1. POLITICAL, ECONOMIC, AND SOCIAL CONDITIONS 2. POPULAR ATTITUDES
Document Type:
Collection:
Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST):
CIA-RDP82-00046R000300110012-3
Release Decision:
RIPPUB
Original Classification:
S
Document Page Count:
16
Document Creation Date:
December 22, 2016
Document Release Date:
June 20, 2011
Sequence Number:
12
Case Number:
Publication Date:
February 10, 1954
Content Type:
REPORT
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Body:
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,COUNTRY Poland
REPOR1
DATE DISTR. 10 leb.. 19M
SUBJECT 1. Political, Economic, and Social NO. OF PAGES 17
Conditions 2. Popular Attitudes
DATE OF INFORMATION REFERENCES:
PLACE. ACOUIRED
THIS IS UNEVALUATED INFORMATION
Ruling Groups
1.
the power. In military and industria ma
i h A d Forces 0 25X1
rme
l
the most politi- 25X1
tally influential man in o an is rxw; wiiQ, he thinks, is
tters the controlling force
.
s
onstanty ROKOSSOWSKI, Marshal of the Po
hi i i dust because it
n
r
mus always give pr ma y
.in Poland. According to rumors, even BIERUT, although the Premier of
Poland and First Secretary of the PZPR (Polish United Workers' Party),
nevertheless takes orders from BERMAN.
that ROKOSSOWSKI wields the w p n
r 25X1
consideration to the needs of the military
i
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2. Members of the Army are always present at conferences on production.
The Army never suggests or orders: it merely lets its wishes be
known.
requests made by Colonel TOPOLNIAK (in P?lish Army uniform)
and Colonel BLUMEN (also in Polish Army uniform). These two offi-
cers wore Soviet Army uniforms until May 1950. After that date they
began to wear and still wear Polish Army uniforms. Colonel
TOPOLNIAK is at present in a military camp in Zegrze where he is
f-annhi some school (most probably communications).
el BLUMEN is with him.
25X1
25X1
the presence of these Army men at the conferences
to prove that the military plays an important role in decisions on
production. Army's at and power 25X1
at the present time
a. In August 1953 three persons from the MBP (Ministry of Public
Security) called the PPAE (Electrical Instruments 25X1
Factory). Two of the group were Army majors in civilian clothes;
b. This group w
refused their request
This group then referred the
matter to the military section of the PKPG. A conference headed
by a certain Colonel OSHINSKI was convened. Present at this
conference were Engineer BERMAN (not Jakob), Chief of the Elec-
trical and Radio Industry Division in the PKPG, and Engineer
BORMAN, who is supposed to be some sort of deputy chief -
referrnd to by those who know him and about him as the "szara
emine,L,' ("The Gray Eminence" - the power behind the throne .
they were Soviet. The third was a woman who was also 25X1
orders for the military. Colonel OSHINSKI supported
stand and did not grant this MBP group its request. This fact,
indicates that the MBP is not as important 25X1
and as influential as the military in Poland; the military has
first choice everywhere.
4.
another example to prove that the Army has priority 25X1
over every o her agency in Poland. In 1950 or 1951 two Polish Army
generals (names unknown) - one from the MON and the other from the
MBP - appeared at the Warsaw Hurtownia No. II (Wholesale Warehouse
No. II), a branch of the CHPE (Commercial Agency of the Electro-
Technical Industry) headed by Kazimierz BOKUS. The two generals
wanted to buy all of the imported electrical instruments that were
on hand at the warehouse. A heated discussion between the two
generals arose as to who had priority over the purchase of these
instruments. The MBP general said: "If a war breaks out the MON
has priority, but in peace time the MBP is more important." The
MON general said: "We shall see about that", and then both drove
away. An hour or two later the MON general returned alone for the
goods. This is further proof of the importance 25X1
that is placed upon the military.
5. Another powerful figure in the regime is General JAROSIEWICZ
(presumably 7of the Council of Ministers (Vice
Premier). JAROSIEWICZ is very influential
in industry proper and t e electric power industry;
the general is the Director of the Military Division of
liaison to the PKPG Is Colonel WALUCHOWSKI, a Pole.
