The Guardian (And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times.) MONDAY. AUGUST 28 1939. POLAND.

Hokitika Guardian, 28 August 1939, Page 4

The Guardian (And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times.) MONDAY. AUGUST 28 1939. POLAND.

A writer on Poland in a Penguin special just issued reviews at length the history and struggles of the country so much in the news of late. Despite the travails’of the past' its immediate sufferings as a nation may be even more poignant than ever. Poland, we 1 are told, is the country of the Poles, just'as England is that y of the English. The name of the country gives a elute as to the character of the inhabitants. ’ By the generally-accept-ed etymology, they are the people of the open fields,- or of the plains (Pol-- ' ish “pole,” signifies a field). The nation has passed through a period of ordeals at the hands of its more powerful neighbours. As late as 1815,-there was the fourth partition of Poland, under which the bulk of the one-time kingdom became subject to Russia, and the balance to Austria, and Prussia, insurrections were of no avail against the powerful overlords, all bringing futile results. It was not till the events of 1914-18, that a restoration became possible. But during that term, Poland suffered a great tragedy. Her sons were conscripted for three armies, at times fighting against each other in the clashes fnight Out oh Polish soil. These battles were between German armies and Russia. The latter first had some notable victories, but the German offensive later drove the Russians' ‘out of Poland; Austro-Gi rm'an forces occupying the t r. itory. Fifteen months of constant war foil .wed. The country was devastated. Polish men and women were carried off as hostages, and all resources plundered. Finally, Germany raised half a million Polish recruits to make good, the fearful losses around Verdun. In 1915 relief for Palish war victims came from Switzerland and America while two distinguished Poles, the novelist Sienkiewiez, and the' vVorld’s greatest pianist, Ignace Paderwski, joined in raising relief funds. Polish leaders such as Pilendski and Dmowski went abroad to beg assistance. It was some time before the Allies were openly helpful, but later a Polish division was established in France as part of the Allied forces. The recruits came chiefly from America, and from prisoners of war, released by Russia after the treaty of Brest Litowsk. Pilsudski was now an accredited leader of Poland, and had’ a status with the British delegation. The Commonwealth of Poland was duly created, and the Polish delegates were permitted to sign the j Treaty of Versailles. The reconstrucl tion and consolidation of the country following as a free Commonwealth, despite the terrible conditions to he faced in a dwarfed Poland. Over a million and a half buildings had been destroyed, and the country stripped bare. Many necessaries, such as soap, salt and tobacco were not procurable. Millions of valuable property and supplies were taken, and never paid for. ft was out of the wreck that, the nation lias risen Phoenix-like —a truly ‘remarkable recovery. Able leadership and the practical sympathy of the world helped. There was good seed in the character of the people, and out of the ruin a new Poland has boon reared, sufficiently rich in treasure and situation to attract jealous and zealous neighbours to possess again the lands of the people and their domination. Poland’s fate is in the balance, but if the morale of the people holds, they will participate in the endeavour to maintain public security for all—• the issue of the present