Grafika przedstawiająca ulotkę propagandową o sporze o Śląsk Cieszyński. Znajduje się na niej fragment granicy między Polską i Czechami z zaznaczonymi regionami podpisanymi jako Orawa i Spiż. Na dole napis: Spiż, Orawa chcą należeć do ojczyzny wspólnej! Przy ilustracji widnieją podpisy. Telegram from Cracow. The night of October 31st, 1918, first lieutenant Gustaw Morcinek, future writer, was the radio operator on duty in the Austrian garrison in Cieszyn. It was him who received the telegram from Cracow, authorizing the highest rank Polish officer to step as the commander of the Austrian garrison in Cieszyn. Disarmament of Austrian troops was bloodless. The following days, the Poles took over almost everywhere, where they were the majority. National Council. On October 19th, 1918, almost two weeks earlier, the Polish population brought to life the National Council of the Duchy of Cieszyn, and the independence rally recognizing this body was held on October 27th, 1918. Polish population in Cieszyn Silesia desired to live and work in the re-established Poland. On November 5th, 1918, the National Council of the Duchy of Cieszyn and Zemský národní výbor pro Slezsko made an agreement on the temporary division of the disputed area pursuant to the ethnographic rule.Its main purpose was to ensure peace for the population. However, the central Czech government did not approve it. Disputed Territory. The decisions about the territories on the border of both countries concerned small areas but evoked huge emotions with the society. This was due to rich coal basin in Karviná and a communication hub in Bohumín. There is no surprise that after the World War I was formally ended, both already independent countries – Poland and Czechoslovakia – claimed the Cieszyn Silesia. At first and favourably for Poland, during the discussions of the Versailles Peace Conference, it was decided that the faith of the disputed territory will be decided by the local population in a plebiscite. Fighting. The Czech took action. Elections to the Legislative Sejm of the Republic of Poland scheduled for January 26, 1919 advanced the action. Czech politicians were well aware that the Poles living in the Cieszyn Silesia will vote for Poland. Therefore, they decided to prevent it. Offensive of the Czech army commenced in January 1919. This was a difficult time for Poland, as in the east, the country was fighting the Ukrainians and the Greater Poland Uprising was still active. Under pressure from the great powers the fire ceased and armistice was concluded in February 1919. The disputed territory was divided again, this time along the Olza river. Czech actions. In the meantime, Edvard Beneš, Czech delegate to the Paris Peace Conference, negotiated support for the Czech plans. Almost a year later, on July 28, 1920, the Conference of Ambassadors of the Principal Allied and Associated Powers in Spa granted Czechoslovakia the majority of the Cieszyn Silesia, including most of the coal mines, and the majority of Spiš and Orava. Władysław Grabski, prime minister who was present there, accepted the international arbitration as during the ongoing Polish-Soviet war he tried to obtain support from the Allies.