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decreased productivity during their early stages - and, in view of
the high tempo of industrialization, they could bring. about economic
ills and trouble.
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It is difficult to appraise MINC's role in the government at present.
He was extremely influential until late in 1950, that is, until the
time that he opposed the establishment of kolkhozes in Poland. MINC
had said that kolkhozes would bring about starvation because they
There was a rumor in 1951 that MINC's wife and daughter were to
escape and to take some gold with them but that they failed in the
attempt.
8. In 1951 MINC published a very long report concerning the economic
status of Poland. It was the general opinion that he was told to
do that in order to show the people that he was still influential.
collectivization of farms had been slowed down very 25X1
much of late; this is tantamount to an admission by the government
that MINC was right, after all. Further proof of MINC's correctness
was the fact that the market in Poland was completely broken down
and out of hand in 1952. There was a tremendous shortage of food.
It was not until after rationing was abolished on January 3, 1953,
that food in larger quantities began to appear on the market.
10. Next in importance after MINC is his deputy, SZYR, also Jewish. L] 25X1
11.
MINC's ideas.
MINC is the Director of PKPG and its 25X1
guiding hand, whereas SZYR, as the executive officer, carries out
The other Vice Director of PKPG is WANG, who is also Jewish
MINC is still the real head. MINC ma
establishin a certain
have lost prestige in 1950-51 but has since rallied.
the matter was being taken up even by Mr. MINC - which fact sheds
a little light on MINC's status.
13. Everything centers around the PKPG; and officially the PKPG is
superior to the ministries, it directs Poland's economy-and thereb
officially maintains power over those ministries.
There were rumors that Vice Premier
GyRANKIEWICZ was to be ousted. There were also rumors after ERIA's
downfail at R K EWICZ would be eliminated. 25X1
Soviet Controls
14.
15.
there is no Soviet infiltration or supervision in universities and
higher educational institutions.
industry and power supply.
-ere mainly in e Army; there is also a certain control over
hatever Soviet controls exist in Poland are cen-
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y
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16.
17. Soviet control is irregular, and that control is in the form of
suggestions and advice. For instance-, several Soviet engineers
were permanently assigned to the Jaworzno II Power Plant near
Katowice while it was being built; he met three of them.
get a.visa to the
USSR.
received visas.
students Orece
==
but were refused USSR entry visas.
18. 25X1
19.
20.
which means that it is for the military. Another person 25X1
in Poland; it is always referred to as Production "S", a symbol
some, Soviet infiltration in the Min-
istry of Machine Industry. ice Minister
GREEN (presumably Jewish and an Army officer, although traveling
in civilian clothes), who is in charge of the Special Construction
Division. the word "Special" is "magic" 25X1
at the Ministry of Machine Industry was RUBINSTEIN (Soviet 25X1
colonel but always in civilian clothes). RUBENSTEIN is Director
General (which is equivalent to the rank of Vice Minister) and
Chief of the Telecommunications Industry Branch at the Ministry.
ments in the Kasprzak Radio Equipment Factory T-3, on Kasprzak
and Karolkowa Streets In Wola, Warsaw. T-3 employs about 6,000
workers and is the largest radio equipment producing factory in
Poland. Professor SZULKIN occupies the top floor of a seven-floor
building which houses the offices and laboratories. The entire
seventh floor is treated as a top secret area.
Gdansk and Warsaw Polytechnic Institutes; he is also Jewish and'a
Soviet colonel. SZULKIN's work at the Polytechnic Institutes is
relatively unimportant. His main job is conducting radar experi-
Professor SZULKINI is a professor at the 25X1
22. There is a certain BIELOV at this factory who is alleged to wield
23.
ujscie (Odraport) in the summer of 1951
Soviet Armed Forces land, air, and sea maneuvers
In a area.
Communist Policy
24. After STALIN's death appeal areat was made to have the people in
Poland enter the PZPR
He felt that the Party appeared rather weakened after
STALIN'S death.
