CRUSHING OF POLAND

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 269, 7 August 1920, Page 7

CRUSHING OF POLAND

BRITISH MESSAGES TO SOVIET SINCERITY OF PROFESSIONS SUSPECTED STATEMENT BY MR. LLOYD GEORGE (By Telegraph-Press isßociation-Copyriclit London, August 5. Speaking in the House of Commons, Mr. Lloyd George stated that the Government had not yet received a reply to its telegram to the Soviet, dated July 29. Ho read the latest British telegram to the Soviet, elating that if the Soviet insisted that pwico conditions must be settled between Poland and Russia, to the exclusion of 'other Powers, the basis on which it was proposed to conduct tho negotiations in London would have disappeared, and the project for the conferaice would have fallen to the ground. Also if the Soviet took advantage of delay to continue the advance into ethnographical Poland, the Government would be driven to the conclusion that the Soviet did not intend to respect the liberty and independence of Poland, and the situation contemplated in the Government's telegram sent to Mr. Tchitcherin on July 20 would have arrived. lie added that he and Sir. Jonar Law yesterday intcrviewd luimeneff and Krnssin and made it clear that, tho Soviet's conduct necessarily raised the suspicion that the Soviet was insincero in professing a desire for peace and declaring its intention to respect the liberty and independence of Poland; that that suspicion could only be removed t by the immediate conclusion of a fair armistice ■, mid that in view of the invasion of ethnographical Poland the Government would take effective steps to remove the obstacles to the transmission of military supplies to Poland from Danzig. . I In view of the critical situation, Mr. Lloyd George said he would refrain from making a further statement; but he promised that if the Government's suspicions were confirmed, lie would mako a full statement on August 9 in regard to further naval and . military steps which might be necessary. The "Daily Express" states that dut- i ing the interview witli the Cabinet Ministers, Kamonoff and Krassin intimated that they were authorised to sign peace between Britain and Russia—Reuter. London, August 4. Britain has sent an ultimatum to Moscow stating that unless the invasimi of Poland is halted, trade relations will bo dropped.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. AMBIGUOUSIEPLY BY RUSSIA POLAND BLAMED FOR DELAY. (Rec; August G, 9 p.m.) London, August fi. Though the terms .of the Russian reply liavo not yet been published, it is stated unofficially, that tlioy are somewhat ambiguous. Russia, declares her willingness to negotiate a separate peace with Poland, and to reeogmsp Poland's independence, but military operations must continue until'properly accredited Polish pai'lementaircs arrive. 1 Poland must bo blamed 'for the delay, which 6he made no effort to prevent. Russia is prepared to recognise the existing Russo,Polish and actually desires to improve thereon ill favour of Poland. With regard to a. conference, it is understood that Russia insists on separate Russo-Polish negotiation)), though Russia is willing. to participate in a conference later regarding a general pcace. —Aus.-N.Z. Cabio Assi;. ALLIED CONFERENCE TO BE HELD . (Rec. August 6, 9 p.m.) Paris, August 5. It is understood that in view of tho critical Polish situation, tho Allies have decided to hold another important, conference at Boulogne in the next few days.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

EVACUATION OF WARSAW EXPECTED POLISH ARMIES SHATTERED. • London, August L • Tho evacuation of Warsaw is momentarily expectcd. The Polish armies are shattered—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assu. REDS INVADE POLISH CORRIDOR. ..London, August 5. • The Paris correspondent, of "The ■Times" .reports that' 48,000 Red troops havo invaded tho Polish corridor to the sea, and are . now aiming to cut tho Danzig-Warsaw railway. The Poles declare that they intend to continuo tho fight to retain Warsaw, though the eeat of Government may be removed. Tho "Daily Mail's". Berlin correspondent reports that the Rods have captured Loniza. German correspondents describe the position of Warsaw as hopeless, and expect it to be captured by August 9. Defences are being feverishly developed, especially to preve.nt air raids by night. A Borlin wireless message reports that the Reds have reached Mainava. 27 miles of-the outer forts of Avarsaw. The Polish Cabinet no longer hopes for tho 'conclusion of tho armistice negotia-tions.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. POLES' RESISTANCE BROKEN. London, August 5. A Bolshevik communique states: Wo have occupied Lomzaj and have broken the enemy's resistance in tho Siedlicz area. We are driving 'back Polesi to the Strypa River in the regions of ftiriumol and Chartkoif (in Eastern Galicia).-Atis.-N.Z. Cable Assn. IMPOSSIBLE TO PREVENT FALL OF CAPITAL. (llcc. August G, fl p.m.) London, August G. Allied military experts' at Warsaw stalo that it is impossible t/> prevent tlio citv falling.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

