THE MARTYRDOM OF POLAND.

Wairarapa Times-Age, 15 September 1939, Page 4

THE MARTYRDOM OF POLAND.

IF any doubt were possible as to the vital and imperative need xoi' substituting law tor anarchy in the conduct oli international affairs, that doubt surely would be resolved by the .incomplete, but horrifying' accounts that are being given from day to day of what is happening in Poland. The announcement of the German command that it will deliberately bomb and bombard open and undefended towns and villages imparls a final touch of abomination to a situation that already outraged every decent human instinct. Whether the Poles have prospects of so lengthening out their heroic, resistance to invasion that Germany presently will find herself involved in the problems of a. war on two 1 routs is at the moment uncertain. Some of the later news in hand at time of writing suggests definitely that the Polish forces have rallied on shortened defensive lines and are striking back with effect at the invaders. . At best, however, a large part of Poland is meantime in the hands of tlu< Germans and all parts of I ho country are exposed to .murderous air raids in which from the outset the rules ol civilised warfare, such as they are, appear largely to have been disregarded. Prior to the invasion, Poland was a well-ordered, country inhabited by a vigorous and enterprising population ol some 35 millions—a country in ’which land ami other industries were being progressively expanded and improved and in which methodicai attention was being given, to problems of social welfare, notably the healthy rearing and education of children. AVith only about twenty years of re-established national freedom to look hack upon, Poland has great and mil (‘worthy achievements to her credit. Today, a large part of Poland is invaded and laid waste, and in addition to wholesale slaughter of her soldiers and civilian population, millions of her people have been reduced to destitution —too many of them seeking as fugitives a refuge they will not easily find. Terrible glimpses are being given of miserable refugees, homeless and foodless, wandering hopelessly. .11 is not Ihe least appalling aspect of the situation that Poland, confronted, as one correspondent stated yesterday, “with one of the most harrowing refugee problems of modern times,” is largely cut off from direct assistance by her Allies. Thai one allegedly civilised country should deliberately have brought another to this pit it id state is an overwhelming indictment of the existing standards of civilisation. The immediate problem, however, is that of giving what help is possible to Poland in her desperate need. The Allied nations unquestionably will be anxious to do everything in their power, but for the time being, so far as direct assistance is concerned, that power, unfortunately, is socmewhat narrowly limited.