POLES' INDEPENDENCE

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 272, 11 August 1920, Page 7

POLES' INDEPENDENCE

ALLIES WILL ASSIST TO

MAINTAIN IT

BY PROVIDING MUNITIONS AND TECHNICAL ADVICE

BUT NOT WITH TROOPS (By Telegraph-Press Aasociation-CopyrlffM (Rec. August 10, 10.25 p.m.) London, August 9. The Hythe conference finished with a short afternoon sitting, held owing to the receipt of further communications from Soviet sources, after which Lloyd Georgo and M. Millerand returned to their respective capitals. Tho former upou his departure was accorded an ovaIt is officially stated that tho Allies are in complete agreement in regard to action with reference to tho Polish situation, subject, however, in tho caso of Britain to approval by Parliament. It is understood that the Allies are determined to support tho Poles by technical advice and munitions, also possibly by naval measures, but Allied troops will not be employed. Furthermore, it is semi-officially explained that the British Government for three months has done its utmost to induce Russia to come to terms with a view to removing tho serious condition of affairs 111 Eastern Europe, but the Russians appear determined to crush tho Poles and impose upon Poland a form of government to which the great majority of tho Poles strongly object. Tie Allies feel it to 'bo their duty to do everything possible to enable tho Poles to maintain their independence, because Poland was created by the Treaty of Versailles. Nevertheless, tho issue must laTgely depend on tho ability of tho Poles themselves, with such help as aforementioned, to repel the Russian attacks. Tho Minsk conference between the Poles and Russians will be held on August 10. If the latter then indicate thoir willingness to make reasonable terms, dilferent considerations will apply. It is probablo that Krassin and Kamenelf will be permitted to remain in London until after August 11, in order that tho Government may learn what occurs at Minsk. In the ovent of tie Minsk negotiations failing, it is likoly that the Government will ask Krassin and Ifameneff to leave Britain, on tho ground that it will be impossible to negotiate with, them, while the Allies are simultaneously taking steps to assist the Poles.— Renter.

New York, August 9. The Hythe Conference has ended In complete neeord as to giving support to Poland with military advice, munitions, and warships, but not with troops. Ifrns. sin js to romain in London pending th« armistico parley at Minsk on Wednes-day.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. REPORTS OF MILITARY LEADERS. London, August D Tho Hythe Conference heard tho imports of Marshal Foch, Field-Marshal Wilson, and Lord Bcatty, who discussed tit length measures to frustrate the Russian over-running Poland. Ifarshal Foeh is apparently of opinion that P«l and is far from waten if her forces ar« quickly reorganised, and may yet successfully defend her frontiers.

Mr. Lloyd George lias summoned ft Cabinet meeting for to-night, when ho will lay tho whole situation, as tho outcojiio of the Lympno Conference, before his colleagues.—Reutor. MUNITIONS NOT SENT FROM BRITAIN.

(Rcc. August 10, 9.20 p.m.) London, August 9. Mr. Bonar Law, who was closely questioned in tho House of Commons as to whether Britain had sont munitions to Poland, preserved a guarded attitude, but definitely stated that Britain had not yet sent munitions from Britain, though it did not follow that this would not bo done—Aus.-N.Z. Cable A6sn. NOTE FROM*RUSSIA ALLIES' OBJECT COVERED BY MINSK CONFERENCE. London, August 9. A Russian wireless message to Britain savs tho Polish Government announces its readiness to send delegates to Minsk to conclude an armistice and peace preliminaries. Tho Bolshevik Government, therefore, expresses its belief that tho object of tho Allies, 'namely, tho cessation o£ hostilities and the establishment of peaceful relations between Russia and Poland on the basis of the full independence of Poland, will bo attained in tho most speedy and the simplest vaj through direct negotiations. Tho T3wshevik Government is of opinion that th« Allies will undoubtedly acknowledge thai their object will bo fully covered by tho impending Russo-Polish Conference Minsk.

The contents of this Note are rogar&cd as practically amounting to rejection of Allied participation in the Russo-Pollsh settlement.—Reuter. JOINT LABiTcONFERENCE ULTIMATUM TO BRITISH GOVERNMENT. Hfec. August 10, 11.20 p.m.) London, August, 9. The Labour Conference held in tho House of Commons passed the following resolution: "That this joint conference, representing the Trades Union Congress, tbe Labour Party, and tha Parliamentary Labour Party, feels certain that a war is being engineered between the Allied Powers and Soviet Russia over Poland, and declares that such a war would bo an intolerable crime against humanity, and warns the Government that the whole industrial power of the organised workers will be used to defeat this war; that the executive committees of affiliated organisations throughout tho country be summoned to hold themselves ready to 'proceed immediately to London for a national conference; that they be advised to instruct members to down tools on instructions from 'that national conference; that a council bo immediately constituted to take such steps as may be necessary to carry this decision into effect." •

The decision is unquestionably an ultimatum to the Government that a new war will mean a general striko all over the country. A prominent Labourite declares that the decision is not only a threat, but the decision will materialise if necessary. Considerable enthusiasm prevailed at the conference following the adoption of the resolution. The extreme wing urged immediate direct, action, but tho moderates, although equally favouring firm attitude, secured the adoption of the more oonsHtutioiial procedure.—Router. DECISION OFIWTISH LABOUR UNPRECEDENTED UNANIMITY. (Rcc. August 10, 8.10 p.m.) London, August 10. Tiio joint political and industrial la/ bour organisations' unanimous decision is an unprecedented action in tho history of the Labour movement It means that if Britain decides to instit.uto war measures against Russia, a national- congress of trade unions will be held within a few hours to declare an immediate general striko, involving six million workers. Sectional Labour protests continue. There is every indication that the great mass of the working population is united behind tho leaders. A council of action appointed by the conference arranged an interview with Mr. Lloyd Georgo to-day. Tlio actual decision of tho Allies regarding Russia will bo deferred until they know the result of the Russo-Polisb deliberations at Minsk on Wednesday. The Russian terms, which will there bo discussed, will bo rcgardod as a test of Russia's bona fides. Franco would weloojno stronger Allied action. Mr. Lloyd Georgo probably welcomes Labour's emphatic pronouncement as providing solid grounds for non-intervention. The Government nowspapors declare that the crisis is past, and that there will be no war 60 far as Britain is conccrncd. Tho "Daily Chronicle's" 7 correspondent Bays: "I have l Mtfh oatLsritf (or payinjj that tho Q&r-

