The conflict in the Siedlce local government in 1937 with a Russian agent in the background in the light of press reports

Abstract

The article shows the conflict in the Siedlce local government, which took place over several months in 1937, and whose parties were two groups of councilors - opponents and supporters of vice-president Stanisław Zdanowski. The reason for the antagonism was the assessment of the financial activities of the city management. An important argument put forward by Zdanowski’s opponents was accusing him of employing his brother-in-law in the city services, who turned out to be a Russian agent. The conflict was reported on an ongoing basis by two magazines - “Ziemia Siedlecka” and “Życie Podlasia”. The inhabitants of Siedlce could learn the arguments of both sides. In reporting on the conflict, the editors of both magazines waged a press war with each other, revealing their sympathies. “Ziemia Siedlecka” presented the position of S. Zdanowski’s group, and “Życie Podlasia” presented the position of the opposing party.