POLAND’S CIVIL WAR

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 17 May 1926, Page 5

POLAND’S CIVIL WAR

PILSUDSKI IN CONTROL. AND STATES HIS POLICY DETAILS OF FIGHTING. BY CABLE—PEESS ASSOCIATION—COPYEIGHT. LONDON, May 16. Reports from Warsaw indicate that Mjarslial Pilsudski has achieved his aims. President Wbjehiechowski has resigned in his favour, and the Witos Cabinet - lias dissolved. M. Ratal, President of the Chamber, and Marshal Pilsudski are now proceeding to constitute a new Cabinet. The theatres have, reopened, and telegraphic ancl telephone communication is normal. The general strike has been called off. VIENNA, May 16. M. Bartel, a, Socialist- leader, is forming a Polish Cabinet. LONDON, May 15. The latest accounts of the Warsaw revolution suggest that the operations at- times were bloodiess, and were even watched by crowds in the side streets like- peace-time manoeuvres. Apparently, however, there were times of the hottest fighting, and some estimate the death roll at 300. Prague reports that the State loyal troops are entrenched near Warsaw, and suggest that Marshal Pilsudski’s troops are in danger of being sandwiched between the two Witos armies. The capture of the President’s palace was bloodless, the- President having previously fled in a motor-car. Most of the Cabinet member-s escaped by aeroplane, but others were arrested and interned. Marshal Pilsudski has issued a proclamation, stating that the affairsof the country are now in the- hands of himself and President Wojchiecliowski. Marshal Pilsudski alleges that-the renewal of the -fighting in the capital was due to his opponents’ atrocities in maltreating hospital inmates and violating corpses. WARSAW, May 15. Though several members of the Witos Cabinet have -been made prisoners, it is reported that others escaped by aeroplane and are established at Kiliesz, where "Witos’ home is situated. Marshal Pilsudski has issued his statement of policy. He undertakes to establish a Government immediately for the restoration of the authority of the State and the introduction of administrative reforms, including the suppression of corruption in public life. He promises a general election- after the dissolution of Parliament. In the meantime he claims that only the Presidential endorsement shall he required in order to enforce the law. He declares liis sole desire is to save Poland from reaction, stating: “Military operations are not directed, against the State or the people. I am fighting the Government, which, since it assumed office, has inaugurated a policy in defiance of the interests' of the State and the army.” Pilsudski declares that ho has enough troops in Warsaw to enable him to master the situation. Food prices are rising and there is much hoarding, which has contributed to the public excitement. The -circumstances of General Sosnokowski’s death were as follow: In spite' of his known friendship- for Mar_ shal Pilsudski, the Witos Government ordered him to Warsaw to attack Marshal Pilsudski. General Sosnokowski refused, and- his officers immediately said: “Either we shoot you or you shoot- yourself.” A few minutes later a shot was heard in General Sosnokowski’s quarters, and he died' later in the hospital. German inhabitants in Poland support Witos. Marshal Pilsudski controls the city, hut- he is surrounded by General Sikorski’s forces. General Romer, - however, who dominates Lublin, is dispatching forces to raise the siege, and he hopes to take General Sikorski in the rear.

General Zeb'gowski, ex-Minister for War. is reported to have been killed during the street fighting.