The Polish question and attempts to solve it are given considerable attention in Russian and Western historiography. At the present time this topic also remains relevant and carries a noticeable element of discussion. The article provides an insight into the development of the Polish government policy of the Russian Empire and the influence of the Duma factions on it in the context of the foreign policy situation on the eve of the World War I. The feeling of the approaching conflict with Germany and Austria-Hungary and the active discussion of the issue in the State Duma made the Polish question particularly important for Russia in this period of time. The authors presented an analysis of the measures undertaken by the tsarist authorities towards Poland and the recommendations of authoritative Russian political parties on the Polish question.