Page:The Czechoslovak Review, vol4, 1920.pdf/335
work of the Training School at the Brno Hut, and of its Director, Joseph F. Machotka. April 25th marked the end of Mr. Machotka’s service with the Training School. On that day, before leaving for Praha, enroute to Paris and New York, he not only gave an inspiring “character talk” in the Czech language to the soldiers gathered in the Auditorium for the regular Sunday morning service, but he was also one of the most active figures on the athletic field, announcing results through the megaphone and appearing in the ball game in the only real “baseball suit” the two teams could produce.
The training courses already held for the soldiers who have been assigned to service with the “Y” secretaries have proved most successful. A short three-weeks course in hut work closed on February 28th and another in athletics, covering six weeks of lectures and practice in American sports and games, came to an end with Mr. Machotka’s work as Director. A striking feature of these courses has been the spiritual hour or “character talk”, conducted by Mr. Machotka in the Czech language. According to the men’s own testimony, this has been one of the most profitable classes in the curriculum. Mr. Ernest J. Wright, one of the pioneer secretaries to Czechoslovakia, arriving on the field in January, 1919, is now in charge of the Training School.
In addition to the activities already mentioned, the Regional Director at Brno is planning a center for railroad men. This work will be in charge of Mr. W. J. Tubbs, who has had considerable experience in railroad work in the States. Through the co-operation of the Ministry of Railroads at Praha and of the local railroad officials at Brno, a plot of land has been set aside in the latter city for the erection of a suitable building. The equipment, maintenance and management of the building will be contributed by the “Y” at the request of the Czechoslovak Government.
A magnificent site for a stadium, level as a floor, and in an elevated section of the city has just been given by the municipal authorities, and there is an excellent prospect that another fine park will be turned over to the “Ifkas” and “Imkas” to develop as a demonstration playground for the children of Brno, for freedom of expression through wholesome physical exercise has become the order of the day in this medieval stronghold of repression and persecution.
The volunteer officer with the foxy eyes was standing in the next room and waiting for his turn to come. In the ante-room the man from the street was keeping watch.
I lit a cigar and offered them some. The Captain declined with thanks, saying that he only smoked cigarettes. Without a word, Preminger lit his own cigar, the third officer, an otherwise taciturn gentleman, remarked sharply that he smoked only “his own cigars” and also lit up. The smoke floated out through the open window to where the blue sky was spread out above the peaceful earth, and white swelling clouds were borne across it from north to east. There was a rustle of papers: letter after letter was translated, and as I saw that the pile was diminishing, I added fresh supplies to it.
“Tell the agent to come in,” said Dr. Preminger to the volunteer officer, “we shalln’t be finished in two days.”
Mr. Kolbe understood Czech. They gave him this and that to read through and express his opinion. Mr. Kolbe read it through and expressed his opinion.
The taciturn person had found a sheet of paper and gave it to Mr. Kolbe to read through and translate. There is a proverb which I once noted down: “To cut up chopped straw and prove that it is oats should not be tried even on a donkey.”—Mr. Kolbe translated, the taciturn person asked Preminger whether he should take it with him. Preminger waved him aside. “But that certainly has some bearing upon the Czech nation,” insisted the taciturn person. “Eh, Unsinn” (German; nonsense), said the Captain interferring.
Dr. Preminger suddenly thrust his pile away and stretched himself in his chair. “What horrible heap of letters you have. A paper deluge:” “Tell me, why did you really arrest Dr. Kramář? That is more than an error, it is folly, if I may quote—”
“You think so?” said Preminger smiling.