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it is v f c It for a Polish specialist to
scientists and two young 25X1
:~t`h77 man more a lied
25X1
25X1
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25. A very small percentage of Party members really believes in Commu-
nist ideology. EISELE, a vice director of the power plant in
Olsztyn, was one of those who played along with the Party and did
not see too much harm in its ideology. However, one day while a
speech by BIERUT was being broadcast, the power of his plant was
suddenly cut off for some unknown reason. The UB appeared on the
o days.
scene immediately, arrested him, and held himfornthree
appraise
opportunity
Those three days under arrest gave him an oppO
"harmless" Communist Party and its ideology. Upon release he
made every attempt to be relieved of his job as vice director of
the power plant and to enter school work because the latter relieved
men of the responsibilities that work in industry carries
with it. many top men in industry who are trying 25X1
to be transferred to work in universities and higher educational
institutions. Higher schools enjoy comparative freedom, and pro-
fessorship in these higher schools does not carry with it such
burdening responsibility. 25X1
26. Joseph KUTIN, now Vice Minister in the Ministry of Internal Trade,
27. Normally, those who join the party in Poland do so because they 25X1
fear dire consequences; times Party friends exert influence
upon a person to join. a very insignificant num-
ber join because they believe in the Party. Of the 20 or so friends
of his who are in the Party only one, he says, is a firm believer 25X1
in Communist ideology. 25X1
28. Professor KILINSKI 25X1
was the Dean of the political ec a Telecommunications 25X1
Department at the Warsaw polytechnic Institute. KILINSKI holds the
. - " --- -1 :- A-1-- Dooc?vC
Securit
29.
a ne
all apartment houses was ins u ea in Warsaw and in
all of Poland. According to the new regulation, it appears at 25X1
guest who visits someone's apartment and intends to remain there
after 11:00 PM - whether it is for one-half hour or all night -
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30.
31.
must either leave some identification with the concierge or submit
there are about 600,0
00 U
B's in Polan
d.
This figure
clothes det
includes not
ectives but al
only those who are emplo
so those who act as info
yed
rmer
as plain-
and look-
outs in the
ir places of e
mployment.
there is
hardly any
activity in Po
land that is not covered
by
the ubiquito
us
UB.
there is no undergr
ound
activity in
Poland at t
he present tim
e. The Poles are too fe
arfu
l; they do n
ot
see any poi
nt in organizi
ng a subversive organiza
tion
at this tim
e
because the
y are afraid t
he West will not corn w
th t
he necessary
aid, either
covert or mil
itar
there is no
sabotage, a
lthough
some vague rumors
abou
t railroad
trains alle
gedly being bl
own up in eastern Poland
.
an incident which took place on Feliks Dzierzynski Square
in Warsaw not long after the Dzierzynski monument was dedicated.
Despite the fact that powerful lights light up the square all
night, it was discovered next morning that Dzierzynski's hands
were painted red.
25X1
25X1
25X1
25X1
32. In the fall of 1952 the Polish Government began issuing personal
identification cards to every adult Pole. The distribution of
these cards was to have been completed by May 1, 1953. It was
generally rumored that the cards were to be issued not only for
identification purposes but also for controllin the movement of
Poles at some later date. there a 25X1
some truth in that rumor-
inside of-the front cover and just
below the photograph is a set of three letters followed by a three-
33.
The identification document is a three- or four-
booklet bound in a very dark green cloth cover-
77 use 25X1
The seal o the
government is stamped on the front cover. The inside of the front
cover contains the date of validity; the document is valid for
five years from the date of issuance. Beneath the validity date
is the bearer's photograph. The photograph is a semi-profile show-
ing one ear. Furthermore, all photographs were numbered and all
negatives were sent to the UB. The lower right-hand
photo is stamped with a raised seal. 25X1
In the
lower half of the inside cover is the signature of the bearer and
below that are the allegedly coded letters and the serial number.