ornment will not involve the country in war, provided Russia does not attempt to destroy Poland's independence. If Poland's independence were at stako Britain would imposo a complete blockade against Itussin." The Daily Express" stales that Mr. Lloyd George's decision against pnrticiation in • tlio war is based on the merits of the case rather than on tho strength of public opinion against intervention—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn.

GLOOMY VIEW OF SITUATION TAKEN BY THE PRESS. London, August 8. The London "Times" takes a serious view of the Russian situation. It points out that matters have drifted so far that it is militarily impossible to save Warsaw, and the reports of the advisera alono can show whether Poland can ho saved- It is impossibles to dispatch troo'gi via Danzig. There remains tho blockade, which moved most slowly at the beginning of the European War. Tho French are convinced of tho reality of the Russo-German understanding; aai therein lies the next danger.

Tho "Leader" urges Mr. Lloyd George to place the whole of tho facts frankly and quickly before tho nation, in'a way that will express tho immensity, significance, and vastness of tho issue*' at stake. '

The Paris correspondent of "The Times" sums up tlio French opinion. The nation, ho says, is weary of fighting, and needs external and internal peacos but it is prepared' to straggle even more to ensure tho security of peaco, It retards the establishment of a Soviet in Poland as a triumph for Germany. Additional reports from Poland confirm tho sinister intentions of the Bolsheviks to occupy tho capital and establish Soviets.

The recently-formed Bailystok Government has issued Bolshevistic appeals far and wide. Red airmen are showering Warsaw and the surrounding country with official Bolshevistic leaflets, couched in inflammatory language, declaring that Russia will fulfil. her task, emancipate the workers, and create a new and greater Poland. Typical messages are: "Hurry, workmen, soldiers, and peasants; join the world's revolution and. rid the world of capitalists, exploiters, and the middle-class. Form councils of soldiers. make the officers prisoners. Let us maroh on Warsaw together." A correspondent at Warsaw states that although Polish patriotism burns brightly. the Bolshevist emissaries are scattering money with, a lavish hand, and tho danger is real and urgent, and is daily increasing.

A German Press correspondent states that tho situation is Poland has developed into a military catastrophe, coupled with comploto internal collapse. All th® bridges leading to Warsaw have been blown up. The Beds are shelling tho outer forts, and the army is in a panic. Hordes of deserters, including hundreds of-officers, are streaming into Warsaw; and the citizens are continuously fleeing from tho city.—"Tho Times."

PROGRESS OF THE FIGHTING REDS STILL ADVANCING, London, August 9. A Bolshevik communique states:—Wo ara successfully advancing towards the River Narefr. Our troops liavo entered Socloff. Fighting is proceeding in tho Siedliez region, vrith alternating success. We aro driving back the Poles on tho upper reaches.of the Strypa. Fighting is proceeding in our favour in the Crimean sector—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

POLISH ARMY DEMORALISED

FALL OF WARSAW IMMINENT. (Rec. August 10, 8.40 p.m.) London, August Ij). A dispatch from Warsaw on Moffilay states that tho Polish Army is demoralised and the fell of Warsaw is imminent.—Aus.-N.Z. .Cable Assn. TRANSPORn}F~ MUNITIONS GERMAN WORKERS URGED TO PREVENT IT. Berlin, August 9. The Social Democrats, Independents, and Spartacists have issued a joint proclamation calling on tho -workers to be in readiness to prevent tho transport of Allied war material to Poland—AusCablo Assn. DESTROYING GERMAN WAR MATERIAL TO PREVENT IT FALLING INTO REDS' HANDS. Paris, August 9. Allied troops on tho East Prussian frontier aro busily engaged in destroying the accumulations of German war material and munitions, evidently with the intention of preventing them falling into tho hands of the Bolsheviks. The Germans are complaining that tho incessant oxplosions are alarming tho population.— Reuter. LETTER FROMTHE POPE EUROPE THREATENED WITH HORRORS OF FRESH WARS. (Rec. August 10, 8.10 p.m.) Rome. August 10. Tho Pope has issued a letter calling the CathoTio hierarchy's attention to Poland'B critical condition. The Pope says: "The Holy See was the only power in tho world which protested against the iniquitous partition of Poland. Now not only Poland is imperilled, but thewholo of Europe is threatened with the horrors of fresh ware. God grant that devout Poland may be spared this supreme misfortune and anaemio Europe I may not suffer this new scourge."—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn. DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS WITH RUSSIA FAVOUR-ED BY GiERMAN FOREIGN MINISTER. (Reo. August 10, 8.10 p.m.) Berlin, August 10. Horrvon Simons (Germany's Minister of Foreign Affaire), in an interview, stated that he was prepared to establish diplomatic relations with Russia, realising that G6rman and Russian cooperation was necessary for Europe's economic recovery. Russia must first give me satisfaction for the murder of Count Mirbach. Although tho count wiw a Minister under' the old Imperial regime, international law demands that a Minister must be protected.—Aus.N.Z. Coble Assn. i■■ ■ ■