7 DECEMBER 1907, Page 17

. The extraordinary proposal made by Prince Billow in the

Prussian Diet to expropriate Polish landowners in Prussian Poland in , order to plant the land with Germans excited demonstrations of resentment among Poles in Austria- Hungary as well as in- Germany during the early part of the week. At Lemberg, the capital of Galicia, a meeting of protest was held on Sunday, • last, at which about ten thousand. persons were present. The hotel where the German Consul bad, formerly, lived, was visited and some of the windows were smashed. A caricature of the German Emperor was publicly burned. In the Austrian Chamber on Tuesday Baronvon Beck, the Prime Minister, read a declaration in answer to an interpellation on the 'Prussian Expropriation Bill. He pointed out that the interpellation was irregular, as he could not discuss the affairs of, another Power, and as for such demonstrations as that - at Lemberg, they were not- likely to help the cause they were intended to serve. This may be so, but the Prussian Bill is none the less driving Poles into a deeper _sense of the.needof. Slav solidarity, and:the Prussians may in the long run be- gratafnl that their Eindget Commission.

has rejected the Bill. This rejection does not necessarily mean that the Bill will not pass. But the measure will at least have to be amended, and the action of the Commission is a blow to Prifice Billow's prestige.