http://oac.cdlib.org/findaid/ark:/13030/kt5p30142c No online items Register of the Štefan Osuský papers Finding aid prepared by Blanka Pasternak Hoover Institution Library and Archives © 2003, 2014 434 Galvez Mall Stanford University Stanford, CA 94305-6003 [email protected] URL: http://www.hoover.org/library-and-archives Register of the Štefan Osuský 74065 1 papers Title: Štefan Osuský papers Date (inclusive): 1901-1992 Collection Number: 74065 Contributing Institution: Hoover Institution Library and Archives Language of Material: English Physical Description: 126 manuscript boxes, 3 card file boxes, 4 oversize boxes(57.0 Linear Feet) Abstract: Correspondence, speeches and writings, memoranda, reports, clippings, printed matter, memorabilia, and photographs, relating to Czechoslovak politics and diplomacy, and European diplomatic relations between the two world wars. Creator: Paris Peace Conference (Date of meeting or treaty signing: 1919-1920) Creator: Osuský, Štefan, 1889-1973 Hoover Institution Library & Archives Access Boxes 120-121 restricted; access copies available in Box 102. The remainder of the collection is open for research; materials must be requested at least two business days in advance of intended use. Publication Rights For copyright status, please contact the Hoover Institution Library & Archives. Acquisition Information Materials were acquired by the Hoover Institution Library & Archives in 1974 Preferred Citation [Identification of item], Štefan Osuský papers, [Box no., Folder no. or title], Hoover Institution Library & Archives. Alternative Form Available Also available on microfilm (116 reels). 1889 March Born in Brezová pod Bradlom, Slovakia 31 1906 Emigrated to the United States 1908-1910 Studied theology in Springfield, Illinois 1914 Earned a Ph.D. degree in philosophy and psychology from the University of Chicago 1915 Received his law degree from the University of Chicago and opened his own practice in Chicago 1915 April Chaired a joint meeting of Chicago Czechs and Slovaks and engaged himself zealously in the movement for a Czechoslovak state 1915 September Appointed Slovak Secretary at the first conference of the Slovak League in Cleveland 23 1916 Elected vice-president at a convocation of the Slovak League in Chicago, and was chosen along with Gustav February 22 Košík to travel to Europe in order to influence the Czech National Council established in Paris. Meeting with Edvard Beneš in Paris, Osuský succeeded in changing the organization's name to "National Czecho-Slovak Council" 1917-1918 Ran the Czechoslovak Information Office in Geneva, Switzerland, writing articles for the Allied press. Met with prominent figures in the national liberation movements, and dealt with German and Austrian agents like Heinrich Lammasch and Frederich Hertz 1918 September - Czechoslovak Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to Great Britain 1921 January 1919 Attended the Paris Peace Conference as Secretary General of the Czechoslovak Delegation, and became a January - Delegate a few months later. Negotiated and signed his country's peace treaties with Hungary, Bulgaria, and 1920 Turkey. Was one of the signers of the Treaty of Trianon negotiated between Hungary and the Allied Powers on June 4, 1920 1919 Czechoslovak representative in the Reparations Commission of the League of Nations. For a period of four November - years, also represented Greece, Poland, Romania, and Yugoslavia 1932 Register of the Štefan Osuský 74065 2 papers 1919-1937 Czechoslovak Delegate in the Assembly of the League of Nations 1921 January - Czechoslovak Minister Plenipotentiary to France 1940 June 1923-1937 Chairman of the Supervisory Commission of the League of Nations 1934 Awarded the Karlík Prize (the Czechoslovak equivalent of the Nobel prize) for "exceptional services rendered to Czechoslovakia" 1936-1939 Lectured at Charles University in Prague 1939 March Refused to surrender the Czechoslovak Legation in Paris to the Germans after Hitler's occupation of Prague on 16 March 15, 1939, and succeeded in maintaining his official position as Czechoslovak envoy, although bereft of both government and country 1939 Signed a treaty with the French Government regarding the formation/reconstruction of the Czechoslovak Army October 2 in France 1939 Appointed by Beneš to the newly formed Czechoslovak National Committee in Paris. Issued a mobilization order November to Czechoslovak citizens residing in France, which resulted in the formation of two Czechoslovak infantry 17 regiments (these, together with several hundred airmen, constituted a Czechoslovak army on French soil) 1940 June After the fall of France, Osuský arranged for the transportation to England of several thousands of those troops and fled to London 