POLAND A NATION.

Colonist, Volume LVI, Issue 13591, 5 October 1914, Page 2

POLAND A NATION.

The Czar's promise to set up a new Poland, enjoying complete autonomy and freedom of language and religion, was announced by the Grand Duke Nicolas, Commandeiwn-Chief of the Russian forces, in the following proclamation, writes a London correspondent \inder date August 29th-.—"Poles! The hour has sounded when the sacred dream of your fathers and your grandfathers may be realised. A century and a half ha^s passed since the living body of Poland was torn in pieces, but the soul of the country is not dead. It continues to live, inspired by the hope that there will come for the Polish people an hour of resurrection and of fraternal reconciliation with Great Russia. The Russian Army brings you the solemn news of this reconciliation, which obliterates the frontiers dividing the Polish peoples, which it unites conjointly under the sceptre of the Russian Czar. Under this sceptre Poland will be born again, free in" her religion and in her language. Russian autonomy only expects from you the same respect for the rights of those nationalities to which history has bound you. With open heart and brotherly hand Great Russia advances to meet you. She believes that the sword with which she struck down heY enemies at Gruenwald is not yet rusted. From the shores of the Pacific to the North Sea the Russian armies are marching. The dawn of a new life is beginning for you, and in this glorious dawn is seen the sign of the Cross, the symbol of suffering and of the resurrection of peoples." The Grand Duke also issued an appeal to the Russian inhabitants of Galicia, which concludes as follows: —"Rise, fraternal Galician Russians, who have suffered so much, to meet the Russian Army, for you and your brethren will be delivered. Room will be found jfor you in the bosom of our mother I Russia without offending peaceable people of whatever nationality. Raise your sword against the enemy, and your hearts towards God with a prayer for Russia and the Russian Czar!"