Dziennik Chicagoski. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1890-1971, 1920-03-20
Z POIskiej Dyskusyi W kOngresie Stan6w zjedn.
Dina 3gO Marca 1920

your request by recognizing the Polish
Army. under the supreme political III
thOrity of the Polish National Commit
tee, as autonomous and eObelligerent.
During the campaign of recruiting
for this Army many efforts were made
by hostile and inimical forces to dis
courage ~enliStmentS. But the Poles were
immune TO the poisonous bite of the
serpent of sedition. No propaganda
could stifle their ardor and enthusiasm
in the days of lofty resolution and I'M
! flinching determination. No ingenuity
could devise the mean that would de
strOy the Poles. faith i'm Americas no
bic purpose. Twenty-fOur thousand six
hundred men from this country joined
the Polish Army. OF this number IL per
cent were american citizens, who, be-
cause Of Over age or physical diSquaiifi-
cations. were ineligible 10 join the Am
eriCan forces. About 20 per cent of
,llat number were Polish aliens. who
made their declaration Of intention TO
become american citizens. but who were
unable under the war regulations 10
JOIN the forces OF this country. This
indeed furnishes an inspiring spectacle.
We were told that the period of the
NcrId War Was time thai tried mems
sSul('. There were many SlackPrS who
because Of C0wardicc and G~isiOyalty
offered the s;ckcning cNcnse that they
would not engage ia a fratriciGal war.
synat a comfort and inspiration did
ne Poles 2:rord in Str.ing contrast.
here were millions of Poles compelled
rs force 20 serve ia the German and
the AUSTRIAN armies. nid1h;r deter the
pvIrs in .Nmcrica from answering hum.
anjty's c&l!? Did they Criugc and shrink
and faltcr? Emphatica'ly 10: They
understood full well the uncomfortable
DEGREES. of cruel fate. They heard the
simmons OF duly and needless Of horne
and family ties. and grief and heart
aches, they answered mankind's pray
or.
The PCIes did not hesitate one mo-
N.ent to respond when the battle cry
was sounded to make the world safe
fOr democracy.
Recognizing in Americas cause the
cause of a common humanity, the just
and glorious cause Of The most sacred
and inal;enable birthrights and priv
clcgeS of free men, they rallied to the
support and defense of this grand Re-
public Of ours with every ounce Of their
strength and with all the ardOr Of
their souls.
The cost of transportation Of these
Polish volunteers from America to
France was borne by the French Gov
eminent. While serving in the Polish
Army under Gen. Halter they were Civ
en- an allowance by the French Govern,
ment of 25 centimes per day, which,
according to normal exchanged was the
equivalent TO ) cents in American
money. The benefits of the war-riSk
insurance and the compensation act
which were accorded to the American
soldier were not available to these men.
Inspired by the glorious, mSelfiSh, and
heroic mission of America, their adOp-
ted land, they would not allow these
hartShipS TO keep them back, for their
hearts were aflame with zeal for the
cause they approved. The most highly
priced and cherished emblem by the
Polish mother was the service flag.
Freely and cheerfully she offered her
stalwart son in order that free govern
ments might be preserved and perpe-
tuated. In agreat number Of cases these
volunteers had families and others de-
pendent upon them for support and
maintenance. Great hardShipS and stuff
eringS as the result of these enlist
mentS were cheerfulIy endured, and all
burdens borne periodically and cour-
ageOuSly. Many families and dependents
of these men were assisted and cared
for by the Polish National Committee
Of America and by the American Red
Cross.
There were in all los, 900 Polish emf.
recruited from every corner Of
habitable globe, fighting in France
on thS western front in the ranks of
the Polish Army under Gen. HaIIer's
Command. They contributed in a large
Measure to the glorious victory won.