"BOLD WISE BID"

Auckland Star, Volume LXXV, Issue 181, 2 August 1944, Page 5

"BOLD WISE BID"

BY POLISH PREMIER To Retrieve Situation In Soviet Relationships Rec. 10 a.m. LONDON, Aug. 1. The Polish Prime Minister, M. Mikolajczyk, who has arrived in Moscow for talks with the Soviet Government on Russo-Polish questions, has conferred with the British and United States Ambassadors. It is understood that he has also had preliminary contacts with leading Soviet officials. He was accompanied to Moscow by M. Romer, Foreign Minister, and Professor Grazski, President of the Polish National Council.

The Observer, in a leader, says that much more than the freedom and the future Government of Poland hangs upon the mission of M. Mikolajczyk. The strength of the Grand Alliance, the principles of the United Nations and the character of the peace become involved. An agreement would be another major victory.

Four simple facts dominate the position. Firstly, Marshal Stalin can enforce any decision he chooses —he has the power. Secondly, M. Mikolajczyk's is the lawful Government of- Poland and is very widely representative —it has the right. Thirdly, the Committee of National Liberation, which is far less representative, has been set up by the Russians. Fourthly, and most important, are the people of Poland. If their liberation is to be real, they are entitled to choose for themselves freely what rulers they will have. The Times describes M. Mikolajczyk's visit as "a bold wise bid to retrieve a situation which for too long has been allowed to go by default." The Times says the formation of the Polish Committee came as no surprise. It is a provisional solution, and much would have been gained for the future of Polish unity if representative Poles from London or elsewhere could have been associated from the outset with the new authority m Poland. The Manchester _ Guardian suggests an ideal solution would be if the Polish Government in London and the Polish Committee could be united, although this would clearly mean the resignation of certain members of each. It thinks that the Polish frontiers, east and west, should be Anally decided with the most careful deliberation by all tiie Allied nations in conference.