The Fall of the Dynasties: The Collapse of the Old Order: 1905-1922

by Edmond Taylor

In July 1918 a Czech deputy declared to the House: “We regard Austria as a centuries’ old crime against humanity ... It is our highest national duty to betray Austria whenever and wherever we can. We shall hate Austria, we shall fight against her, and God willing, we shall in the end smash her to pieces.” On October 1 another Czech deputy, Stanek, declared that although his people had not shed a drop of blood willingly for the Central Powers, they had gladly made every sacrifice to bring about the imminent Allied victory. “The day of judgment is at hand,” he shouted. His voice was covered by applause from some benches, shouts from others, the banging of desk lids. Cries of “Treason” from the German Austrians were encountered with a volley of briefcases and inkpots from the nationalities.