Poland Hugh S. Gibson

hugh s. gibson appeared @ time of 1919 posting ambassador poland.

when gibson reached warsaw in spring of 1919, country far being in full control of territory. poland, freed domination of 3 partitioning powers months earlier, still had no definite borders (they defined in 1923); economy in shambles; administration, oppressively run these former powers (prussia, russia , austria) on past 123 years, had fallen apart; national policy, torn between conflicting political parties, remained unsettled , new , still fragile government barely finding bearings when polish-soviet war broke out in february year.

yet despite these handicaps, under guidance of józef piłsudski, chief of state, , ignacy jan paderewski, prime minister, (who represented poland @ paris peace conference), poles organized army defeated bolsheviks, established government of national unity and, in spite of domestic strife, did not fall prey revolution hungary did.

the situation in central europe remained highly volatile. despite recent defeat, germany – west of poland - remained unoccupied. was, still master of own house , still technically @ war poland. meanwhile, bolshevik russia, east, in throes of merciless civil war, fighting poles in ukraine , in lithuania, territories had both formerly been part of poland.

in view of disquieting context, top priority of american government containment of war , civil unrest , gibson, in mind, urged upon superiors in state department in national interest favor establishment of strong poland, ensure stability of europe, , notably, in view of current instability of russia, serve bulwark against bolshevism.

in midst of these emergencies, however, legation desperately understaffed. gibson , 3 colleagues supposed give full assistance new polish government strove avert famine, revive industry, reduce unemployment, appease ethnic tensions, define borders , put ruined house in order. @ same time, attention of legation required attend thousands of polish jews applying visas immigrate united states. legation, stroe cope this, had 3 clerks, (one of whom, gibson write; young lady slight idea of english language gained in russia ). in midst of turmoil, gibson expected send in regular, perceptive reports on conditions in poland , in neighboring russia. legation overextended , 2 months later, gibson complaining break down , declaring if appropriations more clerical staff not made, have close chancery or send staff hospital recover overwork.

all goes long way explaining why gibson’s investigations on excesses against polish jews dealt rather briefly , why gibson eager have commission sent on investigate more fully.