BRITISH POLICY STATED

Evening Post, Volume C, Issue 37, 12 August 1920, Page 7

BRITISH POLICY STATED

SURVEY OF RECENT EVENTS

NO ATTEMPT TO UPSET A PEACE.

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(RBDIER'S TELEGRAM.)

LONDON, 10th August,

In the House of Commons Mr. Lloyd George made a statement before a crowded House in regard tc the Polish situation. Krassin and Kameneff were present in the Strangers' Gallery. Mr. Lloyd George expressed himself j aa still hopeful of peace, but in view of the House l-ising at the end of the week he proposed to indicate the Government's intentions in certain contingencies. Re-stating the position, he repeated the opinion that the Polish attack was unjustified He considered the Soviet Government was entitled to take into account in the 'pea.ee conditions that the Poles not only attacked Russia, but did so despite British and French warnings. Tho Soviet was entitled to demand guarantees against repetition of similar attacks, but nothing could justify reprisal.' 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 re-partition of Poland would be not only a crime', but : a peril These contingencies must be considered as the basis of our policy. The Premier then summarised the events which led to the Soviet's refusal of a truce. FREE POLAND IS ESSENTIAL. Dealing with the Hythe Conference, Mr. Lloyd George said the conference in the first place agreed that the sole purpose of the Allied policy was to secure peace on the basis of the independence of ethnographical Poland, and decided to advise Poland to endeavour to negotiate an armistice and peace so long as the independence of ethnographical Poland was recognised. If the 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 insisted on terms in absolute conflict with the independence of Poland as a free nation. Mr. Lloyd George pointed out that unless we abandoned the whole basis of the League of Nations we could not remain disinterested when the life 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 con- j scripiion. "We are morally bound to ] support an Allied nation whose national existence is challenged," he continued, "especially where the additional danger arises of a great aggressive Soviet Em- | pire coterminous with Germany. The Allies will take no action except for the purpose of securing Poland's existence and independence." NATURE OF ALLIED HELP. After references to difficulties, with which Poland was faced in her renaissance, and the blunders oi inexperienced statesmanship, ths Premier emphasised that the Poles must accept the direction of the people who, after four years' experience in the Great War, had made it clear to Poland that the Allies were sending no troops. Further, it would be unnecessary to send troops if the Polish resources were thoroughly organised. If the Bolsheviks imposed conditions, inconsistent with national freedom and existence, the Allies would put thpir stoves at • "the Poles' disposal and help to equip them for their own defence. They had supplied the necessary military advice and guidance, and the Allies would exercise economic pressure upon Soviet Russia to release her 6trangehold upon the life of Poland. Mr. Ben Tulett, interrupting, asked what would be the position of America. Mr Lloyd George replied that whatever American opinion might be in regard to the League of Nations, he was sure there would be no difference of opinion in their general attitude towards Polish indepedence. The Premier added : "The Government will give General Wrangel substantial support from the large stores at oui disposal, which hitherto we have not allowed to reach him. This was a point on which we insisted in the event of. the Minsk negotiations breaking down." If we were compelled to take steps to cut off Russia from the outside world there would be an end to any trade negotiations. WORKERS UNDER THE SOVIET. Referring to the Labour deputation which had visited him this morning, the Prime Minister said he gathered from them that the Government was supposed to be engaged in n 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 working 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 Reace you can get it. If you are out to challenge the basis on which the liberties of Europe depend you will fail."