South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1916-11-16
TeutOnic Powers Have Not
Yet Indicated Fate of
Hebrews in the New
Kingdom.
BY Herman Bernstein.

terms of equality. That was strange,
in view Of the fact that Russian her
self is not treating her subjects upon
terms OF equality. and has for years
been waging a war Of vengeance
and determination directed against
Jews in particular.
But shortly after the Grand
Dukes promise 10 the Poles. Russia
was deprived of the opportunity 70
be generous toward Poland. The
German armies invaded the Polish
provinces and Russia's promises to
Poland became one Of the jokes in
the grim tragedy of this war
Now comes the news from Berlin
that Germany and Austria are again
calling into existence the ancient
kingdom OF Poland. in the form of a
national state with a hereditary
monarchy and constitutional gov
eminent
POland'S Future Assured.
The gOvernOr-general of Warsaw,
Won Besseler. speaking for the Ger
man government on the solemn oc-
casiOn OF the reading Of the mani
festo said:
Doubts as to the future can find
no place in Polish hearts. 1t will
be our task, shoulder 10 shoulder
with the residents of Poland. TO car
~ the war 10 a victorious conclusion
and to heal the wounds of the war.
Take places at our side in conf
dence which we repay by the mag
unanimous decision of the Austro-
German mOnarchs. who place their
seals on the plans for the unity of
Poland. We hope that soon a Po-
lish army will be lighting on our side
in token of the sentiment for devel-
opment of the new kingdom. May
all good fortune attend the king
dom OF Poland"
There is not a word in the mani
festo concerning the minority ma
tionalities within the Polish prov
inces now occupied by the German
and Austrian armies, not a single
reference TO the Jews. who consti-
tute a considerable portion Of the
population.
The regeneration Of Poland in the
form of a new state by the Central
powers. or in the form of an autono-
nous state created by all the bel
ligerent powers at the end of the
conflict. is something that Will be
applauded by all liberty-loving peO-
pie everywhere. provided emancipa-
ton will be granted TO the Polish
people upon condition that the
rights of other nationalities within
the new state shall be protected upon
terms of equality.
In view of the militant prOpagan-
da and persecution that have been
directed against the Jews of Poland
before and during the war, such a
guarantee is absolutely essential or
we Will be confronted by national
conflicts that must hinder its devel-
opment and growth. and the Jewish
question may assume even graver
proportions in Poland than in Rus
STA.
Whatever the motives Of Germany
are in creating the new Polish state
whether il was to rid herself of the
Polish problem or 10 enlist the ser
vice of Poland in behalf of the cen
trail powers in this war, whether il
was done now for political effect or
strategical advantage, il seems GER
tain that Poland will not return 70
Russian domination. With Russia
promising Poland autonomy and
with the central powers creating a
new kingdom Of Poland it would
seem that Poland's future as an in
dependent state is assured at the
close Of the war.
Shortly after the outbreak OF this
war Germany promised that WITH
this war the last remnants Of anti
Semltism will disappear in Germany.
Chancellor silent on Subject.
Last year the German chancellor.
Bethmann-Hollweg. in his speech
regarding Poland, declared that Ger
many would grant national rights to
the Polish people in the occupied
provinces. An American correspond
eut then i'm Germany asked him
whether Germany would also pro-
tecr such rights as far as the Jews
in those pro- inces were concerned.
The imperial chancellor declined 70
answer that question. He promised
however, that Or. Lewald. of the
foreign office. would prepare a state
ment on that subject TOR publica-
uon. Although reminded of that
promise several times during the
past year no statement concerning
Jewish rights has as yet been made
Have the Jews OF Poland been for
gotten by the Germanic pOWers9