural-linguistic nationhood" to the concepts of natio hungarica, on the one hand, and the " Czechoslovak idea, " on the other. Slovak national identity, the first component of the uneasy alliance , grew up in its linguistic aspect more or less directly from indigenous traditions, while its scholarly-cultural tenets were repeatedly reexamined under Magyar and Czech influences. Thus one could say that the literature of the Cyrilo-Methodian era had a negligible impact on the Slovak vernacular. Biblittina - almost sacred in Slovak Lutheran religious usage , especially after the Battle of White Mountain (1620) did influence the Slovak vernacular development, but far less than even the most recent , relatively restrained, scholarship has suggested. The so-called Jesuit Slovak, essentially " an amalgam , of several dialects , heavily influenced by Czech, and . . . used by / educated I Protestants as well as Catholics" (p . 6), made no impact on the common speech of the masses whatsoever. In turn the dialect spoken in southwestern Slovakia attained a limited acceptance as a ' ' Slovak literary language " due to the efforts of the Catholic priests Anton Bernolak, Juraj Fandly, and Jan Holly. However, only the dialect of central Slovakia propagated by the Protestant scholar and philosopher, :Cudovit �136 SLOVAKIA Stur, gained the full support of the Slovaks and eventually became the basis for a Slovak literary language. Slovak scholarly-cultural pursuits - as hinted above - were to a great extent products of the cultural and political tensions within central Europe . Natio hungarica , despite its lofty official attributes, was in reality a misnomer, denoting an alliance between the historical determination of the nation-state and Magyar political aspirations. Essentially a shield for aristocratic privileges in the pre-Josephinist era, it became a vehicle for repressive measures against non-Magyar ethnic groups in later decades. The Slovak approach to the concept of natio hungarica underwent a full range of changes from the mytho-historical point of view of Juraj Papanek and Juraj Sklenar in its earlier version to a pragmatic-negative standpoint of the Sturites in its latest variant. The Great Moravian Empire, according to Papanek and Sklenar, was a Slovak national state. The Slovaks , Sklenar claimed, formed after its downfall a voluntary and equal partnership, a natio hungarica, "with the newly arrived Magyars" (p . 8) . In contrast, Kollar 's " pro-Czechoslovak" group ceased to honor the idea of political-cultural union with the Magyars around 1830, while the Sturites refused ever to recognize it in any form. The idea of the socalled Czechoslovak national unity has lingered in one or another shape in some minds up to the present time. However, during the eleven-century long Magyar occupation of the Slovak territory the ties between the Czechs and Slovaks ' 'remained confined to comparatively small sections of the intelligentsia . . . the Slovak peasants and the artisans . . . possessed scarcely any national or even ethnic consciousness that went beyond an elemental love of their mother tongue, usually the only language they could speak'' (p. 20). A stronger interest in the " Czechoslovak idea" came about between 1820 and 1840 when Jan Kollar used it as a bridge between the motley assortment of various Slavic idioms and his axiomatic philosophy of Slavdom. Slavdom, in Kollar ' s visionary system, was but a single nation containing four literary languages - Russian, Polish, lliyrian, and Czechoslovak - that were " worthy" to have a distinct status . All other " smaller" Slavic languages were, by this logic, " unworthy" of a separate existence and were to be channelled into the nearest Slavic idiom. The Slovak language was supposed to be absorbed into Czech. Brock' s study is a well-balanced and honest treatment of one of the most difficult subjects of scholarship. It undmi btedly adds a new dimension to a better understanding of related -ethno-political issues treated , for example , by Robert W. Seton-Watson in his Racial Problems in Hungary (reprinted by Howard Fertig, New York, 1972) , by �SLOVAKIA 137 \ Gilbert L. Oddo in his Slovakia and Its People (published by R. Speller, New York, 1960), and by Joseph F. Zacek in his essay, "Nationalism in Czechoslovakia" (published in Sugar and Lederer, eds., Nationalism in Eastern Europe, University of Washington Press, Seattle, 1969; see especially pp. 166-167 and 186-195). On the other hand, Brock's condensed treatment of the entire issue does not give full credii to his familiarity with the problem. Had the book been more broadly conceived (let us say by a treatment of the ''growth'' of Slovak cultural-linguistic nationalism after 1918), it would have considerably contributed to the study of parallels and differences between Magyar and Czech standpoints toward Slovak cultural endeavors from a new angle. My minor but specific objections are directed against the following defects in the work: (1) the use of non-English constructions in the text when English equivalents were available and their non-English counterparts could easily be incorporated in extensive notes; (2) too many errors in non-English references included in the "Notes;" and (3) the "Notes" and "Bibliography" were set in uneven-line endings while the text itself was presented in regular "book-line" endings. Although intended primarily for Slavic scholars, this book merits the attention of English-speaking students of Slovak culture everywhere. It is proof that a foreign-born scholar can present a fair and truthful account of a topic related to the Slovaks and Slovakia in spite of frequent misrepresentations of the issues by biased scholars. Brock's work will stand out as a model for future efforts on similar subjects. Andrej Cintura Riverside, CaUfomia �138 SLOVAKIA Josef Kalvoda Czechoslovakia's Role in Soviet Strategy Josef Kalvoda. CZECHOSLOVAKIA'S ROLE IN SOVIET STRATEGY. Washington, D.C.: University Press of America, 1978. ix, 381 pp. This is a good book with the wrong title. What Professor Kalvoda offers is a history of Czechoslovakia's attitude to and relations with the Soviet Union since World War I. Hence a more appropriate title would have been "Czechoslovakia and the Soviet Union," a title general enough to cover the range and wealth of information meticulously assembled and presented. In fact, the author has done Western scholarship a service by examining this topic in depth; until now this subject has been dealt with piecemeal either in studies on the foreign policy of the First Czechoslovak Republic, or in the more recent studies on the liberalization process of Communist Czechoslovakia. The greater part of the study is devoted to an analysis of the attitudes and actions toward the Soviet Union of two of the three founders of the Czechoslovak state, namely T.G. Masaryk and Edvard Benes. Interspersed are chapters on the Slovak Soviet Republic, the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia, and the sovietization of the country. Needless to say, after 1948, the focus changes somewhat insofar as Czechoslovakia has become a satellite of the Soviet Union, and the relationship between the countries is on a completely different level. Still, given the fact that the leadership of Czechoslovakia sought to establish a new framework of relations with the Soviet Union in the liberalization process of 1968, especially on the ideological level, there is a thematic continuity that justifies the fifty-odd year analysis offered here. It is a pity that the author did not fully exploit this aspect of the topic and that his weakest chapters are the last three where he does suggest how Czechoslovakia has played a role in Soviet strategy since 1948 . This latter theme, interesting at it may be, does not tie in well with the preceding chapters and thus breaks up the unity of theme that had been evident, though not explicitly stated, up to that point. One of the interesting points that the author makes and that is generally absent in histories of Czechoslovakia or the Soviet Union is the fact that during the Russian revolution th"ere existed a possibility of using the Czecho-Slovak Legion to smash the Bolsheviks. During the debate on this point, Karel Kramar, one of the Czech leaders, sug- �SLOVAKIA 139 \ gested that a free Czechoslovakia could exist only if there existed a democratic Russia. He urged that the Legion be used against the Bolsheviks to achieve this end. Masaryk disagreed; in fact, he urged early on the recognition of the Bolshevik regime and forbade the use of the Legion against the Red Army. While one cannot answer an historical if, one has to recognize that Kramar had been more perspications than Masaryk. In the interwar period, the attitudes to and relations with the Soviet Union were determined by Edvard Benes, the man to whom Kalvoda quite correctly also ascribes the responsibility for Czechoslovakia eventually becoming a Soviet satellite. The author shows in great detail how Benes gave in to the Soviet leadership and its satraps in the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia during the war. The coup in February 1948 was merely an epilogue to a situation that had been dealt with in December 1943 when Benes, against British advice, signed a Treaty of Friendship, Mutual Assistance, and Post-War Cooperation with the Soviet Union. The consequences need not be elaborated upon. The author left few stones unturned in his research. But what is more striking is his detachment from the subject matter, somehing that most Czech emigre scholars have rarely succeeded in achieving. Thus if one might find fault with the little attention he pays the Slovaks, at least he does not do so out of either indifference or deliberate slight. In fact, the topic does not call for an in-depth examination of Slovakia or the Slovaks; where they do play a role, the author presents the situation as directly as he does the rest of the subject. One has to remember that the foreign policy of Czechoslovakia, however deplorable, was always in the hands of the Czech elite, be it Benes in the First Republic or the Czech leadership of the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia after the Second World War. Kalvoda is not insensitive to the Slovaks, and in his preface he states that he '' never subscribed to the theory of one 'Czechoslovak' nation ... / nor had / taken the existance of the Slovak nation for granted" (p . vii). This is borne out in the study, particularly when he deals with the Slovak Republic and Benes' s attitude toward the Slovak nation during the Second World War. One might suggest, however, that the author could have examined the issue of the federalization of Czechoslovakia and its link to Soviet theory and practice on the nationality problem . Federalization was the only reform that survived the normalization policy after the invasion of August 1968. Czech-Slovak relations have played an important part in Communist Czechoslovakia , and the Soviet Union has not been kept entirely out of them. This should have been analyzed. It is a pity, as was stated above, that the author chose an inappro- �140 SLOVAKIA priate title and thereby missed some opportunities of examining other topics germane to the thrust of his study. Nevertheless, it is a wellwritten and well-documented analysis. Stanislav J. Kirschbaum Glendon College, York University Toronto, Canada �SLOVAKIA 141 \ Doro·thea El Mallakh The Slovak Autonomy Movement, 1935-1939 Dorothea H. El Mallakh. THE SLOVAK AUTONOMY MOVEMENT, 1935-1939: A STUDY IN UNRELENTING NATIONALISM. "East European Monographs, No. LV." Boulder, Colorado: East European Quarterly, 1979. xvi, 260 pp. Distributed by Columbia University Press. In recent years we have seen the submission of several dissertations dealing with Slovak topics. Others are under preparation. This development is more than welcomed. The study of Slovakia has finally reached maturity and respectability in the Western scholarly community. It is no longer an appendix to the history of the Czechs - as much as we admired the serious and honest treatments by R.W. Seton-Watson and S. Harrison Thomson. Nor is it propagandistic pamphleteering by an assortment of enthusiasts and political refugees - even if we recognize their contributions to the popularization of Slovak annals. Now we are dealing with the fruits of archival research, some of which has been done in the best tradition of Occidental scholarship. In spite of its progress, however, Slovak historiography remains a part of the intellectual ghetto, the quarantine in which East European studies are kept in the United States. Snobbery and arrogance of "Big Nations Research" and of "Continental (i.e., West European) Topics" are a mirror of political realities. The small nations of Eastern Europe, captive in the clutches of major powers for most of their modem life, elicit little interest in the hearts and minds of a cohort of intellectual imperialists. Hence, the obscurity of Slovakia resembles the relative invisibility of other neighboring peoples. These factors are amplified by the shortsightedness and irresponsibility of some students of Slovak history. Partisan zeal and engaged scholarship color much of their writing and publication. In addition, some trained professionals and graduates of good schools continue to undermine the work of others. They preserve the aura of disrepute which cast much blame on historical writing about Slovakia for so long. To the old ills is now added a new one: the rush to publication. In spite of the severe conditions of the academic market, there is slight justification for publication of an unrevised dissertation. A good thesis does not necessarily make a book of quality. And some dissertations are less than good . Dr. El Mallakh studied under some of the best teachers of East �142 SLOVAKIA European history and submitted a competent dissertation. Her book left much to be desired, however. In her major thesis she advances the idea that unfulfilled, if just, national grievances by the Slovaks undermined the stability of the Czechoslovak Republic and assisted the Nazis in setting up the Slovak state. She argues that past historians, while discussing Czechoslovak and Slovak developments, usually "premissed on an anti-Nazi and anti-Fascist vantage point" (p. 11). This is not correct; arguments similar to El Mallakh's which recognized the pains of Slovak nationalism were advanced before she started to write her thesis. The title and topic of The Slovak Autonomy Movement, 1935-1939 are confusing, as the volume strives to encapsule the entire development of Slovak nationalism from the 19th century to the present. By renaming Hlinka's Slovak People's Party (HSPP) with the title of Slovak Autonomy Movement, El Mallakh made the "tudaks" (an expression not existing in the book) into the only bearers of Slovak nationalism. Consequently, she dwarfed the demands and complaints of the Slovak people into the simplistic political program of the single albeit strongest - party. Autonomy was the HSPP 's answer to two of the major problems the Slovak people faced in Czechoslovakia: the lack of recognition of their national individuality and Prague' s centralistic rule over the entire state. The doctrine of a single Czechoslovak nation, which El Mallakh barely mentioned and left unanalyzed, caused significant harm since it offended the mental and emotional consciousness of the Slovak people. El Mallakh apparently was not aware of the 19th-century Czech and Slovak roots of this doctrine. Jan Kollar, the great prophet of Czechoslovakism, appears nowhere in the book. Centralism constituted a serious problem also for day-to-day life during the First Republic. The author discussed this aspect, frequently with skill and erudition. Unfortunately , she failed to evaluate the reasons and long term effects of either Czechoslovakism or centralism on the state. Had she done so, she might perhaps have discovered that autonomy was not necessarily the most effective remedy for Slovakia's sores, but rather a shrewd political platform . As the author stated repeatedly , Slovakia overflowed with the mixed blessing of countless political parties. Some of them represented particular national-ethnic groups; others claizp.ed a territorial or professional character and aspired to speak for a variety of nationalities. Hlinka's People's Party and Razus's National Party were exclusively Slovak. Agrarians, Social Democrats, and Communists catered to a multi-national constituency. Of all the major parties represented in Slovakia and electing more than five members of parliament at any time, �SLOVAKIA 143 probably only the Social\ Democrats stood on an uncompromised Czechoslovak and centralistic platform. The eminently pragmatic Agrarians, although centralistically minded, were willing to compromise - as Milan Hodza later demonstrated. Many a Slovak Agrarian was as nationalistically inspired as any member of the HSPP. The Communists took a stand no less radical than the ":Cudaks." At times, the Communists would outdo Hlinka' s partisans in extremist antiPrague rhetoric. Singling out of one party at the expense of the others slants reality. If El Mallakh felt that the HSPP deserved preferential treatment, she fell short of explaining the obvious popular support it commanded. In her recurring habit, she relied too much on one of the two relevant books of Juraj Kramer without elaborating the issue in depth. There still exists a need for a basic social and sociological study of the HSPP, its territorial basis, and its economic and psychological background. Similarly, the exceptional role of the clergy in Slovakia's history was often noticed but without taking a closer look into the phenomenon. (El Mallakh does not seem to know that Martin Razus was a Protestant pastor, besides having been a poet and writer.) She should also have explained the fluctuating vote of support for the HSPP. The author provided many new details and insights in her description of the HSPP political development but was not courageous enough to venture outside her closely set perimeter. The study obscured so many issues that one wonders whether it was due to a deficiency in information or by purpose. While dealing with the 1933 Nitra festivities, for instance, the writer omitted the ":Cudak" cooperation with the Czech Fascists. The Nitra manifesto of these festivities, part of which is reprinted in the book (p. 60), was a common proclamation of the Czech and Slovak non-governmental right. She is also silent about the participation of French, Italian, and other Fascists in the 1936 conference of the HSPP. The close relations of the Sidor faction with Polish authorities was dealt with in a spotty fashion. The anti-Semitic outrages, the so-called Golemiada of fall 1937, were innocently introduced as "student agitation" (p. 84). There are many more examples of this kind. One of the reasons for the narrow treatment of a fascinating topic was the limited sources of her research. El Mallakh is very proud of the original documents she was provided with by the Prague archives. Her excitement is exaggerated. Several recent dissertations were prepared from Czechoslovak and Slovak, central and regional, archives. In fact, even this reviewer (horrible dictu/) was given access to Slovak archives in 1968 and supplied with mircofilmed documents . The use of archival �144 SLOVAKIA material does not liberate one from the inspection of other primary and secondary sources. Of the primary sources available in the United States, she is missing the Czechoslovak parliamentary procedures, journals like Slovak and Katolicke noviny, several weeklies, quarterlies, and other periodicals. Above all, a reliance on one sort of documentation, much of which originated in police and government offices, must limit its reliability. Regretably, El Mallakh was unwilling to undertake even a partial correction of her dissertation, or to increase her familiarity with Slovak matters through secondary sources . In spite of the late publication of the volume (in 1979, while the dissertation was submitted in 1972) , the bibliography lists nothing printed after 1971. The seventies have seen many new works appear on this subject in the West and in the East. The same series of monographs, which included El Mallakh 's book, carried earlier at least two other relevant publications. If the author was reluctant to update the manuscript, why did she not use the studies of others while preparing the original dissertation? Where are works by Derer, Hoensch, Lipscher, Sidor, Mamatey & Luza, to give but a few? I also have some doubts about the author's comprehension of Czech and Slovak language documents. The text recalls unknown localities such as "Spisske Kapitul" (p. 21; it should be Spisska Kapitula) or " Dolny Vestenic" (p. 84; it should be Dolne Vestenice). An eagle in Slovak is ' 'orol' ' while El Mallakh repeatedly used the Czech term ' ' orel. '' The name of a leading HSPP journal was given as Slovenskej Pravdy (p . 76 ; it should be Slovenska pravda). Spelling mistakes of names and locations were also noticed elsewhere . The book has twenty-two useful appendices . While mostly reprints from otherwise obtainable sources (many are from Macartney), they nonetheless provide a handy collection. Some of the appendices are of marginal importance for the volume , such as the list of Slovak state cabinet members and details on the federalization of Czechoslovakia. El Mallakh dealt with an important topic using heretofore unseen documents. Coming from a neutral and uncommited ethnic background, she has made a significant effort to present a balanced study. Unfortunately, she was not steeped enough in Slovakia's history and affairs, in social life , and in political culture , and therefore numerous issues and details eluded her. Her decisiqn to write a strictly political description based on narrowly defined sou\-ces resulted in a simplistic treatment of a complex topic . Yeshayahu Jelinek Ben-Gurion University of the Negev Beersheba, Israel �SLOVAKIA 145 Anthpny X. Sutherland Dr. Jozef Tiso and Modern Slovakia Anthony X. Sutherland. DR. JOZEF TISO AND MODERN SLOVAKIA. Cleveland, Ohio: First Catholic Slovak Union, 1978. xii, 141 pp. Using Slovak, Czech, German, and English language sources, Dr. Sutherland presents a balanced and scholarly account of the life, career, accomplishments, and failures of the only president of the Slovak Republic. The author does not have anti-Czech, anti-Protestant, or antiCatholic biases, is neither a Slovak nationalist nor a "Czechoslovak," and approaches the subject matter with the detachment of an impartial observer and a non-involved historian. Needless to say, one cannot do justice to "Slovak Political Tradition " in fifteen pages of printed material; yet Sutherland gives the most essential data on the Great Moravian Empire, its collapse, and the centuries-long life of the Slovaks under Magyar rule. In the nineteenth century two traditions emerged among the educated Slovaks: one represented by Jan Kollar and P . J. Safarik, and the other by Cudovit Stur. The former favored closer cooperation with the Czechs; the latter emphasized a distinct Slovak national identity. However, all the Slovak leaders realized that the struggle for survival of the small nation had to be led on all fronts, including the cultural, economic, and political. In Andrej Hlinka the Slovaks had an articulate political leader who fought for justice for his nation both before and after World War I. The brevity of the first chapter may be responsible for some errors, such as on pp. 18 and 19. In 1916 in Paris the Czech National Council was formed by the two Deputies in the Vienna parliament, T.G. Masaryk and Josef Duerich, with Dr. Edvard Benes as its secretary. Milan R. Stefanik was a co-opted member of the council. On the insistence of American Slovaks the name of the organization was changed to Czecho-Slovak National Council. The Kiev Memorandum was not signed by ''Russian Slovaks and Czecho-Slovak Legionnaires '' but by the representatives of the Alliance of the Czecho-Slovak Associations in Russia, Gustav Kosik for the Slovak League of America, and Stefanik and Duerich for the Paris-based council. These minor inaccuracies, however, do not subtract from the overall value of the book. The author makes it clear that Hlinka was loyal to the Republic established in 1918 and that he objected merely to its anti-Catholic poli- �146 SLOVAKIA cies , the denial of the promised autonomy for the Slovaks, and the behavior of some Czechs in Slovakia. Likewise Dr. Jozef Tiso, with reservations similar to Hlinka's, supported the First Republic until its collapse in October of 1938. In September of 1938 President Benes refused to fight for the territorial integrity of the state , and in March of 1939 the rump Second Republic could not be defended. It would seem that if Benes could give up strategic parts of the state without the consent of parliament and in violation of the Constitution, then no one from his camp should blame Tiso for yielding to pressures in March of 1939 and choosing Slovak independence instead of letting Slovakia be occupied either by Hungary or Germany. Sutherland pictures Tiso as a moderate Slovak patriot whose ideology was a mixture of organic nationalism and Christian socialism. It comes through, however, that despite his ideological-tinged rhetorics in practical politics, Tiso was a pragmatist who made concessions, compromises, and mistakes. It was he who convinced Hlinka in 1935 that the Slovak People's Party should help to elect Benes as president of the state. As it happened, in conversations with Stalin in December of 1943 - long before the Slovak uprising in Banska Bystrica - Benes included Tiso among the Slovaks whom he selected for execution after the war. Ideologist or pragmatist, Tiso, as his nation, was caught in a whirl of events which he could not control. Indeed, a small nation cannot always be the master of its own destiny, as the nations of East Central Europe have learned the hard way. Sutherland's book has accomplished its purpose. It is well-written, concise, brief, well-documented, and easy to read. It has enriched the historiography on Slovakia in English and has made a positive contribution to both scholarship and to our understanding of the short-lived Slovak Republic and its only president. Both students of Central European affairs and interested general readers will benefit greatly by reading it. Josef Kalvoda Saint Joseph College ~est Hartford, Connecticut \ �SLOVAKIA 147 \ Yeshayahu Jelinek The Parish Republic Yeshayahu Jelinek. THE PARISH REPUBUC: HUNKA 'S SLOVAK PEOPLE'S PARTY 1939-1945. "East European Monographs, No. XIV ." Boulder, Colorado: East European Quarterly, 1976. viii, 206 pp. Distributed by Columbia University Press. Professor Yeshayahu Jelinek's The Parish Republic: Hlinka's Slovak People's Party is a revision of a dissertation on the politics and philosophy of Hlinka's Slovak People's Party, 1939 to 1945, submitted at Indiana University. It is one of the first scholarly studies in English of the period in Slovak history from 1939 to 1945 written by someone not directly involved in the history of the Slovak state. In this book Jelinek examines in detail the internal history of Hlinka's Slovak People's Party, its factions, ideology, and history. By dealing with each of the party' s groups - the clericals, "N astupists," Sidorites, and Hlinka guards, he provides us with an excellent picture of the political background of the Slovak state. Also treated in detail is Populist ideology as it affected all aspects of Slovak life: religion, nationalism , government, and economics. However, if one expects to find a comprehensive history of the Slovak state or detailed biographical information on any of its leading figures, one will be somewhat disappointed . Jelinek 's book is essentially a study of Hlinka's Slovak People 's Party, so the selection of the title, The Parish Republic , is a bit misleading. Although there is much information on the internal politics of the Populists , there is little on such topics as the Slovak Resistance Movement and the Slovak National Uprising (whose importance Jelinek greatly overemphasizes) and a disappointing, unsystematic account of the Jewish question. In addition to making occasional exaggerations , Jelinek commits a grave error in frequently maintaining that the Slovak state received little popular support . Such generalizations regarding acceptance or rejection of the Slovak state by the people are difficult to document and almost impossible to prove . In his account on " I.:udak" ideology Jelinek frequently uses the term " clerical fascism, " but nowhere does he offer a suitable definition of clerical fascism , or at least what he understands by it. At the end of the book one is left with a confusing picture as to exactly what type of �148 SLOVAKIA state Jelinek thought the Slovak Republic was - whether it was truly fascist or simply an authoritarian state with fascist trappings. The work would have been improved if Jelinek had compared Hlinka's Slovak People's Party with other rightist parties of the period: Rexists, Action Francaise, the Iron Guard, and others. The book is superbly documented, though one may argue that Jelinek relied too heavily on Czechoslovak Communist historians, whose interpretations are predictable, and on German documents. In summary, the book is a good, though somewhat confusing, account of Hlinka's Slovak People 's Party, its history, and ideology. Despite Jelinek's occasional exaggerations and general negative attitude toward the Populists, the book should be read, though with caution, by anyone searching for a better understanding of Hlinka 's Slovak People 's Party during one of the most controversial periods of Slovak history. Anthony X. Sutherland Stoney Point, New York �SLOVAKIA 149 Andrea Rebichini Chiesa, societ,p e stato in Cecoslovachia Andrea Rebichini. CHIESA, SOCIETA E STATO IN CECOSLOVACHIA, II: 1968-1978. Padova: DESEO-Liviana, 1979. 86 pp. In his two-volume book on the Church, society, and state in Czechoslovakia, Andrea Rebichini describes the religious situation of that country during the period of the last three decades. The first volume , published in 1977, covers the period from 1948 to 1968, and the present volume treats the period from 1968 to 1978. During this relatively short span of years, Czechoslovakia went through many turbulent events which left deep scars on its people. In 1948 there was a ruthless take-over by the Communists ; then, in the late sixties, the liberalization of the Communist rule symbolized by Alexander Dubcek; in August 1968 the brutal occupation of the country by Soviet troops, followed by the so-called "normalization," i.e., by the return to the old Stalinist methods of suppression and tyranny. The vicissitudes of Czechoslovakia have attracted the attention of many scholars, writers of political history, and various reporters . Rebichini is mostly interested in the religious situation in Czechoslovakia during these three decades. He is familiar with the vast literature on postwar Czechoslovakia and has succeeded in putting the Church-State problems of that country into the larger framework of the whole political spectrum of Eastern Europe, dominated by the Soviet Union. In the volume under review, Rebichini uses mostly documentary material coming from Czechoslovakia and translated into Italian by CESEO (Centro Studi Europa Orientale), published monthly in Bologna. Since these documents speak for themselves, Kebichini does not give long analyses or commentaries on them. Clarity, objectivity, and succinctness are the main values of Rebichini' s book. At the beginning of the second volume the author gives the most characteristic aspects of the Dubcek liberalization of the Communist regime in Czechoslovakia. The Catholic Church, as well as other denominations, grasped at this opportunity and quickly developed a feverish activity to free themselves from the shackles of the previous twenty years. For the Catholics, until then cutoff from the Church at large , it meant an attempt to catch up with the reform movement of the Vatican Council and the new theological trends in the post-conciliar �150 SLOVAKIA Church. Bishops, priests, religious, and lay people took up this task in Czechoslovakia. Not even the Soviet occupation could immediately stop this endeavor. According to Rebichini, the turning point in the religious situation in Czechoslovakia was the restoration of the organization of priests collaborating with the neo-Stalinist regime of Gustav Husak. During the Dubcek era the former pro-government organization of the Peace Movement of the Catholic Clergy totally collapsed. Toward the end of 1971 it was resurrected under the name of the Federation of the Catholic Clergy - ''Pacem in Terris.' ' Under the guidance and with the support of the new regime, this organization quickly resumed the role of the previous Peace Movement and gradually took control of the Church organization in Czechoslovakia. It seems that because of the growing influence of this organization, most of the Holy See's recent efforts to alleviate the difficult situation of the Catholic Church in Czechoslovakia are being frustrated. In 1975 the Czechoslovak government signed the Helsinki Agreement, thereby .affirming its commitment to human rights, including the freedom of religion. But nothing changed in the course of repression and persecution of those citizens who tried to follow this prerogative of freedom in the religious field. Still, there was a group of brave intellectuals, most of them in the Czech lands, who publicly demanded from the government that it adhere to its commitments to the free exercise of human rights, including the right of free religious expression. The promoters of human rights in Czechoslovakia are working under the name "Charter 77." The Communist regime in Czechoslovakia immediately began a frantic campaign against the signers of "Charter 77" by organizing public protests and collecting signatures against them. Interestingly , almost incredibly, the Church hierarchy, now infiltrated by members of the "Pacem in Terris" and probably under very crude pressure from the government, joined the protest campaign against the signers of "Charter 77. " This, according to Rebichini, is an ominous sign of how terribly the Church of Czechoslovakia is presently enslaved by the Communist regime. Rebichini concludes his treatise on the religious situation in Czechoslovakia with the election of John Paul II as Pope - the first Slavic Pope, the first Pope from behind the ''Iron Curtain.'' He ex: presses the hope that this act of Divine Providence may deeply affect the Church in the satellite countries of Eastern Europe. TeQ_dorik J. Zubek, O.F.M. . Easton, Pennsylvania �SLOVAKIA 151 Vsevlad J. Gajdos Frantiskani v slovenskej literature and Teodorik J. Zubek Slovenski frantiskani v Amerike Vsevlad J. Gajdos. FRANTISKANI V SLOVENSKEJ UTERAT0RE and Teodorik J. Zubek, SLOVENSKl FRANTISKANI V AMERIKE. Cleveland, Ohio: First Catholic Slovak Union, 1979. 252 pp. This study provides the specialist interested in Slovak culture, civilization, and religious history with a lot of information on Franciscans of Slovak extraction. It covers the period from the seventeenth century to the present. In the first section, Vsevlad J. Gajdos included a brief survey of Franciscan history and activities in Slovakia. He also commented concisely on Slovak ethnic consciousness among Franciscans in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries . Then he described the major struggle of these Franciscans to insure their ethnic distinctiveness and the survival of their religious order. Virtually all the facts presented by Gajdos on this matter appear together for the first time and in a publication outside of Czechoslovakia. These points of information had previously been scattered among various journals published over a long period of time and primarily authored by Gajdos . After the delineation of Franciscan history, activities, and ethnic struggle follow the biographies and bibliographies of one hundred twenty-five Franciscans. In a number of instances, Gajdos has corrected various biographical errors on some of these Franciscans . A number of significant contributions by some of them have also been saved from oblivion or obscurity. For instance, the four large volumes of sermons by Bajan as well as a number of his musical compositions are preserved here . The role of Teodul Zelenic in the Bemolak polemic, Anti-Fandly, is also well-presented. Even the probable identity of the pseudonymous researcher , S. M. Zilinsky, is substantively argued. Among the various Slovak Franciscans covered are authors of literary works, writers of devotional books , sermons, and retreat exhortations; authors of philosophical and theological treatises, textbooks, and polemical writings; and composers of numerous musical compositions . �152 SLOVAKIA · Abrahamffy, Pascha, Bajan, Gavlovic, Simko, Smrtnik, Gazda, Roskovsky, Marmankovic, and Presl readily stand out, but also and especially Celestin Lepacek and Gajdos himself. For, like Gajdo§, Lepacek has also written biographies and works on a number of Slovak Franciscans; his research on Gavlovic's writings would alone guarantee his place in the history of Slovak scholarship. With Lepacek's and his own research, Gajdos has been able to enhance substantially the quality of the biographies and bibliographies. Gajdo§ has concluded his section of this study with concise descriptions of Franciscan publications in Slovakia and some further bibliographical material from Rizner and his own years of research. The American section of the study was authored by Teodorik Zubek and has the same format as that portion written by Gajdos. There is first a survey of Slovak Franciscan history and activities in America, followed by the biographies and bibliographies of twelve prominent Slovak Franciscans who either emigrated to or were born in the United States. Especially noteworthy among this material is the bibliography of the poet Rudolf Dilong; the reference for the unfortunately brief article by Bartolomej Koltner on the Slovak dictionary of 1648; and the reference for Zubek's dissertation done in Slovakia, "Zasahy Jozefa II do zivota slovenskych franti§kanov." The latter appeared as a long article under the title, ''Zasahy osvietenstva do §tudia uhorskych frantiskanov" in Sbornik spolku Zahorskych akademikov so sidlom v Malackach, 1932-1942, II, Trnava; a copy of this work can be found in the library of the University of California, Los Angeles. A number of typographical errors could readily be corrected in a reprinting of this book. The bibliography of Gavlovic is not complete; but, in his research, Lepacek has given as complete a list as is presently possible. In the Gavlovic bibliography there are also a number of minor errors with regard to the number of pages in certain works. In the numerous bibliographical references, there may also be some points in error that will come to light as scholars are able to study personally the various materials listed in the book. On the whole, though, this study is a fairly comprehensive presentation of Slovak Franciscan writings and musical compositions. Gajdos and Zubek have provided the Slovak specialist with another primary reference work tha,,t complements those of Rizner, Misianik, and Ormis. Perhaps, somedat, an E11tglish version of this study will be published for the sake of a larg'er scholarly audience. GeraldJ. Sabo, S.J. John Carroll University Cleve/,and, Ohio �SLOVAKIA 153 \ Frantisek Bielik & Elo Rakos, comps. Slovenske vystahovalectvo. Dokumenty: I, II, Ill SLOVENS/a VYS'l'AHOVALECTVO. DOKUMENTY I: DO ROKU 1918. Compiled by Franti§ek Bielik and Elo Rako§. Bratislava: Vydavatefstvo Slovenskej adademie vied, 1969. 404 pp. ; DOKUMENTY II; 1919-1939. Bielik and Rako§. Martin: Matica slovenska, 1975. 349 pp.; DOKUMENTY ill: KORESPONDENCIA Z ROKOV 1893-1939. Bielik. Martin: Matica slovenska, 1976. 314 pp. Students of Slovak immigration history will welcome the publication of Slovenske vyst'ahovalectvo . These three volumes , devoted to the migration of Slovaks from their homeland, reproduce 380 documents deposited in various depositories in Czechoslovakia, Hungary, and Austria. This collection gives scholars living outside of these countries access to materials otherwise not readily available to them. One of the compilers' aim is to depict the underlying social, political, and economic factors that spurred Slovak emigration in the years from roughly 1879 to 1939 (Vol. I, pp. 5, 6; Vol II, p . 5). The selection of documents also places Slovak emigration within the broader context of the history of Austria-Hungary and Czechoslovakia. Thus, the compilers include documents that demonstrate the impact of Slovak emigration on these homeland countries. In addition, the collection contains documents concerning Slovak immigrant life. Some of these items are official reports; others were generated by Slovak immigrants living in various countries, primarily the United States. Although the documents touch upon a myriad of subjects, the unifying theme of the three volumes is clear: emigration is an important aspect of the history of the Slovak people. Volume I focuses on Slovak emigration from 1879 to 1918 and deals primarily with the causes and consequences of that movement. This volume contains newspaper descriptions of contemporary conditions in Hungary that stimulated emigration. It includes a large number of official and local reports which analyze the causes of emigration, especially from particular regions in northern Hungary. The reports describe attempts by Hungarian officials to stop Slovak emigration. They also reveal a concern over the growing nationalism among Slovak immigrants in the United States. Because of the preponderance of official reports, �154 SLOVAKIA nearly all of the documents in this volume are in Hungarian; only twenty of the 144 items are in Slovak. The second volume covers Slovak emigration from 1919 to 1939. Slightly over two-thirds of its 114 documents are in Slovak, and the remaining are in Czech. Because the compilers try to present materials that describe the underlying causes of Slovak emigration , Volume Il provides information for scholars interested in studying Czechoslovakia between the two World Wars. For example, there are materials outlining the labor, industrial, and economic problems that plagued Czechoslovakia during the postwar years. Unemployment and unfavorable economic conditions encouraged emigration; but, since entry into the United States was restricted, Slovaks turned to other countries . Occasionally the Czechoslovak government tried to stop this exodus . However , the documents provide evidence that the government also saw emigration, and the temporary migration of laborers to nearby European countries , as a means to alleviate some of the country's economic and unemployment problems. In addition, official reports describe the conditions of Slovak immigrants in various countries including: Argentina, Australia, Canada, France , Germany, Mexico , Uruguay, the United States, and others . Volume ill reproduces 122 documents for the period 1893 to 1939. This collection is actually a supplement to the first two volumes and includes more materials written by Slovak immigrants. In fact, almost all of the documents were penned by Slovaks living in the United States. These items addres.s a wide variety of topics ranging from descriptions of Slovak nationalist activities in America to mere notes requesting that European Slovaks write articles for fraternal publications. The documents describe the various activities of American Slovak organizations during World War I and reveal their continued interest in Czechoslovakia after the war. Bielik and Rakos have complied a valuable collection of documents . These documents are useful both to students of Slovak immigration and to scholars interested in the social, economic, and political history of Hungary and Czechoslovakia. Thus , the volumes have a use that extends beyond the study of Slovak immigration . The compilers have designed these volures for scholars. A complete bibliographic citation accompanies each docUtnent. Bielik and Rakos also provide editorial assistance by expfaining unfamiliar references mentioned in the documents . The compilers adopted a chronological format , but some researchers might prefer that they had chosen to categorize the documents topically. A topical approach would have �SLOVAKIA \ 155 lessened the need to plod through the volumes for specific types of documents. However, the compilers do include brief descriptions of every entry in each Table of Contents that facilitate the task of finding desired types of documents. There is no cumulative index, but the indexes included in each volume are useful for locating people, places, and organizations cited in the documents. However, one wishes the compilers had consistently listed persons' first names in the indices and had made more of an effort to provide subject entries. The compilers introduce each document with a brief Slovak and English precis. These precis are helpful but, as is usually the case with annotated descriptions, they do not reveal the variety of information contained within the documents. In general, the Slovak precis are more complete than the English versions. In addition, the English translations are generally dismal. Besides containing numerous grammatical and spelling errors, the English versions often are imprecise and misleading. Similar types of errors can be found in the footnotes. For example, readers will look in vain for a work cited as authored by "Louis Grune Bald" (Vol. I, p. 25). The proper citation should be "Emily Greene Balch." Balch is again slighted in the bibliography at the end of Volume ill where she is listed as "E. Green Bolek" (p. 278). Moreover, Bielik should have described the bibliography as listing '' selected '' works because it is incomplete. It is also dated. With the exception of a few articles printed in fraternal publications, the list does not include works on Slovak immigration published in the United States; nor is it complete for those published in Europe. The deficiencies evident in the bibliography may well be indicative of other shortcomings of these volumes. The compilers explain that while there are numerous documents in Europe archives pertaining to Slovak emigration, they have chosen the " most typical" (Vol. I, p. 6). Yet, although Volume ill includes 122 documents written primarily by Slovak immigrants, there is not a single letter or publication by Father Stefan Furdek. In fact, although the compilers make references to the First Catholic Slovak Union and note it as founded by Furdek, they fail to mention that he was a priest (Vol. I, p. 152). And, with but few exceptions, there is little reference to Slovak clergymen or their writings. Moreover, lengthy surveys of Slovak immigration which introduce Volumes I and ill discuss Slovak immigrant organizations, but there is no analysis of immigrant churches. Thus, this reviewer wonders if the items reproduced are perhaps the ''most typical'' of a select group of documents that ignore subjects such as religion that may be controversial or unpopular in present-day Czechoslovakia . Finally , one may wish to qualify Bielik 's claims regarding docu- �156 SLOVAKIA ments in Volume ill. According to Bielik, the correspondence in this volume describes the "daily struggle for social justice" and "work" of Slovaks living in foreign lands (p. 6). However, most of the letters reproduced were written by prominent Slovak immigrants usually active in the various national organizations. As a result, the correspondence typically describes the life of Slovak immigrants as seen through the eyes of these more prominent men, not as it was experienced by ordinary laborers toiling in American mines and factories and living in tenements or company housing. Moreover, the correspondence offers little insight into the life of Slovak immigrant women. Despite their shortcomings, the three volumes which comprise Slovenske vyst'ahovalectvo offer a valuable collection of documents. No student of immigration history can be unhappy when documents maintained in European archives are published and made available for research. But researchers can be unhappy with the possibility that the criteria for selecting documents reflect the biases of the compilers and their government instead of a concern for balanced historical scholarship. June Granatir Alexander Cincinnati, Ohio �SLOVAKIA 157 \Jasil S. Kohan The Sorrows of Marienka Vasil S. Kohan THE SORROWS OF MARIENKA . Middletown, Pennsylvania: EMPAC!, 1979. 