South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1916-01-22

reasonable. III
Editor News-Times:
America began only lately 10 real
ize that Poland was made as unfor-
tunate and unwilling victim in the
eastern theater of the war as Bel
GUM has been i'm the west. Up to
the present there has been very
great lack of proportion between the
attention given 10 Belgium and that
awarded TO the similarity afflicted,
but much larger Poland.
We must look for the reason Of
this apparent indifference 10 the gem
eral law of distance in our field of
vision. AS in the planetary system,
a small planet. at a special angle,
causes the eclipse of a larger but
more remote celestial body, so here
the sufferings of a smaller nation,
placed in a more favorable geo.
graphical situation, over Swallowed
the even greater calamities Of a
much larger land, inhabited by a
more numerous people, simple be-
cause they are separated from US by
a wider space and do not possess the
means of attracting public attention.
owing 10 the lack of political repre-
sentatives, such as consuls or ambas-
sailors.
The immense armies OF three
great powers have been rolling back
and forth during the last year and
half over the Polish territory. AS a
he fhnrafnrn ha
been converted into a desert. sodden
with blood and lighted by incendiary
fires.
All crops have been seized by the
invaders and removed to their own
country, as we'll as all the horses and
cattle. All estates have been looted
and trainloads of even the ordinary
house furniture were dispatched TO
the belligerent nations.
Towns and villages have been
burned and RACED to the ground
made several million inhabitants
homeless and forced them to wander
for many miles seeking a shelter
against the rigors of the oncoming
winters.
Factories in the manufacturing
districts have been burned and
where fire did not complete its work
the soidiery broke up and destroyed
the machinery.
This again means not only that the
productivity of the country in the
manufacturing lines is undermined
for many years to come. but it also
means hundreds of thousands of
people out of work and without a
possibility of earning their liveli-
hood.
The greatest tragedy of the Polish
race lies in the fact that, being di-
vided in three parts. under three diff
ferent rulers. Poles are forced into
the armies of the three contending
powers. and consequently march in
armies against each other. Brother
against brotherl
How can we explain, in the light
Of the above mentioned circum-
stances. the fact that the help ten
dered to each Of the two martyr
countries COT which the one OF a
much larger size would seem to be
in greater need of relief presents
such a discrepancy in the distribu-
ton Of this help?
This very war, with all it's horrors,
is the result of the great crime
weighing on European conscience,
of POland's ACKNOWLEDGMENT. Poland
was also the most steadfast cham
pion of individual and national lib
erty. which alone should endear her
to the American heart.
Finally. when her own freedom
was lost. she sent her bravest and
noblest sons to aid Americas great
fight for national independence. In
her last decades after the loss OF her
political individuality. she has re-
minded the world OF her existence
through artists, writer's and musical
virtuOsi, whose name became pop
ular in both hemisphere.
A country with such a record
should surely command sympathy
and interest. and obtain the much
needed help in her present straits.
And 1 am sure it will not be lack
ing here, when only the cruel fate of
the poor land is once realized.
We appeal to all men OF good will
TO come to our assistance and spread
the news of Poland's dire need.
May this call reach its destina-
ton.
May the hearts of those be moved.
who are able to feel our greatest
misfortune.
Give the people bread. and give it
quick.
IGNATIUS X. WERWINSKI