THE POLISH REVOLUTION.

Hokitika Guardian, 17 May 1926, Page 3

THE POLISH REVOLUTION.

TIIE BATTLE AT WARSAW

[Australian & N.Z. Cable Association.]

LONDON, May 14

News of the Polish revolt is filtering through Berlin, Vienna and Prague, ft generally confirms Marshal Pilsudski’s supremacy. According to the Berlin reports Marshal Pilsudski has captured tlie citadel and the military barracks. The messages via Vienna state Marshal Pilsudski used machine guns against the Presidential Palace, whose defenders would not yield, they killing twenty-eight and wounded eightyfive of the attackers, but later the attackers triumphed, after hot fighting, and they took prisoner the whole Cabinet. Then they compelled Premier Witos to resign the Premiership. The Military Commanders of both the cities of Lublin and Vilna have joined Marshal Pilsudski, while the Air Force remains loyal, hut it is of little use, because it does not want to damage any buildings bv bombing. Two Faseisti leaders have issued a manifesto to the country to support the Government, but the rnihvaymen have now struck, in order to hamper General Sikorski’s trops.

The Soca lists threaten a general strike in support of Marshal Pilsudski. Tlie Prague reports state that one hundred and fifty were killed and 80 wounded in last night’s fighting at the gates of Warsatv. Marshal Pilsudski’s latest move has been to order the Tcschen troops to march to Lemberg, and cut off General Sikorski’s garrison.

Meanwhile, Warsaw is an armed camp. Advantage has been taken of the opportunity for anti-Jewish attacks and a Ghetto has been plundered. Tiie garrison at Posen Is solid for General Sikorski, who lias ordered the Upper Silesian garrisons to march on Warsaw. The first message received at Prague for some hours from Warsaw states that a pitched battle was in progress outside the city gates. PILSUDSKI’S POLICY. WARSAW, May Id. Though several members of M. Witos’s Cabinet have been made prisoners, it is reported that others have escaped by aeroplane and have become established at Knliesz, where M. Witos’s home is situated. Marshal Pilsudski has issued a statement of his policy. He undertakes to establish a Government immediately for the restoration of the authority of the state, and the introduction of administrative reforms, including the suppression of corruption in public life, fie promises a general election after a dissolution of Parliament.

Meantime be claims that only a Presidential endorsement shall bo required in order to enforce the law.

He declares his sole desire, is to save Poland from reaction, stating:—.“The military operations are not directed against the state or the people. T am fighting a Government, which since it assumed office, has inaugurated a policy in defiance of the interests of fl.e state and the army.”

Marshal Pilsudski declares that lie lias enough troops in Warsaw to enable him to master the situation.

Food prices are rising, and there is much hoarding, which has contributed to the public excitement. I The circum,stances of the dentil of General Sosuokowski were as lollows: In spite of his known friendship for Marshal Pilsudski. the. Witos Government ordered him to M arsaw to attack Marshal Pilsudski. General Sosnokowski refused. His officers immediately said: “ Either we shoot you, or you shoot yourself.” A lew minutes later a shot was hoard in General Sosnokowski’s quarters ami lie died later in the hospital. BERLIN, May 15. The German inhabitants of Poland "support M. Witos. "Marshal Pilsudski now eoutrols the city, but he is surrounded by Genera! Sikorski’s forces. General Bonier, however, who dominates Lublin, is dispatching his forces to raise the siegq, He hopes to take General Sikorski in the rear. General Znligowski, ex-Ministcr of War, is reported to have been killed during street fighting. LATEST NEWS. LONDON, May 15.

The latest accounts of the Warsaw Revolution suggests the operations at times were -bloodless, and uerc even watched by crowds in side streets, like peace time manoeuvres; but apparently there were periods of the hottest fighting. Some estimate the death roll at three hundred.

Prague reports state the loyal troops are entrnnehod hear "Warsaw, and suggest Marshal Pilsudski’s troops are.in danger of being sandwiched between two of Witos’s armies. The capture of the President s Palace was bloodless. The President previously had fled in a motor car. Most of the Cabinet members escaped by aeroplane, hut others were arrested.

POLAND’S REVOLUTION. LONDON, May 10. Reports from Warsaw indicate Pilsudski has achieved bis aims. President • Wojchiccliouwski has resigned in bis favour and Witas’ Cabinet lias been dissolved. Ratai, President or the Chamber and Pilsudski are now proceeding to constitute a new Cabinet. The theatres have re-opened and telegraphic and telephone communication is normal. A general strike has been called off.

VIENNA. May 10. Carter (Socialist Leader) is forming a Polish Cabinet. NEWS FROM POLAND. WARSAW. May 10. Pilsudski is still in danger. Sporadic provincial risings favour Witos but tho risk is not great as the provincial governors have sworn allegiance to the new regime. Hie number killed in fighting in the streets outside the citygates are definitely stated at 800. Pilsudski is heavily guarded at Spain Palace. Eighty thousand people marched in procession at the funeral of the killed soldiers. MOSCOW, May 10. The Soviet Press describes the Polish uprisings as the explosion of discontent by peasants and small bourgoise against, the Conservative dictatorship. WARSAW, a Lay 10. The new Premier. Partel is also Minister for railways. He obtained an engineering degree in Munich. Baisel and Ratav both issued a statement urging the necessity to return to thi constitutional position as soon as pos siblc. It is reported General Sikorsln commanding the army corps at Lwow placed himself under the command o Pilsudski as the result of an appeal b; Bartel. Railway-men in the evenin' are terminating the strike declared oi Wednesday, as a protest against th i.itos Government.