Jaroslav Čáp, Jaroslav Šůla, Interpellation of Czech writers and politicians about situation in Lusatia in May 1990

Czech intelligentsia showed great interest in the fate of the Sorbs, who since the beginning of the second half of the 17th century had been living in Germany, outside the territory of Czech feudal state. The Czech provided the Sorbs with empathy and moral support. During the First World War, members of Czech intelligentsia were hoping that the Sorbian nation will be liberated from the Germans. They also saw Paris Peace Conference as a huge opportunity for the cause. Czech intelligentsia was no indifferent to the cause of the Lusatian Sorbs. They tried to support Sorbs’ fight for autonomy and creation of independent state. However, negotiations in Paris proved not to be successful. Because of that, even before the end of the Conference, the group of respectable Czech politicians and writers, with its leader, Alois Jirásek – the very well-known historical fiction writer, beloved among Czech people – put the motion forward to the Czech Republic's Parliment and Prime Minister. The motion presented the demands for disclosure of the steps taken in order to save the Sorbian nation. The paper introduces the persons who signed the motion in Prague. Further on, it describes the Sorbian fight for independence during the years 1918 – 1919, as well as Czech's efforts in order to support Sorbian freedom during the World War. Next part is devoted to the steps taken during the Paris Peace Conference by Czech Minister of Foreign Affairs – PhD Edvard Beneš, in order to turn the Sorbian cause into international affair and his presentation of those endeavors in Czech Parliament. Furthermore, the paper presents causes for which the Conference did not fulfilled the expectations of the Sorbs. The article is based on little known documents. It also includes up to date literature on the issue – Sorbian, Polish, Czech and German. It provides a start for a discussion on the newest history of the Sorbian fight for independence at the beginning of 20th century and Sorbian-Czech relations.