2. Against the militarism which, directed by the absolute will of
the monarch, has enchained the free will of nations.
3. Against the military tyranny that has installed itself in
Bohemia, and which is militarizing every stratum of society.
4. Against the spirit and tendencies of the army leaders, who have
made of the army an instrument of Germanization and Magyarization.
5. Against absolutism, because the law has been interpreted in an
unconstitutional manner, without the consent of the Reichsrat.
6. Against the dual system and the will for annexation, against
peace based on violence, and, still more emphatically, against
the shameful exploitation of Czecho-Slovak territory through
requisitions and incessant contributions.
The Czecho-Slovak Deputies added:
An attempt is being made to starve our country, which was the
granary of the whole Hapsburg Monarchy, and whose population,
alike in villages and cities, is now suffering atrociously from
famine and misery.
Our declaration is, above all, a unanimous manifestation of the
collective will of the nation. It proves:
That the Czecho-Slovak Nation is firmly resolved to dispose
henceforth of its own life and goods and children by the sole
agency of its freely elected representatives.
That our nation and, first and foremost, our women demand a
general and just peace, which alone can bring liberty and
independence to the nation, and which alone can cause justice to
reign in the whole world.
That we wish henceforth to live our own life in a State of our
own, as a member of a society of free nations, a society that will
solve without violence the questions that arise between peoples,
depending upon a friendly understanding, and thus bringing
happiness to liberated humanity.
When the Austro-Hungarian Government under Premier von Seidler found
itself confronted by a hostile Slavic majority in the Reichsrat,
threatening the defeat of its war budgets, Emperor Charles empowered
the Premier to "adjourn Parliament forthwith and inaugurate measures to
render impossible the resumption of its activities." This was done on
May 4. The Parliament had been composed of 233 Germans, 108 Czechs, 92
Poles, 33 Ruthenians, 42 Jugoslavs, and 19 Italians. The Germans had
considerably less than a majority.
In another respect the suppression of Parliament was viewed as a
concession to the Magyars. Those holding reign in Hungary since 1867
had been resentful at the claims of the Czechs and the Jugoslavs,
fearing that the Government would be forced to make some concessions to
them. If the project of unity were realized Hungary would be reduced
to about half of its present size. On several occasions the Magyars
had called on the Government at Vienna to suppress the Parliamentary
agitation, threatening to form a separate Hungarian army and impose
restrictions on the exportation of foodstuffs.
The Government, in a public statement, ascribed its action to the food
crisis, which was very acute, adding: "The Government will devote
its entire strength to the economic problem and will try to create
conditions required to enable the population to hold out."