Dziennik Chicagoski. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1890-1971, 1920-03-20

Mr.. Chairman, the adoption Of the
pending resolution will authorize thc
Secretary of War to bring back on onr
Army transports from Danzig. Poland.
residents of the United States Of Polish
origin who enlisted in the Polish Ar
my and who were engaged i'll the
World War on the side Of america and
the allied powers.
The formal recognition CT the Polish
Army by the War Department on be-
half Of the United States Government
WAS given by Il forn2al prorunc;amHnt
10 of the War Department issued on
October {. 1917.
The Polish Army in .tm2r;ca ms
been created in ~ atmosphere OF lofty
patriotism which bordCrCi cn the sub.
linc. Its recruiting meetings were
almost religious festivals; the f2rcws.ls
Of the Polish hoy> were soul stirring,
and the sacrifices ami hardships Cu-
duered have been heroic.
1t WAS Il m0mcntOnS oCca>Icu wn"n
NIr. PaGerew,ki made his first appeal
in the city Of Chicago for volunteers
for this Polish &rmy. Men AMI beys
rose from their seats in the great hail
and stood before the Platform from
which he was speaking and Soiemniy
took the volunteers oath. I2bOrCrS, col
legr professors, lawyers, doctors. chem
ISIS, and journalists enthusiastically
responded TO the caIl. The sacrifice
which they were prepared to make WAS
an extraordinary one. for it meant
leaving America; it meant service in
France without compensation and with
out any provision either for the sup
port Of their families while absent, or
for payment Of insurance in ease Of
death. Yet, Polish mothers, willingly
gave their sons, and wives their hUS-
bands for the cause of universal lib
e-ty and world democracy. During the
try ing period of the war their dominant
note of action was one Of service and
sacrifice, and their ruling passion was
to offer all they had and they were
in order that deSpOtiC militariSm and
autOcratic rule might be destroyed
from the earth. Their enthusiasm was
one born not alone of a Polish or ma
tional but also of a worldwide impulse
to advance the right of humanity and
the u Of civilization and democracy
against the most unrelenting foes.
1t a this spirit which aroused the
admiration of our Secretary of War,
who, writing to the Polish National
Committee, said:
Now that the Polish National Com
mittee and its coordinate national de-
partment in this country have actually
succeeded in organizing and dispatch
ing to Europe a large body of troops
for the Polish Army, which is to coop
crate on the western front with the
allied armies there defending the prin-
ciples of liberty and justice. l take this
occasion to congratulate you upon the
achievement.
This American contingent of the
Polish Army is made up Of volunteers
who are not covered by American draft
regulations. The men in it are, therefore,
moved by the inspiration of the princi-
pies involved on the allied side in this
conflict, and their presence On the
western front, representing both their
adherence to America, as the country
of their adoption, and Poland, free and
self governing, as the country of their
attraction, will be a stimulating and ms
piring sight. In the meantime it viii be
wholesome to have the people of the
United States realize The circumstances
under which the Polish contingent is
formed in order that they may more
widely understand and appreciate the
high motives, which have animated
these fellow citizens Of Polish extrac-
ton who up to this time have formed
a part of the population Of the United
States.
The Polish Army in France was re-
cogniZed as a e~Obelligerent and allied
force by the Governments of the Enten-
te. This Army, under the command of
Gen. Joseph Haller, was like the other
armies, the mighty forces of America
included, subject to the direction of
Gen. FOeh. The American Government
also recognized this army as autOnOm-
Ous. allied, and cObeTligerent. In a COM
municatiOn to the National Polish Com
whose headquarters were at
Paris, France, Secretary of State, Mr..
Robert Lansing, declared:
| beg TO inform you that the Gov
srnment Of the United States has not
been unmindfull of the zeal and tenaei-
s. with which the Polish National Com
has prosecuted the task of marsh
aling its fellow eOuntrymen in a SUI
preme military effort to free Poland
from its present OppreSsOrS.
This Governments position with res
IL