The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-11-23
SIENKTEWICZ TO TIL kiISER.
writes Open Letter DcnOuncing Prussia's
Treatment Of Polish schools.

hTVaNNtNIN w VttS "NtNuVIS
Special cable DsSp0tch IN THE Sun.
LONDON. Nov. ~ Henry Sienkiewicz.
the we'll known Polish novelist, has sent to
British and French ~ewspaper an open let
ter to Emperor William. ~denouncing Prus-
sia's treatmen of Poland, especially in con-
nection with the school question, which
has already been explained i'll the espatches
to The Sun. The letter says. among other
things:
The evil and wrongdoing need redress,
and the redress apperta ms TO you. Sire. as
the head Of the State. When an inscrutable
decree Of Providence set your Ma iesty over
one considerable part of the great Polish
nation it al the same time laid upon you
the duty OF respecting the national spirit
working for its welfare and protecting its
faith. traditions and feelings, and yet the
sufrerings and haI 8 hips which these prov
inces nave undergone ever since their in
corporation with Prussia rave only been
increased and intensified in the course of
your reign.
Not only lave their complaints not
met with sympathy. but your Majestv's
Ministers have answered them by new
laws. which in the eyes of all surrounding
nations are beyond all doubt the outcome
Of a spirit of hatred, vincictiveness and
| oppression"
Sienkiewicz denies that the Polish unrest
is prompted, as the Prussian officials con-
tend, 10y political agitation, and he declares
that the school laws are persecution. He
adds,
Year by year the martyrdom of the chill
dren grows heavier, and the sound Of blows
and weeping is louder and more frequent in
,ba achnnIa Tho pnaaaira is n~yarNOuiDO Tta
overflow brings with it, besides Gods wrath
and the indignation of men, your own dis
grace as we'll"
After referring 70 the great wars vaged
bv the Kaiser's ancestors. the letter con-
tinuee.
in your dav. Sire. there is but ono mo-
mentous conflict, that of mighty Prussia
fighting little children. on one side are
rods and prison and on the other side tears"
Recalling the royal manifesto of 1867
guaranteeing that the Poles would not
suffer in their religion, language or customs
by their incorporation into the North Ger
man Confederation, Sienkiewicz appeals TO
the Kaiser to reflect upon how tho promise
has been fulfilled.
"Willyour Majesty, he asks. las custodian
of the honor, both of Germany and your
own line, and as the great representative
of the monarchical idea, Condescend to
reflect that the honor Of the meanest ofyour
subjects depends upou their fidelity TO a
promise. and that they csnnot but read
these promises Of yours. be they Poles or
German Royalists. with the bitterest feeling
and misgiving for the future.
They cannot but see that this ideal Of
I yours is not what it should he, that it is
J not founded on unassailable moral prin-
J Ciples, and that failing such a foundation
it. will scarce be able to Withstand the storms
which. the present century may have in
! IT ore for IL. A government which uses
any means without scruple against its
subjects is but teaching its subjects to Use
any means without scruple against itself.
two rights cannot be contrary to each
other. other nations have the right 10 live
bv the grace of God, just a. you. Sire. claim
the right 20 reign. II you assail one right
yuu should beware lest 10y so doing YOU
imperil the other
The letter concludes May your MAJ
esty's royal and Christian conscience make
itself known in the future by your deeds. "