Farewell to Benes
What secrets lie hidden behind Dr. Benes' letter of resignation we shall very likely never know. That will depend on whether he remains in Czechoslovakia or decides to live abroad—if, indeed, which is highly doubtful, he is permitted to leave the country. No doubt his health is bad ; when the mind is sick the body seldom fails to react. But, equally, no one is likely to believe that bad health is the reason for the resignation. Ever since the coup of last February, when power was seized by a minority threatening force, and fully prepared to use force if necessary, the position of the President, whose belief in a democracy deciding by free vote is part of the fibre of his being, was manifestly untenable. The only question was when his resignation would come. He had, no doubt, to make the racking choice between staying in the hope of exercising a moderating influence and breaking summarily all association with an administra- tion to which he could accord neither respect nor confidence. He has chosen the latter course after full deliberation, and few outside
Czechoslovakia will doubt the wisdom of his choice. With him goes the last link with the Czechoslovakia which from 1919 to 1948 evoked the admiration of the world. There were the two great founders of the State, Thomas Masaryk and Eduard. Benes ; there was the later association, equally fruitful, between Benes and Jan Masaryk. All three cared profoundly for freedom. All three followed their ideals unswervingly. How death came to Jan Masaryk is still unknown, but his end may in a sense be less tragic than Benes' survival ; for nothing could be more bitter to the President in his remaining years than to see the country which he guided to prosperity and freedom fall under Communist domination through external pressure. .But at least he may be assured—if the assurance can ever reach him—that a world which has always held him in honour holds him in high honour still.
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