This article is an attempt to review the representations of French diplomacy and politicians, ie. the image of France, in the Polish contemporary Polish political press. With the exception of Roboinik (The Worker) the great majority of the papers blamed what they saw as France's inaction and weakness on a general crisis of democracy. France would resume its role as Europe's key power, it was usually argued, only if the Popular Front were ousted by a government with the right qualities of leadership. It was believed (or there was a will to believe) diat a strong French government, no longer dependent on the Komintem or the Jewish-Masonic group (as the Popular Front was often called), could thwart Germany's expansionism and guarantee peace in Europe. The policies of Quay d'Orsay were also assessed in the context of the dismemberment of Czechoslovakia. It is worth noting that in the run-up to the crisis no paper, except perhaps Slowo (The Word), even admitted the possibility of France abandoning Czechoslovakia. Yet when the Munich accord was signed at the end of September 1938 the idea that it amounted to a betrayal was never explicitly mentioned. More sober assessments came later, but even then nobody dared to ask bluntly if Paris could be trusted to hold on to its Polish ally. Instead of asking awkward questions the Polish press celebrated the Anglo-French security guarantees. They were regarded as an expression of confidence in Poland's strength and a move dictated by the national interest of both Britain and France. In the unlikely event of a military confrontation, Germany would soon be beaten by the armies of the three allies. The possibility that the French, who still did not live down the memories of the bloodbath of 1914-1918, may be most reluctant to join another war was not even presented to the Polish public opinion. Instead the Poles were reassured that the French nation, mindful of its honour and chivalric virtues, was sure to take up the challenge, if not exactly to relieve Poland, then in defence of their own interests.
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Pion Prorektora ds. polityki kadrowej i finansowej : Archiwum UJ