ENTENTE DIVISION

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 274, 13 August 1920, Page 7

ENTENTE DIVISION

GRAVE STEP BY FRANCE

REPORTED RECOGNITION OF WRANGEL'S GOVERNMENT. BRITAIN NOT NOTIFIED By Telegraph-Press AB6ooiation--Copyrteht Paris, August 11. Prance has decided to recognise General Wrangel as head of the Government in South Russia, and will assist him by all means except troops. - Mr. Lloyd! George has been notified.— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

London, August 11. The French recognition of the Soilth • Russian Government means the splitting of the Entente. It is reported that Mr. Lloyd George refuses to be btanipeded into war by Prance. Prance having decided to give General Wrangel every material support, without waiting for the result of the EussoPolish negotiations, Radical ' Labour circles interpret the decision as a deliberate breach of the Hythe agreement, with full appreciation of the conse-quences—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. (Rec. August 12, 7.45 p.m.) London, August 11. Prance's decision to recognise General Wrangel is regarded in mostiquarters as an extremely grave step. Jn fans, some quarters are more or less suspicious of Prance's Russian attitude. It is believed that the decision was deliberate, and made as a retort to Mr. Lloyd George's speech in the House of Commons last night. A. French communique announcing the decision stated' that the Government was impressed by General Wrangel's military successes and increasing strength, also the favourable reports from South Russia respecting the democratic character of his administration, and, finally, by assurances regarding Russia's external obligations. The last phrase is interpreted *to mean that Wrangel has undertaken, to do his utmost to discharge Russia's debt, in which Prance is so largely interested.

View in Radical and Labour Circles. Radical and Labour circles declare that Franco has chosen the opening of the Russo-Polish negotiations at Minsk for an attempt to put a spoke into .the wheels of peace, and Prance determined to use Wrangel in an effort to achieve what the Poles failed to do, Prance's main concern being the repayment of; the French holders' Russian bonds. Radical and Labour circles also call attention to President Wilson's pronouncement on Russian policy, which also coincides* with the attempt to conclude a Russo-Poljsh peace. The newspaper "Star," voicing this view, emphasises a pliTase in the French Government's communique, namely, that the French commercial attache at London lias been instructed not to. enter into relations with Kameneff and Krassin. It also emphasises-that the French Foreign Office is of the opinion that Wrangel is the most competent anti-Bol-shevik leader who has yet appeared in Russia, and lie is inducing the Cossacks to 'fight' the Bolsheviks. As President Wilson announces to-day, it is impossible to recognise the present rulers of Russia and the principles of Bolshevism, which: aro utterly repugnant to international moral- sense.

Entente Split Into Two Camps. Radical and Labour circles see in the French decision a new orientation of French policy toward America, and- hold that the Entente is now split into two camps—Franco and America against Britain and Italy. The question is asked how inucl\ Mr. Lloyd George knew of .tho French decision when he spoke in the House of Commons last night. The French rammunique state* that Franco notified Mr. Lloyd George yesterday, but it is pointed out that' Mr. Lloyd George repeatedly emphasised, that' he was reporting the decisions of the Hythe Conference, Attention is drawn to a phrase in his speech, .namoly:"lf -we had really wished to support General Wrangel wo could have done 60 much more effectively.; We have not done iso because wo nro anxious to secure peace." • Seeing that Mr. Lloyd George emphasisod tho question of supporting Wrangel, it would only arise if the Bolsheviks attempted to destroy Polish freedom. The "Star" takes tlio.'view that France has deliberately precipitated a crisis in order to remedy her failure at Hythe. The "Star" suggests that the French decision accounts for tho supposed hitch in tho Russo-Polish negotiations. The latost advices from the Polish Government state that it has not received a. reply to the Noto announcing ite willingness to meet; tho Bolsheviks at Minsk. This mav. mean that Russia has resolved to clear the way for dealing with Wrangel, and wishes to capture Warsaw before diverting -.the troops south. '.

Discontent at Bolshevik Regime. Recent reports from South Russia state that some of the best Bolshevik divisions have hecn, hurriedly withdrawn from the Polish front southward, over dilapidated railways. Tho entire country between the Dnieper and the Don around AzofF, thence to the Caucasus, is seething with discontent nt the Bolshevik regime. Several large risings have occurred, especially in the Don provinces and in Kuban, whoro the Bolsheviks have never really had control, because they were forced to withdraw troops to resist the Polish advance. ' The approaching close of the harvest season in South Russia is a great danger for tho Bolshoviks, who fear large additions to Wrangel's forces. Wrangel has reached Mariobol, on tho Azoff, and Alexandro'vsk, on the Dnioper, and hopes soon to reach tho country of tho Don Cossack 9.

