WW1 in eyes of polish wealthy aristocrat.

ATP

Well-known member
And another.Emmanuel Małyński,1875-1938,he wrote in France series of book,one of them/1931,La Pologne nouvelle? was recently rtanslated to polish/Nowa Polska/.

Another Aristocrat - Edward woyniłłowicz "Memories 1847-1928.He was local gentry from old Belorussian family which become polish patriots,but still helped local belarussian peasants.He is forgotten in Poland,but on Belaruss condidered as one of nation-makers.

I adding another aristocrats.If somebody read about any important aristocrat writing about WW1,please post here.

I knew official history or unofficial made by commoners like me.Here is History saw by weatthy aristocrat,for whom being aristocrat mean being part of Europe elite.

Most important things :

Part of russian elites,like general Rennenkamph who let Hindenburg win Tannenberg battle and later in 1914 let him run when he was encircled neat Łódź city,supported Germany - as al result,Russia never fought Germany seriously.

In polish matters -

Piłsudzki do not undarstandt what politic means.In 1919 author was choosen to told about memprial of polish eastern borders - and concluded,that people there consider themselves locals,but would be loyal to state which gave them good roads,laws,schools,hospitals,honest police and judges.And they would fight for such country.

Piłsudzki looked into his eyes/before he never did so/ and author saw question - what roads ? i am making big politic.
Earlier he said,that polish authorities must enlinghten locals that they must be loyal.And roads ? who cares.

Other then that -

1.There was no poles who excepted free Poland in 1914.

2.Both german and russian elites belived in quick victory.

3.German provoked war from 1908,author do not knew why/austrian explanation he do not belived/

4.Germans stealed baggage of passangers in 1914,and later from polish wstates - but not as bad as polish army later.

5.There was no belarussian nation only locals,which in 1918 asked who are those Belarussian which would rule them.

6.There was no lithuanian nation - in 1914 about 500 demi-intelligient payed by germans and locals who do not knew one lithuanian language,only dialects.And when they meet one another,they speak polish.

7.France do not wanted Poland,only Russia - and started supporting Poland becouse central powers did so in 1916 and russian after first revolution agree to free Poland.Thay would support Russia,if it existed.

8.Polsh army fighting soviets in 1920 retreated without fight,and officers run first/althought some units fought/
Soviets run,becouse we start fighting.There was no miracle - soviets always run when meet somebody who fought and had modern weapons.

9.Soviets advancing toward Warsaw belived that they had friends there,and without soldiers from Poznań and Weygand those friend could surrender.

10.Polish army after liberating Poland behaved worst then germans,burning buildings in estates and stealing without paying.Author estate,Łazduny,was destroyed so much that he must sell it for almost nothing.

I would wrote about memories of polish wealthy aristocrat,Hipolit Korwin - Milewski,about WW1.
He was influential in Russia thanks to his agriculture skills,so he knew how russian state operated and why.
He also had good knowledge about France,thanks to russian friend and his own family contacts.
And some knowledge from Germany and A-H thanks to distant relatives living there.

It is taken from second volume of his memories.He started it with explanation,that nobody in Poland in 1914 planned for free Poland,including him.

Here - Chapter 1.

he had lands/Łazduny/,money,newspaper in Wilno,moneys in France,67 years old and did not thought about war.
Unfortunatelly,germans had other plans.
He was in Ems/he was ill/,becouse he do not expected anything this year.So he waited with his plan to remove his money from Germany and move it to USA/he lost it all/
Even after austrian ultimatum he belived that germany do not want watr yet - till he read 30.7.14 in New York Herald that 2 german ships,Wilhelm der Grosse and Kronprincessin Cacille with german gold leaved NY.
Thus he knew,that germany want war now and planned it before austrian ultimatum.and leaved Ems.Belgian colonel leaved ,too,becouse he knew that germans would attack his country.
german baron belived in quicj german victory.Germans started mobilising young people before official mobilisation.Next day in Berlin he managed to take part of his money from Bank.
W Dirshau he saw fully mobilised units 6 hours after official mobilisation.He managed to run,but only with his personal baggage - lest was stealed by germans,not only his,but all passyngers from 1th class.Germans never paid for this.

