MEDIATION REJECTED

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 256, 23 July 1920, Page 7

MEDIATION REJECTED

PROCLAMATION BY SOVIET LEADERS WILL DEAL DIRECT WITH POLAND LEAGUE NATIONS NOT TRUSTED fly Telegraph-Proe« Associalion-OoryricM London, July 21. A proclamation, signed by Lenin, Trotsky, aud Tchitcherin, and sent out by wireless from Moscow, reiterates tho intention to deal direct with Poland in the matter of peace, and states that neither the League of Nations nor Lord Curzon is called upon to act as peacemaker in the civil war which they have brought alxmt and fanned. '."Die rejection of mediation by the League of Nations/' says the proclamation, "does not mean that the Soviet will reject the continuation of negotiations with Britain and tho other nations forming the League. 'We merely deny their right to constitute themselves the saviours of the little nations. Wo do not trust them."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. BRITISH CABINBTSIIEW OF REPLY SOVIET WILLING TO NEGOTIATE. London, July 21. The "Daily Chronicle" says the British Cabinet adopts the view that the Soviet Government's reply means trie acceptance of an armistice with Poland, ftiifl that the Russian advance will only continue in order to drive out the Polish invaders ( from Russian soil. Therefore the Allies •will counsel Poland to ask for an armistice immediately, and thus discover whether the Soviet means peace or war. Tho Soviet reply says that British intervention is unnecessary, as the Soviet has already concluded nea'ce with tho other Border States, and is able to do so with Poland. Moreover, tho British Government did not manifest tho same de-

sire for peace when Poland first eraharked iipon her wanton aggression. Nevertheless, the Soviet realises that the working classes in Russia and Poland arc Anxious for peace, and is therefore willing to enter into negotiations, hut wifl do so directly with Poland.—Aus.•N.Z. Cable Assn. FRENCH PREMIER'S OPINION. Paris, July 21. St. Millerand, in tho Chamber "of Deputies, described tho Soviet's reply as extremely impertinent. "Prance will keep her plighted word to defend Poland, as I am sure Britain will be loyal to hers." (Cheers.)-Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. GERMAN PLEDgToF NEUTRALITY (Rec. July 22, 7.15 p.m.) Berlin, July 20. The Government is issuing a declaration pledging Germany to the strictest neutrality in theSovre"t-P'oTtsh war, and appealing to Germans abroad not to participate on either side.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. RUSSIAN TRADE DELEGATES DOUBTFUL WHETHER TO PROCEED TO LONDON. (Rec. July 22, 11.5 p.m.) London, July 21. The Russian trade delegates remain at Reval, doubtful whether to proceed to London to' reopen discussions until satisfactory arrangements have been made with Russia regarding Poland.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

INVITATION TO LONDON CONFERENCE DECLINED BY BALTIC STATES. London, July 2fl. Mr. Cecil Harmsworth, Under-Sec-retary for Foreign Affairs, stated in the House of Commons that Finland, Latvia, arid Lithuania have declined the invitation to participate in the Peace Confctoiice in London.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. advance POLISH FRONT SMASHED. Warsaw, July 21. Twenty fresh divisions, advancing at tho rate of ten miles a day, have smashed through tho Polish front between Suwalki and Augustovo, and are hourly expected on the East Prussian frontier. The Reds are rapidly advancing from tho Lida, and aro now within 150 miles of Warsaw. 'A general regrouping of the Polish armies is in progress, and preparations have been made to evacuate Bialystok, A portion of tho Warsaw garrison has boon sent northward to make a 6upremo effort to stem the tide;—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn POLAND'S FRONTIER LINES REACHED. Warsaw, July 21. The Reds have reached the frontier lines set out by the Peace Conference for Poland. Thre is fierce fighting on the Pripet. K Red offensive is expected towards Kovol. The roads from Grovno and Revel aro crowded with fugitives. Desperate efforts are being made to stimulate Polish Tecrniting, including schoolboys.—"The Times." BOLSHEVIK PUSH SPENT SITUATION LIKELY TO BECOME STATIONARY. ' (Rec. July 23, 1.30 p.m.) Warsaw, July 21. Despite repeated attacks Budeny's troops on the Galiciari frontier seem to be sufficiently protected. The Poles also securely hold tho anproaohes to Bhest Liovsk. Obstinate battles are being fought in the Upper Niemcn and eastern approaches to Baranovitch, while the Poles firmly hold the central region of tho Pripet. Last week's fighting shows that tho Bolshevik push has spent itself. Ever.vlhing points to the situation becoming stationary.—Re iter. RUSSIANJALTIC FLEET RESTORATION MEASURES. Copenhagen, July 21. Admiral Raskolnikov has been appointed commander-in-chief cf the Russian Baltic Fleet, and is taking steps to restore the fleet to the it occupied under the Tsar's »eeimo, with au eye to possible attacks by'Finland.—Aus.N.Z. Cable A6sn.

. RED TROOPS ENTER RUMANIA (Rec. July 22, 7.45 p.m.) Copenhagen, July 20. It 5s reported that Bolshevik troops have crossed tho Rumanian frontier.— Aus.-N.Z. Cable issn.