201 pp. Too often the Slovak immigrant woman has been depicted as either the long-suffering heroine - bearing children and losing them, making do with the barest of material comforts, and contending with a husband who spends ample time at the krtma (saloon) - or else she is the punitive, angry eminence in the home, doing her duty, saying her rosaries but making everyone suffer for her sacrifices. In Vasil Koban's The Sorrows of Marienka we see another kind of Slovak woman, one that modern women can identify with as well as stare matky (grandmothers) can admire. Indeed, any woman that can march into a Slovak krtma in search of her errant husband, set the place on fire, and never utter a word of apology could earn a place in any feminist Hall of Fame. We follow Marienka from a wedding in Slovakia she did not seek through the death of her husband, who is killed while pulling out the pillars of coal in a depleted mine, one of the most dangerous jobs. Along the way, we find her to be alternately strong and tender, pure and lusty, humorous and sad, tom by doubts and quite sure of herself. In other words, a whole person - no idealized portrait is painted by Kohan, in his first, and let's hope, not last novel. What pleased and excited me about this book was its raw power, its insights into our people , its clear-eyed view of what lives the Slovak immigrants lived on both sides of the Atlantic. A wife backs up her husband 's lie that a wolf bit him when it was only a testy sow; a mother-in-law despises the woman who takes her precious son from her; a wife jumps into a coal car to show her husband how quickly it can be unloaded; Slovaks swindle an unsuspecting and ill Slovak out of a week's pay, posing as mine representatives; still another Slovak absconds with the seven thousand dollars that was to start a new church; a young son, put in the cloakroom as a punishment, eats all the lunches - these are some poignant moments in the Kohan book. Real people, real circumstances where the spirit triumphs in the crucible of daily living. �158 SLOVAKIA A taste of Koban's lovely, native style: "It didn't snow that night. Instead, it turned warmer. The clouds that had threatened snow produced a thin drizzle. The men hunched their shoulders as they left and bent their heads down. In the dull light Marienka watched them walk down the street, the rain making beads on the shoulders of their wool jackets, little drops without brilliance that began forming dark streaks down the cloth. ''By the time the boys left for school the rain had dwindled to a fine mist that melted downward from the close-hanging, yellowish clouds. The curious light made everything look hollow, the same way it did sometimes at dusk when the sun shone from behind the mountains. "Marienka watched the boys saunter down the street, swinging their lunches. She wondered if she ought to chance it, going to church with the babies. It was the day of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Temple . She had planned to go to church and light a candle. " She put her hand to her hair, pushing it back from her forehead, and her fingers brushed against the ribbon she 'd bound in her braids yesterday. " It brought to mind Ivan 's eyes as he had watched her last night. No matter what else had changed, they were the same as they had been twelve years ago in Kamienka - dark, curious, and full of lustre. All at once the memory of that day was close around her. She could almost smell the hot wax from the candles and the sweet , stifling odor of incense. She remembered the hot darkness of the church , and the smell of the priest's robes - a little musty, smelling of old things." As second, third, and fourth-generation Slovaks pursue the American dream , buying their four-bedroom houses , gaining their college degrees , wearing shirts and ties , and learning which fork to use , I would caution them to pause for a moment and look back. Look back, if they can, to see if they know anything about what their forebears experienced . For I think that the dacron polyester world that we so eagerly court, the fleeting values and the soft life, this ravenous hunger we have to be middle-class Americans is sadly misplaced. We have pushed aside the Marienkas of our families , we have not taken the time both to listen to them and to record what they have to say . When a dozen Vasil Kobans rise up - nqt professional writers, but people with a love , respect , and yet a disciplined and discriminating eye turned toward their parents and grandparents - and all of us can fe ast on the books they produce , then I, for one , will be less critical �SLOVAKIA 159 of the headlong quest for Eissimilation, acceptance, and sameness that haunts ethnic groups, ours certainly included. We Slovaks do not have a body of literature about the immigrant experience. We need it more than we need a legion of accountants and computer programmers; we need it if we are to regain our very souls. Paul Wilkes New York City, New York �160 SLOVAKIA Megles, Stolarik & Tybor Slovak Americans and Their Communities of Cleveland Susi Megles, Mark Stolarik, and Martina Tybor. SLOVAK AMERICANS AND THEIR, COMMUNITIES OF CLEVELAND. Edited by Karl Bonutti. With an Introduction by Michael Novak. "Ethnic Heritage Studies Monograph Series." Cleveland, Ohio: Cleveland State University, 1978. 217 pp. The Cleveland, Ohio area is one of the oldest, largest, and most important centers of Slovaks in America. As is unfortunately the case with other major Slovak-American communities, the Cleveland Slovaks have not received much scholarly attention. The only monograph solely devoted to them is Jan Pankuch's Dejiny Clevelandskych a Lakewoodskych Slovcikov, which was published in 1930 and is now outdated. And although Josef Barton's Peasants and Strangers: Italians, Rumanians and Slovaks in an American City, 1890-1950, published in 1975, does analyze the social history of Cleveland's Slovaks in comparison with other ethnic groups, the book does not provide an overall and up-to-date review of the Cleveland Slovak communities. Given the fact that the volume under review was produced under the auspices of the Ethnic Heritage Studies Program of Cleveland State University and with partial support from the U.S. Office of Education, Department of Education, Health, and Welfare, one might have expected a fresh, comprehensive, in-depth study of Cleveland's Slovaks. Regrettably, this is not the case. Neither the book's title, nor editor Karl Bonutti's preface, nor Michael Novak's introduction, nor even the "summary" provides the reader with a clear idea of the purpose of the book. What we are offered here is a melange of ''essays'' of varying quality covering a wide range of topics relating to Slovaks in Europe, the United States, and Cleveland. The work is divided into four main parts consisting of twenty-six chapters - "Old World Origins"; "New World Beginnings"; "Organizations and Contributions of Slovak-Americans"; and "The Slovak Community of Cleveland'' - and ten appendices (none of which is referred to in the text). Curiously, the authors of the component parts are not identified. This might not have been possible, for one gets the impression from the inexplicable changes of s~le within individual sec- �SLOVAKIA 161 tions that the work of one author was at times pieced together with that of another. Although a certain amount of unevenness is to be expected in a multi-authored publication, careful editing can often alleviate this problem. Evidence of such editorial control is slight. Constant repetition and overlapping, internal contradictions, the excessive number and short length of chapters , and generally poor organization mar the text. Especially disturbing is the mishandling of Slovak words . Diacritical marks are sometimes omitted; christian names are rendered indiscriminately in either Slovak or English; and clumsy phonetic approximations in English are provided for many but not all Slovak terms . Whoever wrote the section on the history of the Slovaks in the Old World does not seem to be very well acquainted with Slovak or European history. "Austria-Hungary" is more than once referred to as having existed before 1867; the Thirty Years' War is placed in the eighteenth century; and ' 'expressions of / Slovak / national consciousness" are claimed to have been present "quite early in the 17th century" (p. 24). The significance of Protestantism and of the Czech language for the Slovaks is almost totally ignored; Kollar,Safarik, and Stur are not identified as Lutherans, nor is it revealed that they wrote in Czech. Old-fashioned filiopietism rears its head in the section on Slovak immigrants - four pages are devoted to the mysterious '' Slovak Revolutionary War hero," Major Polerecky, who was born in France and whose connections with Slovaks and Slovak consciousness were extremely tenuous, if they existed at all. The section on Cleveland's Slovaks, although perhaps the best contribution, is also disappointing. Too much material relating to Slovak-Americans in general is included, as well as mundane personal reminiscences of one author; and there is scanty treatment of the Cleveland Slovak communities beyond World War II. One wonders why this book was published. In attempting to cover so many topics it in fact does not do justice to even one. Although the book contains a wealth of factual information, most of it can be found better presented in existing works. And the lack of footnotes and a bibliography considerably reduces its value. We have reached the stage where there are competent scholars capable of interpreting the Slovak-American experience and opportunities to make the results of their research available to the American public. In light of this fact, there should be no excuse for such an inferior publication as Slovak Americans and Their Communities of Cleveland. ThomasD. Marzik (Mrazik) Saint Joseph 's University Philadelphia, Pennsylvania ��SLOVAKIA 163 \ Contributors SONYA JASON is a writer who lives and works in California . She is a second-generation Slovak-American from Pennsylvania. OWEN V. JOHNSON, Assistant Professor of Journalism at Indiana University, completed his graduate work at the University of Michigan. He is an expert on interwar Slovakia and has written numerous articles on this subject. STANISLA V J. KIRSCH BA UM is Associate Professor of Political Science at Glendon College, York University. A graduate of the Universities of Ottawa, Toronto, and the Sorbonne, he has published widely in the history and politics of Czechoslovakia in modern times (1939-1980). VASIL S. KOBAN is a writer living and working in Florida . He hails from a Slovak-Rusyn family that settled in Pennsylvania. PAUL R. MAGOCSI, a graduate of Princeton University, holds the Chair of Ukrainian Studies at the University of Toronto. He is the world's leading authority on the Rusyns and has written the most authoritative books and articles on this ethnic group. HOW ARD F. STEIN, Associate Professor of Medical-Psychiatric Anthropology at the University of Oklahoma, received his Ph .D. from the University of Pittsburgh in 1972 . He has written a large number of books and articles on Slovaks and other ethnic groups in the United States. ��SLOVAKIA 165 Guidelines for Manuscripts Manuscripts of articles for possible publication should be sent to the managing editor. Articles should normally not exceed twenty-five pages in length, and should be submitted in triplicate , typed doublespaced, with generous margins for copyediting. Footnotes should also be typed double-spaced, numbered, and placed at the end of the paper. Text and format should adhere to the style outlined in Kate Turabian's A Manual for Writers . Proper orthography and diacritical marks must be supplied for all foreign words. Manuscripts will not be returned unless specifically requested and postage is provided. Books for review are to be sent to the managing editor. Unsolicited book reviews are not encouraged. Individuals who wish to review books should request them from the managing editor. They should send a curriculum vitae with their request. When writing their reviews they should try to answer the following questions: What was the author's purpose in writing this book? What was the theme? What methods did the author use? What did he (she) conclude? This can then be followed by criticism and observations. Normally the reviews should not exceed three double-spaced, typewritten pages. All bibliographic information (author, full title, publisher, place of publication, price, and number of pages) should be provided by the reviewer. ��Printed By JEDNOTA PRINTERY Middletown, Pennsylvania 17057 U.S.A. ���EDWARD J. BEHUNCIK, ESQ. President JOHN A. HOLY Secretary-Treasurer THE SLOVAK LEAGUE Of AMERICA Organized in 1907 at Cleveland, Ohio JOSEPH J. TALAFOUS, ESQ. Vice Presidents DANIEL F. TANZONE ANNE Z. SAROSY Executive Committee: Edward J. Behuncik, John A. Holy, Andrew F. Hudak, Jr., George N. Kantor Michael J. Krajsa, Louise M. Yash, Cecelia Sarocky, Joseph R. Kristofik, George J. Kostelnik Joseph Stefka, Stephen J. Kavulich Slovak League of America Ladies' Auxiliary Anna M. Vizza, President Regional Vice-Presidents: George Lupjan - New York, New Jersey, New England States John Herman - Eastern Pennsylvania John Gastan - Western Pennsylvania Joseph Ondis - Ohio David Zelenak - Michigan Ivan Kralik - Illinois, Indiana Bernadine Wandke - Wisconsin, Western States John Hvasta - Washington, D.C., Southern States Stanislav Duris Auditors: Anna Blahusiak Joseph Valencik SLOVAK FRATERNAL ORGANIZATIONS (Affiliated with the Slovak League of America) THE FIRST CATHOLIC SLOVAK UNION OF THE U.S. AND CANADA Cleveland, Ohio - Membership 102,000 THE FIRST CATHOLIC SLOVAK LADIES ASSOCIATION Cleveland, Ohio - Membership 100,000 THE SLOVAK CATHOLIC SOKOL Passaic, N.J. - Membership 50,000 THE NATIONAL SLOVAK SOCIETY OF THE U.S.A. Pittsburgh, Pa . - Membership 21,000 THE LADIES PENNSYLVANIA SLOVAK CATHOLIC UNION Wilkes-Barre, Pa. - Membership 16,500 THE PENNSYLVANIA SLOVAK CATHOLIC UNION Wilkes-Barre, Pa. - Membership 10,000 SLOVAK NEWSPAPERMEN'S ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA Joseph C. Krajsa, F.I.C., President SLOVAK AMERICAN NEWSPAPERS (Affiliated with the Slovak League of America) , \ JEDNOTA (circulation 40,000) NARODNE NOVINY (circulatio~ 15,000) FRATERNALLY YOURS, ZENS KA JEDNOTA (circulation 35,000) SLOVAK v AMERIKE (circulation 1,800) KATOLICKY SOKOL (circulation 20,000) BRATSTVO (circulation7,000) PR IA TEL DIETOK (circulation 6,000) ZORNICKA (circulation 5,000) SLOVAKIA $6.00 per annum Printed by JEDNOTA PRINTERY Middletown, Pennsylvania 17057 U.S.A. � REVIEWS ��SLOVAKIA 135 ' Peter Brock The Slovak National Awakening Peterirock. THE SLOVAK NATIONAL AWAKENING: AN ESSAY IN THE INTELLECTUAL HISTORY OF EAST CENTRAL EUROPE. Toronto and Buffalo: University of Toronto Press, 1976. x, 104 pp . This three-chapter monograph with extensive notes, bibliography, and index presents the intellectual growth ' ' of an idea, the Slovak idea of nationality" (p.x). Written primarily to fill a gap on "which scarcely any reliable literature exists in English" (ibid.), Professor Brock's study does precisely that - non-English subsidiary sources are evaluated, unsubstantiated claims of biased scholarship are pointed out, and perennial misunderstandings of specific historical issues are put in proper perspective. With the exception of a few flaws that will be listed below, the book is well-organized and written in a style that favorably ties the author's learning with his common sense. The main thrust of the work, as the author has emphasized at the very outset of the text, was to be found in the interrelationship of the concept of Slovak "cultural-linguistic nationhood" to the concepts of natio hungarica, on the one hand, and the " Czechoslovak idea, " on the other. Slovak national identity, the first component of the uneasy alliance , grew up in its linguistic aspect more or less directly from indigenous traditions, while its scholarly-cultural tenets were repeatedly reexamined under Magyar and Czech influences. Thus one could say that the literature of the Cyrilo-Methodian era had a negligible impact on the Slovak vernacular. Biblittina - almost sacred in Slovak Lutheran religious usage , especially after the Battle of White Mountain (1620) did influence the Slovak vernacular development, but far less than even the most recent , relatively restrained, scholarship has suggested. The so-called Jesuit Slovak, essentially " an amalgam , of several dialects , heavily influenced by Czech, and . . . used by / educated I Protestants as well as Catholics" (p . 6), made no impact on the common speech of the masses whatsoever. In turn the dialect spoken in southwestern Slovakia attained a limited acceptance as a ' ' Slovak literary language " due to the efforts of the Catholic priests Anton Bernolak, Juraj Fandly, and Jan Holly. However, only the dialect of central Slovakia propagated by the Protestant scholar and philosopher, :Cudovit �136 SLOVAKIA Stur, gained the full support of the Slovaks and eventually became the basis for a Slovak literary language. Slovak scholarly-cultural pursuits - as hinted above - were to a great extent products of the cultural and political tensions within central Europe . Natio hungarica , despite its lofty official attributes, was in reality a misnomer, denoting an alliance between the historical determination of the nation-state and Magyar political aspirations. Essentially a shield for aristocratic privileges in the pre-Josephinist era, it became a vehicle for repressive measures against non-Magyar ethnic groups in later decades. The Slovak approach to the concept of natio hungarica underwent a full range of changes from the mytho-historical point of view of Juraj Papanek and Juraj Sklenar in its earlier version to a pragmatic-negative standpoint of the Sturites in its latest variant. The Great Moravian Empire, according to Papanek and Sklenar, was a Slovak national state. The Slovaks , Sklenar claimed, formed after its downfall a voluntary and equal partnership, a natio hungarica, "with the newly arrived Magyars" (p . 8) . In contrast, Kollar 's " pro-Czechoslovak" group ceased to honor the idea of political-cultural union with the Magyars around 1830, while the Sturites refused ever to recognize it in any form. The idea of the socalled Czechoslovak national unity has lingered in one or another shape in some minds up to the present time. However, during the eleven-century long Magyar occupation of the Slovak territory the ties between the Czechs and Slovaks ' 'remained confined to comparatively small sections of the intelligentsia . . . the Slovak peasants and the artisans . . . possessed scarcely any national or even ethnic consciousness that went beyond an elemental love of their mother tongue, usually the only language they could speak'' (p. 20). A stronger interest in the " Czechoslovak idea" came about between 1820 and 1840 when Jan Kollar used it as a bridge between the motley assortment of various Slavic idioms and his axiomatic philosophy of Slavdom. Slavdom, in Kollar ' s visionary system, was but a single nation containing four literary languages - Russian, Polish, lliyrian, and Czechoslovak - that were " worthy" to have a distinct status . All other " smaller" Slavic languages were, by this logic, " unworthy" of a separate existence and were to be channelled into the nearest Slavic idiom. The Slovak language was supposed to be absorbed into Czech. Brock' s study is a well-balanced and honest treatment of one of the most difficult subjects of scholarship. It undmi btedly adds a new dimension to a better understanding of related -ethno-political issues treated , for example , by Robert W. Seton-Watson in his Racial Problems in Hungary (reprinted by Howard Fertig, New York, 1972) , by �SLOVAKIA 137 \ Gilbert L. Oddo in his Slovakia and Its People (published by R. Speller, New York, 1960), and by Joseph F. Zacek in his essay, "Nationalism in Czechoslovakia" (published in Sugar and Lederer, eds., Nationalism in Eastern Europe, University of Washington Press, Seattle, 1969; see especially pp. 166-167 and 186-195). On the other hand, Brock's condensed treatment of the entire issue does not give full credii to his familiarity with the problem. Had the book been more broadly conceived (let us say by a treatment of the ''growth'' of Slovak cultural-linguistic nationalism after 1918), it would have considerably contributed to the study of parallels and differences between Magyar and Czech standpoints toward Slovak cultural endeavors from a new angle. My minor but specific objections are directed against the following defects in the work: (1) the use of non-English constructions in the text when English equivalents were available and their non-English counterparts could easily be incorporated in extensive notes; (2) too many errors in non-English references included in the "Notes;" and (3) the "Notes" and "Bibliography" were set in uneven-line endings while the text itself was presented in regular "book-line" endings. Although intended primarily for Slavic scholars, this book merits the attention of English-speaking students of Slovak culture everywhere. It is proof that a foreign-born scholar can present a fair and truthful account of a topic related to the Slovaks and Slovakia in spite of frequent misrepresentations of the issues by biased scholars. Brock's work will stand out as a model for future efforts on similar subjects. Andrej Cintura Riverside, CaUfomia �138 SLOVAKIA Josef Kalvoda Czechoslovakia's Role in Soviet Strategy Josef Kalvoda. CZECHOSLOVAKIA'S ROLE IN SOVIET STRATEGY. Washington, D.C.: University Press of America, 1978. ix, 381 pp. This is a good book with the wrong title. What Professor Kalvoda offers is a history of Czechoslovakia's attitude to and relations with the Soviet Union since World War I. Hence a more appropriate title would have been "Czechoslovakia and the Soviet Union," a title general enough to cover the range and wealth of information meticulously assembled and presented. In fact, the author has done Western scholarship a service by examining this topic in depth; until now this subject has been dealt with piecemeal either in studies on the foreign policy of the First Czechoslovak Republic, or in the more recent studies on the liberalization process of Communist Czechoslovakia. The greater part of the study is devoted to an analysis of the attitudes and actions toward the Soviet Union of two of the three founders of the Czechoslovak state, namely T.G. Masaryk and Edvard Benes. Interspersed are chapters on the Slovak Soviet Republic, the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia, and the sovietization of the country. Needless to say, after 1948, the focus changes somewhat insofar as Czechoslovakia has become a satellite of the Soviet Union, and the relationship between the countries is on a completely different level. Still, given the fact that the leadership of Czechoslovakia sought to establish a new framework of relations with the Soviet Union in the liberalization process of 1968, especially on the ideological level, there is a thematic continuity that justifies the fifty-odd year analysis offered here. It is a pity that the author did not fully exploit this aspect of the topic and that his weakest chapters are the last three where he does suggest how Czechoslovakia has played a role in Soviet strategy since 1948 . This latter theme, interesting at it may be, does not tie in well with the preceding chapters and thus breaks up the unity of theme that had been evident, though not explicitly stated, up to that point. One of the interesting points that the author makes and that is generally absent in histories of Czechoslovakia or the Soviet Union is the fact that during the Russian revolution th"ere existed a possibility of using the Czecho-Slovak Legion to smash the Bolsheviks. During the debate on this point, Karel Kramar, one of the Czech leaders, sug- �SLOVAKIA 139 \ gested that a free Czechoslovakia could exist only if there existed a democratic Russia. He urged that the Legion be used against the Bolsheviks to achieve this end. Masaryk disagreed; in fact, he urged early on the recognition of the Bolshevik regime and forbade the use of the Legion against the Red Army. While one cannot answer an historical if, one has to recognize that Kramar had been more perspications than Masaryk. In the interwar period, the attitudes to and relations with the Soviet Union were determined by Edvard Benes, the man to whom Kalvoda quite correctly also ascribes the responsibility for Czechoslovakia eventually becoming a Soviet satellite. The author shows in great detail how Benes gave in to the Soviet leadership and its satraps in the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia during the war. The coup in February 1948 was merely an epilogue to a situation that had been dealt with in December 1943 when Benes, against British advice, signed a Treaty of Friendship, Mutual Assistance, and Post-War Cooperation with the Soviet Union. The consequences need not be elaborated upon. The author left few stones unturned in his research. But what is more striking is his detachment from the subject matter, somehing that most Czech emigre scholars have rarely succeeded in achieving. Thus if one might find fault with the little attention he pays the Slovaks, at least he does not do so out of either indifference or deliberate slight. In fact, the topic does not call for an in-depth examination of Slovakia or the Slovaks; where they do play a role, the author presents the situation as directly as he does the rest of the subject. One has to remember that the foreign policy of Czechoslovakia, however deplorable, was always in the hands of the Czech elite, be it Benes in the First Republic or the Czech leadership of the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia after the Second World War. Kalvoda is not insensitive to the Slovaks, and in his preface he states that he '' never subscribed to the theory of one 'Czechoslovak' nation ... / nor had / taken the existance of the Slovak nation for granted" (p . vii). This is borne out in the study, particularly when he deals with the Slovak Republic and Benes' s attitude toward the Slovak nation during the Second World War. One might suggest, however, that the author could have examined the issue of the federalization of Czechoslovakia and its link to Soviet theory and practice on the nationality problem . Federalization was the only reform that survived the normalization policy after the invasion of August 1968. Czech-Slovak relations have played an important part in Communist Czechoslovakia , and the Soviet Union has not been kept entirely out of them. This should have been analyzed. It is a pity, as was stated above, that the author chose an inappro- �140 SLOVAKIA priate title and thereby missed some opportunities of examining other topics germane to the thrust of his study. Nevertheless, it is a wellwritten and well-documented analysis. Stanislav J. Kirschbaum Glendon College, York University Toronto, Canada �SLOVAKIA 141 \ Doro·thea El Mallakh The Slovak Autonomy Movement, 1935-1939 Dorothea H. El Mallakh. THE SLOVAK AUTONOMY MOVEMENT, 1935-1939: A STUDY IN UNRELENTING NATIONALISM. "East European Monographs, No. LV." Boulder, Colorado: East European Quarterly, 1979. xvi, 260 pp. Distributed by Columbia University Press. In recent years we have seen the submission of several dissertations dealing with Slovak topics. Others are under preparation. This development is more than welcomed. The study of Slovakia has finally reached maturity and respectability in the Western scholarly community. It is no longer an appendix to the history of the Czechs - as much as we admired the serious and honest treatments by R.W. Seton-Watson and S. Harrison Thomson. Nor is it propagandistic pamphleteering by an assortment of enthusiasts and political refugees - even if we recognize their contributions to the popularization of Slovak annals. Now we are dealing with the fruits of archival research, some of which has been done in the best tradition of Occidental scholarship. In spite of its progress, however, Slovak historiography remains a part of the intellectual ghetto, the quarantine in which East European studies are kept in the United States. Snobbery and arrogance of "Big Nations Research" and of "Continental (i.e., West European) Topics" are a mirror of political realities. The small nations of Eastern Europe, captive in the clutches of major powers for most of their modem life, elicit little interest in the hearts and minds of a cohort of intellectual imperialists. Hence, the obscurity of Slovakia resembles the relative invisibility of other neighboring peoples. These factors are amplified by the shortsightedness and irresponsibility of some students of Slovak history. Partisan zeal and engaged scholarship color much of their writing and publication. In addition, some trained professionals and graduates of good schools continue to undermine the work of others. They preserve the aura of disrepute which cast much blame on historical writing about Slovakia for so long. To the old ills is now added a new one: the rush to publication. In spite of the severe conditions of the academic market, there is slight justification for publication of an unrevised dissertation. A good thesis does not necessarily make a book of quality. And some dissertations are less than good . Dr. El Mallakh studied under some of the best teachers of East �142 SLOVAKIA European history and submitted a competent dissertation. Her book left much to be desired, however. In her major thesis she advances the idea that unfulfilled, if just, national grievances by the Slovaks undermined the stability of the Czechoslovak Republic and assisted the Nazis in setting up the Slovak state. She argues that past historians, while discussing Czechoslovak and Slovak developments, usually "premissed on an anti-Nazi and anti-Fascist vantage point" (p. 11). This is not correct; arguments similar to El Mallakh's which recognized the pains of Slovak nationalism were advanced before she started to write her thesis. The title and topic of The Slovak Autonomy Movement, 1935-1939 are confusing, as the volume strives to encapsule the entire development of Slovak nationalism from the 19th century to the present. By renaming Hlinka's Slovak People's Party (HSPP) with the title of Slovak Autonomy Movement, El Mallakh made the "tudaks" (an expression not existing in the book) into the only bearers of Slovak nationalism. Consequently, she dwarfed the demands and complaints of the Slovak people into the simplistic political program of the single albeit strongest - party. Autonomy was the HSPP 's answer to two of the major problems the Slovak people faced in Czechoslovakia: the lack of recognition of their national individuality and Prague' s centralistic rule over the entire state. The doctrine of a single Czechoslovak nation, which El Mallakh barely mentioned and left unanalyzed, caused significant harm since it offended the mental and emotional consciousness of the Slovak people. El Mallakh apparently was not aware of the 19th-century Czech and Slovak roots of this doctrine. Jan Kollar, the great prophet of Czechoslovakism, appears nowhere in the book. Centralism constituted a serious problem also for day-to-day life during the First Republic. The author discussed this aspect, frequently with skill and erudition. Unfortunately , she failed to evaluate the reasons and long term effects of either Czechoslovakism or centralism on the state. Had she done so, she might perhaps have discovered that autonomy was not necessarily the most effective remedy for Slovakia's sores, but rather a shrewd political platform . As the author stated repeatedly , Slovakia overflowed with the mixed blessing of countless political parties. Some of them represented particular national-ethnic groups; others claizp.ed a territorial or professional character and aspired to speak for a variety of nationalities. Hlinka's People's Party and Razus's National Party were exclusively Slovak. Agrarians, Social Democrats, and Communists catered to a multi-national constituency. Of all the major parties represented in Slovakia and electing more than five members of parliament at any time, �SLOVAKIA 143 probably only the Social\ Democrats stood on an uncompromised Czechoslovak and centralistic platform. The eminently pragmatic Agrarians, although centralistically minded, were willing to compromise - as Milan Hodza later demonstrated. Many a Slovak Agrarian was as nationalistically inspired as any member of the HSPP. The Communists took a stand no less radical than the ":Cudaks." At times, the Communists would outdo Hlinka' s partisans in extremist antiPrague rhetoric. Singling out of one party at the expense of the others slants reality. If El Mallakh felt that the HSPP deserved preferential treatment, she fell short of explaining the obvious popular support it commanded. In her recurring habit, she relied too much on one of the two relevant books of Juraj Kramer without elaborating the issue in depth. There still exists a need for a basic social and sociological study of the HSPP, its territorial basis, and its economic and psychological background. Similarly, the exceptional role of the clergy in Slovakia's history was often noticed but without taking a closer look into the phenomenon. (El Mallakh does not seem to know that Martin Razus was a Protestant pastor, besides having been a poet and writer.) She should also have explained the fluctuating vote of support for the HSPP. The author provided many new details and insights in her description of the HSPP political development but was not courageous enough to venture outside her closely set perimeter. The study obscured so many issues that one wonders whether it was due to a deficiency in information or by purpose. While dealing with the 1933 Nitra festivities, for instance, the writer omitted the ":Cudak" cooperation with the Czech Fascists. The Nitra manifesto of these festivities, part of which is reprinted in the book (p. 60), was a common proclamation of the Czech and Slovak non-governmental right. She is also silent about the participation of French, Italian, and other Fascists in the 1936 conference of the HSPP. The close relations of the Sidor faction with Polish authorities was dealt with in a spotty fashion. The anti-Semitic outrages, the so-called Golemiada of fall 1937, were innocently introduced as "student agitation" (p. 84). There are many more examples of this kind. One of the reasons for the narrow treatment of a fascinating topic was the limited sources of her research. El Mallakh is very proud of the original documents she was provided with by the Prague archives. Her excitement is exaggerated. Several recent dissertations were prepared from Czechoslovak and Slovak, central and regional, archives. In fact, even this reviewer (horrible dictu/) was given access to Slovak archives in 1968 and supplied with mircofilmed documents . The use of archival �144 SLOVAKIA material does not liberate one from the inspection of other primary and secondary sources. Of the primary sources available in the United States, she is missing the Czechoslovak parliamentary procedures, journals like Slovak and Katolicke noviny, several weeklies, quarterlies, and other periodicals. Above all, a reliance on one sort of documentation, much of which originated in police and government offices, must limit its reliability. Regretably, El Mallakh was unwilling to undertake even a partial correction of her dissertation, or to increase her familiarity with Slovak matters through secondary sources . In spite of the late publication of the volume (in 1979, while the dissertation was submitted in 1972) , the bibliography lists nothing printed after 1971. The seventies have seen many new works appear on this subject in the West and in the East. The same series of monographs, which included El Mallakh 's book, carried earlier at least two other relevant publications. If the author was reluctant to update the manuscript, why did she not use the studies of others while preparing the original dissertation? Where are works by Derer, Hoensch, Lipscher, Sidor, Mamatey & Luza, to give but a few? I also have some doubts about the author's comprehension of Czech and Slovak language documents. The text recalls unknown localities such as "Spisske Kapitul" (p. 21; it should be Spisska Kapitula) or " Dolny Vestenic" (p. 84; it should be Dolne Vestenice). An eagle in Slovak is ' 'orol' ' while El Mallakh repeatedly used the Czech term ' ' orel. '' The name of a leading HSPP journal was given as Slovenskej Pravdy (p . 76 ; it should be Slovenska pravda). Spelling mistakes of names and locations were also noticed elsewhere . The book has twenty-two useful appendices . While mostly reprints from otherwise obtainable sources (many are from Macartney), they nonetheless provide a handy collection. Some of the appendices are of marginal importance for the volume , such as the list of Slovak state cabinet members and details on the federalization of Czechoslovakia. El Mallakh dealt with an important topic using heretofore unseen documents. Coming from a neutral and uncommited ethnic background, she has made a significant effort to present a balanced study. Unfortunately, she was not steeped enough in Slovakia's history and affairs, in social life , and in political culture , and therefore numerous issues and details eluded her. Her decisiqn to write a strictly political description based on narrowly defined sou\-ces resulted in a simplistic treatment of a complex topic . Yeshayahu Jelinek Ben-Gurion University of the Negev Beersheba, Israel �SLOVAKIA 145 Anthpny X. Sutherland Dr. Jozef Tiso and Modern Slovakia Anthony X. Sutherland. DR. JOZEF TISO AND MODERN SLOVAKIA. Cleveland, Ohio: First Catholic Slovak Union, 1978. xii, 141 pp. Using Slovak, Czech, German, and English language sources, Dr. Sutherland presents a balanced and scholarly account of the life, career, accomplishments, and failures of the only president of the Slovak Republic. The author does not have anti-Czech, anti-Protestant, or antiCatholic biases, is neither a Slovak nationalist nor a "Czechoslovak," and approaches the subject matter with the detachment of an impartial observer and a non-involved historian. Needless to say, one cannot do justice to "Slovak Political Tradition " in fifteen pages of printed material; yet Sutherland gives the most essential data on the Great Moravian Empire, its collapse, and the centuries-long life of the Slovaks under Magyar rule. In the nineteenth century two traditions emerged among the educated Slovaks: one represented by Jan Kollar and P . J. Safarik, and the other by Cudovit Stur. The former favored closer cooperation with the Czechs; the latter emphasized a distinct Slovak national identity. However, all the Slovak leaders realized that the struggle for survival of the small nation had to be led on all fronts, including the cultural, economic, and political. In Andrej Hlinka the Slovaks had an articulate political leader who fought for justice for his nation both before and after World War I. The brevity of the first chapter may be responsible for some errors, such as on pp. 18 and 19. In 1916 in Paris the Czech National Council was formed by the two Deputies in the Vienna parliament, T.G. Masaryk and Josef Duerich, with Dr. Edvard Benes as its secretary. Milan R. Stefanik was a co-opted member of the council. On the insistence of American Slovaks the name of the organization was changed to Czecho-Slovak National Council. The Kiev Memorandum was not signed by ''Russian Slovaks and Czecho-Slovak Legionnaires '' but by the representatives of the Alliance of the Czecho-Slovak Associations in Russia, Gustav Kosik for the Slovak League of America, and Stefanik and Duerich for the Paris-based council. These minor inaccuracies, however, do not subtract from the overall value of the book. The author makes it clear that Hlinka was loyal to the Republic established in 1918 and that he objected merely to its anti-Catholic poli- �146 SLOVAKIA cies , the denial of the promised autonomy for the Slovaks, and the behavior of some Czechs in Slovakia. Likewise Dr. Jozef Tiso, with reservations similar to Hlinka's, supported the First Republic until its collapse in October of 1938. In September of 1938 President Benes refused to fight for the territorial integrity of the state , and in March of 1939 the rump Second Republic could not be defended. It would seem that if Benes could give up strategic parts of the state without the consent of parliament and in violation of the Constitution, then no one from his camp should blame Tiso for yielding to pressures in March of 1939 and choosing Slovak independence instead of letting Slovakia be occupied either by Hungary or Germany. Sutherland pictures Tiso as a moderate Slovak patriot whose ideology was a mixture of organic nationalism and Christian socialism. It comes through, however, that despite his ideological-tinged rhetorics in practical politics, Tiso was a pragmatist who made concessions, compromises, and mistakes. It was he who convinced Hlinka in 1935 that the Slovak People's Party should help to elect Benes as president of the state. As it happened, in conversations with Stalin in December of 1943 - long before the Slovak uprising in Banska Bystrica - Benes included Tiso among the Slovaks whom he selected for execution after the war. Ideologist or pragmatist, Tiso, as his nation, was caught in a whirl of events which he could not control. Indeed, a small nation cannot always be the master of its own destiny, as the nations of East Central Europe have learned the hard way. Sutherland's book has accomplished its purpose. It is well-written, concise, brief, well-documented, and easy to read. It has enriched the historiography on Slovakia in English and has made a positive contribution to both scholarship and to our understanding of the short-lived Slovak Republic and its only president. Both students of Central European affairs and interested general readers will benefit greatly by reading it. Josef Kalvoda Saint Joseph College ~est Hartford, Connecticut \ �SLOVAKIA 147 \ Yeshayahu Jelinek The Parish Republic Yeshayahu Jelinek. THE PARISH REPUBUC: HUNKA 'S SLOVAK PEOPLE'S PARTY 1939-1945. "East European Monographs, No. XIV ." Boulder, Colorado: East European Quarterly, 1976. viii, 206 pp. Distributed by Columbia University Press. Professor Yeshayahu Jelinek's The Parish Republic: Hlinka's Slovak People's Party is a revision of a dissertation on the politics and philosophy of Hlinka's Slovak People's Party, 1939 to 1945, submitted at Indiana University. It is one of the first scholarly studies in English of the period in Slovak history from 1939 to 1945 written by someone not directly involved in the history of the Slovak state. In this book Jelinek examines in detail the internal history of Hlinka's Slovak People's Party, its factions, ideology, and history. By dealing with each of the party' s groups - the clericals, "N astupists," Sidorites, and Hlinka guards, he provides us with an excellent picture of the political background of the Slovak state. Also treated in detail is Populist ideology as it affected all aspects of Slovak life: religion, nationalism , government, and economics. However, if one expects to find a comprehensive history of the Slovak state or detailed biographical information on any of its leading figures, one will be somewhat disappointed . Jelinek 's book is essentially a study of Hlinka's Slovak People 's Party, so the selection of the title, The Parish Republic , is a bit misleading. Although there is much information on the internal politics of the Populists , there is little on such topics as the Slovak Resistance Movement and the Slovak National Uprising (whose importance Jelinek greatly overemphasizes) and a disappointing, unsystematic account of the Jewish question. In addition to making occasional exaggerations , Jelinek commits a grave error in frequently maintaining that the Slovak state received little popular support . Such generalizations regarding acceptance or rejection of the Slovak state by the people are difficult to document and almost impossible to prove . In his account on " I.:udak" ideology Jelinek frequently uses the term " clerical fascism, " but nowhere does he offer a suitable definition of clerical fascism , or at least what he understands by it. At the end of the book one is left with a confusing picture as to exactly what type of �148 SLOVAKIA state Jelinek thought the Slovak Republic was - whether it was truly fascist or simply an authoritarian state with fascist trappings. The work would have been improved if Jelinek had compared Hlinka's Slovak People's Party with other rightist parties of the period: Rexists, Action Francaise, the Iron Guard, and others. The book is superbly documented, though one may argue that Jelinek relied too heavily on Czechoslovak Communist historians, whose interpretations are predictable, and on German documents. In summary, the book is a good, though somewhat confusing, account of Hlinka's Slovak People 's Party, its history, and ideology. Despite Jelinek's occasional exaggerations and general negative attitude toward the Populists, the book should be read, though with caution, by anyone searching for a better understanding of Hlinka 's Slovak People 's Party during one of the most controversial periods of Slovak history. Anthony X. Sutherland Stoney Point, New York �SLOVAKIA 149 Andrea Rebichini Chiesa, societ,p e stato in Cecoslovachia Andrea Rebichini. CHIESA, SOCIETA E STATO IN CECOSLOVACHIA, II: 1968-1978. Padova: DESEO-Liviana, 1979. 