Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-11-13
POLAND'S CCLORS SEEN
ON FRENCH WAR FRONT
Veterans of Russian Brigades
to Fight Shoulder to Shoulder
With the Recruits from u. S.
ARMY TO BE AUTONOMOUS
German Prisoners From Posen Beg to
Be Allowed to Join New
Corps
BY HENRY WOOD

PARIS, Oct. tby mani.
The new autonomous Polish army that 10
being organized in France to fight on the
western front for the eventual freedom OF
an independent Poland has been augmented
by the elistmcnt of Poles of the Russian
brigades that for a year and a half past
have been fighting on the French front
While the new Polish army will bc com.
posed largely of Polish recruits from the
United States. the enlistment of these
veterans OF both the Russian and French
front is considered of value.
In conjunction with the Polish volun'
,teers who served during the first three
years of the war in the French ranks, ana
who now form the first troops or tns
autonomous Polish army. these picked
trained and experienced troops give tho
young Polish army a solid military nucleus
that Is expected TO have a great influence
in the organization Of the new army These
Russian and Polish veterans, with three
years of actual warfare behind them, VIII
be used largely in drilling the new re-
cruits
The enlistment in the new Polish army OF
these contngents from the Russian brigades
IN France was done with the fun permis-
sion and sanction of the new Russian pro-
visonal government. All Russians or POI
sh origin or extraction were allowed their
bwn choice of either the Polish or fus-
'iaif army for future service.
The journey of these new Russian Noluh-
tecrs across France to the Polish camp
where the new army is being organized On
an independent autonomous basis, was
sort of triumphal procession marked by an
| incident of most striking interest. The TO-
cOmotive drawing the train flew the crimson
and white flag of reborn Poland, Although
the soldiers filling the cars wore the hus-
ian uniform, in which they had come "
| France, together with the medals conierreo
| upon them by the Car, they chattered IN
Polish and Polish colors were pinned On
| their breasts.
At every station at which the tram
stopped enthusiastic crowds greeted them
Then as the train came into "a large sta
| tion in the central part of France strahs.
| cries were heard from an Opposite racA
| of the railway. Twenty German prisoners
| all from Posen, who were employed IN
Unloading freight cars, yelled with SUPPLIES
as they beheld the train bearing the u, wh.s
| eagle of Poland and the Poli,h natioha'
colors.
Their surprise turned into bewilderment,
| as in answer to their cries there poppe,u
| out of the windows of every car the heao,
| OF Russian soldiers, wearing the caps u
the Russian army yet trimmed without eA'
| ception with the Polish colors. News OF ,ns
| formation of the new autonomous foiisn
army was given. and to a man the POLISH
| German prisoners threw down their wo'n.
Ing utensils and begged to be allowed ~
| join their brothers In arms for the inds'
| pendence Of Poland.
| 1t was only with the utmost dimcuu,
that they We're made to understand tnH'
under the international laws of war they u
prisoners could net be allowed 70 teke
rpe op rrenoh roll ~ y.