RUSSIA AND POUND

Evening Star, Issue 17429, 12 August 1920, Page 7

RUSSIA AND POUND

RED TERMS DISCLOSED. TO BE DISCUSSED DIRECT. ENTENTE AWAIT RESULT. Press A«»ocrat:an—By Telegraph—■Oopyrigbt. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. LONDON, August tO. ■ In fho House of Commons Mr Lloyd George made a statement before a crowded House In regard to the Polish situation. MM. Kraiwm and Kameneff (Soviet emissaries) were present in the strangers* gallery. Mr Lloyd George expressed himself as still hopeful of peace, bat in view of the House rising at the end of the week he proposed to indicate the intentions of the Government in certain contingencies. In restating the poeitipn he repeated the opinion that the Polish attack was unjustified. He considered that the Soviet Government were entitled to take into account in the peace l conditions that the Poles not only attacked Russia, but that they did ep despite Anglo-French warnings, The Soviet were entitled to demand guarantees against a repetition of similar attacks, bnt nothing could' justify reprisals or punishment which would destroy the national existence of the aggressors. It had furthermore to be considered that the independence of Poland was an essential part of the structure 0! European peace, and the repartition of Poland would be not only a crime but a y;eril. These contingencies must be considered as the basis of our policy. The Prime Minister then summarised ■ the events which had led to the Soviet’s refusal of a truce. Dealing with the Lympne Conference, he said the conference first agreed that the sole purpose of the allied policy _ was to secure peace on a basis of the independence of ethnographical Poland, and decided to advise Poland to endeavor to negotiate an armistice and peace so Jong as the independence of ethnographical Poland was recognised. If the Poles negotiated peace at the Minsk Conference the Allies did not propose to upset the arrangements, but a different situation wonld arise if the Soviet insisted on terms which were in absolute conflict with tlie independence of Poland as a tree 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 ot the League contemplated economic P. re “f n J® 36 a means of assistance as distinct from a, great war and Conscription, and we were morally bound to support an allied nation the national existence of j 19“ wa f challenged, especially where the additional danger arises of a great aggressive Soviet Empire, coterminous with Germany The Allies would take no action except for the purpose of securing Poland’s existence and independence. After references to the difficulties with which Poland had been faced in her renaissance and to the blunders of inexperienced statesmanship, the Prime Minister emphasised the fact that the Poles must accept the direction of people who. after tour years of experience in the Great War had made it clear to Poland that the Allies were sending no troops. Further'it was unnecessary to send troops if the Pohsh resources were thoroughly organwhVT,lf Bolsheviks imposed conditions which were inconsistent with the national freedom and existence of Poland the AlPcl ih A el l f° res at the disposal of the Poles, and help to equip them for there own defence. They would also supthe necessary mihtary advice and guidance and would exercise economic pressure upon the Soviet Russia to force herto Poland hSr stranglehoW u P° n the life of fYf Be “ Tillelt, interrupting, asked Aft t? Dl j I? the pofcition of America, irrii ■ loyd George replied that whatever American opinion might be in regard to wonuflf 11 ® of he was sure there would be no difference of opinion in her |eneral attitude towards Polish indepenThe Prime Minister added that the Go would General WranS Substantial support from the large stoles Ot our disposal, which hitherto we had Bot allowed to reach him. This was a iJfTI, W \r h i he tad hlsistc d in the Mln6 * negotiations breaking fw’* 3nd ~ e „ were compelled to take ft mb ofi , , R “ ssla from the outside world there would be an end to anv trade negotiations. LONDON, August 11. organs and newspapers generally applaud Mr Lloyd George’s speech as an admirable exposition of the true facts of the situation, Referring to the Labor deputation who visited him this morning, the Prime Minister said he had gathered from them that the Government were supposed to be engaged in a reactionary conspiracy to destroy a Democratic Government representing the peasants and workers. The Prime Minister stated that Mr Bertrand Russell, a Socialist leader, who visited Russia, wonld show that the Soviet Government were neither Socialistic, Democratic, nor Christian, and that the working classes were in a condition approximating in many respects to slavery. i w r -r L !?/ d T, G . e ? rg ® concluded by saving that if the Bolshevik Government wanted peace they could get it. If they were out to challenge the basis on which the liberties of Europe depend they would fail Mr Asquith said he regretted that the Prime Minister’s speech had not contributed to the removal of the difficulties of maintaining peace. The House should have an opportunity before Great Britain took any warlike steps of reviewing the whole situation. Mr Lloyd George, in replying, said he had just from M. Kameneff the terms of tho armistice and the peace preUminanes which were submitted at Minsk it : Rolans. M. Kameneff had added that these terms might be supplemented, but the details were of secondary moment. THE TERMvS. The following were the terms:— First, that the strength of the Polish armies must be reduced to one annual contingent of np to 50,000 men, and the commands and administration of the 3Tmv shall aggregate 10,000 men. Secondly, the'demobilisation shall take p!aoe_ within one month. Thirdly, all arms over and above such as mav be required for the needs of the reduced army, as well as for the civic militm shah bo handed over to Soviet Russia. Fourthly, all war industries to be demobilised. Fifthly, no troops or war materials shall be allowed to come from abroad. Sixthly, facilities shall be placed at the disposal of Russia for commercial transit to and from the Baltic. Seventhly, free land to be granted to the dependents of Polish soldiers killed in the war. On the other hand, and parallel with this _ demobilisation, the Russian and Ukrainian troops shall be withdrawn from r 6 ,? 0181 Upon the termination of these operations the number of Russian troops on the Russian frontier line shall bo considerably reduced, and fixed at a figure to be agreed upon. The armistice line shall be the status quo, bnt not further east than the one indicated in Earl Cnraon’s Note of July 20. The Polish army shall withdraw to a distance of 50 versts from that line, tho zone between being neutral. Finally, the frontier of the independent State of Poland shall, in the main, be identical with the line indicated in Earl Ourzons Note of July 20, but additional territory shall be given to Poland on the east. Mr Lloyd George said that on the receipt of this telegram, and after oonsultai . coßea g ties , he had communicated the terms to Poland, Prance, and Italy. * The Russian Government insisted on direct negotiations with the Polish Government. They were entitled to direct

