Evening star., 1937-03-14

N GLAND Is Ine 1Ourtn MAJ 1Or
- country Of Europe to have a
dictator. He is Edward RydZ-
Smigly marshal of Poland
and the nations strong mana
painter by choice, philosopher by
education, conspirator by necessity
and dictator by a dead mans will
Just recently he was hailed as the
leader and head of the United Polish
party, which is to take the place of
all other political organizations in his
country. Although he is thus on
the way to becoming head of a
totalitarian state, he is not afflicted
with an overwhelming obsession, like
three other dictators Of Europe, Hitler,
Mussolini and Stain. In his case 1t is
true that power sought him.
The marshars name is his life story
in brief. Rydz stands for "mush-
room" recalling his family's peasant
origin, and Smigly-"nimble"-
the name he adopted during the World
War as head of an outlawed Polish
patriotic society. Two years ago his
name was unfamiliar to the Polish
masses, and year ago he was scarcely
known abroad. Today he is the leader
of nation of 34,000,000 persons.
1t was last November that Gen.
Rydz-Smigly received the marshal's
baton-the second man thus honored
in his country's postwar history. The
first one was his predecessor, Marshal
Joseph Pilsudski, renowned nation
builder, who held the post until his
death in May, 1885. AS the gen.
eralissimo of the Polish Army, Rydz-
Smigly takes precedence over the
prime minister of Poland. When he
visited France last August he was
accorded honors given only to heads
of states.
"On you Europe's fate depends" a
Polish statesman warned the marshal
few weeks ago. To him a puzzled
world turns for decisions on mo-
mentous issues. His country occupies
a unique position between two hostile
Worlds-Bolshevist Russia and Nazi
Germany. Can he keep Poland from
being embroiled? And, If so, will it
mean that these two countries cannot
get at each others throats because be-
tween them lies neutral Poland?
And if the marshal plays his cards
well. can a second World War be
averted?
Secret Alliance Hinted.
Meanwhile Hitler shakes his fist at
Russia. For some time the suspicion
was voiced that the Reich and Poland
were in secret alliance against the
Soviet. The Soviet leaders retorted
that if the Nazis took the initiative the
battlefields would be on German soil.
Thus Rydz-Smigly has more than his
country to defend.
The marshals quadrangular head is
the caricaturist's delight. His fieshy
nose is Slavic and his lower lip juts
forward. While his mouth may be
stern, his eyes know how to laugh, and
they betray the artist The rigid cast
of features is mask which he dis
cards in moments of animation. In
public he does not try to shine with
SlO4uCliSC, dllu dllldUSul IlISdIl IColS
are not his lire, although in his youth
he appeared on the stage.
Although the army is his occupa-
ton, art is his passion. On his official
visit to France he stipulated that he
should be allowed sufficient time to
see the masterpieces of the Louvre. He
not only understands but practices
painting, as attested by the pictures
on the wall of his small country house
near wilma, in the northeast of Poland
He is at ease when discussing mill
tary problems, on which he is an ex-
pert. The marshal is said to be one OF
the best informed Polish authorities
on Napoleons campaigns. But in pri-
vate life he makes no attempt to play
the strong mans part. Except for the
coveted "Virtuti Militari" badge OF
honor in the fight for Poland's inde-
pendence, his soldiers tunic is usually
| unadorned.
Was Subject of Emperor.
In the small town of Brzezany
where Edward Rydz was born 81 yeaE
ago, the toWnsmen dreamed of in
| dependent Poland, dead for century
Young Edward, like millions of Poles
was a subject of Emperor Franz
Joseph I, ruler of the Austro- o-Hun.
garian monarchy A few miles te
the east more millions of Poles livec
under the Russian Gar. Millions
of Poles lived under the rule of Kaiser
Wilhelm II, Emperor Of Germany ane
King of Prussia.
Although the maps Of Europe showed
no sign Of Poland in those days, it livee
in the hearts Of patriotic Poles. II
Austria they enjoyed some cultura
freedom, from which Edward Ryd;
! derived full benefit. He was diligen
in school and his marks were good
His father was a petty official in thu
Austrian government service. Botf
he and his wife died early in Edward!
boyhood. The boys life with grand
father was hard, because they wer'
poor-but so were their neighbors
Although the young boy was hare
worker, he also liked to dream. Paint
ing was his way Of self-expression
He matriculated at the Art Institut,
of Lemberg, capital of Austrian Poland
But like the DR.. Faustus of the legends
he wanted to explore the boundarie
Of human knowledge. He made ,
pilgrimage to ancient Cracow, the sea
of Poland's Kings. From there h.
liked to hike to the Three Emporers
| Corner a short distance auav-fh