To-day fifteen million Czechoslovaks are celebrating the 22nd anniversary of the unforgettable day—October 28, 1918—the day on which the independance of Czechoslovakia was proclaimed. After 300 years of submission the Czechoslovak people attained their ambition by regaining their independence and liberty.
But the new Czechoslovak Republic was destined for a short existence of only 20 years, During this short per-lod Czechoslovakia proved tobe one of the best developed and cultivated countries in Europe, a country with real democracy, a country of political and religious tolerance, a country of happy people, and the country of most importance in central Europe.
Then came Hitler, and with hit the darkest period in: the whole history of the Czech people. The Munich Agreement in 1938 mutilated the prosperous Republic., The. death blow was delivered in March 1939. when against all pledges, the Nazi invaded and occupied the remaining territory of Czechoslovakia. A period of humiliation, suppression, looting and killing followed.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.