would have to be made, and the conduct and development of our army formed one of the factors which would influence the measures taken by the Government, either for us or against us. I realized that this was going to be an important test, not only of the ability of our officers but of that of our whole nation. I had already witnessed at close quarters how the French military circles had ruthlessly disparaged the Polish Army on account of various disorders and disputes whilst in the course of formation, and I therefore determined at all costs to prevent similar occurrences amongst us, and to show that we were more disciplined, better prepared, and more advanced generally. Realizing thus how fateful the consequences would be to us if at this early stage we were to make the slightest blunder, I was uncompromising towards the troops. I insisted that they should unconditionally submit to all instructions from Paris, and in particular I prohibited them from engaging in politics, for that was a subject about which the Ministry of War was most touchy. And so for several months there was continual tension between Cognac and the National Council in Paris. I deliberately overlooked the unpopularity among the troops which I had incurred at the outset. My hope was that after a certain time they would realize that I was in the right, and all the reasonable elements soon did so. I must admit that I often subjected their patience to a severe test, and this only makes their merits all the more praiseworthy. I now affirm that our officers and men from France reached the highest standard of all our troops, and it was not long before the Ministry of War itself began to confirm me in this view. Within three months our troops had won the approval of the French Government, but the difficulties and the nerve-racking disputes which arose in connection with this military enterprise, taken in conjunction with the increasing pressure of our work during the spring of 1918, caused me much weariness and distress.
90
These troubles of the National Council were increased by the difficult conditions prevailing in our colony at Paris. The colony had split up into various groups, one of which aroused serious and indeed well-founded suspicions that it contained Austrian spies. Being possessed of ample means, this group
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