New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1918-07-29
POLES OBJECT To
GOVERNORS RULES
Leading Publication Protests Ban
On Enemy Alien Teachers

| Washington, ID. G., in the interest of
| the freedom OF Poland, contains an
| article with reference to Governor
| Holcomb's ban on the use of any
| language but English in the schools
of the state, and also the order for
bidding the engaging of any alien en-
| emies as teachers. Free Poland men,
| lions an interview with Chancellor
| Murray of the Hartford diocese in
| which he denies ever having approved
such a plan, the governors claim to
the contrary Notwithstanding, and
continues with the following article
on the subject:
Bishop Denies Sanction.
Governor Holcomb, of Connecticut
a worthy gentleman, who, previous to
rising to the governorship, was
justice in Connecticut courts, has
also made a move along this line by
the issuance of q proclamation which
forbids the use of any language 9th
er than English, except for devotion
al exercises in the public and private
(Which includes the parochiaD
schools of Connecticut beginning July
/. His proclamation also provides
that alien enemies shall not be al
lowed to teach in the schools, which
German Poland, who, in various re-
ligious teaching orders have been
working in the schools. In this proc
lamation, the governor is understood
to have had the backing of the State
Council of Defense. The governor
explained to a representative of the
Associated Polish Press that he was
only driving at the German language,
and that he made his proclamation
cover all foreign languages because
he did not want to discriminate par
ticularly against the Germans. Later,
he explained that he believed all the
teachings should be done in English,
and the officers of the Council of De-
Tense sustained him in this line Of
thought The governor and the sec
rotary of the Council of Defense also
stated to the Polish Press represent
tative that in this matter they had
the full approval of the bishop of the
Roman Catholic diocese at Hartford,
Father Murray, the chancellor Of the
diocese, and also the approval of a
Polish priest from New Britain, Con-
nect1cut. Later for the bishop, and
for himself, Father Murray denied
specifically that they had given APP
prevail to this proclamation Father
Murray declared he was amazed when
he read its phrasings.
Argument Against Rulings.
The debate as to where the element
of personal responsibility rests is in
cidental. The really important fea-
ture is that this proclamation threat
ems to seriously disturb the energy
and spirits of a large group of alien
workers, now employed in war actiV-
tiles. Many things can be said for and
against the bilingual schools, but the
point worthy of attention is that
while our main business is running a
war, we have no right to make side
adventures in sociological fields which
may endanger the success of our war
program. The proclamation is GER
tain to upset not only the Poles and
Czechs, who have parochial schools,
but the French Canadians as we'll, all
of whom are largely employed in war
activities. If the treaty of peace was
a signed, sealed and delivered docu-
ment, the discussion would properly
have a place on the boards, but it is
q distinctly dangerous topic at this
time. Among the. Polish people, any
thing in the way of legislation
against their language is viewed with
the greatest alarm. Through their
language they nave preserved llelf
nation with moral frontier during
40 years. Prussianism in Poland
was chiefly made known to them by
reason of the attempts to legislate the
Polish language from their tongues.
Today, in Connecticut, there are thou
sands of men and women who still
bear scars which they received when
they participated in the famous
strike of the Polish school children
against the German task masters.
These people have not been with US
long enough to appreciate the hon
esty of the underlying motive in such
a proclamation, they only see in it a
horrible similarity to the legislation
which they left Poland to escape. In
short, at a time when harmony and
unity is desired, it drives a new wedge
between the Polish and the American
people. Already, information has
reached this office that a number OF
Polish families are preparing to leave
Connecticut for States where they will
be free from this restriction and when
on July list, the proclamation becomes
more generally known, there is dam
ger of an exodus.