The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1917-12-08
Second Section
Weekly Article on SgnicdntMoDes in War By Sn1ondS

This, then, is what the German
policy means. II makes use OF the
formula OF the Bosheviki; 1t makes
use of the Allied program for freeing
small people; but actually 1t contem-
plates so dividing the peoples on the
eastern frontier of Germany that they
cannot achieve national unity, so
that they cannot escape the German
domination in the future, when Ger
many is ready. Meantime, Austria,
which is already a shadow rather
than a fact. is to be used as a cover,
and there is to be a new partition OF
Poland, and the Poles Of Austria,
politically powerful now. are TO be
thrust out, that the Germans or the
Hapsburg empire may regain control
Of the northern half. Later they Will
be disposed Of as the Germans OF
Germany see 1T in the time when the
Germans OF Austria have followed
those of Bavaria and SaXony into the
Hohenzollern empire.
Now, against such a program there
is no protection in Russia. Lithuan-
ians and Poles are outside the Calcu-
lations Of the Bosheviki: they are
outside the knowledge Of the millions
who make up the inert masz of the
Russian people. To part with them
as a price Of peace would create no
protest in Old Russia. as 1t now
exists.
On the other hand. It is plain that
II there be no Allied policy to meet
the German program there will be a
new sick Man" in the European
family and a new series Of European
wars growing out OF the German
purpose to inherit all his estates.
And there is. 1t seems to me. but
one line of policy-that which con-
templaes the creation Of a real Polish
state, a Polish state including within
its boundaries the Poles OF Germany
as we'll as OF Austria and Of Russia;
a Polish state to which is Joined
Lithuania, under some such arrange
ment as now subsists between Aus
tria and Hungary, allowing for COM
plete local and lingual independence,
but insuring a common foreign po-
Icy and a sufficient seaboard and
territorial extent to insure economic
and Industrial independence. In a
future article shall attempt to set
forth the case for this restoration of
Poland, which is making itself heard
in the Allied world already, but at
the moment I am interested in ex-
planning the real meaning of the Ger
man proposal to the Russians, the
proposal to create two fragments,
decorated by the names OF Lithuania
and Of Poland. but incapable OF ex-
listing as countries.
II one desires to test the sincerity
Of the German interest in the Poles
let him examine the treatment that
hn ~
for a century and more, since Frede-
rick the Great engineered abe first
partition. And II any one desires to
test the sincerity Of the interest OF
the Central Powers for small peoples,
as such, let him recall the cases of
Belgium and Of Serbia. No, the Ger
man policy in the East is the German
policy everywhere. But. unhappily,
the world, which is beginning to un-
derstand the peril Of the German am
billions with respect to the particular
expansion Of Mitteleuropa, still re-
mains uncomprehending, while con-
fronted with the even greater danger
OF the lateral expansion-the ex-
pansion which aims at the Pacific
through Siberia rather than the
Indian ocean through Mesopotania
and Persia.
Today the fate Of Turkey at least
threatens Russia. And IL the Boil
sheviki succeed, as they may sue
coed, in destroying all governmental
unity in that vast empire, we shall
have not one but a dozen, perhaps a.
score, Of fugitive states incapable Of
defense against Germany. We shall
face the possibility Of a gigantic ex-
tension Of Teuton supremacy over
the Slav, with the erection Of a new
state, resembling Austria Hungary
state ruled by a minority, but this
time a state which extends from the
Rhine to the Pacific ocean. Against
such a peril Poland is the sole bar
rier in sight, and to be a barrier
Poland must be restored to her from
tiers Of the eighteenth century, must
be state containing the twenty-odd
millions Of Poles, tnow scattered I'M
der three flags. and must also include
other peoples, OF kindred race, once
united to Poland.