Page:Edvard Beneš – Bohemia's case for independence.pdf/130

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116
BOHEMIA'S CASE FOR INDEPENDENCE

a Czech regiment occupied a very important position in the Toelgyes Pass. When during the night of August 27th the Rumanians delivered an attack, the gendarmerie tried to resist, while a detachment of Pioneers endeavoured to destroy the bridges. The Czechs, however, retired without the slightest resistance! This happened six to nine miles from the Rumanian frontier. A few days later, the Czechs mustered again at Marosheviz, a town situated some thirty miles from the frontier; there they seized all provisions and behaved as if in a conquered territory; then, after having plundered the country, they disappeared nobody knows where. That is a military farce, the costs of which are paid by us. I do not want to enter into details.

"The invasion of Transylvania is one of the most serious disasters, and the carelessness and mistakes of our government are colossal, but the sole responsibility rests on the Austrian diplomacy and command and the Magyar Government. I do not want to paint the situation darker than it really is. If I speak of it, it is because I wish my feeble voice to reach the Emperor of Germany. He has already taken over the command of the Austrian Army. If he would succeed, he must take a further step and place under his tutelage a group of six or eight irresponsible persons who, by the side of our old King, direct the country's