In the stifling atmosphere of foreign oppression a leader was born under whom Poland rose again from the dead, Born on December 5, 1867, Joseph Pilsudski from his early youth became prominent in Polish secret societies whose aim was the reconquest of Poland's independence. Banished by the Russian government to Siberia, upon his return from exile he became one of the founders of the Polish Socialist Party. Imprisoned again, he escaped and moved to Cracow in 1901, Pilsudski always considered Czarist Russia as Poland's greatest foe. He began therefore to organize Polish military detachments which in the years 1905—1907 conducted a guerilla warfare in Poland against the forces of the Czarist government. On August 6, 1914, Pilsudski led the Polish Legions from Cracow into Russian Poland, as an in n Polish force temporarily cooperating with the Austrian troops against Russia.
The appearance of Polish national troops in the Great War proved to the world that Poland was still alive. As the war progressed, it became clear to the world that she must be restored to her independence. Finally, President Wilson included the crea tion of Independent Poland in his Fourteen Points stating the aims of the war fought by the Allies, November 11, 1918, is considered the day om which Poland recovered her independence.
After the fall of Czarist Russia, Pilsudski refused allegiance to the Central Powers and as a result arrested by the Germans and imprisoned in Magdeburg. Liberated by the German revolution, he arrived in Warsaw on November 10, 1918, The temporary Polish Government gave him full power and he was nominate ed Chief of State,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.