Marszałek Józef Piłsudski i pułkownik Ignacy Matuszewski. Kilka refleksji o wzajemnych relacjach
Marshal Józef Piłsudski and Colonel Ignacy Matuszewski. A Few Reflections on their Relationship

Summary/Abstract: Ignacy Matuszewski declared himself a supporter of Józef Piłsudski’s political camp relatively late, namely at the turn of 1917 and 1918. He was quickly promoted in both the formal and informal hierarchy of this camp. As soon as in December 1918, he became an intelligence officer and little over half a year later, in July 1920, became the head of the intelligence. Thus, he turned into one of Piłsudski’s closest associates during the Polish-Soviet war and gained a trust loan for the future. After Piłsudski regained power by a coup d’état in May 1926, Matuszewski worked in responsible positions in diplomacy. In the years 1929–1931 he was the head of the Ministry of the Treasury. His cooperation with Piłsudski was positive, even despite the ongoing great economic crisis. In the spring of 1931, however, Piłsudski ordered the removal of Matuszewski from the government and refused him any opportunity to work in diplomacy. The reasons for this change of position are not entirely clear. Most likely, it was caused not so much by Matuszewski’s limiting the budget for the army as by his doing so in the absence of Piłsudski and without obtaining his consent. In Piłsudski’s opinion, this was a breach of the rules in force in his power camp and the highest expression of disloyalty. Despite this, Matuszewski remained faithful to Piłsudski’s ideals until the end of his life.

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