In Wilno he meet other poles,and advised them to not engage and survive with their lands.He also meet general Rennekamp,who said that he take Berlin in 3 weeks.He do not belived,but said nothing.
In his estate everything was fine,and people worked as if nothing changed.Russian mobilisation was very fast,and they belived in victory.
Problem is - russian fought Austrian seriuosly,but germans as if they do not wish them harm.
There was russian faction/including baron Rosen and general Rennenkampf// which wonted alliance with Germany and renewed war with Japan.

Chapter 2.

He go to Petersburg - to confirm,that russian declaration about Poland are bullshit.He also try to help alcochol distilleries badly hit by ban on alcochol.
Tannenberg was possible becouse Hidenburg gathered all his forces except one brigade against Samsonow - and Rennekampf did nothing to help.That was russian betreyal,no german victory.
Russians also do not cared about logictic - one officer bragged that they mobilised 5 millions of man,and when author told that they have no rifles for them answer was "we would find in time".They found - after 15 months.

Later Hindenburg tried to take Warsaw twice,bith failed,and would be encircled near Łódż if russian generals Szejdemann and Rennekampf do not let him go.Betreyal again.
Russian take Lwów - and becouse it was polish city,they started support ukrainian there.He was asked by Russian to gather support for them,nothing come from that becouse they promised nothing for Poland.And Dmowski was still russian loyalist.

Chapter 3

In Petersburg Rasputin was getting more power,supporting Empress and her party.Russians was sure,that Allies would take Dardanele and they Constantinopole./1915/
He speaked with Bulgarians,and since Russian treted them as vassal at best,and their province at worst/duke Mieszczerski during Alexander 3 reign/,he said them that they would fight against Russia.
Russian start loosing,and since he knew that german would steal eveything in his estate/which they did/ he decided go to France,becouse only there was some hope for Poland./germans knew everything about polish estates so they stealed almost all/
In England he found that people treat war like kind of dangerous sport.

Chapter 4

Paris - he was there in 1870 when all was bragging about victory,and quickly break.Now,people was solemn,but keep fighting.He start writing about war for various newspapers/Eclair,Journal de debats and others/
Becouse he farsee that Russian would not take away german gains,and England would not gave big army,and that victory need big well prepared offensive and smaller one would gave nothing,they started belive him.
Russian ambassador Izwolski do not wanted talk seriously bout Poland till Russia end.
 
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ATP

Well-known member
Chapter 5

He go to hotel Chatham/in Paris/ French either do not remembered Poland,or considered it as part of Russia.
Author considered all profesional politicians as little better then prostitutes,who worked only for themselves and could be buyed by everyone.
He continued writing about Poland,to educate french public about our country.

Chapter 6

He wrote text about Polish case,and talked about it with french president Raymond Poincare/secretly to not offend russians/
that Poland should be free and in 1772 borders.And had doubts about problems,fearing that instead of Switzerland we could become banana republic.It could not be published.
He also befriended countess Rose de fitz-James,which keep gathering influential people in her home.
He also start commenting russian affairs for french intelligience/count Armand/ - till revolution.Since he knew nothing about revolutionists,they stop asking him.He did so becouse he was polish,not russian patriot,and saw how russian elites betrayed their country and helped Germany.

Chapter 7
Verdun - french was suprised by german attack,but after one week managed deliver needed supplies using trucks taken from entire country.
According to author,french belived in russian power becouse they wonted belive - becouse polish magnate,Mikołaj Potocki before WW1 told french president Fallieres,that russian army have no great value.
Author told Dmowski that in free Poland peasants would be no great help,becouse like all other peasant care only about their own village.
Author do not belived in any russian reforms,becouse knew that tsar Mikolaj 2 belived,that his duty is preserve all russian territory under autocrat orthodox rule.
German started send bombers during night - but author decided that probability of dying from bomb is less then from ilness which he could get in bunker,so he never use bunkers.

Chapter 8

hotel was cheaper then before war.Food was reglamented,but good,not some ersac,so people do not complained.
After Sienkiewicz death,he wrote about him.
When russian made Protopatow minister of internal affairs - who was honest madman/folie circulaire/.Just like tsarica/meliores ambo/ ,premier Trepow could save Russia - but he demanded that madman Protopapow would be removed,so mad tsarica removed him./from office,he was not killed/
Wilson,in his opinion was powerhungry megaloman.
In 1917 Germany created "Lithuanian state" which for him was funny,becouse such thing like lithuanian nation do not existed.
 

