Polish National Committee (1917–1919)

It was formed in Lausanne on 15 August 1917 by Polish National Democracy politician Roman Dmowski,[1][2] and was first recognized by the French as the legitimate representative of Poland in September 1917.

In addition to Dmowski its chief activists included Ignacy Jan Paderewski, August Zaleski, Erazm Piltz, Marian Seyda and Maurycy Zamoyski.

During World War I, many Polish people were determined to regain national independence after 123 years of occupation by Austria, Russia and Prussia, following the partitions of Poland.

Towards the end of the war, a number of Polish organizations were established both within the partitioned state, and across the world.

On November 5, 1916, they passed an act proposing the creation of a Kingdom of Poland which was meant as a puppet state of the German Empire under control of the Central Powers.

Polish National Committee in Paris, 1918. Sitting: Maurycy Zamoyski , Roman Dmowski , Erazm Piltz , standing: Stanisław Kozicki , Jan Emanuel Rozwadowski , Konstanty Skirmunt , Franciszek Fronczak, Władysław Sobański , Marian Seyda , Józef Wielowieyski