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for certainly no periodical can exist without either, and we hope they will accord us the opportunity to demonstrate that their money is well spent.

A delegation of Sokols of America, numbering eight hundred, arrived in Prague on June 2nd to attend the Seventh All-Sokol Gymnastic Meet. The delegation was sent out by the Sokol Union of America and was led by Joseph Plaček, president of the Union. It sailed from New York on May 22nd by the Mauretania; the overflow was accommodated on the steamer Noordam sailing on the same day. A special train awaited the delegation at Cherbourg, which took the visitors as far as Buchs on the Swiss-Austrian boundary and there another special train brought the visitors next day to Prague.

The Americans were welcomed with great outpouring of enthusiasm in all Bohemian cities through which they passed before reaching Prague. In Prague they were welcomed by the Mayor and representatives of the Government and the following day, they were received by President Masaryk. The American Sokols, in order to avoid living on the food resources of the country, arranged through Mr. Hoover’s American Relief Warehouses to have fifty thousands dollars’ worth of American food await them in Prague. The money for this was donated or loaned by the various Sokol societies of the United States.

May witnessed the first offerings of Czechoslovak securities in New York the bonds of the city of Carlsbad being the principal item. This issue was put out by a leading Stock Exchange house and the amount offered for subscription was 10,000,000 crowns. A few days later two other firms advertised Czechoslovak government. City of Prague and City of Carlsbad (older issues) securities. A private offering of the stock of a leading Bohemian industrial corporation was successfully placed by a Czechoslovak firm. Another offering in an industrial concern by a Czechoslovak firm is now in progress.

All issues were well received. America is fast becoming acquainted with Czechoslovak values and possibilities. This is but the beginning. As the exchange market improves Czechoslovak business men and governmental agencies will take advantage of the opportunity to secure the participation of American capital in their diversified enterprises.

At the annual meeting of the Czechoslovak Chamber of Commerce of America, held May 2nd, at Cleveland at the Hotel Statler, the principal item of business, after the presentation of reports by the officers, was the transfer of the office from Chicago to New York.

Stated in detail were the many handicaps which confronted the officers during the past year. It was the unanimous opinion that a change to New York was desirable, and, it was decided to make it. It is also necessary to incorporate the chamber under the laws of New York. A committee of six, with full powers to effect an organization, to select directors and to choose officers for the current year, was appointed.

A very pleasant atmosphere, which controlled the meeting, indicated success under the new arrangement. Everyone present freely acknowledged the absolute necessity for such an organization and each promised help to “see it through”. Nevertheless the handful of representatives from Chicago, Baltimore, Detroit, New York, Cleveland and St. Louis cannot financially sustain the new body. It must not be expected from them. It is the duty of all Czechoslovak merchants and individuals in America to help Czechoslovakia to regain her economic feet, and no better means can be devised than stimulating commerce between Czechoslovakia and America through the Chamber of Commerce. The question is not “What do I get out of it!” But the proposition is summed up by asking, “How can I help”?

Progress which the committee expected to make has been retarded by legal obstacles due to a previous incorporation of a commercial body bearing a name almost the exact counterpart of the name proposed for the National body. This difficulty is being rapidly removed, thanks to the generous help of the officers of the Czechoslovak Chamber of Commerce of New York, and in a few days it is hoped that the National Chamber will be a legal entity.

The Committee, to which temporary administration of the Chamber is entrusted, opened offices at 106 East 19th Street, New York City. Already requests for information and offers of cooperation from American Commercial bodies keep the present office personnel busy. The general public is gratified that this source for obtaining quick,unbiased, definite and reliable information regarding Czechoslovakia and its economic position has ben placed at its disposal.

The main features of the Chamber’s duties are to broaden the business horizon of the Czechs and Slovaks; to impress upon them the absolute necessity for bigger commercial units; to teach them to expand and when to consolidate, and, in general, to help to improve their business. Commerce between Czechoslovakia and America is in non-Czechoslovak hands. Should this condition continue?

The New York Office is well equipped to handle all inquiries regarding business and commerce of Czechoslovakia, it invites them. It extends to merchants who visit New York the use of its offices while in the city. They may make it