Poland's Tragic History

Bendigonian (Bendigo, Vic)

13 October 1914

Poland for ten centuries had a brilliant history as an independent kingdom, and produced such men as Wladislaus the First, and his son Casimir the Great, Stephen Bathory, John III., and Kosciuszko.

Towards the close of the 18th century the country was overrun by the Russians and the Prussians and the Austrians, and in 1795 the nation was divided up among her conquerors.

Several revolutions followed, and the flame of nationality has always been kept alive in Poland.

Russia has always been compelled to hold Poland by the sword.