An official Austrian note, referring to the decree, said:
Certain events, which were a danger to the safety of the State and
presented even a character of high treason, took place during the
first days of the fiftieth anniversary celebration of the founding
of the National Bohemian Theatre, and led the authorities to take
repressive measures.
Swiss commentators explain that this alludes to a note from the police
posted in Prague, which declared that mob gatherings and processions
would be dispersed by force if necessary. Jugoslav guests, who had
come to Prague to participate in the celebration, were obliged leave
the city, and the newspaper Narodni Listi was suspended because the
Austrian authorities declared: "The manner in which this paper is
worded tends to arouse sympathy in favor of the Entente States."
Accounts of the great gathering at Prague, which caused the Austrian
Government to declare martial law, stated that the city was adorned
with the Czech colors and the Slav tricolor flag. The Czech press
expressed regret at the absence of Russians and great satisfaction at
the presence of Poles. It was reported that the Ruthenians of Eastern
Galicia were prevented by the authorities from attending.
The festival was organized by the recently formed Independence Party of
Dr. Kramarcz, and the ceremonies consisted generally of a glorification
of the union of the Slavic peoples.