The Czechoslovak Review/Volume 2/Comment of American periodicals
COMMENT OF AMERICAN PERIODICALS.
The past month has been extremely encouraging to those who watch the newspapers of this country for expressions favorable to the aspirations of Bohemia. There is evident on the one side a growing appreciation of the Austro-Hungarian problem, of the fact that the fate of this medieval empire will be the measure of success of the Allies; and on the other hand there is more knowledge of Bohemia and consequently more sympathy with her claims.
The bold battle of the Czech deputies in the Vienna parliament and the riots in Bohemia have been the occasion for many a friendly editorial. To enumerate them all would not be easy. We can only mention the more significant discussions.
It is a sign of the growing influence of the Slav Press Bureau that the New York daily papers pay more attention both to Bohemia and to Bohemian propaganda in this country. The Brooklyn Eagle and the New York Evening Mail have described at considerable length and with much friendliness the work that is being done in New York for the recruiting of the Czechoslovak army and for the winning of America’s sympathies. The New York Journal of Commerce advocated editorially freedom for Bohemia.
The noted war writer, Frank H. Simonds, in an article entitled “Enslaving the Slav— Germany’s Ambition” which appeared in several important journals sets out the plans of Germany so as to make it plain that the best way to defeat them is to give the Austrian Slavs independence. Of more direct interest to the Bohemians is William Hard’s narrative of an imagined inter-Allied conference in London, published in the February Metropolitan; it contains a fine appreciation of the greatness of Masaryk, the man who is worshipped by every Czech and Slovak.
Two Chicago dailies have again shown their interest in the fate of Bohemia. The Post in citing the leading article of the last issue of the Review used very kindly language. “With a dignity that expresses well one of the most splendid races of Central Europe, the Bohemian Review laments Bohemia’s outlook as painted in President Wilson’s war aims speech.” The Journal which has for three years paid close attention to Bohemian matters has on two occasions within the last month encouraged Bohemians to go on with their fight for independence.
The old friends of Bohemia show a constantly greater friendliness and interest while every month brings new champions. It is not too extravagant to hope that before this long war shall come to a close, the entire pubilc opinion of America will espouse the side of Bohemia.