The Czechoslovak Review/Volume 4/Situation in Teschen

Situation in Teschen

The news of the recent arrival of the first squadron of the 12th French Dragoons to reinforce the Allied army of occupation at Teschen, has aroused fresh interest in the development of events in that region. The point at issue in connection with the Teschen district is fairly well known. At the Peace Conference the representatives of the Czechoslovak Republic demanded that the Teschen district, as forming a part of the Czechoslovak regions in their historical entirety, should be unconditionally ceded to them on historical, economic and racial grounds. The Poles on the other hand, brought forward and laid a special emphasis upon the factors of nationality and self-determination, since they held the view that they were in majority. This was in spite of the fact that the delegates of the Czechoslovak Republic asserted a plebiscite to be unnecessary, adding however, that if it were carried out, the result would be in favour of Czechoslovakia. For this reason they advocated a judicious compromise by which both nations would benefit, as they foresaw that a plebiscite would probably result in fresh disputes and misunderstandings.

Unfortunately, these fears have been entirely justified. From the attitude of the preponderant majority of the population of the Teschen district, chiefly Silesians (Slonzaks), whose dialect forms a kind of a transition between the Czechs and the Poles, the latter discovered that the result of the plebiscite would be unfavourable to them, and they therefore have endeavored by all possible means,—intimidation, violence and calumny not excepted,—to force the population to vote in favor of Poland.

The Czechs for their part demand nothing but a satisfactory agreement with Poland, and they would be only too glad to live at peace with the Poles. The Polish point of view is best illustrated by the declaration of the Polish Deputy Zamorski, who immediately upon his arrival at Teschen said (according to the Polish paper “Dzienik Cieszynski”) that if it came to war with the Czechs, such a war would be extremely popular in Poland. This statement acted as a signal to intensify the terrorism practised by the Poles.

There were numerous cases in which subjects of the Czechoslovak Republic or persons whose sympathies were with them, became the victims of armed attacks, robberies and imprisoment. The Allied Commission was informed of all such occurences and supplied with the exact details relating to them. The whole of this terrorism was organised by Polish agitators mainly from Galicia. Things finally reached such a pitch that the inhabitants themselves together with the Allied troops set up a means of defence against the organised bands of ruffians, among whom were many soldiers in civilian dress from Haller’s army. Owing, however, to the fact that the Allied garrison was not numerically very strong, its troops were scarcely able to intervene effectively, and this only increased the audacity of the Polish bands with the result that the authority of the plebiscite commission decreased day by day.

Under these conditions it was inevitable that there should be serious disturbances. On one of these occasions a French soldier, Octave Delille, was shot by the Poles, and the Polish organiser of this attack was arrested. On several occasions rifles of the Prussian pattern were taken away from the armed Poles who were taken into custody. The Italian detachments also frequently had to use their arms in self-defence, and during these proceedings numbers of Poles were killed and wounded. Much indignation was also arroused by the case of Dr. Radimsky, the brother of the Czechoslovak representative at Warsaw, who was attacked at Teschen and so ill-treated that he had to be removed to hospital. The greatest trouble is undoubtedly due to the lack of authority on the part of the Allied Commission which has not sufficient troops at its disposal to cope with the terrorism and intrigues of the Polish “National Council”. Matters grew so bad that a regular outbreak of civil war was threatened.

The military situation was far more favorable to the Poles who were prepared for an armed conflict. But on the other hand the feeling among the greater part of the population is obviously against them. In this respect, owing also to the imprudent action of the Poles, the situation is becoming more and more favorable to the Czechs, a state of things which is acknowledged by the members of the Plebiscite Commission. It seems that the Poles have at last realised how harmful their policy of terrorism is to their own intererests, and they have therefore agreed to the Czechs proposal to issue an appeal to the population for tranquillitry, tfter both the Plebiscite Commission and Dr. Beneš, the Czechoslovak Minister for Foreign Affairs, had asked the Allies for military reinforcements. By recalling Deputy Zamorski, who by his imflammatory utterances ondy added to the feeling of unrest, the Government at Warsaw has taken the step which is likely to lead to a more peaceful development of the plebiscite in the Teschen district. Whether this also signifies a turning point in Polish policy, only the future can decide. The Czechs do not abandon their conviction that in order to strengthen peace and to secure good relations between the two kindred peoples, it is only necessary to pursue a loyal policy such as is being maintained by the Czechoslovak Government. The foremost condition for this is that the plebiscite to which the Czechoslovak nation agreed in order to show their good will, should be carried out in a thoroughly just and honorable manner without drawing upon the store of intrigues in the possession of the former Central Powers.