THE ALLIES' POLICY

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 273, 12 August 1920, Page 5

THE ALLIES' POLICY

IN RUSSO-POLISH CRISIS PEACE OF EUROPE DEPENDENT ON POLAND'S INTEGRITY STATEMENT BY MR. LLOYD GEORGE IBy Telegraph-Press Aesociation-Oopyriirbt (Rec. August 11, 8.40 p.m.) London, August 10. In the Houso of Commons Mr. Lloyd Georgo made a statement before a crowded House in regard to the Polish situation. Ivrassin and Ifameneff were present in tho Strangers' Gallery.

Mr._ Lloyd George expressed himself as still hopeful of peace, but in view of the House rising at the tho week ho proposed to indicate tlie Government's intentions in certain contingencies.- Restating the position, ho repeated the opinion that the Polish attack was unjustified. He considered the Soviet Government was entitled Jo take into account in the peace conditions that the Poles not only attacked Russia, but did so despite British and French warninzs Tho Soviet was entitled to demand guarantees against a repetition of similar attacks, but nothing could justify reprisals or punishment which would destroy the aggressors' national existence. It had furthermore to be considered that the independence of Poland was an essential part of the structure of European peace. A repartition of Poland would not only be a crime, but a peril. These contingencies must be considered as the basis of our oolicv.

The Premier then summarised the events which led to tho Soviet's Tefus.il of a truce.

Securing Poland's Independence. Dealing with tho Hvthe Conference. Mr. Lloyd George said the conference in tile first place agreed that the solo purpose of the Allied _ policy was to secure peace on the basis of the independence of ethnographical Poland, and decided to adviso Poland to endeavour to negotiate an armistice arid peace so long as the independence of ethnograohical Poland was recognised. If™ Poles negotiated a peace at the Minsk Conference, the Allies did not propose to upset the arrangements. A different situation would arise if the Soviet lnisted on terms in absolute conflict with tho indepondenco of Poland as a. free nation. Mr, Lloyd George pointed out that unless we abandoned the whole basis of thfe League of Nations wn could not remain disinterested when tub lito of a member of the League was jeopardised. The covenant contemplated economic pressure as a- means of assistance, .as distinct from a great war and conscription. "Wo are morally bound to .support an Allied nation whoso national existence is challenged, liei continued, "especially .where the additional danger arises of a great aggressivo Soviet Empire co-terminus sitlv Liermany. The Allies rail take no action except for tlio purpose _ of securing Poland's existence and independence.

Allies Not Sending Troops. After references to cMfllcultles with which Poland was faced in her renaissance, and the blunders of inexperienced statesmanship, tho Premier emphasised that the. Poles must accept the direction of the tropic who. Jvfter foui years' experience'in the Great War, had made it cleaarto Poland that the Allies were pending no troops. Further, it would lie unnecessary to send troops it tho Polish' resources were thoroughly organised. IF the Bolsheviks imposed conditio]® inconsistent Xith national freedom' and existence, the Allies would nut their stores at the Polo* disposal and help to equip tliem for their own defence. They had supplied tho necessary military advice and guidance, and tho Allies would' exercise economic pressure upon Soviet Russia to release her stranglehold upon tho life of Poland. Mr. Ben Tillett, interrupting, asked w'hat would be tho position ot America. Mr. Lloyd George replied that what ever American opinion might be in regard to the League of Nations, lie was suro there would be no difference of opinion in their general attitude towards Polish independence. Tho Premier addsd: "The Government will give General Wrangel substantial support from the large stores at our disposal, which lutheito we have not allowed to reach Mm. This was a point on wMcli wo insisted in tho'event of the Minsk negotia.ions breaking down, and if we wero compelled to take steps to cut off Russia from tno outside world there would bo an cncf \u any trade negotiations."

Soviet Government Not Democratic. Referring to the Labour deputation which had visited him this morning, the Prime Minister said lie gathered from them that the Government was supposed to be engaged in a reactionary conspiracy to destroy a democratic Government representing peasants and workers. The Premier stated that Mr. Bertrand Russell, the Socialist leader who visited Russia, would show that the Soviet Government was neither Socialistic, democratic, nor Christian, and that the \yorK;m» classes were in a condition approximating in many respects to slavery. Mr. Lloyd George concluded by saying: "The Bolshevik Government, if it wants peace, can get it. If you have a real desire for peace you can get it. If ypu are out to challenge the basis on winch the liberties of Europe depend you will fail."— Reuter.

