New-York tribune., 1907-01-01
THE POLES IN GERM4NY.
Henry Sienhiezcicg 4nsscers Some
accusations of German Press.

To tho Editor of The Tribune
Sir: In order 10 weaken the force OF the feeling
OF horror and Indignation which pervades all the
civilized peoples of the world In consequence Of
the compulsory teaching of the Polish children IN
the primary schools OF Prusslan Poland OF the
truths of the catechiSm in an allen tongue the
German Polonophobe press has set about the work
OF accusing the Poles before the world OF revOfu-
tonary designs and of preparing q national
bellou, These journals assert that there exists a
secret Polish organization and that the country
has been divided into national prefectures subject
to Il president residing in Cracow or in LeOpol, and
they denounce organs OF the secret organiza-
ton" the Polish associations that enjoy legal
istence-the Polish savings banks. lard banks.
building and loan associations educational aid So
cieties. gymudStc unions. etc. which, owing to the
great part played by them in the promotion of
the economic and intellectual wellbeng of the
Poles. have long been thorn in the side OF the
Polonophobes. The accusations against the Poles,
which are calculated almost exclusively for opinion
abroad. are refuted by the eminent Polish author
Henry SienkiewicZ. in letter to the Cracow
Gas C'Time') which he asks foreign jour
nails. including the honest German journals. to
quote In this letter Sienkiewicz observes:
these fabrications. in which the Prussan govern
itself does not believe If 1t We're not for the
w0r1 .I ws Which N Increase the wTongs and
martyrdom of the Polish nation. In view OF this
truth thnt answer be other than the toi-
lowing:
'FirSt-'rhe Poles are not sufficiently narrow
minded 20 prepare uprising that would bs
crushed N one day and that would pave the waT
for mutifarious outTageS against the Polish natior
cation; there is no division of the country ints
procedures nor any president standing at theic
head; and, the whole. there does not exist
thing like shat either within the confines with
out the confines of Germany.
"'Fhird-The legal Polish associations that exist
under German dominion occupy themselves with
social matters solely In the limits of their charters
schools in the matter of the language used in re-
ligous instruction is not the result of any agitation
but of itself IN consequence of the outrage
offered to the peoples consciences
This Is the truth. Those who write of
belion and of agitation lie. and they know that
they lie
Continuing the Polish patriot apprises the en-
OF the fact that the German scribblers in question
regard sufficiently stupid to believe such silly
talk. In the name of the enlightened and honest
Pole Sieniewcz then delivers the foreign
world categorical denial of the lies spread by the
German Polonophobe iou nails and addresses to
the Polish population of Prussian Poland an ap-
peal TO behave patiently possible. 'It is one
constancy 10 the rights of God and man. and an
other thing to give the reins TO evaporation. The
talk of n rebellion. of organizations and of agita-
tion is idle. but all ouarrels and assaults even
though they be the slightest bring grst TO the mill
OF enemies. We call for persistence for the
energetic possible legal defence OF the rights
due nation. but call for calmness as we'll
tors. Let God and right be side and vio-
lence on the opposite side"
wACLAw PERKoWSKI.
New York Dec. 90 1906