The first of the three or four pages contain personal data, such
as name, date and place of birth, father's first name, etc. In the
lower right-hand corner of this page is the seal of the local MO
Commissariat and the signature of the local MO Commandant. On page
two are the entries of the bearer's employer.
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34. Fingerprints of both index fingers were taken at the individual's
local MO Commissariat. These fingerprints were also sent to the
uarters. (There are no fingerprints on the identity card.)
he UB, having in its possession the finger- 25X1
prints, numbered p otographs, and negatives of every Pole, can now
tighten security and keep a relatively close check on the people.
When leaving Poland had to surrender his identit card and 25X1
his military passboo to the MBP Passport Division. of /-mini
allowed to take any document other than his passport out o Poland.
35. Even now there is some restriction imposed upon private automobile
owners. First of all, no car having more than a two-liter capacity
may be privately owned in Poland. Moreover, private cars may not
travel more than 200 km. per month. Private owners, however, cir-
cumvent that restriction in a number of ways; among the most common
loopholes are the resetting of speedometers and the 7 r ment of
special passes which state that travel is official. 25X1
anyone who has the money may purchase a new car. 25X1
The price of a new IFA-DKW with steel body was
16,000 zlotys -$4,000 at the official rate of four zlotys to one
if 00) 25X1
e erm
yet manufacturing the Warszawa; that plant merely assembles Pobieda
parts delivered from the USSR and labels it as the Warszawa. 25X1
the new Czech Skoda passenger car 25X1
is occasionally seen in rsaw; it sold for
25X1
it was very difficult for anyone to uy 25X1
edly a Polish-made automobile. This car, selling for about 26,000
zlotys is really the Soviet Pobieda. As far as the Source could
d t A4 .4 the FSC (Passenger Car Factory) in Zeran-Warsaw is not
dollar); that same car with a wood body cost 1 000 ($3,5 ?
V, Warszawa alleg-
about the same price as the Warszawa, 26,000 zlotys. .
36. In one of the June 1953 issues of the Journal of Laws there was a
otorc cle
k
t
37.
e
bicycles, and horse-drawn wagons) were to be inspected by the Army.
After inspection all vehicles were to be maintained in operating
order and ready for use by the Army at any given notice. Further-
more, ,..
each motor vehicle was to have 300 lit. of gas and all
horses 20 kg. of feed in reserve. Any vehicle owner who inten-
tionally and maliciously damaged his vehicle would be fined and
imprisoned for three years in peace time and for 10 years in time
of war.
ys,
rucs, m
cree stating that all vehicles (automobiles,
d
40-hour fire-fightingcou are given in all
r r 1. 11:11! s, plants, and offices in Warsaw. everyone in 25X1
Poland knows that the purpose of these courses is not so much to
train fire-fighters as to instruct the people on what they should
do in event of an air raid.
Status of Jews
38. About li years ago there was apparently a movement to oust Jews
4-
sitions in Poland- 25X1
n
po
specific incidents. Mr. BUCH, Director of the Heavy Industries
Department at the PKPG, was among those ousted. His duties were
assumed by Engineer BERMAN. Another Jew who was relieved of his
duties was FERSKI, Director of the Wages and Salaries Division
at the PKPG. His duties were assumed by a Pole, Engineer MOROWSKI,
who is also Director of the.Patent Office. Of late, however, it
appears that Jews are again in the good graces of the regime.
39. until 1950 it was very easy for the Jews to emi- 25X1
an
grate from. Po an Besides the Jews there were m
25X1
non-Jewish Poles who were successful in getting out of Poland
been permitted to emigra e.