86 pp. In his two-volume book on the Church, society, and state in Czechoslovakia, Andrea Rebichini describes the religious situation of that country during the period of the last three decades. The first volume , published in 1977, covers the period from 1948 to 1968, and the present volume treats the period from 1968 to 1978. During this relatively short span of years, Czechoslovakia went through many turbulent events which left deep scars on its people. In 1948 there was a ruthless take-over by the Communists ; then, in the late sixties, the liberalization of the Communist rule symbolized by Alexander Dubcek; in August 1968 the brutal occupation of the country by Soviet troops, followed by the so-called "normalization," i.e., by the return to the old Stalinist methods of suppression and tyranny. The vicissitudes of Czechoslovakia have attracted the attention of many scholars, writers of political history, and various reporters . Rebichini is mostly interested in the religious situation in Czechoslovakia during these three decades. He is familiar with the vast literature on postwar Czechoslovakia and has succeeded in putting the Church-State problems of that country into the larger framework of the whole political spectrum of Eastern Europe, dominated by the Soviet Union. In the volume under review, Rebichini uses mostly documentary material coming from Czechoslovakia and translated into Italian by CESEO (Centro Studi Europa Orientale), published monthly in Bologna. Since these documents speak for themselves, Kebichini does not give long analyses or commentaries on them. Clarity, objectivity, and succinctness are the main values of Rebichini' s book. At the beginning of the second volume the author gives the most characteristic aspects of the Dubcek liberalization of the Communist regime in Czechoslovakia. The Catholic Church, as well as other denominations, grasped at this opportunity and quickly developed a feverish activity to free themselves from the shackles of the previous twenty years. For the Catholics, until then cutoff from the Church at large , it meant an attempt to catch up with the reform movement of the Vatican Council and the new theological trends in the post-conciliar �150 SLOVAKIA Church. Bishops, priests, religious, and lay people took up this task in Czechoslovakia. Not even the Soviet occupation could immediately stop this endeavor. According to Rebichini, the turning point in the religious situation in Czechoslovakia was the restoration of the organization of priests collaborating with the neo-Stalinist regime of Gustav Husak. During the Dubcek era the former pro-government organization of the Peace Movement of the Catholic Clergy totally collapsed. Toward the end of 1971 it was resurrected under the name of the Federation of the Catholic Clergy - ''Pacem in Terris.' ' Under the guidance and with the support of the new regime, this organization quickly resumed the role of the previous Peace Movement and gradually took control of the Church organization in Czechoslovakia. It seems that because of the growing influence of this organization, most of the Holy See's recent efforts to alleviate the difficult situation of the Catholic Church in Czechoslovakia are being frustrated. In 1975 the Czechoslovak government signed the Helsinki Agreement, thereby .affirming its commitment to human rights, including the freedom of religion. But nothing changed in the course of repression and persecution of those citizens who tried to follow this prerogative of freedom in the religious field. Still, there was a group of brave intellectuals, most of them in the Czech lands, who publicly demanded from the government that it adhere to its commitments to the free exercise of human rights, including the right of free religious expression. The promoters of human rights in Czechoslovakia are working under the name "Charter 77." The Communist regime in Czechoslovakia immediately began a frantic campaign against the signers of "Charter 77" by organizing public protests and collecting signatures against them. Interestingly , almost incredibly, the Church hierarchy, now infiltrated by members of the "Pacem in Terris" and probably under very crude pressure from the government, joined the protest campaign against the signers of "Charter 77. " This, according to Rebichini, is an ominous sign of how terribly the Church of Czechoslovakia is presently enslaved by the Communist regime. Rebichini concludes his treatise on the religious situation in Czechoslovakia with the election of John Paul II as Pope - the first Slavic Pope, the first Pope from behind the ''Iron Curtain.'' He ex: presses the hope that this act of Divine Providence may deeply affect the Church in the satellite countries of Eastern Europe. TeQ_dorik J. Zubek, O.F.M. . Easton, Pennsylvania �SLOVAKIA 151 Vsevlad J. Gajdos Frantiskani v slovenskej literature and Teodorik J. Zubek Slovenski frantiskani v Amerike Vsevlad J. Gajdos. FRANTISKANI V SLOVENSKEJ UTERAT0RE and Teodorik J. Zubek, SLOVENSKl FRANTISKANI V AMERIKE. Cleveland, Ohio: First Catholic Slovak Union, 1979. 252 pp. This study provides the specialist interested in Slovak culture, civilization, and religious history with a lot of information on Franciscans of Slovak extraction. It covers the period from the seventeenth century to the present. In the first section, Vsevlad J. Gajdos included a brief survey of Franciscan history and activities in Slovakia. He also commented concisely on Slovak ethnic consciousness among Franciscans in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries . Then he described the major struggle of these Franciscans to insure their ethnic distinctiveness and the survival of their religious order. Virtually all the facts presented by Gajdos on this matter appear together for the first time and in a publication outside of Czechoslovakia. These points of information had previously been scattered among various journals published over a long period of time and primarily authored by Gajdos . After the delineation of Franciscan history, activities, and ethnic struggle follow the biographies and bibliographies of one hundred twenty-five Franciscans. In a number of instances, Gajdos has corrected various biographical errors on some of these Franciscans . A number of significant contributions by some of them have also been saved from oblivion or obscurity. For instance, the four large volumes of sermons by Bajan as well as a number of his musical compositions are preserved here . The role of Teodul Zelenic in the Bemolak polemic, Anti-Fandly, is also well-presented. Even the probable identity of the pseudonymous researcher , S. M. Zilinsky, is substantively argued. Among the various Slovak Franciscans covered are authors of literary works, writers of devotional books , sermons, and retreat exhortations; authors of philosophical and theological treatises, textbooks, and polemical writings; and composers of numerous musical compositions . �152 SLOVAKIA · Abrahamffy, Pascha, Bajan, Gavlovic, Simko, Smrtnik, Gazda, Roskovsky, Marmankovic, and Presl readily stand out, but also and especially Celestin Lepacek and Gajdos himself. For, like Gajdo§, Lepacek has also written biographies and works on a number of Slovak Franciscans; his research on Gavlovic's writings would alone guarantee his place in the history of Slovak scholarship. With Lepacek's and his own research, Gajdos has been able to enhance substantially the quality of the biographies and bibliographies. Gajdo§ has concluded his section of this study with concise descriptions of Franciscan publications in Slovakia and some further bibliographical material from Rizner and his own years of research. The American section of the study was authored by Teodorik Zubek and has the same format as that portion written by Gajdos. There is first a survey of Slovak Franciscan history and activities in America, followed by the biographies and bibliographies of twelve prominent Slovak Franciscans who either emigrated to or were born in the United States. Especially noteworthy among this material is the bibliography of the poet Rudolf Dilong; the reference for the unfortunately brief article by Bartolomej Koltner on the Slovak dictionary of 1648; and the reference for Zubek's dissertation done in Slovakia, "Zasahy Jozefa II do zivota slovenskych franti§kanov." The latter appeared as a long article under the title, ''Zasahy osvietenstva do §tudia uhorskych frantiskanov" in Sbornik spolku Zahorskych akademikov so sidlom v Malackach, 1932-1942, II, Trnava; a copy of this work can be found in the library of the University of California, Los Angeles. A number of typographical errors could readily be corrected in a reprinting of this book. The bibliography of Gavlovic is not complete; but, in his research, Lepacek has given as complete a list as is presently possible. In the Gavlovic bibliography there are also a number of minor errors with regard to the number of pages in certain works. In the numerous bibliographical references, there may also be some points in error that will come to light as scholars are able to study personally the various materials listed in the book. On the whole, though, this study is a fairly comprehensive presentation of Slovak Franciscan writings and musical compositions. Gajdos and Zubek have provided the Slovak specialist with another primary reference work tha,,t complements those of Rizner, Misianik, and Ormis. Perhaps, somedat, an E11tglish version of this study will be published for the sake of a larg'er scholarly audience. GeraldJ. Sabo, S.J. John Carroll University Cleve/,and, Ohio �SLOVAKIA 153 \ Frantisek Bielik & Elo Rakos, comps. Slovenske vystahovalectvo. Dokumenty: I, II, Ill SLOVENS/a VYS'l'AHOVALECTVO. DOKUMENTY I: DO ROKU 1918. Compiled by Franti§ek Bielik and Elo Rako§. Bratislava: Vydavatefstvo Slovenskej adademie vied, 1969. 404 pp. ; DOKUMENTY II; 1919-1939. Bielik and Rako§. Martin: Matica slovenska, 1975. 349 pp.; DOKUMENTY ill: KORESPONDENCIA Z ROKOV 1893-1939. Bielik. Martin: Matica slovenska, 1976. 314 pp. Students of Slovak immigration history will welcome the publication of Slovenske vyst'ahovalectvo . These three volumes , devoted to the migration of Slovaks from their homeland, reproduce 380 documents deposited in various depositories in Czechoslovakia, Hungary, and Austria. This collection gives scholars living outside of these countries access to materials otherwise not readily available to them. One of the compilers' aim is to depict the underlying social, political, and economic factors that spurred Slovak emigration in the years from roughly 1879 to 1939 (Vol. I, pp. 5, 6; Vol II, p . 5). The selection of documents also places Slovak emigration within the broader context of the history of Austria-Hungary and Czechoslovakia. Thus, the compilers include documents that demonstrate the impact of Slovak emigration on these homeland countries. In addition, the collection contains documents concerning Slovak immigrant life. Some of these items are official reports; others were generated by Slovak immigrants living in various countries, primarily the United States. Although the documents touch upon a myriad of subjects, the unifying theme of the three volumes is clear: emigration is an important aspect of the history of the Slovak people. Volume I focuses on Slovak emigration from 1879 to 1918 and deals primarily with the causes and consequences of that movement. This volume contains newspaper descriptions of contemporary conditions in Hungary that stimulated emigration. It includes a large number of official and local reports which analyze the causes of emigration, especially from particular regions in northern Hungary. The reports describe attempts by Hungarian officials to stop Slovak emigration. They also reveal a concern over the growing nationalism among Slovak immigrants in the United States. Because of the preponderance of official reports, �154 SLOVAKIA nearly all of the documents in this volume are in Hungarian; only twenty of the 144 items are in Slovak. The second volume covers Slovak emigration from 1919 to 1939. Slightly over two-thirds of its 114 documents are in Slovak, and the remaining are in Czech. Because the compilers try to present materials that describe the underlying causes of Slovak emigration , Volume Il provides information for scholars interested in studying Czechoslovakia between the two World Wars. For example, there are materials outlining the labor, industrial, and economic problems that plagued Czechoslovakia during the postwar years. Unemployment and unfavorable economic conditions encouraged emigration; but, since entry into the United States was restricted, Slovaks turned to other countries . Occasionally the Czechoslovak government tried to stop this exodus . However , the documents provide evidence that the government also saw emigration, and the temporary migration of laborers to nearby European countries , as a means to alleviate some of the country's economic and unemployment problems. In addition, official reports describe the conditions of Slovak immigrants in various countries including: Argentina, Australia, Canada, France , Germany, Mexico , Uruguay, the United States, and others . Volume ill reproduces 122 documents for the period 1893 to 1939. This collection is actually a supplement to the first two volumes and includes more materials written by Slovak immigrants. In fact, almost all of the documents were penned by Slovaks living in the United States. These items addres.s a wide variety of topics ranging from descriptions of Slovak nationalist activities in America to mere notes requesting that European Slovaks write articles for fraternal publications. The documents describe the various activities of American Slovak organizations during World War I and reveal their continued interest in Czechoslovakia after the war. Bielik and Rakos have complied a valuable collection of documents . These documents are useful both to students of Slovak immigration and to scholars interested in the social, economic, and political history of Hungary and Czechoslovakia. Thus , the volumes have a use that extends beyond the study of Slovak immigration . The compilers have designed these volures for scholars. A complete bibliographic citation accompanies each docUtnent. Bielik and Rakos also provide editorial assistance by expfaining unfamiliar references mentioned in the documents . The compilers adopted a chronological format , but some researchers might prefer that they had chosen to categorize the documents topically. A topical approach would have �SLOVAKIA \ 155 lessened the need to plod through the volumes for specific types of documents. However, the compilers do include brief descriptions of every entry in each Table of Contents that facilitate the task of finding desired types of documents. There is no cumulative index, but the indexes included in each volume are useful for locating people, places, and organizations cited in the documents. However, one wishes the compilers had consistently listed persons' first names in the indices and had made more of an effort to provide subject entries. The compilers introduce each document with a brief Slovak and English precis. These precis are helpful but, as is usually the case with annotated descriptions, they do not reveal the variety of information contained within the documents. In general, the Slovak precis are more complete than the English versions. In addition, the English translations are generally dismal. Besides containing numerous grammatical and spelling errors, the English versions often are imprecise and misleading. Similar types of errors can be found in the footnotes. For example, readers will look in vain for a work cited as authored by "Louis Grune Bald" (Vol. I, p. 25). The proper citation should be "Emily Greene Balch." Balch is again slighted in the bibliography at the end of Volume ill where she is listed as "E. Green Bolek" (p. 278). Moreover, Bielik should have described the bibliography as listing '' selected '' works because it is incomplete. It is also dated. With the exception of a few articles printed in fraternal publications, the list does not include works on Slovak immigration published in the United States; nor is it complete for those published in Europe. The deficiencies evident in the bibliography may well be indicative of other shortcomings of these volumes. The compilers explain that while there are numerous documents in Europe archives pertaining to Slovak emigration, they have chosen the " most typical" (Vol. I, p. 6). Yet, although Volume ill includes 122 documents written primarily by Slovak immigrants, there is not a single letter or publication by Father Stefan Furdek. In fact, although the compilers make references to the First Catholic Slovak Union and note it as founded by Furdek, they fail to mention that he was a priest (Vol. I, p. 152). And, with but few exceptions, there is little reference to Slovak clergymen or their writings. Moreover, lengthy surveys of Slovak immigration which introduce Volumes I and ill discuss Slovak immigrant organizations, but there is no analysis of immigrant churches. Thus, this reviewer wonders if the items reproduced are perhaps the ''most typical'' of a select group of documents that ignore subjects such as religion that may be controversial or unpopular in present-day Czechoslovakia . Finally , one may wish to qualify Bielik 's claims regarding docu- �156 SLOVAKIA ments in Volume ill. According to Bielik, the correspondence in this volume describes the "daily struggle for social justice" and "work" of Slovaks living in foreign lands (p. 6). However, most of the letters reproduced were written by prominent Slovak immigrants usually active in the various national organizations. As a result, the correspondence typically describes the life of Slovak immigrants as seen through the eyes of these more prominent men, not as it was experienced by ordinary laborers toiling in American mines and factories and living in tenements or company housing. Moreover, the correspondence offers little insight into the life of Slovak immigrant women. Despite their shortcomings, the three volumes which comprise Slovenske vyst'ahovalectvo offer a valuable collection of documents. No student of immigration history can be unhappy when documents maintained in European archives are published and made available for research. But researchers can be unhappy with the possibility that the criteria for selecting documents reflect the biases of the compilers and their government instead of a concern for balanced historical scholarship. June Granatir Alexander Cincinnati, Ohio �SLOVAKIA 157 \Jasil S. Kohan The Sorrows of Marienka Vasil S. Kohan THE SORROWS OF MARIENKA . Middletown, Pennsylvania: EMPAC!, 1979. 201 pp. Too often the Slovak immigrant woman has been depicted as either the long-suffering heroine - bearing children and losing them, making do with the barest of material comforts, and contending with a husband who spends ample time at the krtma (saloon) - or else she is the punitive, angry eminence in the home, doing her duty, saying her rosaries but making everyone suffer for her sacrifices. In Vasil Koban's The Sorrows of Marienka we see another kind of Slovak woman, one that modern women can identify with as well as stare matky (grandmothers) can admire. Indeed, any woman that can march into a Slovak krtma in search of her errant husband, set the place on fire, and never utter a word of apology could earn a place in any feminist Hall of Fame. We follow Marienka from a wedding in Slovakia she did not seek through the death of her husband, who is killed while pulling out the pillars of coal in a depleted mine, one of the most dangerous jobs. Along the way, we find her to be alternately strong and tender, pure and lusty, humorous and sad, tom by doubts and quite sure of herself. In other words, a whole person - no idealized portrait is painted by Kohan, in his first, and let's hope, not last novel. What pleased and excited me about this book was its raw power, its insights into our people , its clear-eyed view of what lives the Slovak immigrants lived on both sides of the Atlantic. A wife backs up her husband 's lie that a wolf bit him when it was only a testy sow; a mother-in-law despises the woman who takes her precious son from her; a wife jumps into a coal car to show her husband how quickly it can be unloaded; Slovaks swindle an unsuspecting and ill Slovak out of a week's pay, posing as mine representatives; still another Slovak absconds with the seven thousand dollars that was to start a new church; a young son, put in the cloakroom as a punishment, eats all the lunches - these are some poignant moments in the Kohan book. Real people, real circumstances where the spirit triumphs in the crucible of daily living. �158 SLOVAKIA A taste of Koban's lovely, native style: "It didn't snow that night. Instead, it turned warmer. The clouds that had threatened snow produced a thin drizzle. The men hunched their shoulders as they left and bent their heads down. In the dull light Marienka watched them walk down the street, the rain making beads on the shoulders of their wool jackets, little drops without brilliance that began forming dark streaks down the cloth. ''By the time the boys left for school the rain had dwindled to a fine mist that melted downward from the close-hanging, yellowish clouds. The curious light made everything look hollow, the same way it did sometimes at dusk when the sun shone from behind the mountains. "Marienka watched the boys saunter down the street, swinging their lunches. She wondered if she ought to chance it, going to church with the babies. It was the day of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Temple . She had planned to go to church and light a candle. " She put her hand to her hair, pushing it back from her forehead, and her fingers brushed against the ribbon she 'd bound in her braids yesterday. " It brought to mind Ivan 's eyes as he had watched her last night. No matter what else had changed, they were the same as they had been twelve years ago in Kamienka - dark, curious, and full of lustre. All at once the memory of that day was close around her. She could almost smell the hot wax from the candles and the sweet , stifling odor of incense. She remembered the hot darkness of the church , and the smell of the priest's robes - a little musty, smelling of old things." As second, third, and fourth-generation Slovaks pursue the American dream , buying their four-bedroom houses , gaining their college degrees , wearing shirts and ties , and learning which fork to use , I would caution them to pause for a moment and look back. Look back, if they can, to see if they know anything about what their forebears experienced . For I think that the dacron polyester world that we so eagerly court, the fleeting values and the soft life, this ravenous hunger we have to be middle-class Americans is sadly misplaced. We have pushed aside the Marienkas of our families , we have not taken the time both to listen to them and to record what they have to say . When a dozen Vasil Kobans rise up - nqt professional writers, but people with a love , respect , and yet a disciplined and discriminating eye turned toward their parents and grandparents - and all of us can fe ast on the books they produce , then I, for one , will be less critical �SLOVAKIA 159 of the headlong quest for Eissimilation, acceptance, and sameness that haunts ethnic groups, ours certainly included. We Slovaks do not have a body of literature about the immigrant experience. We need it more than we need a legion of accountants and computer programmers; we need it if we are to regain our very souls. Paul Wilkes New York City, New York �160 SLOVAKIA Megles, Stolarik & Tybor Slovak Americans and Their Communities of Cleveland Susi Megles, Mark Stolarik, and Martina Tybor. SLOVAK AMERICANS AND THEIR, COMMUNITIES OF CLEVELAND. Edited by Karl Bonutti. With an Introduction by Michael Novak. "Ethnic Heritage Studies Monograph Series." Cleveland, Ohio: Cleveland State University, 1978. 217 pp. The Cleveland, Ohio area is one of the oldest, largest, and most important centers of Slovaks in America. As is unfortunately the case with other major Slovak-American communities, the Cleveland Slovaks have not received much scholarly attention. The only monograph solely devoted to them is Jan Pankuch's Dejiny Clevelandskych a Lakewoodskych Slovcikov, which was published in 1930 and is now outdated. And although Josef Barton's Peasants and Strangers: Italians, Rumanians and Slovaks in an American City, 1890-1950, published in 1975, does analyze the social history of Cleveland's Slovaks in comparison with other ethnic groups, the book does not provide an overall and up-to-date review of the Cleveland Slovak communities. Given the fact that the volume under review was produced under the auspices of the Ethnic Heritage Studies Program of Cleveland State University and with partial support from the U.S. Office of Education, Department of Education, Health, and Welfare, one might have expected a fresh, comprehensive, in-depth study of Cleveland's Slovaks. Regrettably, this is not the case. Neither the book's title, nor editor Karl Bonutti's preface, nor Michael Novak's introduction, nor even the "summary" provides the reader with a clear idea of the purpose of the book. What we are offered here is a melange of ''essays'' of varying quality covering a wide range of topics relating to Slovaks in Europe, the United States, and Cleveland. The work is divided into four main parts consisting of twenty-six chapters - "Old World Origins"; "New World Beginnings"; "Organizations and Contributions of Slovak-Americans"; and "The Slovak Community of Cleveland'' - and ten appendices (none of which is referred to in the text). Curiously, the authors of the component parts are not identified. This might not have been possible, for one gets the impression from the inexplicable changes of s~le within individual sec- �SLOVAKIA 161 tions that the work of one author was at times pieced together with that of another. Although a certain amount of unevenness is to be expected in a multi-authored publication, careful editing can often alleviate this problem. Evidence of such editorial control is slight. Constant repetition and overlapping, internal contradictions, the excessive number and short length of chapters , and generally poor organization mar the text. Especially disturbing is the mishandling of Slovak words . Diacritical marks are sometimes omitted; christian names are rendered indiscriminately in either Slovak or English; and clumsy phonetic approximations in English are provided for many but not all Slovak terms . Whoever wrote the section on the history of the Slovaks in the Old World does not seem to be very well acquainted with Slovak or European history. "Austria-Hungary" is more than once referred to as having existed before 1867; the Thirty Years' War is placed in the eighteenth century; and ' 'expressions of / Slovak / national consciousness" are claimed to have been present "quite early in the 17th century" (p. 24). The significance of Protestantism and of the Czech language for the Slovaks is almost totally ignored; Kollar,Safarik, and Stur are not identified as Lutherans, nor is it revealed that they wrote in Czech. Old-fashioned filiopietism rears its head in the section on Slovak immigrants - four pages are devoted to the mysterious '' Slovak Revolutionary War hero," Major Polerecky, who was born in France and whose connections with Slovaks and Slovak consciousness were extremely tenuous, if they existed at all. The section on Cleveland's Slovaks, although perhaps the best contribution, is also disappointing. Too much material relating to Slovak-Americans in general is included, as well as mundane personal reminiscences of one author; and there is scanty treatment of the Cleveland Slovak communities beyond World War II. One wonders why this book was published. In attempting to cover so many topics it in fact does not do justice to even one. Although the book contains a wealth of factual information, most of it can be found better presented in existing works. And the lack of footnotes and a bibliography considerably reduces its value. We have reached the stage where there are competent scholars capable of interpreting the Slovak-American experience and opportunities to make the results of their research available to the American public. In light of this fact, there should be no excuse for such an inferior publication as Slovak Americans and Their Communities of Cleveland. ThomasD. Marzik (Mrazik) Saint Joseph 's University Philadelphia, Pennsylvania ��SLOVAKIA 163 \ Contributors SONYA JASON is a writer who lives and works in California . She is a second-generation Slovak-American from Pennsylvania. OWEN V. JOHNSON, Assistant Professor of Journalism at Indiana University, completed his graduate work at the University of Michigan. He is an expert on interwar Slovakia and has written numerous articles on this subject. STANISLA V J. KIRSCH BA UM is Associate Professor of Political Science at Glendon College, York University. A graduate of the Universities of Ottawa, Toronto, and the Sorbonne, he has published widely in the history and politics of Czechoslovakia in modern times (1939-1980). VASIL S. KOBAN is a writer living and working in Florida . He hails from a Slovak-Rusyn family that settled in Pennsylvania. PAUL R. MAGOCSI, a graduate of Princeton University, holds the Chair of Ukrainian Studies at the University of Toronto. He is the world's leading authority on the Rusyns and has written the most authoritative books and articles on this ethnic group. HOW ARD F. STEIN, Associate Professor of Medical-Psychiatric Anthropology at the University of Oklahoma, received his Ph .D. from the University of Pittsburgh in 1972 . He has written a large number of books and articles on Slovaks and other ethnic groups in the United States. ��SLOVAKIA 165 Guidelines for Manuscripts Manuscripts of articles for possible publication should be sent to the managing editor. Articles should normally not exceed twenty-five pages in length, and should be submitted in triplicate , typed doublespaced, with generous margins for copyediting. Footnotes should also be typed double-spaced, numbered, and placed at the end of the paper. Text and format should adhere to the style outlined in Kate Turabian's A Manual for Writers . Proper orthography and diacritical marks must be supplied for all foreign words. Manuscripts will not be returned unless specifically requested and postage is provided. Books for review are to be sent to the managing editor. Unsolicited book reviews are not encouraged. Individuals who wish to review books should request them from the managing editor. They should send a curriculum vitae with their request. When writing their reviews they should try to answer the following questions: What was the author's purpose in writing this book? What was the theme? What methods did the author use? What did he (she) conclude? This can then be followed by criticism and observations. Normally the reviews should not exceed three double-spaced, typewritten pages. All bibliographic information (author, full title, publisher, place of publication, price, and number of pages) should be provided by the reviewer. ��Printed By JEDNOTA PRINTERY Middletown, Pennsylvania 17057 U.S.A. ���EDWARD J. BEHUNCIK, ESQ. President JOHN A. HOLY Secretary-Treasurer THE SLOVAK LEAGUE Of AMERICA Organized in 1907 at Cleveland, Ohio JOSEPH J. TALAFOUS, ESQ. Vice Presidents DANIEL F. TANZONE ANNE Z. SAROSY Executive Committee: Edward J. Behuncik, John A. Holy, Andrew F. Hudak, Jr., George N. Kantor Michael J. Krajsa, Louise M. Yash, Cecelia Sarocky, Joseph R. Kristofik, George J. Kostelnik Joseph Stefka, Stephen J. Kavulich Slovak League of America Ladies' Auxiliary Anna M. Vizza, President Regional Vice-Presidents: George Lupjan - New York, New Jersey, New England States John Herman - Eastern Pennsylvania John Gastan - Western Pennsylvania Joseph Ondis - Ohio David Zelenak - Michigan Ivan Kralik - Illinois, Indiana Bernadine Wandke - Wisconsin, Western States John Hvasta - Washington, D.C., Southern States Stanislav Duris Auditors: Anna Blahusiak Joseph Valencik SLOVAK FRATERNAL ORGANIZATIONS (Affiliated with the Slovak League of America) THE FIRST CATHOLIC SLOVAK UNION OF THE U.S. AND CANADA Cleveland, Ohio - Membership 102,000 THE FIRST CATHOLIC SLOVAK LADIES ASSOCIATION Cleveland, Ohio - Membership 100,000 THE SLOVAK CATHOLIC SOKOL Passaic, N.J. - Membership 50,000 THE NATIONAL SLOVAK SOCIETY OF THE U.S.A. Pittsburgh, Pa . - Membership 21,000 THE LADIES PENNSYLVANIA SLOVAK CATHOLIC UNION Wilkes-Barre, Pa. - Membership 16,500 THE PENNSYLVANIA SLOVAK CATHOLIC UNION Wilkes-Barre, Pa. - Membership 10,000 SLOVAK NEWSPAPERMEN'S ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA Joseph C. Krajsa, F.I.C., President SLOVAK AMERICAN NEWSPAPERS (Affiliated with the Slovak League of America) , \ JEDNOTA (circulation 40,000) NARODNE NOVINY (circulatio~ 15,000) FRATERNALLY YOURS, ZENS KA JEDNOTA (circulation 35,000) SLOVAK v AMERIKE (circulation 1,800) KATOLICKY SOKOL (circulation 20,000) BRATSTVO (circulation7,000) PR IA TEL DIETOK (circulation 6,000) ZORNICKA (circulation 5,000) SLOVAKIA $6.00 per annum Printed by JEDNOTA PRINTERY Middletown, Pennsylvania 17057 U.S.A. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource 1980-81, Vol. 29 Description An account of the resource Vol. 29 (No. 53-54), 1980-81. Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available The Slovak League of America Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1980-81 Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document REVIEWS SLOVAKIA 135 ' Peter Brock The Slovak National Awakening Peterirock. THE SLOVAK NATIONAL AWAKENING: AN ESSAY IN THE INTELLECTUAL HISTORY OF EAST CENTRAL EUROPE. Toronto and Buffalo: University of Toronto Press, 1976. x, 104 pp . This three-chapter monograph with extensive notes, bibliography, and index presents the intellectual growth ' ' of an idea, the Slovak idea of nationality" (p.x). Written primarily to fill a gap on "which scarcely any reliable literature exists in English" (ibid.), Professor Brock's study does precisely that - non-English subsidiary sources are evaluated, unsubstantiated claims of biased scholarship are pointed out, and perennial misunderstandings of specific historical issues are put in proper perspective. With the exception of a few flaws that will be listed below, the book is well-organized and written in a style that favorably ties the author's learning with his common sense. The main thrust of the work, as the author has emphasized at the very outset of the text, was to be found in the interrelationship of the concept of Slovak "cultural-linguistic nationhood" to the concepts of natio hungarica, on the one hand, and the " Czechoslovak idea, " on the other. Slovak national identity, the first component of the uneasy alliance , grew up in its linguistic aspect more or less directly from indigenous traditions, while its scholarly-cultural tenets were repeatedly reexamined under Magyar and Czech influences. Thus one could say that the literature of the Cyrilo-Methodian era had a negligible impact on the Slovak vernacular. Biblittina - almost sacred in Slovak Lutheran religious usage , especially after the Battle of White Mountain (1620) did influence the Slovak vernacular development, but far less than even the most recent , relatively restrained, scholarship has suggested. The so-called Jesuit Slovak, essentially " an amalgam , of several dialects , heavily influenced by Czech, and . . . used by / educated I Protestants as well as Catholics" (p . 6), made no impact on the common speech of the masses whatsoever. In turn the dialect spoken in southwestern Slovakia attained a limited acceptance as a ' ' Slovak literary language " due to the efforts of the Catholic priests Anton Bernolak, Juraj Fandly, and Jan Holly. However, only the dialect of central Slovakia propagated by the Protestant scholar and philosopher, :Cudovit 136 SLOVAKIA Stur, gained the full support of the Slovaks and eventually became the basis for a Slovak literary language. Slovak scholarly-cultural pursuits - as hinted above - were to a great extent products of the cultural and political tensions within central Europe . Natio hungarica , despite its lofty official attributes, was in reality a misnomer, denoting an alliance between the historical determination of the nation-state and Magyar political aspirations. Essentially a shield for aristocratic privileges in the pre-Josephinist era, it became a vehicle for repressive measures against non-Magyar ethnic groups in later decades. The Slovak approach to the concept of natio hungarica underwent a full range of changes from the mytho-historical point of view of Juraj Papanek and Juraj Sklenar in its earlier version to a pragmatic-negative standpoint of the Sturites in its latest variant. The Great Moravian Empire, according to Papanek and Sklenar, was a Slovak national state. The Slovaks , Sklenar claimed, formed after its downfall a voluntary and equal partnership, a natio hungarica, "with the newly arrived Magyars" (p . 8) . In contrast, Kollar 's " pro-Czechoslovak" group ceased to honor the idea of political-cultural union with the Magyars around 1830, while the Sturites refused ever to recognize it in any form. The idea of the socalled Czechoslovak national unity has lingered in one or another shape in some minds up to the present time. However, during the eleven-century long Magyar occupation of the Slovak territory the ties between the Czechs and Slovaks ' 'remained confined to comparatively small sections of the intelligentsia . . . the Slovak peasants and the artisans . . . possessed scarcely any national or even ethnic consciousness that went beyond an elemental love of their mother tongue, usually the only language they could speak'' (p. 20). A stronger interest in the " Czechoslovak idea" came about between 1820 and 1840 when Jan Kollar used it as a bridge between the motley assortment of various Slavic idioms and his axiomatic philosophy of Slavdom. Slavdom, in Kollar ' s visionary system, was but a single nation containing four literary languages - Russian, Polish, lliyrian, and Czechoslovak - that were " worthy" to have a distinct status . All other " smaller" Slavic languages were, by this logic, " unworthy" of a separate existence and were to be channelled into the nearest Slavic idiom. The Slovak language was supposed to be absorbed into Czech. Brock' s study is a well-balanced and honest treatment of one of the most difficult subjects of scholarship. It undmi btedly adds a new dimension to a better understanding of related -ethno-political issues treated , for example , by Robert W. Seton-Watson in his Racial Problems in Hungary (reprinted by Howard Fertig, New York, 1972) , by SLOVAKIA 137 \ Gilbert L. Oddo in his Slovakia and Its People (published by R. Speller, New York, 1960), and by Joseph F. Zacek in his essay, "Nationalism in Czechoslovakia" (published in Sugar and Lederer, eds., Nationalism in Eastern Europe, University of Washington Press, Seattle, 1969; see especially pp. 166-167 and 186-195). On the other hand, Brock's condensed treatment of the entire issue does not give full credii to his familiarity with the problem. Had the book been more broadly conceived (let us say by a treatment of the ''growth'' of Slovak cultural-linguistic nationalism after 1918), it would have considerably contributed to the study of parallels and differences between Magyar and Czech standpoints toward Slovak cultural endeavors from a new angle. My minor but specific objections are directed against the following defects in the work: (1) the use of non-English constructions in the text when English equivalents were available and their non-English counterparts could easily be incorporated in extensive notes; (2) too many errors in non-English references included in the "Notes;" and (3) the "Notes" and "Bibliography" were set in uneven-line endings while the text itself was presented in regular "book-line" endings. Although intended primarily for Slavic scholars, this book merits the attention of English-speaking students of Slovak culture everywhere. It is proof that a foreign-born scholar can present a fair and truthful account of a topic related to the Slovaks and Slovakia in spite of frequent misrepresentations of the issues by biased scholars. Brock's work will stand out as a model for future efforts on similar subjects. Andrej Cintura Riverside, CaUfomia 138 SLOVAKIA Josef Kalvoda Czechoslovakia's Role in Soviet Strategy Josef Kalvoda. CZECHOSLOVAKIA'S ROLE IN SOVIET STRATEGY. Washington, D.C.: University Press of America, 1978. ix, 381 pp. This is a good book with the wrong title. What Professor Kalvoda offers is a history of Czechoslovakia's attitude to and relations with the Soviet Union since World War I. Hence a more appropriate title would have been "Czechoslovakia and the Soviet Union," a title general enough to cover the range and wealth of information meticulously assembled and presented. In fact, the author has done Western scholarship a service by examining this topic in depth; until now this subject has been dealt with piecemeal either in studies on the foreign policy of the First Czechoslovak Republic, or in the more recent studies on the liberalization process of Communist Czechoslovakia. The greater part of the study is devoted to an analysis of the attitudes and actions toward the Soviet Union of two of the three founders of the Czechoslovak state, namely T.G. Masaryk and Edvard Benes. Interspersed are chapters on the Slovak Soviet Republic, the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia, and the sovietization of the country. Needless to say, after 1948, the focus changes somewhat insofar as Czechoslovakia has become a satellite of the Soviet Union, and the relationship between the countries is on a completely different level. Still, given the fact that the leadership of Czechoslovakia sought to establish a new framework of relations with the Soviet Union in the liberalization process of 1968, especially on the ideological level, there is a thematic continuity that justifies the fifty-odd year analysis offered here. It is a pity that the author did not fully exploit this aspect of the topic and that his weakest chapters are the last three where he does suggest how Czechoslovakia has played a role in Soviet strategy since 1948 . This latter theme, interesting at it may be, does not tie in well with the preceding chapters and thus breaks up the unity of theme that had been evident, though not explicitly stated, up to that point. One of the interesting points that the author makes and that is generally absent in histories of Czechoslovakia or the Soviet Union is the fact that during the Russian revolution th"ere existed a possibility of using the Czecho-Slovak Legion to smash the Bolsheviks. During the debate on this point, Karel Kramar, one of the Czech leaders, sug- SLOVAKIA 139 \ gested that a free Czechoslovakia could exist only if there existed a democratic Russia. He urged that the Legion be used against the Bolsheviks to achieve this end. Masaryk disagreed; in fact, he urged early on the recognition of the Bolshevik regime and forbade the use of the Legion against the Red Army. While one cannot answer an historical if, one has to recognize that Kramar had been more perspications than Masaryk. In the interwar period, the attitudes to and relations with the Soviet Union were determined by Edvard Benes, the man to whom Kalvoda quite correctly also ascribes the responsibility for Czechoslovakia eventually becoming a Soviet satellite. The author shows in great detail how Benes gave in to the Soviet leadership and its satraps in the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia during the war. The coup in February 1948 was merely an epilogue to a situation that had been dealt with in December 1943 when Benes, against British advice, signed a Treaty of Friendship, Mutual Assistance, and Post-War Cooperation with the Soviet Union. The consequences need not be elaborated upon. The author left few stones unturned in his research. But what is more striking is his detachment from the subject matter, somehing that most Czech emigre scholars have rarely succeeded in achieving. Thus if one might find fault with the little attention he pays the Slovaks, at least he does not do so out of either indifference or deliberate slight. In fact, the topic does not call for an in-depth examination of Slovakia or the Slovaks; where they do play a role, the author presents the situation as directly as he does the rest of the subject. One has to remember that the foreign policy of Czechoslovakia, however deplorable, was always in the hands of the Czech elite, be it Benes in the First Republic or the Czech leadership of the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia after the Second