Evening star., 1924-05-25

M ica1ly, occupies perhaps
" " the most difficult position
in Europe She may be
said to be surrounded by countries
inimical to her. German and Rus
sian feelings toward her are neither
kindly nor tolerant. To the north is
Lithuania, whose ancient capital, Viii
ma, Poland holds. A state of passive
warfare exists between the two
countries. To the south are CZecho-
slovakia and Hungary, which enter
tain no real friendship for the Polish
republic, fact that has kept Poland
from being too deeply mixed up with
the little entente.
Poland regards France as her prin-
cipal ally, but has made overtures to
Italy and Rumania as possible friends
in times of need.
The recent Baltic conference, in
which Esthonia, Latvia, Finland and
Poland took part, was a failure so far
as practical results toward establish
ing defensive alliance among the
four states were concerned. AS
matter of fact Polands attitude to-
ward the existing alliance between
Esthonia and Latvia was so vague
that those countries are considering
Lithuania as more likely ally than
Poland.
Better Relations With RUSSIA.
For the first four or five years of
her independence. Poland regarded
Russia with great suspicion, but the
relations between the two countries
have improved since the signing of
the treaty of Riga, and it is note
worthy that this year, for the first
time since 1918, there has not been
the usual scare about bolshevist in
vasion of Polish territory. Not much
business is carried on between the
two countries, however, and condi-
tions on the whole are SO unsettled
that it is impossible to say definitely
whether the Riga treaty is a success.
The lack of business is due princi-
pally to the disorganization of the
Russian railroads, according to Polish
authorities. Only one train a week
connects the capitals of the two
countries.
Recently the Poles arrested scores
of communists who were accused of
being in the pay of the Russian boil
shevists. Tons of propaganda were
confiscated in Warsaw and in other
cities, but in official sources the dan
ger of serious red outbreak in Po-
land is discounted At the time of
the bolshevist drive on Warsaw in
1920 there was no inclination on the
Of ha in 70 In in
the bolshevists. 1t is said that an at
tempt is being made by the bolshe-
visits to take advantage of the pres
ent unfavorable industrial situa tion
to get the unemployed and short time
workers to disavow the present gov
ernment. Thus far this movement
has been unsuccessful.
Difficulties in Silesia.
Since part of Upper Silesia was
given to Poland after the plebiscite
in 1921 conditions there have taken
turn for the worse, principal
ly on account of the high taxes and
duties imposed by the Polish govern
ment. 1t is admitted here that on ac-
count of the high taxes coal from
Polish Upper Silesia cannot compete
with English coal, which is delivered
at Danzig at virtually half the price
charged by the Polish mines. Many
Snesian mines are being worked only
half time and there is an inclination
on the part of Polish mine owners to
turn the properties over to foreign
capitalists.
There is no indication Of Polaud's
willingness to yield to Lithuania,s de-
mands for return to Wilma. And as
Poland is the stronger it is considered
to be up to Lithuania to propose a
settlement of this question that will
be acceptable to Poland.
SO far as the Niemen question is
concerned Poland is taking a merely
formal interest in it, but she would
prefer to see Meme1 internationalized
along the lines suggested by the COM