Norwich bulletin. [volume] (Norwich, Conn.) 1895-2011, 1915-09-27
Stories of the War
Rltterest Traaedy.

Whatever military strategists may
may decide Is the actual Importance
and the fall OF Warsaw. by tho Poles
themselves 1t is regarded nH nothing
but the bitterest tragedy. Six months
ago tho Russian Poles. in spite or
their losses and suffering and the
complete devastation OF the most pro-
ductive portions of their country, stu
chung hopefully TO tho promise which
Russia had held out to them a. the be-
ginning OF the war. But with the
gradual oncrcnchment OF the German
nmlea this assurance has wavered--.
not so much because they doubted
questioned her ability TO enforce the
grand dukc'a proclamation. With the
losa OF tho Polish capital, It may be
said that this waning hope which
alone lifted Russian Poland out CT as
solutc despair had expired.
An Associated Press correspondent
talked with representative Poles Of all
classes from the aristccracy to the
peasantry, as they fed from Warsaw
TO interior points IN Russia. The up
permost feeling was one of I'll con-
cealed resentment against the Rus
slams.
In the recent retreat from the region
around Warsaw the Russian army,
having learned a lesson from Ledz,
where the resources OF the city were
"
upon q policy OF destroying all proper
", about whose use by the Germans
there was the slightest question. Ii
was hardly to be expected that the
Poles, homeless, pauperized, and with
out any idea OF where or how they
were going to live; would preserve a
Judiciously calm view OF this action
by the Russian army. Explanations
regarding "strategical necessity" fall
ed TO impress men who had Just seen
their own home RACED by the Russian
army and had received printed proc
lamations the very phrasing Of which
they considered an Insult. This proc
lamation brusquely stated that Pol
leh cattle and men must Immediately
Leave Leave. the 1s regions reg along the front fol
These wretehed persons said that
the Russian soldiers IN their jealous
execution of the orders they had re-
| ceived had left nothing behind them
except q blackened and SCARED land
scape whose very soil was ruined.
Polish resentment has been increas-
ed by the reports Of Germany's otfel
Of peace to Russia, according to the
1 terms OF which Russia would cede 9
| narrow strip Of Poland in the neigh
this settlement" say the Poles. rus.
STA would lose nothing and Poland
/ would lose everything, for this would
bring Germany one step nearer to hel
plan of Germanizing the Vistula, which
would mean the death Of Poland as
| nation. 1t seems that Poland is no
| only to be the chief sufferer in tht
| war, but that she Is to constitute tn,
prize which Russia is to pay to Ger
many"
In view of the present geographical
boundaries of Poland, and the state o
Polish feeling, the continuance of tn
session Of the Russian Polish commits
sior appointed by the emperor to con
slider the question of Polish independ
ence has the qualities of tragedy an,
farce almost equally combined Tn
commission has apparently come to
deadlock. since the kind Of independ
ence which Poland wants and the kin
which Russia sees fit to offer are.
not directly opposed. at least so re
mote from each other as to have littl
In common.
'T can see little hope of an agree
ment between the Russian and Pol
! ish members OF our commission" sal
Roman Dmowsky, the Polish chairma
of the national democratic party of Pc
, land. In a statement to the Associate
! Press.
II have been asked by the Russia
emperor to give my views regardin
the Polish government Of the futur
and would be insincere and unrer
resentative of my country IL I mod
Led them to suit the Russian mem
{ bers Of the commission. II q comprc
/ mise Is necessary ii is certainly nj
| my duty at this time TO suggest
You may be assured on one point. Pc
land will never be satisfied without
lproper degree OF Independence"
4 Asked to explain his idea Of a proI
er degree Of Independence. Mr.. DmoV
] sky said:
I II mean a Polish legislature wit
{ both houses wholly Polish, comple
: financial independence, and the end
= Russian officialdom in Poland. This
q concession which Russia win ne'
er care to make, for Poland has been
most inviting garden for exploitatic
by Russian officials. 81,
( TT Is the presence Of Russian az
9 mtnistrative officials which we fir
: particularly intoierahle. Poland, know
q that she can never. realize her idea
n as progressive nation while she
h being held back by q primitive. eas
Il ern civilization. Our civilization Is
western civilization and to subject
! to the standards Of Russia or the q
4 prices and methods OF their primitI
cfficiala Il absurd.
1T must not be inferred. howevs
! that Poland,e resentment against Ru
sla In accompanied by growing syn
lpathy with Germany, Whatever M
X be Poland's troubles under Russii
9. trule, she realizes that German ~
would mean the funeral OF the Poll
10 nation. we admire q great maj
{ things In Germany, and under GERM
rule western Poland has been mu
y more presperous than while II was