New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-09-23

suffering martyrdom. Every day some OF her
miserably unhappy people die the death oil
| hunger-as If that were not enough, they are
hunted and bounded to death-made mock
Of with promises of an independent kingdom!
Her men forced to serve in the army OF the
Kultur Traeger-the same army which has
/ brought despair unspeakable to Poland and
/ to her people-which has made thousands OF
her women hang themselves rather than en-
dure the shame put upon them. As long ago
as September, 1915, when last saw Poland,
escaping through the German lines, there was
no light no fuel and almost no food in all
that unhappy land. What is it to-day? None
can tell--the unfortunates there in that gray
land of DESPAIR are cue off from the living,
separated from the rest of humanity, left to
the mercy of Prussians. All, those Poles!
/ Those gallant people, How long shall the
I blot of their slavery remain TO disgrace the
very name Of civilization, With the smoke
| of the burnngs of our homes, and the blood
! Of our brothers, we raise our voices, oh God,
TO Theel Awful is the sound Of our lamen-
tation. With such prayers our hair has
grown white. Without lamentation we
: has grown to our brows.
The Story of Poland
/ The Polish national anthem. Not written
/ to-day nor yesterday it has been true for
many many, weary years, but exactly, HORT
! oily true since the Prussians came to Poland.
/ The world has heard and seen what has hap
pened in Belgum-has helped her in her
need-but who can tell what happens in Po-
| land? Ny own escape from Poland with my
/ three small children has been so miraculous
| it seems God sent me freedom TO carry the
story Of Poland TO the ears OF the world, when
think back upon the state of misery in Po-
and when last saw her! Like man tied to
! the stake, living out his agony moment by
moment, lingeringly-the land destroyed
every bit of metal carried off, making it i'm
possibl. to close door or window against the
bitterness of the storm-Poland is cold
country-think what this fact alone means,
how much suffering!
Whenever the Prussans came they emptied
! the houses of furniture. When wagons or
railway cars brought men or munitions or for
age to Poland they returned TO Prussia laden
with the possessions of the unfortunate peo-
Pile Furniture Germany must be bursting
with furniture, what with France, Belgium
and Poland, agricultural implements, even
doors and windows. When there was no fur
uiture to take that no time be lost they cut
down and carried off the beautiful forests Of
| Poland denuding her utterly-and, as fin
ishing touch, permitting the sale OF alco-
hol, which they use as a two-edged sword: it
pays revenue to the Kultur Traeger and de-
bauches those who fly to it TO forget their
misery, for a man who cannot buy bread or
food, because there is mono to buy, for few
pennies can buy alcohol TO stupefy himself
into forgetfulness.
The burden OF life is bitter, yet how those
people struggle to keep alive, to keep body
and soul from separating!
All this is going on and on and on. Think
Of it, you who have food, and light, and
warmth and shelter for those you love-think
Of your brother and sister in Poland! The
thought is terrible enough, knowing also the
/ impossibiity of reaching those people, but
there will come time when the Prussians
leave Poland When we can stretch out the
. hand 10 those who have survived, TO help and
encourage them, TO lift them TO their feet, to
/ say, Brother, you free, forget the
past!" How great will be the need of work
work for themsclves-to restore the balance
Of life, to wipe out the odiousness of humilia-
ton imposed upon them by the German
Kutur machine. Let them have a chance!
Hope and freedom are the best medicines in
( the world, and each one Of us can be instru-
mental in bringing that hope and freedom
! nearer
Let Us BE Prepared for Peace
! Every man in the army Is doing his Bit for
Poland Out of this thought has grown the
/ Polish Reconstruction Committee. We are
preparing for the moment which must come
when we shall look at each other and say,
"The war is overt" Then the real work shall
begin. peaceful army will be necessary to
! 60 to Europe to bind up the wounds, TO drive
fear out of the heart of humanity. Let US
be prepared, ready to act the instant peace is
| declared.