A MARTYRED NATION

Wairarapa Times-Age, 9 May 1941, Page 3

A MARTYRED NATION

POLAND THROUGH THE AGES. NAZI OPPRESSION VILEST OF ALL (Contributed.) Though Hitler is by birth on Austrian, his actions and his treatment of subject nations prove that he has in very truth adopted the policy of Prussia. He has carried out the words of Jeroboam, son of Solomon, when he said, “My father made his yoke heavy, but I will add to your yoke.” A chance meeting with an aged Polish immigrant of 65 years residence in the Wairarapa provided an interesting recollection of the harsh rule of the Prussian emperor of seventy years ago, which gave ample proof that the iron control in Poland under Bismarck and the first William was accentuated under the third of that name and now under the man who usurped that supreme power after the fall of the emperors. This old man recalled his birth and boyhood just after West Poland had been first taken by her all-powerful neighbour. Fie said he could just remember as a child the occupation of his country and the drastic conditions of labour imposed on the peasants. They were put under the most strict control and made to toil from four in the morning until dark. Guards were set over the villages who freely used the lash and if, by chance, any peasant failed to be at work at this early hour, he was roughly used and severely punished. His mother, though suffering from illness, was forced to labour in the fields behind the men.

History records centuries of oppression in Poland, long before Prussia flourished, by Russia, Sweden, Austria and France under Napoleon, varied by, short periods when liberation seemed certain. The grip on Poland hold by the kaisers was relaxed after the Great War and an age of freedom seemed assured, but once again Prussia with Russia oppressed her. History repeated itself and the unfortunate country was divided by the two oppressing Powers and her people were once more reduced to virtual slavery. Only recently the grievous state of the people was revealed by a message from the women of Poland to America, smuggled into New York, and giving appalling details of their condition. The message stated that they were living in hell and this has been authenticated by Polish women in the States. The Prussian rule is proved to be one of the most appalling tyranny, in the main directed against the women of Poland. It is so grievous and horrible that mothers, “suffering as Catholics, as Poles, as. mothers and wives and whose menfolk have been murdered in thousands or have perished in camps from starvation and cruelty,” have wished sincerely that their children may die rather than live to be the sport of their Prussian masters. Meantime these conquerors give to the world their “official assurance” that Poland is happy and free and delivered from being "England's flunkey,” while the women of Poland told the world the truth —that “Prussia is determined to exterminate their nation.” It is quite evident that the present dictator of Prussia and Germany is perpetuating the age-long tyranny under which Poland has grimly suffered for centuries and that the iron rule of seventy years ago is being not only maintained, but made ever harder and more grievous. No wonder old people like the man in the Wairarapa feel bitter, and long for the day when, in a new world, freedom may be restored again to their beloved country.