Czechoslovakia was straddled by a new boss. His name was Antonin Zapotocky. At 64 he was the closest approach to an Old Bolshevik that new Czechoslovakia could produce.
Zapotocky's way to power had been paved by the resignation of Czechoslovakia's ailing, good-willed President Eduard Benes (TIME, June 14). While the headlines shouted the news, the Czech Communist central committee met in Prague and shuffled its front men. Into Benes' job went brash, Moscow-trained Klement Gottwald. For Gottwald it was a boot upstairs. As Premier, he had wielded real power, but the presidency was largely a figurehead's job. Zapotocky moved into...
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