The disorders leading to the declaring of martial law were described by
the Berliner Lokal-Anzeiger a few days later in these terms:
The chief demonstration in the new outbreak occurred in Wensel
Square in Prague on May 20. The demonstration was a big one
and reached such pitch that in the evening the police had
to interfere. The Czechs sang their patriotic hymn with its
additional anti-German verses and raised cheers for President
Wilson and Professor Masaryk, the Bohemian delegate now in the
United States. Although Wensel Square was thereafter barred to the
demonstrators by the police, the demonstrations were repeated at
10 o'clock at night, and not until midnight did the mounted and
foot police succeed in restoring order.
Another account gave other details:
At the celebration of the fiftieth anniversary of the Czech
National Theatre speeches violently attacking Germany were
delivered, and the renewal of the alliance between Germany
and Austria-Hungary was denounced. Several deputies addressed
the crowd, urging resistance to the end and the sacrifice of
wealth and blood for Bohemia. The theatre was then closed and
rioting occurred in the streets outside. The Jugoslavs who had
participated in the Bohemian festivities were ordered to leave
the city. Crowds singing patriotic songs accompanied them to the
railway station.
In the next week about 800 Czechs were arrested at Prague and other
Bohemian cities on a charge of seditious conspiracy.