The producers news. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1918-1937, 1927-02-25
Fascism Opposes National
Liberation in Poland

The White Russians and Ukrain-
ians numbering 100000 and $780,
900 respectively constitute 300 OF
the Polish population and represent
the largest minority nationalities OF
Poland. Here are the percentage re-
lations of the Polish and the national
minority population in the White
Russian and Ukrainian districts, the
so-called border territories of Poland:
White Russian Territory
Wilma district 1850 national min
ity.
Novogrud 46.1%6 national minority.
Plevsk 1920 national minority.
Violin $3.50 national minority.
Ukrainian territory
Lemberg, 1890 natl. min.
Stanislav, 1920 natl. min.
Tarnopol, 55.796 natl. min.
The Ukrainian and White Russians
like every other minority nationality
in Poland are subjected to extremely
severe national oppression. The prin-
cipal problem confronting the White
Russian and Ukrainian peasantry is
the lack of land. Most of the land
in the Polish border districts belongs
to Polish landlords: the rich peasants
constitute an insignificant minority
| (form 2 to 4 per cent?. The over
whelming majority of the population
is comprised of poor peasants. Apart
from that the government has insti-
tuted a colonization policy in the Dor
der territories, viz: it grants the best
! nIotc Of 1aod Of xyo1~io,1c ooOYo,,oio ad =
vantages to colonizers- distinguished
soldiers and officers of the Polish ar
my strengthening thereby its ruling
positions About 445,000 hectares
! (x) of land has thus been distributed
among colonists and military settlers
in western Ukraine. The Ukrainian
and White Russian population is be-
ing starved out owing to lack of land
and the burden of heavy taxation.
AS a result of these conditions, the
Ukrainian and White Russian popuia-
ton is living in poverty and enslave-
ment. The Polish governments pol
icy in relation to national minorities
is the same also in the other dis
tricts. The White Russian and Tx
rainian schools are being closed; q,
166 schools have been destroyed OF
Ukrainian and about 800 on White
Russian territory. The cultural anC
educational requirements of thu
White Russians are entirely ignored
The White Russian orthodox churche
have been either entirely closed o.
else converted into Roman Catholi
churches. The POPULATION has actual
ly been deprived of all civil rights.
1t stands to reason that such ex
ploitation and national oppression
should give rise to discomfort and thi
. has found expression in the powerful
national liberation movement. In tn
White Russian territory this move
ment has given rise to the Formation
: of the "White Russian Peasants an
Q Workers Grenada. The rules of tn
Coronado" were sanctioned by tn
Polish government in June 1926. TIL
Coronado" has hitherto been a legs
: organization. It's membership cor
sists primarily of peasants. 1t is
! sues paper called "Narodnay
Sprava" (the peoples rights. 1t
engaged in cultural work such a
: publication of literature and cooper
Y ative organization. 1t has organize
s an Educational League and a Leagu
Of White Russian schools. It's inflU
ence is growing rapidly. 1t has no,
: a membership of $4,000 organized
1900 bodies known as "Gurtiky". Tt
i national liberation movement is ais
) powerful in the Ukraine. There
:, is organized in the Ukrainian Pea
u ant and Worker party which is rel
} resented in the Polish diet.
;e The Pilsudsky Fascist Governmel
! is trying to suppress this movemel
r of the White Russian and Ukrainis
. peasants by means of severe repre-
L sive and terroristic measures. Mas
a es of Ukrainian and White Russia
e peasants are being thrown into pri
on or are mulcted by heavy fines.