Since 1950, however, very few Jews nave 25X1
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40. Immediately after World War II and for about a year or two there-
after the Poles were very sympathetic toward the Jews and treated
them very well. With time this friendly attitude developed into
one-of bitter animosity. change of attitude 25X1
to the fact that a very large number of Jews occupy high positions
in the government and that they are strong supporters of Soviet
policy. 25X1
41.
in addition to holding high-ranking posit ons
in the government, quite a number of Jews are also in the Army and
in the MBP. They seem to be in the controlling posts. There is a
popular joke going the rounds in Poland on this point. A Jew meets-
a Polish acquaintance'on the street and, among other things, says
to him: "Before the war all the streets and buildings were named
after.. us but You Poles he government. Now, the reverse is
true." there is much truth in this joke. It 25X1
is a crime punishable by imprisonment to refer to the Jews in a
derogatory manner or to call anyone a Jew nowadays.
the'town of Dzierzoniow. the
population of that town is composed mainly or Jews - and Russian
Jews at that. a great deal of Russian-Yiddish spoken on
the streets of that town. Hebrew script was seen on schools and
many other public buildings.
25X1
25X1
25X1
42.
Status of the Church
43. the state will not try to eliminate 25X1
. the Church. It merely wants to reduce it to an unimportant level.
The churches are usually crowded at all services. However 25X1
no militia or Arm officers are ever seen in church 25X1
in uniform. The only ones F~seen church were the 25X1
.enlisted men of the lower ranks', I luniformed Army offi-
cers and militia are afraid to be seen in church.
"Recovered Territories"
44. The Poles consider their stay in the "Recovered Territories" as
temporary. Every Pole - even the higher-ups - feels that the area
will revert to the Germans some day. During the last two years
number of people have re ed to the interior of Poland.
onl eo le in the c t es'
45.
(there was very little reconstruction in Wroclaw in
April 1953. The only buildings that are being rebuilt are the city
hall, two or three hotels, and the Polytechnic Institute. All in
all, there is very little activity in that area. He observed that
there is a general degeneration, and it appears that the entire area
is neglected.
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the northern coast of
o an omerania - avveara o e cb omnletely neeleoted and almost
barren.
Living Conditions
47. The standard of living.in Poland is very low. It is difficult to
buy food in the villages. There is better availability of food in
larger cities. The large cities have delicatessens where one can
buy such foods as ham, coffee, sausage, pastry, all kinds of bread,
spices, wines, and fish. The es of all these articles, however,
are very high. prices of some foodstuffs on the
market. Sugar costs 15 zlotys per kg.; coffee, 400 zlotys per kg.;
honey, 70 zlotys per kg.; butter, 60-70 zlotys per kg.; flour, 8
zlotys Per kg., bread, 3 zlotys per kg.; fresh cuts of meat, 20-40
zlotys per kg.; sausage, 50 zlotys per kg.; ham, 70 zlotys per kg.
These are Warsaw prices as of July 1953. First-class restaurants
offer a fairly good bill of fare. A four-course dinner costs about
30 zlotys. A veal outlet costs 16 zloty ; a portion of turkey
costs 50 zloty
49.
namely, ACA (Swedish), Mazur, and the Pioneer. All of these have
shortwave bands. Rubber products, chemicals, and drugs are scarce.
Films and cameras are available. Czech gramophones
are also on a mare Of late, -imported musical instruments were
seen on display. However, everything that is available is very
expensive.
Poland. One can buy cheap shoes, toys, percales, and bedsheets.
Glassware and procelain are plentiful. Radios are difficult to
obtain. There are three brands of radios available in Poland,
Working Conditions
50. Every state holiday in Poland is normally preceded by an accelera-
ted effort in production. This effort is labelled CZYN (Feat or
Deed). There Is the July 22 Feat, the October Feat, the STALIN
birthday Feat, and others. The press and the radio report on these
feats in glowing terms. They publicize the alleged fact that this
or that plant or factory has worked extra hours, has over-fulfilled
its norms, all in honor of a given feat. In reality, however, that
is not the ease. Almost without exception all articles which were
allegedly produced in honor of the feat were produced long before
the feat was even considered. Normally, this is the way it operates...
The management of a given factory meets with representatives of the
Party and with the department heads. Every foreman is asked what
articles not included in the Plan are completed or about to be com-
pleted. All these reports of the foreman are then compiled and the
entire report is given to the Party representative who then makes
the announcement of this special effort to the workers at a meeting.
