WARFARE IN POLAND.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19328, 15 May 1926, Page 11

WARFARE IN POLAND.

BATTLE IN THE CAPITAL. FORGE OPPOSING REBELS. SPREAD OF CIVIL STRIFE. AMBITIONS OF PILSUDSKI. DICTATORSHIP AIMED AT. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. (Received 5.5 p.m.) A and N.Z. LONDON. May 13 The domination of Marshal Pilsudski, tho leader of the revolution which has broken out in Poland, is complete, according to the latest news from Warsaw. He has issued peace conditions, including the resignation of the Witos Government, the appointment of a Cabinet, with himself as Premier, and the dissolution of Parliament till new elections are held.

These conditions are interpreted as indicating Marshal Pilsudski's personal desire for a dictatorship. Reports from various sources indicate that Marshal Pilsudski has become President of Poland. He hopes to gain control of the whole country very shortly in spite of the feeling in many country districts, which favour M. Witos, leader of the Peasant's Party. The most important centres for the insurrectionists are Grodno and Vilna, which are garrison towns. They wholly support Marshal Pilsudski. It is stated that partisans elsewhere are Hying to arms and civil war is spreading. General Sigorski, who supported M. Witos' Government, is organising forces against Marshal Pilsudski. A Berlin message states that General Sigorski's forces, advancing from Lemberg through Lublin, have arrived at Warsaw, where a battle, for the possession of the capital is now in full progress. Marshal Pilsudski's position is one of great danger. Troops loyal to the Witos Government arc converging on the city from the south.

A special correspondent of the British United Press at Warsaw has supplied the first eye-witness' story of the Warsaw rising. 'Jen thousand troops, tanks, artillery and aeroplanes were used in the lightning-like revolt.

The rising was followed by an attack by the Government forces on Marshal Pilsudski's villa. His regiment asked to bo allowed to go to his help, and when the request was not allowed the regiment, marched to the villa and routed the attackers. Marshal Pilsudski joined the regiment and began to march to the city. Troops entered the cafes and made the guests, at revolver point, sing military airs. There were many clashes with Government troops. So far the workers have not joined in the rising, which some feared might develop into a combined military and workers' coup.

After breaking off negotiations with the President. M. Wojciechowski, Alarshal Pilsudski's troops occupied all the public buildings. The followers of the Government retired to the President's palace, which was heavily guarded.