New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-11-23
The Evolution of Polish Opinion
Bu a Gdlicidn Pole


all their attention toward obtaining a sep
arate peace with Russia. And while they
we're still deceving the Poles with vain
illusions in order to gain Polish volunteers
for the Austro- German armies, their repre-
sentative Won Lucius, was negotiating with
Stuermer and Protopopoff, the Russian Pre-
miers, for a separate peace with Russia
at the cost Of Poland.
Teuton ManGuvres
For whole year the Tsutons were trying
TO come to an understanding with Russia
But all their intrigues failed and in order to
gain the 100000 Poles of military age, whom
they were unable to draft by force, they
officially proclaimed the independence Of the
conquered Russian Poland on November 6,
1916 But even this step did not gain for
them all the Poles The National Democrats,
Pan-Poles. Realists and Progressives re-
NAMED hostile to Germany.
In spite of the steps which Germany took
to bring about the realization of her promises
by nominating in December, 1916, a Polish
Council of State and granting the Poles many
liberties which they did not enjoy unden the
Cars rule, the opposition to Germany was
growing daily It received a new impetus
when on January %, 1917, President wilson
declared chat there should be a united, in
dependent and autonomous Poland" and that
"every great people now struggling towards
q full development of its resources and its
lowers should be assured a direct outlet
to the great highways of the sea-" And
since neither Germany nor Austria was Will
ing to grant the Poles the Polish territories
which they have been holding for over
century. the Poles had every reason to be
dissatisfied especially because in those terri
tories is located the only outlet to the sea,
which had been in the possession Of the
Poles for many centuries.
This dissatisfaction reached its climax with
the fall, in March, Of the great enemy Of
Ioland, the Gear, and the proclamation Of
absolute independence of Poland, issued by
the Provisional Government The former
friends of Russia, since the hated despot was
gone, had more reason now to support Rus
STA And even many Of the former most
ardent supporters Of the Germans and Aus
trians assumed hostile attitude toward the
Teutons The newly-formed Polish legions,
consisting of 5000 men, refused to take the
required oath of allegiance TO the Germans,
and were sent as civil prisoners OF war to
detention camps, where they are kept to-
eether with English and French prisoners.
Pilsudzki, the leader Of the legions, was
arrested because he was suspected Of pre-
pairing an uprising against the Central En-
rires The members of the Polish Council
Of State resigned because they felt they were
representing the Polish people. In Austria
oil the Polish representatives in both Houses
of the Austrian Parliament and of the
Galician Diet. assembled and passed reso-
luton demanding the creation of an indie
psndent Polish state by the union of all
Polish territories and being in the possession
e. az he 81
Vistua River"
Polish Hopes Now With Allies
Germany was alarmed by the wave Of
| olish patriotism and took steps 20 retain
the friendship OF at least the Socialists,
Democrats and the few Pan-Poles who still
were supporting her. She appointed Coun-
eli Of Regency, consisting of Count 0strow-
xxi. Archbishop Of Warsaw Kakowsh and
Prince Lubomirski, all three Of whom are
rrominent Poles. Germany also fastened 10
proclaim a Polish constitution and to appoint
a new Council Of State, which was granted
legislative powers while the former was only
a consultative body.
But all these concessions have not salts
fed the majority of Poles, who absolutely
refuse TO accept anything whatever from
Germany. and whose only aspiration is TO
see Germany and Austria defeated. They
place their entire and only hope in the
Allies.
When Germany had issued its proclama-
ton of November 6. 1916, the Polish Com
mittee Of National Defence expressed its
gratitude to the Central Empires in mes
sage TO German Ambassador Bcrnstorff in
which II declared:
Accept the expression OF our sincere salts
faction with the trend of affairs in Poland
I'VE believe firmly that the proclamation
CT independence of the part Of Poland which
was until lately under the dominion Of Rus
sin constitutes an explicit proof that the
bloodshed by the German warriors and the
Polish legonarics in the struggle against
cur common enemy inaugurated new era
in the Polish question"
Since the revolution in Russia and Amer
iea's entrance into tho war the Committee
OF National Defence" has somewhat modified
It's friendly attitude to the Central Empires.