Evening star., 1939-10-01
Germans ond Poles
Are Ancient RivoIs
BIZ Frederic J. Hnsktn.

example OF the manner In which the
tides Of history ebb and flow than In the
fresh conquest of Poland by Germany.
The Russian entry into the picture Is
comparatively modern, but the old 0er-
man-Polish antagonism goes back hun
dreds of years. The Muse Of History
can relate how at one time Germans
were welcomed into Poland and, indeed,
credited with greatly assisting In the
development of the country, while. at
another time, they were driven forth as
enemies.
The first influx of Germans came un-
der the reign of Casimir III, King OF
Poland, the only Polish king who ever
held the title Of 1.-THE Great" His reign
Of 81 years was probably the most pros
porous and brilliant that Poland ever
knew. Son Of King Wladislaus Loiketeck
and Jadwiga, Princess Of Kalisch, he was
educated at the Court Of Hungary. He
was a frivolous youth and had q repu-
tation for cowardice. Yet he was to
become Casimir the Great.
On his accession in 1888 he proceeded
to maintain and develop his kingdom not
by bloodshed, as was usual in those times,
but more by diplomacy. He traded to the
King OF Bohemia rights over Silesia in
return for REIMBURSEMENT of all claims to
the Polish throne. This consolidated his
position. Next, having himself no heir,
he made Louis, son of King Charles
Robert of Hungary, his heir. This made
strong alliance. He was able to over
come Lubart of Iithuania in battle, but
compounded with him by making him an
ally. In those days Lithuania was Q
mighty power in Eastern Europe.
Lithuania was a traditional enemy Of
the Teutonic Knights. This extraordi-
nary order, known as the Teutonic
Knights Of st. Mary's Hospital at Jeru-
salem, was one of the great orders
founded during the Crusades. First
established for charitable and religious
works, 1t became secular and a great
power, governing what now is Prussia
and the Baltic littoral eastward. 1t was
more military than charitable, holding
cities and provinces.
AS so often happens, one Of the surest
ways Of introducing peoples to each
other is for them to go to war. The
Poles and the Lithuanians fought Bit
terly against the Teutonic order, defeat
ing them to such an extent that the
order actually, for period, paid tribute
to the Polish crown
roSirnir hod f1r1c u. %Lo
realm. He codified the laws of Poland,
he established a supreme court, he estab-
lished the University of Cracow with pro-
fessors of Roman and canon law, of
physics, masters of arts and of the hu-
manities. Down the ages the university
remained great and does to this day.
Casimir became known as the peasants
king, but he civilized the country. He
erected tariffs against other states, re-
organized the finances, and. it was said.
found Polands cities Of wood and left
them of masonry.
But in this process, it was inevitable
that the German influence should creep
in. The Teutonic Order, paying tribute,
OF necessity was in constant commune
cation with Poland and arrangements
were made for the admission to Poland
of German artisans, scholars and, above
all, traders. Casimir's tendency to peace
full methods naturally encouraged all
this. The result was that he was ac-
cused Of Germanizing Poland. In fact
he issued decree known as THE Ger
man Right"
After this extraordinary reign, COM
bining the risks of both diplomacy and
battle, Casimir the Great died at the age
OF go, advanced years for that turbulent
time, IN hunting accident. Although
this might seem anti-climax, his impress
remained upon Poland forever after and,
in sense, his admission Of German in
f1uence sowed seeds to be reaped years
later in tears.
1t was not the next king, but the next
Casimir whose reign marked a strong
reversal of Polish policy. In the years
that followed Casimir the Great, there
was gradual increase in German influ-
ence in Poland. 1t is the experience of
the world that nations are, in the long
run. shaped more by commerce than by
war and the Polish commerce had fallen
largely into the hands of the Germans,
many Of them German Jews.
Casimir w did not come to the Polish
throne until l447 when he was crowned
at Cracow. The union between Poland
and Lithuania was strong, although what
had been old Poland had lost much ter
ritory In other directions. He, like Cas-
imir III. was more of a politician and
diplomatist than warrior and, In order
to keep the peace, he made many con-
cessions.
He established precedent which IL Of
utmost interest to Americans TODAY. no
many centuries afterward It was pro-
vided IN his reign that Poland could not
make war without the consent Of the
Parliament This was q radical depar-
ture from previous practice when kings
everywhere made war upon their own
Wills or, one might almost say, whims.
But in one important respect Casinir
~ completely reversed the policy of
Casimir III. He was distinctly anti
Germanic. Casimir w founded the
Polish Diet or Parliament. He permit
ted freedom Of the press and the print.
ing presses Of such centers Of learning
as Cracow published books which were
banned in other European countries N
being subversive on religious, political
or moral grounds. Poland had become