SOVIET & POLAND

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 248, 1 August 1941, Page 5

SOVIET & POLAND

CO-OPERATION AGAINST NAZIS. BRITAIN EXPRESSES PLEASURE ASSURANCES AS TO POLICY. (United Press Assoeiation-r-C’opyright.) LONDON, July 31. After the signature of the agreement between Russia and Poland the British Foreign Secretary (Mr R. A' Eden) handed General Sikorski, the Polish Prime Minister, an official note • in the following terms: — “On the oc-* casion of the signature of the PolishSoviet agreement of to-day’s date, I desire to take this opportunity of informing you that in conformity with the provisions of the agreement of mutual assistance between the United Kingdom and Poland of August 25, 1939, His Majesty’s Government has entered into no undertakings towards the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics which will affect relations between that country and Poland. I also desire lo assure you that : His Majesty’s Government will not recognise any territorial changes which have been effected since August, 1939.” General Sikorski handed Mr Eden the following reply: “The Polish Government takes note of your Excellency’s letter dated July 30, 1941, and I desire ; - to express its sincere satisfaction at the statement that His Majesty’s Gov-; ernment will not recognise any terrl- . .. torial changes which have been effected in Poland since August, 1939. This.., corresponds with the view of the Polish Government, which, as it has previously informed His Majesty’s Government, has never recognised any territorial changes effected in Poland since the outbreak of the present war.” After this ceremony took place, Mr Eden said that he wished to congratulate the two parties on the signature of the agreement. It was, he believed, fair and advantageous to both sides. It would lay a firm foundation for fruitful collaboration between the two countries in the war against the common enemy.

"Turning Point in History.”

General Sikorski said that they were at the turning point of history. Not all the questions had been settled between Russia and Poland in the present agreement, but the basiß provided for useful collaboration. The future • would depend on the goodwill of both sides. They possessed that goodwill. He thanked the British Government for all the great work it had done to bring about the agreement and solidarity of all freedom-loving peoples against Hitler’s Germany, which would provide the basis for a common victory. ..The Soviet Ambassador (M. Maisky) said that he wished to express, on be_- , half of his country, gratitude to the British Government and especially Mr Eden for all his efforts in working for the agreement. The peoples of Russia had very friendly feelings toward the people of Poland. They had a common enemy, namely Hitler’s Germany. They would fight side by side against this common enemy. This would pave the way for a firm, solid friendship between the two peoples in the future when the time came to build up a new Europe after the war had been won, on the principle of the self-determina--tion of nations. Mr Churchill said that this memorable episode marked the association of two historic nations in eastern Europe in the defence of human rights. Here, as the results of labours in the last few days, was a pact of friendship signed between the Russians and the Poles, whose long history had been chequered and darkened by their quarrels, whose future could be lightened by their comradeship. It was a signand proof of the fact that hundreds of millichs of men all over the world were coming together on the march against a filthy, gangster Power .which must effectively and finally be destroyed. Approval in -London. Great pleasure is being expressed in London at the signature of the SovietPolish agreement and appreciation of the wise statesmanship and the goodwill of both parties which rendered it possible. The agreement marks the joint recognition of an overriding common interest —the necessity of collaborating in the defeat of the Germans, and enables the British, Russians, and Poles to present a united front against German aggression. Already Polish forces constitute part of Britain’s own and operate with them. It is not impossible that on some future occasion a joint operation might be undertaken by the forces of all three nations.

Though it is realised that there are many problems not directly covered by the agreement, future discussions are provided for, and since it is confidently expected that much of the bitterness of the past will be removed by this agreement, an amicable and just solution of such problems will have been rendered easier of achievement.

The agreement, coupled with Mr Eden’s note to General Sikorski, gives a further implicit assurance to Poland that an Allied victory will bring her restoration of her national integrity. The “Daily Telegraph” says the Russian amnesty affects about 209,000 Poles.