World War. Kalvoda is not insensitive to the Slovaks, and in his preface he states that he '' never subscribed to the theory of one 'Czechoslovak' nation ... / nor had / taken the existance of the Slovak nation for granted" (p . vii). This is borne out in the study, particularly when he deals with the Slovak Republic and Benes' s attitude toward the Slovak nation during the Second World War. One might suggest, however, that the author could have examined the issue of the federalization of Czechoslovakia and its link to Soviet theory and practice on the nationality problem . Federalization was the only reform that survived the normalization policy after the invasion of August 1968. Czech-Slovak relations have played an important part in Communist Czechoslovakia , and the Soviet Union has not been kept entirely out of them. This should have been analyzed. It is a pity, as was stated above, that the author chose an inappro- 140 SLOVAKIA priate title and thereby missed some opportunities of examining other topics germane to the thrust of his study. Nevertheless, it is a wellwritten and well-documented analysis. Stanislav J. Kirschbaum Glendon College, York University Toronto, Canada SLOVAKIA 141 \ Doro·thea El Mallakh The Slovak Autonomy Movement, 1935-1939 Dorothea H. El Mallakh. THE SLOVAK AUTONOMY MOVEMENT, 1935-1939: A STUDY IN UNRELENTING NATIONALISM. "East European Monographs, No. LV." Boulder, Colorado: East European Quarterly, 1979. xvi, 260 pp. Distributed by Columbia University Press. In recent years we have seen the submission of several dissertations dealing with Slovak topics. Others are under preparation. This development is more than welcomed. The study of Slovakia has finally reached maturity and respectability in the Western scholarly community. It is no longer an appendix to the history of the Czechs - as much as we admired the serious and honest treatments by R.W. Seton-Watson and S. Harrison Thomson. Nor is it propagandistic pamphleteering by an assortment of enthusiasts and political refugees - even if we recognize their contributions to the popularization of Slovak annals. Now we are dealing with the fruits of archival research, some of which has been done in the best tradition of Occidental scholarship. In spite of its progress, however, Slovak historiography remains a part of the intellectual ghetto, the quarantine in which East European studies are kept in the United States. Snobbery and arrogance of "Big Nations Research" and of "Continental (i.e., West European) Topics" are a mirror of political realities. The small nations of Eastern Europe, captive in the clutches of major powers for most of their modem life, elicit little interest in the hearts and minds of a cohort of intellectual imperialists. Hence, the obscurity of Slovakia resembles the relative invisibility of other neighboring peoples. These factors are amplified by the shortsightedness and irresponsibility of some students of Slovak history. Partisan zeal and engaged scholarship color much of their writing and publication. In addition, some trained professionals and graduates of good schools continue to undermine the work of others. They preserve the aura of disrepute which cast much blame on historical writing about Slovakia for so long. To the old ills is now added a new one: the rush to publication. In spite of the severe conditions of the academic market, there is slight justification for publication of an unrevised dissertation. A good thesis does not necessarily make a book of quality. And some dissertations are less than good . Dr. El Mallakh studied under some of the best teachers of East 142 SLOVAKIA European history and submitted a competent dissertation. Her book left much to be desired, however. In her major thesis she advances the idea that unfulfilled, if just, national grievances by the Slovaks undermined the stability of the Czechoslovak Republic and assisted the Nazis in setting up the Slovak state. She argues that past historians, while discussing Czechoslovak and Slovak developments, usually "premissed on an anti-Nazi and anti-Fascist vantage point" (p. 11). This is not correct; arguments similar to El Mallakh's which recognized the pains of Slovak nationalism were advanced before she started to write her thesis. The title and topic of The Slovak Autonomy Movement, 1935-1939 are confusing, as the volume strives to encapsule the entire development of Slovak nationalism from the 19th century to the present. By renaming Hlinka's Slovak People's Party (HSPP) with the title of Slovak Autonomy Movement, El Mallakh made the "tudaks" (an expression not existing in the book) into the only bearers of Slovak nationalism. Consequently, she dwarfed the demands and complaints of the Slovak people into the simplistic political program of the single albeit strongest - party. Autonomy was the HSPP 's answer to two of the major problems the Slovak people faced in Czechoslovakia: the lack of recognition of their national individuality and Prague' s centralistic rule over the entire state. The doctrine of a single Czechoslovak nation, which El Mallakh barely mentioned and left unanalyzed, caused significant harm since it offended the mental and emotional consciousness of the Slovak people. El Mallakh apparently was not aware of the 19th-century Czech and Slovak roots of this doctrine. Jan Kollar, the great prophet of Czechoslovakism, appears nowhere in the book. Centralism constituted a serious problem also for day-to-day life during the First Republic. The author discussed this aspect, frequently with skill and erudition. Unfortunately , she failed to evaluate the reasons and long term effects of either Czechoslovakism or centralism on the state. Had she done so, she might perhaps have discovered that autonomy was not necessarily the most effective remedy for Slovakia's sores, but rather a shrewd political platform . As the author stated repeatedly , Slovakia overflowed with the mixed blessing of countless political parties. Some of them represented particular national-ethnic groups; others claizp.ed a territorial or professional character and aspired to speak for a variety of nationalities. Hlinka's People's Party and Razus's National Party were exclusively Slovak. Agrarians, Social Democrats, and Communists catered to a multi-national constituency. Of all the major parties represented in Slovakia and electing more than five members of parliament at any time, SLOVAKIA 143 probably only the Social\ Democrats stood on an uncompromised Czechoslovak and centralistic platform. The eminently pragmatic Agrarians, although centralistically minded, were willing to compromise - as Milan Hodza later demonstrated. Many a Slovak Agrarian was as nationalistically inspired as any member of the HSPP. The Communists took a stand no less radical than the ":Cudaks." At times, the Communists would outdo Hlinka' s partisans in extremist antiPrague rhetoric. Singling out of one party at the expense of the others slants reality. If El Mallakh felt that the HSPP deserved preferential treatment, she fell short of explaining the obvious popular support it commanded. In her recurring habit, she relied too much on one of the two relevant books of Juraj Kramer without elaborating the issue in depth. There still exists a need for a basic social and sociological study of the HSPP, its territorial basis, and its economic and psychological background. Similarly, the exceptional role of the clergy in Slovakia's history was often noticed but without taking a closer look into the phenomenon. (El Mallakh does not seem to know that Martin Razus was a Protestant pastor, besides having been a poet and writer.) She should also have explained the fluctuating vote of support for the HSPP. The author provided many new details and insights in her description of the HSPP political development but was not courageous enough to venture outside her closely set perimeter. The study obscured so many issues that one wonders whether it was due to a deficiency in information or by purpose. While dealing with the 1933 Nitra festivities, for instance, the writer omitted the ":Cudak" cooperation with the Czech Fascists. The Nitra manifesto of these festivities, part of which is reprinted in the book (p. 60), was a common proclamation of the Czech and Slovak non-governmental right. She is also silent about the participation of French, Italian, and other Fascists in the 1936 conference of the HSPP. The close relations of the Sidor faction with Polish authorities was dealt with in a spotty fashion. The anti-Semitic outrages, the so-called Golemiada of fall 1937, were innocently introduced as "student agitation" (p. 84). There are many more examples of this kind. One of the reasons for the narrow treatment of a fascinating topic was the limited sources of her research. El Mallakh is very proud of the original documents she was provided with by the Prague archives. Her excitement is exaggerated. Several recent dissertations were prepared from Czechoslovak and Slovak, central and regional, archives. In fact, even this reviewer (horrible dictu/) was given access to Slovak archives in 1968 and supplied with mircofilmed documents . The use of archival 144 SLOVAKIA material does not liberate one from the inspection of other primary and secondary sources. Of the primary sources available in the United States, she is missing the Czechoslovak parliamentary procedures, journals like Slovak and Katolicke noviny, several weeklies, quarterlies, and other periodicals. Above all, a reliance on one sort of documentation, much of which originated in police and government offices, must limit its reliability. Regretably, El Mallakh was unwilling to undertake even a partial correction of her dissertation, or to increase her familiarity with Slovak matters through secondary sources . In spite of the late publication of the volume (in 1979, while the dissertation was submitted in 1972) , the bibliography lists nothing printed after 1971. The seventies have seen many new works appear on this subject in the West and in the East. The same series of monographs, which included El Mallakh 's book, carried earlier at least two other relevant publications. If the author was reluctant to update the manuscript, why did she not use the studies of others while preparing the original dissertation? Where are works by Derer, Hoensch, Lipscher, Sidor, Mamatey & Luza, to give but a few? I also have some doubts about the author's comprehension of Czech and Slovak language documents. The text recalls unknown localities such as "Spisske Kapitul" (p. 21; it should be Spisska Kapitula) or " Dolny Vestenic" (p. 84; it should be Dolne Vestenice). An eagle in Slovak is ' 'orol' ' while El Mallakh repeatedly used the Czech term ' ' orel. '' The name of a leading HSPP journal was given as Slovenskej Pravdy (p . 76 ; it should be Slovenska pravda). Spelling mistakes of names and locations were also noticed elsewhere . The book has twenty-two useful appendices . While mostly reprints from otherwise obtainable sources (many are from Macartney), they nonetheless provide a handy collection. Some of the appendices are of marginal importance for the volume , such as the list of Slovak state cabinet members and details on the federalization of Czechoslovakia. El Mallakh dealt with an important topic using heretofore unseen documents. Coming from a neutral and uncommited ethnic background, she has made a significant effort to present a balanced study. Unfortunately, she was not steeped enough in Slovakia's history and affairs, in social life , and in political culture , and therefore numerous issues and details eluded her. Her decisiqn to write a strictly political description based on narrowly defined sou\-ces resulted in a simplistic treatment of a complex topic . Yeshayahu Jelinek Ben-Gurion University of the Negev Beersheba, Israel SLOVAKIA 145 Anthpny X. Sutherland Dr. Jozef Tiso and Modern Slovakia Anthony X. Sutherland. DR. JOZEF TISO AND MODERN SLOVAKIA. Cleveland, Ohio: First Catholic Slovak Union, 1978. xii, 141 pp. Using Slovak, Czech, German, and English language sources, Dr. Sutherland presents a balanced and scholarly account of the life, career, accomplishments, and failures of the only president of the Slovak Republic. The author does not have anti-Czech, anti-Protestant, or antiCatholic biases, is neither a Slovak nationalist nor a "Czechoslovak," and approaches the subject matter with the detachment of an impartial observer and a non-involved historian. Needless to say, one cannot do justice to "Slovak Political Tradition " in fifteen pages of printed material; yet Sutherland gives the most essential data on the Great Moravian Empire, its collapse, and the centuries-long life of the Slovaks under Magyar rule. In the nineteenth century two traditions emerged among the educated Slovaks: one represented by Jan Kollar and P . J. Safarik, and the other by Cudovit Stur. The former favored closer cooperation with the Czechs; the latter emphasized a distinct Slovak national identity. However, all the Slovak leaders realized that the struggle for survival of the small nation had to be led on all fronts, including the cultural, economic, and political. In Andrej Hlinka the Slovaks had an articulate political leader who fought for justice for his nation both before and after World War I. The brevity of the first chapter may be responsible for some errors, such as on pp. 18 and 19. In 1916 in Paris the Czech National Council was formed by the two Deputies in the Vienna parliament, T.G. Masaryk and Josef Duerich, with Dr. Edvard Benes as its secretary. Milan R. Stefanik was a co-opted member of the council. On the insistence of American Slovaks the name of the organization was changed to Czecho-Slovak National Council. The Kiev Memorandum was not signed by ''Russian Slovaks and Czecho-Slovak Legionnaires '' but by the representatives of the Alliance of the Czecho-Slovak Associations in Russia, Gustav Kosik for the Slovak League of America, and Stefanik and Duerich for the Paris-based council. These minor inaccuracies, however, do not subtract from the overall value of the book. The author makes it clear that Hlinka was loyal to the Republic established in 1918 and that he objected merely to its anti-Catholic poli- 146 SLOVAKIA cies , the denial of the promised autonomy for the Slovaks, and the behavior of some Czechs in Slovakia. Likewise Dr. Jozef Tiso, with reservations similar to Hlinka's, supported the First Republic until its collapse in October of 1938. In September of 1938 President Benes refused to fight for the territorial integrity of the state , and in March of 1939 the rump Second Republic could not be defended. It would seem that if Benes could give up strategic parts of the state without the consent of parliament and in violation of the Constitution, then no one from his camp should blame Tiso for yielding to pressures in March of 1939 and choosing Slovak independence instead of letting Slovakia be occupied either by Hungary or Germany. Sutherland pictures Tiso as a moderate Slovak patriot whose ideology was a mixture of organic nationalism and Christian socialism. It comes through, however, that despite his ideological-tinged rhetorics in practical politics, Tiso was a pragmatist who made concessions, compromises, and mistakes. It was he who convinced Hlinka in 1935 that the Slovak People's Party should help to elect Benes as president of the state. As it happened, in conversations with Stalin in December of 1943 - long before the Slovak uprising in Banska Bystrica - Benes included Tiso among the Slovaks whom he selected for execution after the war. Ideologist or pragmatist, Tiso, as his nation, was caught in a whirl of events which he could not control. Indeed, a small nation cannot always be the master of its own destiny, as the nations of East Central Europe have learned the hard way. Sutherland's book has accomplished its purpose. It is well-written, concise, brief, well-documented, and easy to read. It has enriched the historiography on Slovakia in English and has made a positive contribution to both scholarship and to our understanding of the short-lived Slovak Republic and its only president. Both students of Central European affairs and interested general readers will benefit greatly by reading it. Josef Kalvoda Saint Joseph College ~est Hartford, Connecticut \ SLOVAKIA 147 \ Yeshayahu Jelinek The Parish Republic Yeshayahu Jelinek. THE PARISH REPUBUC: HUNKA 'S SLOVAK PEOPLE'S PARTY 1939-1945. "East European Monographs, No. XIV ." Boulder, Colorado: East European Quarterly, 1976. viii, 206 pp. Distributed by Columbia University Press. Professor Yeshayahu Jelinek's The Parish Republic: Hlinka's Slovak People's Party is a revision of a dissertation on the politics and philosophy of Hlinka's Slovak People's Party, 1939 to 1945, submitted at Indiana University. It is one of the first scholarly studies in English of the period in Slovak history from 1939 to 1945 written by someone not directly involved in the history of the Slovak state. In this book Jelinek examines in detail the internal history of Hlinka's Slovak People's Party, its factions, ideology, and history. By dealing with each of the party' s groups - the clericals, "N astupists," Sidorites, and Hlinka guards, he provides us with an excellent picture of the political background of the Slovak state. Also treated in detail is Populist ideology as it affected all aspects of Slovak life: religion, nationalism , government, and economics. However, if one expects to find a comprehensive history of the Slovak state or detailed biographical information on any of its leading figures, one will be somewhat disappointed . Jelinek 's book is essentially a study of Hlinka's Slovak People 's Party, so the selection of the title, The Parish Republic , is a bit misleading. Although there is much information on the internal politics of the Populists , there is little on such topics as the Slovak Resistance Movement and the Slovak National Uprising (whose importance Jelinek greatly overemphasizes) and a disappointing, unsystematic account of the Jewish question. In addition to making occasional exaggerations , Jelinek commits a grave error in frequently maintaining that the Slovak state received little popular support . Such generalizations regarding acceptance or rejection of the Slovak state by the people are difficult to document and almost impossible to prove . In his account on " I.:udak" ideology Jelinek frequently uses the term " clerical fascism, " but nowhere does he offer a suitable definition of clerical fascism , or at least what he understands by it. At the end of the book one is left with a confusing picture as to exactly what type of 148 SLOVAKIA state Jelinek thought the Slovak Republic was - whether it was truly fascist or simply an authoritarian state with fascist trappings. The work would have been improved if Jelinek had compared Hlinka's Slovak People's Party with other rightist parties of the period: Rexists, Action Francaise, the Iron Guard, and others. The book is superbly documented, though one may argue that Jelinek relied too heavily on Czechoslovak Communist historians, whose interpretations are predictable, and on German documents. In summary, the book is a good, though somewhat confusing, account of Hlinka's Slovak People 's Party, its history, and ideology. Despite Jelinek's occasional exaggerations and general negative attitude toward the Populists, the book should be read, though with caution, by anyone searching for a better understanding of Hlinka 's Slovak People 's Party during one of the most controversial periods of Slovak history. Anthony X. Sutherland Stoney Point, New York SLOVAKIA 149 Andrea Rebichini Chiesa, societ,p e stato in Cecoslovachia Andrea Rebichini. CHIESA, SOCIETA E STATO IN CECOSLOVACHIA, II: 1968-1978. Padova: DESEO-Liviana, 1979. 86 pp. In his two-volume book on the Church, society, and state in Czechoslovakia, Andrea Rebichini describes the religious situation of that country during the period of the last three decades. The first volume , published in 1977, covers the period from 1948 to 1968, and the present volume treats the period from 1968 to 1978. During this relatively short span of years, Czechoslovakia went through many turbulent events which left deep scars on its people. In 1948 there was a ruthless take-over by the Communists ; then, in the late sixties, the liberalization of the Communist rule symbolized by Alexander Dubcek; in August 1968 the brutal occupation of the country by Soviet troops, followed by the so-called "normalization," i.e., by the return to the old Stalinist methods of suppression and tyranny. The vicissitudes of Czechoslovakia have attracted the attention of many scholars, writers of political history, and various reporters . Rebichini is mostly interested in the religious situation in Czechoslovakia during these three decades. He is familiar with the vast literature on postwar Czechoslovakia and has succeeded in putting the Church-State problems of that country into the larger framework of the whole political spectrum of Eastern Europe, dominated by the Soviet Union. In the volume under review, Rebichini uses mostly documentary material coming from Czechoslovakia and translated into Italian by CESEO (Centro Studi Europa Orientale), published monthly in Bologna. Since these documents speak for themselves, Kebichini does not give long analyses or commentaries on them. Clarity, objectivity, and succinctness are the main values of Rebichini' s book. At the beginning of the second volume the author gives the most characteristic aspects of the Dubcek liberalization of the Communist regime in Czechoslovakia. The Catholic Church, as well as other denominations, grasped at this opportunity and quickly developed a feverish activity to free themselves from the shackles of the previous twenty years. For the Catholics, until then cutoff from the Church at large , it meant an attempt to catch up with the reform movement of the Vatican Council and the new theological trends in the post-conciliar 150 SLOVAKIA Church. Bishops, priests, religious, and lay people took up this task in Czechoslovakia. Not even the Soviet occupation could immediately stop this endeavor. According to Rebichini, the turning point in the religious situation in Czechoslovakia was the restoration of the organization of priests collaborating with the neo-Stalinist regime of Gustav Husak. During the Dubcek era the former pro-government organization of the Peace Movement of the Catholic Clergy totally collapsed. Toward the end of 1971 it was resurrected under the name of the Federation of the Catholic Clergy - ''Pacem in Terris.' ' Under the guidance and with the support of the new regime, this organization quickly resumed the role of the previous Peace Movement and gradually took control of the Church organization in Czechoslovakia. It seems that because of the growing influence of this organization, most of the Holy See's recent efforts to alleviate the difficult situation of the Catholic Church in Czechoslovakia are being frustrated. In 1975 the Czechoslovak government signed the Helsinki Agreement, thereby .affirming its commitment to human rights, including the freedom of religion. But nothing changed in the course of repression and persecution of those citizens who tried to follow this prerogative of freedom in the religious field. Still, there was a group of brave intellectuals, most of them in the Czech lands, who publicly demanded from the government that it adhere to its commitments to the free exercise of human rights, including the right of free religious expression. The promoters of human rights in Czechoslovakia are working under the name "Charter 77." The Communist regime in Czechoslovakia immediately began a frantic campaign against the signers of "Charter 77" by organizing public protests and collecting signatures against them. Interestingly , almost incredibly, the Church hierarchy, now infiltrated by members of the "Pacem in Terris" and probably under very crude pressure from the government, joined the protest campaign against the signers of "Charter 77. " This, according to Rebichini, is an ominous sign of how terribly the Church of Czechoslovakia is presently enslaved by the Communist regime. Rebichini concludes his treatise on the religious situation in Czechoslovakia with the election of John Paul II as Pope - the first Slavic Pope, the first Pope from behind the ''Iron Curtain.'' He ex: presses the hope that this act of Divine Providence may deeply affect the Church in the satellite countries of Eastern Europe. TeQ_dorik J. Zubek, O.F.M. . Easton, Pennsylvania SLOVAKIA 151 Vsevlad J. Gajdos Frantiskani v slovenskej literature and Teodorik J. Zubek Slovenski frantiskani v Amerike Vsevlad J. Gajdos. FRANTISKANI V SLOVENSKEJ UTERAT0RE and Teodorik J. Zubek, SLOVENSKl FRANTISKANI V AMERIKE. Cleveland, Ohio: First Catholic Slovak Union, 1979. 252 pp. This study provides the specialist interested in Slovak culture, civilization, and religious history with a lot of information on Franciscans of Slovak extraction. It covers the period from the seventeenth century to the present. In the first section, Vsevlad J. Gajdos included a brief survey of Franciscan history and activities in Slovakia. He also commented concisely on Slovak ethnic consciousness among Franciscans in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries . Then he described the major struggle of these Franciscans to insure their ethnic distinctiveness and the survival of their religious order. Virtually all the facts presented by Gajdos on this matter appear together for the first time and in a publication outside of Czechoslovakia. These points of information had previously been scattered among various journals published over a long period of time and primarily authored by Gajdos . After the delineation of Franciscan history, activities, and ethnic struggle follow the biographies and bibliographies of one hundred twenty-five Franciscans. In a number of instances, Gajdos has corrected various biographical errors on some of these Franciscans . A number of significant contributions by some of them have also been saved from oblivion or obscurity. For instance, the four large volumes of sermons by Bajan as well as a number of his musical compositions are preserved here . The role of Teodul Zelenic in the Bemolak polemic, Anti-Fandly, is also well-presented. Even the probable identity of the pseudonymous researcher , S. M. Zilinsky, is substantively argued. Among the various Slovak Franciscans covered are authors of literary works, writers of devotional books , sermons, and retreat exhortations; authors of philosophical and theological treatises, textbooks, and polemical writings; and composers of numerous musical compositions . 152 SLOVAKIA · Abrahamffy, Pascha, Bajan, Gavlovic, Simko, Smrtnik, Gazda, Roskovsky, Marmankovic, and Presl readily stand out, but also and especially Celestin Lepacek and Gajdos himself. For, like Gajdo§, Lepacek has also written biographies and works on a number of Slovak Franciscans; his research on Gavlovic's writings would alone guarantee his place in the history of Slovak scholarship. With Lepacek's and his own research, Gajdos has been able to enhance substantially the quality of the biographies and bibliographies. Gajdo§ has concluded his section of this study with concise descriptions of Franciscan publications in Slovakia and some further bibliographical material from Rizner and his own years of research. The American section of the study was authored by Teodorik Zubek and has the same format as that portion written by Gajdos. There is first a survey of Slovak Franciscan history and activities in America, followed by the biographies and bibliographies of twelve prominent Slovak Franciscans who either emigrated to or were born in the United States. Especially noteworthy among this material is the bibliography of the poet Rudolf Dilong; the reference for the unfortunately brief article by Bartolomej Koltner on the Slovak dictionary of 1648; and the reference for Zubek's dissertation done in Slovakia, "Zasahy Jozefa II do zivota slovenskych franti§kanov." The latter appeared as a long article under the title, ''Zasahy osvietenstva do §tudia uhorskych frantiskanov" in Sbornik spolku Zahorskych akademikov so sidlom v Malackach, 1932-1942, II, Trnava; a copy of this work can be found in the library of the University of California, Los Angeles. A number of typographical errors could readily be corrected in a reprinting of this book. The bibliography of Gavlovic is not complete; but, in his research, Lepacek has given as complete a list as is presently possible. In the Gavlovic bibliography there are also a number of minor errors with regard to the number of pages in certain works. In the numerous bibliographical references, there may also be some points in error that will come to light as scholars are able to study personally the various materials listed in the book. On the whole, though, this study is a fairly comprehensive presentation of Slovak Franciscan writings and musical compositions. Gajdos and Zubek have provided the Slovak specialist with another primary reference work tha,,t complements those of Rizner, Misianik, and Ormis. Perhaps, somedat, an E11tglish version of this study will be published for the sake of a larg'er scholarly audience. GeraldJ. Sabo, S.J. John Carroll University Cleve/,and, Ohio SLOVAKIA 153 \ Frantisek Bielik & Elo Rakos, comps. Slovenske vystahovalectvo. Dokumenty: I, II, Ill SLOVENS/a VYS'l'AHOVALECTVO. DOKUMENTY I: DO ROKU 1918. Compiled by Franti§ek Bielik and Elo Rako§. Bratislava: Vydavatefstvo Slovenskej adademie vied, 1969. 404 pp. ; DOKUMENTY II; 1919-1939. Bielik and Rako§. Martin: Matica slovenska, 1975. 349 pp.; DOKUMENTY ill: KORESPONDENCIA Z ROKOV 1893-1939. Bielik. Martin: Matica slovenska, 1976. 314 pp. Students of Slovak immigration history will welcome the publication of Slovenske vyst'ahovalectvo . These three volumes , devoted to the migration of Slovaks from their homeland, reproduce 380 documents deposited in various depositories in Czechoslovakia, Hungary, and Austria. This collection gives scholars living outside of these countries access to materials otherwise not readily available to them. One of the compilers' aim is to depict the underlying social, political, and economic factors that spurred Slovak emigration in the years from roughly 1879 to 1939 (Vol. I, pp. 5, 6; Vol II, p . 5). The selection of documents also places Slovak emigration within the broader context of the history of Austria-Hungary and Czechoslovakia. Thus, the compilers include documents that demonstrate the impact of Slovak emigration on these homeland countries. In addition, the collection contains documents concerning Slovak immigrant life. Some of these items are official reports; others were generated by Slovak immigrants living in various countries, primarily the United States. Although the documents touch upon a myriad of subjects, the unifying theme of the three volumes is clear: emigration is an important aspect of the history of the Slovak people. Volume I focuses on Slovak emigration from 1879 to 1918 and deals primarily with the causes and consequences of that movement. This volume contains newspaper descriptions of contemporary conditions in Hungary that stimulated emigration. It includes a large number of official and local reports which analyze the causes of emigration, especially from particular regions in northern Hungary. The reports describe attempts by Hungarian officials to stop Slovak emigration. They also reveal a concern over the growing nationalism among Slovak immigrants in the United States. Because of the preponderance of official reports, 154 SLOVAKIA nearly all of the documents in this volume are in Hungarian; only twenty of the 144 items are in Slovak. The second volume covers Slovak emigration from 1919 to 1939. Slightly over two-thirds of its 114 documents are in Slovak, and the remaining are in Czech. Because the compilers try to present materials that describe the underlying causes of Slovak emigration , Volume Il provides information for scholars interested in studying Czechoslovakia between the two World Wars. For example, there are materials outlining the labor, industrial, and economic problems that plagued Czechoslovakia during the postwar years. Unemployment and unfavorable economic conditions encouraged emigration; but, since entry into the United States was restricted, Slovaks turned to other countries . Occasionally the Czechoslovak government tried to stop this exodus . However , the documents provide evidence that the government also saw emigration, and the temporary migration of laborers to nearby European countries , as a means to alleviate some of the country's economic and unemployment problems. In addition, official reports describe the conditions of Slovak immigrants in various countries including: Argentina, Australia, Canada, France , Germany, Mexico , Uruguay, the United States, and others . Volume ill reproduces 122 documents for the period 1893 to 1939. This collection is actually a supplement to the first two volumes and includes more materials written by Slovak immigrants. In fact, almost all of the documents were penned by Slovaks living in the United States. These items addres.s a wide variety of topics ranging from descriptions of Slovak nationalist activities in America to mere notes requesting that European Slovaks write articles for fraternal publications. The documents describe the various activities of American Slovak organizations during World War I and reveal their continued interest in Czechoslovakia after the war. Bielik and Rakos have complied a valuable collection of documents . These documents are useful both to students of Slovak immigration and to scholars interested in the social, economic, and political history of Hungary and Czechoslovakia. Thus , the volumes have a use that extends beyond the study of Slovak immigration . The compilers have designed these volures for scholars. A complete bibliographic citation accompanies each docUtnent. Bielik and Rakos also provide editorial assistance by expfaining unfamiliar references mentioned in the documents . The compilers adopted a chronological format , but some researchers might prefer that they had chosen to categorize the documents topically. A topical approach would have SLOVAKIA \ 155 lessened the need to plod through the volumes for specific types of documents. However, the compilers do include brief descriptions of every entry in each Table of Contents that facilitate the task of finding desired types of documents. There is no cumulative index, but the indexes included in each volume are useful for locating people, places, and organizations cited in the documents. However, one wishes the compilers had consistently listed persons' first names in the indices and had made more of an effort to provide subject entries. The compilers introduce each document with a brief Slovak and English precis. These precis are helpful but, as is usually the case with annotated descriptions, they do not reveal the variety of information contained within the documents. In general, the Slovak precis are more complete than the English versions. In addition, the English translations are generally dismal. Besides containing numerous grammatical and spelling errors, the English versions often are imprecise and misleading. Similar types of errors can be found in the footnotes. For example, readers will look in vain for a work cited as authored by "Louis Grune Bald" (Vol. I, p. 25). The proper citation should be "Emily Greene Balch." Balch is again slighted in the bibliography at the end of Volume ill where she is listed as "E. Green Bolek" (p. 278). Moreover, Bielik should have described the bibliography as listing '' selected '' works because it is incomplete. It is also dated. With the exception of a few articles printed in fraternal publications, the list does not include works on Slovak immigration published in the United States; nor is it complete for those published in Europe. The deficiencies evident in the bibliography may well be indicative of other shortcomings of these volumes. The compilers explain that while there are numerous documents in Europe archives pertaining to Slovak emigration, they have chosen the " most typical" (Vol. I, p. 6). Yet, although Volume ill includes 122 documents written primarily by Slovak immigrants, there is not a single letter or publication by Father Stefan Furdek. In fact, although the compilers make references to the First Catholic Slovak Union and note it as founded by Furdek, they fail to mention that he was a priest (Vol. I, p. 152). And, with but few exceptions, there is little reference to Slovak clergymen or their writings. Moreover, lengthy surveys of Slovak immigration which introduce Volumes I and ill discuss Slovak immigrant organizations, but there is no analysis of immigrant churches. Thus, this reviewer wonders if the items reproduced are perhaps the ''most typical'' of a select group of documents that ignore subjects such as religion that may be controversial or unpopular in present-day Czechoslovakia . Finally , one may wish to qualify Bielik 's claims regarding docu- 156 SLOVAKIA ments in Volume ill. According to Bielik, the correspondence in this volume describes the "daily struggle for social justice" and "work" of Slovaks living in foreign lands (p. 6). However, most of the letters reproduced were written by prominent Slovak immigrants usually active in the various national organizations. As a result, the correspondence typically describes the life of Slovak immigrants as seen through the eyes of these more prominent men, not as it was experienced by ordinary laborers toiling in American mines and factories and living in tenements or company housing. Moreover, the correspondence offers little insight into the life of Slovak immigrant women. Despite their shortcomings, the three volumes which comprise Slovenske vyst'ahovalectvo offer a valuable collection of documents. No student of immigration history can be unhappy when documents maintained in European archives are published and made available for research. But researchers can be unhappy with the possibility that the criteria for selecting documents reflect the biases of the compilers and their government instead of a concern for balanced historical scholarship. June Granatir Alexander Cincinnati, Ohio SLOVAKIA 157 \Jasil S. Kohan The Sorrows of Marienka Vasil S. Kohan THE SORROWS OF MARIENKA . Middletown, Pennsylvania: EMPAC!, 1979. 201 pp. Too often the Slovak immigrant woman has been depicted as either the long-suffering heroine - bearing children and losing them, making do with the barest of material comforts, and contending with a husband who spends ample time at the krtma (saloon) - or else she is the punitive, angry eminence in the home, doing her duty, saying her rosaries but making everyone suffer for her sacrifices. In Vasil Koban's The Sorrows of Marienka we see another kind of Slovak woman, one that modern women can identify with as well as stare matky (grandmothers) can admire. Indeed, any woman that can march into a Slovak krtma in search of her errant husband, set the place on fire, and never utter a word of apology could earn a place in any feminist Hall of Fame. We follow Marienka from a wedding in Slovakia she did not seek through the death of her husband, who is killed while pulling out the pillars of coal in a depleted mine, one of the most dangerous jobs. Along the way, we find her to be alternately strong and tender, pure and lusty, humorous and sad, tom by doubts and quite sure of herself. In other words, a whole person - no idealized portrait is painted by Kohan, in his first, and let's hope, not last novel. What pleased and excited me about this book was its raw power, its insights into our people , its clear-eyed view of what lives the Slovak immigrants lived on both sides of the Atlantic. A wife backs up her husband 's lie that a wolf bit him when it was only a testy sow; a mother-in-law despises the woman who takes her precious son from her; a wife jumps into a coal car to show her husband how quickly it can be unloaded; Slovaks swindle an unsuspecting and ill Slovak out of a week's pay, posing as mine representatives; still another Slovak absconds with the seven thousand dollars that was to start a new church; a young son, put in the cloakroom as a punishment, eats all the lunches - these are some poignant moments in the Kohan book. Real people, real circumstances where the spirit triumphs in the crucible of daily living. 158 SLOVAKIA A taste of Koban's lovely, native style: "It didn't snow that night. Instead, it turned warmer. The clouds that had threatened snow produced a thin drizzle. The men hunched their shoulders as they left and bent their heads down. In the dull light Marienka watched them walk down the street, the rain making beads on the shoulders of their wool jackets, little drops without brilliance that began forming dark streaks down the cloth. ''By the time the boys left for school the rain had dwindled to a fine mist that melted downward from the close-hanging, yellowish clouds. The curious light made everything look hollow, the same way it did sometimes at dusk when the sun shone from behind the mountains. "Marienka watched the boys saunter down the street, swinging their lunches. She wondered if she ought to chance it, going to church with the babies. It was the day of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Temple . She had planned to go to church and light a candle. " She put her hand to her hair, pushing it back from her forehead, and her fingers brushed against the ribbon she 'd bound in her braids yesterday. " It brought to mind Ivan 's eyes as he had watched her last night. No matter what else had changed, they were the same as they had been twelve years ago in Kamienka - dark, curious, and full of lustre. All at once the memory of that day was close around her. She could almost smell the hot wax from the candles and the sweet , stifling odor of incense. She remembered the hot darkness of the church , and the smell of the priest's robes - a little musty, smelling of old things." As second, third, and fourth-generation Slovaks pursue the American dream , buying their four-bedroom houses , gaining their college degrees , wearing shirts and ties , and learning which fork to use , I would caution them to pause for a moment and look back. Look back, if they can, to see if they know anything about what their forebears experienced . For I think that the dacron polyester world that we so eagerly court, the fleeting values and the soft life, this ravenous hunger we have to be middle-class Americans is sadly misplaced. We have pushed aside the Marienkas of our families , we have not taken the time both to listen to them and to record what they have to say . When a dozen Vasil Kobans rise up - nqt professional writers, but people with a love , respect , and yet a disciplined and discriminating eye turned toward their parents and grandparents - and all of us can fe ast on the books they produce , then I, for one , will be less critical SLOVAKIA 159 of the headlong quest for Eissimilation, acceptance, and sameness that haunts ethnic groups, ours certainly included. We Slovaks do not have a body of literature about the immigrant experience. We need it more than we need a legion of accountants and computer programmers; we need it if we are to regain our very souls. Paul Wilkes New York City, New York 160 SLOVAKIA Megles, Stolarik & Tybor Slovak Americans and Their Communities of Cleveland Susi Megles, Mark Stolarik, and Martina Tybor. SLOVAK AMERICANS AND THEIR, COMMUNITIES OF CLEVELAND. Edited by Karl Bonutti. With an Introduction by Michael Novak. "Ethnic Heritage Studies Monograph Series." Cleveland, Ohio: Cleveland State University, 1978. 