"STRONG POLAND"

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 107, 7 May 1943, Page 3

"STRONG POLAND"

STALIN'S ASSURANCE Sikorski's Comment Adds , Hopeful Note N.Z. Press Association. —Copyright Rec. noon. LONDON, May 6. Yin a letter to the Moscow correspondent of The Times dealing with Russo-Polish relations, M. Stalin , said:— . "Unquestionably the Soviet Union desires to see a strong and independent (Poland after Hitler's. Germany is defeated. I believe that post-war relations between Poland and Russia should be based on a fundament of solid and good neighbourly relations and mutual respect or, if the Polish peoples so desire it, upon an alliance providing mutual assistance against the Germans as the chief enemies of Russia and Poland." The correspondent comments that "strong and independent" are words about which there cannot be ambiguity. It should be possible on this reaffirmation to rebuild the bridge between Russia and Poland. Frontier Question It is safe to assume that Russia's attitude to the post-war plans of the Allies for Europe will depend mainly on the measure of agreement reached before hostilities close, about the zone of eastern Europe, between Russia and Germany, the correspondent adds. Russia does not want a state of confusion and enfeeblement in these vital areas during the years she must spend on the arduous task of reconstructing her own liberated regions of the west. Commenting on M. Stalin's letter to The Times Moscow correspondent, General Sikorski, Prime Minister of Poland said: "M. Stalin's words correspond with the opinion he expressed to me during my stay in Moscow in December, 1941. Indeed, . the Germans have been for ages the - common, implacable enemy of the Poles and Russians. The Polish -• nation wants, of course, to continue friendly relations with Russia and • base them on an alliance directed against Germany. "Ready to Find Solution" "However, it is difficult for me to be restrained, even in the face of such a favourable declaration by M.;; Stalin, at the very moment when the;; - r - Polish Ambassador has left Russia! and masses of the Polish population," in Russia remain without "the care ;.,r or assistance of their Government. "Yet, despite this and despite many other facts, the Polish Government. is ready to find a positive answer to ... ? any Soviet initiative which will coincide with the interests of the Polish republic, as defined in our common declaration of December 4, 1941, and- .o-C my speech of May 4, 1943." r - rA British Official Wireless message says much interest has been caused...;.;:, in London by M. Stalin's statement regarding Soviet-Polish relations.". There has been no official comment 1 . " in London. • "