ALLEGATIONS OF A "WHITE TERROR."

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 218, 15 September 1939, Page 8

ALLEGATIONS OF A "WHITE TERROR."

POLAND CITED.

Russians Say Not Fit To

Govern Herself.

INTEREST IN MINORITIES? United Press Association.—Copyright. (Received 11 a.m.) MOSCOW, September 14. Significant allegations of Polish oppression of its Russian minority, and also that Poland is no longer fit to govern herself, are contained in an article in "Pravda."

"The Polish ruling classes have done everything possible to aggravate relations witji national minorities and bring them to a state of extreme tension," says the article.

Analysing the causes of Poland's military defeat the article declares it is not attributable to the German preponderance, or lack of British and French support. but to the fact that the Polish State liiat'liine was disorganised. It was so impotent and inellicielit that it began to crumble with the first military setback. Multi-national State. Poland, it says, is on the verge of bankruptcy because of the inner weakness of the nation, which is really a multi-national State. Only (50 per cent of the population is Polish, the remainder including, 8,000,000 Ukrainians and 3,000,000 White Russians. "It is clear that without minority rights being granted it is impossible to preserve a multi-national State, and assure internal unity and vital power." "Punitive Expeditions." The Ukrainians and White Russians had suffered the full brunt of the Polish oppression and unscrupulous exploitation. Their lands had been given to Polish military colonists, the Polish language had been forced on official circles; domination had been maintained by punitive expeditions and field tribunals. The White Terror is fanning national discord, as a result of which the minorities are doomed to cultural degradation."

Some interpret the article as a declaration of Russian, interest in the Ukrainian and White Russian minorities, but Polish circles discount such interpretation and profess no fear of Russian intervention. They categorically deny reports that the Polish Embassy is ready to leave Moscow.

AID FOR POLAND.

More Effective Efforts Urged. NOTE TO FOREIGN OFFICE. (Received 1 p.m.) LOXDOX, September 14. . Count Edward Raczynski, Polish Ambassador to Great Britain, has sent a Xote to the Foreign Office urging more effective British assistance for Poland. RUSSIAN CHARGES. AGAINST POLISH AIRMEN. (Received 9.30 a.m.) MOSCOW, September 14. The Tass news agency has charged Polish airmen with frequent violations of the Soviet frontier, and states that they are "endeavouring to penetrate far into Soviet territory."

It says that Soviet airmen yesterday forced four Polish aeroplanes to land, and detained tb« 15 member* of the crews.