New-York tribune., 1918-07-19
c h a irm an Hitchcock
Drafts Measure After
Talk With President
Measure Believed
Inspired by Wilson
Legislation Would Pledge
United States to Aid
Polish Cause
By Carter Field

w NHSf1I4NE YIN, July lS.-A1ter con
sultation with President Wilson, a bill
recognizing the independence of Po-
land as a. nation has been drafted by
Chairman Gilbert M. Hitchcock of the
Foreign Relations Committee. SO far
the Senator has not introduced the
bill, but copies have been supplied
other Senator'S on the Foreign Re
lations Committee and some Senators
not on the committee who are deeply
interested not only in the Polish sit
uation, but in the idea of a political
offensive against Austria.
1t is believed the bill will be pressed
either in it's present form or changed
to the more natural form of resolu-
tion expressing the sentiments Of Goa
gress. when the present recess is CON-
p!eted August 26.
Just why the recognition of Poland
was made bill was not explained by
Senator Hitchcock. who has left Wash
ington on an automobile tour through
New England
i'souSut ItSpiNtu ny WILSON
His friends in the Senate to-day took
the position that probably the Presi-
dent had suggested this, so as to have
the recognition Of Poland directed by
Congress. 1t is regarded as a curious
proceeding, however. inasmuch as
Congress really has not the power,
under the Constitution. to take such
step. Such power. under the head
of foreign relations. is placed by the
Constitution exclusively in the hands
of the President
1t is taken for granted, however, that
the President approves the step. or
Senator Hitchcock would not have
drafted the measure after a conference
with the Chief Executive.
The recognition of the Polish nation
by the United States would have
tremendously farreaching effect. 1t
would, in the first place, inspire the
Poles in a way that nothing else in the
world could do. 1t would amount to a
sacred obligation on the part of this
country to establish Poland as an inde-
pendent country at the conclusion of
this war, if it is humanity possible to
do So 1t would encourage those Poles
row under Austrian sovereignty to
rebel, it would hearten the Poles in
Russia, and it might even inspire those
IN East Prussia, despite the inter
mlngllng of Prussians which the Ho-
henzollerns have brought about in the
last two centuries, to make trouble for
their masters.
Following is the text Of the legsla-
ton drafted by Senator Hitchcock:
"Be it enacted by the Senate and
House of Representatives of the United
independence of Poland as a nation be.
and the same is hereby, recognized.
THAT the President be, and he is
hereby. authorized to recognize the
Polish National Committee, whose head
quarters are in Paris, France. as the
ofhclal representatives of the Polish
people and to receive and accept such
diplomatic and consular representa-
tIves as may be accredited by such Pol
lsh National Committee to service in
the United States
That. alien residents of the United
States heretofore known as Russian
Poles, Austrian Poles or German Poles
shall hereafter be given status as the
nationals OF Poland, provided, how
ever that this shall only apply to such
Poles as receive certificates of ma
tionality from the duly accredited and
recognized diplomatic or consular rep
resentatives of the Polish National
Committee in the United States.
That all Poles heretofore classified
AS alien enemies during the present
war, upon receiving certificates of ma
tlonality from the representatives of
;he Polish National Committee shall
by that act cease to be so classified and
shall be and become nationals of a
friendly nation"