The New York herald., 1921-11-24
Progress in Poland.

That Poland is making notable
progress as new nation is peculiarly
gratifying to all who have been fol-
lowing sympathetically the efforts
Of the Polish people to rebuild their
ancient kingdom into a modern
state. DIR. e. d. DuRAND. chief Of
the eastern European division of the
Bureau Of Foreign and Domestic
Commerce, in recent report says
that there has been a very marked
Improvement in the economic condi-
tion of Poland within the past year
and that the prospects of an excel
lent crop make it probable that a
still greater improvement will take
place in the next twelve months. An
intimate personal view of the situa.
tion is furnished by the Rev. FRANK
KuRKowIsKI Of Iowa, one of the
ablest men of the Polish clergy in this
country, who has just returned from
a three months trip through Poland.
Il think it can be said that Poland
needs no more help from the out
side," says Father KuRKowIsKr. "She
can now look after herself"
Little more than a year ago, in Octo-
ber, 1920, Poland was put to a test
which amounted to life or death
struggle in meeting the invasion Of
the Bolsheviki. She came Though
her trials successfully. Americas
contribution to Poland at that time"
declares Father KURKowIsKI, has
not received sufficient attention.; it
was even greater than that Of
France" But this war of defence
against the Moscow Soviets still fur
ther retarded the restoration Of ag-
riculture, which. had suffered so Sc
verely during the world war.
The satisfactory results this year
show a supreme effort of the Polish
farmers against past discourage
ments. Father KUgKowIsKI says that,
despite the dry season, the crops were
good in all staple foodstuffs. DR..
DUEASD goes more into details, say
ing that the yield this year shows an
increase in rye. the most important
crop, of more than so per cent. over
1920, in wheat of 40 per cent. and in
barley Of nearly 40 per cent. He says
also that American observers report
that in most parts of the country
practically all the land capable of
cultivation was in crops. "The ef-
feet Of better nourishment upon the
productivity of the country, as well
as upon the comfort and we'll being
Of the people," he says, "is bound to
be OF great significance"
There has been also a great change
in the general industrial situation.
That the shortage Of coal, which was
one Of the chief obstacles to the res
toration OF industries, has been in a
measure overcome is shown by an in.
crease in monthly production until
now it is 80 per cent. of what it
was in pre-war times. The textile
industry. which was destroyed DUR.
ing the world war, is gradually
working back to its former basis;
cotton mills of which the output had
fallen nearly to zero are now opssat-
ing at about 40 per cent. OF their pre-
war capacity. The production OF
both iron ore and petroleum has no
Gceably increased in the past year
A marked improvement is shown in
railway traffic conditions. This is due
to repairs Of locomotives and cars,
which bring more rolling stock into
service; the purchase of $50 locomo-
tives from America and the receipt OF
$50 more from the German Govern
ment in accordance with the decision
OF the Allied Commission. "As the
results of these changes" says the
report, "the traffic of Polish railroads
once again moves with comparative
freedom"
DIR. DURAND Sums up his report by
saying that except for the currency
and fiscal conditions Poland has in
every direction made remarkable
recovery from the desperate economic
situation OF 1919, and that she is
now OH the way to economic inde
pendence. She suffers. as the other
new States OF Europe. from a heavy
depreciation in her currency, but the
Government hopes to improve this