New Britain herald., 1929-04-27
REDLETTER MONTH
 FOR POLISH LEGION
Rebirth Of Nation Became E6eC.
 tive in April, 1919

tive in April, 1919
 The month of April, 1919, will long he remem bcred by thousands Of American Poles. and incidentally large number or Now Britain men, who had given up their famllles and homes 10 enroll as volunteers in the Polish legion, 10 wage a fight for a common cause and above all 10 make one moro effort 10 liberate the country Of their birth from foreign oppression, as did their forefathers, who helped to stimulate the pa triotic spirit Tor generations.
 The formation of the legion was largely due 10 President Woodrow Wilson's consent, which sanctioned recruiting Of men of Polish birth. Although at first it was thought that only American Poles would com prise the fighting unit. il was found later that the news reached every Polish community throughout the world and men from all walks Of life Hooked 10 tile colors It was an international legion Of one na- whose membership was drawn from many clmes and coun- nitnd States, Canada. Brazil the Argentine, Uruguay, England France, Italy. Spain, Belgium. Hol- land. Germany. Austria. Turkey, Russia and even such far-huns countries like Morocco, 1ndo-Chins, Jap pan. Siberia and Australia. Men came from all parts with but one thought uppermost in Heir minds that o' making ore more effort 70 'fberate their country hv throwing in their lot with the allies.
 All Types From Everywhere
 They were a patriotic lot--every one Of them imbued with the spirit of their oraiathers-ready 10 carry on winning or 8 losing battle. II vas just another chance 10 throw off the yoke Of oppression, and they took that chance. There were all ; l'F~ pl iil'Il, ' Hp'lt- anu c4'A '|DiiA- too yours, others 100 old 10 carry q cln, yet wiling and ready 10 stand and make oue more effort with the aiJ of the allies, There were po- NtiCal Utcasts-men, who were forced 10 leave the country Of their birth Tor political reasons. There were men who had wandered th" world over in quest of solitude and toreotfulnoss- Of their pig f hut never forgetting that the spirit Of 9 free Poland WAS alive and nVlng in hoF"s that some day the cha0c" would come 10 offer them selves for the cause. There were tea ,lcrs ard professors reduced 10 common lahnrcrs iu mines and on farms following a forced depa r'ure from the country they loved so much because they tried to i1still the spirit of liberty ard patriotism into the younger generation. There were mon of noble birrhmark. who Jeff their country Of their own Noiition. because they could not bear 10 see t'oir people under foraien rule. Th"ro were ordinary everyday work rrs a2d woll educatcd mcn-all thrown together into this legion by 2 p"'rotjc force and sense Of duty 10 th'tr native country.
 They had thrown their lot with the allied forces not knowing W ha: the ultimate result would be. Had the allies lost-Aall--thrre would be fto story 70 tell. They Non--Won $ mora -jotory and the assurance fo- the Polish nation Of free country.
 At Last. a Tree Poland
 When the nc~s Of the arnistirc flashed around the world in Novcm- Der. 1918. there was reason for dou- b'e re olcjns Tn the ranks Of the le- zion. II meant the end Of one Of the Grcates wars in the history O the human race and the realiza ton Of q ccutuTy-oId dream. that of q free Poland. which vas promised the Polish people when the United States entered the war. For the first time in more than century the Polish nation realized that she had an lnIrpeuGnnt fighting unit. which oula soon be transferred to Poland 10 take rose sion of a free and llb- erai"d country. The time however vas slow at arriving. There were diplomatic dickerings about this and that among th" powers interested in changing the physical outlook o' Europ". The army vas growing iIn- patient as days grew into weeks and weeks into moa'hs. and nothing secWo5 accomplished.
 Finally. one day carly in 1919 u"Hs flashed in the camps scattered fhrouc hom Fran"f that Germany had 2rrcd 10 Wilson's I4 points, on" Of which pert 4inrd 10 4 fre"e Poland nifh acrasS 10 the sra. The tinl" would rot he long before the troops e nnld nreak camps and start on th..tr togtrrv 10 Poland across Ger rtauN No greater joy. no greater h. ppinr~s WAS ever evident m the saul.S han on tirt1 days following in. nffiufaI aunoup"rI. m Iiiaf arrange rron'~ urr. under ras tor the trans porting Of the fighting units.