The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1914-08-25
PLEDGE TO POLES
A MASTER STROKE
Cars Promise Of Freedom
AVertS Feared Revolt.
.FEALTY IS VITAL TO RUSSIA

tion by Russia Than by Prussia--Peo-
pie Have Cherished Bitter Grievance
Since Change Of Policy, When Object
Was German Colonization.
1t is impossible to exaggerate the i'm
portance of Russla's declaration that
Poles loyal to the Slav cause would be
treated with the utmost consideration
and that autonomy for Poland would
result. The Poles form an important
part of the cars empire, particularly
In these troublous times, owing to the
fact that Russian Poland lies on the
German frontier, and all the attacks
of Germany on her enemy must be
made op Polish territory
The political experts of Europe have
long predicted that this would be the
first move of Russia In the event of
war breaking out between that country
and Germany or with Austria. The
Poles of Russia have always enjoyed
more freedom than the Poles living
under the kaiser or under the Emperor
Francis Joseph. On the other hand, 1t
has been predicted that should Germa-
ny become involved in international
conflict she would shortly face an In
surrection at home among the Poles.
First Annexed by Prussia In 1772.
The Poles, first annexed by Prussia
in 1772, hate the Prussians with all the
hatred that characterizes a people op-
pressed by an overload. The annexa-
finn onncfrpnhf1ad thn =
est crime of the century" by Baron
Won Stein. the great Prussian patriot
The Poles In Prussia, as afterward iii
Austria, were long treated with consid-
Grafton. The congress Of Vienna had
decided that "the (Poles) nationality Of
the population must be respected, that
their mother tongue must enjoy perfect
equality with the German language,
that they ought to have the right to
compete for all the posts and dignities
throughout the country and that, given
equal abilities, they ought to be given
preference for all public offices in the
countries they inhabit."
To these promises the Prussian gov
ernment remained faithful for more
than two generations, SO that when
the Polish rebellion of 1863 broke out
In the Russian province the Poles Of
Prussia held aloof. During the war of
1870 the Polish regiments distinguished
themselves against the French. They
marched, of course, under the Prusslan
flag, but sang their own patriotic
hymn, poland has not perished yet"
Policy Changed in 1885.
1t was not until 1885 that the Prus-
sian policy toward the Poles was
changed. On March 25 of that year an
order was issued that no Poles except
those owning allegiance to the Prus-
sian crown might remain in Posen aft
er the end of the year. In 1856 the
Prussian landtag placed at the dispo-
sal Of government commission $685.
100000 for buying out Polish landed
proprietors and settling on their es-
tates German "colonists." Bismarck
then openly avowed his object of Ger
manizing these provinces.
From that time on the lines have
been drawn even tighter. The Polish
language was banished first in the sec
ondary schools, then in the elementary
schools. Even in religious instruction
the language could not be used. In
1908 Polish could not be spoken In
public meetings held in community
where the German population pre-
dominated