The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1914-09-09
PLEDGE TO POLES
A MASTER Stroke
lzar'S Promise Of Freedom
AveriS Feared Revolt.
FEAL1Y IS VITAL TO RUSSIA

Poles Treated With More Conoidora.
ton 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 Russia's declaration that
Poles loyal to the Slav aus would be
treated with the utmost consideration
and that autonomy for Poland would
result. The Poles form al 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
" Germany on her enemy must be
made ON Polish territory.
The political experts of Europe have
ong 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. it
has been predicted that should Germa-
ny become involved In international
conflict she would shortly face an in,
Surrection Mt home among the Poles.
First Annexed by Prussia In 1772.
The Poles. first annexed by Prussia
in 17722. hate the Prussians with all the
hatred that characterizes a people op.
pressed by IN overload. The annexa-
ton was apostrophized as the great.
est crime Of the century by Baron
o Stein. the great Prussian patriot.
The Poles in Prussia, as afterward in
Austria. were long treated with consil.
Grafton. The congress Of Vienna had
decided that 1.-The (Poles) nationality If
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
eminent remained faithful for more
rhan two generations. so that when
the Polish rebellion Of 1868 broke out
in the Russian province the Poles OF
Prussia held aioof. During the war of
1870 the Polish regiments distinguished
themselves against the French. They
marched. OF course, under the Prus;ian
flag. but sang their W patriotic
hymn. POLAND has 0 persisted yet"
Policy Changed In 1885.
1t was not until 1885 that the i'rus-
sian policy toward the Poles was
changed. On March 25 of that year M
order was issued that no Poles eXcep.
those owning allegiance to the Prus-
sian crown might remain in Posen aft
or the end Of the year. In 1856 the
?russian landtag placed at the dislo
sal of a government commission So.
100000 for buying out Polish landed
nrOprietors and settling on their cs
tates German "colonists." Bismarck
then openly avOwed his object of Ger
mani2ing these provinces.
From that time on the lines have,
been drawn v tighter. The Polish
language was hanished first in the sec
ondary schools, then in the elementary
schools. Even in religious instruction
.he language could not be used. In
1908 Polish could not be spoken In
| public meetings held in a community
where tho German population pre-
| dominated.