Undemonizing Dmowski Duma Elections Jones

The New Poland, by Paul V. B. Jones. 1919

DUMA Elections Importance. Especially Good on the Effective Polish Pushback Against Prussian Rule Over Northwest Poland

This 16-page pamphlet discusses several issues related to Poland’s regaining of independence in 1918.

THE PARTITIONS WERE NOT INEVITABLE

Author Paul Jones realizes the internal weaknesses, notably the LIBERUM VETO of pre-Partitioned Poland, but suggests that: “As a matter of fact it is highly probable that Poland could have amended her vicious system, had the time been afforded. Eighteenth century Poland, keenly aware of many of her problems, was indeed striving quite vigorously to handle them…” (p. 3).

GERMAN RULE OVER POLAND WAS THE WORST

Prussian-ruled Poland suffered the most, as the Russians lacked sufficient organizational skills and policies to fully enforce their despotism. (p. 4). Von Bulow (Buelow) forced the Germanization of virtually all aspects of Polish life, engaged in mass colonization of Polish lands by Germans along with virtual confiscation of Polish properties, etc.

POLES GET ORGANIZED AND PUSH BACK AGAINST GERMAN OPPRESSION

The Poles retained their Polish identity, and, far from being impractical romantics or hotheaded revolutionaries, actually beat the Germans at their own game. Jones comments: “Meanwhile, the Poles were doing something besides talking, and nursing a deeply burning hatred. They learned thrift from their German masters, formed remarkable co-operative organizations, and developed, under the management of their priests who well understood their people and their needs, an excellent banking system, conforming rigidly to the very letter of the Prussian banking laws, and able to pay a slightly better rate of interest than the German banks.” (pp. 5-6).

The author continues: “Von Bulow himself finally admitted that the scheme for colonization had failed…the Prussian Poles…have benefited greatly from the rigid disciplining of their stern masters, and now, chastened in temper, steadfast, thrifty and aggressive, they have their reward: Leadership in the New Poland must devolve on them—an amazing retribution for Prussia!” (p. 6).

Polska Sila! Polish Power!

PILSUDSKI AND DMOWSKI

Jones summarizes the two main national movements in Poland—those of Jozef Pilsudski and Roman Dmowski: “Whereas Pilsudski’s group—working-men, for the most part, are described at that time (1904-1906) as more socialistic than national, with a hatred for the Polish capitalistic, landholding element, akin to their abhorrence of Russian autocracy, and with small respect for the Church, the National Democrats [Endeks], on the other hand, representing landholders, bourgeoisie, peasants, and like their opponents with a scattering of intellectuals, were strongly national, but pro-Russian, with the hope of securing an autonomous Poland. The latter party, able, after the Revolutionary crisis following the war with Japan, to control the Polish seats in the Duma…” (p. 7).

IMPORTANCE OF POLISH SEATS IN THE DUMA

The centrality of Polish representation in the Duma (tsarist Russian parliament), to Polish national interests in general, and to the Endek program of national development in particular, is clear. Although not mentioned by Jones, it explains the entirely-reasonable Dmowski’s boycotting of Jews in retaliation for the Jews’ election of their own, pro-Russian candidate in the 1912 Duma elections.