The Polish Government, itself in exile here, today made belated amends to two of her most noted sons who had many years ago been forced into exile because of their opposition to a previous regime.
The Cabinet, at a session presided over by Premier Wladislas Sikorski, issued a decree restoring full political rights to Dr. Herman Lieberman, internationally known Polish Jewish Socialist leader who has been in exile here since 1927, and Wincenty Witos, former Premier and leader of the Polish peasant Party, who had returned to Poland from exile shortly before the war broke out.
Witos, who is known for his democratic views and racial tolerance, is considered the most important figure among the exiled Polish leadership. His whereabouts at this time are unknown, but it is reported that be was wounded while trying to escape from Poland.
Dr. Lieberman was for many years a stormy petrel of the Polish political world, both before establishment of the Republic and afterward. he first achieved public attention when, in 1905, he was arrested in Paris on the request of the Russian Embassy, which charged him with conspiratorial activities in connection with the Polish revolution of that year.
In 1907, Dr. Lieberman became a member of the Austrian Parliament, representing the Social Democrats from Przemysl until 1918. During his parliamentary term, he joined the Polish Legion and headed its legal defense activities until arrested by the Austrian Government.
In 1918, Dr. Lieberman took an active part in driving the Austrians out of Poland and four years later he was elected to the Constitutional National Diet. When the Pilsudski Government in 1926 turned to the right, both Lieberman and Witos rebelled, were jailed on charges of conspiracy, escaped and fled into exile. Shortly before the war, both were offered the opportunity to return to Poland on condition that they spend a symbolic term of one day in prison. Witos is understood to have accepted the condition but Lieberman refused.
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The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
