POLAND’S GENERAL ELECTIONS

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 39, 9 November 1938, Page 10

POLAND’S GENERAL ELECTIONS

In the midst of negotiations and alarms, accompanied by threats of excursions, that arc again remaking the map of Europe, Poland has proceeded in restive fashion with a general election. She is a participant, and so far a dissatisfied one, in the Czech territorial disputes, but President Moscicki’s decision to hold au election had no direct connexion with the crisis. It is a domestic side-issue, yet inasmuch as it will have effect upon Polish national unity and vigour in the European cockpit, it is of importance. Up to the commencement of the moves which have won the Sudeten area for Germany and lent new heart to other claimants for territorial revision, it was likely that Polands futuie foieign policy broadly would be that of striking a balance in het iclations with Geimany and Russia, and maintaining independence even at the risk of drawing further away from Britain, I*rance and the League of Nations. The new situation may result in a departure from that trend; inevitably it will necessitate a clearer definition of Poland’s choice. Ihe elections, in spite of all the squabbling involved, should place the country in a position to make her choice with greater clarity.