POLAND: Switalski Out

Two months ago the Polish Sejm (Parliament) attempted to convene. Ninety officers with clanking sabres and big black pistols stomped into the building. The Dictator of Poland, Military Josef Pilsudski, and his chief opponent. Civilian Marshal Ignacy Daszynski, snarled at each other across a table. The Sejm adjourned (TIME, Nov.11).

Unlike other dictators, Marshal Pilsudski’s official position is merely that of Minister of War. Last week, invigorated by enforced vacation, the deputies resolutely carried out their purpose to convene, listened to a two-hour speech from Finance Minister Matuszewski, promptly next day ousted the government of Prime Minister Switalski by a vote of “No Confidence.”

Usual Polish pandemonium broke out. Communists unfurled a huge red banner, flapped it in the faces of government deputies who closed their eyes and lustily bawled the “War Song of the Legionaries of the First Brigade” (favorite Pilsudski anthem), then marched from the hall.

The retirement of prime ministers has nothing to do with the position of omnipotent Pole Pilsudski. Ex-Prime Minister Switalski and parliamentary leaders waited hat in hand in the Pilsudski antechamber last week to learn who he thought should be the next prime minister.