THE RUSSIAN TERMS SUBMITTED AT MINSK CONFERENCE (Rec. August 12, 0.30 a.m.) London, August 10. Mr. Asquith' said he regretted tho Prime Minister's speech had not contributed to tho removal of tho difficulties of maintaining peace. The Houso should have an opjiortunity, before Britain took any warlike steps, of reviewing the wholo situation. Mr. Lloyd George, replying, said he had just received from M. Kameneff tho terms of the armistice and peace preliminaries which were submitted at Minsk by tho Russians. _ M. ICemenelf added that theso terms might be supplemented, but the details were of secondary moment. The following are tho terms :— (1) The strength of the Polish armies must be reduced to one annual contingent up to fifty thousand • men, and the commands and administration of the army to aggregate ten thousand men. (2) Demobilisation to take place within olio month. (3) All arms over such as may be required for the needs of tho reduced army, as well as for tho eivin militia, shSll bo handed over ,to the Soviet of Russia. (4) All war industries shall ho demobilised. (5) No troops or war materials shall be allowed to como from abroad. (G) Facilities shall bo placed at the disposal of Russia for conuncrcial transit to and from the Baltic. (7) Free land io be granted to the dependants of Polish soldiers killed in tho war. On the other hand, parallel with the demobilisation, the Russian and Ukrainian troops slihll be withdrawn from tho Polish front. Upon the determination of thoso operations tho number of Russian troops on the Russian frontier lino shall be considerably reduced, and fixed at a figure to bo agreed upon. Tho armistice line 6hall not lw further cast than tho one indicated in Lord Curzon's Note of July 20. Tho Polish army shall withdraw to'a distance of fiftv versts from Hint lino,, the zono between being neutral. Finally tho frontier of the independent state of Poland shall ill thu main bo identical with the line indicated by Lord Cumin's Note of July 20, but additional territory shall bo given to Poland on tho oast. Mr. Lloyd George said that immediately on reooipt of this telegram, after consultation with hit) colleagues, he h&d

communicated tho terms to Poland, Franco, and Italy. The Russian Government insisted on direct negotiations with the Polish Government. Thev wero entitled to direct negotiations. Having token that course, ho was of opinion it ; would bo unfair, when tho delegates from both sides wero mooting, to express an opinion which might embarrass tin* discussions.—Renter. LABOUR DEPUTATION TO PREMIER (Roc. August 11, 9.35 p.m.) London, August 10. Mr. Lloyd George's statement to tho Labour imputation at Downing Street, was on the lines of his speech in tho House of Commons. Mr. Bovin, the dockers' delegate, was tho principal f>penlcer of tlio deputation, ne asked what would happen if lie Polish peoplo adopted a constitution which was not suited to tho Allies. "Mr. Lloyd George replied; "Wo liav® nothing to do with that'. li is their business, provided it is not imposed by force."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. TERItfS A SATISFACTORY BASIS FOR, NEGOTIATION. (Rec. August 11, 7.40 p.m.) London, August 10. Political circles aro of opinion that the \ terms are a satisfactory basis upon which ] tho Poles may negotiate, therefore the House of Commons recess has not been postponed. The Houso will adjourn on Thursday. Polish circlcs indicate that tho disarmament demand is impossible, because Poland would thus place herself at the Bolsheviks' mercy.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. CONFERENCE OF TRADE UNIONS (Rec. August 11, 7.40 p.m.) London, August 10. Tjio national conference of trade unions to consider the Russian war policy will iieet in London on' August 30.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn,

A UNITED STATES NOTE WILL NOT PARTICIPATE IN ARMISTICE NEGOTIATIONS. (Rec. August 11, 11.10 p.m.) Washington, August 10. The State Department has published a Nolo regarding tho Polish situation, stating that tho United States desires an autonomous Poland, , and does not tale exception to armistice 'negotiations between Russia and Poland. The United States will not participate in these negotiations, since it fears that they will lead to a recognition of the Soviet and a settlement of tho Russian problem upon the basis of a dismemberment of Russia. Tlio United States will therefore welcome an Allied declaration that her truo boundaries, excepting Finland, Poland, and part of Armenia, will be safeguarded

