The Destruction of Kalisz in August 1914 in the Light of Modern Polish Press Published in Łódź

Abstract

The article presents how the destruction of Kalisz in August 1914 was being described by the selected newspapers published in Łódź in the second half of this year. Subject of the analysis were: New Łódź Courier, New Łódź Newspaper, and Development. These newspapers were describing in detail the political situation in Europe and the war on the most important fronts of the First World War. However, the tragedy of Kalisz was being presented in the these papers relatively rarely. Only New Łódź Courier was depicting this phenomenon wider and relatively often, showing the destruction of Kalisz by the Germans and the tragedy of the inhabitants who were forced to leave the city. Other newspapers touched upon the issue only occasionally. There seemed that writing about the cruelty of the German army could be for Russian authorities a part of the strategy to strengthen the anti-German propaganda – however, this did not happen. A similar restraint showed the majority of Polish newspapers published at that time in the territory of Congress Poland. Probably, a major impact on this situation had views of New Łódź Courier’s editorial staff, who wanted as much as possible to inform readers about all important issues for the inhabitants of Łódź. After the final occupation of the city by the Germans in December 1914, the issue of the city’s destruction did not get a mention in the newspapers published in Łódź at that time.