In fact, there is nothing done during the so-called feat.
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Salaries and Wages
51. Among the highest salaried employees in Poland are the chief direc-
tors of first-class factories. Such a director earns 3,600 zlotys
monthly for fulfilling the monthly plan. For overfulfilling his
norm he receives additional bonuses. From this level salaries go
down. A lieutenant colonel in the Army receives 2,800 zlotys.
The comparatively best paid people are the bookkeepers, who earn
from 1,500 to 2,500 zloty monthly. The average engineer earns
from 1,300 to 2,500 zloty . The salary of a professor at the War-
saw Polytechnic is 1,700 zlotys per month; that of an assistant
professor ranges from 600 to 1,000 zlotys. A skilled worker can
earn as much as 1,000 zlotys per month; the average unskilled work-
er earns 400 zlotys per month.
Medical Services
52. Until 1950 all medical services were rendered on a private basis.
Furthermore, there was the Red Cross which had dispensaries all
over Poland. All pharmacies were privately owned. Medical atten-
tion was more readily available. Sometime in 1950 the state
assumed control of the medical services and established socialized
medicine. All doctors of medicine, dentists, and pharmacists had
to register with the state and were obliged to work for the govern-
ment.
54. In 1951 all pharmacies were taken over by the state; scarcity of
and speculation in drugs were given by the state as reasons for
this step. Not long thereafter it closed down part of the existing
pharmacies. The number of drugs on the market dropped considerably.
In 1952 the doctors were ordered to prescribe only Polish-made.
drugs, a list of which was made public. This decree pertained only
to drugs which were to be offered free of charge under the socia-
lized plan. The doctors could prescribe other medications but the
patient would have to pay for them at the pharmacy.
Until about a year and a half ago a person was
any doctor for free examination and treatment. ~e
Furthermore, the decree stipulated that the doctor could not pre-
scribe sick-leave for more than three days - regardless of the
seriousness of the illness.
56. Private medical practice is still permitted in Poland but the doc-
tors are not engaged in it much because they do not have the time
and because the income derived therefrom is heavily taxed. There
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57. After socialized medicine was introduced in Poland all treatment
and medicationwas free. Since about a year and a half ago the
patient must pay 10,% of the listed price of the medication.
58. a woman doctor by the name of DRESCHEV eo-
tn, f the Institute of Nervous Diseases in Warsaw.
there is a very high rate - and still growing - o people
suffering from mental and nervous diseases; this rate iis_especially
59. There is one hospital in Warsaw known as the Omega which has several
branches; one of them is on Poznanska Street and another on Aleje
Jerozolimekie near the railroad station. The Omega and all its
branches are unusually well equipped. It renders serv~aes mainly
two of his employees, who were award winners, went there
and-had---a very thorough physical examination. It often happens
that the patients at the Omega - especially the award winners -
will be given 30-day vacations even without being examined. Award
winners, being of the more favored groups, c n avail themselves
of the Omega services whenever they desire.
60. There are too few hospitals in Poland and these are overcrowded.
Sometimes a patient has to wait months before admitted.
an instance involving a married
was pregnant. On the day of birth they traveled from
hospital to hospital in Warsaw but found none which would admit
her. They finally had to return home where she was delivered of
the child. very unsanitary conditions pr
the has itals and dispensaries, es ea all in the latter.
the needles are not well sterilized. people who
su ered complications even after taking glucose snots.
61. Until about a year ago Polish-produced penicillin was scarce and
very bad. Since then, however, it seems to be plentiful and quite
up to standard. PAS (Para Amino Salicylate) is gradually being
produced. Generally speaking, there is a tremendous shortage of
drugs in Poland.
62. Upon graduation from a medical university the young doctor is
ordered to practice in a place designated by the state. He cannot
choose his own locale. There is a shortage of doctors. Further-
more, doctors complain that they have to fill out innumerable forms
in examining a patient; this paper work does not leave them much
time for the actual examination.
63. There is a marked rise in the number of tuberculosis cases, espec-
ially among the youth. Nervous diseases and heart trouble are also
on the increase.
