Chief of Polish Army Admits His Orders Against Anti-semitism Have Been Ineffective

Jewish soldiers who, because of anti-Semitism in the Polish Army, have been transferred to the British armed forces, will be considered by the Polish military authorities as “deserters” and the Polish State will “in the future” hold them responsible, says an order of the day issued by Gen. Soankowaki, Commander-in-Chief of the Polish armed forces.

At the same time, it was admitted in Polish circles here that the majority of the 600 Jews who still remain in the Polish armed forces are serving faithfully despite all provocations. Several members of the Polish Army whose anti-Semitic activities have driven more than 170 Polish Jewish soldiers into British units have already been dealt with by court martials, Polish official circles stated without disclosing, however, the verdicts of the court. Thirty Jewish soldiers who left the Polish Army and came to London recently to seek enlistment in the British forces, have been arrested and returned to their units.

In his order of the day. Gen. Sosnkowski says that although six months have elapsed since he urged upon his troops that they dwell in harmony and mutual trust, without any differentiation as to race and religion, his orders have not achieved the necessary results.

“I most emphatically condemn desertions from the ranks of the Polish Army, which is fighting for the independence of the whole of Poland and for the freedom of all her citizens without differences as to creed or nationality,” says Gen. Soskowski’s order. “The fact that permission was given to these men to be transferred to the British Army does not in the least mean that their case is settled and that the Polish State will in the future not hold for consequences those guilty of desertion.

“On the other hand, however, I intend to destroy all wrongful acts and unfriendly behaviour wherever this may occur. Armed forces must be based on equality of rights and duties without regard as to faith of political opinion, always mindful of loyalty to Poland and her interests, the only exception, of course, being political groups acting as agencies of foreign powers.”

Emphasizing that the creation of disharmony in the ranks of the polish Army puts weapons in the hands of the enemy, Gen. Sosnkowski’s order of the day concludes: “I must point out that my order as Commander-in-Chief is not an appeal. Therefore, I demand that officers and men act accordingly. All commanders are to see to it that this order is carried out.”