Evening star., 1935-05-13

|NP|LSUDSKfL0SS
Complications Within and
Outside Poland Are
Expected.
BY CONSTANTINE BROWN.

The death of Marshal Joseph Pill
sudski has created a deep impression
in diplomatic quarters in Washington,
where it is considered the passing
away of the great Pole will further
complicate the European situation.
Internal as well as external comph-
cations are feared in the near future.
The Rock of Poland" as the field
marshal was called, had ruled the
young republic with an iron hand
since 1926. Until then politics had
been playing an important role and
Pilsudski decided to put an end to
the political ambitions Of his tnd1-
vidualistic countrymen by establishing
a tight rule with the support OF an
intensely loyal army. He himself,
although elected President, refused the
office because the Polish constitution
made the President a mere figure
head.
Installed Own Men.
Without assuming any other ONCE
than minister of war and commander
in chief of the army, the field mar
shall installed his own men as mem
bers Of the administration. They were
all military men entirely devoted to
the leader Since 1926 POLAND has
had "a government of colonels," who
worked out the details of the admins
tration along the general lines given
them by Pilsudski.
A new constitution was drafted last
year, and that constitution, which
now is being put into effect, provided
for almost unlimited powers for the
chief executive. The whole OF Po-
land expected the field marshal to
accept the presidency now and become
its official dictator instead Of working
from behind the scenes
A new prime minister, Walery
Slavek, had been appointed at the
field marshal's bidding by Premier
Ignace Moscicki, and new elections to
complete the constitutional reforms
were to be made by this trusted lieu
tenant of Pilsudski. The new men,
bers of Parliament had to be ap-
proved by the field marshal.
Internal Trouble Feared.
It is feared that internal troubles
may occur in Poland now that the die
tator has passed away. There is no
body who could step into his shoes at
the present moment, and the belief in
well informed quarters is that for the
time being the army, represented by
the "colonels," will endeavor to carry
on the field marshals policies the best
they can.
In certain quarters it is believed that
Col Beck, the minister OF foreign al
fairs and one of Pilsudsky's trusted
men, may be called to play an i'm
portant role in Poland's policies.
But, it is pointed out, Col. Beck does
not have the complete confidence Of
his country. He is intensely pro-Ger-
man and the various anti-German
moves which have occurred near Dant-
zig and in PosZnania are an indication
that at least an important section Of
Poland Is not ready to follow his
policy.
1t is true that Pilsudski had broken
away from France, temporarily at
least, and worked toward rapproche-
ment to Germany.
puI FuSuuShl pOllClcS were WcA
known and trusted by the overwhelm-
ing majority of Polish people. He was
known to dislike the Germans and to
really hate the Russians.
A rule of Poland by the general
staff is considered by well-informed
diplomats here as probable. How the
various leading officers will get along
with each other and whether they
will be able to suppress their own in
dividual desire to become the sole
leader is a question which will be
decided in the near future. AS far as
the foreign policy Of Poland is con-
cerned the views are divided
1t is known that while an over
whelming number of important Off
GERS believe that Pilsudski's principle
must be continued-that is to say an
anti-Russian policy-some of the staff
officers are in favor Of a rapproche-
ment with France. despite her under
standing with the Soviets. This is
necessary, it is said, because Germany,
which has never abandoned her claims
on the Corridor, is a more imme-
diate menace than Soviet Russia,
which can be kept in check by the
French.