Beneš wrote his impassioned plea for independence in 1917, just before the end of the Great war. He was very fearful and pessimistic about his country's future, fully understanding the nature of the Magyars, Hapsburgs and Austrian people. He writes, "Dismember Austria-Hungary!" Remove from the Habsburgs the possibility of continuing to play their sinister part. Liberate the Austrian Slavs! Unite the Czecho-Slovaks and the Yugo-Slavs! Understand that after all it is in your interest, in the interest of Europe, and in the interest of humanity."
