PLANS TO RESTORE POLAND

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 164, 6 April 1940, Page 4

PLANS TO RESTORE POLAND

Paderewski In Paris

PARIS, January 25.

It was a Parliament moved to tears which heard Ignace Jan Paderewski pledge the Polish Government-in-exile to raise Poland “from the ruins.”

The famous pianist, whose hands have not touched a keyboard since Germany invaded Poland, brushed aside the cobwebs of 20 years’ political retirement to accept election as President of the National Council. “I do not know,” he said, as tears Streamed down the faces of the delegates in the Grand Ballroom of the Polish Embassy, “if God will let me take part much longer in the work of the National Council.” Mr. Paderewski’s voice gained strength and rose almost to a shout as he cried:

"Poland is immortal. We will deliver her from captivity and will. raise her from the ruins, We take this engagement before God!” The one-time Premier of Poland declared the creation of a powerful army was the Government’s first aim, and he appealed for unity in internal matters to concentrate on rebuilding Poland. He gave special thanks to America’s Poles "to whose generosity we owe a great part of our power to aid the Polish refugees and population in distress.” Mr. Paderewski said he was sure that Polish “Governments in the last 13 vears were in a large part responsible for the fate which lias stricken Poland.” Apparently the acceptance of the council Presidency on January 23 meant cessation of his musical career.