New-York tribune., 1919-01-15
french Insist
Poland Is Lost
If Allies Delay
Continued from page I

commission, is gravely complicated
some Poles having petitioned the AL
lies to intervene, while others have ad-
vlsed them not to do so.
Two definite groups claim to be the
accredited representatives of the Po-
llsh nation. These are the government
at Warsaw under General Plsudski
and the Polish National Committee at
Paris, headed by Roman Dmowski.
The National Committee was organ
lied nearly two years ago on the as
sumption that since the Poles in Po-
land under Austro- German occupation
were unable to express their real SEN
timents or assist the Allies, it was the
duty of the Poles abroad to form an
organization which could represent
Polish national interests with the AL
lied governments and raise an army to
fight on the Allied side.
The National Committee contains the
most eminent Polish leaders and has
received the support of most of the
Poles outside of Poland, particularly
in America, where Paderewski was
their accredited representative. They
raised an army of about $4,000 men,
which did good service on the French
and Italian fronts.
Recognized by Allies
The committee thereby has won the
Allies gratitude and was recognized by
them and by America as an organiza-
ton capable Of representing the Polish
nation for military purposes.
Last November, after the expulsion
of the Polish troops from Russia, Po-
land and the Polish people, for the first
time in the course of the war, estab-
llshed a government unhampered by
foreigners. The Polish Council OF
Regency, established by the Central
Powers, resigned, cntrusting the forma-
tion of a new government to General
Pilsudski, who had just returned from
years sojourn in German prisons.
Plsudskl's government has been estab-
lished by Russian and Austrian Poland
difficult situation for two months.
The National Committee in Paris re-
fuses to recognize Pilsudski govern
ment and refuses to dissolve, claiming
that it represents the Polish people.
The Constituent Assembly elections,
fixed for January 26, ought to show
which of the rival parties really has
the confidence of the nation.
Industry Nearly Paralyzcd
Poland, after being theatre of war
for year, and being bled white by
the Austrians and Germans for three
years, is in a desperate economic posi-
ton. The great industrial centres are
nearly paralyzed. The food situation is
particularly acute. Hordes of escaped
Russian prisoners are crossing from
Germany. German troops are strewing
homcward from Russia.
Crowds of Polish workingmcn, for
mcrly dragged off to Germany, are now
returning to find no work These
crowds create trouble. Among the
Poles themselves there are no Boil
shevists except small groups, but the
abnormal conditions arc making the
spread of BoIshcvism possible if the
government is not adroit and if prompt
aid is not extended from without.
Hitherto the government seems 70
have satisfied the working classes and
peasants, and steps have been taken
by Herbert Hoover to meet the food
situation, but Poland can hardly
escape without disorders during the
present terrible winter.
Menaccd by Two Armies
Meanwhile the country is menaced
by two armies. The Ruthenian inva-
sion Of eastern Galicia is designed to
capture Lemberg and adjacent terri
tory, while Russian Bolshevist troops
arc sweeping westward across Lthu-
ania, mcnacing Poland. Poland alone
prevents them from joining hands
with the Spartacus forces in Germany.
1t is possible that the submersion OF
Poland by the Bolshcviki would mean
the apread Of Bolshevism throughout
the greater part Of Central Europe.
General Pilsudski's situation would
greatly be relieved If the Polish Ma
tional Committees army could be