FRANCE'S LONE ACT

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 275, 14 August 1920, Page 7

FRANCE'S LONE ACT

RECOGNITION OF WRANGEL

CONFIRMED

NOT REGARDED AS ANGLO-FRENCH

BREACH

"ALLIES WILL REMAIN UNITED" By Telegraph-Press ABsociation-OoDyriirto London, August 12. Tho French Embassy has received confirmation of the recognition of General Wrangel by France. Mr. Lloyd George and Lord Curzon are arranging to meet IT. Jlillerand at the earliest opportunity, probably on Sunday, to discuss the recognition of General Wrangel, and prevent a further widening of tho breach in the Entente. Franco's failure to consult Britain is officially Jo a misunderstanding. It is admitted that Britain, when advising Poland, ought to have considered Hie view of France more carefully. On the o,thei" hand, it is suggested that France's commitment was needlessly sudden, though it may be susceptible "of an adequate explanation; The dangors of disagreement, with France are • taken very seriously in Downing Street. The King, owing to the situation, lias postponed his visit to Scotland. . The "Standard" says that if the recognition of Wrangel is carried out to its logical conclusion it must'terminate <S» profoundly modif.y Franco-British co-operation.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

(Rec. August 13, 7.50 p.m:)

London, August 13. ' British Ministers do not regard Prance's action as causing a.breach between tho two nations. Britain to-day sent a communication to" M. Millerand. The British- representatives in Paris are conferring amicably with tho French Foreign Office. An official statement says Uie divergences in view will not prevent continuanco of this intimate collaboration.

Mr. Lloyd George, when addresing the Coalition Liberals, said be fervently hoped and believed that nothing would interfere with the close British and French co-operation sanctified by so many sacrifices made in common for the liberties of the world.

Tt is officially state.d that steps have not been taken yet for the meeting of Mr. Llnyd George and M. A' illerniul. An inspired view stales that French diplomatic circles are surprised at the English emotion caused by the recognition of Wrangel, which only commits France, and does not possess the importance attached thereto in England.. It is entirely independent of the Polish question. If English.susceptibilities are touched it is infinitely regrettable, but French susceptibility has been similarly stirred by tlii> declaration, bv Mr. Lloyd George advising Poland to accent conditions which would result in a fresh breach of the Versailles Treaty—Aus.-N.Z. Cable. Assn.

BRITISH AND FRENCH POSITION EASIER

(Ecc. August. 1.1, 7.30 p.m.) London, Aucust. 12. Tt is understood that tho British 1 and Fioncli position' to-day is easier. It is believed that tho meeting of Premiers will result in the re.-establishment of a heller understanding.—Aus.-N.SS. Cable Assn.

SPEECH BY FUENCU PREMIER (Rec! August 1,1, 8.50' p.m.)

Paris, August 12. M. Millcrand. in a speech made when louring tho devastated areas, snid: "Tho .Allies are united, and will remain united. We should not be separated after standing together during the critical hours. When France's representative spoko ho had always More his eyes tho spectacle of the devastated regions, and wished to obtain compensation."— Cablo Assn.

COMMENTS- OF FRENCH PRESS

London, August. 12. A-. Paris message slates that tho "Matin," in defending 'the action of France, says the Government considered that the Polish Cabinet seemed lo favour energetic- effort,- an indication of which was the offer of the supreme command to General Weygand. The Government thought that Poland ought not to bo able to say that the Allies 'thouiselves had advised her to lay. down her arms under disastrous conditions.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-

Paris, August u. The "Matin" considers that (bo French action is justified; because Mr. Lloyd George himself went beyond the Hytho agreement in advising Poland )o accept the Russian terms if they were reasonable. Somo newspapers consider that Mr. Llnvd George's Russian attitude is duo to tho fhreals of Labour in Britain.

Tho "Petit Pnvisien," referring to Mr. Lloyd George not having been informed on the Wrnngel question, says that tho French Ambassador in. London was Informed, and. was instructed to notify Hie foreign Office'. Tho newspaper asks if the situation is not due to tho fact that London, for a considerable time, lum taken little notice of '.he legitimate wishes of France.

"Le Journal" says that if Poland received no encouragement in London, M. Millernnd's recognition of Wrnngel is better calculated to'raise her (mnes.

The "Oeuvre" say? that Hip Wrangel affair willb" more costly to Erance than either Kolfohnk. or Dcnikin. "Tn addition, it is costing us what is left of tho British Alliance."'

