New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-11-23

Three years ago, before the outDre&k OF
the war, there was no Polish question for
the world to solve. The Congress Of Vienna,
in 1915, had doomed the independence Of
Poland by approving the distribution Of all
Polish territories among Prussia, Austria and
Russia. During the century which has elapsed
since then the world at large forgot that
there ever was an Independent great and
powerful Polish democracy in Europe.
The Poles themselves, incorporated into the
lands of their three imperial neighbors,
seemed to bear their fate with resignation
In Austrian Poland, Galicia and Austrian
Silesia the Poles were enjoying considerable
autonomy, and the highest hope of the
majority of them was to be admitted to
share the government of Austria on an equal
basis with Hungary. In Germany, East
Prussia, Posen and German Sless the proc
ess Of compulsory Germanization of the Poles
and the evicting of Polish propretors from
their lands decreased the proportion Of Poles
tc Germans, and the German harsh laws
never gave the Poles an opportunity to ex-
press their patriotism in any manner what
ever. In Russian Poland the grip of the Gar
was too firm to make the independence Of
Poland in the hearts and minds of Poles more
than mere dream the realization Of which
was looked upon as a thing of the distant
future.
Polish Hearts Beat Faster
In August, 1914 both Austria and Russia
came forth with promises encouraging Polish
hopes. Grand Duke Nicholas issued procla-
nation promising in vague terms the unfit
cation and liberation of Poles. At the same
time Emperor Francis Joseph summoned the
Poles to form Polish "legions," assuring
them in no less vague manner thon Russia
that he would help them to reestablish an
Independent Polish state.
The Austrian Poles received the Austrian
Kaiser's appeal with enthusiasm, and 1t can
be stated without exaggeration that all of
Western Galicia which is exclusively Polish,
was united in its dete termination 10 fight the
Car, whom Austrian Poles regarded as the
greatest enemy of free Poland.
The Poles In Russia, on the contrary, were
not so unanimous They were divided into
two camps, one placing its confidence in Rus
sia's promises; the other mistrusting the
Gar and hoping TO liberate Poland with the
aid Of the two Teuton Kaisers. The former,
which was the more powerful, consisted of
the Polish acknowledgements party, Pan
Poles, Realists and Progrssves, who were
united to Russia by economic interests The
Democrats. disguised with the Cars auto
cratic government, who were glad to accept
assistance from Germany, formed the other
camp How great the enthusiasm of Polish
Socialists and Democrats in Russia was for
the Central Empires is seen from the fact
that many of them fed from Russia and
volunteered in the Austrian Polish legons
Among them was Plsudzki. the prominent
Polish Socialist, who after arriving in Galicia
became the leader and the guiding spirit
Of the legions.
The Austrians Immediately formed a Polish
Supreme National Committee, the aim Of
which was 10 raise and organize volunteers
end "to form plans of Polish independence"
The Polish enthusiasm ran high for few
weeks. Soon, however. the Polish ardor
began to cool OF. for the Poles were begin
ming TO realize that the Teutons were not in
earnest in their promises.
Hope Placed in Russia
Then came the great Russian offensive in
Galicia, which in March, 1915, placed Russia
Ia possession Of almost all of Gal,cia and
even threatened the safety Of Vienna Both
austria and Germany were alarmed, and in
order to gain the Poles who had lost their
faith in the Teutons proclaimed at the be-
ginning Of 1915 the independence o. Poland
and took some steps toward the execution
Ct their proclamation.
But the Polish hopes were also this time
short-lved. The Russian disaster al the
Dunajec inspired the Kaisers with new con-
idence in their arms, and they neglected
entirely the Polish cause. And, although the
Polish leglons were lighting bravely against
the Cars forces, the hearts OF the majority
Ct Poles were turned away from the Ger
mans, who took revenge for this and exc
crted 10000 Poles in their victorious march
through Galicia.
The Russian disaster in Galicia was fol-
lowed by the defeat in Russian Poland. In
August, 1918, the Teutons were in possession
Of the greater part Of Russian Poland in
addition to Galicia, which they had recon
quered. The Polish Democrats and Socialists,
who received the Germans with zeal, were
now waiting to see Germany keep hor
promises. But the kalsers, now that they
were victorious, failed to satisfy the hopes