The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-11-09
PoLAND's POSITION IN EUROPE.

by England found himself confronted by
an alliance OF Austria. France, Russia
Sweden and Saxony to undo the work OF
a century OF Prussian growth Not only
his own conquest OF Silesla. but ali the
acquisitions OF his predecessors since the
peace OF Westphalia were to be stripped
from him anu divided among the spoil-
ers. Austria was to have Slesia and
Glatx, Pomerania was allotted to Sws-
den. and Madgeburg. Halle and Haiber-
stadt to Saxony. the province on the
Rhine TO the elector Paiatine. while
France was to content herself for vast
expenditures for the cause OF Austria
with two harbors In The Netherlands.
But as the efforts to parcel out the pos
sessions OF Spain and Austria had failed
so this project to dismember Prussia
came 10 naught.
The treaties al Its close left the terri
torial boundaries undisturbei and Fred
ggle one OF the greatest figures In
history. For the ntN. nuad4 - ears
Prussia Is the equal rival OF Austria for
the leadership Of the German people.
a moment glance may be given TO the
last territorial acquisition made by
France under the old monarchy, Interest,"
ING Tor the double reason that II made
Napoleon Bonaparte French citizen and
because OF the analogy to our annexation
OF the Philippines. The republic OF Genoa
engaged ina a hopeless effort 70 reduce tho
Corsicans who were struggling for indie
pcndence under their heroic leader pao1l
invited the aid of France. For a time the
French held the coast towns while Paoli
controlled the Interior. Finally. despair
ing OF suppressing the instruction. the
Gen@sse, preferring to see Corsica alb
sorbed by another power than indepeni-
ent, urged France TO take over she .zland
r76Sl. Although Choiscui the French
minister. had advised Genoa to grant the
island indepe ndence. be would not refuse
an offer so advantageous 20 France4 ~
first unwilling 10 pay for the privileges az
putting down an instruction, he finally
agreed, out OF pity for the Genoesa. 10
make them an annual grant for ten years
amounting In all TO the equivalent ~ per-
haps sI.e0.eo0 The Corsicans, reseasing
''tn he sold like sheep" made 4 heroic
but hopeless struggle for Independence
against the power Of France
Before the entrance ~ Russia into Eu-
ropean politics the balance Of power had
been adjusted by using the minor states
OF Italy and Germany an ke-wsi ghta.
but the steady encruaehmenf Of Russia
toward the west and south irnperativeiy
raised the question Of the fate Of Turkey
and Poland. IN which Prussia and Austria
were vitality concerned. Unity Of race
(the Slavicl would facilitate Russian abb
sorptlon Of Poland, and unity u both race
and religion would make the czar the
champion and incorporation with Russia
the goal Of the oppressed population -
European Turkey. Consequently hence
forth the balance ~ power IN Eastern
y,uropo wifi be adjusted n the expense ~
Poland and Turkey. This new phase ~
European state growth was brought fnfo
a giarinE light by the deliberate AMI cold
hooded partition of over one-fhirf - Pc
land among Russia. Austria and Prussia
IN fTTa Tn. immediate occasion was the
Ruaxian conquest Of Molasyta and WaIia-
CHA in the war with Turkey. which Ax.
cited the approximations ~ Austria and
seemed likely 10 preeiussa'e war between
Austria and Rusxia. To avoid this tsSue,
which would Inevitably involve Prussia,
Frederick urged she Empress Catherine
~ AXE a section ~ Poland iusfead, he In
t,trp In compensation Tor his subsidies 20
Russia would take the portion lying
north ~ silessa and between pgmssania
and prussia gso-rafief West T'russlat. ani
.hnr both would secure the ac4uteFce NJ .
~ Maria Theresa BY Approving ibs APP
,,rorriafsru ~ her - third section
MIA Theresa consented with coupuuc-
tiorse ~ conscience and after vain sHg-
reEfions 81 alternatives
f-rafayipk obtained West Prussia
aiieA ~ the gap between P9rnsTsata and
ysaaf Prgxsia. ara made that outlying
possession more dsfenslnle The lsopula-
,tnu was German and Polish and num-
eciSallv hlw share. although the smallest.
vsaa me most valuable TIE share ~
Austria COMPRISED Red Russia. Lsodamer-
Ia mart % P0d0iia etc. With q pcpuim-
,fgn mot Far from 2HHd.H0 mainly Polish.
r1royn an economic point % view Il was
trm rnogt valuable os tire three sections.
Pusgta nut IN with the region east Of the
nurina and TfniereT populated BY Rus
sians 10 the number 81 10000. Poland
was stripped Of about 0rs-third Of to pop
ulstion and area, and was helpless 70 re-