A TRAGIC TREK.

Franklin Times, Volume 14, Issue 193, 19 October 1925, Page 3

A TRAGIC TREK.

OF 20,000 GERMANS

BACK IN THE HOMELAND, HOMELESS.

Most, gruesome scenes were witnessed recently in the Sehneidemuehl region on the Polish frontier.

German refugees from Poland have been pouring across the frontier back to their Fatherland, and the total lack of arrangements for the reception of thousands of men. women, and children has caused a howl of indignation to rise throughout the country. Under the terms of the Versailles Treaty. Poles in Germany and Germans in the parts of the Fatherland handed over to Poland were given the right to say, within a certain period, which nationality they wished finally to adopt.

It was held by the German Government that persons coming under this provision had a right—but not a duty—to transfer their homes to the country of their adoption. Poles, on the other hand, held the transfer to be obligatory. Arbitration on the point a year ago went in favour of the Poles, and now they are carrying out the Treaty and Ihe arbitration award in a ruthless fashion which would'have won Shyluck's admiration. Though they have legal right on their side, they might have shown a little humanity at least. But that, apparently, is not their way. Hurried Send-off. The first batch of Germans, 20.000 in number, were due to begin moving towards the frontier, and the Poles saw to it that they did so smartly. Already between 8000 and 9000 have arrived at Sehneidemuehl. Though the German Government had known for a year past that this stream of refugees would begin to pour across the frontier, practically no arrangements were made to deal with it. , The refugees “housed” themselves in open railway trucks and in an aeroplane factory. They stood for long hours in the rain: they slept on straw; there was little or no food for them. In these hideous conditions 20 children were born. Six died during the firs I night.

The refugees had to appeal to President I-lindenburg and the Berlin Government before anything was done for them.

Now food is being rushed to flic scene: and arrangements are being made to distribute the victims of this tragic exodus over the country. Contrast.

On the other side of the frontier, however, the scenes are quite different. I

Poles who have been turned out of Germany are being received with

triumphal arches, lavish meals, and speeches bidding them welcome back to their homeland.

Houses and work are already provided fnr nearly all of them—about 7 non.

This double-edged exodus lias not .improved the relations between Germany and Poland, and the latter lias also decided to stiffen up the tariff war which is still being carried on between [he two countries.