Hidden Polish Treasures Stolen From Shrine In Canada
Received 5.5 p.m. OFI AWA, Nov. 7. Polish treasure smuggled to C anada in advance of the invading Nazi and Russian armies, including priceless Gobelin tapestries, precious stones, and gold vessels, has been stolen from its war hiding place in the famed St. Anne de Beaupe Shrine, near Quebec City.
The disappearance of 1 lie treasure, some of which was given to the Polish nation by King Sigismund Augustus 111., and said by Dr. Stanislaw Hierzzalcski, the former art custodian in Welwa Castle, Poland, to be worth millions of dollars to collectors, was revealed to-day by the Polish Am-
bassador, Mr. Alfred Fidcrkie-! wica. Thousands of Catholics from Can- ' ada and the United States make pil-j grimages each year to St. Anne's to I pray for miraculous cures. The Polish Embassy advises that[ Cardinal Villeneuve, from his Quebec. City palace, expressed regret for the' loss and claimed the treasures were! surrendered to a stranger, who pre sented the secret code word.
It is claimed also that smaller lots of jewels and works of art had bee.j obtained from religious houses in Quebec Province and Ottawa by a man who approached the priests and nuns with the password, “The Holy Virgin of Czestochowa.” The Polish Ambassador stresses that the Canadian Government is not to blame, but states that he has directed counsel to ask the Canadian ’ Department of Justice to investigate.
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Wanganui Chronicle, 8 November 1946, Page 5
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238Hidden Polish Treasures Stolen From Shrine In Canada Wanganui Chronicle, 8 November 1946, Page 5
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