THE BREACH

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 63, Issue 169, 29 April 1943, Page 4

THE BREACH

BRITAIN SEEKING SETTLEMENT.

MINISTERS AGAIN MEETING. ACTIVITY IN LONDON. (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 9.30 a.m.) LONDON, April 28. The Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (Mr R. A. Eden) to-day again received the Polish Prime Minister and Commander-In-Chief (General Siltorski), with his Foreign Minister (Count Raczynslci). There will be a further meeting to-day with Mr Churchill regarding the Polish-Russian situation.—British Official Wireless. An eaidier message stated: When Mr Churchill and Mr Eden meet General Sikorsld and Count Raczynski again to-day efforts will be made to restore Allied Unity, wliich has been temporarily broken by the suspension of diplomatic relations between Russia and Poland, says the diplomatic correspondent of the Press Association. Polish circles attach much importance to'this second meeting and the meeting of the Polish Cabinet provisionally arranged for this morning has been postponed until'after the conversations between British and Polish leaders. Washington is being kept informed of the progress of the talks in London.

BRITISH VIEW OF POSITION

INDEPENDENT LABOUR’S FEARS.

LONDON, April 27

Reuter’s correspondent at Moscow says it is believed that the Soviet Government is ready to resume diplomatic relations with a reconstituted Polish Government which is prepared immediately to negotiate a realistic agreement on territorial questions. “The Times,” in a leading article, says the'action of the Polish Government 10 days ago unintentionally and directly played into the German hands and followed precisely the course which the German propaganda designed. Goebbels’. first objective was to embroil Russia and Poland. In this he scored a temporary and no doubt illusory triumph. Goebbels’ second and major aim was to embroil Itussia with Britain and the United States. “In this he will not succeed, if the discussions with Russia are conducted with the frankness on ohth sides which the situation urgently demands,” adds “The Times.” VAt no moment of the war and at no moment of history has the closest confidence and co-opera-tion between Britain and Russia been more essential.” " ■

The Independent Labour Party’s national council has unanimously adopted a statement drawing attention “to the dangers of the present international situation marked by a breach in Russian and Polish diplomatic relations.” It expresses the opinion that there is a danger of the situation developing eventually into a war between Russia and Britain, “in view of the German Government's attempt to obtain support in this country and elsewhere as; leaders of ‘a , crusade against Bolshevism’.” Also, the statement adds the plain fact is that British anti-socialists look forward to this leadership being taken over by this country when Germany is defeated. “The Independent Labour Party thinks it well to state openly now that it will strive to organise by every means resistance to such a war among the workers. This action would be a challenge to the Gomernment’s right to wage war against the will of the people, including many millions in the forces.

“The Independent Labour Party makes an urgent appeal to the Labour Government to free itself from the Tory-dominated Government and build up uncompromising opposition to any move to use the power granted to them for the specific purpose of fighting Nazism in order to. attack, the Soviet workers.”

The Berlin, Paris, Vichy, Rome, Tokio, and other Axis radio stations throughout the day poured out a stream of exultant comment on the breach. Commentators referred to the breach as “the first rupture in the artificial structure of the so-called United Nations.”