CZECHOSLOVAK INDEPENDENCE
was directed entirely from Europe, but this impression is erroneous.
Francis Sindelár, in his work (Z Boje Za Svobodu Otciny: From the Struggle to Liberate the Native Land), has this to say in the first chapter:
On the sixth of August, Austria declared war on Russia and thus commenced a conflagration which in a short time covered all Europe. The whole maneuver was directed from Berlin by the criminal Emperor William and the German militaristic clique. The American nation in the United States witnessed a terrific spectacle and followed it with breathless interest. We, American Czechs, lived in great excitement. Our sympathies always were on the side of unfortunate Serbia and we suffered in the knowledge that Czech and Slavic regiments were first sent against the Serbs. But we were helpless, our sympathies could not help the Serbs. Nevertheless, we permitted no one to doubt that the conduct of Austria was considered by us a fearful crime. In certain Czech settlements protest meetings were arranged; the largest was in Chicago on the day Austria declared war on Serbia, July 28th. Without any special agitation thousands of our fellow countrymen met in the Pilsen Pavilion on the west side, on 26th St., known as the “Bohemian California,” and many speeches were made and Austria deservedly condemned. There went forth an impressive protest, which, however, in the excitement prevailing in the great metropolis, remained unnoticed.
There were posters in the hall, with eagles, God[ 20 ]
