“100 years ago in Upper Silesia.” End of the Great War and Hope for the Return of Poland. The authorities understood independence differently. part two

The end of the Great War is not in sight

On the threshold of 1918, the Great War was still ongoing and there was no sign of its end. Newspapers at the time in Upper Silesia were expecting their end very soon. He suggested it could be 1919 or 1920.

However, in the course of the military struggle during these almost four years, the situation in the world changed a lot. In April 1917, the United States joined the war on the side of the Allied Powers.

Below you will find the previous section of the historical cycle “100 years ago in Upper Silesia”.

On the other hand, the Second German Reich managed to wreak havoc in Tsarist Russia, and the Bolshevik regime with Lenin seized power here with the Tsar’s money. The German plan to end the war in the East was realized when the Bolsheviks withdrew from the war. The German and Austro-Hungarian Empires began in 1918 with dreams of an attack victory in the West. The front in the east was liquidated, the Italian front came to a standstill, and it was possible to focus only on the western front.

Poland in President Wilson’s plan

The beginning of 1918 also brought important political events. US President Wilson’s plan in January 1918, in which he set out the goals of the allied countries, was of historical significance. In these fourteen points, point 13 relates to the creation of an independent Polish state.

The “Poland Question” has appeared in various countries since the beginning of the Great War. Polish military formations appeared – other Polish corps. In the former Russian Kingdom of Poland, occupied by the Germans and Austrians in 1915, the new occupiers decided to create this time the German Kingdom of Poland. In 1917, the authority of this “state” was established in the form of the Trusteeship Council, which formed the “Polish Government”.

The activities of these authorities were widely reported in the press in Upper Silesia, which was subject to imperial censorship. Thus, for example, in the first issue of 1918, Upper Silesia wrote:

“The building of the Kingdom of Poland is progressing slowly but surely. Last year, our brothers in the Kingdom brought their rule, represented by a trusteeship council and ministers. So far, two ministries have been established: Education and Justice, and the rest will be gradual. The State Council will soon be formed to be the first legislative authority.”

Information appeared in the same newspaper about an improvement in the fate of Poles from Germany.

“Last year brought us some relief for the Poles in the German state, Wednesday, March 28th [1917] Minister Breitenbach announced in the Prussian House of Lords the abolition of exceptional laws against the Poles. On April 19, the Council of the Syndicate repealed the law against the Jesuits while at the same time abolishing the muzzle clause restricting the freedom to speak the mother tongue in public meetings.

The local newspaper “Nowiny Raciborskie” provided information after the official government newspaper:

Today, the members of the Polish Trusteeship Council, Archbishop Dr. Kakovsky, Prince Lubomirsky and Mr. Ostrowski, come to Berlin to present themselves to the Emperor after assuming their high office, and to express the gratitude of the Polish nation for the revival of the Kingdom of Poland.

Criticism in the Polish press: What are we grateful for?

In December 1918, the Polish press revealed documents relating to the “independence” of the Kingdom of Poland. A trade treaty was to be signed, according to which Polish lands would be incorporated into the German trade zone.

The prepared documents stipulated the following: “The German state must ensure a strong and lasting economic influence in Poland. For this purpose, it is necessary to fully submit German customs law to Poland, without excluding commercial treaties binding on Germany and provisions for implementing German customs laws in accordance with German state laws … The Kingdom of Poland had to undertake not to impede the employment of Polish workers in Germany The Kingdom of Poland was supposed to take over some of the German state debt … The military occupation was supposed to continue … The Polish monarchy was also supposed to recognize the legitimacy of all activities Official German administration.

The newspaper concluded at its conclusion.

“Germany wanted to offer us such an independent Polish state, and today German newspapers demand the gratitude of the Poles for them.”

Sorosum korda! Poles look to the future with hope

The hope for a Polish revival found an echo in the 1918 Marian calendar published in Mikov.

“We send our calendar of 1918 to the world with joy. Poland rises to life again and blooms from the bloody ashes of world turmoil with the acceptance of Providence and Poland dawn of the free existence it has always longed for. Brick Brick, a new edifice of political independence is being built, it was lost long ago, The old capital.A new life begins, a new hope enters doubtful hearts with a long torment. God willing, it will be better in the future. May God bless Poland from Piast and Jagiellonians with new glory; it will stand free and diligent among the nations for the common benefit of humanity. We share this hope with our readers, and a merciful God will not allow an action that is already failing.

The aforementioned State Council began its office on Saturday 22 June 1918 in Warsaw. The beginning of the activity of this “parliament” was linked to the church in St. Peter’s Basilica. John. After the Mass, other celebrations were held at the royal castle. Afternoon work sessions were held in the Credit Association Hall. It was opened by Marshal Francesc Polavsky.

More in the next episode.