The Oskaloosa herald., 1916-11-09
SELF-RULE GIVEN
BACK TO POLAND
GermanAustrian Rulers Indorse
ProCIamationS.
READ AT PRINCIPAL CITIES
Form of Government Is Described as
an Autonomous Hereditary Mon
archy-country Will Have
Its Own Army.

Berlin (via Sayville, L. ~, Nov. c.
Poland, rich in romance, of StOried
interest almost unparalleled in fascin-
alton, was re-creatad yesterday.
PrOclamatiOns re-eStablishing the
right of the Polish nation to control
its own destinieS were read at War
saw and at Lublin. General Won Bese-
Ter ofiiciated at Warsaw and General
Kuk at Lublin.
The event, marking one of the great
, est Monuments in the history of Eu-
rope, was the contamination of joint
action of the German emperor and the
emperor of Austria.
The form of government established
by the proclamation is described as
an autonomous hereditary monarchy.
In effect, it extends to the Polish
province occupied by the central pow
ers, with respect to city administra-
! ton, rights of self government similar
to those enjoyed by the city of War
saw since early in the war.
Poland to Have Army.
The exact dclineation of the from
tiers of the revived kingdom is left
to the future, as is the question of
who shall be placed upon the throne
of the new kingdom. A Polish army
Is to be created
! General Won BcSeler, who, while
military governor of Belgium, earned
: warm commentator from the Ameri-
can relief administrators by his prac-
tical sagacity, will for the present eX-
| ercise chief authority.
The ancient kingdom of Poland,
whose splendor was the glory of four
centuries, has been the greatest suf-
! ferer of the war. -Four million Poles
have been killed and 10000 hamlets,
villages and towns have been laid
waste.
The Official Proclamation.
The proclamation follows:
His majesty, the German emperor,
and his majesty, the emperor of Aus
tria and apostolic king of Hungary, in
| spired by firm confidence in final vic
! tory Of their arms and prompted by a
: desire to lead the districts reclaimed at
/ the cost OF heavy sacrifices from Rus
! sian domination toward happy state
with a hereditary monarch, and con-
stitutional government, pledge them
+ selves to this end.
"The exact frontiers of the Kingdom
Of Poland shall be outlined later.
THE new kingdom will receive the
guarantees necessary for the free de-
/ velOpment of it's own resources by init
mate relations with both powers.
THE glorious traditions of the an
Gent Polish armies and the memory
! of the brave Comradeship displayed
| during the greatest war Of our days
shall be revived in a new national army.
The organization, instruction and COM
mand of this army shall be arranged by
common agreement.
"'Fhc allied mOnarchs express the
, confident hope that Polish aspirations
for the evolution of the Polish state
and for the national development of
the Polish kingdom shall now be full
filled. taking into due consideration the
general political conditions prevailing
In Europe and the welfare and safety
| of their countries and nations.
The great realms which are the
western neighbors of the kingdom of
! Poland will have on their eastern
| frontier free and happy state, enjoy
ing its own national life, and they will
welcome with joy the birth and pros
porous development of this state"
! Decision of the two mOnarchs to
grant Polish autonomy was reached fol.
lowing a visit to the imperial chancel.
lor. Herr Won Bethmann-Hollweg, by n
representative delegation of Poles
drawn from all parties, all creeds and
all ranks of society.
This delegation transmitted to the
German government the wishes of the
Polish nation, which are now granted.