The Daily News. SATURDAY, MAY 7, 1921. THE UPPER SILESIA EMBROGLIO.

Taranaki Daily News, 7 May 1921, Page 4

The Daily News. SATURDAY, MAY 7, 1921. THE UPPER SILESIA EMBROGLIO.

In order to understand why the Poles are displaying such militancy in Upper Silesia it is necessary to comprehend thjeir intense patriotism, and to remember the long period of severe repression at the hands of Russia and Germany. Vain efforts have been made to trace the genesis of the Poles, and all th’at is known with certainty is that -they formed part of the great Slavonic family which stretched from the Baltic to the Adriatic, and from the Elbe to the mouth of the Dnieper. Their history does not actually commence with 860 A.D., and it appears to be clearly established that, like other similar races, they consisted of tribes having warlike inclinations, and gradually became a kingdom with disciplined armies, which proved a terror to the Hungarians, Moravians, and Russians. The spirit which animates the Poles to-day was expressed by King Wladislaw 111. in 1333, when, shortly before his death, he gave the following instructions to his son, Casimir: “If you have any regard for your honor or y.our reputation, take care

to yield nothing to the Knights of the Teutonic order. . . Resolve to bury yourself under the ruins of your throne rather than abandon to them the portion of your heritage which they possess. . . Do not leave your successors such an example of cowardice which, would be sufficient to tarnish all your virtues. . . Punish the traitors and drive them from the kingdom, for they are stained with the blackest ingratitude.” It was, however, during Casimir’s reign, and through his endeavors, that German colonisation invaded the greatest part of the Polish realm, pervading every phase of life of the community. Thus was accomplished a fact almost unheard of in history, that, without any previous conquest, one nationality grew through another to such an extent that the traces are even now easily recognised. Prosperity resulted, but the national spirit suffered, and eventually Poland, as a kingdom, became extinct, passing partly under Teutonic sway and partly under Russian, and though Napoleon’s efforts at restoration inspired the Poles with hew hopes, with his fall the final dissolution became complete, France and Britain being powerless to contend with success against, those interested in the partition of the country. Long years of suppression followed, the Poles biding their time for freedom and keeping alive the memory of their serfdom. “Everything,’’ it is said, “comes to those who know how to wait,” and as a result of the recent Great War, the day of Poland’s restoration arrived, and with it, not only the revival of the old spirit, but a keen remembrance of the acts of their oppressors. Under such circumstances some allowance must be made for the military spirit of the Polish people and their leaders, as exemplified in the operations against the Russians and the Germans. A firebrand like Korfantz would naturally stir up the fighting blood of the Poles, already excited by their new-born freedom. It is very probable that the outbreak in Upper Silesia has been unduly exaggerated to suit German ends, but there can be no question that the Poles are determined to have this territory under their control, and not allow German machinations in connection with the plebiscite to come 'to fruition. The fact that the Allies have adopted a policy of strict impartiality indicates that, although the position has a serious aspect, that will not prevent the Supreme Council from giving a just and politic decision. Strictly speaking, the Poles acted wrongly in making a determined and systematic attempt to anticipate the decision of the Supreme Council in connection with the Upper Silesian plebiscite, but some allowance must be made for the Polish point of view and for the excitement under which the Poles labor in view of the way in which the plebiscite was taken. Much as the revolt is to be deplored, it may be assumed that a final agreement may be arrived at that will be satisfactory to Poland. The Supreme Council may be trusted to take the right course in its decision uninfluenced by the aggressive tactics of the Poles, who offer the excuse that they are fighting against German tyranny and aggression, and in the light of what they have suffered in the past, the extenuating circumstances carry weight.