The Sun.
London, England, 1854-05-10 00:00:00

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.

Sir, —Will you allow me to present a few observations
on the question, " A Polish Legion to be formed in
Turkey," and which has been spoken of at the last meet-
ing of the Literary Association of the Friends of Poland?
Considering the endeavours of the Association, the
principal feeling, of course, is that of gratitude for its
efforts in behalf of Poland and the Polish exiles. One
of the most striking facts is, certainly, the journey the
President of the Society, Lord Dudley Stuart, under-
took in Turkey, and his endeavours there, now crowned
with success, that. a Polish Legion might be formed.
The members of the Association engaged the exiles to
join this Legion. Now, Sir, wherever an armed and
organised number of Poles is established, there the na-
tional cause of Poland is represented, and this was the
principal idea which had conducted them in the year
1843-49 to all the fields of battle. Considering those
feelings, a Legion in Turkey was certainly very desira-
ble, so much the more, as it is intended to struggle
against Russia. the principal enemy of Poland.
But since England and France have joined the war,
the situation has become quite different. The Black
Sea is open, and a trace of its Polish shores quite free.
The Poles have now at hand what a little time ago they
were obliged to seek for in the east. It occurs to me
'that the friends of the Polish cause in this country in
general, and particularly the Literary Association,
should turn their attention towards that very important
circumstance, and that they should impress upon the
Government the necessity of sending an organised Polish
corps, under the protection cf the Allied Powers, to the
shores of Samagitia.
I perfectly understand that the united Powers are
placed in a difficult situation in regard to Austria and
Prussia, but if Turkey is allowed to organise a Polish
Legion, which will certainly xnarch into Poland if it ap-
proaches the frontiers, I see no reason why Eng-
land and France being now at war with Russia,
should not send at once the Polish patriots to
Samagitia. If the Allied Powers are desirous to
put a final check to Russian encroachments, they must
at once put forward freely and openly the question of
Poland's independence, otherwise the struggle will be
found more difficult than it was anticipated. Russian
trade might be destroyed, its industry ruined ; but it
will not be so easy to subdue an empire where the sun
never sets, and the population of which is accustomed to
every privation and hardship in life.
There is still another consideration. Things are now
coming to such a point that there is but little choice left
to the Poles between degradation by becoming Russians,
and entire destruction. A known Russian general lately
said in Warsaw, "Should the French and English ever enter
Poland they shall find' nothing but ruins." And in reality
they are at work. The sons of the country are driven away
by thousands to fight the battles of the foe, and those who
remain are ruined by every possible exaction. What
have the Poles, then, to lose, in attempting to throw off
the yoke ? But it would be extremely desirable that
any possible outbreak should be guided by the Allied
Powers, which after all is very easy, the way to Sama-
gitia being shorter than that to Constantinople, The
Birnam Wood Sir Charles Napier is carrying on his
men-of-war approaches fast to St. Petersburg, re-
minding its modern Macbeth of his downfall. I hope
the Polish banner shall wave under its shade, and that
the Polish wArriors will soon be carried by your fleets
to the shores of their own country, to fight the decisive
battle for liberty and independence.—l am, sir,
yours, &c.

JOSEPH REITZENHEIM,
May 9, 1854. Polish Officer.