Schools
64. Sometime in 1952 courses in Marxism and Leninism were instituted in
universities and higher educational institutions for scientific
workers. These courses are not compulsory; when courses were first
organized attendance .was high; now scarcely anyone attends.
65, a change took place in the granting of a Doo-
tor's Degree. This change too place on May it, 1952 and was pub-
lished in the Journal of Laws No. 6. According to that decree the
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former Doctor now becomes a Kandydat Nauk (Science Candidate). An
aspirant for the degree of Candidate in Science must take an exami-
nation in his regular work, in Marxism and Leninism, and in two
foreign languages, one of which must be Russian. In order to obtain
a Degree of Doctor, a Candidate must write a dissertation and defend
it publicly. The period between the Candidate's Degree and the
Doctor's Degree may last from three to six years.
Morale of the Armed Forces
66. The average Polish boy tries to avoid the draft. He enters the
Army unwillingly. As a rule he is a strong anti-Communist. The
militia on the other hand appears to be rather pro-Soviet and pro-
Communist. Under this regime the militiaman, given a certain
amount of authority, feels that he is an important cog in the
government. In the event of a war almost every Polish soldier would
try to escape to the West if a reasonably safe opportunity
young boys who worked
definitely of that opinion.
67.
Popular Attitudes
people are resigned to Communism; that figure comprises 'most of the
lower classes, especially the workers. The average worker, ignorant
and illiterate, feels that he is really running the government.
The intelligentsia on the other hand, is the least resigned to the
Communist rule.
69. More and more workers are gradually adopting the idea that they are
assumed an entirely different character. It is not thoroughly
"white", but there is a tremendous anti-Soviet feeling there.
vuring e past two or tnree years Corpus Christi was o served as
any normal day in Poland. This year
observed mass participation in the Corpus Christi procession.
reminded processions in. prewar, Poland. This 1953 mass
observance Only a demonstration of religiousness but also
one of anti-Communism.
70.. There was tremendous opposition to changing the name of Katowice to
Stalinogrod last March. Especially is that opposition great in the
city of Katowice itself. Despite the official change the name of
"Katowice" is heard much more often than the name of 'Stalinogrod".
Stalinogrod means "Sovietism" and "Communism", terms which are
unpalatable to the average Pole.
71,. The regime is truing hard to build up anti-Western feelings.
The regime, realizing that there is a strong pro-Western feeling
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among the Poles and that the Poles are quite attached to the Church,
uses the radio as a means of conveying false impressions. For
example, organ music is played at nine every Sunday morning to make
people'believe that they are listening to church services.. Then
again during one of the programs, "Music and Actualities", devoted
to anti-Western propaganda, the musical interludes consist entirely
of Western jazz. Realizing that such numbers are an excellent
drawing card, the Polish radio plays them in order to attract lis-
teners to its propaganda stories.
reflects the attitudes of the Poles. When occasionally Western
films are being shown, block-long lines of people form in front of
the theater. Even though tickets are expensive and sold at a pre-
attendance at the motion picture theaters
mium by hawkers, the standing-room-only signs are out. On the
other hand, when Soviet films are to be shown the attendance is
very low, despite the fact that work establishments and institutions
sell tickets at a very reduced rate. Soviet films never play to a
full house, whereas films from the West always do. The state-
controlled radios, newspapers, and periodicals are the only sources
of information for the average Pole.
not given ruii credence by the readers and listeners. The propa-
ganda and news spread via the radio and newspapers helps the average
Pole formulate his own ideas regarding the truthfulness of a story
or situation. The stronger the anti-West emphasis, the more is the
reader and listener certain that the government-issued story is
false.
information on the radios and in newspapers is
One may be arrested not for for
spreading "war" propaganda.
many, many Poles listen to VOA, BBC and RFE. Of the three, BBC
enjoys the greatest g audience. Next come VOA and RFE in
that order. BBC is the most favored of the three
because it is a most mo erate and reliable. It is a serious mis-
take on the part of those stations to mention names because often-
times innocent persons suffer. Such information should be given
only when it is absolutely certain that the people mentioned are
freely and wholeheartedly cooperating with the UB.
a doctor in Zakopane
was orce to wor or the UB. Radio RFE
mentioned his name an warned the eo le about
this doctor
found himse eie px is ea tri failed and
he.had to give up his practice.
between the USSR and the
United States in Germany. The USSR is building up (sic) East
Germany and the United States is trying to strengthen West Germany.
