The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1917-07-05
The Resurrection Of Poland

Of Poland. This seems assured what
ever the result Of the war, as beth
parties to it are agreed that the Poles
| shall be given self-government and
independence. There is, of course,
the question as to the extent of that
independence and the boundaries of
the new Poland, and that hangs on
the fortunes Of war.
| When the Germans invaded and
overran Russian Poland they an
nCunced their determination to grant
the people freedom from tyranny,
while the Russians, as they advanced
on the German invaders, were equally
liberal in thsir promises of self-gov-
eminent.
The German promises were viewed
with much suspicion, as they offered
independence only to those Poles who
had been subjects of Russia, and did
not propose similar privileges to the
provinces of ancient Poland that had
been stolen by Germany and
Austria, which were still to remain
subject to their Teuton masters.
Moreover, the new kingdom or prin-
cipality was to be presided over by
German or Austrian prince, and to
be bound to those countries by mill
tary and economic ties. Indeed, a
very energetic effort was made to
organize Polish regiments to serve
with the German armies against the
Allies. A temporary government was
set up some months ago, and the act
was greeted as a great honor for the
Polish people. 1t failed, however.
to arouse any special enthusiasm.
AS matter of fact, the leanings of
the Poles seemed rather towards THEN
Slav neighbors, the Russians, than te
their pretended German friends.
The Polish question has presented
itself again in new form in the last
few days. The telegraph has told Of
the collapse of the Austrian ministry
but has not gone into particulars ana
explained that it is mainly question
of how the Poles of Austria are to be
treated. They and Their neighbors.
the Ruthenians, constitute the largest
element in the Austrian Reichsrath:
or Parliament, where they are prov
ing very troublesome lately by in
sisting on Polish rights. What they
demand is that Galicia, or the Aus
trian -iice Of Poland, shall form
part of the reconstructed Polish prin-
cipality; that Austria shall surrende
its share of the great steal of lac
years ago. 1t is said that the Aus
trian government would be glad tc
consent to some sort Of autonom,
for Galicia, but subject to AUSTRIA
suzerainty, and thus would get riG
of a very troublesome faction in the
Reichsrath, but it will not consent t.
the secession of the Austrian Poles.
which would restore Poland nearly
to the condition and boundaries o;
the country when these robber mon
archs divided it among themselves
There will then remain only Pose.
and German Poland to rescue from
the foreign yoke-and Posen, prob.
ably is more bitter in the matte
against it's master and tyrant, Prus
STA, than any portion of the formei
kingdom of Poland
Thus the Polish question, as j;
stands to-day, is whether the new Fo
land soon to be created shall be re
stricted to the Russian provinces
and against this the new Russian re
public raises no objection; or whethe
with the collapse of the German caus
freedom and complete independence
will be granted to all the Poles
whether under the control of Russia
Austria or Germany. In that even
Poland will be a country from 20,
600, 900 to 25,O00,C00 people, aot
constitute a powerful state in Contra
Europe. Nc part of Europe has suf
fered more in the present war, no.
even Belgium, and every right think
ing person will hope the Poles viii
have some compensating advantage
in self-government in return for thei,
losses and sufferings from the hostile
armies that have fought forward and
back over the country for the create
part of the last three years. The
United States in particular feels the
greatest sympathy for these people
as it is in America that so many OF
them have found refuge, as many as
10000 in a single year; while OF
Americans of Polish stock there are
over 100000 in the United States
The resurrection of Poland is one of
the assured results of the war. We
all hope that it will be for all the
Poles, not for portion of them only
The man who bubbles with himself
to-day over the price of Bossier
Parish cut-over upland is standing in
his own light-he is not fair to him.
self and his children. His children
and grandchildren will live IN SEQ tho |