The "Echo de Paris" says it is ttio first time since peace that France has departed from England. It trusts that this condition will not be of lenethy duration, and.that England, under the pressure of events, may soon rejoin France.— Aus.-N.Z. .Cable Assn.

LABOUR CONFERENCE IN LONDON

PROPOSALS TO BE SUBMITTED. (Roc. August 13, 7.50 p.m.) London, August IS. The Joint Labour Committee in London has decided to submit to to-morrow's conference proposals to send a Labour depu' ration to France to invito assistance from the French Labour movement regarding the foreign situation and to prevent tho r-nssibilitv of a misunderstanding be tween British and French vo'rkers. Ano'her resolution ■• supports Mr. Lloyd George's efforls to achieve,a Russo-Polish peace, and demands that Britain lake an immediate lead in the negotiation of peace with Russia, and demands (hat Mr. Liovd George disclose the Cabinet's ideas of si;lisfactocy peace terms—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn,

ARMISTICE NEGOTIATIONS

MINSK CONFEBUNCE DELATED. London. August 12. Tho fateful Itth, when the Poles and Russians should liavo met at Minsk- to begin the pourparlers, passed without the delegates coming into contact. According to Bolshevik allegations, tho Poles iguore '.he Soviet wireless messages, wtiile I lie Poles, similarly blame Hie Bussinus.

A Russian wireless mossngo from AVarsaw to-day. which Kamenafl' handed to Mr. Llovd George, snys (lie Russian com. maud wailed, in .va,iii for Hie Polish delegates at ,the place' indicated, .where all facilities for tho Polish delegates wer» provided. The message concludes: "tYb have no intentions incompatible with I ho liberty, independence, and sovereign rights of Poland.' ■ We will recognise these in full." A lu'.er message, flares that the first movo in the negotiations-has materialised. The. Polish' Foreign Minister luu telegraphed that the Poles have dispateh"d their parlemenlnircs to come lo an understanding with the Russian command.—Reuter. MISSING POLISH DELEGATION POUND. (Rec. August 13. T.jfl p.m.) ■. ' London, Angus! 11 M. Tehitcherin e'.ntfß. that the EoJslievika, ou capturing Siidlici, found the

missing Polish delegation ihere, and sent them to Minsk.-Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. PROGRESS OF~THE FIGHTING GRAVE DANGER TO POLES' NORTHERN kWX. London, August 12. A Berlin correspondent at tie *front states that the Northern Polish Ai&y is in the gravest danger of being turned by Russian attacks massing on both sides(rf tho railway leading from Siedlicz to Warsaw. The Poles are desperately holding tho defences of. the city. A civilian guard is largely employed. The city is rapidly emptying and the trains are crammed, but tho Government still lingers, fearing that its departure will mean tho immediate establishment of a Soviet Government.—"Tho Times." RUSSIAN CAVALRY ENTER SUBURBS OF WARSAW. ■■"• London, August 12. The latest advices state that Russian cavalry have entered tho suburbs of Warsaw.. A Renter message from Paris states that Trotsky has arrived at- Bialystok. and established his headquarters, and presumably he has assumed the Red com-mand.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable As6n.

BRITISH SQUADRON IN FINNISH WATERS

ANXIETY IN PETROGRAD. r _ Copenhagen, August 12. fhe arrival of a British squadron in Finnish waters has created anxiety in Petrograd,—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Aean.

DEFENCE OF THE FATHERLAND

AN APPEAL TO THE WORLD. (Rec. August 13, 7.50 p.m.) London, August 12. A message from Vistula 6tates that the Polish Government, in a proclamation, flummons the people, to arms to defend the citv, and says the fatherland will bo defended (o the last drop of Wood, The Polish Council of Defence has issued a wireless appeal to the world, pointing out the danger fo western Europe if the Bolsheviks are victorious.- 1 Aus.-N.Z. Cable Asn.

RUSSO-GERMAN AGREEMENT

EXISTENCE DENIED BY LITVINOFF.

Copenhagen, August 12. M. Litvinoff, in ay interview, denied the existence ot tlie alleged 3!usso-Ger-man agreement. He added: "If a now war is declared it will lie much more dangerous and cruel than tho. war just finished."—''The Times."

DESTRUCTIVE FOREST FIRES

London, August 12. A Moscow wireless message deploring the great losses caused by forest fires which are .destroying- the villages and valuable fuel, urges the people to combat the fires, which are inflicting a severe blow on '".lie already shaky common economic situation." The message hints that many of the fires may be due to the acts of the Soviet's enemies,—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn.