Evening star., 1939-07-09

"
MARSHAL PILSUDSKI Upper.
PRESIDENT MOSCICKI UouerJ.
A P Photos.
ure of the Polish Corridor Polands sole
outlet to the sea, which is just as vital
to her as the industries and natural re-
sources which Germany won at Munich
were to Czecho- -Slovakia.
Cool to Soviet Help
But even in the midst of the German
menace Poland strives still to preserve
a semblance of balance by her GOODNESS
to Russian security guarantees, although
the reluctance of Warsaw to place itself
under the protection of the Soviet as
a party to the revived triple entente
when and if it materialiZes-has been
somewhat overcome. Poland remains
distrustfui of Russia and prefers to rely
upon her own strength for her defense.
OF the triumvirate which watches over
Polands fate 72-year-old President
Moscicki is the pinnacle as first citizen
of the state and the fountanhead of
authority. Unlike other European chiefs
of state, except Hitler he takes a direct
hand in policy making and possesses
unusually broad powers under the con-
stitution, including the exclusive prerog-
ative of deciding on peace and war.
Moscicki is an old-time Polish ma
tionalist and scientist of wide repute.
Born in Merzanawo, Russian Poland
December l, 1867. he obtained his edu
cation first at Warsaw, then at Riga. His
father had taken part in the insurrection
of 1868, and the son became imbued
early with an almost fanatical devotion
to Polish independence.
Leaving Warsaw in 1892, he went to
London, where he, first met the man
who was to re-create Poland-Joseph
Pilsudski. In 1897 Moscicki went to the
University of Freiburg in Switzerland
as professor of physics, and while there
made his scientific reputation with dis
coveries in electrophysics and chemistry
and the basic works he wrote on his
findings. His home in Switzerland be-
came a rallying point for Polish emf
grants.
The war found him at the University
of LwoW, turning him again toward
politics and the achievement of Polish
independence. Two of his sons served
in the Pilsudski Legion. After the war
he resumed his scientific work. taking
over the chemical factories at Chorzow
for the Polish government.
Chose Him as President.
Pilsudski's coup of 1926 found Moscicki
teaching at the University of Lwow.
PllSudski faced two alternatives - to
take the presidency himself, which he
declined to do, or to select a man in
whom he reposed confidence to become
President, thus leaving Pilsudski free for
the broader aspects of national affairs.
He chose Moscicki, his old friend of the
pre-war struggle for independence, and
the two worked together closely until the
marshal's death in 1885.
Moscicki struck the keynote of Polands
determination to fight for Danzig, Gdynia
and the Corridor two weeks ago when, in
an address at Gdnyia, he said: THE
Baltic seacoast, PomorZe (the CORRIDOR,
and our two ports, Gdynia and Danzlg,
are the air and sun of our national life
and the basis of our political and eco
nomic independence"
The second, yet in many ways most I'M
portant member of this triumvirate, is
the first defender of the county and
first collaboration of the president" Gen.
Edward Rydz-Smigly, who is Pilsudskl's
direct heir as the embodiment OF the
Polish spirit and nationalism. Virtually
no decision could be taken in Poland
today without the concurrence OF this
powerful but retiring leader. He is no
dictator" in the malodorous sense OF
that term, yet his authority is SO broad
that in time of national emergency ne
would WELD virtually supreme power IN
the state
One of Pilsudski's last acts before his
death May IL, 1885, was to request
Moscicki to appoint Rydz-Smigly inspec-
tor general of the army, the post the
marshal himself had held since 1926
This was done, and July is the following
year the mantle of Pilsudski was for
mally placed on Rydz-Smigly by confer
ring on him the title of First Citizen of
the Land after the President"
Rydz-Smigly came into his new au-
thorit prepared by long cooperation