Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-10-26
BY FRANK II. SIMONDS.

~ ECOND only to the German cleo
ton in interest and Importance
is the Polish test Of November
~ Is, when the present dictator Of
Poland Marshal Pilsudski, will
submit himself to the judgment of his
fellow countrymen. An adverse vote
would instantly place the marshal in an
exceedingly awkward position and might
produce complete political change.
This election is interesting mainly be-
cause of the Pilsudski detail It is now
nearly five years since the old soldier
upset the whole political machinery Of
his country by what amounted to a
coup d'etat, accompanied by three days
OF fighting in the streets of Warsaw.
During all the time since May, 1925,
Pilsudski has ruled Poland without pos
sessing a majority in Parliament. Not
until 1928 did he have a real govern
ment party. But even then he was
able to procure the election of but a
third Of the Seym favorable to himself.
And from that time on there has been
O long series of conflicts, eliminating
In the dissolution last Summer and
punctuated by the vigorous and even
violent denunciations of the Legislature
by the dictator.
Submits Self to Vote.
Now. for the first time, the marshal
has consented to submit himself as a
candidate. Hitherto he has been prime
minister and occupied other offices
without going before the people, for
under the Polish constitution 1t Is pos
sible for a man to hold cabinet rank
without belonging to Parliament.
This decision has double possibility.
If the government list, headed by the
marshal, is successful. then the dicta-
IN ixa&@ IL,
regime. II, on the other hand, the
government list is decisively beaten,
then the marshal must go or rely upon
force to sustain him. Moreover not
only is the marshal running for the
first time, but he is the issue of the
election.
In another way the present campaign
Is unusual. In the past Poland, like
Germany, has been cursed by multi
plicity OF parties. There were something
like 80 in the 1928 election. But today,
aside from the racial groups-that Is,
Jews, UkrainianS, German and White
Russians-there are but three parties
that of the marshal, that Of the Ma
uonalists and that of the Socialists,
who have joined with various peasant
groups to constitute q group known as
the Center Left.
Backed by Business.
Pilsudski has the backing of business
industry and finance to an even greater
degree than two years ago. All these
elements fear change and are satisfied
with the progress Poland has been max
ing steadily In the period since the
marshal came to the fore after a long
retirement. On the other hand, he Is
opposed most violently by the Socialists,
who were more or less friendly two
years ago. The Nationalists on their
side are opposed both to the dictator
and the Socialists. but at pinch they
might permit the Pilsudski government
to carry on. playing something Of the
role Of the Liberals in Britain.
Economically Poland is suffering along
with most Of the rest of the world, and
hard times win play part In the cam
paign. On the other hand, there has
been a good CROP and this means much
to a country which is almost two-thirds
agricultural. Therefore hard times will
not play quite the same part they die
IN the recent German election.
Still, the results Of the German cleo
ton have Enthusiastically revived Polish
apprehension, since the first plank ir
the platform Of the German Fascists Il
the recovery Of the Polish Corridor
Here all Polish parties are at least a
united as German, and no party or can.