ATP

Well-known member
Chapter 9

Start first russian revolution - all happy that tsar go down,but sure that his brother would replace him.Author in "Journal des debats" that unless guard would remain loyal to new tsar,and he would have strong will,his brother would fail,too.Which happened.
Ambassador Izwolski promised be faitfull to Kiereńskibut he fired him anyway.When author meet him he starting accusing poles of lack betreyal - and Hipolit answered,that all what united poles and russians was tsar which poles promised serve,and when Russia get rid of tsar there is nothing which could unite them.
Russia practicallly destroyed dyscypline in army,and accidentally gave freedom to Poland/occupied by germans/
Russiand army stop fighting,russian corp in France tried revolt and was pacyficed,so France need fresh meat.So,they tried to raise polish army.
Only way for that was from poles in USA - but in USA ambassy he was told,tat USA want loyal americans,so they do not need poles fighting for Poland.
small polish army start gathering jews which wonted run from front,not fight for anything.Some even said to such volunteers "go to synagogue".
But in 1918 USA let poles join,prisoners from german and austrian armies joined,too - and thanks to that polish army was created and fought well.
In 1917 germans thanks to their newspaper "Le bonnet rouge" manage to revolt 2 dyvisions,but Petain dealed with that.
He was paid for book about russian revolution,wrote it and it was popular/Dangers of russian revolution/-aboput agrarian question,democracy in army ,and national separatism

Chapter 10

Allies created polish national comitee lead by Dmowski/and payed for it/Till that they were paid by Zamoyski.
Thanks to lod russian friend,Wasilij Makłakow who manage get to Paris,he discovered how tsar lost power -
ruling Protopopow provoked workers/there was food,but he hide it/ waited for rebellion with HMG on roofs - but army joined with workers.

Peace talking in 1917 faiked,becouse thanks to one poles from german occupation they knew,that german situation was critical./cancellor Bethman Hollweg script/

French start liking revolution,too - one rich french,Fabre-Luce said that elites think that they are winning war,but they are supporting biggest revolution ever.
France was saved by Georged Clemensou.

Lithuania was created by Germany,and their agents acted in Paris.But he managet to get german raport/von Beckerath/ from that region,that only real nation there are poles.
Becouse/author/ till 1914 there were maybe 500 people trained by germans which considered themselves lithuanians - peasants was local,not belonged to any nation.And they wanted gentry lands,not state.
 

ATP

Well-known member
Chapter 11

In 03.1918 Balfour in England supported Lenin - so author made answer.

Yes,tsars provoked revolution.Yes,their regime was bad.But if his leg was hurt,he do not want lost it - and that was what revolution did in Russia.
They do not help any issue ,but made more crimes then tsars during last 100 years.Tsar tried made Russia sober - now everybody is drunk.
Russian was never free - so they could not have both order and freedom.
Russian revolution is only destroing - and they are better only at bribes - making them 10 times bigger then old officials.
Russians was united by tsar,church,army,beurocracy and patriotism - and revolution destroyed it all.
Is as men with amputated both hands and legs. - and if survive,survive as cripple.

About 15.03.18 french officials proposed ,that he would become head of another polish comitee,becouse they do not liked Dmowski.He refused,becouse he do not fell strong enough for that.

23.03.18 Germans start bombarding Paris with supergun/4 was made/.Author was not frightened by that - but by new american trucks,and feared for his life once saw one. -
 

ATP

Well-known member
Chapter 12

Becouse he lost money in Russia,he go to city Brieuc in Bretanny./cheaper/.He meet french officer who trained poles from USA - and said,that they are very good sergeants,but less capable of becoming officers then french.
Frederik Masson attacked Poland,so he answered in semi-private letter for various important persons.Basically,Poles had no reason to fight for France unless France would fight for Poland.
8.8.18 two german dyvisions refused fight.
He spoken with Mr.Fabre-Luce/Credit Lyonnais/ about destroing A- H - Mr Fabre said it would be crime against France,author belived that it would be crime against Europe - becouse smaller A-H would fight Germany when they start another war.
Foir author it was obvious that german being german must start another war 20-30 years after WW1.
Unfortunatelly,people who decided do not though,but act on their feelings - Clemensou becouse he hated catholics,Llyod George becouse he hated bot catholic and aristocrats,protestant Wilson and mason Orlando /italy/
Unfortunatelly,polish nationalists helped,too.Which was suicide - becouse before 1950 germans would start another war.
In which instead of A-H allies we get germany supported by Austria.

