„Monitor Londyński” – krótki żywot pisma „zamkowych” legalistów

„Monitor Londyński” – the Brief Life of a Periodical Issued by the „Castle” LegalistsThe first issue of „Monitor Londyński” was published at the beginning of July 1954 during an apogee of a controversy concerning the Polish Presidency in exile. The periodical, edited by Jerzy Zdzisław Kędzierski and published by Jerzy Ścibor, both active members of the pro–Presidential Convent of a Struggle for Independence, was announced as a bi–weekly issued by uncompromising defenders of legalism and sincere supporters of President August Zaleski (the „Castle” legalists). The editorial board attacked opponents of the Zaleski Presidency in the Political Council and condemned General Władysław Anders for opposing the Zaleski Presidency. Ultimately, „Monitor Londyński” turned out to be ephemeral and only three fascicles were published. Today, it is totally forgotten even by researchers studying post–war political émigré circles.The marginalisation of the „Castle” camp (the adherents of President Zaleski), disappointment in the policy of the West, and the liberalisation of the communist system in Poland after 1956 became the reasons for the withdrawal of J. Z. Kędzierski from political life in exile. Avidly interested in English history, he worked on a study dealing with this topic, which he planned to publish upon his return to Poland. At the end of 1957 Mieczysław Kowalski, an employee of the General Consulate of the People’s Republic of Poland in London (actually, an Intelligence officer), established contact with Kędzierski, who in subsequent years frequently met with Intelligence functionaries and received payments for information concerning the émigré milieu. Kędzierski returned to Poland in 1974 and died there in the mid–1980s.On the other hand, Jerzy Ścibor enjoyed a political career within the „Castle” camp. He held the post of minister of internal affairs in the cabinet of Hugo Hanke (1955) and Antonio Pająk (1955–1957), and of minister for home affairs in the cabinet of Aleksander Zawisza (1965–1966). Died in London in 1990