Evening star., 1939-10-14

Premier Promises
The New Poland
Will Be Liberal
Hopes to Model Nation
On Same .Ideuls'
As America, He Says
BY EDGAR ANsEL MOWRER,

Chicago Daily News Foreign Correspondent.
PARIS, Oct. IA (By RADIO The
new Poland will be democratic, en-
hghtened and liberal, according to
the new Polish Premier. Gen. Wlad-
islas Sikorski. In statement to this
correspondent, the General-Premier
insisted on the differences between
the Poland to come and the Poland
which ended with the fall of War
saw.
Beck did not represent Poland"
he said sternly, referring to Col. Jo-
sef Beck, foreign minister of the late
Polish regime.
II wish first" the Premier con-
tinued, "to express Poland's admi-
ration and respect for President
Roosevelt. The new Polish democ- y
racy will be modelled on the same
ideals as America. Then, I wish to
express thanks for the sympathetic
understanding shown us all in our
moment of trial by your Ambassador
(Anthony j. DrexeD Biddle. Please
also insist on the following:
THE Polish government is proud
that so many of its sons and daugh-
ters have found a new home in
America. We are delighted that in
their hearts these emigrants and
children of emigrarits still love their
country of origin. We are grateful
when they voluntarily contribute to
relieve the suffering of our refugees.
But We understand perfectly that
they are first and foremost Ameri-
cans and we shall never attempt to
influence them sentimentally in any
way counter to their duties as
American citizens"
About $4,000 Refugees.
How many refugees have you
counted so far?" the correspondent
asked.
About 25,OOO. the good looking
general answered They are still
scattered in several countries. But
the governments of Hungary and
Lithuania are proving sympathetic
and we hope to unite them all in the
near future in some safe place. like
French North Africa or Southern
France. where they can be properly
cared for"
When will the Polish government
move to what might be called its
permanent temporary residence in
France?" the correspondent asked.
Within few days We shall leave
the military command and a repre-
sentative of the government in Paris.
but the rest of the government will
transfer to provincial town, where
we are promised extraterritorial priv
ileges by the French"
You speak of the Polish military
command the correspondent COM
mented. When will the Polish
Legion be constituted?"
Please say army. not legion. -"
Gen. Sikorski said, smiling. 1T will
be a real Polish army under the
Polish flag. with Polish officers. We
are beginning its constitution now.
Since it will consist partially of
already trained soldiers. many of
whom have fought in Poland, the
nrst elements might go into active
service within two months"
how large an army can you
form?' the correspondent queried.
Sees About Five Divisions.
Perhaps in all, four or five di-
visions. At present we have far
more recruits than We can possibly
train and use. Moreover, many of
them are miners and workmen in
French munition factories. They
can do more good by remaining
where they are. You see. we are
working in full cooperation with
the French"
How many valid Poles of military
age can you collect?"
The total number registered to
date is 124,O0O," Gen. Sikorski re-
piled You seem surprised. Let
me explain. The first call to the
Poles in France and Belgium to
register for military service was not
we'll received. Many Poles simply
never answered. Others expressed
preference for service in the French
Foreign Legion as against the
Polish Army. The second call had
the same result. But they both
were undertaken by the former poy-
ernment.
Our first appeal had wholesale
success. This was because Poles
everywhere understand that we in
tend to constitute Poland which
represents the true. liberal. demo-
cratic feelings of the Polish people. -
Copyright, 1899. by the Chicaso Daily
News. 1nc)