the exact area occupied by the Polish race. But we shall not be far wrong if we estimate the total number of Polish-speaking people at twenty millions, of whom four millions belong to Austria, and four millions and twelve millions respectively are unwilling subjects of the Kaiser and of the Tsar. And that number is increasing, for amongst many uncertainties one fact is certain, that in the wide expanse where the Pole and the Teuton are confronted, it is the Teuton who is losing ground, and it is the Pole who is gaining.
II
Perhaps the simplest way to explain the unique position of Poland to a British reader is to describe her as the Ireland of Central Europe, with this difference, that whereas Ireland has long ago been delivered from the despotism of the Conqueror, Poland is still in the grip of her oppressors. Otherwise the annals of Poland are very much a repetition of the tragic annals of Ireland, and both countries make a similar appeal to the student of history, of ethics, and of politics.
In the first place, we ought to be interested in Poland on historical grounds. Poland can