When Germany start falling,author tried persuade Allies to stop german army on East,so soviets could not take over there.
And send polish Haller army to take guard there.
Which was not made becouse of Dmowski mistakes.
In Lozanna polish comitee payd 20 persons for work which could be done by 2.

Author need money,so he go to Switzerland/only from that place he could get his moneys from Russia and Germany/.
He manage do so.

Lozanna become place of hiding for rich people from A-H - they/Ballplatz,baron de Vaux,count Berhtold/ ,told him that germany attacked them,becouse A-H emperor told them that Russia in 1916 would be ready for war,which he knew from King of England Edward VII,who tried coopted him into Allies in 1908 in Iszl.

Author knew,that germany from 1908 tried provoke war,but he do not belive that story - becouse english King must be avare,that A-H would not agree.
So,he do not belived in that story.
 

ATP

Well-known member
Chapter 13

author was asked for book about East Europe/Louis Barthou wanted it/ title - Que-faire de lest -Europ,en.
He wrote,that allies must finish off soviets,becouse russians are unable to do so.He also belived that Poland,Finland,Caucasus states had chance to exist,but ukrainian not.
He wrote about bad influence of Dmowski.
Piłsudzki take power in Warsaw in 1918 becouse local conservatives do not made their own army for time when germany lost/becouse they do not knew that they were losing/
He arleady undarstandt,that future Poland would be mafia state like Italy,with parties as ruling mafias.

At the same time,becouse he knew Paderewski,new premier,some shady dude proposed him bribe if he contact him with Paderewski.He wanted sold to Poland trains.
He was very happy,becouse as tsar subject he knew how to gave bribes,but never anybody tried gave one to him.
He refused,of course.

He was at breakfast with french minister,and advise him to take from Germany 100 billions of marks in gold,not want 232 later.And occupy part of territory till they pay all.He argued,that unless french who paid all till 1874 becouse they wonted end of occupation,germans would simpy do nothing.Becouse french was like noble steed,germans - big cows.French do not listen.

Decision was made formally by 5 powers - but since except Japan secretars was all jews,they mostly decided.
All jews hated Poland,and LLyold George personally - becouse nationalist newspaper in Poland wrote about his sex affairs,and he cosplayed as puritan.

During that time,soviets/with help of local jew/ murdered his cousin in Wilno,Michała Meysztowicza.
He told french about reality of so-called ukrainian and lithuanian nations.
He talked with Alfred Tyszkiewicz,polish aristocrat who started cosplaing as lithuanian,and from him hear about german occupation meeting with jew leader - he told him that they do not need any agreement,becouse after christain nations stop fighting jews would made their own plan.

He hear from Ksawery Orłowski,that baron Maurycy de Rotschild demanded that Poland could not be represented by Dmowski in Versaile.We refused,then jews keep attacking us.
 

ATP

Well-known member
Chapter 14

3.08.19 he come back to Warsaw - where discovered that in new Poland poles try rob each other/legally,of course/ more then under russian occupation.
He was frightened by polish Sejm - not becouse they wanted his lands,but becouse debats about that was inferior then those in Russian Duma.From intelectual point of viev.


he saw,that money are made by printing without any sensible reforms,so told that Poland could have its own agricurtural specialists,engineers,beaurcrats,but finanse specialist and army should be run for few years by hired french specialist till polish would be trained.Others told,that he is traitor.

His flat in Wilno was untouched/some german officer was there/ and they only take money.Wilno was ruled by Jerzy Osmołowski,Piłsudzki creature,who steal whatever he wonted.But,at least,officials was poles.There was almost no russians - their occupation leaved no signs.Just like german occupation in Poznań.
He come to his estate in Łazduny - german stealed all cows,stealed most of forests,half of books/he had 4500/ and archive.But estate could still be saved.
Osmołowski ruled like mongol khan,taking everything he wonted without any law.He was worst then germans.

He was among those who wrote memorial about eastern polish borders to Piłsudzki.He told him about that,and during 30 minutes Piłsudzki not even once looked in his eyes.
Later he explained,why he do not cooperate with Denikin/he wonted fight for Russia and leave us with rump Poland/

and told,that "Locals" must be enlinghtened why they should love Poland.
Author explained him,that locals are illiterate,but not stupid - they do not need propaganda,but good road,administration,law,good judges,good schools,good hospitals,good police - and then they would fight for Poland just like common germans fought for Germany.

Piłsudzki then ince looked into his eyes - and author undarstand,that Piłsudzki could not comprehend that and politic for him is taking power and getting trusted people,and about roads and schools junior officials should think.

