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On April 30th, 1904, the St. Louis World's Fair
opened in grand style. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported more than 200,000 people attended.
In September 1904, Hynek Dostal saw an opportunity to further the Czech cause on a world stage. He called for the creation of the first Pan-Slav and Journalistic Convention. The conference was scheduled during the world's fair and lasted from Sept. 20-23, 1904. Hynek was elected president of the conference. Although the St. Louis Post-Dispatch gave little attention to the conference, there was great interest within the Slav community. Members of the Slavic family from all parts of America interacted to discuss problems and issues. The board in charge of the meeting received 900 letters from a number of Slavic leaders. Over 130 Slavic newspapers reported on the proceedings. Conference participants included Slovaks, Ukrainians, Poles, Czechs, Americans, Croatians and Bulgarians. The Serbians and Slovenians issued testimonials of their support for any resolutions that were passed. 
Committee recommendations
included the creation of immigration centers in ports such
as New York and Baltimore to provide shelter and counseling
for incoming immigrants. They also sought to promote Slavic
folk industries and art. In addition, a central bookshop
that promoted Slavic literature would be formed. A board
was created to follow the press to ensure fair and accurate
reporting. And finally, to win influence with the American
public, the Slavs sought to keep Americans informed of Slavic
history and struggles. The conference was said to have been
a great success.A decade later on February 13, 1914, Hynek Dostal's naturalization certificate still listed him as a subject of Austria, although he had spent the last 16 years in the United States. But his efforts to promote the Czech cause through "HLAS," and conferences such as the one held at the world's fair, were beginning to pay off. |