POLISH PROBLEM

Evening Post, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 7, 10 January 1944, Page 5

POLISH PROBLEM

RUSSIAN PROPOSALS LONDON, January 8. The Russian Government has made definite proposals for a compromise settlement of the territorial dispute with Poland, says the diplomatic correspondent of the "Observer." Under the proposals, which are reported to have British and American approval, the new Russian-Polish frontier would be based, with certain modifications, on the 1920 Curzon' line, which runs roughly due south from the southernmost point of Lithuania. Russia would return Grodno and Bialystok to Poland, but would retain Vilna and the rest of east Poland. To compensate Poland, the extension of Poland's frontiers westward by the inclusion of German territory is envisaged. The Russian proposals are believed to have been made before the Red Army crossed the 1939 Polish frontier. "Before us lies the great task of the reconstruction of Poland. London Fascists, treading in the footsteps of Dr. Goebbels's propaganda, have spread rumours that we intend to Sovietise Poland. No one today believes such futilities. "But it is true that we wish to build up a parliamentary democracy in Poland in which the whole nation will have a say in matters of government." This statement, attributed to a spokesman of the Union of Polish Patriots and broadcast to Poland from Moscow, is quoted by Reuter. "If we are all to safeguard the nation's security, a central nucleus of authority must come into being which will preserve us from all Fascist designs," said the spokesman. "If there are people in London to whom the nation's freedom is dear, as no doubt there are, let them come out openly and courageously against all who are holding handcuffs ready for the future Poland. "Polish troops grasp better than these professional politicians that Poland must be rebuilt in fraternal allir ance with the White Russians, the Ukrainians, and the Czechs. The Polish soldier understands that the frontier problems must be settled once and for all. , "The Polish soldier appreciates that Poland, firmly entrenched on the Baltic and enriched by economically valuable territory taken from the Germans, can build peace and happiness."