The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1917-09-11
PONT|FF IS DENOUNCED By POLAND
NATIONAL DEFENSE COMMIT TEENEN
IN PEACE LETTER BENEDICT MADE NO APPEAL FOR
THEIR INDEPENDENCE, THEY CHARGE-DECLARE
LEADERSHIP OF WORLD is PASSING TO
COUNTRY OF FREEDOM AMERICA.
empire at the hands of the Moslems
COnnivance is Alleged


COnnivance is Alleged.
On the other hand the connivance of
the holy see with Austria's participa.
tion in the partitions of Poland is a gen.
orally known fact Known also is the
interdict pronounced by the holy see
against the Polish revolutionaries in
1S3O.1S31.
But now, when on May 2S, 1917, the
Polish nation through its representa-
tives proclaimed at the city hall in Cra.
COW, a free, united and independent
Poland with access to the sea by way of
the port of Gdansk, Dantzig the holy
see failed to assume the same perempt-
ory attitude as it took in the defense Of
Belgium and France and failed TO de.
mand from the Germans and Austrians
the immediate evacuation of the terri
tories of the former commonwealth of
Poland which was for so many years
nay centuries, so loyal and SO subms-
sive to the Roman Catholic church.
The attitude taken by the holy see
with regard to the sovereign rights of
the Polish nation assumes an entirely
unexpected aspect when we take into
consideration the fact that the Polish
nation, suffering under the German
the consent of the governed, and that
occupation from starvation and depriv.
ed of their homesteads because of the
burning down Of thousands of villages
and towns by the Russian and the Ger
man armies, managed TO forward, Of
ten depriving their half-starving child
rem Of the last slice of bread, very
considerable amount Of the Peters
pence to his holiness, the pope.
It is possible that in accordance with
the desire OF his holiness the same lead
ers who started the present war will
be hailed by the coming generations
as splendid pacificators.' The future
generations Of Poland, however, will
find other appellations for these leaders
and for those who represented Poland
as beggar deserving pity from the
mighty Of this world.
Appeals TO America.
We can, however, assure his holiness
that with great confidence and graft
tude the Polish nation addresses itself
TO that people the representative. of
which assumed an entirely different at
titude with regard to the Polish ques-
tion. The entire world has listened to
the words Of President Wilson. which af-
ford no possibility Of equivocal interpre-
tation and which gave courage 70 all
oppressed nationalities.
President Wilson said, among other
things:
Every people should be left free to
determine its own policy, its own way Of
development, unhindered unthreatened,
unafraid, the little along with the great
and powerful----No peace can last, or
ought to last which does not recognize
and accept the principle that Govern
ments derive all their JUST powers from
the consent OF the governed, anl that
no right anywhere exists 10 hand Beo-
pies about from sovereignty 10 sover-
| eignity as if they were property There
should be a united independent and au-
tonomous Poland"
President Wilson explicitly stated who
Is to determine the future configuratiOn
OF the world by saying as follows
Phrases will not accomplish the re.
suit. Effective readiustments will
But they must follow a principle, and
this principle Is plain. No people mus
be forced under the sovereignty under
which it does not wish 70 live No ter.
ritory must change hands except for
the purpose Of securing those who in
habit IL a fair chance Of life and liberty
And then the free peoples Of the
world must draw together IN some COM
mon covenant, some genuine and prac-
teal cooperation that will IN effect com
bine their force TO secure peace and
justice in the dealings Of nations with
one another
America Leads World.
Out Of the bloody clouds OF this ter
rible slaughter. emerges the new struc-
ture Of the world The present situation
requires other principles and other eV-
pedients than those In use in former
days. Those who stick 70 forms that
outlived themselves are necessarily
bound to lose and 20 forfeit their form.
er importance.
The leadership Of the world is passing
TO that nation whose chief executive
first proclaimed the right TO liberty and
independence for all peoples.
a worldwide peace viii come only
when a guarantee Of these principles
Of liberty is entrusted to the United
States OF America.
Asking your grace 20 kindly accept
the expressions OF our profound esteem
we beg 10 remain,
Most respectfully.
for the Polish National Defense Com.
mittee.
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