PILSUDSKI DEAD

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXV, Issue 126, 14 May 1935, Page 9

PILSUDSKI DEAD

Short Term as Dictator POLAND’S FUTURE IN DOUBT By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright LONDON May 13. The death has occurred at Warsaw of Marshal Pilsudski, ‘ ‘ dictator” of the country for the last few months. It is felt that his death may greatly affect the European situation; many Poles who doubted the wisdom of continued friendship with Germany but feared to oppose Pilsudski are now likely to voice their feelings. Doctors state that the late Marshal’s death was due to cancer of the liver. Members of the Government, with his wile and two daughters, were at his bedside when he passed away. General Rydzslnigly, who has been appointed to succeed Marshal Pilsudski, is popular with the Army and is one of the best trusted of Marshal Pilsudski’s assistants. General Kasrzyski has been appointed Minister of War.

The public had no idea that Marshal Pilsudski was a dying man though his entourage were well aware ol the crisis. The announcement has eclipsed interest in the visit ut the French Foreign Minister, M. Pierre Laval However, it has resulted in an official French intimation that there is nothing behind the Franco-Soviet Pact tu cause Poland the least anxiety.

The “Daily Telegraph’s” Warsaw correspondent says: “1 gather that M. Laval promised moral support foi Polish aspirations in the Baltic sector but he could not be.more specific until he had talked the matter over.

“Pilsudski’s body is lying in state at Belvedere Palace. Cabinet was iu continuous session at the Palace for many hours, but real power lies with the President, Professor Moscicki, and Colonel Joseph Beck. Professor Moscicki, who was Pilsudski’s nominee, is assured of far-reaching powers approaching a dictatorship under the new constitution. Moreover, Pilsudski’s friends, known as ‘the Colonel’s Group’ will retain all the principal Government positions. “ Mr Vernon Bartlett, in the “News Chronicle” says: ‘‘Marshal Pilsudski’s death will profoundly affect the European situation. It may enu tho attempt to keep Poland equally friendly to Germany and Russia. Many Poles who were questioning the possibility of continuing friendship with Germany feared to oppose Pilsudski, but now are not likely to hide their feelings. “Poland has lost the greatest unifying force she has known, consequently is likely to become a pawn instead of a commanding influence.” The “Daily Mail’s” Warsaw correspondent says, “Pilsudski’s death coincides with the ninth anniversary of tho seizure of power. National mourning for 36 days will be proclaim-

Last March the Government of Poland passed a new constitution, the Opposition declaring that it meant that .Marshal Pilsudski had really become dictator ot the country while Professor Ignace Moscicki, the President, was uncrowned king. The latter was given poWer to appoint and remove Ministers, control.the Army, Navy and Judicature, make foreign pacts and decide lor peace or war. Tho Diet became merely an advisory body. Professor Moscicki nas been President for eight years.