The "Daily Telegraph" states that the Bolshevik powor in Persia is waning, and is also threatened by the Tartars in Azerbaijan. . ' Wrangel Government's Policy. Wrangel's Government is announcing sympathy with democratic rule in Russia, and states that its policy is;— (1) The free right for the Russian people to choose their own stable government. x .(2) The inviolability of all Russian citizens, regardless of their oricin or religion. (.1) The distribution of lands to the actual cultivators. (i) Protection of the workers' and professional organisations. / (5) Union of all parties. (6) 'i'ho restoration of Russian industries. (7) Recognition of all international , obligations and tho paymont of the Russian debts. > ..Bolsheviks' Roal intentions. ■ Tho Prencli Minister of Foreign Arfairs. commenting on tho Bolshovik terms respecting Poland, considers that they arc only the first elej). Tho 80lHheviks' real-intentions will soon be disclosed, revealing far harder conditions of peace. As regards President Wilson's attitude towards Russia, tho "Daily Telegraph" states that there lias been no divergence with Britain, as the British proposal to meet the Soviet delegates in London was not meant as a recognition of the Bolshevik Government. It was intended that recognition should only follo'w if tho Bolsheviks proved their good faith and intention to conform to the usages of civilised Governments, notably the discharge of the debts to Prance. As regards Wrangel, it has been known for some time that Franco was willing to recognise him if ho acknowledged Russia 6 debts. This assurance has been given. French, recognition is therefore practically automatic. At the samo time the choico yesterday, immediately after President Wilson's refusal to recognise the Soviet, was dramatic, and perhaps suggestive.

Imperative Necessity for Peace. Tho Council of Action appointed at the Joint Labour Conference last Monday has written to Mr'. Lloyd George, acknowledging his declaration that tho Government would not proceed to support Wrangel In tho present circumstances, but add?: "The Labour movement ia conrlnced regarding the imfera-

tive necessity for peaco with Russia, leace should bo mode forthwith and proper relationships established." The council invites tho Premior to announce rlO conditions which in the opinion of tho Government are necessary for peace, to enable tho national conference on August 15 ( U> consider tho same. The "Daily Chronicle's" Paris correspondent states that the French General Confederation of Labour has passed a resolution denouncing war with Russia, and summoning the workers to refuse to handle material destined for use agaiust Russia.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

MYSTERY HEIGHTENED' BRITAIN NOT INFORMED PREMIER BELIEVES MISTAKE HAS OCCURRED. (Bee. August 12, 10.40 p.m.)

.'.. London, August 11. Mr. Lloyd George heightened the mystery as regards Router's news from Paris ilhat Prance had recognised General Wrangel's Government, and that tho French Foreign Office had notified Mr. Lloyd George of the* decision yesterday, when he told the House of Commons tills afternoon that his only information was Renter's telegram, and he could scarcely credit it. He had no confirmation from any other source but Router's. Inquiries in Paris elicited the reply that the news as given was official. The acijon of the French ally i's regarded in London as deliberately designed to put a epoku into the wheels of peace, which seemed assured in the Near East, and apparently splits the Allied and Associated Powers into two camps, namely France with the United State? opposed to Britain and Italy. One of tho French reasons given for the action is Wrangel's assurances as, regards Russia's external engagements, which is diplomatese for Russian bonds. Anyway, a; prominent! official to-night emphasised the fact that the British attitude remains as outlined by Mr. Lloyd George last evening. He possessed no. information, in regard to the matter, while .fflie Foreign Office was equally in the dark, also the French Embassy. \ ' The Premier said he could hardly tellers the statement was accurate, because fie fullv discussed the whole situation . wttlh. M. Millerand on Monday, when there wag no proposal made to recognise Wrangel. Hei assumed that the renort was inaccurate, because he felt certain M. Millerand would have communicated his intention. It was well known thai France's attitude towards Wrangpl wa9 at "variance with Britain's. The former considered that they were free ib sustain Wrangel. Britain did not propose to do so. except in tho contingency explained last evening. The Premier concluded that an unfortunate miffMce had oc- , enTl'od in a Teport from a veiy reliable atrency, and the French Government had nb"t authorised it.—Reutre. BRITISH PREMIER TO MAKE STATEMENT SPEEDY CLEARING OF SITUATION ■ EXPECTED. (Rec August 12, 9.15 p.m.) London, August 12. Mr. Lloyd George will make a statement in the House of Commons on Monday, It is expected that ,the situation will bo quickly cleared up, enabling tho House then to adjourn for the recess.— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. (Bee. August 12, 8.30 p.m.) Now York, August 11. The "New York Times" London correspondent reports that Mr. Lloyd George, in tho House of Commons, said ho believed the report that the French hadrecognised Wrangel was a mistake.— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

