THE CZAR'S STRATEGY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 144, 12 November 1914, Page 6

THE CZAR'S STRATEGY.

A REVIVED KINGDOM OF POLAND. London, August 20. The Czar's announcement of his intention to maiku Poland a nation, and m certain events restore its territorial integrity, looks uncommonly like a boljl and prudent piece of statecraft to Englisn people, and for the sake of oiif Ally's honour we hope that the promise will not prove one of the piecrust order, as did Napoleon's to the same people. Weakened by civil war, Poland! was cut up in 1772 and divided between Austria, Russia and Prussia. The Poles liave constantly risen in revolt, and their hopes of gaining their national independence were . adroitly iplayed upon by Napoleon.. He, in consequence, secured for iiis army several regiiiicuts of Polish lancers-, who fought for him on many a brilliant .battlefield under the Polish Prince Poniatowski, who was drowned at Leipzig. When the Treaty of Tilsit was made between Napoleon and the Czar, the Poles were forgotten, »nd their liberties have over since been restricted, by their powerful neighbours. Even the concession by the Treaty of Vienna in 1815, which made Cracow a free Republic, was upset 30 years later by the three Powers, who handed Cracow over to Austria.

la view of this record, the Poles cannot be blamed if they do. not place any great amount of faith in the Czar's announcement; but in all probability it will have the. effect, in part at least, of securing for Russia what Russia particularly desires at the present time. The Clear's proposal is to divorce Rosem front Germany and 'Galicia from Austria, and, combine them with Warsaw so as to reconstitute under a Russian Viceroy the old Kingdom- of Poland. In making this promise the Czar's object is, of course, to secure for che. Russian troops in their westward march a welcome instead,of opposition from the Polish subjects of Germany and Austria; on the other, he proposes 1o obtain another slice of territory in Europe for Russia. Ko out of Russia's needs the Polos may at -Irjifrth, gapn that freedom which' has so long been denied them. 'Jt', only they can be brought to believe that the Czar really means to carry .q:it his promise—thefortunes of war permitting—the "Little White Father'' will be able to point with pride to a piece' of clever strategy us his contribution towards making the 'Allies' campaign a success.