The Poles do not condemn the United States for strengthening West
Germany at present. They realize that this United States policy
is necessary under the present circumstances.
76. The Poles realize that the United States is the leading country in
the world. The United States enjoys the highest level of technical
advancement, and individual freedom is at its highest there. They
say the United States is an unconquerable power and Poland's only
savior. On the other hand, a large percentage of Poles is gradually
refraining from listening to VOA and FIFE because they feel that
these stations are failing them; the Poles are losing hope of salva-
tion. They say that they are waiting for "words of encouragement"
(news of some concrete steps taken by the West to liberate them
from the Soviets) but never get them. The following expression is
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heard more and more: "We listen and listen but nothing is being
done.'
77. Only fragments of President EISENHOWER's speech of April 16, 1953,
were printed in the papers. MALENKOV's reply, on the other hand,
was printed in full. The people tried to listen to President
EISENHOWER's speech on VOA but were unable to hear the entire speech
because the radios were terribly jammed. President EISENHOWER'S
speech gave the Poles the impression that the United States was
about to adopt a get-tough policy with the USSR. They felt that
the moment of salvation was approaching. Now it appears that the
Poles are being deluded. They cannot understand why the United
States is treating the USSR so gently. The average pole is of the
opinion that Russia can be overpowered only by means of a war.
78.
it is quite difficult the extent to
outh are communized.
The reason is that too many
children are being trained . in crec es, kindergartens, and schools
- and not at home. There is the possibility that the Polish youth
may be like the Soviet youth in the next decade or so. The youth
is being more and more isolated from the West.; Communist propaganda
is becoming more effective with the very young who grow up under
that system and do not know the real West. The parents, having
less and less control over their children,, are becoming a med
about them. Youth is becoming increasingly demoralized.
the uneducated and ignorant may be more influence y
the Communist ideology than are the educated, skilled workers.
the great
majority of Poles do not believe in the ommunist charges that the
United States is sending spies to Poland. s ecifioall
the alleged parachute drop in October 1952 i wou
be absolutely stupid for a country to send spies with equipment con-
taining markings and labels of its own country.
80. there is no Pole who believes that
ues a can w n in a mar v the ni ed States.
many Soviet soldiers would surrender
81. In either late 1952 or early in 1953 a perform-
ance of Wielki Cyrk (the Great Circus), a satirical pay presented
at the Syrena Theater in Warsaw. Several of the scenes which were
supposed to be anti-American produced on the audience an effect
which was entirely different from that which wps expected by the
authorities. As 'a result of the apparent pro-American reaction
evoked by the Great Circus,.the premiere of the next play, also
with.a political-theme, was cancelled. The play had to be revised
so that it was completely apolitical. The new version was very
uninteresting and dull.
82. sending paokaaes to
All packages are o ec e y customs.
Oland
.
every package is opened and if anything new is found'in it
the recipient must pay a rather high customs tax. It is best to
send used clothing and articles because these are not taxable by
customs. Sending new nylons by letter is rather tricky. One or
two pairs of nylons in a letter will be taxed from six to eight
zlotys per pair. Evidently, any pair over two is considered a
matter of market speculation.
83. American dollars should not be sent to Poland. The recipient must
take the money to the bank and receive only 3.89 zlotys per dollar.
If he is caught with the dollars in his possession, he may receive
a life sentence. The safest and surest method of giving material
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to individuals in Poland is by buying through the PRO (Polish
aid
savings Bank) .
States should have offered 50 billion dollars to the USSR to have it
pull out of the satellite oountries.
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