BRITISH PREMIER'S SPEECH APPLAUDED. '' London, August t). Tho Northeliffo press and ,tno newspapers generally applaud' Mr. Lloyd George's speech as an admirable exposition of the true fact of tho ; situation.— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. FRANCE'S CHANGEOF ATTITUDE ■POLITICAL CIRCLES CONSIDER IT INCREDIBLE. ' (Rec. August 12, 8.30 p.m.), London, August 12. Political circles regard the rewrt of Franco's sudden change of attitude as incredible. The most reliable correspondents emphasise that M. Millerand 1 was absent from Paris, and point out that the statement published in tho Paris papers was apparently issued by somebody in the French Foreign Office. It is understood that it refers to the French Government's decision of three weeks ago.. Since when the circumstances have . entirely changed. The actual French policy was outlined at the Hythe Confer-ence.—Aus.-N..Z Cable Assu. WRANGEL^OSPECTS CORRESPONDENTS OPTIMISTIC. (Rec. August 12, 7.45 p.m.) London, August 11. _ Correspondents with Wrangel are optimistic in dispatches regaining Wraugel'fl successes and prospects., A Constantinople message announces that Wrangel has effected a junctionwith the Don Cossacks.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. UNITED STATES' POSITION EXPLANATION BY SECRETARY OF STATE. New York, August 11. Washington, in the Note to Italy, revealed the American position in tho Russo-Polish situation. The Secretary of State, Mr. .Colby, said the Government approved of the efforts to arfango an armistice, and would regard with satisfaction a declaration by the Allied and Associated Powers that the territorial integrity of the truo boundaries of Russia would be respected. The Government would not participate now in a plan to expand the armistice into a general European 1 conference, becauso that might' involve two results from which the people of America strongly recoiled—the recognition of tho BoMievists/and the settlement of Russia problems upon, the basis of the dismemberment of Russia.

\ The Note says that Americans are earnestly solicitous for tho maintenance of Poland's territorial integrity and political independence, and the .Government will employ every means to render it effectual.—Ecuter.

POLAND TO ASK PORVAMERICAN

ASSISTANCE. Washington, August 11. As a result of the assurances I,'ivon in the American Note to Italy, the Polish Minister, M. Lubomirslci, says that Poland is about to ask for immediate American assistance in the form of an csl elision of credits for the purchase of war .stocks—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn. WILSON WILL EXTEND MATERIAL AID. New York, August 11 President Wilson will soon extend material aid to Poland in conformity with tho promise to use all the available means to protect the independence of Poland—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assri. STATEMENT BY POLISH MINISTRY ' AT NEW YORK. (Rec. August 13, 0.35 a.m.) New York, August 11. The Polish Minister has issued a statement! pointing out that the United States Note outlining the country's attiude towards Poland was construed to mean an extension of arms, supplies, nnd munitions to Poland, and (declaring Poland's war was not with iihe Russian people, but with tho Bolsheviks.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Asu. RED ARMY REINFORCED PITCHED BATTLE DEVELOPING. Berlin, August 11. The "Zoitung's" correspondent at tho front telegraphs that the Red army is advancing and has been strongly reinforced. It occupied the Moldau corridor, and tho Poles are falling back. A pitched battle is developing on I he Pol-ish-Chorzelc lino, which will decisively affect tho northern flunk. Tho Reds mounted a.nd a'-orm troops are fighting well, but the Polish troops aro demoralised owing to propaganda. The Warsaw Council of Defence has aDpealed to the populace to defend the capital to the last drop of blood. Tho last fitnigfflo for the honour and malafceaanoo

of the Polish nation ha= begun. Mass meetings resolved to defend ■ the city to the uttermost. There were great patriotic processions—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. REDS APPROACHING WARSAW. Washington, August 11. Advices from Germany statu that the Russians are within twenty-fivo miles of Warsaw. The Poles are unable to offer u, serious resistance on any part of tho front.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. POPULATIO: • OF CAPITAL STAMPEDING. Vancouver, August 11. A message from Warsaw states that the population is stampeding. A message from Washington says tlio State Department has received informa-' tion that some members of the staff of the American Legation in Warsaw have moved to Posen, the American archives have been packed ready for re-moval.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. BOLSHEVIKS WOULD ASSIST REVOLUTION. London, August 11. Reports from Riga state that the Bolsheviks do riot wish to prolong the war another hour for the sake of creating revolution in Poland, but are ready to assist a spontaneous revolution if it occurs,—Aus.-N.Z. Cable, Assn.