217 pp. The Cleveland, Ohio area is one of the oldest, largest, and most important centers of Slovaks in America. As is unfortunately the case with other major Slovak-American communities, the Cleveland Slovaks have not received much scholarly attention. The only monograph solely devoted to them is Jan Pankuch's Dejiny Clevelandskych a Lakewoodskych Slovcikov, which was published in 1930 and is now outdated. And although Josef Barton's Peasants and Strangers: Italians, Rumanians and Slovaks in an American City, 1890-1950, published in 1975, does analyze the social history of Cleveland's Slovaks in comparison with other ethnic groups, the book does not provide an overall and up-to-date review of the Cleveland Slovak communities. Given the fact that the volume under review was produced under the auspices of the Ethnic Heritage Studies Program of Cleveland State University and with partial support from the U.S. Office of Education, Department of Education, Health, and Welfare, one might have expected a fresh, comprehensive, in-depth study of Cleveland's Slovaks. Regrettably, this is not the case. Neither the book's title, nor editor Karl Bonutti's preface, nor Michael Novak's introduction, nor even the "summary" provides the reader with a clear idea of the purpose of the book. What we are offered here is a melange of ''essays'' of varying quality covering a wide range of topics relating to Slovaks in Europe, the United States, and Cleveland. The work is divided into four main parts consisting of twenty-six chapters - "Old World Origins"; "New World Beginnings"; "Organizations and Contributions of Slovak-Americans"; and "The Slovak Community of Cleveland'' - and ten appendices (none of which is referred to in the text). Curiously, the authors of the component parts are not identified. This might not have been possible, for one gets the impression from the inexplicable changes of s~le within individual sec- SLOVAKIA 161 tions that the work of one author was at times pieced together with that of another. Although a certain amount of unevenness is to be expected in a multi-authored publication, careful editing can often alleviate this problem. Evidence of such editorial control is slight. Constant repetition and overlapping, internal contradictions, the excessive number and short length of chapters , and generally poor organization mar the text. Especially disturbing is the mishandling of Slovak words . Diacritical marks are sometimes omitted; christian names are rendered indiscriminately in either Slovak or English; and clumsy phonetic approximations in English are provided for many but not all Slovak terms . Whoever wrote the section on the history of the Slovaks in the Old World does not seem to be very well acquainted with Slovak or European history. "Austria-Hungary" is more than once referred to as having existed before 1867; the Thirty Years' War is placed in the eighteenth century; and ' 'expressions of / Slovak / national consciousness" are claimed to have been present "quite early in the 17th century" (p. 24). The significance of Protestantism and of the Czech language for the Slovaks is almost totally ignored; Kollar,Safarik, and Stur are not identified as Lutherans, nor is it revealed that they wrote in Czech. Old-fashioned filiopietism rears its head in the section on Slovak immigrants - four pages are devoted to the mysterious '' Slovak Revolutionary War hero," Major Polerecky, who was born in France and whose connections with Slovaks and Slovak consciousness were extremely tenuous, if they existed at all. The section on Cleveland's Slovaks, although perhaps the best contribution, is also disappointing. Too much material relating to Slovak-Americans in general is included, as well as mundane personal reminiscences of one author; and there is scanty treatment of the Cleveland Slovak communities beyond World War II. One wonders why this book was published. In attempting to cover so many topics it in fact does not do justice to even one. Although the book contains a wealth of factual information, most of it can be found better presented in existing works. And the lack of footnotes and a bibliography considerably reduces its value. We have reached the stage where there are competent scholars capable of interpreting the Slovak-American experience and opportunities to make the results of their research available to the American public. In light of this fact, there should be no excuse for such an inferior publication as Slovak Americans and Their Communities of Cleveland. ThomasD. Marzik (Mrazik) Saint Joseph 's University Philadelphia, Pennsylvania SLOVAKIA 163 \ Contributors SONYA JASON is a writer who lives and works in California . She is a second-generation Slovak-American from Pennsylvania. OWEN V. JOHNSON, Assistant Professor of Journalism at Indiana University, completed his graduate work at the University of Michigan. He is an expert on interwar Slovakia and has written numerous articles on this subject. STANISLA V J. KIRSCH BA UM is Associate Professor of Political Science at Glendon College, York University. A graduate of the Universities of Ottawa, Toronto, and the Sorbonne, he has published widely in the history and politics of Czechoslovakia in modern times (1939-1980). VASIL S. KOBAN is a writer living and working in Florida . He hails from a Slovak-Rusyn family that settled in Pennsylvania. PAUL R. MAGOCSI, a graduate of Princeton University, holds the Chair of Ukrainian Studies at the University of Toronto. He is the world's leading authority on the Rusyns and has written the most authoritative books and articles on this ethnic group. HOW ARD F. STEIN, Associate Professor of Medical-Psychiatric Anthropology at the University of Oklahoma, received his Ph .D. from the University of Pittsburgh in 1972 . He has written a large number of books and articles on Slovaks and other ethnic groups in the United States. SLOVAKIA 165 Guidelines for Manuscripts Manuscripts of articles for possible publication should be sent to the managing editor. Articles should normally not exceed twenty-five pages in length, and should be submitted in triplicate , typed doublespaced, with generous margins for copyediting. Footnotes should also be typed double-spaced, numbered, and placed at the end of the paper. Text and format should adhere to the style outlined in Kate Turabian's A Manual for Writers . Proper orthography and diacritical marks must be supplied for all foreign words. Manuscripts will not be returned unless specifically requested and postage is provided. Books for review are to be sent to the managing editor. Unsolicited book reviews are not encouraged. Individuals who wish to review books should request them from the managing editor. They should send a curriculum vitae with their request. When writing their reviews they should try to answer the following questions: What was the author's purpose in writing this book? What was the theme? What methods did the author use? What did he (she) conclude? This can then be followed by criticism and observations. Normally the reviews should not exceed three double-spaced, typewritten pages. All bibliographic information (author, full title, publisher, place of publication, price, and number of pages) should be provided by the reviewer. Printed By JEDNOTA PRINTERY Middletown, Pennsylvania 17057 U.S.A. EDWARD J. BEHUNCIK, ESQ. President JOHN A. HOLY Secretary-Treasurer THE SLOVAK LEAGUE Of AMERICA Organized in 1907 at Cleveland, Ohio JOSEPH J. TALAFOUS, ESQ. Vice Presidents DANIEL F. TANZONE ANNE Z. SAROSY Executive Committee: Edward J. Behuncik, John A. Holy, Andrew F. Hudak, Jr., George N. Kantor Michael J. Krajsa, Louise M. Yash, Cecelia Sarocky, Joseph R. Kristofik, George J. Kostelnik Joseph Stefka, Stephen J. Kavulich Slovak League of America Ladies' Auxiliary Anna M. Vizza, President Regional Vice-Presidents: George Lupjan - New York, New Jersey, New England States John Herman - Eastern Pennsylvania John Gastan - Western Pennsylvania Joseph Ondis - Ohio David Zelenak - Michigan Ivan Kralik - Illinois, Indiana Bernadine Wandke - Wisconsin, Western States John Hvasta - Washington, D.C., Southern States Stanislav Duris Auditors: Anna Blahusiak Joseph Valencik SLOVAK FRATERNAL ORGANIZATIONS (Affiliated with the Slovak League of America) THE FIRST CATHOLIC SLOVAK UNION OF THE U.S. AND CANADA Cleveland, Ohio - Membership 102,000 THE FIRST CATHOLIC SLOVAK LADIES ASSOCIATION Cleveland, Ohio - Membership 100,000 THE SLOVAK CATHOLIC SOKOL Passaic, N.J. - Membership 50,000 THE NATIONAL SLOVAK SOCIETY OF THE U.S.A. Pittsburgh, Pa . - Membership 21,000 THE LADIES PENNSYLVANIA SLOVAK CATHOLIC UNION Wilkes-Barre, Pa. - Membership 16,500 THE PENNSYLVANIA SLOVAK CATHOLIC UNION Wilkes-Barre, Pa. - Membership 10,000 SLOVAK NEWSPAPERMEN'S ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA Joseph C. Krajsa, F.I.C., President SLOVAK AMERICAN NEWSPAPERS (Affiliated with the Slovak League of America) , \ JEDNOTA (circulation 40,000) NARODNE NOVINY (circulatio~ 15,000) FRATERNALLY YOURS, ZENS KA JEDNOTA (circulation 35,000) SLOVAK v AMERIKE (circulation 1,800) KATOLICKY SOKOL (circulation 20,000) BRATSTVO (circulation7,000) PR IA TEL DIETOK (circulation 6,000) ZORNICKA (circulation 5,000) SLOVAKIA $6.00 per annum Printed by JEDNOTA PRINTERY Middletown, Pennsylvania 17057 U.S.A.  Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Back Matter, Slovakia, Vol. 29 (No. 53-54) Description An account of the resource includes Reviews; Contributors; Guidelines for Manuscripts Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1980-81 https://slovakia.wordsofpassage.net/files/original/c7b85cca4b0b64d97a27d4955f292f97.pdf dc679d7aa01724a49ab22387c94bb99d PDF Text Text YOU CAN LEARN SLOVAK as easily as you can any other modern language. Slovak should be a MUST for students of Slovanic languages, because it is the simplest of all of them and a KEY to all of them. Prove it to yourself with the most scholarly text on Slovak, the SLOVAK LESSONS A practical study of the Slovak Grammar, 92 lessons, 400 pages ; exercises in Slovak and English; English-Slovak and Slovak-English vocabulary. Hard cover, bound in cloth, $3.50 HROBAK'S ENGLISH DICTIONARY - the best and most complete dictionary of its kind; 702 pages with a brief sumary of the Slovak Grammar. Hard cover, bound in cloth, $4.00 THE SLOVAKS, by Peter P. Yurchak, should be read by all students interested in the history and traditions of the Slovak nation; 312 pages, hard cover, bound in cloth - $3.00; paper cover - $2.00 SKETCHES FROM SLOVAK IUSTORY by Joseph Skultety, translation by 0. D. Koreff; a documented refutation of several errors propagated by writers and historians; 229 pages, hard cover, bound in cloth - $2.00; paper cover $1.00. Order from: P.A.HROBAK Box 150 Middletown, Pa. �SLOVAKIA Festive headdress of the women of Vefky Lorn, southeastern Slovakia � YOU CAN LEARN SLOVAK as easily as you can any other modern language. Slovak should be a MUST for students of Slovanic languages, because it is the simplest of all of them and a KEY to all of them. Prove it to yourself with the most scholarly text on Slovak, the SLOVAK LESSONS A practical study of the Slovak Grammar, 92 lessons, 400 pages ; exercises in Slovak and English; English-Slovak and Slovak-English vocabulary. Hard cover, bound in cloth, $3.50 HROBAK'S ENGLISH DICTIONARY - the best and most complete dictionary of its kind; 702 pages with a brief sumary of the Slovak Grammar. Hard cover, bound in cloth, $4.00 THE SLOVAKS, by Peter P. Yurchak, should be read by all students interested in the history and traditions of the Slovak nation; 312 pages, hard cover, bound in cloth - $3.00; paper cover - $2.00 SKETCHES FROM SLOVAK IUSTORY by Joseph Skultety, translation by 0. D. Koreff; a documented refutation of several errors propagated by writers and historians; 229 pages, hard cover, bound in cloth - $2.00; paper cover $1.00. Order from: P.A.HROBAK Box 150 Middletown, Pa. �SLOVAKIA Festive headdress of the women of Vefky Lorn, southeastern Slovakia � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource 1953, Vol. 3 Description An account of the resource <ul><li>Issue 1 (No. 6), April 1953.</li> <li>Issue 2 (No. 7), July 1953.</li> <li>Issue 3 (No. 8), September 1953.</li> <li>Issue 4 (No. 9), December 1953.</li> </ul> Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available The Slovak League of America Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1953 Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document SLOVAKIA Festive headdress of the women of Vefky Lorn, southeastern Slovakia  Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Back Matter, Slovakia, Vol. 3, No. 1 (6) Description An account of the resource includes portrait of woman showing festive headdress of Veľký Lom, southeastern Slovakia Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource April 1953 https://slovakia.wordsofpassage.net/files/original/31f6bdae7735eaa1e341e18e7d571f61.pdf dad8a00651f64e8e41d04ea0d96d617d PDF Text Text YOU CAN LEARN SLOVAK as easily as you can any other modern language. Slovak should be a MUST for students of Slovanic languages, because it is the simplest of all of them and a KEY to all of them. Prove it to yourself with the most scholarly text on Slovak, the SLOVAl( LESSONS A practical study of the Slovak Grammar, 92 lessons, 400 pages ; exercises in Slovak and English; English-Slovak and Slovak-English vocabulary. Hard cover, bound in cloth, $3.50 HROBAK'S ENGLISH DICTIONARY - the best and most complete dictionary of its kind; 702 pages with a brief sumary of the Slovak Grammar. Hard cover, bound in cloth, $4.00 THE SLOVAKS, by Peter P. Yurchak, should be read by all students interested in the history and traditions of the Slovak nation; 312 pages, hard cover, bound in cloth - $3.00; paper cover - $2.00 SKETCHES FROM SLOVAK HISTORY by Joseph Skultety, translation by 0. D. Koreff; a documented refutation of several errors propagated by writers and historians; 229 pages, hard cover, bound in cloth - $2.00; paper cover $1.00. Order from: P.A.HROBAK Box 150 Middletown, Pa. �PRINCE PRIBINA, the first Slovak prince mentioned in history, resided in Nitra, Slovakia, where he built a Christian church in 830. The Slovaks are one of the oldest Christian nations of Central Europe. � YOU CAN LEARN SLOVAK as easily as you can any other modern language. Slovak should be a MUST for students of Slovanic languages, because it is the simplest of all of them and a KEY to all of them. Prove it to yourself with the most scholarly text on Slovak, the SLOVAl( LESSONS A practical study of the Slovak Grammar, 92 lessons, 400 pages ; exercises in Slovak and English; English-Slovak and Slovak-English vocabulary. Hard cover, bound in cloth, $3.50 HROBAK'S ENGLISH DICTIONARY - the best and most complete dictionary of its kind; 702 pages with a brief sumary of the Slovak Grammar. Hard cover, bound in cloth, $4.00 THE SLOVAKS, by Peter P. Yurchak, should be read by all students interested in the history and traditions of the Slovak nation; 312 pages, hard cover, bound in cloth - $3.00; paper cover - $2.00 SKETCHES FROM SLOVAK HISTORY by Joseph Skultety, translation by 0. D. Koreff; a documented refutation of several errors propagated by writers and historians; 229 pages, hard cover, bound in cloth - $2.00; paper cover $1.00. Order from: P.A.HROBAK Box 150 Middletown, Pa. �PRINCE PRIBINA, the first Slovak prince mentioned in history, resided in Nitra, Slovakia, where he built a Christian church in 830. The Slovaks are one of the oldest Christian nations of Central Europe. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource 1953, Vol. 3 Description An account of the resource <ul><li>Issue 1 (No. 6), April 1953.</li> <li>Issue 2 (No. 7), July 1953.</li> <li>Issue 3 (No. 8), September 1953.</li> <li>Issue 4 (No. 9), December 1953.</li> </ul> Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available The Slovak League of America Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1953 Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document PRINCE PRIBINA, the first Slovak prince mentioned in history, resided in Nitra, Slovakia, where he built a Christian church in 830. The Slovaks are one of the oldest Christian nations of Central Europe.  Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Back Matter, Slovakia, Vol. 3, No. 2 (7) Description An account of the resource includes bust of Prince Pribina Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource July 1953 https://slovakia.wordsofpassage.net/files/original/7cb18e5e0a77ab067de6c9a0fae8cb11.pdf 1e20dc5f9190e730a960390f4bf3731d PDF Text Text YOU CAN LEARN SLOV Al( as easily as you can any other modern language. Slovak should be a MUST for students of Slovanic languages, because it is the simplest of all of them and a KEY to all of them. Prove it to yourself with the most scholarly text on Slovak, the SLOVAK LESSONS A practical study of the Slovak Grammar, 9'.2 lessons, 400 pages ; exercises in Slovak and English ; English-Slovak and Slovak-English vocabulary. Hard cover, bound in cloth, $3.50 HROBAK'S ENGLISH DICTIONARY - the best and most complete dictionary of it s kind; 702 pages with a brief sumary of the Slovak Grammar. Hard cover, bound in cloth, $4.00 THE SLOVAKS, by Peter P. Yurchak, should be read by all students interested in the history and traditions of the Slovak nation; 312 pages, hard cover, bound in cloth - $3.00; paper cover - $2.00 SKETCHES FROM SLOVAK HISTORY by Joseph Skultety, translation by 0. D. Koreff; a documented refutation of several errors propagated by writers and historians; 229 pages, hard cover, bound in cloth - $2.00; paper cover $1.00. Order from : P.A.HROBAK Box 150 Middletown, Pa. �SLOVAKIA: A picturesque vi,~w of the ruins of the Beckov castle, the story of which is told in this issue � YOU CAN LEARN SLOV Al( as easily as you can any other modern language. Slovak should be a MUST for students of Slovanic languages, because it is the simplest of all of them and a KEY to all of them. Prove it to yourself with the most scholarly text on Slovak, the SLOVAK LESSONS A practical study of the Slovak Grammar, 9'.2 lessons, 400 pages ; exercises in Slovak and English ; English-Slovak and Slovak-English vocabulary. Hard cover, bound in cloth, $3.50 HROBAK'S ENGLISH DICTIONARY - the best and most complete dictionary of it s kind; 702 pages with a brief sumary of the Slovak Grammar. Hard cover, bound in cloth, $4.00 THE SLOVAKS, by Peter P. Yurchak, should be read by all students interested in the history and traditions of the Slovak nation; 312 pages, hard cover, bound in cloth - $3.00; paper cover - $2.00 SKETCHES FROM SLOVAK HISTORY by Joseph Skultety, translation by 0. D. Koreff; a documented refutation of several errors propagated by writers and historians; 229 pages, hard cover, bound in cloth - $2.00; paper cover $1.00. Order from : P.A.HROBAK Box 150 Middletown, Pa. �SLOVAKIA: A picturesque vi,~w of the ruins of the Beckov castle, the story of which is told in this issue � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource 1953, Vol. 3 Description An account of the resource <ul><li>Issue 1 (No. 6), April 1953.</li> <li>Issue 2 (No. 7), July 1953.</li> <li>Issue 3 (No. 8), September 1953.</li> <li>Issue 4 (No. 9), December 1953.</li> </ul> Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available The Slovak League of America Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1953 Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document SLOVAKIA: A picturesque vi,~w of the ruins of the Beckov castle, the story of which is told in this issue  Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Back Matter, Slovakia, Vol. 3, No. 3 (8) Description An account of the resource includes photo of Beckov Castle Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource September 1953 https://slovakia.wordsofpassage.net/files/original/70a93da5d0fe81afca3bd24f1c559d77.pdf 9ce6376d7b082d4e046e69dff47642f2 PDF Text Text YOU CAN LEARN SLOVAK as easily as you can any other mode;: n language. Slovak should be a MUST for students of Slovanic languages, because it is the simplest of all of them and a KEY to all of them . Prove it to yourself with the most scholarly text on Slovak, the SLOV AI( LESSONS A practical study of the Slovak Grammar, 92 lessons, 400 pages; exercises in Slovak and English; English-Slovak and Slovak-English vocabulary. Hard cover, bound in cloth, $3.50 HROBAK'S ENGLISH DICTIONARY - the best and most complete dictionary of its kind; 702 pages with a brief sumary of the Slovak Grammar. Hard cover, bound in cloth, $4.00 THE SLOVAKS, by Peter P. Yurchak, should be read by all students interested in the history and traditions of the Slovak nation; 312 pages, hard cover, bound in cloth - $3.00; paper cover - $2.00 SKETCHES FROl\'i SLOVAK HISTORY by Joseph Skultety, translation by 0 . D. Koreff; a documented refutation of several errors propagated by writers and historians; 229 pages, hard cover, bound in cloth - $2.00; paper cover $1.00. Order from: P.A.HROBAK Box 150 Middletown, Pa. �SLOVAIDA: The Stiavnicka Castle in Liptov County � YOU CAN LEARN SLOVAK as easily as you can any other mode;: n language. Slovak should be a MUST for students of Slovanic languages, because it is the simplest of all of them and a KEY to all of them . Prove it to yourself with the most scholarly text on Slovak, the SLOV AI( LESSONS A practical study of the Slovak Grammar, 92 lessons, 400 pages; exercises in Slovak and English; English-Slovak and Slovak-English vocabulary. Hard cover, bound in cloth, $3.50 HROBAK'S ENGLISH DICTIONARY - the best and most complete dictionary of its kind; 702 pages with a brief sumary of the Slovak Grammar. Hard cover, bound in cloth, $4.00 THE SLOVAKS, by Peter P. Yurchak, should be read by all students interested in the history and traditions of the Slovak nation; 312 pages, hard cover, bound in cloth - $3.00; paper cover - $2.00 SKETCHES FROl\'i SLOVAK HISTORY by Joseph Skultety, translation by 0 . D. Koreff; a documented refutation of several errors propagated by writers and historians; 229 pages, hard cover, bound in cloth - $2.00; paper cover $1.00. Order from: P.A.HROBAK Box 150 Middletown, Pa. �SLOVAIDA: The Stiavnicka Castle in Liptov County � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource 1953, Vol. 3 Description An account of the resource <ul><li>Issue 1 (No. 6), April 1953.</li> <li>Issue 2 (No. 7), July 1953.</li> <li>Issue 3 (No. 8), September 1953.</li> <li>Issue 4 (No. 9), December 1953.</li> </ul> Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available The Slovak League of America Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1953 Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document SLOVAIDA: The Stiavnicka Castle in Liptov County  Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Back Matter, Slovakia, Vol. 3, No. 4 (9) Description An account of the resource includes photo of Štiavnička Castle Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource December 1953 https://slovakia.wordsofpassage.net/files/original/ae72ad20320a50fc785e801b2602e879.pdf 86f44198a453e1c904f5c7f2ff96e7e1 PDF Text Text SLOVAKIA 175 CONTRIBUTORS DA YID P. DANIEL is in the Department of Historical Theology at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis. A graduate of Pennsylvania State University, he has published many articles on Slovak Reformation history and is active in several organizations on European history . MARIE-ELIZABETH DUCREUX is in the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique in Paris. Not of Slavic extraction herself, she has just completed her doctoral dissertation on Czech hymnology at the Sorbonne. F.G. GALAN is at the University of Texas in Austin, where his speciality is literary theory and semiotics. His book on the semiotics of film was recently published and one on the Prague Circle is expected shortly . WILLIAM E . HARKINS is at Columbia University, where he has been a pioneer of both Czech and Slovak studies, besides his work in Russian. He has long been active in national and international Slavic organizations. EV A SUSAN KUCEKOVA teaches Czech and Slovak at the Defense Language Institute in Monterey. She recently completed her dissertation on folk literature at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst. PETER PETRO teaches comparative literature , Slovak, and Russian at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver. His book on four modern satirists was rece ntl y published by M outon , a nd he is prepa ring an English history of modern Slovak literature. NORMAL. RUDINSKY is at Oregon Sta te University in Co rvallis. She has tra nsl ated stories by M a rtin Kukucfn and is currentl y prepa ring a collection of stories by Bozena Slan cfkov a Timrava. G ERALD J. SABO is at j ohn Carroll U nive rsity in Cleveland . His Yale dissertation will be published as a critical edition ofHugolfn G avlovic's Valaska Skala , and he is preparin g a n En glish hi story of earl y Slovak literature . JAROS LAV J. VAJDA is a n editor at Concordia Press, St. Louis, but is best known as a transla tor of Slovak poe try, including Hviezd oslav , Kras ko, and J anko Kral' . �176 SLOVAKIA Guidelines for Manuscripts Manuscripts of articles for possible publication should be sent to the editor . Articles should normally not exceed twenty-five pages in length , and should be submitted in triplicate, typed double-spaced, with generous margins for copyeditin g. Footnotes should also be typed double-spaced , numbered , and placed at the end of the paper. T ext and format should adhere to the style outlined in Kate Turabian's A Manual for Writers. Proper orthography and diacritical m arks must be supplied for all foreign words . Manuscripts will not be returned unless specifically requested and postage is provided . Books for review are to be sent to the editor. Unsolicited book reviews are not encouraged . Individuals who wish to review books should request them from the editor. They should send a curriculum vitae with their request. When writing their reviews they should try to answer the following questions: What was the author's purpose in writing this book? What was the theme ? What methods did the author use? What did he (she) conclude? This can then be followed by criticism and observations. Normally the reviews should not exceed three double-spaced , typewritten pages. All bibliographic information (author , full title, publisher, place of publication, price, and number of pages) should be provided by the reviewer. ��THE SLOVAK LEAGUE OF AMERICA Organized in 1907 at Cleveland , Ohio EDWARD J . BEHUNCIK, K.S.G. President JOHN A . HOLY Secretary-Treasurer DANIEL F. TANZONE Vice Presidents ANNEZ. SAROSY MICHAEL BUCKO Executive Committee Edward J . Behuncik, John A . Holy, Andrew F. Hudak, Jr ., George N. Kantor Michael J . Krajsa , Louise M. Yash , Cecelia Sarocky, Margaret Pilosi , Joseph R. Kristofik , George J. Kostelnik Joseph Stefka, Stephen J. Kavulich Slovak League of America Ladies' Auxiliary Anna M. Vizza , President Regional Vice-Presidents : George Lupjan - New York , New Jersey, New England States John Herman - Eastern Pennsylvania John Gastan - Western Pennsylvania George Chura - Ohio Joseph Fecik - Michigan Ivan Kralik - Illinois Bernadine Wandke - Wisconsin Matthew Zvada - California John Hvasta - Washington, D.C. , Virginia Joseph Valen cik Auditors : Dolores J . Soska Paul Brunovsky SLOVAK FRATERNAL ORGANIZATIONS (Affiliated with the Slovak League of America) FIRST CATHOLIC SLOVAK LADIES ASSOCIATION Cleveland , Ohio FIRST CATHOLIC SLOVAK UNION OF THE U.S . AND CANADA Cleveland , Ohio SLOVAK CATHOLIC SOKOL Passaic, N.J. NATIONAL SLOVAK SOCIETY OF THE U.S.A. Pittsburgh, Pa. LADIES PENNSYLVANIA SLOVAK CATHOLIC UNION Wilkes-Barre, Pa . PENNSYLVANIA SLOVAK CATHOLIC UNION Wilkes-Barre, Pa . FIRST SLOVAK WREATH OF THE FREE EAGLE Bridgeport, Conn. SLOVAK NEWSPAPERMEN ' S ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA Joseph C. Krajsa , K.S.G., President SLOVAKIA $6.00 per annum Printed By JEDNOTA PRINTERY Middletown , Pennsylvania 17057 U.S.A . � SLOVAKIA 175 CONTRIBUTORS DA YID P. DANIEL is in the Department of Historical Theology at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis. A graduate of Pennsylvania State University, he has published many articles on Slovak Reformation history and is active in several organizations on European history . MARIE-ELIZABETH DUCREUX is in the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique in Paris. Not of Slavic extraction herself, she has just completed her doctoral dissertation on Czech hymnology at the Sorbonne. F.G. GALAN is at the University of Texas in Austin, where his speciality is literary theory and semiotics. His book on the semiotics of film was recently published and one on the Prague Circle is expected shortly . WILLIAM E . HARKINS is at Columbia University, where he has been a pioneer of both Czech and Slovak studies, besides his work in Russian. He has long been active in national and international Slavic organizations. EV A SUSAN KUCEKOVA teaches Czech and Slovak at the Defense Language Institute in Monterey. She recently completed her dissertation on folk literature at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst. PETER PETRO teaches comparative literature , Slovak, and Russian at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver. His book on four modern satirists was rece ntl y published by M outon , a nd he is prepa ring an English history of modern Slovak literature. NORMAL. RUDINSKY is at Oregon Sta te University in Co rvallis. She has tra nsl ated stories by M a rtin Kukucfn and is currentl y prepa ring a collection of stories by Bozena Slan cfkov a Timrava. G ERALD J. SABO is at j ohn Carroll U nive rsity in Cleveland . His Yale dissertation will be published as a critical edition ofHugolfn G avlovic's Valaska Skala , and he is preparin g a n En glish hi story of earl y Slovak literature . JAROS LAV J. VAJDA is a n editor at Concordia Press, St. Louis, but is best known as a transla tor of Slovak poe try, including Hviezd oslav , Kras ko, and J anko Kral' . �176 SLOVAKIA Guidelines for Manuscripts Manuscripts of articles for possible publication should be sent to the editor . Articles should normally not exceed twenty-five pages in length , and should be submitted in triplicate, typed double-spaced, with generous margins for copyeditin g. Footnotes should also be typed double-spaced , numbered , and placed at the end of the paper. T ext and format should adhere to the style outlined in Kate Turabian's A Manual for Writers. Proper orthography and diacritical m arks must be supplied for all foreign words . Manuscripts will not be returned unless specifically requested and postage is provided . Books for review are to be sent to the editor. Unsolicited book reviews are not encouraged . Individuals who wish to review books should request them from the editor. They should send a curriculum vitae with their request. When writing their reviews they should try to answer the following questions: What was the author's purpose in writing this book? What was the theme ? What methods did the author use? What did he (she) conclude? This can then be followed by criticism and observations. Normally the reviews should not exceed three double-spaced , typewritten pages. All bibliographic information (author , full title, publisher, place of publication, price, and number of pages) should be provided by the reviewer. ��THE SLOVAK LEAGUE OF AMERICA Organized in 1907 at Cleveland , Ohio EDWARD J . BEHUNCIK, K.S.G. President JOHN A . HOLY Secretary-Treasurer DANIEL F. TANZONE Vice Presidents ANNEZ. SAROSY MICHAEL BUCKO Executive Committee Edward J . Behuncik, John A . Holy, Andrew F. Hudak, Jr ., George N. Kantor Michael J . Krajsa , Louise M. Yash , Cecelia Sarocky, Margaret Pilosi , Joseph R. Kristofik , George J. Kostelnik Joseph Stefka, Stephen J. Kavulich Slovak League of America Ladies' Auxiliary Anna M. Vizza , President Regional Vice-Presidents : George Lupjan - New York , New Jersey, New England States John Herman - Eastern Pennsylvania John Gastan - Western Pennsylvania George Chura - Ohio Joseph Fecik - Michigan Ivan Kralik - Illinois Bernadine Wandke - Wisconsin Matthew Zvada - California John Hvasta - Washington, D.C. , Virginia Joseph Valen cik Auditors : Dolores J . Soska Paul Brunovsky SLOVAK FRATERNAL ORGANIZATIONS (Affiliated with the Slovak League of America) FIRST CATHOLIC SLOVAK LADIES ASSOCIATION Cleveland , Ohio FIRST CATHOLIC SLOVAK UNION OF THE U.S . AND CANADA Cleveland , Ohio SLOVAK CATHOLIC SOKOL Passaic, N.J. NATIONAL SLOVAK SOCIETY OF THE U.S.A. Pittsburgh, Pa. LADIES PENNSYLVANIA SLOVAK CATHOLIC UNION Wilkes-Barre, Pa . PENNSYLVANIA SLOVAK CATHOLIC UNION Wilkes-Barre, Pa . FIRST SLOVAK WREATH OF THE FREE EAGLE Bridgeport, Conn. SLOVAK NEWSPAPERMEN ' S ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA Joseph C. Krajsa , K.S.G., President SLOVAKIA $6.00 per annum Printed By JEDNOTA PRINTERY Middletown , Pennsylvania 17057 U.S.A . � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource 1982-83, Vol. 30 Description An account of the resource Vol. 30 (No. 55-56), 1982-83. Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available The Slovak League of America Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1982-83 Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document SLOVAKIA 175 CONTRIBUTORS DA YID P. DANIEL is in the Department of Historical Theology at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis. A graduate of Pennsylvania State University, he has published many articles on Slovak Reformation history and is active in several organizations on European history . MARIE-ELIZABETH DUCREUX is in the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique in Paris. Not of Slavic extraction herself, she has just completed her doctoral dissertation on Czech hymnology at the Sorbonne. F.G. GALAN is at the University of Texas in Austin, where his speciality is literary theory and semiotics. His book on the semiotics of film was recently published and one on the Prague Circle is expected shortly . WILLIAM E . HARKINS is at Columbia University, where he has been a pioneer of both Czech and Slovak studies, besides his work in Russian. He has long been active in national and international Slavic organizations. EV A SUSAN KUCEKOVA teaches Czech and Slovak at the Defense Language Institute in Monterey. She recently completed her dissertation on folk literature at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst. PETER PETRO teaches comparative literature , Slovak, and Russian at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver. His book on four modern satirists was rece ntl y published by M outon , a nd he is prepa ring an English history of modern Slovak literature. NORMAL. RUDINSKY is at Oregon Sta te University in Co rvallis. She has tra nsl ated stories by M a rtin Kukucfn and is currentl y prepa ring a collection of stories by Bozena Slan cfkov a Timrava. G ERALD J. SABO is at j ohn Carroll U nive rsity in Cleveland . His Yale dissertation will be published as a critical edition ofHugolfn G avlovic's Valaska Skala , and he is preparin g a n En glish hi story of earl y Slovak literature . JAROS LAV J. VAJDA is a n editor at Concordia Press, St. Louis, but is best known as a transla tor of Slovak poe try, including Hviezd oslav , Kras ko, and J anko Kral' . 176 SLOVAKIA Guidelines for Manuscripts Manuscripts of articles for possible publication should be sent to the editor . Articles should normally not exceed twenty-five pages in length , and should be submitted in triplicate, typed double-spaced, with generous margins for copyeditin g. Footnotes should also be typed double-spaced , numbered , and placed at the end of the paper. T ext and format should adhere to the style outlined in Kate Turabian's A Manual for Writers. Proper orthography and diacritical m arks must be supplied for all foreign words . Manuscripts will not be returned unless specifically requested and postage is provided . Books for review are to be sent to the editor. Unsolicited book reviews are not encouraged . Individuals who wish to review books should request them from the editor. They should send a curriculum vitae with their request. When writing their reviews they should try to answer the following questions: What was the author's purpose in writing this book? What was the theme ? What methods did the author use? What did he (she) conclude? This can then be followed by criticism and observations. Normally the reviews should not exceed three double-spaced , typewritten pages. All bibliographic information (author , full title, publisher, place of publication, price, and number of pages) should be provided by the reviewer. THE SLOVAK LEAGUE OF AMERICA Organized in 1907 at Cleveland , Ohio EDWARD J . BEHUNCIK, K.S.G. President JOHN A . HOLY Secretary-Treasurer DANIEL F. TANZONE Vice Presidents ANNEZ. SAROSY MICHAEL BUCKO Executive Committee Edward J . Behuncik, John A . Holy, Andrew F. Hudak, Jr ., George N. Kantor Michael J . Krajsa , Louise M. Yash , Cecelia Sarocky, Margaret Pilosi , Joseph R. Kristofik , George J. Kostelnik Joseph Stefka, Stephen J. Kavulich Slovak League of America Ladies' Auxiliary Anna M. Vizza , President Regional Vice-Presidents : George Lupjan - New York , New Jersey, New England States John Herman - Eastern Pennsylvania John Gastan - Western Pennsylvania George Chura - Ohio Joseph Fecik - Michigan Ivan Kralik - Illinois Bernadine Wandke - Wisconsin Matthew Zvada - California John Hvasta - Washington, D.C. , Virginia Joseph Valen cik Auditors : Dolores J . Soska Paul Brunovsky SLOVAK FRATERNAL ORGANIZATIONS (Affiliated with the Slovak League of America) FIRST CATHOLIC SLOVAK LADIES ASSOCIATION Cleveland , Ohio FIRST CATHOLIC SLOVAK UNION OF THE U.S . AND CANADA Cleveland , Ohio SLOVAK CATHOLIC SOKOL Passaic, N.J. NATIONAL SLOVAK SOCIETY OF THE U.S.A. Pittsburgh, Pa. LADIES PENNSYLVANIA SLOVAK CATHOLIC UNION Wilkes-Barre, Pa . PENNSYLVANIA SLOVAK CATHOLIC UNION Wilkes-Barre, Pa . FIRST SLOVAK WREATH OF THE FREE EAGLE Bridgeport, Conn. SLOVAK NEWSPAPERMEN ' S ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA Joseph C. Krajsa , K.S.G., President SLOVAKIA $6.00 per annum Printed By JEDNOTA PRINTERY Middletown , Pennsylvania 17057 U.S.A .  Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Back Matter, Slovakia, Vol. 30 (No. 55-56) Description An account of the resource includes Contributors; Guidelines for Manuscripts Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1982-83 https://slovakia.wordsofpassage.net/files/original/ca239dfe1cfd991cb72da0195dcdcfc9.pdf 60aaabae305589df9f830910050d2d99 PDF Text Text SLOVAKIA 157 CONTRIBUTORS JAMES BORCHERT, Ph.D. (University of Maryland) , teaches American history at the Cleveland State University. He is the author of Alley Life in Washington: Family, Community, Religion, and Folklife in th e City, 1850-1970 ( 1980). SUSAN DANZIGER BORCHERT, Ph.D. (Ohio State University), teaches sociology at Lake Erie College in Painesville, Ohio. OWEN V. JOHNSON, Ph.D. (University of Michigan), currently teaches journalism at Indiana University . His book on Slovakia, 1918-1938: Educa tion and the Making of a Nation will be published by Columbia University Press in 1985. PA TRICIA ONDEK LAURENCE is a graduate of the State University of New York at Stoney Brook and teaches English at the City College of New York. She recently published "A Slovak Immigrant 's View of Work," in the literary journal MELUS (1983). NORMAL. RUDINSKY, a graduate of Stanford University, teaches English at Oregon State University. She has published many articles in literary journals and is the leading authority in the West on the Slovak writer Martin Kukucfn . CAROL TOWARNICKY is Lifestyle Columnist for the Philadelphia Daily News . A graduate of Ohio University, she has practiced journalism since 1967 and has written several short stories . PAUL WILKES, Writer-in-Residence at the University of Pittsburgh, is the author of six books and of the two television series Six American Families ( 1978) and M erton ( 1984 ). H e is currently writing a massive saga on Slovak immigration to America. THE REVEREND THEODORIC ZUBEK, O.F .M. , received his S.T.D. degree from the University ofFribourg in 1940 . H e has written The Church of Silence in Slovakia ( 1956) and is the leading expert in the West on churchstate relations in his homeland . �158 SLOVAKIA Guidelines for Manuscripts Manuscripts of articles for possible publication should be sent to the editor. Articles should normally not exceed twenty-five pages in length, and should be submitted in triplicate, typed double-spaced, with generous margins for copyediting. Footnotes should also be typed doublespaced, numbered, and placed at the end of the paper. Text and format should adhere to the style outlined in Kate Turabian 's A Manual for Writers. Proper orthography and diacritical marks must be supplied for all foreign words. Manuscripts will not be returned unless specifically requested and postage is provided. Books for review are to be sent to the editor. Individuals who wish to review books should send the editor a cop y of their curriculum vitae and an indication of their areas of ex pertise and interest. ��THE SLOVAK LEAGUE OF AMERICA Organized in 1907 at Cleveland , Ohio EDWARD J . BEHUNCIK, K.S.G. President JOHN A. HOLY Secretary-Treasurer Vice Presidents ANNE Z. SAROSY DANIEL F. TANZONE MICHAEL BUCKO Executive Committee Edward J . Behuncik, John A . Holy, Andrew F. Hudak, Jr., George N. Kantor Michael J . Krajsa, Anna S. Granchay, Cecelia Sarocky, Margaret Pilosi, Joseph R. Kristofik, John F. Pitek Joseph Stefka , Stephen J. Kavulich Slovak League of America Ladies' Auxiliary Anna M . Vizza , President Regional Vi ce-Presidents : George Lupjan - New York , New Jersey, New England States John Herman - Eastern Pennsylvania John Gastan - Western Pennsylvania George Chura - Ohio Joseph Fecik - Michigan Ivan Kralik - Illinois Bernadine Wandke - Wisconsin Matthew Zvada - California Joseph Ondis - Florida John Hvasta - Washington , D.C., Virginia Joseph Valencik Auditors: Dolores J . Soska Paul Brunovsky SLOVAK FRATERNAL ORGANIZATIONS /Affiliated with the Slovak League of America) FIRST CATHOLIC SLOVAK LADIES ASSOCIATION Cleveland , Ohio FIRST CATHOLIC SLOVAK UNION OF THE U.S. AND CANADA Cleveland, Ohio SLOVAK CATHOLIC SOKOL Passaic, N.J . NATIONAL SLOVAK SOCIETY OF THE U.S.A. Pittsburgh , Pa . LADIES PENNSYLVANIA SLOVAK CATHOLIC UNION Wilkes-Barre, Pa . PENNSYLVANIA SLOVAK CATHOLIC UNION Wilkes-Barre, Pa . FIRST SLOVAK WREATH OF THE FREE EAGLE Bridgeport, Conn. SLOVAK NEWSPAPERMEN ' S ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA Joseph C. Krajsa , K.S.G ., President SLOVAKIA $6.00 per annum Printed By JEDNOTA PRINTERY Middletown , Pennsylvania 17057 U.S.A. � SLOVAKIA 157 CONTRIBUTORS JAMES BORCHERT, Ph.D. (University of Maryland) , teaches American history at the Cleveland State University. He is the author of Alley Life in Washington: Family, Community, Religion, and Folklife in th e City, 1850-1970 ( 1980). SUSAN DANZIGER BORCHERT, Ph.D. (Ohio State University), teaches sociology at Lake Erie College in Painesville, Ohio. OWEN V. JOHNSON, Ph.D. (University of Michigan), currently teaches journalism at Indiana University . His book on Slovakia, 1918-1938: Educa tion and the Making of a Nation will be published by Columbia University Press in 1985. PA TRICIA ONDEK LAURENCE is a graduate of the State University of New York at Stoney Brook and teaches English at the City College of New York. She recently published "A Slovak Immigrant 's View of Work," in the literary journal MELUS (1983). NORMAL. RUDINSKY, a graduate of Stanford University, teaches English at Oregon State University. She has published many articles in literary journals and is the leading authority in the West on the Slovak writer Martin Kukucfn . CAROL TOWARNICKY is Lifestyle Columnist for the Philadelphia Daily News . A graduate of Ohio University, she has practiced journalism since 1967 and has written several short stories . PAUL WILKES, Writer-in-Residence at the University of Pittsburgh, is the author of six books and of the two television series Six American Families ( 1978) and M erton ( 1984 ). H e is currently writing a massive saga on Slovak immigration to America. THE REVEREND THEODORIC ZUBEK, O.F .M. , received his S.T.D. degree from the University ofFribourg in 1940 . H e has written The Church of Silence in Slovakia ( 1956) and is the leading expert in the West on churchstate relations in his homeland . �158 SLOVAKIA Guidelines for Manuscripts Manuscripts of articles for possible publication should be sent to the editor. Articles should normally not exceed twenty-five pages in length, and should be submitted in triplicate, typed double-spaced, with generous margins for copyediting. Footnotes should also be typed doublespaced, numbered, and placed at the end of the paper. Text and format should adhere to the style outlined in Kate Turabian 's A Manual for Writers. Proper orthography and diacritical marks must be supplied for all foreign words. Manuscripts will not be returned unless specifically requested and postage is provided. Books for review are to be sent to the editor. Individuals who wish to review books should send the editor a cop y of their curriculum vitae and an indication of their areas of ex pertise and interest. ��THE SLOVAK LEAGUE OF AMERICA Organized in 1907 at Cleveland , Ohio EDWARD J . BEHUNCIK, K.S.G. President JOHN A. HOLY Secretary-Treasurer Vice Presidents ANNE Z. SAROSY DANIEL F. TANZONE MICHAEL BUCKO Executive Committee Edward J . Behuncik, John A . Holy, Andrew F. Hudak, Jr., George N. Kantor Michael J . Krajsa, Anna S. Granchay, Cecelia Sarocky, Margaret Pilosi, Joseph R. Kristofik, John F. Pitek Joseph Stefka , Stephen J. Kavulich Slovak League of America Ladies' Auxiliary Anna M . Vizza , President Regional Vi ce-Presidents : George Lupjan - New York , New Jersey, New England States John Herman - Eastern Pennsylvania John Gastan - Western Pennsylvania George Chura - Ohio Joseph Fecik - Michigan Ivan Kralik - Illinois Bernadine Wandke - Wisconsin Matthew Zvada - California Joseph Ondis - Florida John Hvasta - Washington , D.C., Virginia Joseph Valencik Auditors: Dolores J . Soska Paul Brunovsky SLOVAK FRATERNAL ORGANIZATIONS /Affiliated with the Slovak League of America) FIRST CATHOLIC SLOVAK LADIES ASSOCIATION Cleveland , Ohio FIRST CATHOLIC SLOVAK UNION OF THE U.S. AND CANADA Cleveland, Ohio SLOVAK CATHOLIC SOKOL Passaic, N.J . NATIONAL SLOVAK SOCIETY OF THE U.S.A. Pittsburgh , Pa . LADIES PENNSYLVANIA SLOVAK CATHOLIC UNION Wilkes-Barre, Pa . PENNSYLVANIA SLOVAK CATHOLIC UNION Wilkes-Barre, Pa . FIRST SLOVAK WREATH OF THE FREE EAGLE Bridgeport, Conn. SLOVAK NEWSPAPERMEN ' S ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA Joseph C. Krajsa , K.S.G ., President SLOVAKIA $6.00 per annum Printed By JEDNOTA PRINTERY Middletown , Pennsylvania 17057 U.S.A. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource 1984, Vol. 31 Description An account of the resource Vol. 31 (No. 57), 1984. Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available The Slovak League of America Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1984 Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document SLOVAKIA 157 CONTRIBUTORS JAMES BORCHERT, Ph.D. (University of Maryland) , teaches American history at the Cleveland State University. He is the author of Alley Life in Washington: Family, Community, Religion, and Folklife in th e City, 1850-1970 ( 1980). SUSAN DANZIGER BORCHERT, Ph.D. (Ohio State University), teaches sociology at Lake Erie College in Painesville, Ohio. OWEN V. JOHNSON, Ph.D. (University of Michigan), currently teaches journalism at Indiana University . His book on Slovakia, 1918-1938: Educa tion and the Making of a Nation will be published by Columbia University Press in 1985. PA TRICIA ONDEK LAURENCE is a graduate of the State University of New York at Stoney Brook and teaches English at the City College of New York. She recently published "A Slovak Immigrant 's View of Work," in the literary journal MELUS (1983). NORMAL. RUDINSKY, a graduate of Stanford University, teaches English at Oregon State University. She has published many articles in literary journals and is the leading authority in the West on the Slovak writer Martin Kukucfn . CAROL TOWARNICKY is Lifestyle Columnist for the Philadelphia Daily News . A graduate of Ohio University, she has practiced journalism since 1967 and has written several short stories . PAUL WILKES, Writer-in-Residence at the University of Pittsburgh, is the author of six books and of the two television series Six American Families ( 1978) and M erton ( 1984 ). H e is currently writing a massive saga on Slovak immigration to America. THE REVEREND THEODORIC ZUBEK, O.F .M. , received his S.T.D. degree from the University ofFribourg in 1940 . H e has written The Church of Silence in Slovakia ( 1956) and is the leading expert in the West on churchstate relations in his homeland . 