Editorial Appeal in the Gazeta Warszawska, Aug. 15.
Fellow-countrymen! A danger threatens us, greatest, perhaps, among the
many calamities which war brings to a country; the misdirection of the
nation's mind and understanding.
Various instigations are pressing the Poles to go against their own
instinct and the dictates of political reason in their attitude toward
the armies now invading our Polish lands, armies ringing with German
words of command, which even resound through Galician detachments lured
into belief that Poland may be saved through alliance with the Germans.
Various agitators on both the German and Austrian sides, having their
own interests at stake, are seeking to make our people take active part
in the terrific conflicts now to be fought out upon our soil.
To attain this end by throwing dust into our eyes, various manifestos
signed by the leaders of the armies beyond the frontier have promised
the Poles extensive liberties and privileges at the close of the war.
Certain Polish organizations, having lost, in the general excitement,
their healthy sense of judgment, are doing likewise. Do not let
yourselves be hoodwinked by these promises. They are lies. Neither of
the invading armies has any intention of fighting for Poland's sake.
Each is fighting in the interests of its own empire, and to those
empires we are of no account. They only want, in a moment of necessity,
to make the Poles passive instruments serving their own ends. Whoever
tells you that Austria in alliance with Prussia intends to build up
Poland once again is a blinded dreamer. The result of a victory for the
Germans and Austrians would mean a new partitioning of Poland, a yet
greater wreckage of our nation. Grasp this, listen to no seducers.
Remain passive, watchful, insensible to temptation.
During the coming struggle the Kingdom of Poland will be the marching
ground of various armies, we shall see temporary victors assuming
lordship for a while; but change of authority will follow, and
inevitable retaliation; this several times, perhaps, in the course of
the campaign. Therefore every improvident step will meet with terrible
revenge. By holding firm through the present conflict you best can serve
the Polish cause. In the name of the love you bear your country, of your
solicitude for the nation's future, we entreat you, fellow-countrymen,
to remain deaf to evil inspirations, unshakable in your determination
not to expose our land to yet greater calamities, and Poland's whole
future to incalculable perils.
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