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Primary Documents - Tomas Masaryk's Address on Entering Prague as President, 20 December 1918

Tomas Masaryk Reproduced below is an extract from the text of Tomas Masaryk's speech following his entry to Prague as Czecho-Slovak President on 20 December 1918.

Click here to read the text of U.S. Secretary of State Robert Lansing's official statement formally recognising Masaryk as the prospective head of a post-war Czech state.  Click here to read an earlier statement by Masaryk, in July 1918, on the rationale for Czechoslovak fighting in Russia against German and Austro-Hungarian forces.  Click here to read the declaration of independence of 18 October 1918.

President Masaryk's Address on Entering Prague as President of the Republic, 20 December 1918

I am too moved to speak.

This is the first time in four years that I have been so deeply touched.  We know how much worked against us and how many difficulties we had to overcome, but we will find a friendly way out.

Dr. Kramar said that you were impatiently waiting my coming.  I also was impatiently awaiting the moment when I should come here to continue your work.

How many sleepless nights I have passed during these four years!  I knew you were oppressed and how hard was your task.  You are all heroic and strong with a strength which showed that you were unitedly bck of your leaders, though they were exiled.

My heart speaks its thanks.  I promise that my efforts will continue without wavering.

Source: Source Records of the Great War, Vol. VII, ed. Charles F. Horne, National Alumni 1923

A 'Tracer' was a phosphorescent machine-gun bullet which glowed in flight, indicating course as an aid to artillery.

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