According to author,Piłsudzki had charisma so people followed him - but not idea how govern in good way.And his charisma do not worked on author.

And Piłsudzki used people who as officials could become richer.In this time,his horses saved from germans and soviets was stealed - by polish state.
 

ATP

Well-known member
Chapter 15

1919 - he was 2 days in Berlin,and saw only one fat woman.Which explained him why Germany surrender.
He go to Wilno again,and Jerzy Osmółowski wonted take their lands.They agree - if it had economical sense.Then Osmółowski said them to wait in Wilno and made proposals - and run when soviets come.
He asked french represantive,colonel Karol Martin about situation - and he said,that Poland would lost Wilno only if we wonted lost it.
He go to his estate Łazduny,but 10.07.19 get info that Polish army is running without any fight.He run on 3 wagons /take only books and food/
Polish forces broke,becouse officers run first in cars and stealed wagons.After them followed soldiers in groups 3-30,in good uniforms but without weapons.
He hear that some units fought and retreated in good order/Jung and Konarzewski generals/ but all he saw was rout.

When he finally get to Warsaw,he start feeling really old/he was 72/
In Warsaw he feel that people do not care about polish cities taken by soviets,started feel something when they crossed Bug river.
He hear about dutch mercanery in Whit army of general Korniłow - and every time they meet soviets,even if they have 10 numerical advantage,they run after short fight.
That was real miracle 1920 - we start fighting,not running,And soviet run then.

Problem was - even then many wonted talk,not fight.And captured soviets told that in Warsaw they have friends.Without army from Poznań and general Weygand it could be no fight at all.

4.08.20 he go to Poznań,becouse there was no place in hotels in Warsaw,and he had place in hotel in Poznań.
He meet Dmowski there - becouse he tried and failed fire Piłsudzki for incopetency,he must go from Warsaw.

He also meet Bronisława Umiastowskiego,who saw how Wilno fell - comendant general Boruszczak ordered fight to last soldiers and run.Becouse he was ordered so.
Small unit of female soldiers was gangraped and murdered.Becouse he do not told them to leave.

he must leaved hotel and was saved by Zamoyski.He found papers of Zygmunt Krasiński,that Poland would be saved not by angels but by satans/which happened during WW1/,and that nation would be poisoned by then.Which also was true - from 30.000 officers,half was doing nothing except taking money.

His flat in Wilno was occupied by colonel Dąbrowski,and estate Łazduny by 9th Infrantry dyvision.They were stealing everything they wonted.

He remained in Poznań,and when in France A.Gauvain supported so called Lithuania ,he answered in "Le Correspondant"
that 1.Lithuania could need polish city,but it is not reason for giving it to them.
2.Wilno was not capitol of lithuanian when they were tribes,becouse they had no capitol,but Russian - lithuanian state from 1326 and russian people lived there.And they speak belarussian language on Lithuanian court.
3Till 1905 there were no any lithuanians there and in nearby villages,only locals.
It was even worst with belarusian,one peasant even asked in 1918 who are those belarussian who are suppose to rule there.

His work was send by friends and 10.03.21 making big impact in France.He could not use polish post,becouse it would be taken.Maybe thanks to him France do not supported Lithuania.
 

ATP

Well-known member
Chapter 16

He go to Wilno - taken by Piłsudzki puppet,Lucjan Żeligowski - and when economically poles was still destroyed,culturally they start be destroyed,too.officials was usually from soviets and speak russian,part of officers,too.
flat,houses and even palaces was taken by new overlords,who,of course,not paid.

his flat was taken by colonel Dąbrowski who do not wonted go- but author had writing from general Rozwadowski ,then he agree come back to Warsaw.
When he come to his own flat,he found lieuntant Siła - Nowicki who said that he get flat from colonel.
He tried to get his property back,but for next week it was impossible - becouse another senior officer help lieutnant.Who was drinking and singing russian songs with prostitutes.
Finally general Żeligowski gave his flat back.

new,formally rebel state was doing everything to made it notpolish,almost all officials was not local poles,and they supported lithuanian bishop Matulewicz who supported anybody against poles.

His estate Łazduny was occupied by polish 9th dyvision.They occupied many other estates,and almost in every one some building was burned,which was not done by germans or soviets.He lost more then 3 buildings.
Piłsudzki was there and nothing changed.

some of his buildings was taken by peasants,mostly not from this territory.Polish law scheltered thieves.
So,he come back tp Poznań and lived in small flat with his survived books.