The Note, which was a reply to Italy, which had requested an outline of tho United States attitude towards' Poland, points out that tlio United &<ites, not wishing the dismemberment of Russia, hag consistently refused to recognise the Baltic State, Georgia, and Azerbaijan. The Note adds: "The United States cannot undertake any relations with the Soviet, since the laftfcr does not represent tho .Russian people, and openly advocates the stirring up of revolution in other countries." It concludes with a declaration th;M the safeguarding of the Russian boundaries yculd negate tho Soviet, appeal to the spirit of Russian nationalism, and cause tho Russian peoplo to turn upon tho Bolshevists.—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn. WILSON'S VIEW OF RED ADVANCE. Paris, August 10. President Wilson has informed the French Government that ho considers the Bolshevik advance in Poland is justified.—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn. ACTIVITY OTMSSIAN FLEET CAUSES ANXIETY IN BALTIC PORTS Stockholm, August 10. There is anxiety in tho Baltic ports, especially in Finland, owing to the reported activity of tho Russian Fleet, which has hurriedly completed ' its remitting and is about to proceed to 6ea — Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn. WARSAW'S INADEQUATE DEFENCES EASTERN FORTRESSES USELESS. London, August 10. A German correspondent on the Polish front states that the Reds advancing on Warsaw on the south-east have circumvented the defences,' and have jeopardised either flank.. They are now directing, the main attack at Raszymin. Tho outer forts of tho defence?' of tho city are entirely inadequate. Many of tho works wero blown up by tho Germans. Tho eastern \fortresses cannot bn used at all. A strong lino of field fortifications, ten miles from tho city, of German construction, is well suited for defence.

A Bolshevik communique slates: We li&vo cccupied points fourteen miles 60uth-west of Ostrolenka, and have also occupied the Malkin railway station, three houi'9 from Warsaw. The Red forces are now ten miles wast of tho Bug, in the Seidlicz region. Fighting is proceeding for the possession of Vlo-dava.-Aus.-N.7i. Cable Assn. WARSAW-DANZIG RAILWAY CUT. (Rcc. August 11, 9.35 p.m.) London, August 16. The "Daily News" Berlin correspondent says that advices from East Prussia ela-Je that the Russian northern army i« seven miles, from the Polish corridor to Danzig, and is advancing rapidly. Rus-. siim cavalry has cut the Warsaw-Danzig railway at Clechanow.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. LEGATIONS' STAFFTLEAVE CAPITAL GOVERNMENT'S MOVEMENTS undecided: London, August 9. The staffs of the Legations, with their archives, have left Warsaw for Posen by special train, 'l'ho Government's attitude is ambiguous. It is oitTcinlly stated that they are proceeding to Posen, Unofficially, membons of the Ministry say that nothing is settled, and they are remaining in Warsaw for the present. It is dear that their reluotance to go is very great, and their departure will probably be the signal for tho establishment of ,a rival Government.—Aus.N.Z, Cable Assn.

[Several days ago a Gorman message reported that the Polish. Government had arrived at Craoovr.], MILITARY HELMM HUNGARY ACCEPTED BY POLAND. Amsterdam, August 10. Polish advices declare that the Government has been in direct negotiation with Hungary regarding military help. The Polish President has accepted tho Hungarian Government's offer to send a row regiments. Hungary is disposed to send 10,000 men, as well as munitions. The League of Trade Unions in Czechoslovakia lias issued a manifesto urging organised labour to refuse to transport war material to Poland, Hungary, or Russia.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. SOVIET AND LETTTCONCLUDE PEACE Copenhagen, August 10. The Soviet and the Letts have concluded a peace treaty, and it will probably be signed at Riga to-morrow.— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. SYLVIA PANKIIURST IN RUSSIA London, August 10. A Moscow wireless message (states that Miss Sylvia Pankhurst passed through Pctrograd to attend the Communists' Congress. She said England's efforts to strunglo the Soviet wero doomed to failure, owing to the intelligent attitude of the British workers—Jnu.-N.Z. Cable Assn.' [About a fortnight ago it was announced that Sylvia Piinklnrrst was missing from her home in London.!