SOVIET AND POLES

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 63, Issue 170, 30 April 1943, Page 3

SOVIET AND POLES

ENDEAVOUR TO HEAL BREACH.

BRITAIN AND AMERICA ACT.

THE EARLIER PHASES

LONDON, April 29

The British and American Governments are jointly attempting to induce M. Stalin to agree to discussions to clear up all the misunderstandings between Russia and the Polish Government in London, says the diplomatic correspondent of the “Daily Mail.” Mr Churchill lias been in direct communication with Mr Roosevelt, presumably by Atlantic telephone.

Britain and the United States have agreed that the unfortuhate breach must not only be closed, but healed in a practical manner. The first results of to-day’s talks in London are expected to be the Polish Government’s withdrawal of its request to the International Red Cross to investigate the alleged Russian (massacre /of Polish officers near Smolensk. The opinion held in London is that this request was too precipitous and calculated to play into Goebbels’ hands.

The British Government from the outset opposed this appeal, hut it was forwarded before Britain was consulted. Russia, however, knew of Britain’s opposition from the outset. “There can now be little doubt that the Soviet Government is prepared to recognise only a Polish Government which once and for all silences expressions of opinion considered prejudicial to Russia’s present and future interests,” says the Moscow correspondent of “The Times.” “Au attempt will probably be made to raise Polish forces in Russia, whose only objective will be ejecting the enemy from the territory recognised by the Soviet Government as Polish, and whose commanders will lie free from the control of politicians still maintaining Poland’s right to rule the Ukrainian and AMiite Russia peoples.” The correspondent states that there is every likelihood that the Polish Government in London will withdraw its ■proposal that the International. Red Cross in Geneva .should send a committee to investigate the atrocity allegations which caused the rift in Russian and Polish relations. ' Such a withdrawal wouldv certainly ease the situation. It is felt strongly that any Red Cross inquiry in German-occupied territory near Smolensk would simply he playing into the hands of Goebbels’ propagandists. The correspondent also states that there seems to be fairly general agreement that the word “suspension” and not “sever” was used in the Russian Note announcing the rupture in'RussoPolish relations, but “Pravda” to-day again refers to “the break,” while the “Soviet War News” published the text of the Russian Note, stating that the Soviet had decided to “sever relations with the Polish Government.”

It was stated in London last night that the Polish Ambassador is still in Moscow, but messages from Moscow today report that steps arc being taken for the removal of the Polish Embassy officials to Iraq. “izvestia” publishes a. three-column article by Wanda Vassilievska, editor of “Free Poland” and chairman of the Union of Polish Patriots, which states: “The Polish people dicl not choose, appoint, or give authority to General Sikorsky’s emigre Government. The fight the Polish people are still putting up against the Germans is clear proof that they have nothing in common with the suicidal policy of the emigre Government. It is not'a secret that the leadership of the Polish forces outside Poland is strongly reactionary and antidemocratic. That is why General Anders refused to fight on the Russian front.”

The article alleges that secret links connect some Polish elements in London and New York with Berlin, and it declares that the emigre Government, from the first day of its existence, permitted in unofficial and official organs the foulest attacks against Russia.

POLISH GOVERNMENT’S STAND.

UNDERSTANDING SOUGHT

LONDON, April 28,

The Polish Government in London has issued a statement affirming that its policy, which is aimed at a. friendly understanding between Poland and Russia on a basis of integrity, and full sovereignty of the Polish Republic, was, and continued to be, fully supported by the Polish nation. The Polish Government is conscious of its responsibility toward its own nation and toward the Allies, whose unity and solidarity are the corner-stone of future victory.

The statement says that the Polish Government was the first to approach the Soviet with a proposal for a common understanding, and declares that it scrupulously discharged its obligations entered into with the Soviet in 1941..

The statement points out that the Polish Government and Cabinet have no need to defend themselves from any suggestion of contact or understanding with Hitler. In a public statement on April 17, Poland denied to Germany the right to abuse the tragedy of Polish officers for the Germans’ own perfidious schemes. The Polish Government unhesitatingly denounces Nazi propaganda designed to create mistrust between the Allies. About the same time a Note was sent to the Soviet Ambassador accredited to the Polish Government, asking once again for information which would help to elucidate the fate of the missing officers. The statement said that the Polish Army, in waging war against Germany, would also require for reinforcements all. the fighting Polish males now on Soviet soil. The Polish Government asked for a continuance of the relief welfare of Polisli citizens remaining in Russia. The statement- reaffirmed that Poland did not claim any Soviet territories.