He must sold his estate,becouse polish army destroyed it,and for estate worth more then 250.000$ before war get almost nothing.Polish state destroyed him.
And many other gentry,too

Chapter 17

Polish army- was bandit occupation.
Riga peace was suicide for Poland.Adding bad goverments and fatal economy,he belived that polish state is doomed to fall.
Polish nation would survive,becouse russians and germans do not managed destroy it.
As long as elites survive,becouse without them commoners would become other nation.

He was wrong - polish elites was destroyed during WW2,but polish nation survived.

He citated Piłsudzki who said that everything go wrong becouse poles are idiots and full of agents - author do not agree,we are not idiots but immoral,and worst agents in 1927 was those of Piłsudzki- austrian and german.
He also saw,that almost all wonted their own personal gain,not help Poland.

All agentures did everything they could to made Poland smaller.In 1920 we could take Kowno,in 1923 Kłajpeda which was supported to be polish harbour,and author though that polish states would continue giving up its lands.

Authors end saing that he only told Truth,when all poles do everything to be nice.
 

ATP

Well-known member
Annex

1.Answer to russian proclamation from 1914 - if Russia win,poles want self-goverment as good as that gave by A-H or better.Polish language must be used in offices and schools.Freedom for catholicism.

2.Answer to attack by Frederic Masson in Le Gaulois/1918/-
1.First - becouse France do not declared they they would fight for Poland,poles had no duty to fight for France.Those who do,fight for France,not Poland
2.France do not helped Poland in 1772,1792,1830 and 1863.In 1794 provoke uprising against Russia,and then in Bale sold their polish allies to Prussia for lands in germany.
3.In 1815 Russia wonted polish Kingdom under tsar - France was against it and made it smaller that could be,helping prussians.
4.In 1856 after victory over Russia,France do not even try help Poland
5.After russian made declaration in 1914 about Poland,they made secret agreement that France help Russia widraw from that/Braind - Izwolski/
6.Poles from Austria supported Austria - but France could not condemn that.
7.Poles in France are no german spies - those with position and money are free to do whatever they like,and those who are spies are working for France.
8.All captured spies was french nationality,and those with "ski" was jews from Russia cosplaing as poles.
9.Masson is treating poles as senegal troops - they must be loyal to France for nothing.

P.S Masson was beaten about 1880 by count Zamoyski - so this explain his text.
 

ATP

Well-known member
Ending .

I knew official history or unofficial made by commoners like me.Here is History saw by weatthy aristocrat,for whom being aristocrat mean being part of Europe elite.



Most important things :

Piłsudzki do not undarstandt what politic means.In 1919 author was choosen to told about memprial of polish eastern borders - and concluded,that people there consider themselves locals,but would be loyal to state which gave them good roads,laws,schools,hospitals,honest police and judges.And they would fight for such country.

Piłsudzki looked into his eyes/before he never did so/ and author saw question - what roads ? i am making big politic.
Earlier he said,that polish authorities must enlinghten locals that they must be loyal.And roads ? who cares.

1.There was no poles who excepted free Poland in 1914.

2.Both german and russian elites belived in quick victory.

3.German provoked war from 1908,author do not knew why/austrian explanation he do not belived/

4.Germans stealed baggage of passangers in 1914,and later from polish wstates - but not as bad as polish army later.

5.There was no belarussian nation only locals,which in 1918 asked who are those Belarussian which would rule them.

6.There was no lithuanian nation - in 1914 about 500 demi-intelligient payed by germans and locals who do not knew one lithuanian language,only dialects.And when they meet one another,they speak polish.

7.France do not wanted Poland,only Russia - and started supporting Poland becouse central powers did so in 1916 and russian after first revolution agree to free Poland.Thay would support Russia,if it existed.

8.Polsh army fighting soviets in 1920 retreated without fight,and officers run first/althought some units fought/
Soviets run,becouse we start fighting.There was no miracle - soviets always run when meet somebody who fought and had modern weapons.

9.Soviets advancing toward Warsaw belived that they had friends there,and without soldiers from Poznań and Weygand those friend could surrender.

10.Polish army after liberating Poland behaved worst then germans,burning buildings in estates and stealing without paying.Author estate,Łazduny,was destroyed so much that he must sell it for almost nothing.
 
