Evening star., 1938-06-19

tion, Is the author of seperal books on
international relations and has lectured
on the subject at many universities.
BY RAYMOND LESLIE BUELL..
WARSAW.
~ N THE surface at least, Poland to-
day remains unrufled by the ten
sions OF Europe.
Few Poles expect a general war
coon; but if it comes they will undoubtedly
attack the power which first attempts to
.may be divided upon internal issues and
1t may lack strong political leadership;
but, particularly in times of crisis, it is held
together not only by common catholicism,
but by an excellent army and an unusually
strong sense of patriotism.
Since the World War, Poland has un-
doubtedly made progress. It has succeeded
IN unifying and restoring territory which.
during the 10th century, was divided be-
tween Russia. Austria and Germany, and
(which, during the World War, was almost
completely devastated.
Poland has also succeeded in throwing
of the semi-colonial status imposed upon
1t by the French alliance. While 1t re-
mains faithful to the letter of that alliance
it offered to mobilize when Hitler in
vaded the Rhineland-it follows a foreign
policy completely independent from that
OF France, at least in Central Europe.
Whatever the defects of this policy may be,
Poland must now be reckoned as an inde-
pendent power.
Finally, the country has curbed the
anarchic individualism which was re-
sponsible for the downfall of the Polish
Republic at the end Of the 18th century
Located between the two totalitarian and
imperialistic states Of Russia and Germany
Poland is taking every precaution not to
become a second Spain.
Discomfort Among Peasants.
There IS considerable discomfort partic-
dlarly among the peasants, with the un-
democratic character Of the present re-
Eime But the government seems to be
aware Of the importance of widening the
base OF its support; and, since the opposi-
ton realizes that any widespread disorder
Is likely to lead to foreign Intervention, the
stability Of the present government seems
to be assured.
whether Poland succeeds in making fur
sher progress in solving extremely difficult
yproblems depends partly upon the inter-
national situation. Ever since the World
War, Poland has feared a combination of
Berlin and Moscow even more than it has
feared Russo-German war, for a real
understanding between Germany and
Russia would eventually mean a new parti-
tion of Poland. There were many reasons
why the Polish government signed the 10
year non-aegression pact with Germany in
1884, but, undoubtedly, one was the fact
that Hitler was violently anti-Russian, and
Poland wished, by being friendly with
Germany, to assist in keeping Moscow and
Berlin apart.
This does not mean Poland has become
vassal state of Germany. Nevertheless. the
foreign office seems to believe that, for the
time being, Germany needs the friendship
of Poland and that present Polish policy
has diverted German expansion to other
parts OF Europe, while giving Poland time
to rearm. Between 40 per cent and so
per cent Of the Polish budget goes to mill
. tary expenditure and the government re-
Gently initiated central industrial dis
trict" In the heart of the country for the
r purpose of giving Poland a secure source
Of military supplies
German Advance Quick.
The German advance upon Austria and
Czechoslovakia, however, has come much
more quickly than many Poles believed
possible and Poland is beginning to face
double danger from Germany.
The first is along the Polish-German
frontier, involving Dan1g, the so-called
corridor, and Gydnia and Upper silesia.
1ne second is in Central Europe proper
Poland is coming to realize that If GERMANY
succeeds in dominating Czechoslovakia. it
will eventually penetrate into Rumania
and Poland will then be completelv SIR
rounded by German satellites, except along
the Russian frontier.
So long as Britain and France succeed in
restraining Germany in Central Europe
Poland presumably will remain safe. But
Instead of supporting British and French
policy toward C0echoslovakia the govern
ment press here has consistently published
hostile articles against Prague News
papers which are Indifferent to the de-
nands of the Ukrainian and Jewish minori-
ties in Poland show extraordinary solici-
eude for the German, slovak and Polish
niinorities in Czechoslovakia. Moreover.
in certain circles in Poland there un-
A douotedly is desire to participate in a
partition of Czechoslovakia by seiMng at
least Teschen and establishing a common
frontier with Hungary.
The Polish government press thus con-
nnues to contribute to the weakening of
csechoslovakia against, apparently, its own
interests. The most plausible explanation
Nor such paradoxical policy Is n the
existence Of concrete disputes between the