New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-28
Poland and Lithuania
Union the Best Solution of Their
Future

To tie Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: The letter of DR.. julius ]. Bielskis,
president of the Lithuanian National Council
Of America, which appeared in the columns
If vour paper on December 20, is liable to
cause Poland appreciate prejudice in the
mind of the American public. 1t is full OF
misstatements. May be granted some space
in your most worthy publication in order
TO correct those statements which are not
based on historical facts?
In 1413 Poland concluded political union
with Lithuania. This act of free union pro-
claiming for the first time in the history of
the world the brotherhood of nations, this
act of union confirmed by document of sub
lime, almost evangelical beauty, this act OF
free union of two different races which last
ed undisturbed till the very end Of Polish
independence, is one of the most glorious
achievements Of humanity. This union was
therefore neither temporary, accidental nor
imperfect as Dr. Bielskis wishes to call II.
In the year Of 14l3 Jagello, Grand Duke of
Lithuania, became King of Poland through
his marriage to Queen Hedwige OF Poland
Both countries, Poland and Lithuania, re-
NAMED united under the rule Of the Jagel-
lonian dynasty until 1872, when after the
death of the last Jagellonian Poland became
a republic with King elected as President
for life. In that first republic in history
Lithuanian had just as much right TO be
elected King as a Pole. No discrimination
was made between the two races.
The statute of Lubin of 1869, ratifying this
8
both countries. 1t is therefore ridiculous TO
state that it met with opposition in Litbuania.
History does not make any record OF any
annulment or even attempt at snnument
Of the voluntary Polish-Lithuanian union,
and | defy DR.. Bielskis to quote any his
torian of repute who, unless he was a Ger
man or a Russian, has made such state
ment
Since the first partition of Poland Of 1872
Poles and Lithuanans have suffered alike.
The Russian persecution has not dissolved
the union; on the contrary, it has sealed, and
sealed it with seal of blood. 1t is the just
pride of the Poles to be able to state that
independent Poland has never prosecuted or
oppressed any race, any creed or even any
language.
According 10 DR.. Bielskis. on page IL in
the third edition Of "The Lithuanian Statute
published in 1883, appears clause strictly
forbiddng Poles to occupy any official posi-
tion in Lithuania. How could such conditions
have prevailed. how could such status been
tolerated BY the Poles had they been the
tyrants which DR.. Bielskis depicts them to
be? On the contrary, Or. Bielskis's quota
ton would have tendency to make one be-
lieve that the shoe fitted the other foot
Official and oficious historians OF nations
and governments, not disinterested, have
been and still arc at work trying to poison
public opinion by means of distinctly i'm
moral writings The chief grievance of the
Austrans, Germans and Russians against the
Lithuanisns and the Poles is their stubborn
refusal 10 become Germanized and Russian
lied Years Of systematic persecution having
failed to produce the desired effect, the
dividers Of Poland resorted 10 the policy of
divide ct impera." In pitting against each
other the different nationalties which com
posed the Kingdom of Poland, they hope to
reap more beneficial results beneficial to
their own policy, naturally.
DR.. Bielskis seems 10 have fallen victim
to this Austro-Germsn, as well as Russian.
propaganda. United Poland and Lithuania
represent q power with which both Germany