Paris Peace Conf. 184.01102/365
Lieutenant R. C. Foster to Professor A. C. Coolidge 68
Subject: General report on Dantzig question and situation thruout Poland.
The prevailing feeling is one of uncertainty regarding the fate of Dantzig. The newspapers are full of it, people of all classes talk of it daily and hourly with the result that the question has assumed extraordinary proportions and the attitude of Lloyd George is severely criticized, [Page 370] he being generally considered as working against the interests of Poland.
Naturally the Bolshevik elements are not letting the opportunity slip to work upon public opinion already excited and to belittle the efforts of the Entente for Poland. The negotiations for the landing of Haller’s troops at Dantzig, after the objection of the Germans, gave the opportunity of saying that the Entente had been frightened by the German threats of Bolshevik uprising and that the Entente would not therefore take the strong action in this and other matters that was so necessary in dealing with the Germans.
It was shown in the papers how England, having obtained the German naval and merchandise fleet and the German Colonies, had obtained what she wanted and was anxious as soon as possible to start up commercial trade again, the sea being in her hands. She was therefore ready to make concessions in order to establish peace. America, on account of the Germans in America, did not want to adopt such stringent measures that might embitter the Germans and also she was anxious to finish up her part in Rurope and go back home. Italy, though theoretically one of the large powers, was not an important factor and only mixed in such things as were of general interest or to her special interest. France, however, was fighting for all that could be gotten out of the Germans and it is felt that only France is backing the Poles against the Germans. It was further stated in the Press that official assurances had been received that France would defend the Polish interests as her own. It is believed also that the Four Great Powers are fighting among themselves.
There is no question but that the settlement of the Dantzig problem will have a tremendous political effect on this country. The great protection against the spread of Bolshevism has been the extraordinary patriotism of these people. In order to realise finally the creation of an Independent Poland almost unbelievable hardships, suffering and difficulties have been put up with, everyone living in the future when Poland, reconstructed, would take her part as one of the big powers, her industries and trade in touch with the rest of the world through Dantzig—her outlet to the sea. Suddenly they see the possibility of not getting Dantzig and, their confidence in the future rudely shaken, the acuteness of the present becomes more sharply defined and their patriotism is shaken to the foundation. Without this future why should they continue to resist Bolshevism? They had confidence in the relieving of their hardships by the Entente but the Entente is apparently ceding to the Germans, the great enemy of the Poles. That is the train that thought is taking and in view of this and the lack of food, clothing and employment, the loss of Dantzig would undoubtedly bring disastrous results and be difficult to explain.
[Page 371]The Minister of Finance—Englisch—has resigned and Mr. Stanislaw Karpinski has taken his place. Mr. Karpinski was formerly director of the Polska Kassa Pozyezkowa which under the Regency and German occupation was the official Government bank and by which the present Polish marks were issued. His appointment is considered favorably in banking circles even though his anti-semitic sentiments have rendered him disliked by the Jewish banking element.
A movement of political interest is that of Mr. Daszynski towards the Right. He was always considered as one of the leaders of the P. P. S.69 and one of the strongest socialist advisors of Pilsudski during the Socialist regime. He has supported the more conservative elements of the Diet so openly in the last week that the P. P. S. have finally come out in a frank attack against him. He is considered a clever man, a skillful politician and to have considerable personal ambitions—this last fact may account for his change of tactics. It has even been suggested that he might be placed to good advantage in the Ministry and that his Socialism is really only skin deep.
The peasant parties have consistently supported the Government voting the Alliance with the Entente, the conscription bill, martial law and the stamping of the money. They are anxious, however, that the Agrarian Reform Laws come before the Diet as soon as possible and are restive at the delays.
One hears some talk of speculation in the sale of American Foodstuffs and its distribution but the American Food Mission is in close touch with the situation and does not feel that it is serious. Gossip has it also that there is corruption among a large part of the Government officials but there have been no public instances of this and the answer is generally given that a perfect Government cannot be created in a day.
It is proposed to prohibit the sale of cakes within a few days (April 12th) it being stated in the Diet that the American Food Mission said that it was not importing food stuffs for the manufacture of cakes etc. Such a move, even though throwing many people out of work (the main objection in the Diet), would have an excellent effect and a prominent Jew in answer to my questions regarding further food control and requisition stated that the Jewish element would cause no disturbance providing measures were thoroughly and impartially carried out.
There seems to be more of a tendency towards strong Government action as shown by the above and the report that the Peoples Militia, organized by the former socialist Minister of the Interior Thugut as his “Bed Guard”, was to be disbanded. Threatened strikes have been [Page 372] handled in an arbitrary manner and those that have been in progress in the district of Lublin have been settled.
It was extraordinary how the Bolshevik move in Hungary created nothing more than sceptical comment in Poland and it is generally believed that the uprisings and threatened disturbances in Germany are false and purposely created to influence the Entente. The Poles believe that the Entente is unduly alarmed and that strong action is all that is necessary. If the Germans were sincere in their desire to establish order they would call in their troops of the Army of the Ober-Ost, some 200,000. This army they believe, however, from all indications is being organised and held for a political Imperial coup d’état.
The reorganization of the Polish army in East Galicia and the sending of troops to this front from Posen has resulted in the situation around Lemberg being materially improved. The railroad line has been entirely freed from the North and the campaign favoring the Poles. It was a very close call for the city, however, as the last food rations had been given out and they figured that they could hold out a bare 48 hours longer when the Polish forces broke through and freed the railroad line. Thirty-three of the first cars entering the city with food stuffs were filled with supplies of the American Food Mission.
On the Eastern front the military continue to make satisfactory progress but the districts uncovered by the advance are in an unbelievable condition of starvation, sickness and general want, and the military not only faced with this situation are also compelled to contend with the numerous agents and organizations left behind by the Bolsheviks. These regions are largely populated by Jews. The American Red Cross and Food Mission are doing everything possible to assist this population.