1940 July - Minister of State of the Czechoslovak Government-in- Exile 1942 March 1940 Appointed member of the State Council in London October 12 1942 March Removed from his post of Minister of State because of disagreements with Beneš's anti-Slovak and pro-Russian 31 policies 1942 April Resigned his post in the State Council 12 1942 Lectured at Oxford 1942-1945 Wrote numerous articles about Beneš and his Provisional Government 1943 Vice-president of the 'Never Again' Association 1945 Moved to the United States September 1945 September -Went on an extensive lecture tour of the United States 1946 1946-1950 Visiting Professor of European Civilization and Culture at Colgate University, Hamilton, New York 1949-1960 Ran Mid-European Law Project of the National Committee for a Free Europe (reports on changes in communist states) 1949-1973 Broadcast for Radio Free Europe and Voice of America Engaged in anti-communist movement activities 1949 Co-founder and Chairman (later President) of the Council of Free Czechoslovakia February 1950-1962 Advisor, National Committee for a Free Europe 1952-1973 Member, International Commission of Jurists 1952 Founder of the Council of Free Jurists from Countries Behind the Iron Curtain November? 1954? Chairman, Council of Europe - European Political Community Member, International Association of Democratic Lawyers Founding member, Association of Captive European Nations 1968 February Judge, Court of World Public Opinion - International Communism on Trial 1921 1973 September Died, Washington, D.C. 27 Scope and Content Note Register of the Štefan Osuský 74065 3 papers The Štefan Osuský papers were acquired by the Hoover Institution Library & Archives from his wife and son over a period of several years. The collection was organized shortly after the first installment arrived in 1974. The last increment was given to the Archives in November 1986, at which time the entire collection was processed anew. The present register incorporates material from the original register as well as the rest of the documents that were added to the collection since then. The bulk of the collection consists of Osuský's correspondence, speeches and writings, and research notes, as well as of various documents and materials pertaining to Osuský's long career and activity in the anti-communist movement, to Czechoslovakia since World War I, the Czechoslovak government-in-exile during World War II, and post-war émigré affairs. Of great importance are Osuský's papers disputing the constitution of the Czechoslovak provisional government in London, Beneš's constitutional presidency, and the role of the State Council (see, in the speeches and writings file, "Londýnské štátné zriadenie," "Dr. Beneš's Authoritative Regime," "Beneš's Government in London," "Legal Position of Dr. Beneš, of the Šrámek Government and the Czechoslovak State Council," "Řízená demokracie při práci"). In his paper "Continuité de l'état tchéchoslovaque," Osuský explains his theory of the continuity of the Czechoslovak state based on the recognition of the Czechoslovak National Committee by the French government. Also interesting in that series are Osuský's writings on Beneš himself, in which he criticizes Beneš's 'modus operandi,' his anti-Slovak and pro-Russian policies, and his role in the Munich events that led to the subsequent dismemberment of Czechoslovakia (see, in particular, "Beneš a pravda," "Beneš and Commitment," "Beneš Manipulator," "Benešová vláda a Slováci," "Osuský Notes on Munich," "The Collapse of Czechoslovakia: Events Leading to the Munich Agreement"). Of special note are also Osuský's numerous writings on Germany, Russia, the Soviet Union, namely "Encirclement of the 'Capitalist Countries' by the Soviets," "Peaceful Co-Existence," "Communist Law and the Soviet Federation of Nations," "Rule of Law Under Communist Regimes," as well as his essays on Europe, Hitler, Stalin, etc. Also of significant importance are documents relating to the beginning of the Czechoslovak exile movement in 1939 and 1940, in particular, Osuský's negotiations with the French government officials, which resulted in October of 1939 in the signing of a treaty relating to the reconstruction of the Czechoslovak Army in France, and to the creation of the Czechoslovak National Committee in Paris (see in the career file the original of the agreement "Accord relatif à la reconstitution en France de l'armée tchéchoslovaque"). In the biographical file are also included legal documents relating to the lawsuits brought by Osuský against Hubert Ripka and Bohuslav Beneš, which demonstrate, among other things, the lack of ability of the Czechoslovak émigré community to stop engaging in bitter personal fights and start to unify and coordinate the activities of