Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-06-08

Polish districts; the American Red
Cross, the American Jewish joint
distribution committee. Allied Mis-
sion, representatives of Jewish or
with him concerning the situation,
and miscellaneous sources.
1t is stated that information has
been given that there is feeling
against certain classes of Jews.
largely due to economic reasons
rather than to religious intolerance,
and that according to this informa-
ton certain Jewish elements support
the government and are regarded
with respect as an integral part OF
the nation OF Poland, while another
Jewish element is openly hostile to
the government.
Cause Of Economic Troubles.
In reporting that the strong feeling
against the Jewish element just now
Is due to economic reasons, Mr.. Glib
Americans and British who made re-
ports to the peace conference in Paris
after touring Poland and the Baltic
provinces in interest of settlement of
Baltic and Polish problems. Vernon
Kellogg, who went to Poland for the
American food commission, and in
cidentally Investigated certain phases
Of the situation for President Wilson,
told a group Of American newspaper
men in Paris that the antipathies Of
the Poles were based largely upon the
fact that they felt they had been ex-
plotted by Jewish elements during the
period of the war. The business in
terests of large part of Poland, he
declared, are in the hands OF the Jews.
The Poles during the many centuries
of repression at the hands of other
nations became discouraged and be-
came largely an agricultural people,
caring little for business. This gave
the Jews, it is claimed, opportunities
for exploitation.
Incident In Wilma.
In explaining the Wilma incident, Mr..
Gibson says: wilma was captured by
the Poles on April 20, in a house-to-
ulation were killed during this fight.
1t Is reported that the Polish forces
had thirty-hve casualties and that
thirty-eight civilians were killed. Per-
sons who were known to be. or were
even suspected Of being, communists.
it is stated. were deported as hostages
as a set-on against Poles deported by
the bolshevists. These cases have
been under investigation by COM
mission and those found to be citizens
wilma without delay.
"Col. Godson, attached to the Ameri
can legation at Bern; his assistant,
Lieut. Dewald, and an American news
paper correspondent were in wilma on
May after the alleged pogrom, and
talked with Jews and others regarding
the situation. Later. representatives
of the relief administration, and also
a general staff officer attached to the
mission in Lithuania and a representa-
tive Of the jewish Joint distribution
has been given that all OF these per-
sons are unanimous in the report that
there was no Jewish massacre in wilma
and that statements In the JEWISH
newspapers Of Warsaw confirm this
view"
More Charges Are Filed.
notwithstanding the reports emanat-
ing from Mr.. Gibson, various inter
eats IN America continue their ale
cations of prosecutions against the
Jews Of Poland. One Of the latest
charges that alleged fnhuman prac-
tfces are being carried out Is that OF
the Lithuanian national council, wnlcn
has just presented the following
memorandum to the state depart
ment:
"Lithuania. who is now fighting sue
cessfully her own as well as the
whole civilized worlds battle against
the bolshevism, is being invaded with
imperialistic designs by the troops OF
her neighbor, the Poland.
THE invasion Is characterized oy
most inhuman outrages. Executions,
pillaging, destruction Of property and
even massacres of populace en- masse
are perpetrated.
I'm one city, Vino. about 1000 per-
sons were put to death; about 10000
others made homeless or deported;
scores of prominent people including
- mo m L.
were carried away and are held as hos
taees: public buildings and residences
of prominent Lithuanians were de-
strOyed Or sacked.
"Wantonly Massacred," Is Claim.
"Jeweish population Of Lithuania
has been wantonly massacred and in
many instances put to such inhuman
tortures and indignities in order to
drive them from place to place, until
for lack of the barest life necessities
they fell easy victims to death.
Every effort of the Lithuanian gov
eminent was made to come to some
understanding with Poland to cease
these horrible operations. Special del
egation was sent to Warsaw. But
Poles have persistently refused every
ment. Lithuanian cooperation against
the bolsheviks was also declined.
THE Polish government Is now
massing its troops on the northern
frontiers for a greater and stronger
operation against Lithuania.
ITO meet this new danger Liahu-
anians are forced to withdraw their
troops from the sorely pressed front
against the bolsheyists. There is,
therefore, great danger Of the entire
Lithuanian line collapsing against the
bolshevists.
Asks for Action by q. 8.
in view of the foregoing. we. the
Americans of Lithuanian descent,
numbering about eight hundred
thousand and represented through the
executive committee Of the Lithua-
Man national council. feeling that 1t is
entirely within the power OF the
United States government to prevent
the loss of life and property in con-
nection with the Polish invasion Of
trophe in the threatened collapse Of
the Lithuanian-Bolshev visit line. do Pc
tition our government hereby to take
Immediate definite steps to prevent the
directing Poland to stop her in
vasion Of Lithuania and to withdraw
her troops from all the occupied
Lithuanian territories and to cease all
hostilities against Lithuania.
I'VE feel most assured that q
recognition of the independence of
the present government Of Lithuania,
at this time, would be not only a
greater moral support of the Lithua-
nian struggle against bolshevism. but
would also solve and eliminate most
of the present difficulties of the Polish
aggressions."