New-York tribune., 1919-01-11

published an editorial entitled "Ra-
pacous Oppressed Races
In the editorial the Poles are represented
as one of those races whose greed and un-
justified demands are bound to result in
future controversies, an i'll omen for the
maintenance of future peace. 1t overlooked
the fact that the very seed of these dis
putes has been planted by Germany-and is
only part of Teutonic propaganda.
For instance, the Ukrainians claim parts
of Galicia on ethnographic grounds. They
say that, according to Austrian census
(Which counted as Poles only those inhabi-
tants who were of the Catholic faith), those
territories around Lemberg and Przemys
are inhabited by population IS per cent
Ukranian.
On the other hand, the Lithuanians de-
mand the restitution to Lithuania of lands
historically Lithuanian, in spite of the fact
that they are inhabited by a population rs
to leo per cent Polish (Wilno, Grodno, Su-
waikiki.
Whatever may be the decision of the
peace conference, either the Ukrainans or
the Lithuanians are bound to consider them
be dissensions by which Germany hopes to
profit. Should the peace conference ratify
the demands of both the Ukrainians and
the Lithuanians, Germany would still be the
winner for Poland would be reduced in
size, and thus would be weakened the bar
rier which it is planned to establish be-
tween Russia and Germany extending from
the Baltic to the Adriatic, in order to put
an end to Germany's traditional policy of
Drang mach Osfen.
Since Lithuania joined Poland of her own
free will, in the fourteenth century, the
Poles consider that she is entitled to a
separation if such is the desire of her peo
pie. But they will always oppose the an
nexation of Southeastern Galicia to the
Ukraine, because that land is historically
Polish and because the Ukraine is not a
national but a geographical conception Of
Germany-the purpose of which is to de-
prive Russia Of all her southern ports, the
only ones which remain open during the
winter, thus making future Russia depen-
dent for all exports on Germany during the
seasons when ice closes all of Russias
northern ports.
question would be the formation of a con-
federation, comprising Lithuania, Poland
and limited Ukraine, each country re-
naming autonomous as far as interior ad-
mlnlstration is concerned. If such cor
federation should contract defensive and
offensive alliance with Czecho- Slovakis and
Jugo-Slavia, | believe that the future peace
OF Europe would remain assured This wall
OF Slav nations would then be strong
enough to resist Bolshevik expansion toward
the west and Teutonc pressure toward the
east. AS matters stand now, if German in
perialism and Bolshevik disguised autocracy
are allowed to join hands over the PROSTATE
body Of Poland, then we shall be forced to
admit that this war has been lost by US
for in disorganized Russia disciplined Ger.
many will find the necessary material to
enable her to conquer the rest of the world
Before ending let me remark. incidentally
that one. of the secret clauses of the Brest-
Litovsk treaty was to the effect that Ger
many would not interfere with Bosheylsm
in Russia and that Russia would at no time
strive to introduce Bolshevism into Ger
many. This is curious indeed, and gives one
material for thought. Two Poles, tns
brothers Lutoslawskis, were shot last sum
mer in Petrograd by the Bolsher'A 10
having accidentally discovered that such
clause existed.
Poland is oday. as in centuries past ths
champion of civilization, and she deserves
all our support and sympathy, and this
why have allowed myself to mildly protes'
against the aspersions your editorial cass
upon her. w. O. G0RShL
New York City, Jan. s, 1919.