First World War.com - Primary Documents - Tomas Masaryk's Address on Entering Prague as President, 20 December 1918

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Primary Documents: Tomas Masaryk's Address on Entering Prague as President, 20 December 1918
Updated - Saturday, 5 June, 2004

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

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