POLES RECAPTURE BRODY ARMISTICE DELEGATES RETURN TO WARSAW. (Rec. August G, 9 p.m.) Vienna, August 5. It is officially ' announced that the Poles have recaptured Brod.v. Large parties of wounded are arriving in Warsaw, including numbers of the -women » battalion. Prohibition has been enforced throughout Poland. Preparations ore being made for a stubborn defence i "Warsaw. Military experts, consider that the Bolsheviks will undertake an encircling movement, making the actual capture of Warsaw a bloodless al air. The Polish armistice delegation has returned to Warsaw. It was permitted to reercs* tlio lines without incident. It is expected that a second Polish delegation, empowered to negotiate peace, will leave for Minsk to-day. . Hungary has formally oOcred assistance, ami is prepared to send two ml'antrv and two cavalry divisions, tho problem is how to reach the front Jt is certain that Cstecho-Sltvakia will not permit the passage of the loree. It is believed that only strong Allied pwssuro will induce Rumania to co-operatc.-Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. 1 MILITARY BY BRITAIN AND FItANCM. London, August 5. Naval leave has been slopped. ! '['ho "Evening News" stales thai the Government will possibly call for volunteers in a lew days. , „ . T'ho "llailv Express undeistamls that the Army Council has ordered prepaiations fof. the of two dnifiions at a momenta notice, ;\iul has arranged for the immediate transport ol munition* and stores. The "ViK-irlie Zeiluiu: slales llial a I'ieneh battalion i|uartered in l.uxnnIxuii'g has Ijeen (idereil to hold n-ell in readiness In shut for t'ukuid.-Ans.-N.Z. Cable A.s-ii. . , r Paris, August .>. The ",\latin" says it is doubtful whether Britain will send military aid to 'Poland. It is believed that tho Ironch

troops at present near the theatre of war may be ordered to co-operate in the defence cf Poland. J >a /l M 'owski, in an interview in the "latin," bitterly complains that Poland has been abandoned by everybody except France.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. BRITISH MILITARY PREPARATIONS DENIED. (Rec. August G, 8.15 p.m.) London, August 5. It is authoritatively announced that Britain has no intention of sending troops to Poland. It is also denied that four British divisions are held in Teadiness, and that tho Navy is mobilising.— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. HELP PROM HUNGARY AND POLAND.Amsterdam, August 5. Advices from Budapest state that a great Hungarian and Rumanian offensive m favour of Poland is being prepared under French direction.—AU6.-N.Z. Cuble Aran. NAVAL BLOCKADTTUE REIMPOSED (llec. August G, 9 p.m.) London, August C. The "Daily Chronicle" states that the Government has ordered the Navy to reimposo the naval blockade against Russia—Aus.-N.Z. Gable Assn. RUSSO-GERMAN AGREEMENT SUPPRESSION OP BORDER STATES AIMED AT. Paris, August 5. The "Petit Parisien" states that an agreement lias been made between Heir von Simons in Berlin and the Soviet representative, Kopp, which provides for economic and political help for Russia by repairing the railways, the delivery of rolling-stock, plant, and machinery for mining and medical supplies. With tiiis help, Russia anticipates being able to drive the Poles from the Danzig corridor. _ -The Soviet will then insist on the admission of Germany to the Peace Conference and will back up German interests. Kopp ha 6 left for Moscow to secure approval of the agreement. » ' Commenting on the agreement, the "Petit Parisien" . savs the Bolsheviks count upon driving tlie Pole 3 out of tho Danzig corridor. Then in the proposed peace negotiations tlicy would insist on the admission of Germany to the conference. The Bolsheviks would seek to obtain the restoration of tho Russo-Ger-man frontior and the suppression of the border States, and would oven! demand the restoration of the German colonies, j —Aus.-N.Z. Cabla Assn. SECRET TREATY DENIED. (Rec. August 6, 9 p.m.) • London, August 6. Kemeneff denies that there is a secret treaty between Russia and Germany.— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. BRITISH SUBJEcTIWURDERED COMPENSATION CLAIMED. London, August 5. Lord Cureon has informed the Moscow Government that the Bolsheviks murdered John Freed, a British subject, during the massacre of the Japanese at Nikolaievsk, Siberia, in March, . and that Britain claims compensation for tho victim's relatives.—Aus.-N.Z, Cable Assn. GREAT FIRE~ IN SARATOFP . London, August 5. A Moscow wireless message states that thirty-six blocks of buildings nro on fire in Saratoff, and a tenth of tho town is already destroyed.—Aus.-N.Z. Ca'blo Assn. [Saratoff is a large town on the river Volga, about 500 miles 60uth-east of Moscow.] '