EN
The presented reflections focus on the contents of Polish dailies in the Russian partition area at the time of the outbreak of the WW I. The author was concerned with portraying the confrontation of immensely important facts and daily life. In view of the obstacles affecting the flow of information at the very outset of the war, the daily press concentrated its attention on local events, and was compelled to explain the course of European developments in the spirit imposed by the state authorities. The majority of the analysed press either succumbed to the influence of the National Democracy (the pro-Russian orientation) or tried to remain unbiased (typically commercial titles). The journalists forecast a speedy development of events and predicted the defeat of Germany and its allies due to the decision of fighting on two fronts. Initially, it was hoped that the conflict would retain a local, Balkan nature. Prognoses concerning the fate of the Poles were nebulous, although the press anticipated damages caused by wartime hostilities on Polish lands.