The representatives of the undersigned political parties, assembled in Warsaw on the 16th August, 1914, welcome the Proclamation issued to the Poles by his Imperial Highness the Commander in Chief of the Russian forces as an act of the foremost historical importance, and implicitly believe that upon the termination of the war the promises uttered in that proclamation will be formally fulfilled, that the dreams of their fathers and forefathers will be realized, that Poland’s body, torn asunder a century and a half ago, will once again be made whole, that the frontiers severing the Polish nation will vanish.

     The blood of Poland’s sons, shed in united combat against the
     Germans, will serve equally as a sacrifice, offered upon the altar
     of her resurrection.

     THE DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL PARTY.

     THE POLISH PROGRESSIVE PARTY.

     THE REALIST PARTY.

     THE POLISH PROGRESSIVE UNION.

* * * * *

NO ALLIANCE WITH GERMANY

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.