POLISH PATRIOTISM.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2146, 23 March 1908, Page 3

POLISH PATRIOTISM.

Tho intenso lovo of country which characterises the Poles is vividly brought out by Mr W. H. Dawson in a valuable article on. “Tho Race Question in Gerthany,” in the “Fortnightly,” Ho says that “not long ago copies of a Polish prayer-book, circulated amongst the colliers of Westphalia, were confiscated by the police, who found therein invocations' liko_ tho following:— :g: v ";. “ ‘Mother of God, Qiicen of tho Poles,- save Poland! All ,holy protectors of tho Polish Republic, pray for >us! “ ‘From -the Muscovite and Prussian bondage free ms, 0 Lord! “ ‘By the anartyrdom of the 20,000 citizens of Prague, who were murdered for their faith and freedom, free us, 0 Lord. “ ‘By the martyrdom of the soldiers murdered by the Prussians in Fischau, free ns, O Lord! “ *For weapons and for the national eagles we beseech Thee. 0 Lord! “ ‘For death on the battlefield we beseech Thee, 0 Lord ! “ ‘For the battle for the independence, unity, and freedom of our Fatherland we beseech Thee, O Lord! “‘For the equality .and fraternity of the Polish people we beseech Thee, O Lord! “ ‘For the repossession of the' Polish Fatherland, wo beseech Thee, O Lord! “ ‘For an early universal call, “To arms!” we beseech Thee, O Lord! “What gives > greater importance in the eyes of the authorities to avowals of national aspirations such as these,’'’ adds Mr Dawson, “is the knowledge that they represent tho ideals of the Poles everywhere. “The nresent position of the Polish question is this: on the Prussian side repression, on. tho-Polish side, enibitterment and exasperation ; oil both sides suspicion and antagonism.”