Polish Count Survives Turbulent Century

When Polish count Edward Raczynski was born in 1891 his country no longer officially existed--for two centuries it had been sliced up and occupied by the Austro-Hungarian, Russian and Prussian empires.

But Raczynski has seen Poland regain its independence, fend off an invading Soviet army in 1921, survive occupation by Nazi troops in World War II and weather the decades of communist oppression.

Now living in London, the former Polish ambassador to Britain and onetime head of the Polish government-in-exile, believes the unquenchable spirit of his homeland will help it overcome its current economic and political troubles.

“We have got reasons for hope,” Raczynski said as he sat surrounded by the clutter of a lifetime’s memories--paintings of the family estate in western Poland, a faded photograph of a soldier in ceremonial cavalry uniform and leather-bound volumes of official-looking papers.

“I believe the national strength and tradition in Poland that withstood more than 120 years of being separated and partitioned and would not give in--this strength has not left it,” he added.

Raczynski, sitting sage-like in his apartment, keeps abreast of Polish affairs via a string of visitors, “informants” from the embassy and telephone calls from his homeland.

He is very deaf and his eyes are cloudy. But he remains coherent and alert.

Raczynski’s diplomacy was instrumental in securing Britain’s pledge in the 1930s to safeguard the security of Poland--a promise that led to Britain’s entry into World War II.

He is still respected by many politicians in his native land. Polish President Lech Walesa has twice come to pay him homage during visits to Britain.

Britain recently rewarded his promotion of Anglo-Polish relations when Queen Elizabeth II made him an honorary knight--the official title is Knight Grand Cross of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire.

Raczynski began his career in 1919 when he entered Poland’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He served in Copenhagen and other capitals and represented his country on various international bodies between the world wars.

He lived in London after World War II and, with other Poles who preferred not to live under communist rule, helped set up a government-in-exile.

He was president of the group, which considered itself the legal Polish government until a freely elected administration could take power, from 1979 to 1986.

“I was convinced that it (communism) was a passing disease,” Raczynski said. “But I was never bold enough to expect its collapse to happen during my lifetime. Of course, it was a tremendous elation.”

Raczynski compares the current situation in Poland to that of the 1920s when the country was saddled with a splintered and ineffective parliament.

“The difficulties are such that in the very best faith and with the very best intentions of cooperation people are wondering what to do,” Raczynski said.

“Every second member of parliament thinks that he has got the best method.”

But Raczynski adds: “The Poles are patriots. All these parties and members are of the same opinion really--they are trying to save the country.

“In a way it is a dangerous position, but on the other hand it is a position of very laudable unanimity.”