158 SLOVAKIA Guidelines for Manuscripts Manuscripts of articles for possible publication should be sent to the editor. Articles should normally not exceed twenty-five pages in length, and should be submitted in triplicate, typed double-spaced, with generous margins for copyediting. Footnotes should also be typed doublespaced, numbered, and placed at the end of the paper. Text and format should adhere to the style outlined in Kate Turabian 's A Manual for Writers. Proper orthography and diacritical marks must be supplied for all foreign words. Manuscripts will not be returned unless specifically requested and postage is provided. Books for review are to be sent to the editor. Individuals who wish to review books should send the editor a cop y of their curriculum vitae and an indication of their areas of ex pertise and interest. THE SLOVAK LEAGUE OF AMERICA Organized in 1907 at Cleveland , Ohio EDWARD J . BEHUNCIK, K.S.G. President JOHN A. HOLY Secretary-Treasurer Vice Presidents ANNE Z. SAROSY DANIEL F. TANZONE MICHAEL BUCKO Executive Committee Edward J . Behuncik, John A . Holy, Andrew F. Hudak, Jr., George N. Kantor Michael J . Krajsa, Anna S. Granchay, Cecelia Sarocky, Margaret Pilosi, Joseph R. Kristofik, John F. Pitek Joseph Stefka , Stephen J. Kavulich Slovak League of America Ladies' Auxiliary Anna M . Vizza , President Regional Vi ce-Presidents : George Lupjan - New York , New Jersey, New England States John Herman - Eastern Pennsylvania John Gastan - Western Pennsylvania George Chura - Ohio Joseph Fecik - Michigan Ivan Kralik - Illinois Bernadine Wandke - Wisconsin Matthew Zvada - California Joseph Ondis - Florida John Hvasta - Washington , D.C., Virginia Joseph Valencik Auditors: Dolores J . Soska Paul Brunovsky SLOVAK FRATERNAL ORGANIZATIONS /Affiliated with the Slovak League of America) FIRST CATHOLIC SLOVAK LADIES ASSOCIATION Cleveland , Ohio FIRST CATHOLIC SLOVAK UNION OF THE U.S. AND CANADA Cleveland, Ohio SLOVAK CATHOLIC SOKOL Passaic, N.J . NATIONAL SLOVAK SOCIETY OF THE U.S.A. Pittsburgh , Pa . LADIES PENNSYLVANIA SLOVAK CATHOLIC UNION Wilkes-Barre, Pa . PENNSYLVANIA SLOVAK CATHOLIC UNION Wilkes-Barre, Pa . FIRST SLOVAK WREATH OF THE FREE EAGLE Bridgeport, Conn. SLOVAK NEWSPAPERMEN ' S ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA Joseph C. Krajsa , K.S.G ., President SLOVAKIA $6.00 per annum Printed By JEDNOTA PRINTERY Middletown , Pennsylvania 17057 U.S.A.  Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Back Matter, Slovakia, Vol. 31 (No. 57) Description An account of the resource includes Contributors; Guidelines for Manuscripts Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1984 https://slovakia.wordsofpassage.net/files/original/1c17ef71283f4c9efb36646c6d397886.pdf 36f63d872dbf453b0747d1ca88e982b0 PDF Text Text SLOVAKIA 117 CONTRIBUTORS JOSEPH STASKO (Ph.D., Comenius University; MLS Columbia), is an emigre Slovak politican and retired librarian. While pursuing post-graduate studies in Paris in 1939 he became a friend of Czechoslovak Ambassador Stefan Osusky and tried to get the Slovak government to establish contacts with him, as Stasko reminisces in this issue of Slovakia. While he avoided politics during the existence of the Slovak State , Stasko did join the post-war Democratic Party and won election to the Prague Parliament from his native Orava in May of 1946. However, because he was an uncompromising autonomist who made it clear that he would not vote for Edvard Benes as the post-war President of Czechoslovakia, the Democratic Party turned its back on him and allowed the "people's" courts to try him on trumped-up charges. From 1946 to 1953 he was imprisoned in Leopoldov and in the Jachymov uranium mines where, ironically, he came to know such rightwing Slovak politicians as Sano Mach and Communist luminaries like Gustav Husak. From 1953 to 1961 he worked as a manual laborer in various factories and then managed to escape to the West. After he received his degree in library science from Columbia University , he found employment at the New York Public Library. He became Chief of the Periodicals Department and retired in that capacity in 1983 . Since then he has been collecting SlovakAmerican archival materials and writing his memoirs. M. MARK STOLARJK (Ph.D ., Minnesota) is a historian and President of the Balch Institute for Ethnic Studies in Philadelphia. Author of four books and over twenty articles , as well as a film , he is editor of the Slovak Studies Newsletter and the scholarly annual Slovakia. He recently edited , with Murray Friedman, Making It in America: The Role of Ethnicity in Business Enterprise, Education and Work Choices (1986). �118 SLOVAKIA PAUL WILKES (M.A., Columbia) is Writer-in-Residence at the University of Pittsburgh. Author of six books and many articles in intellectual journals , Wilkes wrote the PBS television series Six American Families (1978) and Merton (1984). He has received awards from his 'alma mater ' Marquette University and from Columbia as one of their most distinguished alumnae. Recently he finished his saga of Slovak immigration to America entitled In Due Season, a chapter of which we have published in this issue of Slovakia, while the rest awaits publication. �SLOVAKIA 119 GUIDELINES FOR MANUSCRIPTS Manuscripts of articles for publication should be sent to the editor. Articles should normally not exceed twenty-five pages in length, and should be submitted in triplicate, typed doublespaced, with generous margins for copyediting . Footnotes should also be double-spaced, numbered, and placed at the end of the paper. Text and format should adhere to the style outlined in Kate Turabian's A Manual for Writers. Proper orthography and diacritical marks must be supplied for all foreign words. Manuscripts will not be returned unless specifically requested and postage is provided. Books for review are to be sent to the editor. Unsolicited book reviews are not encouraged. Individuals who wish to review books should request them from the editor. They should send a 'curriculum vitae' with their request. ���THE SLOVAK LEAGUE OF AMERICA Organized in 1907 EDWARD J . BEHUNCIK, K.S .G., Honorary President DANIEL F. TANZONE President EMANUEL KVASSAY Vice-President JOHN A. HOLY Secretary-Treasurer ANNE Z. SAROSY Vice-President MICHAEL BUCKO Vice-President Executive Committee Daniel F. Tanzone, Edward J. Behuncik, John A . Holy, Anna S. Granchay Joseph R. Kristofik, Steve J . Hruska , Cecilia Sarocky, Andrew F. Hudak, Jr. , Joseph Stefka, Stephen J. Kavulich , Margaret Pilosi, George N. Kantor, Albert Misik, Edward A . Zelenak Anna M . Vizza, President, Ladies Auxiliary Auditors Joseph Valencik Mary Jacko Patrick Zelenak SLOVAK FRATERNAL ORGANIZATIONS AFFILIATED WITH THE SLOVAK LEAGUE OF AMERICA FIRST CATHOLIC SLOVAK LADIES ASSOCIATION Cleveland, Ohio FIRST CATHOLIC SLOVAK UNION OF THE U.S. AND CANADA Cleveland , Ohio SLOVAK CATHOLIC SOKOL Passaic, N.J . NATIONAL SLOVAK SOCIETY OF THE U.S.A . Pittsburgh , Pa . LADIES PENNSYLVANIA SLOVAK CATHOLIC UNION Wilkes-Barre, Pa . PENNSYLVANIA SLOVAK CATHOLIC UNION Wilkes-Barre, Pa . FIRST SLOVAK WREATH OF THE FREE EAGLE Bridgeport, Conn . SLOVAK NEWSPAPERMEN 'S ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA Joseph C. Krajsa , K.S .G., President THE SLOVAK GARDEN , INC. Andrew F. Hudak, Jr., President Winter Park, Florida SLOVAKIA $6.00 per issue Printed By JEDNOTA PRESS A Division of Jednota Communications, Inc. Middletown, Pennsylvania 17057 U.S.A . � SLOVAKIA 117 CONTRIBUTORS JOSEPH STASKO (Ph.D., Comenius University; MLS Columbia), is an emigre Slovak politican and retired librarian. While pursuing post-graduate studies in Paris in 1939 he became a friend of Czechoslovak Ambassador Stefan Osusky and tried to get the Slovak government to establish contacts with him, as Stasko reminisces in this issue of Slovakia. While he avoided politics during the existence of the Slovak State , Stasko did join the post-war Democratic Party and won election to the Prague Parliament from his native Orava in May of 1946. However, because he was an uncompromising autonomist who made it clear that he would not vote for Edvard Benes as the post-war President of Czechoslovakia, the Democratic Party turned its back on him and allowed the "people's" courts to try him on trumped-up charges. From 1946 to 1953 he was imprisoned in Leopoldov and in the Jachymov uranium mines where, ironically, he came to know such rightwing Slovak politicians as Sano Mach and Communist luminaries like Gustav Husak. From 1953 to 1961 he worked as a manual laborer in various factories and then managed to escape to the West. After he received his degree in library science from Columbia University , he found employment at the New York Public Library. He became Chief of the Periodicals Department and retired in that capacity in 1983 . Since then he has been collecting SlovakAmerican archival materials and writing his memoirs. M. MARK STOLARJK (Ph.D ., Minnesota) is a historian and President of the Balch Institute for Ethnic Studies in Philadelphia. Author of four books and over twenty articles , as well as a film , he is editor of the Slovak Studies Newsletter and the scholarly annual Slovakia. He recently edited , with Murray Friedman, Making It in America: The Role of Ethnicity in Business Enterprise, Education and Work Choices (1986). �118 SLOVAKIA PAUL WILKES (M.A., Columbia) is Writer-in-Residence at the University of Pittsburgh. Author of six books and many articles in intellectual journals , Wilkes wrote the PBS television series Six American Families (1978) and Merton (1984). He has received awards from his 'alma mater ' Marquette University and from Columbia as one of their most distinguished alumnae. Recently he finished his saga of Slovak immigration to America entitled In Due Season, a chapter of which we have published in this issue of Slovakia, while the rest awaits publication. �SLOVAKIA 119 GUIDELINES FOR MANUSCRIPTS Manuscripts of articles for publication should be sent to the editor. Articles should normally not exceed twenty-five pages in length, and should be submitted in triplicate, typed doublespaced, with generous margins for copyediting . Footnotes should also be double-spaced, numbered, and placed at the end of the paper. Text and format should adhere to the style outlined in Kate Turabian's A Manual for Writers. Proper orthography and diacritical marks must be supplied for all foreign words. Manuscripts will not be returned unless specifically requested and postage is provided. Books for review are to be sent to the editor. Unsolicited book reviews are not encouraged. Individuals who wish to review books should request them from the editor. They should send a 'curriculum vitae' with their request. ���THE SLOVAK LEAGUE OF AMERICA Organized in 1907 EDWARD J . BEHUNCIK, K.S .G., Honorary President DANIEL F. TANZONE President EMANUEL KVASSAY Vice-President JOHN A. HOLY Secretary-Treasurer ANNE Z. SAROSY Vice-President MICHAEL BUCKO Vice-President Executive Committee Daniel F. Tanzone, Edward J. Behuncik, John A . Holy, Anna S. Granchay Joseph R. Kristofik, Steve J . Hruska , Cecilia Sarocky, Andrew F. Hudak, Jr. , Joseph Stefka, Stephen J. Kavulich , Margaret Pilosi, George N. Kantor, Albert Misik, Edward A . Zelenak Anna M . Vizza, President, Ladies Auxiliary Auditors Joseph Valencik Mary Jacko Patrick Zelenak SLOVAK FRATERNAL ORGANIZATIONS AFFILIATED WITH THE SLOVAK LEAGUE OF AMERICA FIRST CATHOLIC SLOVAK LADIES ASSOCIATION Cleveland, Ohio FIRST CATHOLIC SLOVAK UNION OF THE U.S. AND CANADA Cleveland , Ohio SLOVAK CATHOLIC SOKOL Passaic, N.J . NATIONAL SLOVAK SOCIETY OF THE U.S.A . Pittsburgh , Pa . LADIES PENNSYLVANIA SLOVAK CATHOLIC UNION Wilkes-Barre, Pa . PENNSYLVANIA SLOVAK CATHOLIC UNION Wilkes-Barre, Pa . FIRST SLOVAK WREATH OF THE FREE EAGLE Bridgeport, Conn . SLOVAK NEWSPAPERMEN 'S ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA Joseph C. Krajsa , K.S .G., President THE SLOVAK GARDEN , INC. Andrew F. Hudak, Jr., President Winter Park, Florida SLOVAKIA $6.00 per issue Printed By JEDNOTA PRESS A Division of Jednota Communications, Inc. Middletown, Pennsylvania 17057 U.S.A . � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource 1985-86, Vol. 32 Description An account of the resource Vol. 32 (No. 58-59), 1985-86. Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available The Slovak League of America Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1985-86 Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document SLOVAKIA 117 CONTRIBUTORS JOSEPH STASKO (Ph.D., Comenius University; MLS Columbia), is an emigre Slovak politican and retired librarian. While pursuing post-graduate studies in Paris in 1939 he became a friend of Czechoslovak Ambassador Stefan Osusky and tried to get the Slovak government to establish contacts with him, as Stasko reminisces in this issue of Slovakia. While he avoided politics during the existence of the Slovak State , Stasko did join the post-war Democratic Party and won election to the Prague Parliament from his native Orava in May of 1946. However, because he was an uncompromising autonomist who made it clear that he would not vote for Edvard Benes as the post-war President of Czechoslovakia, the Democratic Party turned its back on him and allowed the "people's" courts to try him on trumped-up charges. From 1946 to 1953 he was imprisoned in Leopoldov and in the Jachymov uranium mines where, ironically, he came to know such rightwing Slovak politicians as Sano Mach and Communist luminaries like Gustav Husak. From 1953 to 1961 he worked as a manual laborer in various factories and then managed to escape to the West. After he received his degree in library science from Columbia University , he found employment at the New York Public Library. He became Chief of the Periodicals Department and retired in that capacity in 1983 . Since then he has been collecting SlovakAmerican archival materials and writing his memoirs. M. MARK STOLARJK (Ph.D ., Minnesota) is a historian and President of the Balch Institute for Ethnic Studies in Philadelphia. Author of four books and over twenty articles , as well as a film , he is editor of the Slovak Studies Newsletter and the scholarly annual Slovakia. He recently edited , with Murray Friedman, Making It in America: The Role of Ethnicity in Business Enterprise, Education and Work Choices (1986). 118 SLOVAKIA PAUL WILKES (M.A., Columbia) is Writer-in-Residence at the University of Pittsburgh. Author of six books and many articles in intellectual journals , Wilkes wrote the PBS television series Six American Families (1978) and Merton (1984). He has received awards from his 'alma mater ' Marquette University and from Columbia as one of their most distinguished alumnae. Recently he finished his saga of Slovak immigration to America entitled In Due Season, a chapter of which we have published in this issue of Slovakia, while the rest awaits publication. SLOVAKIA 119 GUIDELINES FOR MANUSCRIPTS Manuscripts of articles for publication should be sent to the editor. Articles should normally not exceed twenty-five pages in length, and should be submitted in triplicate, typed doublespaced, with generous margins for copyediting . Footnotes should also be double-spaced, numbered, and placed at the end of the paper. Text and format should adhere to the style outlined in Kate Turabian's A Manual for Writers. Proper orthography and diacritical marks must be supplied for all foreign words. Manuscripts will not be returned unless specifically requested and postage is provided. Books for review are to be sent to the editor. Unsolicited book reviews are not encouraged. Individuals who wish to review books should request them from the editor. They should send a 'curriculum vitae' with their request. THE SLOVAK LEAGUE OF AMERICA Organized in 1907 EDWARD J . BEHUNCIK, K.S .G., Honorary President DANIEL F. TANZONE President EMANUEL KVASSAY Vice-President JOHN A. HOLY Secretary-Treasurer ANNE Z. SAROSY Vice-President MICHAEL BUCKO Vice-President Executive Committee Daniel F. Tanzone, Edward J. Behuncik, John A . Holy, Anna S. Granchay Joseph R. Kristofik, Steve J . Hruska , Cecilia Sarocky, Andrew F. Hudak, Jr. , Joseph Stefka, Stephen J. Kavulich , Margaret Pilosi, George N. Kantor, Albert Misik, Edward A . Zelenak Anna M . Vizza, President, Ladies Auxiliary Auditors Joseph Valencik Mary Jacko Patrick Zelenak SLOVAK FRATERNAL ORGANIZATIONS AFFILIATED WITH THE SLOVAK LEAGUE OF AMERICA FIRST CATHOLIC SLOVAK LADIES ASSOCIATION Cleveland, Ohio FIRST CATHOLIC SLOVAK UNION OF THE U.S. AND CANADA Cleveland , Ohio SLOVAK CATHOLIC SOKOL Passaic, N.J . NATIONAL SLOVAK SOCIETY OF THE U.S.A . Pittsburgh , Pa . LADIES PENNSYLVANIA SLOVAK CATHOLIC UNION Wilkes-Barre, Pa . PENNSYLVANIA SLOVAK CATHOLIC UNION Wilkes-Barre, Pa . FIRST SLOVAK WREATH OF THE FREE EAGLE Bridgeport, Conn . SLOVAK NEWSPAPERMEN 'S ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA Joseph C. Krajsa , K.S .G., President THE SLOVAK GARDEN , INC. Andrew F. Hudak, Jr., President Winter Park, Florida SLOVAKIA $6.00 per issue Printed By JEDNOTA PRESS A Division of Jednota Communications, Inc. Middletown, Pennsylvania 17057 U.S.A .  Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Back Matter, Slovakia, Vol. 32 (No. 58-59) Description An account of the resource includes Contributors; Guidelines for Manuscripts Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1985-86 https://slovakia.wordsofpassage.net/files/original/b65cffd75f397ccd49994502a1821d5f.pdf 053b32f76ea02f89f5bfdd02c1c19fea PDF Text Text SLOVAKIA 113 BOOKS AND ARTICLES RECEIVED (a) From Eastern Europe Anger, Jan, " Nektere vojensko-politicke aspekty obrany Ceskoslovenska v druhe polovine 30. let," Historicky easopis, 36 (No. 3, 1988). Avenarius , Alexander, " Stepne narody v Eur6pe: charakter a vyvoj avarskej spolocnosti," He., 36 (No . 2, 1988). Baranovsky, Michal, et. al., Dejiny Slovenska, VI (1945- 1960), Bratislava: Veda, 1988. Bartlova, Alena , "Integracny proces ceskoslovenskej ekonomiky v medzivojnovom obdobi," He., 36 (No. 3, 1988). Bobak, Jan, "Mad'arska otazka v Ceskoslovensku v rokoch 1945·1948," Slezsky sbornik, 85 (No . 1, 1987). Cambel, Samuel, "The Movement for the General Agrarian Reform in Slovakia in the Year 1945," Studia Historica Slovaca , 15 (1986). Cicaj, Viliam ed., Trnavska univerzita v slovenskych dejinach (Bratislava: Veda, 1987). Cierna-Lantayova, Dagmar, "Ceskoslovensko-mad'arska smluva z aprila 1949 v spojeneckom systeme socialistickych krajin," He., 35 (No. 4, 1987). Faltus, Jozef, "Development of Capitalist Industrialization of Slovakia and Its Problems," SHS, 15 (1986). Chovanec, Jaroslav , "Vznik a formovanie l'udovodemokratickeho a socialistickeho politickeho systemu v Ceskoslovensku ," He , 36 (No. 1, 1988). Deak, Ladislav , "Auton6mia Slovenska v planoch horthyovskeho Mad'arska v roku 1938," He , 36 (No . 3, 1988). Elias , Michal & Vojtech Sarluska compiled by, Narodna svetlica: vyber dokumentov k dejinam Matice slovenskej (Martin: Matica slovenska , 1988) . Fano , Stefan, "Ceskoslovensko-sovietske vzt'ahy v rokoch 1945-1948," He. , 36 (No . 1, 1988). Halaga, Ondrej R., ''Pakty vzajomnosti obchodnych stredisk Krakova a Ko sic,'' He ., 36 (No . 2, 1988) Hapak, Pavel, ''Fragen zur wirtschaftlichen Entwicklung der Slowakei am Beginn des 20. Jahrhunderts," SHS., 15 (1986). Haviar, Stefan & Ivan Kucma, V pamiiti naroda. Kniha o Matici slovenskej (Martin: Matica slovenska, 1988). Holotikova, Zdenka , "Komunisticka strana Ceskoslovenska a ceskoslovenska statnost' ," He . 36 (no . 3, 1988) . Hubenak , Ladislav, "KSC a parlamentne vol'by v okt6bri 1929," He ., 35 (No. 4, 1987). Hrnko, Anton, Politicky vyvin, a protifasisticky odboj na Slovensku {1939-1941) , Bratislava: Veda, 1988. Huttova, Maria "Prispevok k dejinam Pravnickej akademie v Bratislave v rokoch �SLOVAKIA 114 1850-1874," Zbornik Slovenskeho narodneho muzea, Hist6ria 28, LXXXI (1988) . Kal'avsky, Michal, "Zrusenie cechov a problemy spolocensko-ekonomickej aktivizacie remeselnikov na Slovensku," Ibid. Karkus, Ondrej, comp., Dvadsat' rokov prace s krajanmi (k 20. vfrociu vzniku OZS MS} ., Martin: Matica slovenska, 1988. Kazimir, Stefan, "Der Fernhandel der Stadte in der Slowakei im 16. Jahrhundert," SHS, 15 (1986). Kollar, Jan, ''Riesenie problemu zasobovania a vyzivy na Slovensku v r. 1948,' ' Ht., 36 (No. 2, 1988). Kopcan, Vojtech, "The Last Stage of the Ottoman Rule in Slovakia," SHS, 15 (1986) . Kormuth, Dezider, Bibliografia clankov zo slovenskych novfn a casopisov, 1918-1945, Odbor 7. Obchod. Zv. 1. Hospodarstvo na Slovensku, 1918-1928 (Martin: Matica slovenska, 1986) . Kovac, Dusan, ''Myslienka ceskoslovenskej statnosti. Jej vznik a realizacia, '' He., 36 (No. 3, 1988). Krajcovicova, Natalia, "Triedne a socialne zapasy na Slovensku v dvadsiatych rokoch nasho storocia," He., 35 (No. 4, 1987). Macko , Pavel, "Podiel socialnej demokracie na utvareni politickeho systemu Ceskoslovenska v rokoch 1918-1929," He., 36 (No. 3, 1988) . Marsina, Richard, "La Lutte pour la liturgie slave dans la Grande Moravie (I..:hommage au 1100 anniversaire de la mort d'archeveque Method),'' SHS, 15 (1986). Matula, Vladimir, et. al., Dejiny Slovenska, II {1526-1848), Bratislava: Veda, 1987 . Ondrejka, Kliment, ed., fa som dobry remeselni.k: vyber remeselnickeho folk6ru (Bratislava: Mlade leta , 1987). Oslansky, Frantisek, "Vyznam cirkevnych desiatkov v stredoveku na Slovensku," He., 35 (No. 6 , 1987) . Petach, Emil, Dejiny mincovania v Kosiciach (Kosice: Vychodoslovenske vydavatel'stvo, 1986). Pet'kovsky, Ondrej, 200 Rokov Slovenskeho Evanjelickeho A. V. cirkevneho zboru v Aradaei, 1786-1986 (Aradac: SEAVCZ, 1986) . Pismi, Stefan, "Vznik Ceskoslovenskej republiky a kultura na Slovensku," Zbornik Slovenskeho narodneho muzea, Historia 28 , LXXXI (1988). Ratkos , Peter, "Vzt'ahy naddunajskych Slovanov a starych Mad'arov v rokoch 881-1018," He ., 35 (No. 6, 1987). Skladany, Marian, " Der Anteil des slowakischen Kupferwesens an der Verwollkommnung der Technologie der Verhiittung von Kupfer im 15. Jahrhundert ," SHS, 15 (1986) . Sladek, Zdenek, "K otazce financovani slovenskych burzoaznich politickych stran za prvni republiky," He ., 36 (No. 3, 1988) . Slovensky biograficky slovni.k (ad roku 833 do roku 1990}, II (E-J), Martin: Matica slovenska, 1987 . �SLOVAKIA 115 Sopko, Julius & Julius Valach eds., Nitriansky k6dex (Martin : Matica slovenska, 1987). _ _ _ _ , "O skolstve a vzdelanosti na Slovensku v stredoveku, " Ht ., 36 (No. 2, 1988) . Stanislav, Ivan, Zivot v slave. Rozpravanie profesorovi Janovi Stanislavovi (Banska Bystrica: SNP, 1987). Sutaj, Stefan, "Vznik Strany slobody a formovanie jej programu v prvych rokoch po oslobodenie," Ht., 36 (No. 1, 1988). Tomek, Frantisek, Z dejin revolutneho odboroveho hnutia na Slovensku v rokoch 1944-1948 (Bratislava: Praca , 1986). Varsik, Branislav, "Slovenske osidlenie v Gemeri a povod nazvu rieky Blh," He ., 35 (No . 4, 1987) . Zuberec, Vladimir, "Prvy slovensky robotnicky kalendai, " Zbornik Slovenskeho narodneho muzea . Historia 28, LXXXI (1988) . (b) From the West Dawisha, Karen, Eastern Europe, Gorbachev and Reform: The Great Challenge (New York: Cambridge U. Press, 1988). Durica, Milan S. , "The Historical Origins and Nature of Slovak Nationalism, " Slovak Studies XXIV (1984). _ _ _ _ , "Das historische Vermiichtnis Dr. Jozef Tisos ," Slowakei, XXIV (1986). Gavlovic , Hugolin, Valaska skola, ed. by Gerald J. Sabo. Introduction by I.:ubomir Durovic (Columbus: Slavica, 1988). Grebert , Arved , "Die Erkliirung der slowakischen Selbstiindigkeit am 14. Marz 1939," Slowakei, XXIV (1986) . Kirschbaum, Jozef M., ' 'Die Australien-Slowaken und die idee der slowakischen Selbstandigkeit, '' Ibid . Leff, Carol Skalnik, National Conflict in Czechoslovakia: The Making and Remaking of the State, 1918-1987 (Princeton: Princeton University Press , 1988) . Magocsi , Paul Robert, ''Religious Identity in the Carpathians ,'' Cross Currents, 7 (1988) . Mikus, Jozef A., "Zwei Historiker: Jan Mlynarik versus Viliam Plevza," Slowakei, XXIV (1986). Parak, Stephan, Die Schweiz und der Slowakische Staat 1939-1945 (Bern: Peter Lang , 1987). Rajnoch , Karl , " Das kulturelle Leben in der Slowakei nach der Reformation," Slovak Studies, XXIII (1983). Rebichini , Andrea , "I Greco-Catholici della Slovachia Orientale : storia e attualita ," Ibid . Stolarik, M. Mark , " From Field to Factory: The Historiography of Slovak Immigration to the U.S. and Canada (1976-1987) ," Ethnic Forum, 8 (No. 1, 1988). Vavrovic , Jozef, "Exercitia Joannes Palarik," Slovak Studies, XXIII (1983) . �116 SLOVAKIA Vnuk, Franmek, Mat' svoj stat znamena zivot: Politicka biografia Alexander Macha (Cleveland: Slovak Institute , 1987) . Vondracek, Thomas J. , Commentary on the Czechoslovak Civil Code (Hingham, MA: Kulver Academic Publishers , 1988) . Walters, E. Garrison, The Other Europe: Eastern Europe to 1945 (Syracuse University Press , 1988). Wilson , Paul , "Religious Movement in Czechoslovakia ," Cross Currents, 7 (1988). �SLOVAKIA 117 CONTRIBUTORS JOSEF KALVODA, Ph.D. (Columbia), is Professor of History and Political Science at Saint Joseph College, West Hartford, Connecticut. Author of many books and articles on Czechoslovakia, East Central Europe , and the Soviet Union, he recently published The Genesis of Czechoslovakia (1986). PATRICIA A. KRAFCIK, Ph.D., (Columbia) , currently teaches Russian language, literature, and folklore at Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. She is preparing other articles and a book on Janosik and the Carpathian brigand tradition, as well as an anthology of Slovak folk ballads. RAYMOND J. KUPKE, M.A., Cand. Phil. (Catholic Univer- sity), is a Roman Catholic priest and Archivist of the Diocese of Paterson. From 1979 to 1981 he was Vice Chancellor and Secretary to the Bishop of Paterson. He is the author of Living Stones: A History of the Catholic Church in the Diocese of Paterson (1987). M. MARK STOLARIK, Ph .D. (Minnesota) is President of the Balch Institute for Ethnic Studies in Philadelphia. Author or editor of seven books and over thirty articles on American Slovaks , immigration, and ethnicity, he is editor of the Immigration History Newsletter and the annual Slovakia. He recently edited Forgotten Doors: The Other Ports of Entry to the United States (1988). �118 SLOVAKIA GUIDELINES FOR MANUSCRIPTS Manuscripts of articles for publication should be sent to the editor. Articles should normally not exceed twenty-five pages in length, and should be submitted in triplicate, typed doublespaced, with generous margins for copyediting. Footnotes should also be double-spaced, numbered, and placed at the end of the paper. Text and format should adhere to the style outlined in Kate Turabian 's A Manual for Writers . Proper orthography and diacritical marks must be supplied for all foreign words . Manuscripts will not be returned unless specifically requested and postage is provided. Books for review are to be sent to the editor. Unsolicited book reviews are not encouraged . Individuals who wish to review books should request them from the editor. They should send a 'curriculum vitae' with their request. ����THE SLOVAK LEAGUE OF AMERICA Organized in 1907 EDWARD J . BEHUNCIK , K.S.G. , Honorary President DANIEL F. TANZONE President JOHN A. HOLY Secretary-Treasurer JOSEPH J. TALAFOUS , Esq. Vice-President ANNE Z. SAROSY Vice-President PHILIP R. TUHY Vice-President Executive Committee Daniel F. Tanzone, Edward J . Behuncik , John A . Holy, Anna S. Granchay Joseph R. Kristofik , Steve J . Hruska , Cecilia Sarocky, Andrew F. Hudak , Jr. , Joseph Stefka , Stephen J . Kavulich , Justine Wesnak , Edward A. Zelenak , George N. Kantor , John Hvasta Anna M. Vizza , President, Ladies Auxiliary Auditors Joseph Valencik Mary Jacko Patrick Zelenak SLOVAK FRATERNAL ORGANIZATIONS AFFILIATED WITH THE SLOVAK LEAGUE OF AMERICA FIRST CATHOLIC SLOVAK LADIES ASSOCIATION Cleveland , Ohio FIRST CATHOLIC SLOVAK UNION OF THE U.S . AND CANADA Cleveland , Ohio SLOVAK CATHOLIC SOKOL Passaic , N .J . NATIONAL SLOVAK SOCIETY OF THE U.S.A. Pittsburgh , Pa . LADIES PENNSYLVANIA SLOVAK CATHOLIC UNION Wilkes-Barre, Pa . PENNSYLVANIA SLOVAK CATHOLIC UNION Wilkes-Barre , Pa. FIRST SLOVAK WREATH OF THE FREE EAGLE Bridgeport, Conn. SLOVAK NEWSPAPERMEN ' S ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA Joseph C. Krajsa , K.S.G. , President THE SLOVAK GARDEN , INC. Andrew F. Hudak, Jr. , President Winter Park, Florida SLOVAKIA $6.00 per issue Printed By JEDNOTA PRESS A Division of Jednota Communications, Inc. Middletown , Pennsylvania 17057 U .S .A . � SLOVAKIA 113 BOOKS AND ARTICLES RECEIVED (a) From Eastern Europe Anger, Jan, " Nektere vojensko-politicke aspekty obrany Ceskoslovenska v druhe polovine 30. let," Historicky easopis, 36 (No. 3, 1988). Avenarius , Alexander, " Stepne narody v Eur6pe: charakter a vyvoj avarskej spolocnosti," He., 36 (No . 2, 1988). Baranovsky, Michal, et. al., Dejiny Slovenska, VI (1945- 1960), Bratislava: Veda, 1988. Bartlova, Alena , "Integracny proces ceskoslovenskej ekonomiky v medzivojnovom obdobi," He., 36 (No. 3, 1988). Bobak, Jan, "Mad'arska otazka v Ceskoslovensku v rokoch 1945·1948," Slezsky sbornik, 85 (No . 1, 1987). Cambel, Samuel, "The Movement for the General Agrarian Reform in Slovakia in the Year 1945," Studia Historica Slovaca , 15 (1986). Cicaj, Viliam ed., Trnavska univerzita v slovenskych dejinach (Bratislava: Veda, 1987). Cierna-Lantayova, Dagmar, "Ceskoslovensko-mad'arska smluva z aprila 1949 v spojeneckom systeme socialistickych krajin," He., 35 (No. 4, 1987). Faltus, Jozef, "Development of Capitalist Industrialization of Slovakia and Its Problems," SHS, 15 (1986). Chovanec, Jaroslav , "Vznik a formovanie l'udovodemokratickeho a socialistickeho politickeho systemu v Ceskoslovensku ," He , 36 (No. 1, 1988). Deak, Ladislav , "Auton6mia Slovenska v planoch horthyovskeho Mad'arska v roku 1938," He , 36 (No . 3, 1988). Elias , Michal & Vojtech Sarluska compiled by, Narodna svetlica: vyber dokumentov k dejinam Matice slovenskej (Martin: Matica slovenska , 1988) . Fano , Stefan, "Ceskoslovensko-sovietske vzt'ahy v rokoch 1945-1948," He. , 36 (No . 1, 1988). Halaga, Ondrej R., ''Pakty vzajomnosti obchodnych stredisk Krakova a Ko sic,'' He ., 36 (No . 2, 1988) Hapak, Pavel, ''Fragen zur wirtschaftlichen Entwicklung der Slowakei am Beginn des 20. Jahrhunderts," SHS., 15 (1986). Haviar, Stefan & Ivan Kucma, V pamiiti naroda. Kniha o Matici slovenskej (Martin: Matica slovenska, 1988). Holotikova, Zdenka , "Komunisticka strana Ceskoslovenska a ceskoslovenska statnost' ," He . 36 (no . 3, 1988) . Hubenak , Ladislav, "KSC a parlamentne vol'by v okt6bri 1929," He ., 35 (No. 4, 1987). Hrnko, Anton, Politicky vyvin, a protifasisticky odboj na Slovensku {1939-1941) , Bratislava: Veda, 1988. Huttova, Maria "Prispevok k dejinam Pravnickej akademie v Bratislave v rokoch �SLOVAKIA 114 1850-1874," Zbornik Slovenskeho narodneho muzea, Hist6ria 28, LXXXI (1988) . Kal'avsky, Michal, "Zrusenie cechov a problemy spolocensko-ekonomickej aktivizacie remeselnikov na Slovensku," Ibid. Karkus, Ondrej, comp., Dvadsat' rokov prace s krajanmi (k 20. vfrociu vzniku OZS MS} ., Martin: Matica slovenska, 1988. Kazimir, Stefan, "Der Fernhandel der Stadte in der Slowakei im 16. Jahrhundert," SHS, 15 (1986). Kollar, Jan, ''Riesenie problemu zasobovania a vyzivy na Slovensku v r. 1948,' ' Ht., 36 (No. 2, 1988). Kopcan, Vojtech, "The Last Stage of the Ottoman Rule in Slovakia," SHS, 15 (1986) . Kormuth, Dezider, Bibliografia clankov zo slovenskych novfn a casopisov, 1918-1945, Odbor 7. Obchod. Zv. 1. Hospodarstvo na Slovensku, 1918-1928 (Martin: Matica slovenska, 1986) . Kovac, Dusan, ''Myslienka ceskoslovenskej statnosti. Jej vznik a realizacia, '' He., 36 (No. 3, 1988). Krajcovicova, Natalia, "Triedne a socialne zapasy na Slovensku v dvadsiatych rokoch nasho storocia," He., 35 (No. 4, 1987). Macko , Pavel, "Podiel socialnej demokracie na utvareni politickeho systemu Ceskoslovenska v rokoch 1918-1929," He., 36 (No. 3, 1988) . Marsina, Richard, "La Lutte pour la liturgie slave dans la Grande Moravie (I..:hommage au 1100 anniversaire de la mort d'archeveque Method),'' SHS, 15 (1986). Matula, Vladimir, et. al., Dejiny Slovenska, II {1526-1848), Bratislava: Veda, 1987 . Ondrejka, Kliment, ed., fa som dobry remeselni.k: vyber remeselnickeho folk6ru (Bratislava: Mlade leta , 1987). Oslansky, Frantisek, "Vyznam cirkevnych desiatkov v stredoveku na Slovensku," He., 35 (No. 6 , 1987) . Petach, Emil, Dejiny mincovania v Kosiciach (Kosice: Vychodoslovenske vydavatel'stvo, 1986). Pet'kovsky, Ondrej, 200 Rokov Slovenskeho Evanjelickeho A. V. cirkevneho zboru v Aradaei, 1786-1986 (Aradac: SEAVCZ, 1986) . Pismi, Stefan, "Vznik Ceskoslovenskej republiky a kultura na Slovensku," Zbornik Slovenskeho narodneho muzea, Historia 28 , LXXXI (1988). Ratkos , Peter, "Vzt'ahy naddunajskych Slovanov a starych Mad'arov v rokoch 881-1018," He ., 35 (No. 6, 1987). Skladany, Marian, " Der Anteil des slowakischen Kupferwesens an der Verwollkommnung der Technologie der Verhiittung von Kupfer im 15. Jahrhundert ," SHS, 15 (1986) . Sladek, Zdenek, "K otazce financovani slovenskych burzoaznich politickych stran za prvni republiky," He ., 36 (No. 3, 1988) . Slovensky biograficky slovni.k (ad roku 833 do roku 1990}, II (E-J), Martin: Matica slovenska, 1987 . �SLOVAKIA 115 Sopko, Julius & Julius Valach eds., Nitriansky k6dex (Martin : Matica slovenska, 1987). _ _ _ _ , "O skolstve a vzdelanosti na Slovensku v stredoveku, " Ht ., 36 (No. 2, 1988) . Stanislav, Ivan, Zivot v slave. Rozpravanie profesorovi Janovi Stanislavovi (Banska Bystrica: SNP, 1987). Sutaj, Stefan, "Vznik Strany slobody a formovanie jej programu v prvych rokoch po oslobodenie," Ht., 36 (No. 1, 1988). Tomek, Frantisek, Z dejin revolutneho odboroveho hnutia na Slovensku v rokoch 1944-1948 (Bratislava: Praca , 1986). Varsik, Branislav, "Slovenske osidlenie v Gemeri a povod nazvu rieky Blh," He ., 35 (No . 4, 1987) . Zuberec, Vladimir, "Prvy slovensky robotnicky kalendai, " Zbornik Slovenskeho narodneho muzea . Historia 28, LXXXI (1988) . (b) From the West Dawisha, Karen, Eastern Europe, Gorbachev and Reform: The Great Challenge (New York: Cambridge U. Press, 1988). Durica, Milan S. , "The Historical Origins and Nature of Slovak Nationalism, " Slovak Studies XXIV (1984). _ _ _ _ , "Das historische Vermiichtnis Dr. Jozef Tisos ," Slowakei, XXIV (1986). Gavlovic , Hugolin, Valaska skola, ed. by Gerald J. Sabo. Introduction by I.:ubomir Durovic (Columbus: Slavica, 1988). Grebert , Arved , "Die Erkliirung der slowakischen Selbstiindigkeit am 14. Marz 1939," Slowakei, XXIV (1986) . Kirschbaum, Jozef M., ' 'Die Australien-Slowaken und die idee der slowakischen Selbstandigkeit, '' Ibid . Leff, Carol Skalnik, National Conflict in Czechoslovakia: The Making and Remaking of the State, 1918-1987 (Princeton: Princeton University Press , 1988) . Magocsi , Paul Robert, ''Religious Identity in the Carpathians ,'' Cross Currents, 7 (1988) . Mikus, Jozef A., "Zwei Historiker: Jan Mlynarik versus Viliam Plevza," Slowakei, XXIV (1986). Parak, Stephan, Die Schweiz und der Slowakische Staat 1939-1945 (Bern: Peter Lang , 1987). Rajnoch , Karl , " Das kulturelle Leben in der Slowakei nach der Reformation," Slovak Studies, XXIII (1983). Rebichini , Andrea , "I Greco-Catholici della Slovachia Orientale : storia e attualita ," Ibid . Stolarik, M. Mark , " From Field to Factory: The Historiography of Slovak Immigration to the U.S. and Canada (1976-1987) ," Ethnic Forum, 8 (No. 1, 1988). Vavrovic , Jozef, "Exercitia Joannes Palarik," Slovak Studies, XXIII (1983) . �116 SLOVAKIA Vnuk, Franmek, Mat' svoj stat znamena zivot: Politicka biografia Alexander Macha (Cleveland: Slovak Institute , 1987) . Vondracek, Thomas J. , Commentary on the Czechoslovak Civil Code (Hingham, MA: Kulver Academic Publishers , 1988) . Walters, E. Garrison, The Other Europe: Eastern Europe to 1945 (Syracuse University Press , 1988). Wilson , Paul , "Religious Movement in Czechoslovakia ," Cross Currents, 7 (1988). �SLOVAKIA 117 CONTRIBUTORS JOSEF KALVODA, Ph.D. (Columbia), is Professor of History and Political Science at Saint Joseph College, West Hartford, Connecticut. Author of many books and articles on Czechoslovakia, East Central Europe , and the Soviet Union, he recently published The Genesis of Czechoslovakia (1986). PATRICIA A. KRAFCIK, Ph.D., (Columbia) , currently teaches Russian language, literature, and folklore at Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. She is preparing other articles and a book on Janosik and the Carpathian brigand tradition, as well as an anthology of Slovak folk ballads. RAYMOND J. KUPKE, M.A., Cand. Phil. (Catholic Univer- sity), is a Roman Catholic priest and Archivist of the Diocese of Paterson. From 1979 to 1981 he was Vice Chancellor and Secretary to the Bishop of Paterson. He is the author of Living Stones: A History of the Catholic Church in the Diocese of Paterson (1987). M. MARK STOLARIK, Ph .D. (Minnesota) is President of the Balch Institute for Ethnic Studies in Philadelphia. Author or editor of seven books and over thirty articles on American Slovaks , immigration, and ethnicity, he is editor of the Immigration History Newsletter and the annual Slovakia. He recently edited Forgotten Doors: The Other Ports of Entry to the United States (1988). �118 SLOVAKIA GUIDELINES FOR MANUSCRIPTS Manuscripts of articles for publication should be sent to the editor. Articles should normally not exceed twenty-five pages in length, and should be submitted in triplicate, typed doublespaced, with generous margins for copyediting. Footnotes should also be double-spaced, numbered, and placed at the end of the paper. Text and format should adhere to the style outlined in Kate Turabian 's A Manual for Writers . Proper orthography and diacritical marks must be supplied for all foreign words . Manuscripts will not be returned unless specifically requested and postage is provided. Books for review are to be sent to the editor. Unsolicited book reviews are not encouraged . Individuals who wish to review books should request them from the editor. They should send a 'curriculum vitae' with their request. ����THE SLOVAK LEAGUE OF AMERICA Organized in 1907 EDWARD J . BEHUNCIK , K.S.G. , Honorary President DANIEL F. TANZONE President JOHN A. HOLY Secretary-Treasurer JOSEPH J. TALAFOUS , Esq. Vice-President ANNE Z. SAROSY Vice-President PHILIP R. TUHY Vice-President Executive Committee Daniel F. Tanzone, Edward J . Behuncik , John A . Holy, Anna S. Granchay Joseph R. Kristofik , Steve J . Hruska , Cecilia Sarocky, Andrew F. Hudak , Jr. , Joseph Stefka , Stephen J . Kavulich , Justine Wesnak , Edward A. Zelenak , George N. Kantor , John Hvasta Anna M. Vizza , President, Ladies Auxiliary Auditors Joseph Valencik Mary Jacko Patrick Zelenak SLOVAK FRATERNAL ORGANIZATIONS AFFILIATED WITH THE SLOVAK LEAGUE OF AMERICA FIRST CATHOLIC SLOVAK LADIES ASSOCIATION Cleveland , Ohio FIRST CATHOLIC SLOVAK UNION OF THE U.S . AND CANADA Cleveland , Ohio SLOVAK CATHOLIC SOKOL Passaic , N .J . NATIONAL SLOVAK SOCIETY OF THE U.S.A. Pittsburgh , Pa . LADIES PENNSYLVANIA SLOVAK CATHOLIC UNION Wilkes-Barre, Pa . PENNSYLVANIA SLOVAK CATHOLIC UNION Wilkes-Barre , Pa. FIRST SLOVAK WREATH OF THE FREE EAGLE Bridgeport, Conn. SLOVAK NEWSPAPERMEN ' S ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA Joseph C. Krajsa , K.S.G. , President THE SLOVAK GARDEN , INC. Andrew F. Hudak, Jr. , President Winter Park, Florida SLOVAKIA $6.00 per issue Printed By JEDNOTA PRESS A Division of Jednota Communications, Inc. Middletown , Pennsylvania 17057 U .S .A . � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource 1987-88, Vol. 33 Description An account of the resource Vol. 33 (No. 60-61), 1987-88. Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available The Slovak League of America Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1987-88 Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document SLOVAKIA 113 BOOKS AND ARTICLES RECEIVED (a) From Eastern Europe Anger, Jan, " Nektere vojensko-politicke aspekty obrany Ceskoslovenska v druhe polovine 30. let," Historicky easopis, 36 (No. 3, 1988). Avenarius , Alexander, " Stepne narody v Eur6pe: charakter a vyvoj avarskej spolocnosti," He., 36 (No . 2, 1988). Baranovsky, Michal, et. al., Dejiny Slovenska, VI (1945- 1960), Bratislava: Veda, 1988. Bartlova, Alena , "Integracny proces ceskoslovenskej ekonomiky v medzivojnovom obdobi," He., 36 (No. 3, 1988). Bobak, Jan, "Mad'arska otazka v Ceskoslovensku v rokoch 1945·1948," Slezsky sbornik, 85 (No . 1, 1987). Cambel, Samuel, "The Movement for the General Agrarian Reform in Slovakia in the Year 1945," Studia Historica Slovaca , 15 (1986). Cicaj, Viliam ed., Trnavska univerzita v slovenskych dejinach (Bratislava: Veda, 1987). Cierna-Lantayova, Dagmar, "Ceskoslovensko-mad'arska smluva z aprila 1949 v spojeneckom systeme socialistickych krajin," He., 35 (No. 4, 1987). Faltus, Jozef, "Development of Capitalist Industrialization of Slovakia and Its Problems," SHS, 15 (1986). Chovanec, Jaroslav , "Vznik a formovanie l'udovodemokratickeho a socialistickeho politickeho systemu v Ceskoslovensku ," He , 36 (No. 1, 1988). Deak, Ladislav , "Auton6mia Slovenska v planoch horthyovskeho Mad'arska v roku 1938," He , 36 (No . 3, 1988). Elias , Michal & Vojtech Sarluska compiled by, Narodna svetlica: vyber dokumentov k dejinam Matice slovenskej (Martin: Matica slovenska , 1988) . Fano , Stefan, "Ceskoslovensko-sovietske vzt'ahy v rokoch 1945-1948," He. , 36 (No . 1, 1988). Halaga, Ondrej R., ''Pakty vzajomnosti obchodnych stredisk Krakova a Ko sic,'' He ., 36 (No . 2, 1988) Hapak, Pavel, ''Fragen zur wirtschaftlichen Entwicklung der Slowakei am Beginn des 20. Jahrhunderts," SHS., 15 (1986). Haviar, Stefan & Ivan Kucma, V pamiiti naroda. Kniha o Matici slovenskej (Martin: Matica slovenska, 1988). Holotikova, Zdenka , "Komunisticka strana Ceskoslovenska a ceskoslovenska statnost' ," He . 36 (no . 3, 1988) . Hubenak , Ladislav, "KSC a parlamentne vol'by v okt6bri 1929," He ., 35 (No. 4, 1987). Hrnko, Anton, Politicky vyvin, a protifasisticky odboj na Slovensku {1939-1941) , Bratislava: Veda, 1988. Huttova, Maria "Prispevok k dejinam Pravnickej akademie v Bratislave v rokoch SLOVAKIA 114 1850-1874," Zbornik Slovenskeho narodneho muzea, Hist6ria 28, LXXXI (1988) . Kal'avsky, Michal, "Zrusenie cechov a problemy spolocensko-ekonomickej aktivizacie remeselnikov na Slovensku," Ibid. Karkus, Ondrej, comp., Dvadsat' rokov prace s krajanmi (k 20. vfrociu vzniku OZS MS} ., Martin: Matica slovenska, 1988. Kazimir, Stefan, "Der Fernhandel der Stadte in der Slowakei im 16. Jahrhundert," SHS, 15 (1986). Kollar, Jan, ''Riesenie problemu zasobovania a vyzivy na Slovensku v r. 1948,' ' Ht., 36 (No. 2, 1988). Kopcan, Vojtech, "The Last Stage of the Ottoman Rule in Slovakia," SHS, 15 (1986) . Kormuth, Dezider, Bibliografia clankov zo slovenskych novfn a casopisov, 1918-1945, Odbor 7. Obchod. Zv. 1. Hospodarstvo na Slovensku, 1918-1928 (Martin: Matica slovenska, 1986) . Kovac, Dusan, ''Myslienka ceskoslovenskej statnosti. Jej vznik a realizacia, '' He., 36 (No. 3, 1988). Krajcovicova, Natalia, "Triedne a socialne zapasy na Slovensku v dvadsiatych rokoch nasho storocia," He., 35 (No. 4, 1987). Macko , Pavel, "Podiel socialnej demokracie na utvareni politickeho systemu Ceskoslovenska v rokoch 1918-1929," He., 36 (No. 3, 1988) . Marsina, Richard, "La Lutte pour la liturgie slave dans la Grande Moravie (I..:hommage au 1100 anniversaire de la mort d'archeveque Method),'' SHS, 15 (1986). Matula, Vladimir, et. al., Dejiny Slovenska, II {1526-1848), Bratislava: Veda, 1987 . Ondrejka, Kliment, ed., fa som dobry remeselni.k: vyber remeselnickeho folk6ru (Bratislava: Mlade leta , 1987). Oslansky, Frantisek, "Vyznam cirkevnych desiatkov v stredoveku na Slovensku," He., 35 (No. 6 , 1987) . Petach, Emil, Dejiny mincovania v Kosiciach (Kosice: Vychodoslovenske vydavatel'stvo, 1986). Pet'kovsky, Ondrej, 200 Rokov Slovenskeho Evanjelickeho A. V. cirkevneho zboru v Aradaei, 1786-1986 (Aradac: SEAVCZ, 1986) . Pismi, Stefan, "Vznik Ceskoslovenskej republiky a kultura na Slovensku," Zbornik Slovenskeho narodneho muzea, Historia 28 , LXXXI (1988). Ratkos , Peter, "Vzt'ahy naddunajskych Slovanov a starych Mad'arov v rokoch 881-1018," He ., 35 (No. 6, 1987). Skladany, Marian, " Der Anteil des slowakischen Kupferwesens an der Verwollkommnung der Technologie der Verhiittung von Kupfer im 15. Jahrhundert ," SHS, 15 (1986) . Sladek, Zdenek, "K otazce financovani slovenskych burzoaznich politickych stran za prvni republiky," He ., 36 (No. 3, 1988) . Slovensky biograficky slovni.k (ad roku 833 do roku 1990}, II (E-J), Martin: Matica slovenska, 1987 . SLOVAKIA 115 Sopko, Julius & Julius Valach eds., Nitriansky k6dex (Martin : Matica slovenska, 1987). _ _ _ _ , "O skolstve a vzdelanosti na Slovensku v stredoveku, " Ht ., 36 (No. 2, 1988) . Stanislav, Ivan, Zivot v slave. Rozpravanie profesorovi Janovi Stanislavovi (Banska Bystrica: SNP, 1987). Sutaj, Stefan, "Vznik Strany slobody a formovanie jej programu v prvych rokoch po oslobodenie," Ht., 36 (No. 1, 1988). Tomek, Frantisek, Z dejin revolutneho odboroveho hnutia na Slovensku v rokoch 1944-1948 (Bratislava: Praca , 1986). Varsik, Branislav, "Slovenske osidlenie v Gemeri a povod nazvu rieky Blh," He ., 35 (No . 4, 1987) . Zuberec, Vladimir, "Prvy slovensky robotnicky kalendai, " Zbornik Slovenskeho narodneho muzea . Historia 28, LXXXI (1988) . (b) From the West Dawisha, Karen, Eastern Europe, Gorbachev and Reform: The Great Challenge (New York: Cambridge U. Press, 1988). Durica, Milan S. , "The Historical Origins and Nature of Slovak Nationalism, " Slovak Studies XXIV (1984). _ _ _ _ , "Das historische Vermiichtnis Dr. Jozef Tisos ," Slowakei, XXIV (1986). Gavlovic , Hugolin, Valaska skola, ed. by Gerald J. Sabo. Introduction by I.:ubomir Durovic (Columbus: Slavica, 1988). Grebert , Arved , "Die Erkliirung der slowakischen Selbstiindigkeit am 14. Marz 1939," Slowakei, XXIV (1986) . Kirschbaum, Jozef M., ' 'Die Australien-Slowaken und die idee der slowakischen Selbstandigkeit, '' Ibid . Leff, Carol Skalnik, National Conflict in Czechoslovakia: The Making and Remaking of the State, 1918-1987 (Princeton: Princeton University Press , 1988) . Magocsi , Paul Robert, ''Religious Identity in the Carpathians ,'' Cross Currents, 7 (1988) . Mikus, Jozef A., "Zwei Historiker: Jan Mlynarik versus Viliam Plevza," Slowakei, XXIV (1986). Parak, Stephan, Die Schweiz und der Slowakische Staat 1939-1945 (Bern: Peter Lang , 1987). Rajnoch , Karl , " Das kulturelle Leben in der Slowakei nach der Reformation," Slovak Studies, XXIII (1983). Rebichini , Andrea , "I Greco-Catholici della Slovachia Orientale : storia e attualita ," Ibid . Stolarik, M. Mark , " From Field to Factory: The Historiography of Slovak Immigration to the U.S. and Canada (1976-1987) ," Ethnic Forum, 8 (No. 1, 1988). Vavrovic , Jozef, "Exercitia Joannes Palarik," Slovak Studies, XXIII (1983) . 