New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-03-31
Proclamation Urges Rejec-
ton of German Pledges
as "lllusory"
General Partition
Of Russia Indicated
Statement Also Refers to
"Remodelled Europe"
of the Future

London. March S0-Freedom and
self-government were offered 10 the
Poles to-day by Russia. while Germany
threatened them with conscription fol-
lowing the failure to raise more than
a few hundred recruits toward the two
army corps fixed by the German high
command as a minimum for the Polish
volunteer" army. The present Polish
kingdom established by the Hohen-
zollern dynasty is referred to in the
Russian proclamation as an effort by
the Central Powers 70 enlist the Poles
against the Entente by offering "illu-
sorry political rights"
The Russian statement announces
that Poland will be permitted to decide
its own form OF government, and after
fraternal felicite.ions on the overthrow
Of the Romanoff dynasty, speaks of the
Teuton attempt 10 establish a Polish
state as follows:
"They wished at this price TO buy the
blood of a race which never fought for
the maintenance of despotism. Nor will
the Polish army 60 into battle now for
the cause of the oppression of liberty
and the dismemberment of its country
under the leadership Of its hereditary
enemy"
Answer TO Draft Plan
This is interpreted as an answer 70
a resolution recently adopted by a sort
Of national Polish convention convoked
by the new Polish Council of State,
calling for the organization of the Pc
iish army on the lines along which the
Polish Legion was recruited by Aus
tria.
The Russian proclamation continues:
Polish brothers, for you also the
hour of great decisions has STRUCK
Free Russia calls you TO her ranks IN
the fight for the liberty of the people"
The proclamation then announces
that in accordance with the plan agreed
upon by the Entente Allies for the
prosecution of the war the provisional
government regards the creation Of an
independent Polish state, composed or
all territories the majority Of whose
population IS Polish, as a pledge OF
durable peace in the remodelled Europe
# the future.
Bound to Russia by free military
union" adds the proclamation. the
Polish state will be a solid rampant
against the pressure Of the Central
Powers against the Slav nations
Free brotherhood Offer
After announcing that it will lie
with the constituent Assembly Of Rus
STA definitely to consolidate the new
fraternal union and TO give its con-
sent to the notifications Of Russian
ten ritories indispensable to the forma-
tion of a free Poland, the document
concludes by appealing TO the Poles 10
accept the offer in the spirit OF free
brotherhood. and 70 prepare 20 usher
in a new and brilliant era OF Polish
his DRY.
May the ancient appeal Of the glOri-
Gus precursors of your liberation,
saws the PROCLAMATION, "be preached
with new and irresistible strength.
Forward. side by side and hand in
hand, for the fight"
TIE proclamation is signed by all the
mem Jers Of the provisional govern
mepf.
The republican union OF the peasant
mem ,ers Of the Duma also has issued
a ma ifesto addressed TO the peasantry,
according TO a Reuter- dispatch from
Petro grad, saying that their lifelong
need of land is TO be satisfied under
form Of government suitable for toll
ers The manifesto says:
Hi herto we have been taught in
the ci urches and schools that our rul-
ers were the anointed of God. For
hundreds Of years we have been pining
under their heavy autocratic yoke. We
have now cast down the idols and freed
ourselves from the old superstitions.
We are our own masters and have to
shape our destiny with our own hands.
Let us be ruled not by the grace Of
God but by the common veal.
The members OF the Duma have been
advised by tho president. NJ. Rodzianko,
that the governments advices from the
front left nothing to be desired.
There is no danger of any outbreaks
anywhere on the 'front.'" he said in his
communication TO the Duma members,
land no important enemy operation is
Immediately possible, owing to the
thaw, although evidently the enemy is
concentrating large forces on our
front"