Evening star., 1928-03-25
POLAND MAKES STRIDES
UNDER PILSUDSKI REGIME
Peace and Progress Are Noted in Nation
Ravaged by World War-Dictator's
Rule Becomes Popular.

Of Poland 1t will require a fun genera
ton at least to provide an educated
people, 10 abolish that vast illiteracy
which was IN the main the conse-
quence Of the deliberate effort Of the
occupying states before the war to
suppress not merely the Polish Ian
guage but every circumstance in the
Polish tradition. But here again 1t is
impossible to withhold admiration for
the fashion in which the tremendous
task has been faced and undertaken.
Warsaw Regenerated.
For any one who knew Warsaw IN
1919 and again in 1925, the present
circumstances are almost unbelievable.
In nine years the town has come
from famine, pestilence and paralysis
to the familiar circumstances Of any
great western capital. The foreign
policy Of the present regime is the de-
sire and the will for peace No more
striking change has taken place In
three years than the transition from an
exaggerated natiOnalism to a calmness
born of a new sense Of national strength
and security.
There have been all sorts Of alarums
about Polish purpose TO invade Littu-
ania. But these Plmors have had their
origins abroad and are the unmiStak-
able creation of foreign propaganda.
The policy of the foreign minister, NJ.
Zaleskie. is not merely to avoid conflict.
1t is just as clearly to arrive at peaceful
and viable conditions of existence and
of intercourse with every people, be-
ginning with the German.
No charge is more bitterly leveled
at the Pilsudskd regime than that it
s- rfc ta rF Trfo hv~ f.
voring minoritieS instead of seeking for
chilly to Polonize them. 1t is accused
on the one hand of too great mildneSs
on the German side and on the other
OF playing with dangerous illusions Of
federation. But whatever the basis OF
these charges. the truth is that with
the coming OF Pilsudski there has been
great disappearance Of the bitterness
between majority and minority. The
Jews, the UkrainianS the White Rus
slams. have at least for the moment and
for a considerable part, reconciled
themselves to the status quo.
Peace and normal relation with the
outside world, reconciliation and unity
between the various racial elements
within the frontiers are, plainly. funda-
mental purposes in the PilSudsd policy,
but what is one TO say of the regime,
under a dictatorship Moreover. this
dictatorship reposeS, IN the end. upon
the military element PilsudSd is a
marshal of Poland and his popularity
with the soldier is fundamental fact.
Dictatorship Invisible"
When one comes 10 describe the fact
OF the dictatorship, one must concede
that it is invisible. II has no effect
upon the outward circumstances OF
life OF the ordinary citizen. You can
not be within italian frontiers for 9
moment without feeling under the
shadow of MuSSolini You can remain
indefinitely IN Poland and never even
hear of the dictator. Moreover while
MuSsolini as the high priest Of Fascismo
represents new national religion OF
patriotism, PilsudSki occupies no such
position with his countrymen. He has
not become god. To criticize him is
not to run the risk Of appearances be-
fore court.
The dictatorship Of Pilsudski has
reached the position Of being a matter
OF common consent without passing
through any long and passionate phase
Precisely those elements of order and
business which were most opposed have
now come TO concede that thanks 70
PilSudSki the country is now reachinS
an orderly economic status. The par
lament from which the marshal
Snatched the reinS Of government was
corrupt and diScredited. His men VIII
have replaced the old set have beer
IN the main. better men.
suppose that most Poles would agre
that dictatorship is an abnormal con
dition only tolsrable during abnorma
conditions, Again I believe most Pole
would agree that PilSudSki will be will
ING 10 resign his position once the gres
task has been accomplished.
The dictatorship of PilSu6Ski has pro
ouced large results IN domestic calr
and in clearing politics our Of way
business and finance, II has done a.
this with minimum OF disturbance {
national life and personal liberty. I'm
Ike the MIiSSolini phenomenon. Il doe
not seek 10 become permanent.
AT close range Poland today, in III
judgment means progress ana pros
perity az home and peace abroad. I
IS ene OF the best bets in El!rope. finsn-
eiaIly. economically, politically. II STIR
needs decade OF peace abroad snS
calm at home ~ arrive in \ situation
of assured prosperity. It Stin needs
experience with liberty and democracy
70 enable II % return from dictaeorShi',
70 legality
tCoeyr;zht 1881