THE INSURRECTION IN POLAND.

Southland Times, Volume I, Issue 51, 5 May 1863, Page 2 (Supplement)

THE INSURRECTION IN POLAND.

The universal indignation of Europe so loudly arraigned the Russian government as the author of the present insurrection, as to induce it to address a diplomatic note to its ambassadors at Berlin, Paris, and London, enjoining them, by every means in their power, to destroy such an impression. This note, dated Warsaw, the 4th inst., and signed by the chief of the diplomatic department, " Prince Tegoborski," endeavors to lay the whole blame on the revolutionary party, asserting that it was not in consequence of the recruiting that the outbreak took place, but that it had been long before prepared by the central committee. In proof of this it asserts that previous to the conscription having been effected, about 1,500 persons had left Warsaw for the purpose of forming a band. I think that the best answer to this clumsy and ill-timed explanation is the French proverb, " Qui s'excuse, saxcuse. ' It is too late for Russia to appeal to the tribunal of Europe, which has already pronounced its verdict, and it would be waste of time to assign a hundred cardinal reasons which the Poles have to plunge into this unequal contest — a contest brought on by the unparalleled and atrocious tyranny unceasingly exercised in Poland. The above despatch, together with two .others, and two private letters from the wife of the Grand Duke Constantine to a German princess and to Count d'Aquila in Paris, were taken a few days ago by the insurgents at Kowraletvo, under the following circumstances. When the train arrived at the railway station, a young. Pole approached it, opened the door of the first-class carriage, and finding the traveller whom he had been looking for, addressed him

in French, " You are the bearer of the despatches from the Grand Duke Constantine to the ambassadors at Berlin, Paris, and London." This having been denied by the traveller, the Pole repeated his demand with emphasis, j and accompanied it with a revolver in his hand, saying, "I ask, sir, for the despatches," which, were at once surrendered. He then expressed a wish that the wife of the traveller should be searched, but on being assured in honor that she had no papers of any kind, and handing a written acknowledgment for those he had received,' the gallant Pole apologised for the trouble he had given to the passengers, and furnished them with a free pass, that they might avoid a similar annoyance during their journey. It is inconceivable how perfect is the organisation of the insurgents ; they seem to know all that passes, even within the walls of the Grand Duke Constantine's palace, and this incident shows that they were well informed ofthe person selected for carrying the despatches. At Warsaw a regular though invisible national authority has been installed, which issues its printed circulars and orders, levies its taxes, and guides the patroitic ardor, and this in face of 50,000 soldiers. The clandestine press is regularly distributed, and the news from the field of battle communicated, though very scantily, as some time must always elapse before it reaches Warsaw. The government, through its official organ, Dziennik, almost daily publishes accounts from the generals who have been sent to subdue the rising ; but they are so highly colored, dso constantly victorious, that g o t caution should be exercised in accepting them. The insurgents have occupied the important town of Sandomierz, in which the national government was proclaimed, as also Flrubieszow, in the government of Lublin ; the inhabitants of both having most enthusiastically taken the oath to remain faithful to the national cause. At Wengru, in Podlachia, a most obstinate and bloody conflict occurred, which lasted four hours. The Russians opened a tremendous fire of artillery and musketry ; and the insurgents, with hardly any arms, seeing the town wrapped in flames, rushed with fearless and heroic valor on the enemy's force, and having lost more than one hundred men, aud caused great loss to the Russians, separated in order in two detachments, and marched in the direction of Podlachia. The Russians themselves affirm that the courage displayed by the Poles was beyamd admiration ; and yet this feeling did not prevent them from committing the most abominable murders, killing women and children, to revenge themselves on the most innocent victims. Similar, if not still greater, barbarities were perpetrated at Tomsrow, where more than twelve persons were murdered in cold blood, among whom were Doctor Ziellkovski, who was enveloped iu straw and set fire to. The Russian Colonel Emanow, who commanded this savage expedition, looked at all these acts with indifference whilst regaling himself with a good dinner. He then ordered the drum to beat a retreat, and returned to Zamosc. At Siemiatzere, in Lithuania, the insurgents, numbering about 3,000, were, on the 6th inst., summoned by General Maniakin to surrender, a proposition which was disdained. The Russians then attacked the town, defended bravely by the insurgents, who held it till the evening, when being overpowered they retired, the enemy setting fire to all the buildings, and thus reducing the town to ashes, and, as usual, pillaging it, and murdering the inhabitants. Numerous other engagements are constantly taking place over the whole extent of the country. The tactics ofthe insurgents are to keep on the defensive, to harass the enemy by a guerilla war, in the hope of an outbreak occurrring in Russia. This is the great chance ; but will the liberal Russians realise the expectation ? Doubtless the fact of four Russian officers having been shot in the citadel, for joining the insurgents, may partly justify the expectation ; and in sueh a case this bloody struggle would assume gigantic dimensions. At any rate, sufficient blood has been spilt by the Poles, and a sufficient number of acts of unheard barbarities committed by the Russians, to arrest the attention of civilised Europe, and to justify its interference. Unless France and England raise their powerful voice, neither Prussia nor Anstria will abstain from j aiding their friend Russia. The new i treatv concluded between Prussia and Russia empowers the first to march her troops into the Polish territory should occasion require it, and to allow the Russian army to be transported through her dominions, and when compelled to take refuge on the Prussian soil to keep their arms. Now, can England remain silent at ! such an outrageous proceeding ; and will she not remonstrate with Pruasia, to compel her to be neutral in the pre- j sent struggle of the Poles with Russia ? The Poles have enemies enough ; and and as the emperor of the French finds it more convenient for his policy to play into the hands of the Emperor Alexander 11. , and to consign the Poles to his benevolent disposition, they have no one else to look to but free and generous England. An intervention on the part of Prussia in the Polish affairs, if suffered to take place, would be a political scandal which would leave a stigma also on the western powers of Europe. Incessant arrests and domiciliary visits are being made at Warsaw. The churches and convents undergo constant searches ; some of the coffins have been opened on suspicion of containing arms. A judge named Kajsienicz, an elderly man, and never meddling in

politics, has been suddenly 'tbrcjwn in prison. The other 1 C'aldrunken soldier, passing through -the streets, cut with his sword seyeral persons, and ,the police never 'interfered. Great consternation prevailsy^and- along with iti a thirst for vengeance^ which will bjurst before lbtfg ih the PciliJsh capital. —Daily) Times. ■■• y- ■• .<■ ;