POLISH FORCES

Evening Post, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 82, 6 April 1944, Page 5

POLISH FORCES

BROKEN UP BY RUSSIANS

LONDON, April 4. "The Polish underground forces from 14 localities, including Rovno and Luck, have already revealed themselves to the forces of the Soviet Union as co:belligerents in accordance with orders from the Polish Government in London, states the Polish Telegraph Agency. "With the consent of the underground ■ organisations, , the Polish Government, in spite of the difficulties preventing an agreement with the Soviet Government, ordered the Polish underground forces to offer their collaboration to the Soviet army. "These Poles were instructed to inform the Russians that, in accordance with international law, they expected that the Soviet army would enable the Polish authorities during the military operations in Poland to assure the social and economic welfare of the population. Messages from Poland confirm that the Russians everywhere are receiving assistance from and praising the fighting spirit and leadership of the Polish underground troops. "The Soviet co-operation with the Polish underground army has generally been satisfactory, ,but reports from one or two localities are causing anxiety and require elucidation. The Polish Government has communicated these facts to Britain and America, and requested their assistance to prevent incidents which may hinder the further emergence of the Polish underground forces and render impossible concerted military "operations against the Germans." CRISIS DEVELOPING. Other reports, however, indicate that a Polish-Soviet crisis is developing on the future co-operation between the Red Army and the Polish army of resistance. Poles in London say that the Russians, now in the former Polish territory taken over by the Russians in 1940, are incorporating Polish guerrillas in the Polish-Soviet army commanded by General Berling. The Poles claim that this is leading to the systemaitc disintegration of the Polish underground forces. The Polish Government's Note to the British and American Governments asks them to intervene with Russia and to ascertain whether this is the settled Russian policy or whether some of the Russian authorities have acted on their own initiative.

The Poles in the meantime have modified the instructions sent to the Polish underground forces on collaboration with the Russians.

Wider powers of discretion have been given to local commanders in deciding when to come into the open to establish contact with the Russian armies and authorities. The Poles in London say that when the Polish guerrillas have come into the open the results have been disappointing. Local Polish commanders and non-commis-sioned officers are soon separated from their units and the rank and file are transferred to General Berling's army.