Канун Первой мировой войны в чешском общественном мнении и прессе
Eve of the First World War in Reflection of the Czech Public Opinion and Press

Summary/Abstract: This article is based on Czech press publications and published documents. The article explores the reaction of the Czech public and press on murder of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, the heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, and his spouse on 28 June 1914 in Bosnian Sarajevo. Also, this article analyses situation in the Balkans and in Europe on the eve of the First World War. Czech press informed in detail about the attempt on the heir of Austro-Hungarian throne and his wife and expressed strong criticism about Austrian Balkan policy pointing out that tragedy in Sarajevo to a great degree resulted from Vienna’s policy in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Czech journalists paid a great attention to a personality of Archduke Franz Ferdinand stressing his conservatism and connection with Czech lands. Czech newspapers voiced strong criticism about numerous anti-Serbian pogroms in Bosnia and Herzegovina after 28 June 1914 and accused Austrian administration in Bosnia and Herzegovina of being incapable of preventing an attempt on heir to the throne and establishing order in this province. Also, Czech journalists actively argued with Austrian and Hungarian press pointing out that their accusations of Belgrade of being involved in organizing an attempt in Sarajevo are just allegations and mere assertions. Czech press analyzed international situation after attempt in Sarajevo, paying the most attention to the situation in Serbia, Bosnia and to the policy of the great powers. Till the very end of July 1914 Czech journalists repeatedly expressed hope that conflict between Serbia and Austro-Hungary can be localized and European war can be prevented. Since Austrian censorship tightened with the beginning of the war, which was manifested in occasional “white stripes” in Czech newspapers, Czech press started avoiding critical commentaries and limited their activities by publications of the official Austrian materials

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