RUSSIA & POLAND

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 252, 19 July 1920, Page 5

RUSSIA & POLAND

ARMISTI& TERMS PROPOSED BY

BRITAIN

VIOLENT SPEECH BY TROTSKY By Telegraph-Press Association-Copyright London, j July 14. Mr. Bonar Law read in the House of Commons a telegram sent by the British Government to tho Soviet Government on July 11, proposing an immediate armistice between Russia and Poland. The proposed terms were that the Polish armies should immediately withdraw to the eastern boundary of Poland, and, no soon as possible thereafter, representatives of the Soviet of Russia, Poland, Lithuania, Latvin, and Finland should assemble in London under the auspices of the Peace Conference, to negotiate a final peace between Russia and its neutral States. Representatives of Eastern Galicia were also invited to tho Conference. Tho British Government also proposed a simultaneous armistice between the Soviet forces and General, Wrangel, on the basis that Wmngel's forces should immediately retire to the Crimea, which should be neutral during the armistice, and that General Wrangel should be invited to London to discuss the future of his troops and refugees, but should not | bo a member of the Conference. The British Government bound itself not to assist Poland in any purpose hostile to Russia, and to take no action Itself hostile to Russia. It was also bound under the Covenant of_ the League of Nations to defend the integrity of Poland ■within certain frontiers. If, therefore, the Soviet Government, despite its repeated declarations, would not bo content with tho withdrawal of the Polish armies from Russia on condition of a mutual armistice, but intended to take notion hostile to Poland in Poland's own territory, tho Britisli Government and the Allies would feel bound to_ assist Poland to defend it? existence with all the means at their disposal. The i Polish Government lmd declared its willingness to mako peace with Soviet Russia and to negotiate an armistice on the abovo basis as soon as it was informed that the Soviet also agreed. The British Government had stated that it would be glad of a definite reply within a week. Replying to Mr. Asquith, Mr. Bonar Law .i'lid this message was sent by wireless to Moscow with tho knowledge and approval of the Allies.—Reuter. (Rec. July 18, 5.5 p.m.) ' Warsaw, July 18. It is doubtful,.whether Poland will accopt tho British armistice proposals. Tho British Note to Lenin has created a most unfavourable impression in Poland.— Router.

> OPPOSITION OVERCOME NOTIFICATION OF ACCEPTANCE IMMINENT. (Roc. July 18, 11.5 p.m.) Paris, July 17. The "Petit Parisionne" states that Grabski, on returning to Poland from Spa, participated in prolonged and animated Cabinet discussions regarding the armistice terms, aud ultimately overcome the strong opposition. A formal notification of acceptance of the terms is imminent,—Am-N.Z. Cable Assn. OPINION IN MOSCOW DIVIDED (Rec. July 18, 5.5 p.m.) London, July 17. According to messages from- Warsaw, Polish disapproval of the armistice torms accounts for Griibski's withdrawal from Spa on Wednesday; Opinion in Moscow is apparently divided. M. Tfliitcherin aud other Moderates favour acceptance of tho terpis, but it is reported that Trotsky's violent speech at a great gathering at Moscow won unanimous applause, and tho meeting, passed a resolution that peace could bo signed only when tho Beds entered Warsuw.—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn.

BOLSHEVIKS EXPECTED TO ACCEPT TERMS. (Reo. July 18, 11.5 p.m.) , London, July 17. Moscow messages state that the belief is general that Mr. Lloyd George's terms Trill bo excepted, largely owing to Krussin's strong advocacy o£ moderation, pointing "out that peace with Western Eur>fo is what Russia most needs,— Aus.-w.Z. Cable Assn.

DECISIVE MILITARY EVENTS PROBABLE. (Reo. July 18, 5.5 p.m.) . London, July 17. Tho "Daily Telegraph's" correspondent at Polish headquarters says the proposod armistice with the Bolsheviks is not welcomed by the Polish nation, which hardly realises tlie danger, 'but decisive military events are probable before an armistice can be concluded: Vilna was evacuated on July 13, and it is probable that the Lithuanians have already occupied the city, Two hundred thousand Polish fugitives from the district arc flying, abandoning everything, owing to the fear of atrocities, such as the recent murder and mutilation of. the Polish prefect at Dubno, and forty-eight companions. Audacious raids by small bodies of Russian cavalry through the woods are the chief cause of Polish defeats, but a clover Polish general could stop the rout. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

WRANGEL REJECTS ARMISTICE PROPOSAL. (Reo. July 18, 5.5. p.m.) ' London, July 16. Goneral Wrangcl has flatly rejected the armistice proposal to withdraw to tho Crimea, leaving the inhabitants of the occupied territories to ruthless Bolshevifc. control.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn

LITHUANIANS OCCUPY VILNA MIGHTY TREK TO WARSAW. (Reo. July 18, 5.5 p.m.) London, July 17. The "Morning Post's" Warsaw correspondent reports that the Lithuanians and Poles have reached an agreement Under which the former have occupied Vilna. It is understood that tho Lithuanians have an agreement with the Bolsheviks providing that tho former shall be left in undisturbed occupation. _ This does not affect tho military situation, and tha Bolshoviks aro ablo to continue operations as if they actually held it. All north-western Poland is now awash, and iv mighty trek to Warsaw is proceeding. Tho military aro eificiehtly evacuating a hundred thousand people from Vilna. Minsk and countless small villages are emptying themselves. Enormous hordes of people tiro moving along .tlio highways on foot, carrying cooking utonsils. Hot winther is causing much suffering. It Is diffioult to foresee what will happen when Warsaw is reached. The city is already overcrowded and food prices aro prohibitive. It is likely that the parks and open spaces on the shores of Vistula will be converted' into vast refuge camps. Tho Bolsheviks aro coming into possession of a remarkably rich harvest. Some of the corn has already been stacked. The poasants, like the townspeople, are ilooing boforo tho Bolshevik terror without pausing to destroy tho har-vests.—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn.

BOLSHEVIK CAVALRY ROUTED (Reo.- My 19, 0,35 a.m.) Helsingfors, July 17. It- is roported that General Wrnugel surprised and routed eighteen Bolshevik uavaliy xogimonts, capturing twenty thousand prisonous, including tho com-mander-in-chief nun his staff. It is reported that a hundred thousand Cossncks rebelled, broke through the Rod front, nml joined Wrangol.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. RUSSO-FINNISH~PEACE CONFERENCE Amsterdam, Julr IG. Tho Russo-Finnish Peaco Coiilerenoo at Dorpat hag been suspended for a fortnight at the instance of the Russians, owing to the Finns persisting in their claim to Petchenga.—Aus.-N.Z. Cn!>lo Assn.