CYIL vol. 9 (2018)

DALIBOR JÍLEK CYIL 9 ȍ2018Ȏ The first Czechoslovak aid was directed towards refugees that came from Crimea. 10 Very important Czech politicians took it upon themselves to organize volunteer assistance. 11 These political circles were founded on Slavic solidarity, a common love for the Slavs, or the torture and torment experienced by Crimean refugees fleeing to preserve their life and freedom. They also identified other Slavic nations in the Balkans, such as Bulgarians or Serbians, who also received refugees and offered them selfless support. The international community expected aid to Russian and Ukrainian refugees from Slavic countries as well: predominantly from southern Slavic states 12 and Czechoslovakia. Some members of the international civitas used political argumentation based on national kinship linked by linguistic affinity. In April 1920, the Minister of Foreign Affairs Eduard Beneš received a delegation from the “ Union of Russian Intelligence of Labour in Czechoslovakia” . 13 The organization mainly united doctors, journalists, lawyers, engineers, writers, or artists. Upon Beneš’s wish, representatives of the union submitted a memorandum on the issue of Russian refugee aid. 14 According to the scheme of the memorandum, Czechoslovakia was to accept a higher number of refugees, which would be beneficial in the future. The request was related to the principles of reconstructive policy towards Russia. In addition, Czechoslovak policy adhered to the principle of neutrality, calming down, pacification, economic cooperation, and bringing anti-Soviet ideological propaganda to an end. Soviet Russia was supposed to politically and economically consolidate and stabilize according to a pragmatic vision. 15 Afterwards, Russian refugees were to be repatriated to their reconstructed homeland. Czechoslovak central authorities continued to believe in the return of Russian and Ukrainian refugees. Repatriation of refugees was entirely preferred to their naturalization or assimilation as intended solutions. The memorandum’s second recommendation was the requirement that refugee care was to be primarily taken up by the state. Russian refugees were to be viewed as genuine guests of the Czechoslovak nation, as a state-creating entity. The state was to temporarily ensure the runaways with freedom of living and work. 16 The government strictly refrained from any public endorsement of the counter-revolution in Russia. The pure intention was to bring about the appearance of political neutrality. Central authorities were convinced by the political overturn in Russia and believed in the stabilization of the economic situation there. For that reason, public aid was rigorously focused on education as well as support for the future and existing Russian and Ukrainian intelligentsia. The memorandum gave one legitimate and reasonable advice: Czechoslovakia would provide more desirable care and relief, were it to accept the assistance services of representatives of the Russian emigrants. 10 Russian Assistance Committee for Crimean Refugees in Prague ( Ruský pomocný komitét pro krymské uprchlíky v Praze ) was in charge of support for refugees from the Crimea. 11 For example, Karel Kramář, the first chairman of the Czechoslovak government, who regularly spent days of holiday in Crimea, or Karel Baxa. 12 The Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes. 13 The representatives of Russian public at Dr. Beneš ( Zástupci ruské veřejnosti u dra. Beneše ). National Gazette ( Národní listy ), morning edition, 24 April 1920, no. 107. 14 The status of Russian refugees was often regarded as a question or problem in the League of Nations organs. 15 BENEŠ, E. Pět let zahraniční politiky československé . Praha: Orbis, 1924, p. 11. 16 Ibidem , p. 18.

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