The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1921-05-18
zELIGOWSkI, POLISH
INSURCENT, DEFIES
go" LEAGUE OF NATIONS
(By Associated Press)

Zeligowski, who still defies the League
of Nations, and who last fall marched
into the Wilma district at the head of
10000 or more Polish soldiers and
proclaimed himself dictator of Central
Lithuania, is a great believer in the
old-time proverb that possession is
nine points in ten when it come to
law, international or otherwise.
For. seven months the general has
been supreme in the occupied country
while the League of Nations, through
it's Military Commission of Control,
has been endeavoring to act as me-
diator in the territorial dispute be-
tween Poland and Lithuania.
The general looks upon league mem
pers who have visited the district as
intruders. On the other hand the
league representatives apparently
view Zeligowski in the same light and
have refused to deal direct with the
general, all negotiations pertaining to
settlement. of the wilma affair from
the3one side being carried on through
the Polsh~governnent in Warsaw, the
Zeligowski soldiers in the meantime
HOlOllS OUt0 Inc IOEt.~ ----~-
=, Soldiers Live il Region. <'2 g.. -',
I am Pole. and Wilma is MY home"
General Zeligowski said to the cor
Most of my soldiers are natives of
Wilma or adjacent territory. Our rea-
sons for being here are simply these:
I'm 1919. when Poland was attacked
by the Bolsheviki, 7 went to war for
al Anon x1rifh nd IF
other Pa rs from the Wilma district.
For two years We fought the Bolshe-
Wiki, who in the mean time had occu-
pied Wilma. robbed and destroyed our
homes and committed atrocities upon
our relatives and friends. Eventually
came the armistice between Poland
and the Soviets, and then many con
ficting reports regarding Eilna's fate.
TT was some weeks after this that
l decided to take action myself, know
my men felt as did in the matter.
I resigned my commission us general
in the Polish army by telegraph, took
command of the Wilma Polish troops
and occupied the country. We re-
ceived glorious welcome. and we've
been here ever since, and naturally we
feel perfectly at home, as we are at
home, and Il don't know of anything
which is strong enough to pry US out. "
From the time of the ancient state
of Lithuania when Wilma was the CAPT
tai of that state. wilma has been a
much disputed city. In the great war
and during the struggle between Pc
land and the Bolsheviki. Wilma was d
much sought prize and changed hands
many times.
80 Sets Up Government.
While Wilma looks upon Warsaw for
support and supplies, Gen. ZeiigoWski
prefers to have the district known as
Central Lithuania, and has set up his
own little government. There is a
representative of the Polish govern
ment who stays in Wilma and is known
among the natives as the polish am
bassador." Som after taking over the
bassador." Soon after taking over the
aairs Of Wilma, the eligowski adher-
anian postage stamps, but the Polish
mark has continued as the loal cur
rency.
General Zeligowski is of the opinion
that the majority of the population IA
vors annexation to Poland, but he is
perfectly willing that the question to
determine whether Wilma should be-
come Polish or Lithuanian may be de-
cided by plebiscite.
But General Zeligowski, who in an
pearance somewhat resembles pic
lures of the late General U. S. Grant
has little faith in the efforts put forth
by the League of Nations to settle the
affair
Frankly; + haven't any confidence
in the League of Nations, SO far as our
affairs are concerned" said the gener
al, "and why should l have? VIVA.
have they ever done, anyway? No,
have never recognized the League OF
Nations." And then, with a twinkle
in his eye: The League has never
recognized Central Lithuania, nor Zeli
gowski either and | guess we can set
tie our own affairs. if they will let us