Another sensational report, published a few weeks ago in American papers, was in reality a very insignificant occurrence. Two ex-noblemen and a captain in the army were arrested on the charge of monarchist conspiracy, but the announcement created no stir in Prague, because everyone appreciated the perfect hopelessness of this cause. The story published prior to this sensation in America to the effect that there was in existence in Prague a monarchist party under the leadership of former deputy Dyrich which actually offered the Bohemian throne to the Duke of Connaught, was not known in Prague, until it was reprinted from a translation of it in Bohemian-American papers and was greeted with general laughter as a good joke. These incidents tend to show that the most diligent reader of American daily papers will find very little in their columns about the doings in the Czechoslovak Republic.
National Assembly met after its summer vacation on September 10 and took up discussion of economic questions. The great depreciation of the Czechoslovak crown which now is worth only something over three cents continues to be a serious problem. The only consolation is that it is still equivalent to nearly two Austrian crowns, and did not depreciate any more than the German mark. One reason for the depreciation is the counterfeiting of the stamp which distinguishes Czechoslovak from Austrian crown. But new currency is rapidly displacing the old money; bills for 5000 and 100 crowns are already in circulation, one and five crown notes were placed in circulation in September, and by the end of the year the entire old currency will be withdrawn.
In other respects trade is improving. For the first four months of 1919 exports amounted to 6,297,613 quintals, valued at 737,606,778 crowns, while the imports were 2,703,523 quintals valued at 556,959,104 crowns, giving a favorable balance of 180,647,674 crowns. Navigation on the Danube has been opened, and a convention signed with Jugoslavia by which this state will furnish cattle and grain in exchange for coal and sugar. Another commercial convention with Poland provides for exchange of Polish petroleum and its products for Czechoslovak steel manufactures, agricultural implements, glass, paper, matches etc.
Early in September a census was taken in Slovakia, where it was badly needed, as the old Magyar census was utterly unreliable. Complete results are not yet available, but so far as known, the figures are more favorable, than even the Slovaks dared to hope for. While the country districts had to be returned as Slovak even by Magyar enumerators, the cities used to have a Magyar appearance. Now Lučenec which in 1900 had just 9% Slovaks has 65, Nitra had 36% and now has 78, Košice, formerly a Magyar stronghold, increased its Slovak percentage from 23 to 43%. These figures show that most of the Magyars in Slovakia were denationalized Slovaks who are now returning to their national allegiance.
Vojta Beneš, secretary of the Czechoslovak National Council and of the Bohemian National Alliance|, returned last month from a short trip to Bohemia. He delivered to the 22nd regiment, composed largely of volunteers from America, a flag as a gift from the Czechoslovak organizations in this country; he spoke at the Fourth of July celebration at Prague and addressed a mass meeting nearly every day during his sojourn in the old country. He reports every one eager to hear about America and particularly about the work of Czechoslovaks in America during the war against Austria. An exhibit which he arranged at Prague, consisting chiefly of pictures, posters and newspapers from the campaign for independence, drew thousands of visitors. He was instrumental in hastening the return of volunteers from America to their homes.
Delegates of the National Alliance of Bohemian Catholics, Monsignor Bouška and Rev. Oldřich Zlámal, also returned last month. On their way over they passed through Rome and had the honor of personal audience with the pope. Father Zlámal, like Beneš, addressed about 80 large open-air meetings, encouraging the people to make good, now that their freedom was won. On the way back he again stopped in Rome and made a report to the pope on religious conditions in Czechoslovak Republic and the so-called reform movement in the Catholic Church in Bohemia.
All the returning delegates found things to criticize in the public life of the new republic, but they report steady improvement and feel very optimistic about the future.