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ATP

Well-known member
One important thing - part of russian eliotes,like general Rennenkampf who let Hindenburg win in Tannenberg battle,and later let him run in 1914 when he was encircled newt Łódż city with 16 dyvisions,supported germans.
As a result,Russia never fought germans seriously.
 

ATP

Well-known member
Another polish aristocrat - Roman Potocki,"W trzech wojnach Wspomnienia"/In 3 wars memories/
His father had 55 estates,railroad and 4 factories before WW1,lost almost all.He had few estates and factory after WW1,lost all and lived in one room after WW2.
Now,important thing - he was part of russian guard during WW1/calvary/,and he saw how 3 guard infrantry dyvisions were send in close ranks against fortified germans in 1916.They were massacred for nothing.
Later remnants was mixed with mobs from Petersburg and first joined revolution.
13 calvary regiments,including his,was still good and loyal and IF they were in Petersburg there would be no revolution.But somebody prevented that,and after Kiereński take power officers there did nothing to prevent bolsewhik agitation - as the result,they ceased to exist,too.

Author is sure,that it was some kind of plot.And i agree with him.Nobody could be that stupid and still breathe,so that must be betreyal.

He also said,that we lost quickly in 1939 becouse Chief commander,Rydz Śmigły,do not undarstandt military matters/in my opinion - were idiot,but aristocrat could not wrote that.It would be unpolite/.

Well,that is all.
 
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ATP

Well-known member
Edward Woyniłłowicz,memories 1847-1928.
1905 war started,becouse some rich russian wonted better deal in forest industry in Manchuria, and generals wonted medals for short victorious war.When they lost,they prepared pogroms of jews,and attack on gentry estates,and offered polish gentry soldiers for hire.For good money.Poles refused,and this time belarussian peasants did nothing.

In 1917 nobody defended tsar,and Kiereński helped revolution by letting peasants take gentry lands.And did nothing to stop Lenin.

Poles from Warsaw do not cared about poles from Mińsk,and let soviet take them in 1921.
 

ATP

Well-known member
In 1919 poles could take down soviets - but refused to do so.Piłsudzki even for some time do not let soldiers cross Bug river,which let soviet take many military assets in Białystok/uniforms etc/.
In 1919 we had election - for author everybody cared only about his party,not country,and most do not undarstandt economic.
Russian emigrants still wonted big Russia dominating others,and small belarussian elites ,which first supported germans and later soviets,now supported Piłsudzki.Nobody wonted them anyway.

The same book.
In 1919 poles retaked Mińsk - where soviets murdered many cyvilians.jews were worst.And keep soviet law about giving land to peasants - which destroyed economy.
In 1920 he talked one hour with Piłsudzki - which told him that gentry are bad egoists,and must vanish.Which was bullshit,only gentry send all able bodied men to army,when peasants usually try to avoid it.
Fun thing - many peasants wonted tsar back.Including polish.

Riga peace was for him 4 partition of Poland,and considering what soviets did to poles there,he was right/they were practically eradicated till WW2/

Real tragedy - soviets could accept even Dniepr river line as border,as long as we do not demand gold.We choosed gold - which soviets mostly never delivered.

Personally,i think that Poland could be considered as guilty of not crushing soviets when we could do so.Author belived that,too.
 

ATP

Well-known member
Emmanuel Małyński,nowa Polska/La Pologne nouvelle/ 1931 in France,2019 polish translation.

On one hand - he is good in economic,and explained how polish economy must sucked after 1918/socialist with farmers ruled/.
He also saw soviets as grave danger against cyvilisation,and saw all mistakes of Piłsudzki.
He treated Ryga peace as 4 partition of Poland.

Now,problems - he for some reasons belived that financial power of West is ruled by jews/maybe true/ who together with jews in soviets destroyed cyvilisation.Problem is - those soviets jews would schoot rich jews if they ever take over West,so i doubt it.

He also belived that Piłsudzki is genius who from the start played austrian and german to get free Poland,and destroy Russia.Which is unlikely.He also belived,that he/in 1931/ could lead coalition of european countries to conqer soviets,and was happy with giving western regions of Poland to germans,if we get Belarus and Ukraine.
Rest of Europe should take rest of soviet union.
That was bullshit,nobody wonted it in 1931.

And he belived that lithuanians,belarussians and ukrainians are no true nations and if we remove agents rest would be happy to be poles.
It was possible only with belarussian in 1931.

Another problem - he belived that germans was victims of WW1 and had right to polish lands.
 

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