The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1914-08-18
DISTRUST
RUSSIAN OF FER
Declare Promise of Autonomy Is
Only a Clever Ruse

Prominent Poles of the copper coun-
try are practically unanimous in look
Russia, which promises autonomy and
eventually complete freedom to the
Polish people who remain loyal, with
more than grain OF suspicion. In fact
they denounce the proclamation as a
ruse to deceive the Poles in Russia
and emphatically declare that they DC
not believe the car has the slightest
| intention OF keeping his promise.
In the opinion Of Polish leaders
here, who have made a study of con-
ditions in Russia promises of the
| Russian government to the Poles are
never made in good faith The pres
ent appeal TO the Polish people, they
declare, with almost monotonous
unanimity, is not made in good faith,
but rather is the result Of fear that in
the crisis Russian Poles may seize
upon the opportunity to strike for
their freedom.
Manifesto Not Sincere.
According to local people Of Polish
nationality the manifesto addressed to
the army by Grand Duke Nicholas,
commander in chief Of the army. is "a
beautiful document, but as empty OF
sincerity as IT Is filled with epigram
and stirring metaphor. Couched In
glowing terms and faultless rhetoric,
81 IL, ut
to catch the trusting Pole and lure
him into an attitude OF loyalty, only
TO laugh at him when the present
Struggle is over and internal dissen-
sion will no longer prove so menacing
as at present.
Polish subjects have not hesitated TO
declare that alluring as the professions
OF love from Russia sound, they cannot
believe but that they are false and in
spired solely by Russia's selfish desire
to protect herself from enemies at
home while battling those abroad.
Prominent leading professional people
OF Polish nationality residing in De-
troit, are emphatic in their stand that
the offer OF autonomy is a ruse as the
following interviews in the Free Press
will Indicate:
There is always so much dissatis-
faction with the existing government
in Russia that the authorities are pre-
pared to make any promise that will
aid in keeping the family together,
said Rev. Joseph H. Herr OF st. AL
bertus' church.
II do not cherish any fond hope that
freedom for Poland will follow Rus
sia's success or failure in the war. The
Polish people do not love the Russians,
for the subjects OF the Car showed
the least sympathy Of any nation for
Poland when that country was despoil-
ed by the powers. For this reason,
they are not apt to side with Russia
in the war, nor is it probable that the
offer OF autonomy will prove alluring
to any degree.
1T 10 just as probable that Ger
MAJ and Austria may make Poland
prdllse to aid her in the fight for
freedom, il the Polish will fight with
them against Russia. l believe the
hope for ultimate autonomy is stronger
through this than any other source"
Little Faith in Promises.
Although l am not an old country
product and perhaps do not know the
temper OF the people there as well as
native Pole, i am frank to say that
little faith will be put in any OF Rus
sia's promises" was the view Of Rev.
Joseph c. Plagens, OF st. Florian's
church.
Il doubt much whether such an offer
has been made officially. Knowing
Russia as 1 do l cannot believe that
she has any notion of keeping such
promise, even If one were made. There
is VIGOROUSLY little fellow-feeling be-
tween the Russians and Poles, and 1
do not think my people can be coaxed
To aid the nation who despoiled her.
Whatever help they give Russia in the
war they will be forced to give.
Austria already has made tenta-
tive promises to Poland, and these
should be more attractive than Rus
si"'s. 1t is probable that Germany
ana Austria may ODldli IoilSl stlNf bNt
| do not think the Poles are anxious
TO take sides"
THE Russian government never
was in earnest, and its high sound
ing words at this time have no more
truthfulness than at any time before
the present crisis. | doubt very much
il the people of Poland want freedom
under these conditions" said Or. $.
j. Lachajewski.
There are from 100000 TO H.
Ooc 900 Poles under the dominion of
the car and about 10000 Of his sol
diers are Poles" he continued. This
proclamation is apparently a bid for
the support OF the people of Poland in
the war and at its end the grand
promises would in all probability DO
forgotten"
Says Russia Fears Uprising.
DR.. T. 7. Dysarz declared the ac-
ton of Russia was manifestly due to
the fear Of an uprising in Poland
There is big fund ready in this
country TO aid the Poles in their fight
for freedom when the time comes he
said, and the car. evidently afraid
that the people he has oppressed for
so many years will rise while his army