CYIL vol. 9 (2018)

CYIL 9 ȍ2018Ȏ THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE INDEPENDENT CZECHOSLOVAK STATE … minorities. As mentioned earlier, no decision was yet taken at the Peace conference and the so-called minority issue, together with foreign policy, was an important item on the agenda. At the Peace conference the Czechoslovak delegation, which was headed by the Prime Minister K. Kramář and the minister for foreign affairs E. Beneš, presented the Czechoslovak territorial demands. Most of them were based on the historical borders of the Czech lands. Some of the territorial demands were unrealistic, such as the creation of a corridor connecting Czechoslovakia with the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes. Other claims failed and were not granted, for example the demand to add Kladsko or Ratibořsko regions. In principle, the Czech border claims were founded on historical and legal arguments (i.e., entitlement to re-establish historical borders copying the original Czech state according to the theory of the so-called historical state law), supported by political reasons, military strategy, and economic reasons. The Slovak borders were explained by stressing the nation’s right to self- determination coupled with economic and strategic concerns. The Treaty of Versailles was of crucial importance for Czechoslovakia and its state borders, signed with Germany in the Hall of Mirrors on 28 June 1919. The treaty confirmed the historical borders of the Czech lands, granting to Czechoslovakia a minor territorial gain of Hlučínsko with the towns Kravaře, Dolní Benešov, and Hlučín (occupied by the Czechoslovak army only in February 1920), although the historical arguments were used as well to highlight previous connections with the historical Czech state. Another significant peace agreement was the Treaty of Saint-Germain-en-Laye concluded with Austria on 10 September 1919 at the Château de Saint-Germain-en-Laye. Likewise, this treaty essentially confirmed the historical borders of the Czech lands with Austria (under Articles 27 and 54, Sections II and III respectively), with territorial gains acquired from Lower Austria at Valticko, Vitorazsko, and the so-called Dyje triangle. The territories were effectively incorporated and included under the respective districts only in July 1920, by virtue of Act No. 450/1920 Sb. However, Article 53 of Section III of the peace treaty, entitled the Czecho-Slovak State, provided the following: “Austria, in conformity with the action already taken by the Allied and Associated Powers, recognises the complete independence of the Czecho- Slovak State, which will include the autonomous territory of the Ruthenians to the south of the Carpathians.” This confirmed the opinion of the great powers about the creation of the independent Czechoslovak state after the dissolution of Austria-Hungary. Although Czechoslovakia was not regarded as the successor de jure (unlike the Austrian Republic) of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Article 58 (in conjunction with Article 203 of Section IX), stipulated that Czechoslovakia was responsible for some financial obligations of the former Austria-Hungary on account of the territory placed within its sovereignty. 40 In 1919 Ruthenia was added to the territory of Czechoslovakia by virtue of the decision taken by the Allied Powers at the Peace conference. The initiative came from Ruthenian compatriot organisations in the U.S., and apart from the peace treaty with Austria, it was confirmed in the Minority Treaty of Saint-Germain-en-Laye (see below). Until then, the territory at the very east of the republic had belonged to the Hungarian part of Austria- Hungary, and it was to acquire autonomy within Czechoslovakia. This was provided in

40 Article 58 reads as follows: The proportion and nature of the financial obligations of the former Austrian Empire which the Czecho-Slovak State will have to assume on account of the territory placed under its sovereignty will be determined in accordance with Article 203, Part IX (Financial Clauses), of the present Treaty.

13