The passing of the Liberator of Czechoslovakia within less ihan two years of his resignation of the first Presidency of the Republic which he did so much to bring into existence marks the end of a great service to democratic progress. Not less than his statesmanship and unwavering pertinacity in working for the freedom of his people has been the foresight which enabled him with perfect confidence to pass on his mantle to his successor, Dr. Edmund Benes. For Thomas Garrigue Masaryk may have been the idol of Czechoslovakia, but he never assumed the dictator's role. He had built up the fabric of the young state by more than fifty years of devoted personal labour—many of them spent in exile—but the democratic principles by which he stood protected against the pitfalls of autocracy. For eighteen years he was the first citizen vf a free country.and the chief mentor of its progress In the retirement now ended by death he remained an honoured figure and beloved Nestor, but the democratic institu" tions which he had founded continued to discharge the functions assigned to them. Dr. Benes, of peasant stock, just as Masaryk sprang from the ranks of industrialism, had been the Liberator's comrade and disciple and long before Masaryk had found it necessary to relinquish the Presidency, Benes had established himself as an outstanding figure in world diplomacy and a fitting successor to his chief. Czechoslovakia is going through difficult times, caught, as. it were, between the two rival ideologies of Communism and Fascism, but the world's statesmanship will be bankrupt beyond redemption if she is not enabled to weather the storm. Ironically enough, her own successful struggle for the freedom of minorities has resulted in her finding her greatest problem in the handling of the German minority within her borders. It is complicated by the present vigour of German nationalism which not unnaturally has found strong expression among German Czechoslovakian citizens. Friends of both countries hope that the resultant difficulties may eventually be overcome.
In these days when the principles for Which Masaryk strove are being so strongly assailed, the loss of his personality makes itself all the more tragically felt. After three centuries of subjection he brought his countrymen into the free pastures of liberty. Not content with that he was himself the impassioned champion of liberal causes which he saw endangered or involved in defeat in the chaos of post-war Europe. At Prague the railway station is named after President Woodrow Wilson whose term of office saw America lead the way in giving recognition to the creation of the Czechoslovakian Republic as one of the fundamental objects of the Great War then raging. The, example of America was promptly followed by her Allies and Masaryk thus saw his dream in prospect of fulfilment. He lived ta see the United States of America, with the sturdy democracies still left in Europe, manfully endeavouring to preserve the principles by which President Wilson was actuated when he engraved his name in the annals of the Republic then to be. The magnificent physique of the Liberator setting off intellectual gifts of exceptional distinction made him even in his lifetime a legendary figure. His elegance in attire, his pro-fossorial habits spoke eloquently of that disciplined democraticism which Czechoslovakia claims as the fundamental basis of her system. Against great odds Masaryk and now Benes have led their country of 15,000,000 people to achievements of solid worth. Industry is on a high standard of efficiency and accomplishment. Orderly domestic progress is the keynote. German critics nervous of the influences of Communism are prone to overlook the significance of Czechoslovakia's industrial advance and to lay more stress on the withdrawal of the aristocratic elements from civic responsibility. Masaryk never wavered in his Liberalism, nor does Dr. Benes change the tune. The people are peace-loving, industrious and desire to be left in that condition.
Yet it is clear that the solution of domestic problems by a new country in Czechoslovakia's position is by no means easy. As the leader of the Little Entente she at one time could firmly rest on the Covenant of the League as she surveyed the possibilities on her borders. Those days have passed. Her colleagues in the Danubian region have in one way or another had to bow the knee to the Rimmon of power-politics, as the weakness of the League manifested itself. In these circumstances Czechoslovakia's relations
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.