THE ALLIES' CONFERENCE.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XLI, Issue 9290, 11 August 1920, Page 5

THE ALLIES' CONFERENCE.

AWAITING MINSK NEGOTIATIONS

(Per Press Association Copyright.)

LONDON, August 9

It is officially stated that the Allies are in complete agreement in regard to the action to be taken with reference to the JRolish situation, subject, however, in the case of Great Britain, to approval of Parliament. It is understood that the Allies are determined to support the Poles with, technical advice and munitions, and also possibly; by naval measures, but Allied troops will not be . employed, furthermore,* it is semi-officially explained that the British Government for three months did its utmost to induce Russia to come to terms, with a view of. removing the serious condition of affairs, in Eastern Europe, but the Russians appear determined to crush the Poles, and impose upon Poland;a form, of Government to which the greats majority of the Poles strongly object. The Allies feel it their, duty to do everything possible to enable the Poles | to maintain their independence, because Poland' Was • created-:'by-: ithe 1 Treaty :of Versailles;?. ; ' the issue mpst; largely depend on the ability of the Poles .themselyesy ;with such 'help as aforementioned, j to repel the Russian- attacks. i 1 -i r ; ' The conference hetw.eenj;the Poles and thet : Russians will .;be iheld at Minsk o^ August 10. If .fiie • latter then indicate their'willingness! tJofflSfe reasonable terms^ different, considerations will apply. . •,.,.,, ■ ... : Mr Bonar Law was, closely, jquestibned in the House of Commons as to whether Great Britain had sent miini'tions to Poland; He:(< preserved a guarded attitude, but definitely stated that Great Britain had not yet sent : munitions from Britain, though it did not follow that this would hot be done. 'LONDON, August 10. The actual, decision of the Allies regarding, Russia will,be deferred until they, knpw ttie result of.''the RussoPolisK'deliberations at Minsk on Wednesday. 'The Russian'terms,' which will": here* be disclosed, wills be regarded as .tlie test, qf.'l^iissia'.bona fides. .welcome stronger' Allied action. 'Mr Lloyd George probably welcomed l-• Labour^-;:>'.emphatic»a vßro" nouncement as proyiding^sblid grpu^nds for non-intervention. . ;

.., The Government newspapers 'declare that the crisis, 'is', j^ist, and.there will be! fib '■ w-kr as'"far- as; Great' Britain is concei-hed. L 1 Tlie" "Daily- .chronicle's"; corespqdent says:—"l have- high 'ail-' thority for saying that the. Government' will not involve this'country--'in war/ provided Russia does riot attempt to destroy Poland's independence. If Poland's independence i were; at stake, Great Britain would jmpose a complete blockade' against Russia.", ,The "Daily Express'':states that Mr Lloyd George's decision against participation in a war against Russia is based pn the merits of the case rather than on the strength of public opinion against intervention.