FRANCE AND WRANGEL

Evening Post, Volume C, Issue 38, 13 August 1920, Page 7

FRANCE AND WRANGEL

IS THE ENTENTE DIVIDED?

FACTOR OF THE RUSSIAN DEBTS.

(UNITES PRESS ASSOCIATION.—COPIttISST.) UVBTIUHAN - NEW ZKALANS CABLt ASSOCIATION.) LONDON, 11th August. The decision of France to recognise

General Wrangel is regarded in most "Quarters as an extremely grave step. In fact, some quarters are more or less suspicious of France's Russian attitude. It is believed that the decision was de-

liberate, and was made as a retort to

' Mr. Lloyd George'a speech in thr House. ,of' Commons last night. ■ The French, communique announcing the decision stated that the Government * was impressed by Genera! WTangel's military .^ successes and increasing strength, by 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 France is so largely interested. Radical and Labour circles declare that France has chosen^ the opening of the Russo-Polish negotiations at Minsk for' an attempt to put a spoke into the wheels of peace, and France determined to use' Wrangel in an effort to achieve what the Poles failed to do, France's: ■main concern being the repayment of Russian bonds held by French investors. 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-Poiish peace. The newspaper. Star, voicing this view,-emphasises the phrase in the French Government's communique that the French commercial at-' tache at London "has been instructed not to entsr-into relations with Kameneff and Krassin. It also emphasises that | the French Foreign Office is of the opinion that Wrangel is the most competent aiiti-Bolsheyik leader/who has yet'appeared in Russia, and he 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 theXprinciples of Bolshevism, which are utterly repugnant to international moral sense. ALLIES IN TWO GROUPS. 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—France and America, against Britain and Italy. The question is asked" how much Mi\ Lloyd George knew 'of the French decision when he

spoke in the House of Commons last night. The French communique states that France 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, namely : "If we.had really wished to support General Wrangel we could have done so much more effectively. We have not dour so, because we are anxious to secure .peace." .Seeing (that,. Mr. LJoydi George .emphasised the. question' of sup-; .porting Wrangel, it would only arise if the Bolsheviks attempted to destroy Polish freedom. The Star takes the view ■that Franco has deliberately 'precipitated a crisis in order to Temedy her failure at Hythe, and suggests that the French decision accounts for the_. supposed hitea in the Russo-Polisb negotiations. The latest advices from the Polish Government state that it has not received a reply to the Note announcing its willingness to meat the Bolsheviks at Minsk. This may mean that Russia has resolved' to dear the way for dealing with Wrangel, andl wishes to capture Warsaw before diverting the troops south. ' "PRESIDENT WILSON AND FRANCE.

As regards President Wilson!s attitude towards Russia, the Daily Telegraph states, that there 1 has been no divergence with Britain, as the British ' proposal to meet the Soviet delegates in London was not meant aa a recognition of >the 'Bolshevik Government. It was intended that recognition should only follow if the Bolsheviks proved their good faith and intention to conform to ■ the usages of civilised Governments, notably the, discharge of the debts to France. As regards Wrangel, it has been known for some time j;lrat France way willing to recognise him if he acknowledged Russia's debts, i • This, assurance has been given. French recbg.nition is therefore practically automatic.: .At the same, time thie-' choice yesterday, immediately after President Wilson's refusal to recognise the Soviet, was dramatic, and perhaps suggestive. The French Minister of Foreign Af-' fairs, commenting on the Bolshevik terms respecting Poland, considers that they^ are only the first step. 'The Bolsheviks' real' intentions will soon be dis-closed,-revealing far harder conditions of peace.

LABOUR'S DEMAND FOR PEACE. The Council of Action, appointed at the joint Labour Conference last.. Monday, has written to Mr. Lloyd George, acknowledging his declaration that the Government would not proceed to support Wrangel in the present circumstances, but adds : "The Labour movement is convinced regarding'the imperative necessity for peace with Russia. Peace should be made forthwith, and proper relationships established." '.The council invites the Premier to announce the conditions which, in the opinion ofl the' Government, are necessary for peace, to enable the national conference on ISth August to consider them. 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 V handle material destined for use against Russia. ■ ■- '