Page:Nosek-great-britain-and-the-czecho-slovaks2.djvu/15

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articles from the pen of Professor Pares and Dr. E. J. Dillon have appeared in the »Daily Telegraph«. The »Morning Post« has published pro-Magyar articles, and the liberal »Manchester Guardian« has not always been favourable disposed towards our movement, yet even they gave publicity to our news. Among provincial journals, the »Leeds Mercury«, »Liverpol Courier«, »Scotsman« and »Nottingham Guardian« have also shown lively interest in our movement.

As regards reviews, the „Everyman“ has published for more than a year (1916–1917) articles about us regularly. The „Spectator“, „New Statesman“, „Outlook“ and „New Witness“ also occasionally had articles about us. A very favourable attitude was at all times taken by the „Near East“ and the socialist review „Justice“. Above all, of course, the „New Europe“ has rendered signal service to our cause by publishing well informed articles about our question.

The articles of Canon Barry in the „Nineteenth Century“, of Mr. H. Wickham Steed in the „Edinburgh Review“, of Mr. Seton Watson in the „Contemporary Review“, as well as arcticles in the „National Review“ and „Round Table“ have also proved of great importance.

Public opinion has naturally fluctuated with the military and political situation. The Allies’ Note to President Wilson of January, 1917, proclaiming our independence as one of the Allied war aims, has enormously increased the interest in our question as an international problem. Then again the opening of the Reichsrat in May, 1917, and the courageous speeches of our deputies meant a great moral support to our movement. The heroic deeds of our troops at Zborow during the Kerensky offensive in July, 1917, provided a welcome impetus to our suffering people at home. The declaration of the Czech deputies of January 6th, 1918, and the French decree concerning the formation of our own Army came at the right moment, when the diplomatic situation was very critical and precarious. The former revealed to the whole world the unanimous determination of our nation to obtain independence at all costs, the latter provided a guarantee of our actual sovereignty and a basis for our future diplomatic successes. The Rome Conference of oppressed nationalities in April 1918, met with a hearty response in Great Britain, where the traditions of justice and fair play have always been so keen. The effect of this Conference was only strengthened by the May demonstrations in Prague. But by far the greatest advertisement for us meant the gallant stand of our Army in Siberia, who succeeded, under most difficult circumstances and hardly 100.000 in number, in controlling the whole trans-Siberian railway over 3.000