Salt Lake Tribune | 1918-10-27 | Page 2 | Reply Pleases czech-Slovaks

REPLY PLUSES CZECHOSLOVAKS Thousands in Russia Are Cheered by Wilson's Note to Austria. Leader Says Bolsheviki Will Hold Out Only by German Aid. By CARL W. ACKERMAJST. (New York Times-Chicago Tribune Cable, Copyright.) VLADIVOSTOK, Oct. 26. In Russia whdre thousands of Czech-Slovaks are fighting- for national independence, Wilson's Wil-son's reply to Austria was received with great enthusiasm. The Czechs think it opens .the way to Prague. When the text was received yesterday it was translated and telegraphed immediately five thousand thou-sand miles across Siberia to the Czech headquarters. Extras were issued here and the president's presi-dent's terms posted over the billboards where the crowds are reading constantly. At the Czechs' offices, Wilson's note and the formation of the Czech government at Paris were heralded as final steps before be-fore actual return of all Czechs to Bohemia Bo-hemia to unite and establish a government govern-ment in their land. It is a thrilling sight to see the Czechs who are looking forward io their return to their native land after being four years or more away, but it is pathetic to see their downcast expression when they mention their disappointment because the allied troops could not reinforce their front and open the road across Russia to Austria, but they are not downhearted. Contrarily the' are more determined to fight the Bolsheviki and Germans until there is a break with the central powers which will open the railroads and frontiers. Doctor Krizek, captain of the Czecho slovaks and representative of the national council at Vladivostok, was enchanted with Wilson's reply to the Austro-.Ilun-garian armistice request Me said: " are delighted at the turn our national affairs have taken. We arc quite sure the president's ideas will be sufficient basis for the realization of our national aspirations. We will go through to Prague as soon as we can. We shall not stop our efforts until unconditional independence independ-ence of our country is assured. We cannot, can-not, will not, stop our efforts one moment because the Bolsheviki, pressed by the Germans, are now trying to force their way into Siberia." "How long do you think the Bolsheviki can hold out?" "I believe the Bolsheviki will hold as long as Germany sustains them, no longer. Whether an armistice would ' have) the effect of stopping all financial and military mili-tary help to the Bolsheviki from Germany is doubtful. We are fighting for our freedom. free-dom. We will go through to our homes as soon as possible. We know from the news received from Austria that the situation over there is very favorable to our national aspirations. Success Foreseen. 'The present central government is too weak to resist our strong organization. The Austrian army is disorganized, weak and without fighting spirit. It is only a question of time now until we succeed. Whether our army in Russia reaches Prague, sooner or later Czecho-Slocak independence in-dependence will be realized because our people throughout the, world are fighting for the same cause." Replying to the Question whether the Czechs would be satisfied with independence independ-ence under the Hapsburss even if offered now. Captain Krizek said: "The whole Czecho-Slovak army in Russia favors complete independence of the Czecho-Slovak republic' ' The situation on the Czecho front, however, how-ever, is not satisfactory as some time ago. The Bolsheviki were pressing the Czecho-Slovak troops back along the Samara-Cheliebinsk railroad, the Czechs being forced to withdraw gradually. Krizek said: "Our troops are weakened after almost five months of continuous fighting. Our resources are small and our war material is insufficient We are trying to hold, although everything does not depend upon us, but upon the enemy's strength and on the allied assistance." The American assistance is about ready to leave Vladivostok for Cheliabinsk. Instead In-stead of a Red Cross train it is being made an all-American, including army aid. The Red Cross is scheduled to leave Thursday, stopping at Harbin. Irkutsk and Omsk, a day or two in each citv and carrying all kinds of materials supplied for the Russians and Czechs. Afterwards another train carrying only supplies leaves. The all-American special carrying carry-ing United States guards, the Red Cross director's staff, doctors, nurses, French and British has already moved to Omsk, where is now the seat of the Siberian government, while Siberian authorities here calling out an army which was already al-ready training prior to the arrival of General Gen-eral Janln, who assumes command of the Russians and Czechs.