negotiations, and, ‘having taken thatbourse, he was of opinion that it would be unfair, when the delegatee from both aides were meeting, to express any opinion which might embarrass the discussions. August 1L ■ Additional particulars respecting the Russian peace terms show that they state that the final frontier of an independent Poland is to be mainly in accord with the British Note of July 20, with the additional territory of Bielostod and Kholm. Russia demands the commercial use of the Polish line of communications to the Baltic, and agrees to considerably reduce the number of Rusdjlan troops on the frontier. London political circles are of opinion that the terms are a satisfactory basis upon which the Poles may negotiate. Therefore tne House of Commons recces has not been postponed, and the House will adjourn on Thursday. Polish circles indicate that tflw disarmament demand is impossible, because Poland would thus place herself at the mercy of the Bolsheviks. August 10. Mr Lloyd George's statement to tho Labor deputation at Downing Street was on the lines of his speech in the House of Commons. Mr Bevin (the dockers’ delegate) was the principal speaker. The deputation asked what would happen if the Polish people adopted a constitution which was not suited to the Allies. Mr Lloyd George replied : “We have no# thing to do with that. It is their business, provided it is not Imposed by force.” The ‘ Daily News ’ Berlin correspondent says that advices from East Prussia state that the Russian northern array is seven miles from the Polish corridor between East and West Prussia to Danzig and is advancing rapidly. Tho Russian cavalry have cut the Warsaw -Danzig Railway at Ciedha/now (45 miles north north-west of Warsaw). NON-COMMITTAL AMERICA. WASHINGTON, August 10 The State Department has published a Note regarding the Polish situation stating that the United States desires an autonomous Poland and does not take exception to the armistice negotiations between Russian end Poland. The United States will not participate in these negotiations, since it fears that they may lead to the recognition of the Soviet and a settlement of the Russian problem upon the basis of the dismemberment of Rnssia. The United States will therefore welcome an allied declaration that the true boundaries of Russia, excepting Finland, Poland, and part of Armenia will be safeguarded. The United States Note was a reply to Italy, who requested an outline of the attitude of the United States towards Poland. It points out that the United States, not wishing the dismemberment of Russia, has consistently refused to recognise tho Baltic States of Georgia and Azerfoijan. Tho Note adds that the United States cannot undertake any relations with the Soviet, since the latter does not represent the Russian people and openly advocates the stirring up of revolution in other countries. It concludes by stating that a declaration safeguarding the Russian boundaries would negate the Soviet, appeal to the spirit of Russian nationalism, and cause the Russian people to turn upon the Bolsheviks. NEW YORK, August 11. _ President Wilson will soon extend material aid to Poland in conformity with his promise to use all available means to protect Poland’s independence, A Warsaw message reports that the populace are stampeding from the city. The State Department at Washington is advised •that some piembers of the American Legation staff at Warsaw have moved to Poson, and the American archives have been packed ready for removal. Reuter’s Telegrams. NEW YORK, August 11. Washington, in a Note to Italy, has revealed the American position in the Russo-Polish situation. Secretary of State Colby said the Government approved of the efforts to arrange an armistice, and would regard with satisfaction a declaration by the Allied and Associated Powers that the territorial integrity and true boundaries of Russia would be respected. The Government would not participate now in a plan to expand the armistice into a general European conference, because that might involve two results from which the people of America strongly recoiled—viz., tho recognition of Bolshevism and the settlement of Russian problems upon the basis of dismemberment of Russia. Tne Note says that Americans are earnestiy solicitous for tho maintenance of Poland’s territorial integrity and political independence. The U.S. Government will employ every means to render these effectual. REDS NEAR WARSAW. LONDON, August 11. Advices from Germany state that the Russians are within 25 miles of Warsaw. The Poles are unable to offer any serious resistance on any part of the front. FRANCE PRECIPITATE. RECOGNITION OF WRANGEL. PARIS, August 11. France recognises Wrangel as head of South Russian Government. French military assistance to Idm is implied in this step. Mr Lloyd George has been notified of the decision. t LONDON, August 11. . France’s recognition of the South Russian Government means a splitting of the Entente. It is reported that Mr Lloyd George refused to be stampeded into war by France, the latter having decided to give General Wrangel every material support without waiting the result of the Russo-Polish negotiations. Radical and Labor circles interpret France's decision as a deliberate breach °f the Lympne agreement, with a fall appreciation of its consequences.