English Translation

- 13 silent protests against the prohibition of activity were observed in the OLB Kolin and Pardubitz, where Sokol members demonstrably put on mourning badges, black ties and the like. Similar findings were made in Pilsen, where the local Beseda, the centre of local Czech intelligence, held formal mourning sessions; many old Śokol followers had tears in their eyes. In places, however, Czechs and Sokol followers known as Chauvi- nists, sometimes bagatellished the measures taken against the Sokol (e.g. B, OLB Brünn); in many indications, it was said that this was already the second action against the Sokol séi; at that time, the Šokoln would have been more tightly welded together in the monarchy by the ban; moreover, it would have taken place shortly before the collapse of Austria-Hungary and therefore also today to be regarded as a favourable sign for the further development. Finally, on the 19th of April, London's radio station reported with a statement on the recruitment of the Sokol in the Protectorate and tried to portray the prohibition of activity as an attack on the Czech people in the first place with his speeches by Czech emigrants and Sokol members. The leader of the Czech Sokoln in London, Daněk, stated in his speech to the Czech sokol in the Protectorate on 2l. 4 that "he protested against the barbaric attack on the home Sokol; like a man the Sokol stands behind the brother Benesch as his first partner. With contempt today the whole world looks at the shameful act of the Nazis.. .." 4. The London Sokol leader came forward and added to his appeal: "Brothers and sisters! We knew it had to happen this way. Through this act, our people were to be struck in the middle of the heart by a delicate blow. Carry your heads up and with pride. You are not left behind, we Czechoslovak soldiers and Sokoln stand ready and will help you, the American Sokolns at the head. The flag, which has been torn from your hand, we carry for you now until victory. Every use of violence we will avenge terribly. The Day of the Reopening of the Sokol Halls is not far away anymore, Nazdar!" Among the other Czech body-education associations, the attitude of the sokol was partly accepted with a certain satisfaction, so they immediately tried in some units of the Marxist-oriented gymnastics association DTJ to activate the general gymnasia.