116 SLOVAKIA Vnuk, Franmek, Mat' svoj stat znamena zivot: Politicka biografia Alexander Macha (Cleveland: Slovak Institute , 1987) . Vondracek, Thomas J. , Commentary on the Czechoslovak Civil Code (Hingham, MA: Kulver Academic Publishers , 1988) . Walters, E. Garrison, The Other Europe: Eastern Europe to 1945 (Syracuse University Press , 1988). Wilson , Paul , "Religious Movement in Czechoslovakia ," Cross Currents, 7 (1988). SLOVAKIA 117 CONTRIBUTORS JOSEF KALVODA, Ph.D. (Columbia), is Professor of History and Political Science at Saint Joseph College, West Hartford, Connecticut. Author of many books and articles on Czechoslovakia, East Central Europe , and the Soviet Union, he recently published The Genesis of Czechoslovakia (1986). PATRICIA A. KRAFCIK, Ph.D., (Columbia) , currently teaches Russian language, literature, and folklore at Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. She is preparing other articles and a book on Janosik and the Carpathian brigand tradition, as well as an anthology of Slovak folk ballads. RAYMOND J. KUPKE, M.A., Cand. Phil. (Catholic Univer- sity), is a Roman Catholic priest and Archivist of the Diocese of Paterson. From 1979 to 1981 he was Vice Chancellor and Secretary to the Bishop of Paterson. He is the author of Living Stones: A History of the Catholic Church in the Diocese of Paterson (1987). M. MARK STOLARIK, Ph .D. (Minnesota) is President of the Balch Institute for Ethnic Studies in Philadelphia. Author or editor of seven books and over thirty articles on American Slovaks , immigration, and ethnicity, he is editor of the Immigration History Newsletter and the annual Slovakia. He recently edited Forgotten Doors: The Other Ports of Entry to the United States (1988). 118 SLOVAKIA GUIDELINES FOR MANUSCRIPTS Manuscripts of articles for publication should be sent to the editor. Articles should normally not exceed twenty-five pages in length, and should be submitted in triplicate, typed doublespaced, with generous margins for copyediting. Footnotes should also be double-spaced, numbered, and placed at the end of the paper. Text and format should adhere to the style outlined in Kate Turabian 's A Manual for Writers . Proper orthography and diacritical marks must be supplied for all foreign words . Manuscripts will not be returned unless specifically requested and postage is provided. Books for review are to be sent to the editor. Unsolicited book reviews are not encouraged . Individuals who wish to review books should request them from the editor. They should send a 'curriculum vitae' with their request. THE SLOVAK LEAGUE OF AMERICA Organized in 1907 EDWARD J . BEHUNCIK , K.S.G. , Honorary President DANIEL F. TANZONE President JOHN A. HOLY Secretary-Treasurer JOSEPH J. TALAFOUS , Esq. Vice-President ANNE Z. SAROSY Vice-President PHILIP R. TUHY Vice-President Executive Committee Daniel F. Tanzone, Edward J . Behuncik , John A . Holy, Anna S. Granchay Joseph R. Kristofik , Steve J . Hruska , Cecilia Sarocky, Andrew F. Hudak , Jr. , Joseph Stefka , Stephen J . Kavulich , Justine Wesnak , Edward A. Zelenak , George N. Kantor , John Hvasta Anna M. Vizza , President, Ladies Auxiliary Auditors Joseph Valencik Mary Jacko Patrick Zelenak SLOVAK FRATERNAL ORGANIZATIONS AFFILIATED WITH THE SLOVAK LEAGUE OF AMERICA FIRST CATHOLIC SLOVAK LADIES ASSOCIATION Cleveland , Ohio FIRST CATHOLIC SLOVAK UNION OF THE U.S . AND CANADA Cleveland , Ohio SLOVAK CATHOLIC SOKOL Passaic , N .J . NATIONAL SLOVAK SOCIETY OF THE U.S.A. Pittsburgh , Pa . LADIES PENNSYLVANIA SLOVAK CATHOLIC UNION Wilkes-Barre, Pa . PENNSYLVANIA SLOVAK CATHOLIC UNION Wilkes-Barre , Pa. FIRST SLOVAK WREATH OF THE FREE EAGLE Bridgeport, Conn. SLOVAK NEWSPAPERMEN ' S ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA Joseph C. Krajsa , K.S.G. , President THE SLOVAK GARDEN , INC. Andrew F. Hudak, Jr. , President Winter Park, Florida SLOVAKIA $6.00 per issue Printed By JEDNOTA PRESS A Division of Jednota Communications, Inc. Middletown , Pennsylvania 17057 U .S .A .  Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Back Matter, Slovakia, Vol. 33 (No. 60-61) Description An account of the resource includes Books and Articles Received; Contributors; Guidelines for Manuscripts Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1987-88 https://slovakia.wordsofpassage.net/files/original/ad2a7aff18974b3ca9393692aa64eef2.pdf 545bb39afd0cd2a6bbf8d014db00df3e PDF Text Text SLOVAKIA 182 BOOKS AND ARTICLES RECEIVED (a) From Eastern Europe Baranovsky, Michal, "K niektorym otazkam spolocenskeho vyvoja Ceskoslovenska v sest'desiatych rokoch," Historicky easopis ., 37 (No. 5, 1989). Bartalska, tubica, "K problematike vydavania americko-slovenskej mladeznfckej tlace," Slovrici v zah ranicf, 15 (1989). Bartl, Julius, " Mesta a mestecka Trencianskej stolice v stredoveku ," He., (No. 5, 1988). Bartlova, Alena, "K dejinam potravinarskeho priemyslu na Slovensku v rokoch 1918-1938," He., 37 (No . 2, 1989). Bielik, Frantisek, "Slovenske vyst'ahovalectvo v rokoch 1880-1914 a pramene jeho poznavania," Slovrici v zahranicf, 15 (1989). Bobrik, Miroslav, "Nemecke telovychovne organizacie a spolky na Slovensku v rokoch 1918-1928," He. , 36 (no. 4, 1988). Bodnarova, Miloslava, "Majetkova struktura obyvatel' stva Kosfc v 16. storocf," Historica Carpatica., 18 (1987). Bokesova-Uherova, Maria, Dejiny zdravotnictva na Slovensku (Martin: Osveta, 1989). Borgul'a, Michal, Rozprrivanie z Dolnej zeme (Martin: Matica slovenska, 1988). Bosic, Mila, Narodna nosnja Slovaka u Vojvodini (Novi sad : Vojvodanski muzej, 1987) Botik, Jan, ed., Hant. Tradicie /'udovej kultury (Martin: Osveta, 1988). Cambel, Samuel, "Otazka vzt'ahu revolucie v ceskych krajinach a na Slovensku v rokoch 1944-1948," He. , 37 (No. 3, 1989). Cepan, Oskar, ed., Jonas Zriborsky, I & II, (Bratislava: Tatran, 1989). Chropovsky, Bohuslav & Alexander Ruttkay, "Archaologische Erforschung und Genese des slowakischen Etnikums," Studia Historica Slovaca, XVI (1988). Daniel, David P., "Vyskum obdobia reformacie na Slovensku," He. , 37 (No. 4, 1989). Danis, Miroslav, " Husarske pluky na Ukrajine v 18. storocf a Slovensko, " He. , 37 (No. 2, 1989). Elias, Michal ed., Z pramenov nriroda. Na pamiatku stodvadsiateho piateho vyrocia vzniku Memoranda slovenskeho nriroda z roku 1861 (Martin: Matica slovenska, 1988). Fabian, Juraj , "Od Klebelsbergovho Memoranda k 'Americkej akcif,' " Slovrici v zahranici, 14 (1988). Fabricius, Miroslav, Hospodrirsky vyvoj Slovenska do konca predmnichovskej republiky (Bratislava: Ekonomicky ustav SAV, 1987). Fodor, Zoltan, Nrirodnostne skolstvo v Slovenskej socialistickej republike (Bratislava: SPN, 1988). Gajdos, Marian, ed ., Vyvoj a postavenie ukrajinskej nrirodnosti na Slovensku v obdobi vystavby socializmu (Kosice: Spolocenskovedny ustav SAV, 1989). Gasparikova, Viera ed. , Jrinosfk: obraz zbojnika v nrirodnej kulture (Bratislava: Tatran, 1988). �SLOVAKIA 183 Gecelovsky, Vladimir, "Socialno-politicke postavenie a perzekucie Ciganov na Gemeri v rokoch 1918-1945," Historica Carpatica, 18 (1987). Gegus, Ivan, Kultumopolitickti orientticia Matice slovenskej v rokoch 1919-1938 (Martin: Matica slovenska, 1988). Gresik, Ladislav, "Medzinarodne suvislosti a vyvin vnutropolitickych pomerov v Ceskoslovenskuv 60. rokoch," He. , 36 (No . 5, 1988). Habovstiak, Alojz, Stredovekti dedina na Slovensku (Bratislava : Slovenske narodne muzeum, 1985) Halaga, Ondrej, " ' Dvojite Kosice ' a ich opevnenie," He., 37 (No. 4, 1989). Hapak, Pavel, " K niektorym problemom dejfn robotnfckeho hnutia na Slovensku do roku 1918, " He., 37 (No . 4, 1989). Holec, Roman, " Mechanizacia ako sucast' pol' nohospodarskej revolucie na Slovensku v druhej polovici 19 . storocia," He. , 36 (No . 4, 1988). Horvath, Pavel, "Zbytocny pokus o revfziu autorstva slovenskych narodnych obran z rokov 1821-1834," He., 38 (No. 1, 1990). Hrnko, Anton, " Prejavy krfzy l'udackeho rezimu na Slovensku v lete roku 1943," He., 37 (no . 3, 1989). Hubenak, Ladislav, " Vznik Ceskoslovenska - zahranicny odboj a krajania," Slovtici v zahranicf, 14 (1988). Jakesova, Elena, "Reemigracia a vyst'ahovalectvo obyvatel'stva Slovenska v obdobf po vzniku Ceskoslovenskej republiky, " Slovtici v zahranicf, 14 (1988). _ _ _ _ , "Americkf Slovaci, zahranicny odboj a ceskoslove nska statnost' (1914-1918)," He., 37 (No. 5, 1989). Jakubikova, Kornelia, "The Participation of the Local Community in the Wedding in Slovakia," Ethnologia Slavica, 18 (1986). Kartous, Peter, "Narodne kulturne pamiatky v archfvoch SSR, " He., 37 (No . 5, 1989). Klimko, Jozef, Tretia nsa a l'udacky rezim na Slovensku (Bratislava: Obzor, 1986) Kollarova-Svorcova, Zuzana, "K problematike ciganskej otazky na Spisi (1918-1938)," Slovensky ntirodopis, 36 (No. 1, 1988). Kovac, Andrej, 'Vzt'ahy a riesenie agrarnej a ukrajinskej otazky v severovychodnych okresoch vychodneho Slovenska v rokoch 1944-1960," Histocia Carpatica, 18 (1987). Kovac, Dusan, "Slovenskf Nemci v rfsskonemeckej a sudetonemeckej politike," He., 37 (No. 6, 1989). _ _ _ _ & tubomfr Liptak, Kapitoly z dejfn (pre stredne skoly) (Bratislava: SPN, 1990). Krajfovic, Milan, 'Slovania Podunajska v protirakuskom hnutf porevolucnej ernigracie," He., 37 (No. 5, 1989). Krajfovic, Rudolf, " The Language in Great Moravia and Its Continuity with Slovak," Studia Historica Slovaca, XVI (1988). Krajfovifova, Natalia, " Prejavy nespokoj nosti s realizaciou pozemkovej reformy v prvej polovici dvadsiatych rokov, " He. , 37 (No . 6, 1989). Kucera, Matus, " Grossmahren und die Anfange unserer nationalen Geschichte, " Studia Historica Slovaca , XVI (1988) . �184 SLOVAKIA Kuzmik, Jozef, Kniznti kultura na Slovensku v stredoveku a renesancii (Martin : Matica slovenska, 1987). Lukacka, Jan, " Majetky a postavenia Ludanickovcov na Slovensku do zaciatku 14. storocia, " He., 38 (No. 1, 1990). Magdolenova, Anna, " Ceskoslovensky kontext v slovenskom hudobnom umeni v medzivojnovom obdobi (1918-1939)," He., 37 (No. 4, 1989). Magula, Rudolph, "Banicke skoly na vychodnom Slovensku pred rokom 1918," Historica Carpatica, 18 (1987). Mannova, Elena, "Spolky a ich miesta v zivote spolocnosti na Slovensku v 19. stor. Stav a problemy vyskumu," He., 38 (No . 1, 1990). Marsina, Richard, " Uber die Besiedlung der Slowakei vom 11. bis in die Halfte des 13. Jahrhunderts," Studia Historica Slovaca , XVI (1988). _ _ _ _ , " K najstarsfm dejinam Zvolena," He., 37 (No. 6, 1989). Mistrik, Jozef, Modernti sloveneina, 2nd ed. (Bratislava: SPN, 1988). _ _ _ _ , A Grammar of Contemporary Slovak (Bratislava : SPN, 1988). Oravec, Jan & Jozef Prokop, Sloveneina pre krajanov hovoriacich po anglicky (Martin: Matica slovenska, 1986). Pleva, Jan, " Ideologicka praca Komunistickej stra ny Ceskoslovenska v prvej polovici dvadsiatych rokov," He., 36 (No. 5, 1988). Podolak, Jan, " Organizational Forms of Pastoral Farming in Slovakia," Ethnologia Slavica, 15 (1983) . Podolak, Jan, " Traditional Utilization of the Production of Sheep Milk," Ethnologia Slavica, 16 (1984). Potremra, Michal, " Niektore otazky dejin juzneho Slovenska v rokoch 1938-1945," He ., 37 (No. 6, 1989). Pranda, Adam, " Die Slowakisch Rastelbinderei, Ethnologia Slavica, 17 (1985). Ratkos, Peter, " The Territorial Development of Great Moravia (Fiction and Reality), Studia Historica S/ovaca, XVI (1988). _ _ _ _ , Slovensko v dobe vel'komoravskej (Kosice: Vychodoslovenske vydavatel' stvo, 1988). Roharik, pave!, Termino/6gia remeseln{ckej vyroby v Nadlaku (Martin: Matica slovenska, 1988). Ruman, Ladislav, "Ceskoslovenska socialna demokracia v obdobi docasnej stabilizacie kapitalizmu (1924-1929), He. , 38 (No. 1, 1990). Rychlik, Jan, " K otazke postavenia ceskeho obyvatel'stva na Slovensku v rokoch 1938-1945, " He ., 37 (No. 3, 1989). _ _ _ _ " Prfprava a priebeh pozemkovej reformy na Slovensku v rokoch 1938-1945," Agricultura, 22 (1989) . Sedlak, lmrich ed ., Pavo/ Jozef Saftirik a slovenske ntirodne obroden ie (Martin : Matica slovenska, 1989). Sedlak, Vincent, " Nichtmagyarische Einflusse in den Anfangen des ungarischen Staates," Studia Historica S/ovaca , XVI (1988). Sikora, Stanislav, " Problemy rozvoja socialistickeho demokratizmu v cinnosti narodnych vyborov na Slovensku na zaciatku 50. rokov," He., 37 (No. 6, 1989). �SLOVAKIA 185 Simoncic, Jozef & Jozef Watzka eds., Dejiny Trnavy (Bratislava : Obzor, 1988). Skvarna, Dusan, " Prfpravy septembroveho ozbrojeneho povstania v roku 1848, " He., 36 (No . 5, 1988). _ _ _ _ , "Priebeh a vysledky septembroveho ozbrojeneho povstania roku 1848," He., 37 (No. 2, 1989). Slavkovsky, Peter, " Die Migration zur landwirtschiftlichen Saisonarbiet und ihre Bedeutung fur die Entwicklung der Volkskultur in der Slowakei,'' Ethnologia Slavica, 15 (1983). Slovensky biograficky slovnfk (od roku 833 do roku 1990), Ill (K-1), (Martin: Matica slovenska, 1989). Smatlak, Stanislav, Dejiny slovenskej literatury od stredoveku po sueasnost' (Bratislava: Tatran, 1988). Sopko, Julius, "Questions of Cultural Influences and Level of Learning During the First Centuries of the Hungarian State, " Studia Historica Slovaca , XVI (1988) . Spiesz, Anton, Bratislava v 18. storocf (Bratislava : Tatran , 1987). Spira, Gyorgy, " Stretnutie Jana Rotaridesa s revoluciou a kontrarevoluciou," He., 36 (No. 5, 1988). Stevcek, Juraj, ed ., Dejiny slovenskeho romanu (Bratislava : Tatran, 1989). Stilla, Milos, " Paradesantna brigada v partizanskej voj ne," He., 37 (No. 3, 1989). Stolarik, M. Mark, " Slovenski prist'ahovalci a ich postoje v rokoch 1885-1919," He., 37 (No . 6, 1989). Strelko, Amon, " Vnutropoliticky vyvoj l' udackeho tabora v rokoch 1941-1942," He., 37 (No . 3, 1989). Tajtak, Ladislav, " Vznfk Robotnfckeho vzdelavacieho spolku v Kosiciach," Historica Carpatica, 18 (1987) . _ _ _ _ , " K otazke I' avicovej opozfcie v uhorskej a slovenskej socialnej demokracii a vzniku tzv . Hornouhorskej socialnodemokratickej strany, " He., 36 (No. 4, 1988). Tibensky, Jan et. al. , Priekopnfci vedy a techniky na Slovensku II (Bratislava: Obzor, 1988). Tichy, Miloslav, " K dejinam Lekarskej fakulty v Bratislave v rokoch 1919-1939, " He. , 37 (No. 5, 1989). Ulicny, Ferdinand, " Vyvoj osfdlenia horneho povodia Ondavy do zaciatku 17. storocia," Historica Carpatica, 18 (1987). Visvader, Frantisek, Maly album vel'kych osobnos tf (Portrety vyznamnych cinite/'ov eeskoslovenskeho kom unistickeho hnutia (Bratislava: SPN, 1988). Vozar, Jozef, " Zaciatky banickeho vysokeho skolstva na uzemi Ceskoslovenska, " He., 36 (No. 5, 1988). Winters, Stanley B., " Vyvoj badani o dejinach Ceskoslovenska ve Spojenych statech," Casopis Matice moravske, CVIII (No . 2, 1989). Zatkuliak, Jozef, " Narodne vybory na Slovensku pri riadeni pol'noh ospodarstva po zasadani 0V KSC v juni 1955," He., 36 (No. 4, 1988). Zubercova, Magdalena M. , Tisfcrocie m6dy. Z dejin odievania na Slovensku (Martin: Osveta, 1988). �186 SLOVAKIA (b) from the West Baumgarten, R. Vladimir, "T.G. Masaryk: The Making of a Founding Father, " The Central European Forum, 2 (No . 4, 1989). Baumgarten, R. Vladimir & Joseph Stefka, The National Slovak Society: 100 Year History, 1890-1990 (Pittsburgh: National Slovak Society, 1990). Borchert, James & Susan, Lakewood: The First Hundred Years (Norfolk, VA: Donning publishing Co., 1989). Brown, Janice, Conscience and Captivity: Religion in Eastern Europe (Washington, D.C. : Ethics and Public Policy Center, 1989). Deak, Istvan, " Uncovering Eastern Europe' s Dark History," Orbis: A Journal of World Affairs, 34 (No. 1, 1990). _ _ _ _ , Beyond Nationalism : A Social and Political History of the Habsburg Officer Corps, 1848-1918 (New York, Oxford University Press, 1990). Drobena, Thomas John, "The Influence of Irish-Keltic Church Architecture on the Slavic Church Buildings of the Great Moravian Period, " Slovak Studies, XXII (1982) . Durica, Milan S., " The Political Activities of Dr. Jozef Kirschbaum in 1939-1945 (As Described in Secret German Documents}, " Slovak Studies, XXV (1985). Durovic, tubomir, "The Language of the Walaska Sskola," in Gerald J. Sabo ed ., Hugolfn Gavlovic's Valaska Skala (Columbus, Ohio: Slavica Publishers, 1988). 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Johnson, Owen V., " Newspapers and Nation-Building : The Slovak Press in Pre-1918 Slovakia, " in Hans Lemberg et. al ., Bildungsgeschichte, Bevolkerungsgeschichte und Gesel/schaftsgeschichte in den bohemischer Uindern und in Europa (Wien: Verlag fur Geschichte und Politik, 1988). _ _ _ _ , " Clio Among the Ethnic Media," Ethnic Fo rum, 8 (No . 1, 1988). �SLOVAKIA 187 Kalvoda, Josef, "Federalist thought in Czechoslovakia During the Interwar Years," Slovakia , XXXIII (1987-88). _ _ _ _ , " National Minorities Under Communism : The Case of Czechoslovakia," Nationalities Papers, XVI (No. 1, 1988). _ _ _ _ , "Czechoslovak-Ukrainian Relations," The Ukrainian Quarterly, XLN (Nos. 1-2, 1988). _ _ _ _ , "The Czechoslovak Army in the Civil War in Russia," The Ukrainian Quarterly, XLV (No. 1, 1989). _ _ _ _ , "The Origins of Czechoslovakia (Russia - The Home Front), " in Norman Stone & Edward Strouhal eds., Czechoslovakia : Crossroads and Crises, 1918-1988 (New York: St. Martin 's Press, 1989). Keller, Hans, "Meine funf Jahre in der Slowakei, 1939-1945," Slowakei, XXV (1988). Kirschbaum, J.M., "Fur ein neues Mitteleuropa," Slowakei, XXVI (1989) . Kirschbaum, Stanislav J., "Slovak Nationalism in the First Czechoslovak Republic of 1918-1938, " Canadian Review of Studies in Nationalism, XVI (Nos. 1-2, 1989). Komlos, John, Nutrition and Economic Development in the 18th-Century Habsburg Monarchy: An Anthropometric History (Princeton, N .J.: Princeton University Press, 1989). Kona, Martha M. & William, Arcibiskup Dr. Karol Kmet'ko (Cambridge, Ontario: Dobra kniha, 1989). Kopanic, Michael J., Jr. , "Sjednocovanie socialno-demokratickych odborovych organizacii na Slovensku v rokoch 1918-1920," Premeny, 24 (No . 4, 1987). _ _ _ _ , " Conflict and Cooperation Among East Central European Immigrants: Slovak Prespectives on Relations with Magyars in Cleveland, 1880-1930," in Western Reserve Studies Symposium (Cleveland: Western Reserve Historical Society, 1989). Korec, Jan (Bishop), "Letter to Rude Pravo (October, 1987)," Furdek, XXVIIl (1989) . Kovtun, Jiff, Masaryku v triumf: Prfbeh konce velkevalky (Toronto : Sixty-Eight Publishers, 1987). Krafcik, Patricia A., "Janosil<: Unraveling the Man from the Legend," Slovakia, XXXIII (1987-88) . Kupke, Raymond J., 'The Slovak National Catholic Church, Passaic, New Jersey, and the Jeczusko Affair," Slovakia , XXXIII (1987-88). Kutnik, Jozef, " Benedictine Missionaries in Slovakia in the 9th-11th Centuries, " Slovak Studies, XXII (1982). Litva, Felix J ., "Bibliography of the Cyrillo-Methodian Mission in Great Moravia, " Slovak Studies, XXII (1982) . Mamatey, Victor S., "The Change of Presidential Guard, 1935: Masaryk's Abdication - Benes's Election," Kosmas, VII (No. 2, 1988). _ _ _ _ , " The United States and Czechoslovak Independence," in Czechoslovakia : Crossroads and Crises, 1918-1988, ed. by Norman Stone & Eduard Strouhal (New York: St. Martin's Press, 1989). McCagg, William 0 ., A History of the Habsburg Jews, 1670-1988 (Bloomington, IN : Indiana University Press, 1988). �188 SLOVAKIA Molenda, Danuta, " Technological Innovation in Central Europe between the XNth and the XVIIth Centuries," Journal of European Economic History, 17 (No . 1, 1988). Pastor, Peter, ed., Revolutions and Interoentions in Hungary and Its Neighboring States, 1918-1919 (Highland Lakes, N.J.: Atlantic Studies on Society in Change, 1988 [E. European Monographs, #240)) . Pehe, Jiri, ed., The Prague Spring: A Mixed Legacy (Lanham, MD: University Press of America, 1988). Rynsent, Robert B., ed. , Decadence and Innovation : Austro-Hungarian Life and Art at the Tum of the Cen tury (London: Weidenfeld, 1989). _ _ _ _ , "Narodnosti juzneho Slovenska v Habajovych a Bellekovych dielach," Romboid, XXIV (1989). _ _ _ _ , ed. , T. G. Masaryk (1850-1937), II: Thinker and Critic (New York : St. Martin 's Press, 1989). Rothschild, Joseph, Return to Diversity: A Political History of East Central Europe (New York: Oxford University Press, 1989). Rydlo, Jozef M., " Helvetus Peregrinus, William Ritter et la Slovaquie: une page inconnue de nos relatons avec l'etranger," HISPO (Berne), 10 (1989). _ _ _ _ , Publishing Activity of the Slovak Institute of Saints Cyril and Methodius in Rome, 1963-1988 (Rome: Slovak Institute, 1989). Sabo, Gerald J., ed., Hugolfn Gavlovic's Valaska Skala (Columbus: Slavica Publishers, 1988). Sama!, Mary Hrabik & Zdenka Brodska, "The Lukavica Notebooks, " Cross Currents, 9 (1990) . Sked, Alan, The Decline and Fall of the Habsburg Empire, 1815-1918 (London and New York: Longman, 1989). Skilling, H. Gordon, "Czechoslovakia Between East and West, " in William W. Griffith ed ., Central and Eastern Europe: The Opening Curtain? (Boulder, CO: Westview Press, 1989). Spetko, Jozef, " Bah, Hospodin, Jahve, Allah v nasom case a priestore . Prispevok k poznaniu slovenskej cirkevno-historickej a konfesionalno-historickej literatury," Most, XXXVI (No. 3-4, 1989). _ _ _ _ , "Religious Cults in Slovakia Before [the] Arrival of [the] Slavs," Slovak Studies, XXII (1982). Stolarik, M. Mark, "Slovak Immigration to the United States and Its Relation to the American Socialist and Labor Movements," Slovakia, XXXIII (1987-88) . _ _ __ , (pseud. Leo Carpenter), "Looking for Mr. Glasnost: Scenes from Today's [1988) Czechoslovakia, " Crisis: A Journal of Lay Catholic Opinion , 7 (No . 7, 1989). _ _ _ _ , Immigration and Urbanization: Th e Slovak Experience, 1870-1918 (New York: AMS Press, 1989). _ _ _ _ , " Slovak Easter Customs in the United States," The World & I, V (No . 4, 1990). Stolicna, Rastislava, "The Ways of Food Preservation in Slovakia," in Astri Riddervold & Andreas Ropeid eds., Food Conseroation (London: Prospect Books, 1988). �SLOVAKIA 189 Sutherland, Anthony X., "Studies Into the Intellectual History of Slovak Nationalism (lS00's-1914)," Slovak Studies, XXV (1985). Tatarka, Dominik et. al., " Deportations of Jews from Slovakia: [A) Declaration," (translated by F.W. Galan), Cross Currents, 9 (1990). Unterberger, Betty M., The United States, Revolutionary Russia and the Rise of Czechoslovakia (Chapel Hill : University of North Carolina Press, 1989). Wandycz, Piotr S., The Twilight of the French Eastern Alliance, 1926-1936: FrenchCzechoslovak-Polish Relations from Locarno to the Remilitarization of the Rhineland (Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1988). Winters, Stanley B. , ed., T.G. Masaryk (1850-1937) . I: Thinker and Politician (New York: St. Martin's Press, 1990). �190 SLOVAKIA CONTRIBUTORS DAVID P. DANIEL, Ph.D. (The Pennsylvania State University), is a specialist in the history of Slovakia and the Austrian Empire during the early modern era. He has published numerous articles and several books on the Reformation and on Slovakia during the sixteenth century. He was a Senior Fulbright Researcher in Bratislava in 1988-1990, and he also served as a special consultant to the Slovak Ministry of Culture and Education after the "velvet revolution" of November, 1989. STANISLAV J. KIRSCHBAUM, D. Rech. (Paris), is Professor of International Studies at Glendon College, York University, Toronto. A specialist on modern Slovakia (1939-1990), he has published many articles on this subject, edited two books and most recently published Slovaques et Tcheques. Essai sur un nouvel aperru de leur histoire politique (1987). JAN CHRYZOSTOM KOREC, S.J., is Roman Catholic Bishop of the Diocese of Nitra, Slovakia. He was one of four Jesuits secretly ordained as a Bishop in 1950 after the Communists suppressed all religious orders as a part of their all-out war against religion in Czechoslovakia. In the 1950's Bishop Karee worked as a manual laborer and, wherever possible, he secretly ordained priests and helped to educate them. In 1960 the secret police arrested him and he was sentenced to 12 years in prison. Freed in 1968, and fully rehabilitated in 1969, he had to return to manual labor after the "consolidation" process of 1970. Constantly harrassed by the secret police in the 1970' s and 1980' s, Bishop Karee nevertheless participated in the Catholic opposition to the new Stalinist regime and helped plan various pilgrimages and demonstrations, notably the March 25, 1988 [Good Friday] candlelight procession in Bratislava, which was broken up by police using water cannons and trun- �SLOVAKIA 191 cheons and was the first public demonstration against the Stalinist regime since 1969. He was also a co-signer of the "Declaration Regarding the Deportation of Jews from Slovakia" in the fall of 1987, which was initiated by his friend Dominik Tatarka. Bishop Korec brought Tatarka back to the Roman Catholic faith as this dissident writer's health began to fail. Pope John Paul II appointed Korec Bishop of Nitra, Slovakia's oldest Diocese, on February 6, 1990. MICHAEL KRAUS, Ph.D. (Princeton University) is Associate Professor of Political Science at Middlebury College, Vermont. He was a Ford Foundation Fellow at the Center for Science and International Affairs, Harvard University, in 1982-83, and a Post-Doctoral Fellow at the Harriman Institute for Advanced Soviet Studies, Columbia University, 1986-87. He has written on Soviet and East European Affairs in both contemporary and historical contexts. Most recently, he is editor (along with Ronald Liebowitz) of Perestroika and East-West Economic Relations: Prospects for the 1990's (New York University Press, 1990) . EWA KOWALSKA, Ph.D. (Comenius University), is a member of the Historical Institute of the Slovak Academy of Sciences, Division for late Feudal History. She specializes in the history of education in Slovakia during the Enlightenment and has published a number of articles and the monograph Sttitne l'udove skolstvo na Slovensku na prelome 18. a 19. storocia (1987). She has also taught at Comenius University and has participated in various international scholarly conferences. JAN SIMKO, Ph.D. (Comenius University), was a Professor of English at Comenius until 1967. After the Soviet-led invasion of 1968 he decided to remain in the West. He is a specialist on Shakespeare and the author of over 100 articles. His most notable achievement was the publication of the English-Slovak Dictionary (3 editions, 1967, 1968 and 1971) in Bratislava, Slovakia. A revised and updated version of this dictionary is about to be published by the Slovak World Congress . Dr. Simko was the first Scholar in Residence and Visiting Professor of English at West Virginia University in Parkesburg, where he spent the 1989-1990 academic year. �192 SLOVAKIA GUIDELINES FOR MANUSCRIPTS Manuscripts of articles for publication should be sent to the editor. Articles should normally not exceed twenty-five pages in length, and should be submitted in triplicate, typed double-spaced, with generous margins for copyediting. Footnotes should also be double-spaced, numbered, and placed at the end of the paper. Text and format should adhere to the style outlined in Kate Turabian' s A Manual for Writers. Proper orthography and diacritical marks must be supplied for all foreign words. Manuscripts will not be returned unless specifically requested and postage is provided. Books for review are to be sent to the editor. Unsolicited book reviews are not encouraged. Individuals who wish to review books should request them from the editor. They should send a 'curriculum vitae' with their request. ��THE SLOVAK LEAGUE OF AMERICA Organized in 1907 EDWARD J. BEHUNCIK, K.S.G., Honorary President JOHN A. HOLY Sec reta ry-T reasu rer DANIEL F. TANZONE President JOSEPH J. TALAFOUS, Esq. Vice-President ANNE Z. SAROSY Vice-President PHILIP R. TUHY Vice-President Executive Committee Daniel F. Tanzone, Edward J. Behuncik, John A. Holy, Anna S. Granchay Joseph R. Kristofik, Steve J. Hruska, Cecilia Sarocky, Andrew F. Hudak, Jr., Joseph Stefka, Stephen J. Kavulich, Justine Wesnak, Edward A. Zelenak, M. Mark Stolarik, Ph.D., Igor Uhrik Anna M. Vizza, President, Ladies Auxiliary Patrick Zelenak Youth Director SLOVAK FRATERNAL ORGANIZATIONS AFFILIATED WITH THE SLOVAK LEAGUE OF AMERICA FIRST CATHOLIC SLOVAK LADIES ASSOCIATION Cleveland, Ohio FIRST CATHOLIC SLOVAK UNION OF THE U.S. AND CANADA Cleveland, Ohio SLOVAK CATHOLIC SOKOL Passaic, N.J. NATIONAL SLOVAK SOCIETY OF THE U.S.A. Pittsburgh, Pa . LADIES PENNSYLVANIA SLOVAK CATHOLIC UNION Wilkes-Barre, Pa. PENNSYLVANIA SLOVAK CATHOLIC UNION Wilkes-Barre, Pa. FIRST SLOVAK WREATH OF THE FREE EAGLE Bridgeport, Conn . SLOVAK NEWSPAPERMEN'S ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA THE SLOVAK GARDEN, INC. Winter Park, Florida SLOVAKIA $6.00 per issue Printed By JEDNOTA PRESS A Division of Jednota Communications, Inc. Middletown, Pennsylvania 17057 U.S.A. � SLOVAKIA 182 BOOKS AND ARTICLES RECEIVED (a) From Eastern Europe Baranovsky, Michal, "K niektorym otazkam spolocenskeho vyvoja Ceskoslovenska v sest'desiatych rokoch," Historicky easopis ., 37 (No. 5, 1989). Bartalska, tubica, "K problematike vydavania americko-slovenskej mladeznfckej tlace," Slovrici v zah ranicf, 15 (1989). Bartl, Julius, " Mesta a mestecka Trencianskej stolice v stredoveku ," He., (No. 5, 1988). Bartlova, Alena, "K dejinam potravinarskeho priemyslu na Slovensku v rokoch 1918-1938," He., 37 (No . 2, 1989). Bielik, Frantisek, "Slovenske vyst'ahovalectvo v rokoch 1880-1914 a pramene jeho poznavania," Slovrici v zahranicf, 15 (1989). Bobrik, Miroslav, "Nemecke telovychovne organizacie a spolky na Slovensku v rokoch 1918-1928," He. , 36 (no. 4, 1988). Bodnarova, Miloslava, "Majetkova struktura obyvatel' stva Kosfc v 16. storocf," Historica Carpatica., 18 (1987). Bokesova-Uherova, Maria, Dejiny zdravotnictva na Slovensku (Martin: Osveta, 1989). Borgul'a, Michal, Rozprrivanie z Dolnej zeme (Martin: Matica slovenska, 1988). Bosic, Mila, Narodna nosnja Slovaka u Vojvodini (Novi sad : Vojvodanski muzej, 1987) Botik, Jan, ed., Hant. Tradicie /'udovej kultury (Martin: Osveta, 1988). Cambel, Samuel, "Otazka vzt'ahu revolucie v ceskych krajinach a na Slovensku v rokoch 1944-1948," He. , 37 (No. 3, 1989). Cepan, Oskar, ed., Jonas Zriborsky, I & II, (Bratislava: Tatran, 1989). Chropovsky, Bohuslav & Alexander Ruttkay, "Archaologische Erforschung und Genese des slowakischen Etnikums," Studia Historica Slovaca, XVI (1988). Daniel, David P., "Vyskum obdobia reformacie na Slovensku," He. , 37 (No. 4, 1989). Danis, Miroslav, " Husarske pluky na Ukrajine v 18. storocf a Slovensko, " He. , 37 (No. 2, 1989). Elias, Michal ed., Z pramenov nriroda. Na pamiatku stodvadsiateho piateho vyrocia vzniku Memoranda slovenskeho nriroda z roku 1861 (Martin: Matica slovenska, 1988). Fabian, Juraj , "Od Klebelsbergovho Memoranda k 'Americkej akcif,' " Slovrici v zahranici, 14 (1988). Fabricius, Miroslav, Hospodrirsky vyvoj Slovenska do konca predmnichovskej republiky (Bratislava: Ekonomicky ustav SAV, 1987). Fodor, Zoltan, Nrirodnostne skolstvo v Slovenskej socialistickej republike (Bratislava: SPN, 1988). Gajdos, Marian, ed ., Vyvoj a postavenie ukrajinskej nrirodnosti na Slovensku v obdobi vystavby socializmu (Kosice: Spolocenskovedny ustav SAV, 1989). Gasparikova, Viera ed. , Jrinosfk: obraz zbojnika v nrirodnej kulture (Bratislava: Tatran, 1988). �SLOVAKIA 183 Gecelovsky, Vladimir, "Socialno-politicke postavenie a perzekucie Ciganov na Gemeri v rokoch 1918-1945," Historica Carpatica, 18 (1987). Gegus, Ivan, Kultumopolitickti orientticia Matice slovenskej v rokoch 1919-1938 (Martin: Matica slovenska, 1988). Gresik, Ladislav, "Medzinarodne suvislosti a vyvin vnutropolitickych pomerov v Ceskoslovenskuv 60. rokoch," He. , 36 (No . 5, 1988). Habovstiak, Alojz, Stredovekti dedina na Slovensku (Bratislava : Slovenske narodne muzeum, 1985) Halaga, Ondrej, " ' Dvojite Kosice ' a ich opevnenie," He., 37 (No. 4, 1989). Hapak, Pavel, " K niektorym problemom dejfn robotnfckeho hnutia na Slovensku do roku 1918, " He., 37 (No . 4, 1989). Holec, Roman, " Mechanizacia ako sucast' pol' nohospodarskej revolucie na Slovensku v druhej polovici 19 . storocia," He. , 36 (No . 4, 1988). Horvath, Pavel, "Zbytocny pokus o revfziu autorstva slovenskych narodnych obran z rokov 1821-1834," He., 38 (No. 1, 1990). Hrnko, Anton, " Prejavy krfzy l'udackeho rezimu na Slovensku v lete roku 1943," He., 37 (no . 3, 1989). Hubenak, Ladislav, " Vznik Ceskoslovenska - zahranicny odboj a krajania," Slovtici v zahranicf, 14 (1988). Jakesova, Elena, "Reemigracia a vyst'ahovalectvo obyvatel'stva Slovenska v obdobf po vzniku Ceskoslovenskej republiky, " Slovtici v zahranicf, 14 (1988). _ _ _ _ , "Americkf Slovaci, zahranicny odboj a ceskoslove nska statnost' (1914-1918)," He., 37 (No. 5, 1989). Jakubikova, Kornelia, "The Participation of the Local Community in the Wedding in Slovakia," Ethnologia Slavica, 18 (1986). Kartous, Peter, "Narodne kulturne pamiatky v archfvoch SSR, " He., 37 (No . 5, 1989). Klimko, Jozef, Tretia nsa a l'udacky rezim na Slovensku (Bratislava: Obzor, 1986) Kollarova-Svorcova, Zuzana, "K problematike ciganskej otazky na Spisi (1918-1938)," Slovensky ntirodopis, 36 (No. 1, 1988). Kovac, Andrej, 'Vzt'ahy a riesenie agrarnej a ukrajinskej otazky v severovychodnych okresoch vychodneho Slovenska v rokoch 1944-1960," Histocia Carpatica, 18 (1987). Kovac, Dusan, "Slovenskf Nemci v rfsskonemeckej a sudetonemeckej politike," He., 37 (No. 6, 1989). _ _ _ _ & tubomfr Liptak, Kapitoly z dejfn (pre stredne skoly) (Bratislava: SPN, 1990). Krajfovic, Milan, 'Slovania Podunajska v protirakuskom hnutf porevolucnej ernigracie," He., 37 (No. 5, 1989). Krajfovic, Rudolf, " The Language in Great Moravia and Its Continuity with Slovak," Studia Historica Slovaca, XVI (1988). Krajfovifova, Natalia, " Prejavy nespokoj nosti s realizaciou pozemkovej reformy v prvej polovici dvadsiatych rokov, " He. , 37 (No . 6, 1989). Kucera, Matus, " Grossmahren und die Anfange unserer nationalen Geschichte, " Studia Historica Slovaca , XVI (1988) . �184 SLOVAKIA Kuzmik, Jozef, Kniznti kultura na Slovensku v stredoveku a renesancii (Martin : Matica slovenska, 1987). Lukacka, Jan, " Majetky a postavenia Ludanickovcov na Slovensku do zaciatku 14. storocia, " He., 38 (No. 1, 1990). Magdolenova, Anna, " Ceskoslovensky kontext v slovenskom hudobnom umeni v medzivojnovom obdobi (1918-1939)," He., 37 (No. 4, 1989). Magula, Rudolph, "Banicke skoly na vychodnom Slovensku pred rokom 1918," Historica Carpatica, 18 (1987). Mannova, Elena, "Spolky a ich miesta v zivote spolocnosti na Slovensku v 19. stor. Stav a problemy vyskumu," He., 38 (No . 1, 1990). Marsina, Richard, " Uber die Besiedlung der Slowakei vom 11. bis in die Halfte des 13. Jahrhunderts," Studia Historica Slovaca , XVI (1988). _ _ _ _ , " K najstarsfm dejinam Zvolena," He., 37 (No. 6, 1989). Mistrik, Jozef, Modernti sloveneina, 2nd ed. (Bratislava: SPN, 1988). _ _ _ _ , A Grammar of Contemporary Slovak (Bratislava : SPN, 1988). Oravec, Jan & Jozef Prokop, Sloveneina pre krajanov hovoriacich po anglicky (Martin: Matica slovenska, 1986). Pleva, Jan, " Ideologicka praca Komunistickej stra ny Ceskoslovenska v prvej polovici dvadsiatych rokov," He., 36 (No. 5, 1988). Podolak, Jan, " Organizational Forms of Pastoral Farming in Slovakia," Ethnologia Slavica, 15 (1983) . Podolak, Jan, " Traditional Utilization of the Production of Sheep Milk," Ethnologia Slavica, 16 (1984). Potremra, Michal, " Niektore otazky dejin juzneho Slovenska v rokoch 1938-1945," He ., 37 (No. 6, 1989). Pranda, Adam, " Die Slowakisch Rastelbinderei, Ethnologia Slavica, 17 (1985). Ratkos, Peter, " The Territorial Development of Great Moravia (Fiction and Reality), Studia Historica S/ovaca, XVI (1988). _ _ _ _ , Slovensko v dobe vel'komoravskej (Kosice: Vychodoslovenske vydavatel' stvo, 1988). Roharik, pave!, Termino/6gia remeseln{ckej vyroby v Nadlaku (Martin: Matica slovenska, 1988). Ruman, Ladislav, "Ceskoslovenska socialna demokracia v obdobi docasnej stabilizacie kapitalizmu (1924-1929), He. , 38 (No. 1, 1990). Rychlik, Jan, " K otazke postavenia ceskeho obyvatel'stva na Slovensku v rokoch 1938-1945, " He ., 37 (No. 3, 1989). _ _ _ _ " Prfprava a priebeh pozemkovej reformy na Slovensku v rokoch 1938-1945," Agricultura, 22 (1989) . Sedlak, lmrich ed ., Pavo/ Jozef Saftirik a slovenske ntirodne obroden ie (Martin : Matica slovenska, 1989). Sedlak, Vincent, " Nichtmagyarische Einflusse in den Anfangen des ungarischen Staates," Studia Historica S/ovaca , XVI (1988). Sikora, Stanislav, " Problemy rozvoja socialistickeho demokratizmu v cinnosti narodnych vyborov na Slovensku na zaciatku 50. rokov," He., 37 (No. 6, 1989). �SLOVAKIA 185 Simoncic, Jozef & Jozef Watzka eds., Dejiny Trnavy (Bratislava : Obzor, 1988). Skvarna, Dusan, " Prfpravy septembroveho ozbrojeneho povstania v roku 1848, " He., 36 (No . 5, 1988). _ _ _ _ , "Priebeh a vysledky septembroveho ozbrojeneho povstania roku 1848," He., 37 (No. 2, 1989). Slavkovsky, Peter, " Die Migration zur landwirtschiftlichen Saisonarbiet und ihre Bedeutung fur die Entwicklung der Volkskultur in der Slowakei,'' Ethnologia Slavica, 15 (1983). Slovensky biograficky slovnfk (od roku 833 do roku 1990), Ill (K-1), (Martin: Matica slovenska, 1989). Smatlak, Stanislav, Dejiny slovenskej literatury od stredoveku po sueasnost' (Bratislava: Tatran, 1988). Sopko, Julius, "Questions of Cultural Influences and Level of Learning During the First Centuries of the Hungarian State, " Studia Historica Slovaca , XVI (1988) . Spiesz, Anton, Bratislava v 18. storocf (Bratislava : Tatran , 1987). Spira, Gyorgy, " Stretnutie Jana Rotaridesa s revoluciou a kontrarevoluciou," He., 36 (No. 5, 1988). Stevcek, Juraj, ed ., Dejiny slovenskeho romanu (Bratislava : Tatran, 1989). Stilla, Milos, " Paradesantna brigada v partizanskej voj ne," He., 37 (No. 3, 1989). Stolarik, M. Mark, " Slovenski prist'ahovalci a ich postoje v rokoch 1885-1919," He., 37 (No . 6, 1989). Strelko, Amon, " Vnutropoliticky vyvoj l' udackeho tabora v rokoch 1941-1942," He., 37 (No . 3, 1989). Tajtak, Ladislav, " Vznfk Robotnfckeho vzdelavacieho spolku v Kosiciach," Historica Carpatica, 18 (1987) . _ _ _ _ , " K otazke I' avicovej opozfcie v uhorskej a slovenskej socialnej demokracii a vzniku tzv . Hornouhorskej socialnodemokratickej strany, " He., 36 (No. 4, 1988). Tibensky, Jan et. al. , Priekopnfci vedy a techniky na Slovensku II (Bratislava: Obzor, 1988). Tichy, Miloslav, " K dejinam Lekarskej fakulty v Bratislave v rokoch 1919-1939, " He. , 37 (No. 5, 1989). Ulicny, Ferdinand, " Vyvoj osfdlenia horneho povodia Ondavy do zaciatku 17. storocia," Historica Carpatica, 18 (1987). Visvader, Frantisek, Maly album vel'kych osobnos tf (Portrety vyznamnych cinite/'ov eeskoslovenskeho kom unistickeho hnutia (Bratislava: SPN, 1988). Vozar, Jozef, " Zaciatky banickeho vysokeho skolstva na uzemi Ceskoslovenska, " He., 36 (No. 5, 1988). Winters, Stanley B., " Vyvoj badani o dejinach Ceskoslovenska ve Spojenych statech," Casopis Matice moravske, CVIII (No . 2, 1989). Zatkuliak, Jozef, " Narodne vybory na Slovensku pri riadeni pol'noh ospodarstva po zasadani 0V KSC v juni 1955," He., 36 (No. 4, 1988). Zubercova, Magdalena M. , Tisfcrocie m6dy. Z dejin odievania na Slovensku (Martin: Osveta, 1988). �186 SLOVAKIA (b) from the West Baumgarten, R. Vladimir, "T.G. Masaryk: The Making of a Founding Father, " The Central European Forum, 2 (No . 4, 1989). Baumgarten, R. Vladimir & Joseph Stefka, The National Slovak Society: 100 Year History, 1890-1990 (Pittsburgh: National Slovak Society, 1990). Borchert, James & Susan, Lakewood: The First Hundred Years (Norfolk, VA: Donning publishing Co., 1989). Brown, Janice, Conscience and Captivity: Religion in Eastern Europe (Washington, D.C. : Ethics and Public Policy Center, 1989). Deak, Istvan, " Uncovering Eastern Europe' s Dark History," Orbis: A Journal of World Affairs, 34 (No. 1, 1990). _ _ _ _ , Beyond Nationalism : A Social and Political History of the Habsburg Officer Corps, 1848-1918 (New York, Oxford University Press, 1990). Drobena, Thomas John, "The Influence of Irish-Keltic Church Architecture on the Slavic Church Buildings of the Great Moravian Period, " Slovak Studies, XXII (1982) . Durica, Milan S., " The Political Activities of Dr. Jozef Kirschbaum in 1939-1945 (As Described in Secret German Documents}, " Slovak Studies, XXV (1985). Durovic, tubomir, "The Language of the Walaska Sskola," in Gerald J. Sabo ed ., Hugolfn Gavlovic's Valaska Skala (Columbus, Ohio: Slavica Publishers, 1988). Glettler, Monika, "Die Slowaken in Pressburg und Budapest um 1900," Slowakei, XXVI (1989) . Grebert, Arved, " Der Selbstandikeitswille der Slowaken in den Jahren 1919-1920," Slowakei, XXVI (1989). Havel, Vaclav, "New Year's Addres, " Orbis: A Journal of World Affairs, 34 (No . 2, 1990). Hnilica, Jan, "Sts . Cyril and Methodius and Their Attitudes Towards the Holy Scripture and Rome," Slovak Studies, XXII (1982) . Hodos, George H ., Stalinist Purges in Eastern Europe, 1948-1954 (New York: Praeger, 1987). Hoensch, Joerg K., A History of Modern Hungary, 1867-1986 (London and New York: Longman, 1988). Hrabovec, Anton, " Slowaken in bsterreich," S/owakei, XXV (1988). Jelinek, Yeshayahu, " Slovaks and the Holocaust: Attempts at Reconciliation," Soviet Jewish Affairs, 19 (No . 1, 1989). _ _ _ _ , " Slovaks, Germans, the 'Satellites', and Jews, " Cross Currents: A Yearbook of Central European Culture, 9 (1990) . Johnson, Owen V., " Newspapers and Nation-Building : The Slovak Press in Pre-1918 Slovakia, " in Hans Lemberg et. al ., Bildungsgeschichte, Bevolkerungsgeschichte und Gesel/schaftsgeschichte in den bohemischer Uindern und in Europa (Wien: Verlag fur Geschichte und Politik, 1988). _ _ _ _ , " Clio Among the Ethnic Media," Ethnic Fo rum, 8 (No . 1, 1988). �SLOVAKIA 187 Kalvoda, Josef, "Federalist thought in Czechoslovakia During the Interwar Years," Slovakia , XXXIII (1987-88). _ _ _ _ , " National Minorities Under Communism : The Case of Czechoslovakia," Nationalities Papers, XVI (No. 1, 1988). _ _ _ _ , "Czechoslovak-Ukrainian Relations," The Ukrainian Quarterly, XLN (Nos. 1-2, 1988). _ _ _ _ , "The Czechoslovak Army in the Civil War in Russia," The Ukrainian Quarterly, XLV (No. 1, 1989). _ _ _ _ , "The Origins of Czechoslovakia (Russia - The Home Front), " in Norman Stone & Edward Strouhal eds., Czechoslovakia : Crossroads and Crises, 1918-1988 (New York: St. Martin 's Press, 1989). Keller, Hans, "Meine funf Jahre in der Slowakei, 1939-1945," Slowakei, XXV (1988). Kirschbaum, J.M., "Fur ein neues Mitteleuropa," Slowakei, XXVI (1989) . Kirschbaum, Stanislav J., "Slovak Nationalism in the First Czechoslovak Republic of 1918-1938, " Canadian Review of Studies in Nationalism, XVI (Nos. 1-2, 1989). Komlos, John, Nutrition and Economic Development in the 18th-Century Habsburg Monarchy: An Anthropometric History (Princeton, N .J.: Princeton University Press, 1989). Kona, Martha M. & William, Arcibiskup Dr. Karol Kmet'ko (Cambridge, Ontario: Dobra kniha, 1989). Kopanic, Michael J., Jr. , "Sjednocovanie socialno-demokratickych odborovych organizacii na Slovensku v rokoch 1918-1920," Premeny, 24 (No . 4, 1987). _ _ _ _ , " Conflict and Cooperation Among East Central European Immigrants: Slovak Prespectives on Relations with Magyars in Cleveland, 1880-1930," in Western Reserve Studies Symposium (Cleveland: Western Reserve Historical Society, 1989). Korec, Jan (Bishop), "Letter to Rude Pravo (October, 1987)," Furdek, XXVIIl (1989) . Kovtun, Jiff, Masaryku v triumf: Prfbeh konce velkevalky (Toronto : Sixty-Eight Publishers, 1987). Krafcik, Patricia A., "Janosil<: Unraveling the Man from the Legend," Slovakia, XXXIII (1987-88) . Kupke, Raymond J., 'The Slovak National Catholic Church, Passaic, New Jersey, and the Jeczusko Affair," Slovakia , XXXIII (1987-88). Kutnik, Jozef, " Benedictine Missionaries in Slovakia in the 9th-11th Centuries, " Slovak Studies, XXII (1982). Litva, Felix J ., "Bibliography of the Cyrillo-Methodian Mission in Great Moravia, " Slovak Studies, XXII (1982) . Mamatey, Victor S., "The Change of Presidential Guard, 1935: Masaryk's Abdication - Benes's Election," Kosmas, VII (No. 2, 1988). _ _ _ _ , " The United States and Czechoslovak Independence," in Czechoslovakia : Crossroads and Crises, 1918-1988, ed. by Norman Stone & Eduard Strouhal (New York: St. Martin's Press, 1989). McCagg, William 0 ., A History of the Habsburg Jews, 1670-1988 (Bloomington, IN : Indiana University Press, 1988). �188 SLOVAKIA Molenda, Danuta, " Technological Innovation in Central Europe between the XNth and the XVIIth Centuries," Journal of European Economic History, 17 (No . 1, 1988). Pastor, Peter, ed., Revolutions and Interoentions in Hungary and Its Neighboring States, 1918-1919 (Highland Lakes, N.J.: Atlantic Studies on Society in Change, 1988 [E. European Monographs, #240)) . Pehe, Jiri, ed., The Prague Spring: A Mixed Legacy (Lanham, MD: University Press of America, 1988). Rynsent, Robert B., ed. , Decadence and Innovation : Austro-Hungarian Life and Art at the Tum of the Cen tury (London: Weidenfeld, 1989). _ _ _ _ , "Narodnosti juzneho Slovenska v Habajovych a Bellekovych dielach," Romboid, XXIV (1989). _ _ _ _ , ed. , T. G. Masaryk (1850-1937), II: Thinker and Critic (New York : St. Martin 's Press, 1989). Rothschild, Joseph, Return to Diversity: A Political History of East Central Europe (New York: Oxford University Press, 1989). Rydlo, Jozef M., " Helvetus Peregrinus, William Ritter et la Slovaquie: une page inconnue de nos relatons avec l'etranger," HISPO (Berne), 10 (1989). _ _ _ _ , Publishing Activity of the Slovak Institute of Saints Cyril and Methodius in Rome, 1963-1988 (Rome: Slovak Institute, 1989). Sabo, Gerald J., ed., Hugolfn Gavlovic's Valaska Skala (Columbus: Slavica Publishers, 1988). Sama!, Mary Hrabik & Zdenka Brodska, "The Lukavica Notebooks, " Cross Currents, 9 (1990) . Sked, Alan, The Decline and Fall of the Habsburg Empire, 1815-1918 (London and New York: Longman, 1989). Skilling, H. Gordon, "Czechoslovakia Between East and West, " in William W. Griffith ed ., Central and Eastern Europe: The Opening Curtain? (Boulder, CO: Westview Press, 1989). Spetko, Jozef, " Bah, Hospodin, Jahve, Allah v nasom case a priestore . Prispevok k poznaniu slovenskej cirkevno-historickej a konfesionalno-historickej literatury," Most, XXXVI (No. 3-4, 1989). _ _ _ _ , "Religious Cults in Slovakia Before [the] Arrival of [the] Slavs," Slovak Studies, XXII (1982). Stolarik, M. Mark, "Slovak Immigration to the United States and Its Relation to the American Socialist and Labor Movements," Slovakia, XXXIII (1987-88) . _ _ __ , (pseud. Leo Carpenter), "Looking for Mr. Glasnost: Scenes from Today's [1988) Czechoslovakia, " Crisis: A Journal of Lay Catholic Opinion , 7 (No . 