New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-09-22

ances such the inpoverishment of the ser,-
cultural classes, religious teaching in an alien
tongue. the use Of the German language in the
state schools. and systematic neglect of ~.
Polish literature and traditions These ara the
real factors Of the Polish question in PRUSSIA
but the Importance of them is diminished rather
than enlarged by the industrial growth If Poser
and other towns and the Improvement OF the
conditions of life under the empire Racial dis
content and agitation will be lessaned rather
than increased by prosperity under German rule
The German Emperor has emphasized this fact
by sanctioning the proposals for the removal Of
the inner Notifications Posen and the opening
of large section Of the town for industrial en-
terprises and homes for working people This he
could safely do. for the inner fortresses lad
ceased to have any strategicaI Importance. and
had been superseded by the outer Gordon Of de-
fences.
The Polish question cannot be mastered with
cut a comparative study OF the three sections
into which the ancient kingdom was divided by
conquering powers. There are three Polands
under as many flags; but, apart from language
and religion they have few interests in common
The Russian Poles consider themselves superior
In education and position TO the Prussian Poles;
and the Austrian Poles stand apart by them
selves The reunion Of these divided nationali-
ties is not desired by themselves. They have
lived apart so long that they have ceased to
have anv aspirations for the restoration Of their
ancient heritage and the creation of a homo
geneous Polish order Of civilization. Each Of
these Poiands has been struggling against the
tendencies of conquest and absorption by
perior race. and while each has its grievances
there is no basis for common action for mutual
relief While the Prussian Pole has an instinc-
tive feeling Of aversion for the German, he leaves
the Russian Pole and the Austrian Pole TO con-
duct their own agitations against the races gov
er7ling them and does not expect assistance from
them. His chief grievance at present is COM
pulsory religious instruction in the German Ian
guage- There IS complaint that the wrong
catechism is taught in the schools Protestant
ism is not forced upon Roman Catholic children
in Posen The Roman catechisn is taught in the
German language. and since it is not the mother
tongue the Polish priests and parents do not
consider II pure and undefled religion When
child was severely punished year ago in Prus-
STA for her refusal TO learn a German catechtsrn
lesson, there was a riot which the military forces
were called upon to suppress; and the incident
was rehearsed throughout the three Polands as
an assault upon the traditional religion Of
pious race There was sympathetic excitement
in Warsaw and among the secret societies of the
Austrian Poles; but there was no possibility OF
combined action the part Of the three Polands
for political ends. Each Of the three military
empires has its Polish question with a bundle
of characteristic grievances; but analogies end
at the frontier, and there is no common cause
adapted TO each political environment in turn.
The German Emperor in his final speech at
Posen disappointed the aggressive Poles by his
conctliatory and moderate language. They had
hoped that he would speak irnpulstvely and
vehemently and thereby incite renewal Of So
90 religions excitement He
rrlinir7ized the chief grievance OF the Poles and
made it clear that there had been no attempt in
the schools 70 interfere with religious freedom
or 10 raise any question Of conscience.
The process of Gerna nizing Polish Prussia has
two aspects. on the economic side it is highly
successful, since industries have been wonder
fully developed by German energy. and occupa-
tons multiplied for the maintenance OF an in
creasing population On the racial side II has
been drastic and unsynnpathetic, since It has dis
eliminated against the Polish language and rem
dered the teaching of German IN the schools
compulsory With a population two-thirds
Roman Catholic and one-third Protestant. II has
been impracticable TO keep the religious question
out Of politics. and the Polish priests. as well
the nobility and land owners, have been arrayed
against the substitution Of German for the
native language in the schools. especially in re-
iigious instruction The ruling class has aimed
al converting the Poles into loyal subjects by
forcing them to speak German and to neglect
their own literature, which IS q beautiful one.
appealing TO the imaginations and honely in
stincts Of the race. There has been strenuous
agitation against the language policy. and the
Polish population has been only partially recon-
ciled TO the improvement IN the economic fort
unes Of the province. The peasants and working
people have chung with passionate intensity 20
their own language and customs. and have re-
scented the lack Of fexibility and OF sympathy
which the governing race has displayed in rid
ing roughshod over them and carrying out with
characteristic thoroughness the Germanizing Of
Eastern Prussia. The Poles are justly entitled
10 sympathy in their defence OF their native
language and literature; yet the conpensat lions
which the ruling race is offering in the improve
ment Of the towns and the amelioration Of the
condition Of the masses by German Industrial
energy and social progress are ample and must
inevitably prevail in the end
The visit Of the German sovereign can hardly
fail stimulate the loyalty OF his Polish sub
jects and to impress them with the power and
glory Of the empire. For four DAYS there have
been glimpses Of military pageantry and imperial
state. a splendid review OF the Fifth Army
Corps has been conducted with unwonted por7n
and a fine monument Of the Emperor Fredericl,
has been unveiled in the chief promenade Of the
city. The old town has been most beautiful in
its holiday decorations, and has been iIlurni-
mated night after night with brilliant effect
Troops have been marching night and dav and
the Emperor and Empress have been constantly
under the eyes OF the people Quaint pictu
rescue Posen, with its historic traditions of the
Polish kings in their MEDIEVAL state haa.