The Washington herald., 1919-01-25
POLES TO HAIL
new REPUBLIC
Impressive Exercises Will
Be Held at Kosciuszko's
Monument Tomorrow.

out the United States, and Washing
ton. like other communities, will OBJ
serve the occasion with appropriate
exercises in commemoration OF the
holding OF the 6rst free elections In
Poland.
At Q o'clock in the afternoon. when
the liberated citizens of that ancient
country are casting their ballots as
free men for the first time since
Poland was partitioned by Russia
and the central powers, Polish ciu-
zens of Washington and invited
guests representing allied countries
viii assemble about the Kosciuszko
monument at Madison Place and II
street northwest, where simple but
impressive services will be held in
honor Of the event which history
Will describe as the most significant
step in the formation of the new
Polish republic.
1t is particularly appropriate that
the monument OF Kosciuszko should
be selected as the scene for this
demonstration OF sympathy on the
part OF Americans for Poland. In
Washington and Kosciuszko America
and Poland met for the first time.
1t was in 177s that the Polish hero
embarked for America
Soon Won Distinction
Letters OF recommendation obtained
from Benjamin Franklin aided him
in securing a coloneis commission,
and he was attached to Gen Gates
army in Northern New York. where
he won distinction by planning the
maneuvres which resulted in the cap
ture by our forces OF excellent
strategic position at Bemis Heights.
near Saratoga
Engaged as chief engineer of con-
struction of Notifications at West
Point, he later became adjutant TO
Gen. Washington, and after the con-
clusion Of peace he returned to
Poland in 17S6 with the thanks OF
Congress, membership in the Society
of the Cincinnati, and the brevet of
brigadier general
When he died his remains were
removed to Cracow and inferred be-
side those of Jan Sobieski. His
name has been immortalized by
Thomas Campbell. who concluded
his poem. The Downfall OF Poland"
with these lines:
Hope. for a season, bade the world
farewell,
And Freedom shrieked-as Kos
ciuszko fell,
Lieut.. Jean Labat, aide to Col.
Martin. of the French High Com
mission. who supervised the recruit
ing of the Polish army in the United
States, will deliver an address at the
monument after the invocation by
Rev. Antoni Lechert, of the Catholic
University.
Resolution by Commissioners.
Then will follow the reading by
Capt. Stsnislaw Gutowski U. s. A,
OF a resolution of the District Com
missioners. designating Sunday a.
Polish Day, and he will also intro
duce the speaker after the Star
Spangled Banner has been sung by
the assemblage.
At the conclusion of the address. a
laurel wreath. deCked with American
and Polish CoIors and borne. on a
silken pillow by Miss Rose Szewc,
attired in Polish national costume,
will be placed at the base of the
monument by a wounded Polish SOL
dier from Walter Reed Hospital,
who fought with the 4. f. F.
Then the Poles present will sing
their national anthem, "Boze cos
Polske." Motor transports will con-
vey American and Polish wounded
soldiers from Walter Reed to the
monument and four members OF the
Radio Corps, under Capt. Elise
Owen, will act as a guard of honor.
Delegates from The various allied
military missions. members of Con-
gress and others have been invited
to attend the exercises which will
be unique in the annals OF the city.
The ceremony will close with the
sounding of taps by Private Deng-
ler. from Walter Reed.