7, 1989). _ _ _ _ , Immigration and Urbanization: Th e Slovak Experience, 1870-1918 (New York: AMS Press, 1989). _ _ _ _ , " Slovak Easter Customs in the United States," The World & I, V (No . 4, 1990). Stolicna, Rastislava, "The Ways of Food Preservation in Slovakia," in Astri Riddervold & Andreas Ropeid eds., Food Conseroation (London: Prospect Books, 1988). �SLOVAKIA 189 Sutherland, Anthony X., "Studies Into the Intellectual History of Slovak Nationalism (lS00's-1914)," Slovak Studies, XXV (1985). Tatarka, Dominik et. al., " Deportations of Jews from Slovakia: [A) Declaration," (translated by F.W. Galan), Cross Currents, 9 (1990). Unterberger, Betty M., The United States, Revolutionary Russia and the Rise of Czechoslovakia (Chapel Hill : University of North Carolina Press, 1989). Wandycz, Piotr S., The Twilight of the French Eastern Alliance, 1926-1936: FrenchCzechoslovak-Polish Relations from Locarno to the Remilitarization of the Rhineland (Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1988). Winters, Stanley B. , ed., T.G. Masaryk (1850-1937) . I: Thinker and Politician (New York: St. Martin's Press, 1990). �190 SLOVAKIA CONTRIBUTORS DAVID P. DANIEL, Ph.D. (The Pennsylvania State University), is a specialist in the history of Slovakia and the Austrian Empire during the early modern era. He has published numerous articles and several books on the Reformation and on Slovakia during the sixteenth century. He was a Senior Fulbright Researcher in Bratislava in 1988-1990, and he also served as a special consultant to the Slovak Ministry of Culture and Education after the "velvet revolution" of November, 1989. STANISLAV J. KIRSCHBAUM, D. Rech. (Paris), is Professor of International Studies at Glendon College, York University, Toronto. A specialist on modern Slovakia (1939-1990), he has published many articles on this subject, edited two books and most recently published Slovaques et Tcheques. Essai sur un nouvel aperru de leur histoire politique (1987). JAN CHRYZOSTOM KOREC, S.J., is Roman Catholic Bishop of the Diocese of Nitra, Slovakia. He was one of four Jesuits secretly ordained as a Bishop in 1950 after the Communists suppressed all religious orders as a part of their all-out war against religion in Czechoslovakia. In the 1950's Bishop Karee worked as a manual laborer and, wherever possible, he secretly ordained priests and helped to educate them. In 1960 the secret police arrested him and he was sentenced to 12 years in prison. Freed in 1968, and fully rehabilitated in 1969, he had to return to manual labor after the "consolidation" process of 1970. Constantly harrassed by the secret police in the 1970' s and 1980' s, Bishop Karee nevertheless participated in the Catholic opposition to the new Stalinist regime and helped plan various pilgrimages and demonstrations, notably the March 25, 1988 [Good Friday] candlelight procession in Bratislava, which was broken up by police using water cannons and trun- �SLOVAKIA 191 cheons and was the first public demonstration against the Stalinist regime since 1969. He was also a co-signer of the "Declaration Regarding the Deportation of Jews from Slovakia" in the fall of 1987, which was initiated by his friend Dominik Tatarka. Bishop Korec brought Tatarka back to the Roman Catholic faith as this dissident writer's health began to fail. Pope John Paul II appointed Korec Bishop of Nitra, Slovakia's oldest Diocese, on February 6, 1990. MICHAEL KRAUS, Ph.D. (Princeton University) is Associate Professor of Political Science at Middlebury College, Vermont. He was a Ford Foundation Fellow at the Center for Science and International Affairs, Harvard University, in 1982-83, and a Post-Doctoral Fellow at the Harriman Institute for Advanced Soviet Studies, Columbia University, 1986-87. He has written on Soviet and East European Affairs in both contemporary and historical contexts. Most recently, he is editor (along with Ronald Liebowitz) of Perestroika and East-West Economic Relations: Prospects for the 1990's (New York University Press, 1990) . EWA KOWALSKA, Ph.D. (Comenius University), is a member of the Historical Institute of the Slovak Academy of Sciences, Division for late Feudal History. She specializes in the history of education in Slovakia during the Enlightenment and has published a number of articles and the monograph Sttitne l'udove skolstvo na Slovensku na prelome 18. a 19. storocia (1987). She has also taught at Comenius University and has participated in various international scholarly conferences. JAN SIMKO, Ph.D. (Comenius University), was a Professor of English at Comenius until 1967. After the Soviet-led invasion of 1968 he decided to remain in the West. He is a specialist on Shakespeare and the author of over 100 articles. His most notable achievement was the publication of the English-Slovak Dictionary (3 editions, 1967, 1968 and 1971) in Bratislava, Slovakia. A revised and updated version of this dictionary is about to be published by the Slovak World Congress . Dr. Simko was the first Scholar in Residence and Visiting Professor of English at West Virginia University in Parkesburg, where he spent the 1989-1990 academic year. �192 SLOVAKIA GUIDELINES FOR MANUSCRIPTS Manuscripts of articles for publication should be sent to the editor. Articles should normally not exceed twenty-five pages in length, and should be submitted in triplicate, typed double-spaced, with generous margins for copyediting. Footnotes should also be double-spaced, numbered, and placed at the end of the paper. Text and format should adhere to the style outlined in Kate Turabian' s A Manual for Writers. Proper orthography and diacritical marks must be supplied for all foreign words. Manuscripts will not be returned unless specifically requested and postage is provided. Books for review are to be sent to the editor. Unsolicited book reviews are not encouraged. Individuals who wish to review books should request them from the editor. They should send a 'curriculum vitae' with their request. ��THE SLOVAK LEAGUE OF AMERICA Organized in 1907 EDWARD J. BEHUNCIK, K.S.G., Honorary President JOHN A. HOLY Sec reta ry-T reasu rer DANIEL F. TANZONE President JOSEPH J. TALAFOUS, Esq. Vice-President ANNE Z. SAROSY Vice-President PHILIP R. TUHY Vice-President Executive Committee Daniel F. Tanzone, Edward J. Behuncik, John A. Holy, Anna S. Granchay Joseph R. Kristofik, Steve J. Hruska, Cecilia Sarocky, Andrew F. Hudak, Jr., Joseph Stefka, Stephen J. Kavulich, Justine Wesnak, Edward A. Zelenak, M. Mark Stolarik, Ph.D., Igor Uhrik Anna M. Vizza, President, Ladies Auxiliary Patrick Zelenak Youth Director SLOVAK FRATERNAL ORGANIZATIONS AFFILIATED WITH THE SLOVAK LEAGUE OF AMERICA FIRST CATHOLIC SLOVAK LADIES ASSOCIATION Cleveland, Ohio FIRST CATHOLIC SLOVAK UNION OF THE U.S. AND CANADA Cleveland, Ohio SLOVAK CATHOLIC SOKOL Passaic, N.J. NATIONAL SLOVAK SOCIETY OF THE U.S.A. Pittsburgh, Pa . LADIES PENNSYLVANIA SLOVAK CATHOLIC UNION Wilkes-Barre, Pa. PENNSYLVANIA SLOVAK CATHOLIC UNION Wilkes-Barre, Pa. FIRST SLOVAK WREATH OF THE FREE EAGLE Bridgeport, Conn . SLOVAK NEWSPAPERMEN'S ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA THE SLOVAK GARDEN, INC. Winter Park, Florida SLOVAKIA $6.00 per issue Printed By JEDNOTA PRESS A Division of Jednota Communications, Inc. Middletown, Pennsylvania 17057 U.S.A. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource 1989-90, Vol. 34 Description An account of the resource Vol. 34 (No. 62-63), 1989-90. Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available The Slovak League of America Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1989-90 Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document SLOVAKIA 182 BOOKS AND ARTICLES RECEIVED (a) From Eastern Europe Baranovsky, Michal, "K niektorym otazkam spolocenskeho vyvoja Ceskoslovenska v sest'desiatych rokoch," Historicky easopis ., 37 (No. 5, 1989). Bartalska, tubica, "K problematike vydavania americko-slovenskej mladeznfckej tlace," Slovrici v zah ranicf, 15 (1989). Bartl, Julius, " Mesta a mestecka Trencianskej stolice v stredoveku ," He., (No. 5, 1988). Bartlova, Alena, "K dejinam potravinarskeho priemyslu na Slovensku v rokoch 1918-1938," He., 37 (No . 2, 1989). Bielik, Frantisek, "Slovenske vyst'ahovalectvo v rokoch 1880-1914 a pramene jeho poznavania," Slovrici v zahranicf, 15 (1989). Bobrik, Miroslav, "Nemecke telovychovne organizacie a spolky na Slovensku v rokoch 1918-1928," He. , 36 (no. 4, 1988). Bodnarova, Miloslava, "Majetkova struktura obyvatel' stva Kosfc v 16. storocf," Historica Carpatica., 18 (1987). Bokesova-Uherova, Maria, Dejiny zdravotnictva na Slovensku (Martin: Osveta, 1989). Borgul'a, Michal, Rozprrivanie z Dolnej zeme (Martin: Matica slovenska, 1988). Bosic, Mila, Narodna nosnja Slovaka u Vojvodini (Novi sad : Vojvodanski muzej, 1987) Botik, Jan, ed., Hant. Tradicie /'udovej kultury (Martin: Osveta, 1988). Cambel, Samuel, "Otazka vzt'ahu revolucie v ceskych krajinach a na Slovensku v rokoch 1944-1948," He. , 37 (No. 3, 1989). Cepan, Oskar, ed., Jonas Zriborsky, I & II, (Bratislava: Tatran, 1989). Chropovsky, Bohuslav & Alexander Ruttkay, "Archaologische Erforschung und Genese des slowakischen Etnikums," Studia Historica Slovaca, XVI (1988). Daniel, David P., "Vyskum obdobia reformacie na Slovensku," He. , 37 (No. 4, 1989). Danis, Miroslav, " Husarske pluky na Ukrajine v 18. storocf a Slovensko, " He. , 37 (No. 2, 1989). Elias, Michal ed., Z pramenov nriroda. Na pamiatku stodvadsiateho piateho vyrocia vzniku Memoranda slovenskeho nriroda z roku 1861 (Martin: Matica slovenska, 1988). Fabian, Juraj , "Od Klebelsbergovho Memoranda k 'Americkej akcif,' " Slovrici v zahranici, 14 (1988). Fabricius, Miroslav, Hospodrirsky vyvoj Slovenska do konca predmnichovskej republiky (Bratislava: Ekonomicky ustav SAV, 1987). Fodor, Zoltan, Nrirodnostne skolstvo v Slovenskej socialistickej republike (Bratislava: SPN, 1988). Gajdos, Marian, ed ., Vyvoj a postavenie ukrajinskej nrirodnosti na Slovensku v obdobi vystavby socializmu (Kosice: Spolocenskovedny ustav SAV, 1989). Gasparikova, Viera ed. , Jrinosfk: obraz zbojnika v nrirodnej kulture (Bratislava: Tatran, 1988). SLOVAKIA 183 Gecelovsky, Vladimir, "Socialno-politicke postavenie a perzekucie Ciganov na Gemeri v rokoch 1918-1945," Historica Carpatica, 18 (1987). Gegus, Ivan, Kultumopolitickti orientticia Matice slovenskej v rokoch 1919-1938 (Martin: Matica slovenska, 1988). Gresik, Ladislav, "Medzinarodne suvislosti a vyvin vnutropolitickych pomerov v Ceskoslovenskuv 60. rokoch," He. , 36 (No . 5, 1988). Habovstiak, Alojz, Stredovekti dedina na Slovensku (Bratislava : Slovenske narodne muzeum, 1985) Halaga, Ondrej, " ' Dvojite Kosice ' a ich opevnenie," He., 37 (No. 4, 1989). Hapak, Pavel, " K niektorym problemom dejfn robotnfckeho hnutia na Slovensku do roku 1918, " He., 37 (No . 4, 1989). Holec, Roman, " Mechanizacia ako sucast' pol' nohospodarskej revolucie na Slovensku v druhej polovici 19 . storocia," He. , 36 (No . 4, 1988). Horvath, Pavel, "Zbytocny pokus o revfziu autorstva slovenskych narodnych obran z rokov 1821-1834," He., 38 (No. 1, 1990). Hrnko, Anton, " Prejavy krfzy l'udackeho rezimu na Slovensku v lete roku 1943," He., 37 (no . 3, 1989). Hubenak, Ladislav, " Vznik Ceskoslovenska - zahranicny odboj a krajania," Slovtici v zahranicf, 14 (1988). Jakesova, Elena, "Reemigracia a vyst'ahovalectvo obyvatel'stva Slovenska v obdobf po vzniku Ceskoslovenskej republiky, " Slovtici v zahranicf, 14 (1988). _ _ _ _ , "Americkf Slovaci, zahranicny odboj a ceskoslove nska statnost' (1914-1918)," He., 37 (No. 5, 1989). Jakubikova, Kornelia, "The Participation of the Local Community in the Wedding in Slovakia," Ethnologia Slavica, 18 (1986). Kartous, Peter, "Narodne kulturne pamiatky v archfvoch SSR, " He., 37 (No . 5, 1989). Klimko, Jozef, Tretia nsa a l'udacky rezim na Slovensku (Bratislava: Obzor, 1986) Kollarova-Svorcova, Zuzana, "K problematike ciganskej otazky na Spisi (1918-1938)," Slovensky ntirodopis, 36 (No. 1, 1988). Kovac, Andrej, 'Vzt'ahy a riesenie agrarnej a ukrajinskej otazky v severovychodnych okresoch vychodneho Slovenska v rokoch 1944-1960," Histocia Carpatica, 18 (1987). Kovac, Dusan, "Slovenskf Nemci v rfsskonemeckej a sudetonemeckej politike," He., 37 (No. 6, 1989). _ _ _ _ & tubomfr Liptak, Kapitoly z dejfn (pre stredne skoly) (Bratislava: SPN, 1990). Krajfovic, Milan, 'Slovania Podunajska v protirakuskom hnutf porevolucnej ernigracie," He., 37 (No. 5, 1989). Krajfovic, Rudolf, " The Language in Great Moravia and Its Continuity with Slovak," Studia Historica Slovaca, XVI (1988). Krajfovifova, Natalia, " Prejavy nespokoj nosti s realizaciou pozemkovej reformy v prvej polovici dvadsiatych rokov, " He. , 37 (No . 6, 1989). Kucera, Matus, " Grossmahren und die Anfange unserer nationalen Geschichte, " Studia Historica Slovaca , XVI (1988) . 184 SLOVAKIA Kuzmik, Jozef, Kniznti kultura na Slovensku v stredoveku a renesancii (Martin : Matica slovenska, 1987). Lukacka, Jan, " Majetky a postavenia Ludanickovcov na Slovensku do zaciatku 14. storocia, " He., 38 (No. 1, 1990). Magdolenova, Anna, " Ceskoslovensky kontext v slovenskom hudobnom umeni v medzivojnovom obdobi (1918-1939)," He., 37 (No. 4, 1989). Magula, Rudolph, "Banicke skoly na vychodnom Slovensku pred rokom 1918," Historica Carpatica, 18 (1987). Mannova, Elena, "Spolky a ich miesta v zivote spolocnosti na Slovensku v 19. stor. Stav a problemy vyskumu," He., 38 (No . 1, 1990). Marsina, Richard, " Uber die Besiedlung der Slowakei vom 11. bis in die Halfte des 13. Jahrhunderts," Studia Historica Slovaca , XVI (1988). _ _ _ _ , " K najstarsfm dejinam Zvolena," He., 37 (No. 6, 1989). Mistrik, Jozef, Modernti sloveneina, 2nd ed. (Bratislava: SPN, 1988). _ _ _ _ , A Grammar of Contemporary Slovak (Bratislava : SPN, 1988). Oravec, Jan & Jozef Prokop, Sloveneina pre krajanov hovoriacich po anglicky (Martin: Matica slovenska, 1986). Pleva, Jan, " Ideologicka praca Komunistickej stra ny Ceskoslovenska v prvej polovici dvadsiatych rokov," He., 36 (No. 5, 1988). Podolak, Jan, " Organizational Forms of Pastoral Farming in Slovakia," Ethnologia Slavica, 15 (1983) . Podolak, Jan, " Traditional Utilization of the Production of Sheep Milk," Ethnologia Slavica, 16 (1984). Potremra, Michal, " Niektore otazky dejin juzneho Slovenska v rokoch 1938-1945," He ., 37 (No. 6, 1989). Pranda, Adam, " Die Slowakisch Rastelbinderei, Ethnologia Slavica, 17 (1985). Ratkos, Peter, " The Territorial Development of Great Moravia (Fiction and Reality), Studia Historica S/ovaca, XVI (1988). _ _ _ _ , Slovensko v dobe vel'komoravskej (Kosice: Vychodoslovenske vydavatel' stvo, 1988). Roharik, pave!, Termino/6gia remeseln{ckej vyroby v Nadlaku (Martin: Matica slovenska, 1988). Ruman, Ladislav, "Ceskoslovenska socialna demokracia v obdobi docasnej stabilizacie kapitalizmu (1924-1929), He. , 38 (No. 1, 1990). Rychlik, Jan, " K otazke postavenia ceskeho obyvatel'stva na Slovensku v rokoch 1938-1945, " He ., 37 (No. 3, 1989). _ _ _ _ " Prfprava a priebeh pozemkovej reformy na Slovensku v rokoch 1938-1945," Agricultura, 22 (1989) . Sedlak, lmrich ed ., Pavo/ Jozef Saftirik a slovenske ntirodne obroden ie (Martin : Matica slovenska, 1989). Sedlak, Vincent, " Nichtmagyarische Einflusse in den Anfangen des ungarischen Staates," Studia Historica S/ovaca , XVI (1988). Sikora, Stanislav, " Problemy rozvoja socialistickeho demokratizmu v cinnosti narodnych vyborov na Slovensku na zaciatku 50. rokov," He., 37 (No. 6, 1989). SLOVAKIA 185 Simoncic, Jozef & Jozef Watzka eds., Dejiny Trnavy (Bratislava : Obzor, 1988). Skvarna, Dusan, " Prfpravy septembroveho ozbrojeneho povstania v roku 1848, " He., 36 (No . 5, 1988). _ _ _ _ , "Priebeh a vysledky septembroveho ozbrojeneho povstania roku 1848," He., 37 (No. 2, 1989). Slavkovsky, Peter, " Die Migration zur landwirtschiftlichen Saisonarbiet und ihre Bedeutung fur die Entwicklung der Volkskultur in der Slowakei,'' Ethnologia Slavica, 15 (1983). Slovensky biograficky slovnfk (od roku 833 do roku 1990), Ill (K-1), (Martin: Matica slovenska, 1989). Smatlak, Stanislav, Dejiny slovenskej literatury od stredoveku po sueasnost' (Bratislava: Tatran, 1988). Sopko, Julius, "Questions of Cultural Influences and Level of Learning During the First Centuries of the Hungarian State, " Studia Historica Slovaca , XVI (1988) . Spiesz, Anton, Bratislava v 18. storocf (Bratislava : Tatran , 1987). Spira, Gyorgy, " Stretnutie Jana Rotaridesa s revoluciou a kontrarevoluciou," He., 36 (No. 5, 1988). Stevcek, Juraj, ed ., Dejiny slovenskeho romanu (Bratislava : Tatran, 1989). Stilla, Milos, " Paradesantna brigada v partizanskej voj ne," He., 37 (No. 3, 1989). Stolarik, M. Mark, " Slovenski prist'ahovalci a ich postoje v rokoch 1885-1919," He., 37 (No . 6, 1989). Strelko, Amon, " Vnutropoliticky vyvoj l' udackeho tabora v rokoch 1941-1942," He., 37 (No . 3, 1989). Tajtak, Ladislav, " Vznfk Robotnfckeho vzdelavacieho spolku v Kosiciach," Historica Carpatica, 18 (1987) . _ _ _ _ , " K otazke I' avicovej opozfcie v uhorskej a slovenskej socialnej demokracii a vzniku tzv . Hornouhorskej socialnodemokratickej strany, " He., 36 (No. 4, 1988). Tibensky, Jan et. al. , Priekopnfci vedy a techniky na Slovensku II (Bratislava: Obzor, 1988). Tichy, Miloslav, " K dejinam Lekarskej fakulty v Bratislave v rokoch 1919-1939, " He. , 37 (No. 5, 1989). Ulicny, Ferdinand, " Vyvoj osfdlenia horneho povodia Ondavy do zaciatku 17. storocia," Historica Carpatica, 18 (1987). Visvader, Frantisek, Maly album vel'kych osobnos tf (Portrety vyznamnych cinite/'ov eeskoslovenskeho kom unistickeho hnutia (Bratislava: SPN, 1988). Vozar, Jozef, " Zaciatky banickeho vysokeho skolstva na uzemi Ceskoslovenska, " He., 36 (No. 5, 1988). Winters, Stanley B., " Vyvoj badani o dejinach Ceskoslovenska ve Spojenych statech," Casopis Matice moravske, CVIII (No . 2, 1989). Zatkuliak, Jozef, " Narodne vybory na Slovensku pri riadeni pol'noh ospodarstva po zasadani 0V KSC v juni 1955," He., 36 (No. 4, 1988). Zubercova, Magdalena M. , Tisfcrocie m6dy. Z dejin odievania na Slovensku (Martin: Osveta, 1988). 186 SLOVAKIA (b) from the West Baumgarten, R. Vladimir, "T.G. Masaryk: The Making of a Founding Father, " The Central European Forum, 2 (No . 4, 1989). Baumgarten, R. Vladimir & Joseph Stefka, The National Slovak Society: 100 Year History, 1890-1990 (Pittsburgh: National Slovak Society, 1990). Borchert, James & Susan, Lakewood: The First Hundred Years (Norfolk, VA: Donning publishing Co., 1989). Brown, Janice, Conscience and Captivity: Religion in Eastern Europe (Washington, D.C. : Ethics and Public Policy Center, 1989). Deak, Istvan, " Uncovering Eastern Europe' s Dark History," Orbis: A Journal of World Affairs, 34 (No. 1, 1990). _ _ _ _ , Beyond Nationalism : A Social and Political History of the Habsburg Officer Corps, 1848-1918 (New York, Oxford University Press, 1990). Drobena, Thomas John, "The Influence of Irish-Keltic Church Architecture on the Slavic Church Buildings of the Great Moravian Period, " Slovak Studies, XXII (1982) . Durica, Milan S., " The Political Activities of Dr. Jozef Kirschbaum in 1939-1945 (As Described in Secret German Documents}, " Slovak Studies, XXV (1985). Durovic, tubomir, "The Language of the Walaska Sskola," in Gerald J. Sabo ed ., Hugolfn Gavlovic's Valaska Skala (Columbus, Ohio: Slavica Publishers, 1988). Glettler, Monika, "Die Slowaken in Pressburg und Budapest um 1900," Slowakei, XXVI (1989) . Grebert, Arved, " Der Selbstandikeitswille der Slowaken in den Jahren 1919-1920," Slowakei, XXVI (1989). Havel, Vaclav, "New Year's Addres, " Orbis: A Journal of World Affairs, 34 (No . 2, 1990). Hnilica, Jan, "Sts . Cyril and Methodius and Their Attitudes Towards the Holy Scripture and Rome," Slovak Studies, XXII (1982) . Hodos, George H ., Stalinist Purges in Eastern Europe, 1948-1954 (New York: Praeger, 1987). Hoensch, Joerg K., A History of Modern Hungary, 1867-1986 (London and New York: Longman, 1988). Hrabovec, Anton, " Slowaken in bsterreich," S/owakei, XXV (1988). Jelinek, Yeshayahu, " Slovaks and the Holocaust: Attempts at Reconciliation," Soviet Jewish Affairs, 19 (No . 1, 1989). _ _ _ _ , " Slovaks, Germans, the 'Satellites', and Jews, " Cross Currents: A Yearbook of Central European Culture, 9 (1990) . Johnson, Owen V., " Newspapers and Nation-Building : The Slovak Press in Pre-1918 Slovakia, " in Hans Lemberg et. al ., Bildungsgeschichte, Bevolkerungsgeschichte und Gesel/schaftsgeschichte in den bohemischer Uindern und in Europa (Wien: Verlag fur Geschichte und Politik, 1988). _ _ _ _ , " Clio Among the Ethnic Media," Ethnic Fo rum, 8 (No . 1, 1988). SLOVAKIA 187 Kalvoda, Josef, "Federalist thought in Czechoslovakia During the Interwar Years," Slovakia , XXXIII (1987-88). _ _ _ _ , " National Minorities Under Communism : The Case of Czechoslovakia," Nationalities Papers, XVI (No. 1, 1988). _ _ _ _ , "Czechoslovak-Ukrainian Relations," The Ukrainian Quarterly, XLN (Nos. 1-2, 1988). _ _ _ _ , "The Czechoslovak Army in the Civil War in Russia," The Ukrainian Quarterly, XLV (No. 1, 1989). _ _ _ _ , "The Origins of Czechoslovakia (Russia - The Home Front), " in Norman Stone & Edward Strouhal eds., Czechoslovakia : Crossroads and Crises, 1918-1988 (New York: St. Martin 's Press, 1989). Keller, Hans, "Meine funf Jahre in der Slowakei, 1939-1945," Slowakei, XXV (1988). Kirschbaum, J.M., "Fur ein neues Mitteleuropa," Slowakei, XXVI (1989) . Kirschbaum, Stanislav J., "Slovak Nationalism in the First Czechoslovak Republic of 1918-1938, " Canadian Review of Studies in Nationalism, XVI (Nos. 1-2, 1989). Komlos, John, Nutrition and Economic Development in the 18th-Century Habsburg Monarchy: An Anthropometric History (Princeton, N .J.: Princeton University Press, 1989). Kona, Martha M. & William, Arcibiskup Dr. Karol Kmet'ko (Cambridge, Ontario: Dobra kniha, 1989). Kopanic, Michael J., Jr. , "Sjednocovanie socialno-demokratickych odborovych organizacii na Slovensku v rokoch 1918-1920," Premeny, 24 (No . 4, 1987). _ _ _ _ , " Conflict and Cooperation Among East Central European Immigrants: Slovak Prespectives on Relations with Magyars in Cleveland, 1880-1930," in Western Reserve Studies Symposium (Cleveland: Western Reserve Historical Society, 1989). Korec, Jan (Bishop), "Letter to Rude Pravo (October, 1987)," Furdek, XXVIIl (1989) . Kovtun, Jiff, Masaryku v triumf: Prfbeh konce velkevalky (Toronto : Sixty-Eight Publishers, 1987). Krafcik, Patricia A., "Janosil<: Unraveling the Man from the Legend," Slovakia, XXXIII (1987-88) . Kupke, Raymond J., 'The Slovak National Catholic Church, Passaic, New Jersey, and the Jeczusko Affair," Slovakia , XXXIII (1987-88). Kutnik, Jozef, " Benedictine Missionaries in Slovakia in the 9th-11th Centuries, " Slovak Studies, XXII (1982). Litva, Felix J ., "Bibliography of the Cyrillo-Methodian Mission in Great Moravia, " Slovak Studies, XXII (1982) . Mamatey, Victor S., "The Change of Presidential Guard, 1935: Masaryk's Abdication - Benes's Election," Kosmas, VII (No. 2, 1988). _ _ _ _ , " The United States and Czechoslovak Independence," in Czechoslovakia : Crossroads and Crises, 1918-1988, ed. by Norman Stone & Eduard Strouhal (New York: St. Martin's Press, 1989). McCagg, William 0 ., A History of the Habsburg Jews, 1670-1988 (Bloomington, IN : Indiana University Press, 1988). 188 SLOVAKIA Molenda, Danuta, " Technological Innovation in Central Europe between the XNth and the XVIIth Centuries," Journal of European Economic History, 17 (No . 1, 1988). Pastor, Peter, ed., Revolutions and Interoentions in Hungary and Its Neighboring States, 1918-1919 (Highland Lakes, N.J.: Atlantic Studies on Society in Change, 1988 [E. European Monographs, #240)) . Pehe, Jiri, ed., The Prague Spring: A Mixed Legacy (Lanham, MD: University Press of America, 1988). Rynsent, Robert B., ed. , Decadence and Innovation : Austro-Hungarian Life and Art at the Tum of the Cen tury (London: Weidenfeld, 1989). _ _ _ _ , "Narodnosti juzneho Slovenska v Habajovych a Bellekovych dielach," Romboid, XXIV (1989). _ _ _ _ , ed. , T. G. Masaryk (1850-1937), II: Thinker and Critic (New York : St. Martin 's Press, 1989). Rothschild, Joseph, Return to Diversity: A Political History of East Central Europe (New York: Oxford University Press, 1989). Rydlo, Jozef M., " Helvetus Peregrinus, William Ritter et la Slovaquie: une page inconnue de nos relatons avec l'etranger," HISPO (Berne), 10 (1989). _ _ _ _ , Publishing Activity of the Slovak Institute of Saints Cyril and Methodius in Rome, 1963-1988 (Rome: Slovak Institute, 1989). Sabo, Gerald J., ed., Hugolfn Gavlovic's Valaska Skala (Columbus: Slavica Publishers, 1988). Sama!, Mary Hrabik & Zdenka Brodska, "The Lukavica Notebooks, " Cross Currents, 9 (1990) . Sked, Alan, The Decline and Fall of the Habsburg Empire, 1815-1918 (London and New York: Longman, 1989). Skilling, H. Gordon, "Czechoslovakia Between East and West, " in William W. Griffith ed ., Central and Eastern Europe: The Opening Curtain? (Boulder, CO: Westview Press, 1989). Spetko, Jozef, " Bah, Hospodin, Jahve, Allah v nasom case a priestore . Prispevok k poznaniu slovenskej cirkevno-historickej a konfesionalno-historickej literatury," Most, XXXVI (No. 3-4, 1989). _ _ _ _ , "Religious Cults in Slovakia Before [the] Arrival of [the] Slavs," Slovak Studies, XXII (1982). Stolarik, M. Mark, "Slovak Immigration to the United States and Its Relation to the American Socialist and Labor Movements," Slovakia, XXXIII (1987-88) . _ _ __ , (pseud. Leo Carpenter), "Looking for Mr. Glasnost: Scenes from Today's [1988) Czechoslovakia, " Crisis: A Journal of Lay Catholic Opinion , 7 (No . 7, 1989). _ _ _ _ , Immigration and Urbanization: Th e Slovak Experience, 1870-1918 (New York: AMS Press, 1989). _ _ _ _ , " Slovak Easter Customs in the United States," The World & I, V (No . 4, 1990). Stolicna, Rastislava, "The Ways of Food Preservation in Slovakia," in Astri Riddervold & Andreas Ropeid eds., Food Conseroation (London: Prospect Books, 1988). SLOVAKIA 189 Sutherland, Anthony X., "Studies Into the Intellectual History of Slovak Nationalism (lS00's-1914)," Slovak Studies, XXV (1985). Tatarka, Dominik et. al., " Deportations of Jews from Slovakia: [A) Declaration," (translated by F.W. Galan), Cross Currents, 9 (1990). Unterberger, Betty M., The United States, Revolutionary Russia and the Rise of Czechoslovakia (Chapel Hill : University of North Carolina Press, 1989). Wandycz, Piotr S., The Twilight of the French Eastern Alliance, 1926-1936: FrenchCzechoslovak-Polish Relations from Locarno to the Remilitarization of the Rhineland (Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1988). Winters, Stanley B. , ed., T.G. Masaryk (1850-1937) . I: Thinker and Politician (New York: St. Martin's Press, 1990). 190 SLOVAKIA CONTRIBUTORS DAVID P. DANIEL, Ph.D. (The Pennsylvania State University), is a specialist in the history of Slovakia and the Austrian Empire during the early modern era. He has published numerous articles and several books on the Reformation and on Slovakia during the sixteenth century. He was a Senior Fulbright Researcher in Bratislava in 1988-1990, and he also served as a special consultant to the Slovak Ministry of Culture and Education after the "velvet revolution" of November, 1989. STANISLAV J. KIRSCHBAUM, D. Rech. (Paris), is Professor of International Studies at Glendon College, York University, Toronto. A specialist on modern Slovakia (1939-1990), he has published many articles on this subject, edited two books and most recently published Slovaques et Tcheques. Essai sur un nouvel aperru de leur histoire politique (1987). JAN CHRYZOSTOM KOREC, S.J., is Roman Catholic Bishop of the Diocese of Nitra, Slovakia. He was one of four Jesuits secretly ordained as a Bishop in 1950 after the Communists suppressed all religious orders as a part of their all-out war against religion in Czechoslovakia. In the 1950's Bishop Karee worked as a manual laborer and, wherever possible, he secretly ordained priests and helped to educate them. In 1960 the secret police arrested him and he was sentenced to 12 years in prison. Freed in 1968, and fully rehabilitated in 1969, he had to return to manual labor after the "consolidation" process of 1970. Constantly harrassed by the secret police in the 1970' s and 1980' s, Bishop Karee nevertheless participated in the Catholic opposition to the new Stalinist regime and helped plan various pilgrimages and demonstrations, notably the March 25, 1988 [Good Friday] candlelight procession in Bratislava, which was broken up by police using water cannons and trun- SLOVAKIA 191 cheons and was the first public demonstration against the Stalinist regime since 1969. He was also a co-signer of the "Declaration Regarding the Deportation of Jews from Slovakia" in the fall of 1987, which was initiated by his friend Dominik Tatarka. Bishop Korec brought Tatarka back to the Roman Catholic faith as this dissident writer's health began to fail. Pope John Paul II appointed Korec Bishop of Nitra, Slovakia's oldest Diocese, on February 6, 1990. MICHAEL KRAUS, Ph.D. (Princeton University) is Associate Professor of Political Science at Middlebury College, Vermont. He was a Ford Foundation Fellow at the Center for Science and International Affairs, Harvard University, in 1982-83, and a Post-Doctoral Fellow at the Harriman Institute for Advanced Soviet Studies, Columbia University, 1986-87. He has written on Soviet and East European Affairs in both contemporary and historical contexts. Most recently, he is editor (along with Ronald Liebowitz) of Perestroika and East-West Economic Relations: Prospects for the 1990's (New York University Press, 1990) . EWA KOWALSKA, Ph.D. (Comenius University), is a member of the Historical Institute of the Slovak Academy of Sciences, Division for late Feudal History. She specializes in the history of education in Slovakia during the Enlightenment and has published a number of articles and the monograph Sttitne l'udove skolstvo na Slovensku na prelome 18. a 19. storocia (1987). She has also taught at Comenius University and has participated in various international scholarly conferences. JAN SIMKO, Ph.D. (Comenius University), was a Professor of English at Comenius until 1967. After the Soviet-led invasion of 1968 he decided to remain in the West. He is a specialist on Shakespeare and the author of over 100 articles. His most notable achievement was the publication of the English-Slovak Dictionary (3 editions, 1967, 1968 and 1971) in Bratislava, Slovakia. A revised and updated version of this dictionary is about to be published by the Slovak World Congress . Dr. Simko was the first Scholar in Residence and Visiting Professor of English at West Virginia University in Parkesburg, where he spent the 1989-1990 academic year. 192 SLOVAKIA GUIDELINES FOR MANUSCRIPTS Manuscripts of articles for publication should be sent to the editor. Articles should normally not exceed twenty-five pages in length, and should be submitted in triplicate, typed double-spaced, with generous margins for copyediting. Footnotes should also be double-spaced, numbered, and placed at the end of the paper. Text and format should adhere to the style outlined in Kate Turabian' s A Manual for Writers. Proper orthography and diacritical marks must be supplied for all foreign words. Manuscripts will not be returned unless specifically requested and postage is provided. Books for review are to be sent to the editor. Unsolicited book reviews are not encouraged. Individuals who wish to review books should request them from the editor. They should send a 'curriculum vitae' with their request. THE SLOVAK LEAGUE OF AMERICA Organized in 1907 EDWARD J. BEHUNCIK, K.S.G., Honorary President JOHN A. HOLY Sec reta ry-T reasu rer DANIEL F. TANZONE President JOSEPH J. TALAFOUS, Esq. Vice-President ANNE Z. SAROSY Vice-President PHILIP R. TUHY Vice-President Executive Committee Daniel F. Tanzone, Edward J. Behuncik, John A. Holy, Anna S. Granchay Joseph R. Kristofik, Steve J. Hruska, Cecilia Sarocky, Andrew F. Hudak, Jr., Joseph Stefka, Stephen J. Kavulich, Justine Wesnak, Edward A. Zelenak, M. Mark Stolarik, Ph.D., Igor Uhrik Anna M. Vizza, President, Ladies Auxiliary Patrick Zelenak Youth Director SLOVAK FRATERNAL ORGANIZATIONS AFFILIATED WITH THE SLOVAK LEAGUE OF AMERICA FIRST CATHOLIC SLOVAK LADIES ASSOCIATION Cleveland, Ohio FIRST CATHOLIC SLOVAK UNION OF THE U.S. AND CANADA Cleveland, Ohio SLOVAK CATHOLIC SOKOL Passaic, N.J. NATIONAL SLOVAK SOCIETY OF THE U.S.A. Pittsburgh, Pa . LADIES PENNSYLVANIA SLOVAK CATHOLIC UNION Wilkes-Barre, Pa. PENNSYLVANIA SLOVAK CATHOLIC UNION Wilkes-Barre, Pa. FIRST SLOVAK WREATH OF THE FREE EAGLE Bridgeport, Conn . SLOVAK NEWSPAPERMEN'S ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA THE SLOVAK GARDEN, INC. Winter Park, Florida SLOVAKIA $6.00 per issue Printed By JEDNOTA PRESS A Division of Jednota Communications, Inc. Middletown, Pennsylvania 17057 U.S.A.  Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Back Matter, Slovakia, Vol. 34 (No. 62-63) Description An account of the resource includes Books and Articles Received; Contributors; Guidelines for Manuscripts Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1989-90 https://slovakia.wordsofpassage.net/files/original/732811ad1b158d5290b7367e3a6a84f0.pdf 940e5e5a013deb7e553bfe516ec6d314 PDF Text Text SLOVAKIA 145 CONTRIBUTORS EDIT A BOSAK is Assistant Professor of History, Memorial University, St. John 1s, Newfoundland. She specializes in 19th century Slovak and Central European history, has published numerous articles in the field and is preparing a monograph on CzechSlovak relations. ELENA JAKESOV A is a member of the Historical Institute of the Slovak Academy of Sciences in Bratislava. Her specialty is Slovak immigration to Canada, about which she has published many articles and the book Vysfahovalectvo Slovakov do Kanady (Bratislava, 1981). STANISLA V J. KIRSCHBAUM is Professor of Political Science and International Studies at York University, Glendon College, in Toronto, Canada. A specialist on contemporary Slovak and Central European politics, he has published many articles on this subject as well as Slovaques et Tcheques (Lausanne, 1987). CAROL SKALNIK LEFF is Assistant Professor of Political Science at the University of Illinois, Urbana. She is the author of National Conflict in Czechoslovakia: The Making and Remaking of a State, 1918-1987(Princeton, 1988). PAUL R. MAGOCSI is Professor of History and Political Science at the University of Toronto, where he holds the Chair in Ukrainian Studies. He is also Director of the Multicultural History Society of Ontario. He has published The Shaping of a National Identity: Subcarpathian Rus', 1848-1948 (Cambridge, Mass: 1978) �146 SLOVAKIA and Our People: Carpatho-Rusyns and their Descendants in America (Toronto, 1984), and many other books and articles. SUSAN MIKULA is Professor of History and Chair of the Division of Humanities at Illinois Benedictine College in Lisle, Illinois. She specializes in 20th century Slovakia, has published several articles on this subject, and is preparing a study of Milan Hodfa. M. MARK STOLARIK is Professor of History and holder of the Chair in Slovak History and Culture at the University of Ottawa. He specializes in the history of Slovak immigration to North America, and has published widely in the field, including Growing Up on the South Side: Slovaks in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, 18801976 (Lewisburg, PA, 1985) and Immigration and Urbanization: The Slovak Experience, 1870-1918 (New York, 1989) . ��148 SLOVAKIA GUIDELINES FOR MANUSCRIPTS Manuscripts of articles should be sent to the editor. Articles should normally not exceed twenty-five pages in length, and should be submitted in triplicate, typed double-spaced, numbered, and placed at the end of the paper. Text and format should adhere to the style outlined in Kate Turabian's A Manual for Writers. Proper orthography and diacritical marks must be supplied for all foreign words. If the article/review was composed on a computer, a copy of the disk used should be supplied as well. Manuscripts (and disks) will not be returned unless specifically requested and postage is provided. Books for review should be sent to the editor. Unsolicited book reviews are not encouraged. Individuals who wish to review books should request them from the editor. They should send a 'curriculum vitae' with their request. ��THE SLOVAK LEAGUE OF AMERICA Organized in 1907 EDWARD J. BEHUNCIK, K.S.G., Honorary President JOHN A HOLY Secretary-Treasurer DANIEL F. TANZONE President JOSEPH J. TALAFOUS, Esq. Vice-President ANNE Z. SAROSY Vice-President MICHAL BUCKO Vice-President Executive Committee Daniel F. Tanzone, Edward J. Behuncik, John A Holy, Anna S. Granchay Joseph R. Kristofik, Steve J. Hruska, Cecilia Sarocky, Andrew F. Hudak, Jr., Joseph Stefka, Justine Wesnak, Edward A Zelenak, Anna M. Vizza, President, Ladies Auxiliary Patrick Zelenak Youth Director SLOVAK FRATERNAL ORGANIZATIONS AFFILIATED WITH THE SLOVAK LEAGUE OF AMERICA FIRST CATHOLIC SLOVAK LADIES ASSOCIATION Cleveland, Ohio FIRST CATHOLIC SLOVAK UNION OF THE U.S. AND CANADA Cleveland , Ohio SLOVAK CATHOLIC SOKOL Passaic, N.J. NATIONAL SLOVAK SOCIETY OF THE U.S.A. Pittsburgh, Pa. LADIES PENNSYLVANIA SLOVAK CATHOLIC UNION Wilkes-Barre, Pa. FIRST SLOVAK WREATH OF THE FREE EAGLE Bridgeport, Conn. SLOVAK NEWSPAPERMEN'S ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA THE SLOVAK GARDEN, INC. Winter Park, Florida SLOVAKIA $7.00 per issue Printed By SLOVAK PRINT, Reg. Montreal, Quebec Canada � SLOVAKIA 145 CONTRIBUTORS EDIT A BOSAK is Assistant Professor of History, Memorial University, St. John 1s, Newfoundland. She specializes in 19th century Slovak and Central European history, has published numerous articles in the field and is preparing a monograph on CzechSlovak relations. ELENA JAKESOV A is a member of the Historical Institute of the Slovak Academy of Sciences in Bratislava. Her specialty is Slovak immigration to Canada, about which she has published many articles and the book Vysfahovalectvo Slovakov do Kanady (Bratislava, 1981). STANISLA V J. KIRSCHBAUM is Professor of Political Science and International Studies at York University, Glendon College, in Toronto, Canada. A specialist on contemporary Slovak and Central European politics, he has published many articles on this subject as well as Slovaques et Tcheques (Lausanne, 1987). CAROL SKALNIK LEFF is Assistant Professor of Political Science at the University of Illinois, Urbana. She is the author of National Conflict in Czechoslovakia: The Making and Remaking of a State, 1918-1987(Princeton, 1988). PAUL R. MAGOCSI is Professor of History and Political Science at the University of Toronto, where he holds the Chair in Ukrainian Studies. He is also Director of the Multicultural History Society of Ontario. He has published The Shaping of a National Identity: Subcarpathian Rus', 1848-1948 (Cambridge, Mass: 1978) �146 SLOVAKIA and Our People: Carpatho-Rusyns and their Descendants in America (Toronto, 1984), and many other books and articles. SUSAN MIKULA is Professor of History and Chair of the Division of Humanities at Illinois Benedictine College in Lisle, Illinois. She specializes in 20th century Slovakia, has published several articles on this subject, and is preparing a study of Milan Hodfa. M. MARK STOLARIK is Professor of History and holder of the Chair in Slovak History and Culture at the University of Ottawa. He specializes in the history of Slovak immigration to North America, and has published widely in the field, including Growing Up on the South Side: Slovaks in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, 18801976 (Lewisburg, PA, 1985) and Immigration and Urbanization: The Slovak Experience, 1870-1918 (New York, 1989) . ��148 SLOVAKIA GUIDELINES FOR MANUSCRIPTS Manuscripts of articles should be sent to the editor. Articles should normally not exceed twenty-five pages in length, and should be submitted in triplicate, typed double-spaced, numbered, and placed at the end of the paper. Text and format should adhere to the style outlined in Kate Turabian's A Manual for Writers. Proper orthography and diacritical marks must be supplied for all foreign words. If the article/review was composed on a computer, a copy of the disk used should be supplied as well. Manuscripts (and disks) will not be returned unless specifically requested and postage is provided. Books for review should be sent to the editor. Unsolicited book reviews are not encouraged. Individuals who wish to review books should request them from the editor. They should send a 'curriculum vitae' with their request. ��THE SLOVAK LEAGUE OF AMERICA Organized in 1907 EDWARD J. BEHUNCIK, K.S.G., Honorary President JOHN A HOLY Secretary-Treasurer DANIEL F. TANZONE President JOSEPH J. TALAFOUS, Esq. Vice-President ANNE Z. SAROSY Vice-President MICHAL BUCKO Vice-President Executive Committee Daniel F. Tanzone, Edward J. Behuncik, John A Holy, Anna S. Granchay Joseph R. Kristofik, Steve J. Hruska, Cecilia Sarocky, Andrew F. Hudak, Jr., Joseph Stefka, Justine Wesnak, Edward A Zelenak, Anna M. Vizza, President, Ladies Auxiliary Patrick Zelenak Youth Director SLOVAK FRATERNAL ORGANIZATIONS AFFILIATED WITH THE SLOVAK LEAGUE OF AMERICA FIRST CATHOLIC SLOVAK LADIES ASSOCIATION Cleveland, Ohio FIRST CATHOLIC SLOVAK UNION OF THE U.S. AND CANADA Cleveland , Ohio SLOVAK CATHOLIC SOKOL Passaic, N.J. NATIONAL SLOVAK SOCIETY OF THE U.S.A. Pittsburgh, Pa. LADIES PENNSYLVANIA SLOVAK CATHOLIC UNION Wilkes-Barre, Pa. FIRST SLOVAK WREATH OF THE FREE EAGLE Bridgeport, Conn. SLOVAK NEWSPAPERMEN'S ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA THE SLOVAK GARDEN, INC. Winter Park, Florida SLOVAKIA $7.00 per issue Printed By SLOVAK PRINT, Reg. Montreal, Quebec Canada � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource 1991-92, Vol. 35 Description An account of the resource Vol. 35 (No. 64-65), 1991-92. Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived The Slovak League of America Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available 1991-92 Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document SLOVAKIA 145 CONTRIBUTORS EDIT A BOSAK is Assistant Professor of History, Memorial University, St. John 1s, Newfoundland. She specializes in 19th century Slovak and Central European history, has published numerous articles in the field and is preparing a monograph on CzechSlovak relations. ELENA JAKESOV A is a member of the Historical Institute of the Slovak Academy of Sciences in Bratislava. Her specialty is Slovak immigration to Canada, about which she has published many articles and the book Vysfahovalectvo Slovakov do Kanady (Bratislava, 1981). STANISLA V J. KIRSCHBAUM is Professor of Political Science and International Studies at York University, Glendon College, in Toronto, Canada. A specialist on contemporary Slovak and Central European politics, he has published many articles on this subject as well as Slovaques et Tcheques (Lausanne, 1987). CAROL SKALNIK LEFF is Assistant Professor of Political Science at the University of Illinois, Urbana. She is the author of National Conflict in Czechoslovakia: The Making and Remaking of a State, 1918-1987(Princeton, 1988). PAUL R. MAGOCSI is Professor of History and Political Science at the University of Toronto, where he holds the Chair in Ukrainian Studies. He is also Director of the Multicultural History Society of Ontario. He has published The Shaping of a National Identity: Subcarpathian Rus', 1848-1948 (Cambridge, Mass: 1978) 146 SLOVAKIA and Our People: Carpatho-Rusyns and their Descendants in America (Toronto, 1984), and many other books and articles. SUSAN MIKULA is Professor of History and Chair of the Division of Humanities at Illinois Benedictine College in Lisle, Illinois. She specializes in 20th century Slovakia, has published several articles on this subject, and is preparing a study of Milan Hodfa. M. MARK STOLARIK is Professor of History and holder of the Chair in Slovak History and Culture at the University of Ottawa. He specializes in the history of Slovak immigration to North America, and has published widely in the field, including Growing Up on the South Side: Slovaks in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, 18801976 (Lewisburg, PA, 1985) and Immigration and Urbanization: The Slovak Experience, 1870-1918 (New York, 1989) . 148 SLOVAKIA GUIDELINES FOR MANUSCRIPTS Manuscripts of articles should be sent to the editor. Articles should normally not exceed twenty-five pages in length, and should be submitted in triplicate, typed double-spaced, numbered, and placed at the end of the paper. Text and format should adhere to the style outlined in Kate Turabian's A Manual for Writers. Proper orthography and diacritical marks must be supplied for all foreign words. If the article/review was composed on a computer, a copy of the disk used should be supplied as well. Manuscripts (and disks) will not be returned unless specifically requested and postage is provided. Books for review should be sent to the editor. Unsolicited book reviews are not encouraged. Individuals who wish to review books should request them from the editor. They should send a 'curriculum vitae' with their request. THE SLOVAK LEAGUE OF AMERICA Organized in 1907 EDWARD J. BEHUNCIK, K.S.G., Honorary President JOHN A HOLY Secretary-Treasurer DANIEL F. TANZONE President JOSEPH J. TALAFOUS, Esq. Vice-President ANNE Z. SAROSY Vice-President MICHAL BUCKO Vice-President Executive Committee Daniel F. Tanzone, Edward J. Behuncik, John A Holy, Anna S. Granchay Joseph R. Kristofik, Steve J. Hruska, Cecilia Sarocky, Andrew F. Hudak, Jr., Joseph Stefka, Justine Wesnak, Edward A Zelenak, Anna M. Vizza, President, Ladies Auxiliary Patrick Zelenak Youth Director SLOVAK FRATERNAL ORGANIZATIONS AFFILIATED WITH THE SLOVAK LEAGUE OF AMERICA FIRST CATHOLIC SLOVAK LADIES ASSOCIATION Cleveland, Ohio FIRST CATHOLIC SLOVAK UNION OF THE U.S. AND CANADA Cleveland , Ohio SLOVAK CATHOLIC SOKOL Passaic, N.J. NATIONAL SLOVAK SOCIETY OF THE U.S.A. Pittsburgh, Pa. LADIES PENNSYLVANIA SLOVAK CATHOLIC UNION Wilkes-Barre, Pa. FIRST SLOVAK WREATH OF THE FREE EAGLE Bridgeport, Conn. SLOVAK NEWSPAPERMEN'S ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA THE SLOVAK GARDEN, INC. Winter Park, Florida SLOVAKIA $7.00 per issue Printed By SLOVAK PRINT, Reg. Montreal, Quebec Canada  Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Back Matter, Slovakia, Vol. 35 (No. 64-65) Description An account of the resource includes Contributors; Guidelines for Manuscripts Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1991-92