hy, which it seems impossible to overcome.

The Bohemians would like to be as independent as the Hungarians, but
their desires are not heeded, and they are forced to submit to the
government of the Austrian Reichsrath or parliament.

In this assembly, however, they can show their true sentiments, and the
friction between the rival races is extraordinary. If the Bohemians want
any special laws made, the Germans oppose them. If the Germans try to
get a measure through the parliament that is for their benefit alone,
the Czechs combine to defeat it.

When, therefore, the German party succeeded in ousting Count Badeni, the
Czechs were furious.

The German Austrians foolishly celebrated their victory with bonfires
and illuminations, making a fete of the success which was so hateful to
the Czechs.

The angry Bohemians sought revenge in riot.

In Prague, the capital of Bohemia, there were fierce anti-German
risings.

The houses of the Germans were bombarded with stones, the German theatre
and German restaurants were attacked and damaged, and the German
Quarter, or portion of the city where most of the Germans live, was
visited by an angry mob which plundered the houses and shops.

All persons speaking the German language were subject to attack, and for
this reason the unfortunate and harmless Jews came in for their share of
the popular hatred. The majority of them do not speak Czech, and many of
the signs over their shops are in the hated German language. Many of
them were therefore robbed, beaten, and cruelly ill-treated.

The riots grew so serious that they almost amounted to a rebellion.

Thousands of Czechs streamed into Prague to assist the rioters. The
streets were filled with furious men, who attacked and beat any person
using words of German. The very women on their way to market were not
safe. They were obliged to wear the Bohemian national colors to save
themselves from attack.

One poor old woman was severely beaten because she could not speak
Czech. About three hundred Germans were taken to the hospitals,
suffering from wounds they had received.

The disturbances having assumed such a serious character, the troops
were ordered out to restore order.

They were greeted with showers of stones, broken glass, or any missile
that came handy. The soldiers were finally obliged to fire on the mob,
and in consequence many persons were injured.

The riots continuing, Prague was put under martial law, and regim