Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-08-24
CASlMIR SIENkiEWlCZ
On the Polish Situation

THE outcome of the present conflict be-
L tween Poland and the Russian Soviet
forces is fraught with the most tremendous
international consequences. according to the
belief of Casimr Sienkiewicz, a director of
the Polish relief committee here. and asso-
cate director of the savings division OF the
Federal Reserve Bank.
POLAND and its independence is not SO
much the thing at stake in this conflict, vltal
as it is. as whether bOlshcvisfn shall tail or
overrun Europe" said Mr.. Sienkicwicz,
who formerly lived in the section where the
opposing forces are now battling.
"The issue in this respect is perfectly
clear cut Either Poland wins, thus pre-
serving her independence as a nation and
confining bolShcviSm to Russia alone, or sne
loses and is destroyed as a nation and boil
shevism is in position to Overrun Europe.
"BoshpviSm to exist must extend. II
confined to Russia it will fail If it brushes
Poland it removes the barrier which sepa-
rates it from Germany.
"Gcrmany only too anxious to find any
means of escaping the responsibilities of the
Versailles Treaty, will unite with the devil
himself to save her bacon. With the ire
mcndous man power OF Russia and the tech
nical efficiency of Germany to develop the
great resources Of both countries and
further union with the Turkish nationalists
and other diSaffcctPd nations there would be
a COmDlnatOn tIut WOuIu NC llhtlS W SNccp
Europe off its feet.
''The only chance Of checking its triumph
ant movement then would be by combina-
ton of nations such as say England, France
and the United States. which would mean
conflict greater and more far reaching than
the great war which ended in 1918.
Poles Plan Extension
"Trotzky has openly announced that boil
shcviSm would be extended both to the East
and the West. The western extension would
be much preferred by the Bolshcvist leaders.
because the people are more stable and more
cultured and the resources are far greater
in this direction.
But should the West fail them, they will
undoubtedly turn to the East and endeavOr
to bring down the Asialic hosts upon Euro
pean soil for an invasion that would far
cclnsC the ancient invasion of Attila and
his Huns There are many dsaffectPd Gle.
mcnts in these sections that might make
such move possible. the unrest among the
British and French colonies being the element
that would MAX" such II coalition possible
"Thc Soviet Government. however, would
prefer western success to an eastern one.
because they believe they could handle the
situation better The Asiatics in turn, they
fear, might absorb them
Poland t" exist must establish as bar
ridr between Soviet aggression and herself a
formidable line of forts. as there are no
natural barriers Sh" must redeem the rich
farming land taken from her by the Bol-
| shcvsts and the important industrial cen
| ters in that district, if she is to have any
! natural wealth,
"The Poles will fight to the last man to
preserve their country, as they see at the
| present time their only opportunity to real
| iZc their dream Of ages. Years and years of
! tradition ar" back Of this idea and nothing
but the absolute crushing by force of arms
| of the country will make her stop. She is
! in condition to fight for another year if
necessary, but she must have help if she is
| to win.
Needs Help of Allies
"Substantial help by the Allies would
solve the situation in Il years time. But
here you hnv" th" rub, England secs com
! mercial advantage in Hmcable relations with
| the Soviet Government. France foresecs in
the defeat Of Poland, her ancient enemy
! Germany rising up against her again and
! cndang"ring her national existence. Thi,
| country is sympathetic, but does nothing
because she has been unable to settle m,
question Of the League of Nations.
| with America in the League of Nh
| tions, with or without reservations, the
| league might amount to something and be n
| potent force, but with her out of il, there i,
! a mutual distrust of each other by the
| various nations, This breeds Just the sort
Of diyisiop that the liolshcvists and Ger
many want. With the other countries. di.
videi among themselves, they are able~lI