ALARM IN POLAND

Wairarapa Times-Age, 27 March 1939, Page 5

ALARM IN POLAND

MEASURES FOR COUNTRY’S DEFENCE

One and a Half Million Men

Under Arms

LESSON OF CZECH TRAGEDY UNDERSTOOD. (Independent Cable Service.) WARSAW, March 26. Deeply alarmed at European developments, Poland has shelved consideration of a joint anti-aggression declaration and is devoting her whole attention to measures for her own defence. Secret mobilisation is estimated to bring the strength of the army to 1,500,000 men, which is treble the normal strength, and provides a framework for a wartime force of 4,000,000. This move is not mentioned officially and Polish newspapers are forbidden to mention it. “Polskazbrogna,” the official organ of the War Office, says: “Poland understands the lesson of the Czech tragedy. We are ready for war, even with the strongest antagonist. Poland has no inferiority complex in relation to any of the big Powers. She is terrified neither by the number of their regiments nor the technical armaments of any other Power. We believe in the strength of our own divisions and the fighting spirit of our men.” Other newspapers speak in similar strain. The same journal also indicates the Polish attitude to the proposed anti-aggression declaration. It says: “The western democracies display indignation when trouble arises, but they retire quickly to their normal composure without producing any real change of method. We cannot rely on mere indignation, but must follow the policy of realism.” Unconfirmed reports have been received of German-Polish fighting on the Slovak-Polish frontier at Bogumin, resulting in the retirement of the Germans. The incident, however, is not expected to lead to serious consequences.

Meanwhile, a reorganisation of the Cabinet is expected, whereby the Government will be placed on a broader basis. . President Moscicki, Marshal Smigly-Rydz, Inspector-General of the Army and Poland’s “Strong man,” and leaders of the Peasant Party (the largest in the Republic) met in conference yesterday.